I.                    The Event

a.      Hotels for Out-of-Towners- It would have been good for all out-of-towners to stay at one hotel to further implement sharing time. However, it was not practical to do so, due to some desiring to stay in different towns, and some staying with friends or family.

b.      The Evening Before the Reunion (May 7, 2004)

                                                               i.      Various out-of-towners gathered with in-towners to kick-off informal, unorganized, sharing sessions.

c.      The Day of the Reunion (May 8, 2004)

                                                               i.      Location- Winslow Community Center Cafeteria

                                                             ii.      11:00- Gathering and Sharing- Doors were advertised to open at 11:00 am. When the writer (Rog Nichols) arrived at 10:30, about a dozen people had already congregated to set up the room and to put up decorations, memorials, memorabilia, and favors. Others had already come to begin sharing. Since another organization had the facility the previous evening, preparations could not take place until Saturday morning.

                                                            iii.      12:00- Luncheon

1.      Remembrance of Ill Class Members by Tom Nordhorn- It was mentioned that several of our class mates were not able to attend due to illness and other difficulties: Peggy Cain Carter, Garry McCafferty, Dick Morgan, Larry Pirkle, and Harry Nelson. We pray for their fast recovery and future attendance. Also, we were encouraged to visit these people when traveling through their areas.   

2.      Invocation and Remembrance of Deceased Class Members by Ned Barr- Deceased members are Jim Blair, Gary Dorsey, Terry French, Louise (McClain) Reel, Rosalee (Norrick) Sanders, and Wilbert Stilwell

3.      Buffet Lunch- Catered by Schnitzelbank Restaurant of Jasper 

                                                           iv.      1:00- The Class Meeting

1.      Class Meeting Led by Tom Nordhorn (The Reunion Organizer, as has been the case with most of our reunions)

2.      Introduction of 1954 Class Officers

a.       President- Larry Carter

b.      Vice President- Bill Craig

c.       Secretary- Bill Huffman

d.      Treasurer- Dick Morgan; Jessie Edrington appointed as substitute, due to Dick’s absence

e.       Historian- Jessie Edrington

3.      Recognition of Reunion Facilitators

a.       Bio Booklet Preparation- Tom and Delta Nordhorn hosted a party on May 6 to put the Bio Booklets together. This group included Betty and Jack Benjamin, Bill and Jan Craig, and John and Marcy Dedman.

b.      Decorations and Favors and Deceased Members Memorial- Jessie and Carroll Edrington, Tom and Delta Corn, Gail and Don Johnson,

c.       Memorabilia- Jessie Edrington and many others who shared pictures, albums, and scrap books.

4.      Information Chain- An information chain has been set up to relate catastrophic events and needs of class members and spouses. The chain is presented in the Bio Books.

5.      Next Reunion- 2006 in conjunction with WHS Reunion. Tom’s attempts to find a new organizer failed. No one felt they could replace Tom’s excellent service.

6.      Finances- $20 was collected from each class member for deficiencies and future needs.

7.      WHS Reunions and Alumni Life Members- Benefits mentioned.

8.      Bio Booklets Passed out- Contained  pictures and personal bios that were supplied by most people, along with addresses (snail and e-mail), phone numbers, spouse names, years attended Winslow Schools (Elementary and High School), and a communication chain list. Note: the list of past class mates included every name of everyone that had ever attended one year of any of our classes during the twelve year period. What a fantastic record!!!!!!!!! Also, Janice Soderling provided a great intro to the booklet that really jogs the memory cells and the tear glands. 

9.      Awards- Roger Nichols presented plaques from the Class to:

a.       (1) Tom Nordhorn in grateful appreciation for outstanding leadership in maintaining class member contacts, organizing numerous reunions, and keeping the class spirit alive over the past fifty years.

b.      (2) John Dedman in grateful appreciation for outstanding leadership in creating and maintaining the WHS website, with special attention to the Class of 1954, and in keeping the Winslow Eskimo spirit alive. Note: John’s web site can be found at http://www.jddedman.com . John’s web site will contain the latest addresses and phone numbers for our class mates, including the corrections to the material in our bio booklets at this reunion. Also, it contains a wealth of information on the entire school, including basketball. If you have not visited the site, you are missing a real treat.  

                                                             v.      The People

1.      The Invitees: The invitees included anyone who had ever attended any of our classes during the twelve year school period. Several, who did not graduate with the WHS Class of 1954, did come to the reunion. It was great to see them

2.      The Attendees: Ned Barr, Betty and Jack Benjamin, Larry Bonenberger, Bonnie Brewster,  Mary (Corn) Butler, Larry Carter, Bill and Jan Craig, Burt and Fern (Corn) Crecelius, Carol and Margie Davis, John and Marcy Dedman, Peggy (DeJarnett) and Frank Dedrick, Mike and Barbara Doris, Jessie and Carroll Edrington, Jack and Betty Lou Evans, DeWayne and Ann Griffith, Donna Belle (Hamm) and Don Gross, Janice (Wood) Hriso, Bill and Mitch Huffman, Lester Hume, Bob Jackson, Shirley (Nixon) Jenkins, Gail (Corn) and Don Johnson, Inez (Russell) and Jim King, Martha (Corn) Meyer, Ike Mullins, Roger and Ceil Nichols, Tom and Delta Nordhorn, Ronald Rainey, Doretta (Wallace) and Bob Royalty, Willie and Peggy Shafer, Janice Soderling, Merle (Denton) Stewart, Robert Carl and Alberta Gayle Thompson, Lois Jean (Royalty) Williams, and Boyd and Opal Woolsey        

3.      The Sick Who Could Not Come: Peggy (Cain) Carter, Garry McCafferty, Dick Morgan, Larry Pirkle, and Harry Nelson.

4.      Those Who Had Died: Jim Blair, Gary Dorsey, Terry French, Louise (McClain) Reel, Rosalee (Norrick) Sanders, and Wilbert Stilwell

5.      Those Who Elected Not To Provide Bios: Larry Eskind, Sylvia (Auberry) Nickless,  and Myrna (Selby) Smith

6.      Those Who Did Not Come for Some Unknown Reason: Rosalie (Dawson) and Bob Blackburn were planning to come but did not make it. Larry Eskind, Frank Evans, Dixie Ann (Northerner) Hamm,  Janna (Woolsey) Martin, Mildred (Miley) Minehart, Sylvia (Auberry) Nickless, Lois (Keith) Perkins,  and Myrna (Selby) Smith       

                                                           vi.      The Class Picture

1.      Hasting Studios took a group picture with and with-out spouses. $15 each or $25 for both.

                                                          vii.      The Sharing

1.      People continued to meet and share their lives until about 4:45 pm.

                                                        viii.      Booklets for Those Who Could Not Attend

1.      People wrote notes on blank pages in the booklets of those who were too sick to attend 

d.      The Evening Following the Reunion (May 8, 2004)

                                                               i.      Various out-of-towners gathered with in-towners to continue informal, unorganized, sharing sessions.

II.                 RDN Reflections

a.      Old Friendships Are So Meaningful- A Magical Time and Place- As another WHS Alum stated it, “There was something very special and very magical about being in Winslow High School during that period”.  We grew up in a great place during a great period in history. We are so proud that our classmates have done so well. Our class can stand proud in the world. Our accomplishments have been remarkable. Our friendships still hold true. The Eskimo spirit is alive and strong.

b.      Our Reunions are Great Fun- It is so interesting to catch up on what people have done and where they have gone since high school graduation. There are a lot of interesting experiences to share. Also, it is a lot of fun to remember old times and to share stories of our past; to relive those interesting moments. 

c.      The Way We Remember is Scary- This is the scary part, and this is the part that makes reunions so fascinating and so much fun. Some of the events that are so crystal clear in my mind are not remembered by others. Many times, I do not remember events that others remember. Many times, the events that we both remember; we remember differently.  Sometimes, I find that some events that are crystal clear to me, did not even happen, or happened completely different. As and example, I was sharing with Larry Bonenberger about an event that happened to his younger sister. Larry told me that he did not have a younger sister. Then I continued with a number of other events that apparently never happened. I have a feeling that we all have similar experiences (or I’m going crazy, which could easily be the case). It sure makes me wonder about some of the autobiographies that people write late in life. Someone could make an interesting study of the way the brain processes, stores, and recalls historical data.

d.      Class Indebtedness to Reunion Organizers; Leaders and Implementers- We are sure indebted to all of those who make these reunions a reality. The awards that were given to Tom and John are an attempt to show our gratitude. Many others are involved and need recognition. Unfortunately, I do not know who all has been involved over the years. But thanks goes to all.

e.      Evening Gatherings Before and After the Formal Reunion- The time allotted for the reunions is never sufficient to talk with everyone in the detail desired. We had about six hours at this reunion before most people had left. I was just getting started. I had many more people I wanted to see and I had many more questions I wanted to ask. Informal group gatherings before and after the reunions offer some additional discussion time. I wish we could get away for a whole day or so. Also, I so miss those that do not come to the reunions. I would sure like to see them.

f.        Summary- What a fantastic reunion!!!!!!! As always, it is a high point of the year. It is so good to see old friends and catch up on what has been happening in their lives. Thank you all so much for pulling this off and being a part of my life. Thanks for the memories. What a fantastic class!!!!!!!! What a fantastic school!!!!!!!!! What a fantastic town!!!!!!!!!!

Rog Nichols    

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