Memories, Laughter and Gratitude
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Class of ’59
Reunion
By Doris (Nelson) Bue ‘59
The 50th reunion of the class of ’59 during the Ki-Yi weekend began with an informal gathering at Lunkers. Classmates were reunited and conversations began that lasted throughout the weekend.
Friday morning registration was held at the Elks Club during which more classmates joined the group and coffee and donuts were enjoyed by all.
The Ki-Yi parade was next on the agenda with Princess Judy Thompson Bryson and Chieftain Tom McGrann joining fellow class members on the float. Chief of Arrows Doug Kluck is deceased. The parade was enjoyed by all and returning classmates commented especially on the community spirit and participation on display by the gathered crowds. School colors were worn by young people and adults alike and smiles and waves were everywhere.
Next, to the
Heritage
Museum (the Carnegie Library in our day) where the class picture was taken on the steps.
Then back to the Elks Club for a refreshing and much enjoyed tailgate party and more time for getting reacquainted and sharing memories.
Many of the class members attended the homecoming football game at the stadium and during the game members of the ’59 basketball team were introduced and honored. That team was the first WHS Boys’ Basketball team to win a State AA Championship and was the subject of much reminiscing during the reunion. The team had brought much excitement and pride to the student body. The games drew large standing-only crowds to the City Auditorium, at times making it impossible for everyone to even get into the auditorium.
After the football game many returned to the Elks and the reunion continued.
Saturday morning, golf was played by several and in the afternoon, a bus tour of
Watertown was enjoyed by many. The tour guide was Jim Mahowald and the bus driver was Darrell Arbogast, both of whom made the excursion a huge success by all reports.
About 120 people attended the banquet where Pat Rahilly was emcee. Joan Stoft Hageman gave a beautiful vocal presentation of Danny Boy, the same song she had sung 53 years earlier at a student convocation. Prizes were given for a variety of fun reasons and again, an evening of much visiting and dancing was enjoyed by all. The music was from the ‘50’s.
The reunion came to a close on Sunday morning with brunch at Minervas.
Seventy-five graduates attended all or part of the festivities and repeatedly said how much they enjoyed the weekend. On many occasions they also said how fortunate they were to have lived in
Watertown, attended school here and grown up when they did. Being involved in Ki-Yi Day again brought back memories even more vividly and was a great time for the reunion. Everyone left looking forward to a future reunion.