Garaway Class of 1961 celebrates 50th class reunion
On Oct. 1, 1953, the day of the very first Ohio Swiss Festival, members of the Garaway Class of 1961 were in the fifth grade at Ragersville, Dundee, and Sugarcreek-Shanesville grade schools. They were also the first freshman class to attend and graduate from the soon-to-be formed Garaway High School.
Classmates and spouses gathered on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1 of this year to celebrate their 50th class reunion. On Friday morning, four class members met at Willandale Golf Course to enjoy an early game of golf (in cold rainy weather); coordinated by classmate Bob Raber. Twelve classmates toured the high school on Friday afternoon, led by school maintenance supervisor, Todd Hillyer. They were privileged to watch an impromptu performance by the Garaway Flag Corps.
Twenty-seven members of the Class of ’61 gathered for breakfast at Dutch Valley Restaurant on Saturday. The class planned to watch the Swiss Festival Grand Parade together at a prearranged spot on Maple Street, but because of the inclement weather, only a few were able to attend.
Thirty-two classmates and four teachers gathered at the Sugarcreek Carlisle Inn for dinner, catered by Dutch Valley Restaurant. Teachers attending were Roy Erwin, Floyd May, William Ray, and James Stull. The banquet room was decorated with a ‘50s theme and burgundy mums. Robert Ricer was master of ceremonies.
Classmates traveled from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina and as far as Washington state to attend the reunion. There were 49 graduating seniors in the Class of ’61, which began with a total of 65. The following class members are now deceased: Richard J. Burkey (died from leukemia in the seventh grade), Melvin J. Yoder, Delores (Kaufman) Gartrell, Rebecca (Zahner) Weller, Ada (Ebersole) Mullet, Earl W. Immel, Larry B. Rentsch, and Gary L. Snyder.
The reunion was planned by Ben Banks (chairperson), Judy (Peterman) Harstine, Mary Jean (Miller) Kohler, Bob Ricer, Nancy (Fankhuaser) Schindler, and Kay (Deetz) Zehnder. A 50th reunion memory book was written by Judy (Peterman) Harstine and presented to class members.
They are still seeking volunteers to plan the next reunion in 2016. Contact Ben Banks at enerad@comcast.net if you would like to be on the planning committee for the 55th Class of ’61 planning committee.
Classmates and spouses gathered on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1 of this year to celebrate their 50th class reunion. On Friday morning, four class members met at Willandale Golf Course to enjoy an early game of golf (in cold rainy weather); coordinated by classmate Bob Raber. Twelve classmates toured the high school on Friday afternoon, led by school maintenance supervisor, Todd Hillyer. They were privileged to watch an impromptu performance by the Garaway Flag Corps.
Twenty-seven members of the Class of ’61 gathered for breakfast at Dutch Valley Restaurant on Saturday. The class planned to watch the Swiss Festival Grand Parade together at a prearranged spot on Maple Street, but because of the inclement weather, only a few were able to attend.
Thirty-two classmates and four teachers gathered at the Sugarcreek Carlisle Inn for dinner, catered by Dutch Valley Restaurant. Teachers attending were Roy Erwin, Floyd May, William Ray, and James Stull. The banquet room was decorated with a ‘50s theme and burgundy mums. Robert Ricer was master of ceremonies.
Classmates traveled from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina and as far as Washington state to attend the reunion. There were 49 graduating seniors in the Class of ’61, which began with a total of 65. The following class members are now deceased: Richard J. Burkey (died from leukemia in the seventh grade), Melvin J. Yoder, Delores (Kaufman) Gartrell, Rebecca (Zahner) Weller, Ada (Ebersole) Mullet, Earl W. Immel, Larry B. Rentsch, and Gary L. Snyder.
The reunion was planned by Ben Banks (chairperson), Judy (Peterman) Harstine, Mary Jean (Miller) Kohler, Bob Ricer, Nancy (Fankhuaser) Schindler, and Kay (Deetz) Zehnder. A 50th reunion memory book was written by Judy (Peterman) Harstine and presented to class members.
They are still seeking volunteers to plan the next reunion in 2016. Contact Ben Banks at enerad@comcast.net if you would like to be on the planning committee for the 55th Class of ’61 planning committee.
Published: October 25, 2011
