By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Residents and past residents of Florence gathered Saturday to mark the town’s 150th birthday, and others came from near and far in anticipation of a Sunday motorcycle race.

A discussion of days gone by at the Harvey House museum drew 23 audience members to hear former resident Doug Westerhaus talk about Florence history.

Westerhaus then held the microphone out to audience members who grew up in Florence, asking them to share their favorite memories.

Marion resident Bill Higgins said his best memory of growing up in Florence was “hanging a certain part out the second floor window of the school.”

He didn’t say whether it got him in trouble.

Florence natives came from as far away as South Carolina and North Dakota to reminisce.

Three museum volunteers, Iva Britton, Judy Mills, and Glenda Mackey, served coffee, orange juice, water, and donuts to the people who came to the Harvey House.

The oldest class with members at a banquet for school alumni was the class of 1943. All told, 130 former students gathered for dinner at the old gymnasium.

Motorcyclists who came to Florence for the race gathered in campgrounds and visited Saturday.