Class of 1955 observes 50th anniversary years ago
Peabody High School class of 1955 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduation Memorial Day weekend.
Activities began May 27 when 26 classmates and spouses went to Prairie Rose Ranch near Benton. They enjoyed visiting the Hopalong Cassidy Museum, a ride on a miniature train, a barbecue beef dinner, and a concert by the Prairie Rose Wranglers.
Several class members attended the open house for Peabody High School alumni the evening of May 28 at the home of Jack and Kerrie Kirkpatrick. Pat (Thach) Hunnell and Anita Watson of Bandon, Ore., also served as hostesses.
Class members, spouses, and other Peabody alumni gathered May 29 at the Pat Post farm for the official reunion. Former teacher and coach Mr. Coffman and his wife were special guests.
Several special gifts were presented during the evening's program.
Pat Hunnell received a package of trail mix for coming the furthest distance.
Gifford Jordon was compensated for an error in the 1954 yearbook, in which "Clifford" Jordon appeared as his name.
Harold Keller was given a homemade class ring to replace the one he lost on the senior trip. A toy school bus was given to Victor Klingenberg to remind him he had to return to Arkansas the following day (Monday) to drive his school bus May 31 to make up for a "snow day."
Coffman was given a bottle of aspirin to replace the ones used when he was trying to get rid of "headaches" class members had caused.
Levels were presented to Jim Guthrie and Carlene (Hansen) Bedner to remind them they were the ones able to keep a calm, friendly "level" atmosphere among class members. Bedner also was given a piece of junk representing the metal the Bedners had run over in 1990 while going to the class reunion held in Oregon. They had to purchase a new car because of the damage it caused.
Lani (Reed) Almond was presented a bottle of wine to recall a "special" dinner during the 1990 Oregon trip.
Mary (Gaines) Olson presented Maxine Gilmer and Pat Hunnell with angels made from handkerchiefs to express appreciation for their successful reunion planning.
Each class member received a goodie bag of items donated by Peabody merchants and made by Olson and Marilyn Harsh.
Following a dinner served by the Post family, the group enjoyed watching Jandee (Post) and Andrew Nave do the "Twist." Olson and Keith Harsh and several others joined in the dance.
Janet Post and her sisters provided musical entertainment while the Riggs brothers built a bonfire.
During the business meeting, Maxine (Beeton) Gilmer led discussion about presenting a Class of 1955 award to a PBHS graduating senior planning to attend college.
A quilt Gilmer had made was auctioned to raise money for the award. Olson was the successful bidder and the class voted to give a $250 award.
Other donations were collected and one class member contributed an additional $250 so awards could be presented to two 2005 graduating seniors. The remaining funds will be used to give future awards.
Some class members attended Memorial Day services at Prairie Lawn Cemetery. The class later attended the annual luncheon at the Brown Building. Hunnell was in charge of decorating tables reserved for the class.
A get-together was held at the home of Hunnell and Watson as the final function for the four-day event.
Those attending from out-of-town were Maryann Lani Almond of Boyertown, Pa., James Botkin of Colorado Springs, Colo., Pat Hunnell of Bandon, Ore.
Victor Klingenberg of Bentonville, Ark., Maxine Gilmer of Eagle Point, Ore., Jim Guthrie of Silver Springs, Md., Gifford Jordon of Springdale, Ark.
Kay McKinnie of Lakeland, Fla., Larry Goering of Ayden, N.C., Gilberta Hague of Bismarck, N.D.
Jerald Kaufman of Tomball, Texas, Harold Keller of Arlington, Texas, Harold Keller of Warrensburg, Mo., and Robert Torres of Albuquerque, N.M.
Carlene Bedner of Emporia, David Craig of Leawood, Judy (Louis) Griffith of El Dorado, Stanley Hansen of Topeka.
Mary Olson and Jerrie Kruse of Marion, Rodney Williams of Florence, and John Bloomer, Keith Harsh, Bonita Strasser, and Delbert Mellott, all of Peabody.
Tentative plans are to host the next reunion in Arkansas with Mr. and Mrs. Victor Klingenberg of Bentonville as hosts.
