The Central Aroostook High School classes of 1970 and 1971 met recently during the Homecoming weekend to celebrate their 51st and 50th class reunions.
Due to COVID-19, the Class of 1970 had to cancel their reunion last summer. When the planning started for the Class of 1971, the committee decided to invite the Class of 1970 to join in the fun –which they did. Some classmates traveled as far away as Florida and New York to attend.
Though it was an extremely hot Homecoming weekend, Sunday afternoon returned to some normal temperatures and the two classes met at the home of Jeff and Sue (Mahan) Vreeland in Presque Isle for steak, chicken, assorted munchies, salads and desserts. A cake made by Kathy (Alexander) Miller to commemorate the 50th reunion for her class was also enjoyed.
The afternoon was spent visiting with classmates and their spouses, and reminiscing about the fun times that were had during their high school years. Since no one had changed at all (insert laughter here), name tags were handed out to benefit those who might have needed an “edge” on remembering someone. Yearbook signings even took place for some who never got it done at graduation. Senior pictures were displayed, along with yearbooks and pictures from past reunions.
Central Aroostook High School’s Class of 1971 reunited recently. Gathered are, from left, back row: Cathy (Philbrick), Sherri (Bates) Goode, Greg Maclroy, Julie (Mahan) Foster, Patti (Fletcher) Hopkinson, Gordan Stitham, Rodney Mahan, Authur Lunn, Harold Smith, Debbie (Fletcher) Bell, Michael Dahlgren, Donna (Hartley) Lewis, David Weeks, David McCrum, Kathy (Alexander) Miller, Nathan Anderson and Rick Duncan. Middle: Dottie (Keenan) Smith, Sue (Mahan) Vreeland, Cathy Mahan, Sandra (Kinney) Fulton, Debbie (Boyd) Wilson and Dawn (Maillet) Mahan. Front: Patricia (Stickney) Richardson, Diane (Tompkins) LeClair, Connie (Hartley) Levesque and Denise (Townsend) Duncan.
(Courtesy of Kathy Miller)
The classes were honored to have two of their previous teachers in attendance, chemistry teacher Mr. Leroy Shephard and English teacher Mrs. Robin Barker. Mrs. Barker even wore the same dress that she wore to the Class of 1971’s class banquet 50 years ago.
The President of the Class of 1971, Rodney Mahan, gave a long-awaited speech to both classes. After mentioning some thank yous, he said, “We have a bond that will last throughout life . We knew each other when life was so much simpler, but so much fun. You can go through life and meet many friends, but it’s hard to beat those first childhood friends that go with us into our adult years.”
Although many were unable to be present, and some have passed on, they were in the hearts of all who attended. Wishes for peace, love and joy until next year were shared.
