Reunion 2015 — the multi-class reunion sponsored by the Houlton High School Alumni Association — is under way and will continue throughout the weekend. Activities began last week and continue through Saturday, July 11.
The multi-class reunions are held every five years. The tradition began in 2000 with the Centennial Celebration which commemorated the 100th anniversary of Houlton High School. It was decided at that time to hold a reunion for all classes every five years so celebrations followed in 2005 and 2010.
The multi-class reunion has become a major event for the region and brings hundreds of people home and builds off the Houlton Fair. The events are made possible in large part due to sponsorships obtained from businesses and individuals.
The A+ sponsor for this year is Elm Tree Diner. There are five High Honors sponsors including Dead River Company, Louisiana Pacific, Machias Savings Bank, Shiretown Inn & Suites and York’s of Houlton. The Honor Roll sponsors include County Yankee, F.A. Peabody Company, Severson, Hand & Nelson and Smith & Wesson. The Hole sponsors are as follows: Aroostook Auto Tech, Bell Chiropractic, Buildings Etcetera, Michael A. Clark ‘54, S.W. Collins Company, Donahue Maintenance & Masonry, Michael Donovan ‘57, Dunn Furniture Company, First Choice Real Estate, Furniture & Floors North, Gardiner Health Care Facility, In Memory of Janice Harrigan by her children, Paul A. McGillicuddy ‘32, Jon McLaughlin ‘73, James H. McPartland & Sons, Leslie (Buddy) and Ann Rheinlander ‘54 and Southern Aroostook Development Corporation.
The Alumni Association also received financial support from the Estate of Betty Baulch ‘52. Baulch passed away in August of 2011. At that time she left a $10,000 bequest to the Alumni Association. Baulch had a distinguished career as a nurse and led the nursing and allied health department at Northern Maine Community College (formerly Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute). She also very much enjoyed attending the Alumni galas and socials with her sister. The Alumni Board recognized her contribution to nursing by presenting a $5,000 scholarship to a student going into a nursing program. The remaining $5,000 was held to assist with the expenses for this year’s reunion activities. So, the Association pays a special tribute to Baulch and believes she will be there in spirit while we are remembering her.
Last week, various classes were busy decorating windows in the downtown with photos and memorabilia from their class year. The displays will remain up through the weekend. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to stroll the sidewalks and view the displays.
An Art Show is going on at Visions at 66 Main St. featuring work by HHS alumni and other local artists.
A Hospitality Center has been set up to allow people to register, pickup a welcome packet, purchase tickets and merchandise and locate other alumni. The center is located at 72 Main St. courtesy of Hatfield Realty Service. Hours for the center for the rest of the week are as follows: Wednesday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, July 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to noon.
The talent of several alumni is on display and available through raffles which are going on. A handcrafted queen-size “Shadow Box” quilt was designed and made by Karen Cyr Gallop ‘64 and Trisha Cyr McCarthy ‘73, with quilting by Brittany Henderson Benn ‘79. A painting entitled “Backyard Poppies” has also been donated by Barbara London ‘66. This is a 16×20 watercolor. Tickets for either raffle are $5 each or a book of 5 for $20 The pieces are on display at the Hospitality Center. Tickets are available at the Hospitality Center, from planning committee members and at some of the reunion events.
Alumni merchandise available at the Hospitality Center includes tote bags, hats and shirts as well as new items including hoodies and throws.
Tonight (July 8th) an alumni soccer game will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Houlton High School soccer field. Former players are welcome to participate and a rousing crowd is encouraged to attend and cheer them on.
Alums are invited to take in the McGill’s Community Band concert on Thursday, July 9. The band includes several HHS alums and a rendition of the school song is expected to be played amidst the other pieces to be performed.
Friday evening brings the return of the popular Alumni Variety Show at 7 p.m. at the Houlton High School auditorium. The show will feature the alumni band under the direction of Kevin Mania, who is director of both the high school band and McGill’s. After being created for the 2010 show, the alumni chorus will perform again. This year the chorus will be directed by Rick Nickerson, who was a member of HHS Class of ‘81 and who is currently the director of the renowned Windham Chamber Singers. There are other musical and variety performances to be featured. There is no charge for this year’s Alumni Variety Show. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis at the door which will open at 6:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted.
The Houlton Community Golf Course is the site of the annual alumni golf scramble on Saturday, July 11. This is a nine-hole Texas Scramble, which is open to alumni and guests. The cost is $35 per person. Entrants can register their own foursome or can allow organizers to put them in a group. Registration beings in 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams for gross and net. Registration is available by calling the golf course at 532-2662.
The reunion events conclude with the Gala Dinner Dance on Saturday evening at the John Millar Civic Center. The event features a meal prepared by members of the Houlton Lodge of Elks, which includes prime rib, scallops and vegetarian lasagna with sides, dessert and beverages. The evening begins with a social from 6-7 p.m. with doors open at 5:45 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. followed by music and dancing from 8:30-11 p.m. provided by Teddy Bither and the Boys.
Today, July 8, is the final day to purchase advance tickets for $35 per person and the final day to purchase tickets online. Tickets are available at the Hospitality Center and at some events. Tickets will also be available at the door. Following July 8, tickets will cost $40 per person.
Additional information on Reunion 2015 and the events is available on the alumni website at www.houltonalumni.com or on their Facebook page. Information is also available by contacting Nancy Ketch ‘82, alumni association president at nketch64@gmail.com.
