The reunions for the Class of '58 are getting closer and closer together.
"That's because we're getting older!" say organizers Sharon Bradburn and Don Backus who got together with fellow graduates of North Battleford Collegiate Institute this summer.
The first reunion was 35 years ago. At that time, 26 members of the class reunited for their 20th anniversary. Their second chance to get together was in 1993 at a reunion for the whole school.
Then in 2008, the Class of '58 celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reunion at Jackfish Lodge. Eighteen graduates plus spouses attended. They had such a good time they decided they would meet again in five years.
That they did Sept. 6, 7 and 8, again at Jackfish Lodge. This time, they decided they will meet again in two years.
This year's reunion also saw 18 of the 48 former students able to attend, although not the same roster as the last reunion.
Backus told the Regional Optimist, attendees came from east to west in Canada and from coast to coast in the United States, namely Jacksonville Beach, Fla. and San Francisco, Calif. Backus and Bradburn are the only two former students left in the Battlefords.
While 18 former students were able to attend, another 10 weren't able to make it, 11 couldn't be located, and nine had passed away.
Registration and a social took place Friday, Sept. 6.
The social was great fun, said Backus. It was a chance to share stories and get back in touch with one another.
Saturday, they rented a school bus and headed to North Battleford for a visit to their alma mater. The ride itself was interesting, said Bradburn, because some had never ridden a school bus. Out of town students of NBCI boarded in town, herself included.
At John Paul II Collegiate, which includes original parts of the NBCI building, they were met by retired teacher Murray Zakresky, who took them on a tour inside.
"It's changed a lot," said Backus.
They also rode their school bus out to the CUPlex for a tour of the Dekker Centre, the aquatic centre, the field house and the curling centre.
Everyone was very impressed with the facility, said Bradburn.
Back at Jackfish Lodge that evening, they held a banquet, and a farewell brunch was held Sunday.
Bradburn says this reunion saw people sharing even more of themselves and their life experiences with their former students than at past get-togethers. Maybe everyone was more comfortable after having seen one another relatively recently, she said, and they are looking forward to another one in two years.
Most of the group stayed on in the area visiting family and familiar places, said Bradburn.
"Some of them are still here."
