It was 1967 - Canada's Centennial Year - when an enthusiastic group of 19 students celebrated the completion of their official schooling, graduating from Neilburg High School. Now, 46 years later, almost all the graduates from the class of '67 returned to their roots for a reunion May 18 and 19.
The building they once attended on a daily basis is gone but the spirit of yesterday lives on. Originally the reunion was planned for last year, to mark the 45th anniversary of their graduation, but it just wasn't working to hold the event in 2012. And so they met this year, instead. The last class of '67 reunion was held at the 20-year mark, back in 1987.
Only a handful of the class were missing. Bryan Foster of Edmonton has passed away, but his biography was still included in the colourful booklet produced for the occasion with photographs, contact information and memorabilia contained within its pages. Also unable to attend were Carole (Fairley) Meagher of Saskatoon; Merle Hope of Souris, Man., and Juanita (Ross) Epp of Thunder Bay, Ont.
All the rest were there. The main organizer for the two-day event was Barb (Graham) Gustafson of Maple Ridge, B.C. As part of the festivities, the group toured the Manitou Pioneers Museum, the current Neilburg Composite School and the Village Green Park. They also walked around an area that used to be the original school grounds; now it is residential housing.
Dinner and socializing followed at the Neilburg Seniors' Centre. A special cake, with the class of 1967's photograph on it, was served Saturday evening and members of the community were invited to attend to visit with the former graduates. On Sunday a brunch and "farewell" send-off was held.
Others attending the nostalgic event from afar were Len Svajlenko of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.; Roy Olsen of Rocanville; Max Ball of Craven; Arlene (Tenny) Ashley of Langley, B.C.; Gloria (Gifford) Boldt of Abbotsford, B.C.; Sharon (Goodfellow) Routley of Winnipeg, Man.; Doreen Edwards of Sorrento, B.C.; and Marilyn (Wells) Malthouse of Edmonton, Alta.. Graduates who remained in the Neilburg area include Bob Goodfellow, Linden O'Grady, Glenn Goodfellow, Dianne (Johnston) Wakefield, Marilyn (Goodfellow) Lindsay and David Ducherer.
The reunion attendees sported bright red ball caps that had NHS embroidered in white on the front and "Class of 1967" on the back.
