In 1961, 12 students graduated from Carnduff’s high school. The date was June 12.
And 61 years later, that class of ’61 gathered in Carnduff for their first-ever reunion.
Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend. One classmate (George Thompson) has passed away and four others stayed home for various reasons. Travelling can be tough when one is a year or two shy of 80.
The seven who did make it had a great time catching up. The alumni arrived on June 20 and for the next two days, a lot of memory-sharing and eating took place. This was the first time that some had seen each other since the night of their graduation.
Most of the visiting took place in the local park and some of the eating happened in the CE Building of the United Church.
A few travelled a long way to see their old school buddies. Joan (Avery) Danis came from Vancouver and Norma (Amos) Asp arrived from St. Catharines, Ont. A friendly debate ensued as to whom had made the longest trip, as Google was not consulted, and Asp conceded, figuring that a flight from Ontario was not as arduous as Danis’ solo drive from British Columbia.
The idea of this grad arose in the minds of Asp and Bill Tosh of Alberta. They contacted Ross Douglas, who lives in Carnduff, and the wheels went into motion to make an idea reality. Douglas and his wife Agnes were helped by several local residents in making the reunion happen.
Everyone seemed to have a great time and the reunion came to an end. But for several, there was more to do. A number joined Vi Day in making a trip out to an old schoolhouse that she has restored and then Danis, who still had some driving in her, hopped into her vehicle and drove another 200 kilometres to visit her 90-plus-year-old Grade 1 teacher in Hamiota, Man.
And now the planning begins for a second reunion another 61 years from now.
