Thanks for your interest in our 1951 Class Reunion. We are as surprised as you that a group of geriatrics exists that is willing to subject itself to the well-deserved disdain of old sweats and call it a reunion after 60 years of chances to know better!

Basically, our susceptible survivors – a good percentage of the 44-member Graduating Class of 1951 – and mates will assemble in Osoyoos June 23rd for a 60-year celebration of life since saying good-byes to the school and each other. Various of us have been in contact in different ways and circles since then, but several attending have not seen many others from that day to June 23rd. Those we know surviving are spread as far as the San Diego area, to Prince George, to Alberta, and some live in the Oliver-Osoyoos area – many having returned from lives elsewhere. You may realise that the Oliver school was the only High School for all students from OK Falls to the border and over to Rock Creek in our time, meaning that about half of attendees came from Osoyoos.

Our tentative plan is to muster during the day and (maybe) tour the  Inkameep Desert Centre before assembling at the Best Western – Sunrise Inn for socialising, dining, storytelling, possible dancing (to only “real music”) and likely raising funds to support SOSS students.

Further activities are still under discusion, but may include a Friday tour/discussion of the proposed National Park in the South Okakagan/Similkameen dry belt – a project in which Senator Ross Fitzpatrick (a class member) has been involved for a decade.

A further possibility is some participation in the Friday night Graduating ceremony for the 2011 Class in Oliver. The first reaction by the organiser was enthusiastic, but we have not confirmed any contribution by us. In preparation for that, and to satisfy ourselves that we can still think and write (intermittently), we are assembling thoughts, reminiscences, anecdotes and reflections from all members for compilation into a document to be shared among all our group, and to be offered to the School, if wished.

You may know Jean Evans, wife of Class member David, who is well connected with many local families and who has been an amazing help in tracking down those for whom we had no address, resulting in a number of them planning to attend. She should be cloned and filed in your data bank for ready consultation.

Great help has been offered by Cheryl Andrews at the School in digging up old photos and providing connections to archival material of the time. The landscaped grounds were the “rock pile” then and saw several people known to us working off detentions in full view of their friends for the greater good. I’m not saying that Ross Fitzpatrick was among them – my memory not always reliable – but others might. Such penance is likely not permitted now, though it seemed to serve the greater good – and provide entertainment to the crowd lined up for a bus.

If you want a local contact for late-breaking news, contact Ted Takacs in Osoyoos at  495-2903. He will tally the registrants and lead the welcome at the Sunrise Inn.

Thanks again for your interest.

We might pursue your Archives for pertinent info pre or after the event to flesh out our “Memories” document. Can you provide the necessary link?

Best wishes,

Michael Meagher