GHS59-50th-Dinner

The Saturday evening dinner event was everything most of us had hoped it would be. The newly renovated Courtyard Fitchburg was an excellent location, the meal was excellent and our room was the perfect size for 113 classmates and friends.
    Norm Beauregard, who did a terrific job as the evenings MC, started things off by thanking us all for coming. He called on our own Rev. Ron Rogers to began the evening with Grace and some comments. Ron related a story of how tough it was for him to complete the Boston Marathon years ago and yet someone told him he was “looking good”. He reminded us that after fifty years and probably many a trial we were all still “looking good”.
    We paused a moment in honor of all the classmates whose name badges were posted on the Memorial poster.
    Our class President, Tom Leavitt, reminded us how fortunate we all were to grow up in Gardner even though many of us probably didn’t realize it for many years. During the 50’s it was a city that valued education, hard work, faith and family and that gave us all a great foundation.
    Ed Nobrega spoke briefly to the class and reminded us that the word that comes to mind when he thinks of our class is “grit”.
    Music for the evening was provided by Bob Wright on the keyboard. It was just the proper amount of “softer” music that we requested and he even surprised us by being accompanied by a soloist who added to the evening.
    Jackie and Norm presented special gifts (Gardner tee shirts) to several classmates. Gerry (Wick) Favreau received one for being the “59th” classmate to register for the reunion. Another tee shirt was awarded to Al Vallee for traveling the furthest to the reunion - Oregon. And still another was given to Georgianna (Nichols) Favreau for having the most grandchildren - 22. Ken Stone was recognized as getting the most correct answers to “Tony’s Quiz” on the class web site.
   On behalf of the class the Reunion Committee presented gifts to Jackie and Tony for their many years of dedication to planning our reunions and managing all the minor details with care. They have made us proud by being the face of the class of ‘59 for many years. Curt Wickman was presented a generous gift for maintaining the class web site, the classmate database, and for other computer assistance to the committee. These folks are most thankful for the gifts but expressed how important it was to have such a supportive committee that was always ready to help, whether it was stuffing envelopes, trimming badges, meeting with Courtyard reps, hosting meetings, buying centerpieces, and the list is endless.
   Socializing was the focus of the night, but later in the evening a few folks were seen bravely doing the polka.