Horicon classmates convene after decades apart

The Horicon High School Class of 1970 recently held their first-ever reunion — the 41st anniversary of the class's graduation — at Witherbee's Carriage House Restaurant in Schroon Lake. Twelve of the original graduates and their spouses and guests attended, and the classmates, many of whom hadn't seen each other for decades, spent hours reminiscing and hearing about each others' experiences, class member and reunion organizer Gail Hawkins of Greeneville Tennessee said. "It was interesting what people have done with their lives," she said. "Everyone had a great time reminiscing and catching up — we all were in good spirits, and it was great fun." Hawkins launched the reunion early this year when she and her husband Jim were living in Germany — he retired this year from the U.S. Air Force — and she started looking up classmates on Facebook. When the Hawkins' returned to their farm in Tennessee in June, she and other classmates began organizing and planning the event. Gail Hawkins said she first found first David Todriff of Bolton, and Dave Girvin of Texas on Facebook, then more and more people started connecting. Alice Dooris of Brant Lake helped find a good number of the class members, Hawkins said. "The project just snowballed," she said, noting that classmate Suzanne Mountz of Indiana wrote personal letters to classmates, urging them to attend the reunion. Hawkins' daughter Ariel helped out, making invitations. Class members traveled from Florida, Indiana,Tennessee, Virginia and throughout New York to attend. Decorations for the reunion, held Sept. 24, were created by Lucy Corlew and Barb Viele. Special guests included the school's beloved teacher, Frank Dower of Chestertown, accompanied by his wife Mary Jane. Festivities began with hors d'oeuvres and social hour. Attendees then enjoyed a buffet dinner followed with a cake, compliments of Lucy Corlew. After group pictures were taken, the participants enjoyed entertainment from Curt Cleveland's band, Chain Lightning. Hawkins said that the years have apparently been kind to the classmates who were able to attend. "I would have known everyone," she said. "Everybody looked great."

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Horicon classmates convene after decades apart

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