THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995 TAG: 9511160594
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Linda McNatt
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
When I first talked to Joyce Umphlette Neighbours about the second reunion of the Windsor High School classes of the 1950s, she invited me to come to the Airfield 4-H Center on Saturday, Nov. 25.
``We'll give you a good meal,'' she said.
Well, maybe it was Neighbours' Windsor accent, but I thought she said, ``We'll give you a good male.''
My reply was, ``Where are you going to get one of those?''
When she didn't say anything for the next several seconds, I knew something was wrong, so I asked.
``Meal,'' she said again. And then she went on to talk about the fried chicken, roast beef, vegetables, salads and desserts that the 4-H center has a reputation for providing on its bountiful buffet.
Good food, good companionship, fond memories. That's what this reunion promises for anyone who graduated - or attended - Windsor High anytime during the 1950s.
Sorry, ladies, no good males. Well, maybe a few, but Neighbours isn't offering to serve them on a platter.
``We're looking forward to a fun time,'' she said. ``We can't wait to see all of these people. Some are coming this time who didn't come last time.''
The first classes of the '50s reunion was held five years ago, in 1990. Locals who worked on the idea then decided that because all of the classes at Windsor High School during those years were so small that everybody from all the classes should get together.
In 1950, for example, there were 15 graduates. In '51, there were only 10. Neighbours' class - 1955 - was one of the largest, with 26 grads. That was the year that Carrsville High and Windsor High consolidated, she said.
Over all the years since the '50s, some of the classes had gotten together a couple of times. Others had never gotten together, so the idea of bringing them all in at one time seemed to be a good one.
It worked well in 1990, and it appears that it's going to work well again this year. The committee - made up of Neighbours, Windsor Mayor Bobby Claud (class of '52), Florence Drewery Bland, Shirley Carr and others - started working on this year's reunion back in June.
``We worked with a representative from every class,'' she said. ``We've met on a monthly basis. A lot of us have stayed close to home.''
But a lot of the '50s grads have moved miles away from their rural homeland. This year, grads will be coming from as far away as California, Massachusetts, Florida and Tennessee.
Neighbours said they have found that the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good time for the reunion because a lot of folks already have planned trips home for the holiday. Others, however, miss out on it because they leave town for the holidays.
Five years ago, more than 200 people showed up. This year, about 170 already have made reservations. The committee will be accepting reservations through Saturday, Nov. 18.
Music from the '50s will be provided by a disc jockey. When I talked to Shirley Carr about that, she couldn't remember any of the popular songs. Neighbours recalled something about ``cherries and apple blossoms.''
``We've gotten so old we just don't remember all of that stuff,'' Neighbours said, laughing.
Those grads who are still young at heart provided a little pizzazz at the last reunion, and they're expected to do so again. Classic cars from the '50s showed up, and several of the women wore their old cheerleader uniforms.
The reunion in 1990 went so well that the committee produced a sort of '50s annual from the event, something that showed what they looked like then and now.
As I leafed through the book, I recognized lots of familiar faces: Betty Johnson (she's Betty Alphin now) looked like a Breck Shampoo girl, but I easily recognized her. Betty's husband, Tom, had hair, and it was dark. Becky Robinson Parker has changed little, maybe a few wrinkles have been added, but she's as attractive now as she was in high school.
Claud, in '52, had a crewcut and no glasses. Bill Laine, county Clerk of Courts, was easily recognized in his high school graduation photo, as was his wife, Nancy.
It seems, back then, the classes through the '50s were stuck on red and white for the class colors, the red rose as the flower.
What could be more fun that getting ``Lost in the Fifties'' again, the committee wants to know?
Reservations still can be made by calling Neighbours at 804-242-6865 or 804-242-6112, Claud at 804-242-6660 or Bland at 562-5533.
The cost for the meal and the reunion is $25 per person. A social hour begins at 5:30; dinner at 6:30. The Airfield 4-H Center has rooms, at $70, available if you should choose to stay overnight.
Remember, these '50s grads promise a good time and a good meal. If you think they said anything else, you're mistaken. by CNB