High school class reunions are becoming very popular.

It seems that after the 10th one, things settle down and they become more “people oriented” as opposed to the “material” side of things. Most are held every 10 years, and as time passes, the interval lessens to every five years.

This past year I was fortunate to be invited to the 40th class reunion of the Ottumwa High School class of 1968. That’s the year the first class I ever taught graduated. Of course not everyone attended and I was elated to see those that did. One student said, “You didn’t do too bad Mr. Snell, three of us are educators.” I told them that I probably learned as much from them that first year of teaching as they learned from what was taught to them. It was interesting to listen to them reminiscing about what they remembered from their days at Wildwood School and what seemed so important to them back then.

I was also invited to the 50th reunion of the 1958 class at Ottumwa High. The preparation that went into it is unbelievable. Over a year before the event took place, committee members held meetings discussing ideas to make this one really special, which it was. Much research went into finding the addresses, telephone numbers and even e-mail addresses for classmates. Old pictures taken from the 45th gathering as well as photos from the Ottumwa Courier back in 1957 and 1958 were used for the laminated placemats. People anxiously looked for their picture on these as they were permitted to take them home to store with other memorabilia.

Name tags at the 1958 reunion had their senior class picture on them. Once classmates spoke to each other many of the comments were: “I would have known you anywhere, you haven’t changed a bit.” And they probably hadn’t except some had gained a little weight and some men may have lost some hair. A video was shown, with 1950s music playing, showing familiar landmarks of Ottumwa, some which may have changed over the years if not having disappeared altogether, and each classmate’s senior picture was shown.

A red cloth shopping bag with souvenirs inside including a yearbook with the names and addresses of classmates was given out. Everyone received a white coffee cup with a bulldog and Ottumwa High School printed on one side and “Class of 1958-50th Class Reunion 1958-2008” on the other side. The grand door prize was a print of Ottumwa High School done by P. Buckley Moss. It was the 58th print of 500 prints. Table decorations were of red and white, and each reunion displayed a large banner telling the year of graduation.

Both events were at Bridge View Center and each had a table recognizing those classmates that are deceased. And at each, a reading of those names was read. Another table featured items such as books and magazines from each decade. A dee-jay played songs of the 1950s at the 1958 reunion giving those present the opportunity to dance to music popular then. The OHS Fight Song was sung and the class yell was as strong as ever.

These reunions are a great opportunity to gather with classmates and friends and renew acquaintances. Stories of grown children and grandchildren fill the air. It’s an evening of fun, laughter and reminiscing, just as it should be. If you’re having a class reunion in the future, I would urge you to attend. Take a step back into history as well as a step into the future. You’ll probably enjoy it more than you think. After all, everyone will look older than you.

“Moments To Remember” was sung by a trio at the 1958 reunion. And as the song goes, “Though summer turns to winter and the present disappears, the laughter we were glad to share will echo through the years. Then other nights and other days may find us gone our separate ways. We will have these moments to remember.”

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Robert Snell is a retired Ottumwa educator.