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The importance of college friendships is underscored in this very small sample of reunions that came to our attention this summer.
[ As we wander, we still Wunder ] • [ Younger & more flexible ]
[ Creating scrapbook memories ] • [ Forty plus & going strong ]
[ Summer solstice ]
Taking a moment for their 2005 photo are: Mary Helsel ’65, Eddy Helsel’64, Mary Louise Smith ’65, Jim Smith ’64, Helen Crissman ’64-’66m, Gary Crissman ’64-’66m, Pat Brubaker ’65, Ed Brubaker ’64, Ann Castillo, and Wilson Castillo ’64-’73m. Not pictured: Dale Hassler ’64.
The Lehigh Valley/Harrisburg group had their inaugural meeting the day after Christmas in 1963. “We needed something to do, said Gary Crissman, explaining why they met.
As children entered the picture, “the day after Christmas, just didn’t work,” his wife, Helen said, so the meetings moved to the summer. Now that their children are grown, they meet in the fall.
One of the unusual aspects of this group is the maintenance of scrapbooks that are primarily a visual record of their history. Whoever is hosting has the responsibility to take photographs and record the history of significant events that have happened in the year since the prior meeting. In 42 years, there is only one reunion where the consensus was: “After trying hard to find some news, we decided there was none.” The news section was a little sketchy in the late ’90s but has filled out again in recent years. Another change is recording these updates using larger font sizes!
Some memorable reunions were the second one that served as a rehearsal dinner for Gary and Helen’s wedding, a surprise 50th birthday party, a trip back to SU for their 25th class reunion, and those at weddings of their children.
Many of the summaries refer to the business or shareholders meeting. This is just for show – it’s deciding where and when the next reunion will be. They alternate “regions” with each family hosting every six or seven years. In between the full reunions, friends in the same locales may see one other as often as once a month, just to stay in touch.
A common occurance is perusing the scrapbooks and recalling shared moments. Frequently a photo of each family was taken for the “record” that now provides a visual record of passing time.
