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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-05-12, Page 181)01 .mac_ l i l l ti_ \l )\ t )L: \I ssro PIZZA NOT LINE 235-3141 • Page 18 Wednesday, May 12 ,1999 Exeter Times -Advocate McGillivray Central prepares for 40th anniversary #C GILL1V'RAY CENTRAL ' CH OL Details are wrapping up for the 40th anniversary of McGillivray Central school on June 19.The reunion will include a barbecue, a historical video and old photographs of graduates and school activities. By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF MCGILLIVRAY TWP. A few hundred people could be descending on this small community next month., when McGillivray Central School celebrates two events — the 40th anniversary of the school and the 25th anniversary of the Home and School Association. Rita Lewis, who has two children attending McGillivray, is heading up the committee looking after the reunion. And, as president of the Home and School Association, she's been working with a group of parents and teachers on the reunion since February.– - While McGillivray Central officially opened in October 1959, the committee decided to. -have the reunion in June. She said they wanted to have the reunion before the school year ended and people started to go away on vacation. Lewis doesn't yet have specific numbers about how many people will. be attending but •she says she expects a few hundred people. She said McGillivray Twp. is a close-knit community which supports events well. "Everybody seems quite excited about it," she said of the reunion. To get the word out about the reunion, newslet- ters were sent home with students. Lewis says the committee is also relying on word of mouth to pro- mote the event and attract former students to the event. The festivities begin on June 19 with the -opening of the school at 2 p.m., allowing students to walk down memory lane viewing old school pictures. Those attending will, also have a chance to watch a video consisting of grad photos. Also, students will be decorating the school and there will be two cake -cutting ceremonies — one for the school's anniversary and one for the Home and School Association's anniversary. From 3' p.m, to 4:30 p.m., the reunion'sclass- room open house will be held, where teachers will welcome those attending. Following the open house is the pork roast bar- becue which will last until 6:30 p.m., although she Said some people will probably want to stay and Socialize for awhile after the barbecue. Lewis said the reunion committee is asking that people R$VP by June 1 so organizers know how many meals to prepare. Tickets for the barbecue are $7 for adults. $4 for children aged 7-12 and free for children six and under. Ticket orders can be sent to Lewis at RR2 Ailsa Craig, NOM- 1AO, (519) 234-6469. Lewis said plans for entertainment are still underway, but will include music by a McGiliiVray graduate who now works as a disc jockey. There also may be singing performances by former stu- dents. Preparing for the reunion, Lewis says, has been tough. There have been a lot of meetings since they decided in the winter to have a reunion. She said the Home and School Association usually pre- pares meet -the -teacher nights, brings guest speak- ers to the school and Organizes the public speak- ing competition. A reunion, she says, is "above and beyond" all the committee's other work and is "the biggest challenge, for me, this year." As weather — specifically rain — could be a fac- tor, the committee is looking into renting a tent for the day so people can stay dry. There'll also be seats in the gym for people who need to stay out of the sun. Looking back on the school's history, Lewis said the school is proud of its playground, for which the school raised $24,000 over a two-year period with a "fund fair" and donations from parents, clubs and businesses: She said people from. -other schools are • iirpriee`d'"ttwthe 'pitiygrdli'nd1 McGillivray has: "We're very proud of that," she said. Lewis is also grateful for all the help she's getting organizing the reunion. This is her first year as president of the home and school association -and she said the help of teachers, parents and former presidents has helped her a lot to get. things. ready. In the meantime, Lewis is hoping for a strong turnout and good weather on June 19. Following is the Grade 7/8 McGillivray class from 1959-60. Because of the age of the photo, some of the stu- dents couldn't be identified. Recognize anyone? In front from left are Doug Tweddle, two unidentified students, Edna Morley, Lois Suth,April White, Bonnie Watson, Judy Kennedy; second row from Left, Mike O'Leary, Ed Allison, David Glendenning, Sandra Morley, Betty Smith, Marilyn Young and Ruth Rock; third row from left, • Murray Thompson, Sharon Fenton, Ross Thompson, Jim McIntosh, Ralph Thompson, Pat Hodgson and Marion Rowe; in back from left are Garry Steeper, Haroldiwmpson, Gary Dinon, Paul Hodgins, Paul Thompson, Sandra Faulder,Alma Lee (hidden); Marlon Glenn,`Sharon Faulder and teacher Mrs. Hamilton.