On Wednesday afternoon, the committee busily completed the last minute details, hoping the earlier preparations had been sufficient to avoid any mix-ups.  Classmates were beginning to check into the motel and the party was getting underway.  Greetings, hugs and kisses were the order of the day.

 

Have you ever eaten a “Hines Hotdog?”   On Thursday, our taste buds were reminded of the delicious “dogs of yore”.  Especially, those who went to Weatherly remembered running to the hot dog stand behind the Hines home to get in line for the treats.  Well, our long wait was rewarded.  The hot dog luncheon hosted by Bob and Carolyn (Rutledge) Hines fulfilled our dreams of returning to our youth.  Bob and Carolyn have to be renamed, “ the Martha Stewarts of Borger”.  They opened their home very graciously to over 70 of us.  In addition to the chili hot dogs, Carolyn had baked at least eight delicious cakes, as well as a variety of cookies.  Now, these were NOT the Duncan Hines cake mix variety, but the Carolyn Hines Specials.  She had chocolate, red velvet, lemon poppy seed, rum, coconut, on and on.  What a gift to all of us!!

 

As we spent the day visiting at the Hines home, we viewed the slide show, which Benny Willingham had put together for us.  This was a compilation of photos from grades 1 through 12.  Almost everyone was represented somewhere in the show.  It was fun to watch and see the “way we were”.  Thank you to Carolyn, Bob and Benny!!

 

On Thursday evening after dinner, most of the group that was staying at the motel was entertained for a couple of hours by Bill and Peggy Burgin, assisted by Eddie Meyer and Rodney DeMoss.  Bill is a professional musician, playing with a county band.  He sang to us, played for us and played so we could join in the singing.

 

Registration got underway at 10:00 sharp on Friday morning at the Borger Country Club.  By the time all registrants had checked in on Saturday morning,  84 of our classmates shared in the reunion.  

 

Many positive comments were made about the free time which allowed for lots of visiting.  Everyone certainly took advantage of this.  Renewing old friendships was a popular activity.  For those of you who were unable to join us, be assured that you were thought of  and missed!!. Throughout the day on Friday and Saturday the slide show ran for everyone to enjoy as many times as they chose. On Friday afternoon, Charles and Beverly York hosted an afternoon get together in the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Cora and Buzz Osborne.  Again, Bill Burgin and group entertained, reaching some who had missed the evening before.  The Club was open again on Friday evening for visiting along with a spread of finger foods. I suppose some talked too much to eat because there was a large group seen at Braum’s ice cream place later.   You know, “old people” like ice cream too.

 

A class meeting of the “Class of 55” started the day on Saturday.  Up for discussion was the subject of future reunions.  The obvious reaction from the class was to continue having reunions.  Benny Willingham conducted the meeting and ask for volunteers to help with our next reunion.  No date was set but there were some who volunteered and will become the planning committee.  We will now wait to hear from them.  A silent auction was held for the quilt honoring the memory of Billie Jean Tidwell Hill.  The proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.  The winning bid was from Dwight Gastineau for $300. After other donations were made, the amount was $1400 dollars for the Cancer Society in memory of Billie Jean.  Contributions are continuing to come in.  

 

Later Saturday morning, pictures of the class were taken.  Also, pictures of grade school groups were made.  The afternoon was filled with golf games, card games, and more visiting.  Saturday evening was the dinner and dance.   The first dance of the evening was between Delma Prince and Jerry Jean Yows.  Things did get better.  As the evening grew later, good-bys could be heard as classmates commenced to depart.  Some had many miles to go and wanted to get an early start on Sunday morning.  Those left to dance did the “Bunny Hop”, “Cotton-Eyed Joe”, “Hokey-Pokey”, among the traditional dances. 

 

After we thought nothing could get any better, Sunday morning proved us wrong.  The memorial service was perfect!!

 

Rodney DeMoss was in charge of the service.  His devotional text was from James 4: 13-17.  This scripture reminds us that our lives are but a vapor and we have no assurance of tomorrow. An illustration he made was that if books were stretched from earth to the moon, our lives would be represented by one page in those books.  Today is our opportunity to live a life that will guarantee our future with God.  Beautiful music was provided by John Alexander, a local music minister, accompanied by Linda Barbour Cox.  He sang “Old Friends” and “You Raise Me Up”.

 

"Old Friends"

 

Old friends, after all of these years,

Just old friends, through the laughter and tears,

Old friends, What a find!  What a priceless treasure!

Old friends, like a rare piece of gold,

Old friends, make it great to grow old;

‘til then, through it all I will hold to old friends.

 

Now, God must have known that some days on our own,

We would lose our will to go on;

That’s why He sent friends like you along.

Old friends, yes, you’ve always been there,

My old friends, we’ve had more than our share,

Old friends, I’m a rich millionaire in old friends.

 

A phone call, a letter, a pat on the back,

Or a “Hey, I just dropped in to say,”

A hand when we’re down, a loan when we just couldn’t pay;

A song or a story, a rose from the florist,

A little note that you just happened to send, out of the blue,

Just to tell us that you’re still our friend.

 

Old friends, some have gone on along,

Dear friends, God just wanted them home,

Our old friends, What a find!  Oh, what priceless treasures!

These friends, such rare pieces of gold,

Special friends, precious memories to hold

‘til when we will see them again our old friends.

 

 

“You Raise Me Up”

 

When I am down and oh, my soul’s so weary,

When troubles come and my heart burdened be,

Then I am still and wait here in the silence

until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders,

You raise me up to more than I can be.

 

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

 

 

The service was made complete with the reading of the names of our deceased class members.  As each name was read, a candle was lit in their memory.  After this moving experience, we all prayed “The Lord’s Prayer” together.  This was the benediction for our reunion.

 

We had talked together, laughed together, cried together, sang, eaten, and reminisced together.  We played and shared together for four days, making memories that will keep us until the next time we see one another.

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