When the Russellville High School Class of 1958 has a reunion, they do it right. They will get together this week at the Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival, even though the number of years since 1958 end in neither five nor zero.
Organizers of the event were leaders when they were in high school. Keith Carver and Andy Mac Rector keep things going still.
They were teachers’ sons, the offspring of the late Hazel Carver and Clennie Sue Rector Riley. Another class member, Ann Piper Pember, is the daughter of the late Eleanor Piper.
Another class member, Mary Lucy Franklin, is one of Russellville’s leading historians and the force who keeps the Russellville High School Alumni Association functioning.
A highlight of this year’s reunion will be a display of Keith Carver’s amazing photography. His “Nature of Maine” photographic exhibit is on display all month at Logan County Public Library.
Among those members of the class who still live in Russellville are Ike Duncan, Gerry Johnson, Lanny Poore, Henryetta ‘Hinky’ Richardson Bouldin, Betty Hicks McLean, Vivian Page Arnold and Mary Lucy Franklin.
Deceased class members are Glenn Baldwin, Anita English Bellamy, Letitia ‘Tish’ Bowers, Donald ‘Turtle’ Boyles, Berks Brown, Joe Louis Daniel, Bertram Gass, Bobby Edwards. Jerry Estes. Billy Joe McDougal, Glenn McMillen, Gretchen Upton McMillen, James Earl Miller, Don ‘Cookie’ Monroe, Robbie Pitts, Tommye Thompson Price and Jim Watlington. Mrs. Bellamy and Mrs. Price both died this summer.
The following is an itinerary for the class this week:
The Class of 1958 will have its 57th-year reunion from October 8 - 10, 2015. Here are some highlights of the preliminary agenda:
Thursday, October 8
noon - lunch at Todd's Cafe, 5th and Morgan Streets
1 pm - history of Knob City High School (Michael Morrow)
2 pm - round table discussion
3 pm - walking tour of historic buildings in African-American community
6 pm - dinner, details TBA
Friday, October 9
10 am - The Nature of Maine - a photo exhibit by Keith Carver at the Logan County Library
noon - lunch at Todd's Cafe
1 pm - memorial thoughts of departed classmates
2 pm - historic tour
5 pm - Russellville High School "Meet and Greet", at Rhea Stadium
- barbeque dinners from Roy’s will be available
Saturday, October 10
6 - 10 am - Rotary Pancake Breakfast, First Baptist Church
9:30 am - Jesse James bank robbery re-enactment, Sixth and Main Sts.
10:30 am - Tobacco Festival Parade
noon - lunch on the square, concession stands
2 pm - history tour of Russellville, details TBA
4 pm - RHS Class of '58 - Class photograph and Memorial Service- front steps of old RHS Auditoriums
6:30 pm - RHS Class of '58 Banquet - Ag Extension Center on North By-pass. Greetings, re-acquaintances, hors doeuvres, dinner, recognition, pictures, video clips, music, and much more.
9:30 pm - RHS Class of '58 Hospitality Suite - Quality Inn, Bowling Green
Road