Members of the Holyoke High School Class of 1978 enjoyed a 40-year class reunion in Holyoke Labor Day weekend. Those who attended the reunion are pictured, from left, front row, Richard Arnold of Denver, Melodee Lutz Ellis of Aurora, Lanelle Krueger of Longmont, Kathy Beavers Olofson of Holyoke, Karin Ferguson Kramer of Holyoke, Brenda Bieber Daniel of Holyoke, Kim Gipson Borzea of Green River, Wyoming, and Rick Lockwood of Haxtun; second row, Ryan Leben of China Grove, North Carolina, Brad Bussell of Thousand Oaks, California, Kim Sullivan Kramer of Holyoke, Sandra Lock Bowers of Windsor, Nunzy Leben Alves of New Braunfels, Texas, Becky Kramer Oliver of Holyoke, Laurie Lebsack Baucke of Yuma, Charla Bird Huwa of Holyoke and Tami Krueger Harshbarger of Holyoke; and back row, Vince Kropp of Holyoke, Brian Stein of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Gayln Einspahr of Holyoke, Rod Ellis of Aurora, Wanda Stockton Hassler of Holyoke, Jeff Chesnut of Harrogate, Tennessee, Chris Kafka of Parkville, Missouri, Clay Warren of Tacoma, Washington, and Byron Kramer of Holyoke. Those who attended part of the reunion but are not pictured are Debbie Dubbert Blakeman of North Platte, Nebraska, Brenda Krueger Prottsman of Holyoke, Sharon Gribben Bernard of Holyoke, Richard Browning of Sterling and Mary Daise of Sterling. — Johnson Publications
1978 classmates reconnect with each other, community after 40 years
Thirty-two members of the Holyoke High School Class of 1978 recalled, reminisced and reflected while reconnecting in Holyoke during 40-year class reunion activities held over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
It was the first class reunion attended by at least four of those participating. Representing eight states of residency, several attendees shared local lodging establishments with sportsmen in town for opening day of dove-hunting season.
Organized activities began Friday evening, Aug. 31, with a meet and greet gathering at the Cobblestone Inn lounge and patio. Twenty-eight classmates and their spouses whiled away the hours catching up on each other’s lives.
Saturday afternoon, 10 classmates and five family members, most from out of state, enjoyed the “Take a NEW Look at the OLD Hometown” caravan tour crafted specifically for the reunion.
It included 20 places of interest around town with host guides giving tours at the following stops: classmate Sharon Bernard, Melissa Memorial Hospital; Randy Schafer, fairgrounds facilities, from the Dragon’s Wagon Preschool westward to the new Pavilion & Education Center; Sherry Simms, Peerless Theatre and Golden Plains Recreation Center; and Kimberlee Bennett, Holyoke JR/SR High School.
For some, it was the first time they had walked the high school halls in 40 years.
The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.