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Remembering the class of '64

Reunions can be interesting events some people avoid them like the plague, while others can't wait to meet and chat with folks from a past period in their life.

Reunions can be interesting events some people avoid them like the plague, while others can't wait to meet and chat with folks from a past period in their life.

Mixed in with our careers of public speaking engagements have been a number of high school class reunions of 10 to 50 years. These were great times in rooms filled with wonderful stories, both important and inconsequential reminiscences, emotional memories, and tall tales. But now the years have caught up with one of us with Archie's upcoming 50th high school graduation reunion.

The class of 1964 from Lester Pearson High School, New Westminster, is working to get a group together. There will be some of you who do not recognize that school name but simply put, before New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) became one large single unit, there were two buildings Lester Pearson High at one end of the block and Vincent Massey Junior at the other.

In today's world, with all the features on the many different faces of social media, large numbers of people who went to school together, grew up in the same neighbourhoods, and so on, frequently stay close to one another online with connections around the world.

It is fascinating to read, monitor and interact with the comments and requests. Has anyone seen "so and so" recently? Did you ever go to the "such and such" café? Those were the best milkshakes, that was near the park and who had the very best fries.

The recent deaths of former teachers Bill Popowich, Bob Gair and Betty Work triggered extensive lists of memories by a number of individuals, which then led to more and more things to be reminded of.

The Lester Pearson class of 1964 will certainly look back on their time at the high school in this city and mentally reconnect with many things; lots of  "I remember that" moments. Old copies of The Mike, the student newspaper, contain many local store ads from businesses that supported the high school.

Some examples to spur on some class of '64 thoughts might be: Regal Clothiers, Burr Office Supplies, Stan Walter Photographer, Reg Greenwood Sporting Goods, Murray Goldman Men's Wear, Drake's Dairy, Scott's House of Flowers, Le Roy Jewellers, Toban's Pharmacy and Earle Peterson Sporting Goods.

Interested in finding out more about this reunion? It is the brainchild of three couples from the class of '64, names that will be familiar to former classmates: the Munroes, the Stoilens and the Youngs. An event is planned for Sept. 6 at the Inn at the Quay, and the word is spreading to gauge the interest in a reunion.

Want to find out more, add your name or be involved? To review the class list to see who you know, email Ron Young a ronjoanne@gmail.com. Remember: memories, memories, memories!