by David Flint
The New Lebanon Central School Alumni Reunion banquet was held this year at Jackson’s Old Chatham House in Old Chatham. For the eighth year in a row the buffet dinner was compliments of the generous Mr. Robert Burns, Class of 1949. Attending the festivities on July 13 were some 158 graduates representing the class of 1935 through the class of 2007, along with more than 70 spouses and guests.
William Schell was the honored elder graduate, representing the class of 1935. As he has done for a number of years now, Schell paid for the fabulous “One Man Band,” Paul Slusar of Philmont, who provided music for the event. Schell was escorted to the reunion by his daughters, Cathy Schell and Gale Freedman Hendricks, both graduates of the Class of 1966. Art Koepp, escorted by his wife Esther and sister Helen Koepp, Class of 1945, was the junior elder, representing the Class of 1936.
Celebrating their 50th reunion of course was the Class of 1963. Their reunion was spread over two evenings. On Friday evening they and their significant others met at the Backwater Grille on Queechy Lake. It was their first ever reunion for just their class. There were 43 graduates in 1963. Four are now deceased, and 28 attended the Friday night reunion. Because of previous commitments and travel distance, not all were able to join the larger group of alumni the following night at Old Chatham.
Class representative Paul Bahrmann reported that the weekend started with a tour of their “old” high school building conducted by the current principal. “We were all surprised by the major new building additions, renovations and modifications made to the original structure,” Paul said. “While there were many changes there were still some features that we all remembered. Like with all life experiences, when we grow older the things we remember seem smaller today than what we remembered them to be in the past. This was certainly true as we toured the building.”
Later there was time at the Backwater Grille for meeting and greeting, reminiscing on times past and re-establishing friendships lost over the past 50 years. “The night was a great success,” Paul said, with typical comments, ‘Wow, what a great time!’ ‘I look forward to next year!’ ‘We really enjoyed ourselves talking and seeing you all!’”
Paul said that the group does indeed look forward to meeting again at the alumni school reunion next year.
