By Janelle Davis
“Time will bind the bond we left behind.” “Let’s pick up where we left off.” These are just a couple of class reunion slogans that the Baldwinsville Class of 1973 have lived by since their first time reuniting in 1978.
The members of the class of 1973 reunited that first time five years after graduating for a set of picnic gatherings.
When some people think about their first high school reunion, they think about it in a negative light. Maybe they are nervous. Maybe it makes them feel “old.” Maybe they are not ready.
For the Baldwinsville Class of 1973, none of these apply.
On Sept. 29 the Class of 1973 will kick off their 50th celebration weekend with a Baldwinsville pub crawl.
It will be their ninth high school reunion.
“There is an increasing number of classmates who attend each reunion,” said classmate Kathy L. Leers.
With help from other classmates, Paula Burlingham Garlock has been organizing the reunions from the beginning.
People from all over, including Costa Rica and France, try to return to their “home base” and attend the reunions. People unable to travel to the festivities are regularly engaged through their Facebook page.
Those who can no longer attend are not forgotten. The Class of 1973 memorializes those no longer here with a special display.
Every effort is made to make sure all the members of the class are included.
Through their database of over 400 classmates, everyone can keep in touch and be informed of future events. Cold calls are made to people who have moved away to keep them in the mix.
The Class of 1973 holds their school experience near and dear.
They recognize Baldwinsville as a quality school district. It was demonstrated in everything they experienced with athletics, music, theater, education, and the sororities and fraternities.
Being in touch for so many years, they’ve seen how each other’s lives have blossomed.
Whatever cliques existed in high school vanished the first time classmates reunited in 1973.
“Every time we get together, everyone mingles with everyone,” Leers said.
The reunion weekend kicks off with the pub crawl starting at Sammy Malones on Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
The fun continues Saturday, Sept. 30 from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Camillus Elks Club with a buffet, music, dancing, and a nostalgic slideshow encompassing their history of reunions and memories from high school.
There will be raffle baskets and 50/50 raffle tickets, including prizes from Baldwinsville businesses.
“That’s one of the ways our classmates have been generous and we’ve been able to keep such excellent reunions,” Leers said.
The Baldwinsville Class of 1973 is a great example of reminiscing with old friends, being grateful for where they grew up, and having a blast.
“It’s so fun,” Leers said. “We really enjoy each other and everyone appreciates the efforts putting the reunions together. We are excited to see people who have never been or haven’t been in a long time.”