A Look Back at our 63rd Reunion

The day of reunion began, too early for some, with the bus tour. Carol Blue Adams’ husband, Dave, a skilled bus driver, parked the full-size bus, with inside plumbing and cushy seats, at the entrance to the Events Center. Departing at 9:00am, the circle city tour took us by North Junior High and Boise High (still standing), where East Junior High and West Junior High used to be, and South Junior High which has been rebuilt on the same property. Highlights were pointed out by Dave and bus host Loren Rader as we made our way by Boise State University and through downtown Boise. Since 1959, much has changed, and we shared our memories. One of our classmates struck up a conversation with a lady traveler in the lobby; she wanted to go with us on our tour, and when thanking us, she said she enjoyed hearing our stories. We think she was in the process of moving to Boise, and perhaps we helped her to feel at home.

The bus arrived back at The Riverside in time for our Ladies Luncheon at 11:30am. The beautiful Aspen Room was set with round tables covered in white linen. Our buffet lunch consisted of tomato basil soup, three salads, three selections of palm sandwiches, and a chocolate mousse. Ginger Brady Shingler and Pat Dunn Perry hosted our lunch. They passed the microphone so everyone could share memories of the past 63 years.

Our next event started at 6:00pm in the Fireplace Foyer which housed the registration table and no-host bar. Mingling classmates visited four junior high tables to peruse pictures, scrapbooks, and miscellaneous memorabilia. Balloons in school colors identified each table. The South table host was Edie Voorhees Chertude, but she contracted COVID so Jim Brandt stepped in for her. The West table host was Lavon Shelton, who had an out-of-town conflict and Kay Turnbull Jameson filled in. Allen Dougal hosted East, and North table hosts alternated with Pat Dunn Perry, Dean Rae Guetschow Jurries, and Ann Hyder Fisk.

Tables and easels for high school memorabilia and memorials for deceased classmates sat in the adjacent Ponderosa/Tamarack Room

At approximately 7:00 p.m., everyone moved into the Ponderosa/Tamarack Room for dinner. One hundred guests sat at round tables covered in white linen with mirrored table centers and votive candles. Ginger and Pat made some preliminary announcements and instructed us how to approach the buffet tables. Each guest quickly layered their plates with selections of Caesar salad, tomato-cucumber salad, fresh fruit, red potatoes, Asiago chicken and/or herb-roasted Tri-tip, fresh vegetables, rolls, and a selection of desserts including chocolate mousse.

Our guest of honor was Bobby King, 94 years young, former teacher and coach. Wally Glass introduced him and shared his life story. Other classmates contributed their memories, and then Dr. King spoke.

Following the dinner, about 9:00pm, group photos were taken of the individual high school classes, as well as the four junior high school classes that fed into Boise High.

Significant contributions to planning and execution of the reunion came from Pam Montrose, Judy Gribble Gillam, Don Miller and wife, Lucy, and others mentioned above. Classmates joined together again to share stories and renew friendships, culminating the 63rd reunion of the 1959 high school class of Boise, Idaho.