JAY — Hugs and handshakes were shared Saturday as classmates from 69 years ago gathered for their annual class reunion.
Eleven alumni from the Livermore Falls High School Class of 1949 first gathered in the banquet room at LaFleur’s Restaurant. Several brought their spouses and some brought other relatives and friends.
Winnie Shink and Meredith Dalessandro had a discussion on who knew more about their class.
Members of Livermore Fall High School Class of 1949 held their 69th class reunion at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay Saturday.Seen from left are Meredith Dalessandro, Suzanne Hedrick, Celine Wells and Norman Paradis. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)
“Winnie’s the class historian,” Dalessandro said.
Shink said she moved here in 1947 and was only part of the class for two years.
Dalessandro taught for 30 years. She served two stints as principal of the Livermore Falls Primary School. The first was for seven years. Later she served three more years before deciding she didn’t want that job.
“The primary school was built for a high school in 1904. It also served as the high school after the one on Cedar Street burned. It was the grammar school when this class was going through the system, then it became the primary school,” Dalessandro said.
Members of Livermore Fall High School Class of 1949 held their 69th class reunion at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay Saturday. Leah Virgin and Suzanne Hedrick were seen moving into the dining room. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)
Suzanne Fournier Hedrick said Norman Paradis was an old boyfriend.
“Norm was the worst one in school,” she joked before adding, “He was a real saint.”
Hedrick then explained that “Paradis” is French for “paradise.” The talk then changed to differences in schools today.
“We knew how to respect the system,” Hedrick said.
Members of Livermore Fall High School Class of 1949 held their 69th class reunion at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay Saturday. Seen from left were PaulineDuguay, Bob Shink, Winnie Shink, Arline Dube and Joe “Pete” Dube. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)
Leah Virgin enthusiastically hugged Paradis and exclaimed, “I’m so glad you’re here. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t.”
Soon after, everyone made their way into the other dining room where tables were set up in a large “U.” The waitress then described the daily specials.
Members of Livermore Fall High School Class of 1949 held their 69th class reunion at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay Saturday. Eleven classmates attended. Several relatives, including Craig and Gloria Rush seen here, joined them in the annual celebration. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)
“Do we have to eat all that?” Paradis asked.
“Do you remember when I had all my hair?” Pauline Duguay asked. “I was sweet 16!”
Shink said she wasn’t sure how many of the Class of 1949 are still alive. She said there were 72 or 73 in the class.
Members of Livermore Fall High School Class of 1949 held their 69th class reunion at LaFleur’s Restaurant in Jay Saturday. Meredith Dalessandro at left and Winnie Shink disputed who knew more about class history. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)
Other classmates attending the reunion were Arline Dube, Romeo Langelier, Celine Wells, Norman Bilodeau and Claire Wilkins.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
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