VCHS class of 1966 holds reunion
Sixty-eight classmates from of the class of 1966 gathered in Vandalia for their 45th VCHS class reunion the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Classmates came from Alaska, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Arizona, Indiana, Texas and many locations in Illinois, including the surrounding Fayette County area.
Friday evening, several classmates gathered at The Copper Penny in Vandalia for a meet-and-greet.
A banner welcoming classmates was hung on the building, and tables were decorated with red and white balloons. Name tags with class photos attached were distributed, because many had not seen one another in 45 years.
Music from the ’60s was played in the background during the evening.
Saturday morning found numerous classmates from the class of 1966 wearing red and white at the Vandalia Statehouse for a class photo with Vandalia’s Abe Lincoln, Abe Clymer, and a tour of the oldest surviving capitol in the state.
After an assortment of photos were taken inside the Statehouse, classmates traveled to their alma mater, Vandalia Community High School.
In the cafeteria of the high school, a welcome and tour was given by VCHS Assistant Principal Nick Niemerg.
On the tour, Niemerg explained the new library and the wealth of information current Vandals have at their fingertips.
Memories of high schools days were relived in the hallways during the tour. Of special interest to classmates was the location of the principal’s office.
After roaming the halls of VCHS, classmates went back to the cafeteria for lunch of hamburgers (like Reaban’s), chips and 1966 VCHS hand-decorated cookies.
A photo slideshow highlighting the collection of memories during high school years was shown.
On tables for classmates to view were old yearbooks and other items of Vandalia history.
Awards of framed sketches by Lynn Reznick from Vandalia were given to classmates who had changed the most or least, the current classmate that lived the furthest or closest to VCHS, the classmate that had moved the most times since leaving VCHS and the classmate who had a hidden tattoo.
A precious moments, precious memories presentation assembled to the ’60s song “Roses are Red” sung by Bobby Vinton was the ending memorable conclusion to the program held at VCHS.
Saturday evening, several classmates attended the Vandal Alumni Banquet sponsored by Vandalia Community Schools Foundation at the American Legion Home.
At the banquet, there was more visiting with classmates from 1966 and friends from other high school classes, plus a fun evening of listening to music and dancing.
On Sunday morning, classmates started saying goodbye to one another, and several from the class attended a brunch at the Old Capitol View Restaurant and Lounge.
Photo Contributed In the front row, from left to right, are Sid Burgess File, Sandy Meador Barker, Janeann Pittman McIrvin, Tom Black, Ember Eakin Davis, Rena Long Carroll, Vickey Greer Culpepper, Judy Little Kaiser, Judy Smith Hagy, Janice Dotray Evans, Ardith DePew McFarland, Kay Funk Holt, Maxine Cohoon Mays, Nancy Gehle Wefer and Marcia Poland Eckhardt. In the second row are Janis Bolin Osborne, Ken Langston, Mike Scoles, Gary Konrad, Ed Hubbartt, Barbara Bowen Snyder, Jody Dearth Sperry, Jessica Hayes Peyton, Janis Haupt Waters, Ron Murray, Tim Goodbrake, Linda Daniels, Pam Schaub Marty, Sherry Baumann Burnside and Gary Houck. In the third row are Dan Rickman, Dick Harris, Rick Smith, Judy Branham Cline, Bonnie Browning Murray, Mary Beth Young and Ruth Ann Arndt Garrison. In the fourth row are Lynn Johann, Ed Dothager, Steve Hites, Steve Beckman, Vandalia’s Abe Lincoln-Abe Clymer, Rick Fair, Peggy Tippitt, Wes Miller, Elaine Culbertson, Mike Hulskotter and Devon Graumenz. Also attending the reunion, but not pictured, were Pam Baldock Wampler, Gene Beckman, Alice Bockstruck Diveley, Lelia Calhoun Lowber, Carl Chrisman, Becky Cocagne Holiday, Lowell Donnelley, Dave Gates, Cassie Harris Tucker, Linda Hulskotter Sigrist, Larry Johnson, Jack Jones, Dave Mayfield, Judy Nevinger Bannister, Diane Newton Rebbe, Larry Osborne, Brenda Ritchey Snow, Dave Roberts, Terry Sachan, Donna Walton Johnson, and Ruth Ann Wright Brown.
