By Brenda Evers

Remember 1961?

The year started out with the Presidential inauguration for John F. Kennedy, four-cent postage stamps, and “West Side Story” as best movie. Teenagers danced to “Pony Time” and sang along to “Moon River.” Adults started worrying about Cuba, while a little sliver of country called Vietnam was growing into a big problem.

Here in Grand Junction, 400 seniors at Grand Junction High School were primarily concerned with graduation in May 1961. Now 50 years later it’s time for their big 50th year reunion due to take place September 30 through October 2.

A three-women committee has been making plans for weeks. Earlene Hickman, Rawlene Bainter and Shirley Porter are making “the supreme effort” to contact every member of the class to come to the anniversary.

“We want everyone who can to be there. For as large a class as we were, we were still a very close group,” she said.

A list of activities can be found at www.gjtigers.com/1961, as well as the registration form and list of “lost classmates” whom they have not been able to locate.

Events will include a golf shotgun scramble at Adobe Creek Golf Course, that evening a reunion mixer, on Saturday night the banquet and Sunday morning a brunch. All three group gatherings will be at the Courtyard by Marriot. Also available will be tours of Grand Junction High School and Colorado Mesa University (formerly Mesa State College) to see the many changes.

One such change is the loss of president Bob Arcieri recently, but officers Sandy Jenkins and Judy Johnson Davis expect to be there.

Another interesting change is the eight classmates who came to past reunions single and then married a classmate.

“A tidbit that is probably unique to our reunion is that after every reunion (except the 45th), some couple has gotten reacquainted and then married,” Porter said.

Paula (Marasco) White is creating a memory book of pictures and biographies of each classmate who submits the information in time for the banquet.

So, if you are a Tiger from the Class of 1961, get in contact with a committee member, any classmate you know, or check out the website. Remember the Pepsi ad from 1961? “Those who think young!” Be there.

Do you have a reunion or other special event? Let the BEACON know.