Reunion 50 years in the making

On May 14, 1953, 26 graduating seniors of Palmer Territorial School marched down the aisle of the school gymnasium -- now the borough gym -- to receive their diplomas. Next weekend, many of those students will be back in town, celebrating their 50th high school reunion.

Of the 26 students of the class of 1953, six still live in or around Palmer, with two more living in Anchorage.

The whole class will be getting together for only the second time since graduation day more than 50 years ago.

"We had a reunion in 1983, but that's about it," Gerry Keeling said. "I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and picking up where we left off."

Seven members of the class of 1953 attended all 12 years of schooling in the territorial school. Several were children of the 1930s homesteaders and Colonist families, and the Valley is where they stayed for their adult lives as well.

The school was built in 1935 as part of the Matanuska Valley Colonization Project, and the gymnasium served as the community hall.

Since then, the school has undergone three additions and portions of the gymnasium have been enclosed. Back then, it housed students -- now, it houses politicians as the home of the Mat-Su Borough offices.

Graduates of the class of 1953 were John Barnhardt, Charlotte Barry, Barbara Bentti, O. David Brewer, John Brown, Dennis Buzby, Mary Jane Clark, Mary Colberg, Margaret Jane Cope, Garry Davey, Stuart Dreghorn, Richard Geiwitz, Robert Hartman, Lyle Jones, Geraldine Kindgren, Lowell Krise, Monte Larsh, Mary Ada Lee, Marilyn Macek, Jack McKechnie, Kenneth McKenzie, Blake McKinley, Ronald McNeese, Mary Ann Mears, Daniel Wolf and George Worledge. Their advisor was Margaret Cope.

The class of 1953 also has another distinction in the history of Palmer.

"We had the first-ever football team in Palmer," Keeling, who was then Gerry Kindgren, said.

The yearbook that year, known as the Polaris, was dedicated to that first football team.

"The 1952 football team is the very first in Palmer history. To us, who know the spirit, the courage and the drive behind these boys, they will always be the very best.

"For them, we, the Class of 1953, dedicate this book.

"For when the One Great Scorer comes, To write against your name, He writes not that you've won or lost, But how you've played the game," the dedication in the 1953 Polaris read.

The reunion begins at 5 p.m. on July 11 at Vagabond Blues, Keeling said.

Dinner at the Inn Cafe is planned for Saturday, and then the class will participate in the all-alumni picnic at the Palmer Elks pavilion on Finger Lake, off Barry's Resort Road.

"We'll get together and renew old friendships," Keeling said.

All-alumni PHS picnic planned for July 13

Palmer High School's annual all-alumni picnic will take place next Sunday at the Palmer Elks pavilion on Finger Lake.

"There's usually at least 100 people there," said Gerry Keeling, class of 1953. "It spans decades and decades of Palmer graduates."

Anyone graduating from Palmer High School is welcome to attend the potluck-style get-together, Keeling said.

The class of 1953 is setting up the event on Sunday morning. The class is attending the event as part of its 50-year reunion festivities.