During the Opening Night Reception there were several teachers, past and present, attending. Pictured here are Bernie Harper, Norman (McIntosh) Sharkey and Fran Kelly. Thompson Goddard Photo

MAPLE RIDGE – It only seems like yesterday that the doors to North Dundas District High School opened and yet over Aug. 4 and 5, 60 years of education at the high school were celebrated.

From the Opening Night Reception on Fri., July 4, through to the dinner and dance on Saturday evening, the 60th North Dundas District High School Reunion was an outstanding success.

Eric Duncan and Gina Jaquemet served as co-chairs of the reunion, with Duncan noting it took about 18 months of organization and the assistance of 40-50 volunteers to plan, organize and ensure the smooth running of the event. Duncan mentioned alumni attended the reunion from France, Costa Rica, five American states and from across the country.

He mentioned there were approximately 350 attending the reception in the NDDHS gymnasium. This event provided people a chance to reconnect with former classmates and teachers. Upper Canada District School Board superintendent Susan Rutters, NDDHS principal Mike Deighton joined Duncan and Jaquemet on stage during the event bringing words of welcome to those assembled.

An Open House was held between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday with between 300 and 350 people attending the event. School tours were held, Memory Rooms, arranged by decades, were open and there was plenty of opportunity to visit in the hallways, cafeteria, or gym. School staff were able to gather in the staff room between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to meet and visit together.

Catered by Palmer’s Catering in South Mountain, owned by NDDHS alumni Terry Palmer and his wife Sandy, 300 people attended the dinner held in the Joel Steele Community Centre and Arena, with another 100 attending the dance that followed dinner according to Duncan.

A reunion provides people with “a chance to walk down memory lane,” said Duncan, adding “But for me personally, it’s a great chance to raise some funds for school beautification and give the next generation a great place to get an education.”