Boyertown Class of 1961 Celebrates 65

by Julie Cordingley  

Let’s talk numbers when putting Boyertown Area Senior High's (BASH) 65th reunion into perspective. Somehow, 65 years have rushed by since 217 graduates of Boyertown’s class of 1961 received their high school diplomas. Since then, there have been 13 five-year reunions, which doesn’t seem like many and yet, (in the modern high school vernacular), the math is mathing! At the most recent reunion on September 6, at Liberty Fire Company, when asked how many have made it to all of their reunions, eight alums claimed that bragging right.

As soon as the celebrants walked into Liberty Fire Company, there was a meet and greet table with name tags. Those plastic tags boasted long ago senior class pictures along with accompanying senior year accolades. More common than many care to admit is the unrecognizability phenomenon. There were whispered “I didn’t know who that was until they said their name!” But it was quickly met with “You came! So good to see you.” 

Attendees found seats among friends but didn’t sit; they found it more enjoyable to meander about the room, stopping at the giant picture boards made by Donna (Smith) Stauffer and her late husband, Karl. The pictures encapsulated those glorious high school years of clubs, sports teams, special events, and ceremonies. Booklets from past reunions that had addresses and contact information were placed next to the class’s blue and white yearbook. There was also as a memorial list of classmates who have passed away since graduation.

The fire hall was decorated simply with twinkling white lights and the tables set with giant dahlias as centerpieces from, rumor has it, Stauffer’s own garden. There were red and black iced cupcakes as homage to Boyertown’s colors. But before dessert and before anyone had anything to eat, Harry Weigner, currently living in Virginia, was asked to give the invocation. The family style dinner was then served efficiently and happily by the Liberty Fire Hall Staff, who  circled back numerous times to make sure everyone had enough to eat and drink.

  

As dinner was winding down, there was a small presentation to Donna Stauffer for leading the reunion get together. She is one of the eight that has made to all reunions and, by all accounts, organized the event to within an “inch of its life!” And although she appreciated the beautiful floral arrangement and kind words, she would be embarrassed if she thought the reunion centered around her. 

  

Stauffer made sure to tell everyone that their being present made her effort meaningful. She thanked them and said, “I know you all say that I work hard but if you all don’t come, then I have done nothing. You make it what it is. And here we are! Nothing as good in the world as friends." And to emphasize her point, she introduced everyone in the room, asked them stand and give a little wave so that every classmate and guest was recognized and everyone would know who was in the room, celebrating with them. It didn’t take long to name all that were present. There was Dave Smith who came in from Las Vegas, Nevada, bringing his dog as his “plus one.” And another out of towner, Silivia Moon, who made the trip from Arizona. Frank Morgan made it official by taking a head count. It was a beautiful coincidence that there were 65 present to celebrate their 65th.  

One special guest, favorite teacher (business) Mrs. Nikki Rinehimer, who started her career as a 22-year-old business teacher was fondly received as she stood. She was one year into her teaching when she met the class of 1961 – almost as new as the incoming freshmen! Her students were appreciative that she attended to celebrate with them.  

Toward the end of the afternoon, it was decided to have a class picture and so folks made their way to the side of the room, to capture the memory. Earl Davidheiser, premier photographer, had to align the group to his liking, point his camera (not a cell phone!) toward the group, adjust whichever aperture needed adjusting, just so he could pass the camera to his beloved wife, Joyce while he joined his alumni friends. There were more than a few quips. “Come on Earl. We want to get this done before our next five year.” And several variations of “We’re getting older by the minute, Earl.” All in good fun! 

Sandra (Salonik) Richards had a brief moment of indecisiveness; that perhaps she wouldn’t attend. “But I realized that I am blessed to be here when I know some of my classmates cannot.”

Pat Slavek, wife of 1961 alum John, who had passed away, could not stop praising the kindness of the organizers for inviting spouses of deceased classmates. “It was very nice of the reunion committee to think of us. I was a year behind John so I know a lot of the people that are here. I think that inviting us is a way to honor their classmates and to make sure they are not forgotten,” said Slavek.

It has to be noted that this was the last of the every -five- year reunions. Those will now be replaced by the monthly lunch meet-up at Doc Watson’s, the second Wednesday of each month at 12:00PM. Stauffer is sincerely hoping that her classmates will join the group that has already been taking advantage of the monthly get togethers. 

Wrapping up the event, Stauffer said, "Some of these people I did not interact with while in high school. For whatever reason, our paths never crossed. But since graduating, there are those that have become some of my closest and dearest friends.”

For the foreseeable future, the class's new math goal is to have as many of these monthly lunch mini reunions as possible. Class members feel there is no reason to wait years to celebrate the camaraderie and closeness-- already a legitimate bragging right of the BASH Class of 1961.

Attendees (in no particular order)

Gerry and Barb Davidheiser - (Gerry - class president)

Ken Smith - (class vice president)

Donna (Smith) Stauffer - (class treasurer)

Nancy (Waller) Budline and Bill Steltz

Lee Spencer

Kathy (Saylor) Kulp

Bill Bartman

Clair (Brintzenhof) and Bill Williams

Sunday (Buhay) Bradburn

Sandy (Cleaver) and Frank Morgan

George and Joyce Sibalic

Chester and Joyce Weiss

Paula (Thompson) Benson and George Savich

Walton and Linda Gehman

Paul and Marcia Fisher

Ingehora (Engle) and Richard Frecon

Linda (Weller) Ritter

Elaine (Renniger) and Ed Myers

Martha (Schmierer) Beekman

Charlie and Dee Campbell

Dawn (Fronheiser) Endy

Mary (Horn) Dierfold

Kay (Geiger) Rutter

Harry and Doris Weigner

Ruth (Weller) and Marty Weiser

David Smith

Harry and Pat Royer

Earl and Joyce Davidheiser

Bruce Gallie

Francis Harley

Eleanor (Clouser) Johnson

Silivia Moon

Bob and Pat Gross

Ada Gehman

Suzie (Hafer) Kutz

Bruce Erb

Jay and Galina Smith

Pat Slavek

June (Emes) Russel

Linda (Christman) Adams

Sandy (Salonik) Richards

Richard and Donna Welder

Clara Hoss

Patty (Baver) Tarninski

Nikki Rinehimer (faculty)

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