By Karen Haave
Peotone High School Class of 1964 will celebrate their 60-year Class Reunion with an Open House at the Peotone American Legion, on August 24, beginning at 5 p.m.
“I personally feel our Class of 1964 is special because we have many lifelong connections and friendships that are cherished by many classmates,” said Joann Jeffers, a reunion committee member.
“We have gathered together formally 10 times since our graduation from PHS 60 years ago.
“We have stayed connected throughout the years through an active email chain that informs each of us about happenings in classmates’ lives.
“There are currently 46 classmates in our database. This database has been carefully maintained and updated. All of them have received invitations to our reunion.
“Unfortunately, 24 of our classmates have passed on.”
Among the great memories, Jeffers said, are graduation day and the class trip.
“We graduated on Tuesday, June 2, 1964.
“Sixty one of our class participated in our senior class trip to Washington, DC, and to the New York World’s Fair in May of 1964. “We were fortunate to have our class trip coincide with the World’s Fair.
“One of our unique ‘celebrations’ was a class picnic–our ‘64 Birthday Bash–which was held in the summer of the year we turned 64!”
The class has a reunion every five years, but added the extra one in 1964.
“We just needed another excuse to get together,” Jeffers quipped.
“We will probably not wait until our 65th for our next one. We will have a Peotone High School Class of 1964 64th Reunion!
“The number 64 has been ‘celebrated’ throughout the years including our adoption of the popular Beatles song ‘When I’m 64’ as our theme song. We actually burned a CD of favorite 1960s songs as a favor for our 45th-year reunion. We surveyed the class and included the songs most listed as ‘favorites’ while in high school.
“The Class of 1964 is composed of students who attended Green Garden Attendance Center, Wilton Center Attendance Center, Peotone Grade School and Will County School – Peotone.
“We actually came together as a class when we became 7th graders at Peotone Junior High.
“Our classmates have led successful lives as farmers, teachers, nurses, hair stylists, authors, carpenter, welder, CEO’s of major businesses, business owners, a professional baseball player, real estate agent, professional auctioneer, office managers, secretaries, bankers, truckers, and homemakers.
“It’s important to note that many class members have contributed to their communities through volunteer work in organizations and churches.
“Their hobbies are varied and interesting. One classmate built a sailboat and sailed the entire East Coast. Several classmates have restored cars and tractors.”
The Open House, meanwhile, begins at 5 p.m. on August 24 at the American Legion Post 392, 109 E. North Street in Peotone.
The party is not just for Peotone grads or the Class of ‘64, Jeffers emphasized. Everyone who wants to celebrate with them is welcome, she said.
