SCHS grads from the 50s hold annual luncheon
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
By TRACY SIMMONS ~
CLASSES OF 1952-55 From left, Catherine Faulkner Talley, '52; Frances Faulkner Hayes, '55; Gaynelle Brown Pitner, '53. (Submitted photo)
Now in its 15th year, the 1950s Central High reunion luncheon was held last week at River Bend Country Club.
CLASS OF 1957 First row from left, Judy Rice Taylor, Betty Coffey Russell, Freida Henry Newell; second row, from left, Brenda Hayes Hummel, Donna Smith Sepull, Mickie Cline Floyd, Linda Chunn Matthews, Nancy June Darnell Brandon, Carolyn Mullins Hix, Amanda Morgan Kaupp, Carol Ann Lambert Burris. (Submitted photo)
CLASS OF 1956 Seated, from left, Jane Foster Butler, Peggy Sanders Holden, Ruth CortnerBellenfant, Billie Jean Hurt Edwards, Beverly Poplin West, Elizabeth Smith Blackburn; standing, from left, Nelda Methvin Brown, Geneva Gannon Smith, Linda Joyce Vannatta, Doris Brent McNamee, Sandra Fly Crowell, Jane TurrentineCortner, Nancy Finney Hulan, Peggy Allen Miller, Sonia Arnold Haynes, Roxanna Hale Francesconi, Annette Sharp Gregory, Marie Pierce Smith. (Submitted photo)
The event, held each year on the Wednesday preceding the close of the Celebration, hosts women who graduated from Shelbyville Central High School during that period.
Tradition begins
The annual luncheon was started in 1997 by the Class of 1956, first meeting in homes and restaurants. The class of 1957 was soon added, and along the way other classes from those years joined in.
As the number of those attending grew, the meeting was moved to River Bend in 2003.
This year 62 women attended, some coming from out of state. "It has become a mini-reunion for us girls and some make all kinds of efforts to be there," Nelda Brown, Class of 1956, said.
Updates
At this year's meeting, Linda Vannatta gave an update on the progress at Next Step Home. Nancy June Brandon shared about the Fly Arts Foundation and downtown Shelbyville. At her invitation, many of the ladies visited her condo on the square following the luncheon.
CLASS OF 1959 Seated from left, Carolyn Clanton Woodfin, Mary Ruth Nichols Simmons, Wanda Giles Grissom, Phylis Ann Hayes Hobbs, Sue Faulkner Cates, Janet Edwards Bates; standing, from left, Laura Morton Brandon, Marie Moulder Cartwright, Venita Foster McGee, Mary Margaret Leach, Anne Bramblett King, Ardis Hunter Caffey, Betty Tucker Thackston, Marie Koonce Parks, Martha Reed Deason, Elaine Vannatta Boney. (Submitted photo)
CLASS OF 1958 Seated, from left, Pat Parker Eisenbeis, Barbara Caldwell Smith, Alice Sons Nichols; standing, from left, May Dean Coop Eberling, Mary Ann Gunter Calahan, Connie Clanton Curry, Sarah Carroll Hill. (Submitted photo)
"All ladies who graduated from Shelbyville High School in the '50's are welcome to attend. Just contact one person in your class to make your reservation," said Brown, who facilitates the annual event.