The Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 celebrated its 35th class reunion by "Going back to the good ole days" and recreating their 1954 Sophomore Homecoming float. It won a first place that year and was the first float to ever beat out the Seniors. It was also the first float to ever use spray paint instead of colored napkins. Taking four weeks, 9500 napkins and two gallons of paint, class members met at the High School Bus Garage and put many hours into this labor of love, but had lots of fun and socializing, too. For the re-creation, a stuffing party was scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 1992, when local classmates and those from afar joined together to visit and finish the float. Classmate Salley O., a teacher at the high school, took other members and two retired teachers on a tour through the Junior and Senior High Schools. Food and drink plus 50s music was an added bonus for the evening.
On Friday evening July 3, thirty-four classmates attended the 35th Reunion at the White Pines Inn in White Pines State Park. They entered the Pump Room through a cluster of red and black balloons. Each table was decorated with red and black balloons with bases of red and black foil paper on mirrors with votive cups and red candles with red napkins on a white table cloth.
The social hour began at 6:30 p.m. and during that time a group photo was taken by Ken Heern Photography. There was much fun and emotion as classmates greeted each other. Many had not seen each other in over 5 years or longer. Following the smorgasbord of roast beef, fried chicken, and nostalgia, Mike B., 1957 class president, welcomed all class members and had many thanks for all who helped so faithfully working on our special project. Mike gave a short entertaining talk and a card was circulated for an ill member unable to attend. Afterwards, many class members went on to the Alumni Dance held at the Mt. Morris Moose Club, providing an opportunity to visit with other alumni.
On July 4, thirteen ladies of class met for their annual breakfast at Peters Cafe in Leaf River. Then it was time to get the float ready by 12:30 and hoist the 9' tall skunk onto the carpeted hay rack with a beautiful garden of over 60 handmade flowers made of tissue paper. Even the wheels had a fresh coat of paint and the wagon tongue was wrapped in red and black crepe paper to show off our accomplishment. A 1954 John Deere tractor owned by Mary Jane and Dwayne pulled the float to the music of the Statler Brothers singing "Class of 57." A lot of classmates walked the whole parade route behind the float and many others joined along the way. By the time the float passed the reviewing stand there were 23 class members walking with the skunk looking down with a big smile on its face. Following behind them was a 1964 Pontiac Convertible owned and driven by classmate, Jerry W., with his special guest, Lester Mayes. The float won a 2nd place ribbon in the float division, but to us it was a first place winner from beginning to end.
Traveling to the reunion from a distance were Dick Z., Justina K., Sharon G., Nancy L., Myron B, Mike S., Mike B., Glenn R., Duane B., and Marvin M. Near-by and local members attending were Salley O., Jean M., Sara Y., Ron D., Steven B., Francine K., Nancy G., Melvin K., Mary Jane F., Dwayne Z., Sylvia T. David S., Norm G., Diane B., Nancy S., Ebba L., Melvin R., Bonnie W., Sylvia H. Libby M., Marion D., Priscilla D., Darlene H., and Glen O.
Another reunion was in the planning for 1997 in five years.
(Submitted by Nancy S., the class archivist and diarist)
Dick Z. Greely, Dave, Moe, Mike B.
