Ephrata Alumni Association

Grace Lampman Nelson

Class of 1951

Grace Lampman Nelson Writes About Reunions

June 10, 2013 Spokesman Review

I always go to class reunions because I love them. My class, the Ephrata High School class of 1951, was and remains close-knit. We’ve had 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 55 and 60th reunions.

There is a big difference between a 10-year reunion and those afterward. At the 10-year most people are getting careers off the ground, families started, so perhaps a need to impress is evident. By the 20th and 30th, we seemed to be more relaxed and have a better understanding of life and the joy in being together. It didn’t matter so much where our paths have led us. Some had divorced which wasn’t as accepted as readily as now, but we sure didn’t let it bother us.

Living in Ephrata where I grew up is a huge help. I am usually the person who gets the ball rolling each time, but there is a core group who jump in, some don’t even live here, and help put it together. I’m in contact with at least a dozen of my 51 classmates during the year. We’ve lost some over the years and have no idea whatever happened to them; we also lose some each year when they pass away.

I like reunions because it’s always wonderful to reconnect with those I don’t see or hear from except at these times. We enjoy just visiting, we got rid of the “dance stuff” years ago, and we re-gather the next morning (Sundays) to have breakfast together, talk about families, and sometimes we hang out another two to three hours.

In 2011 we kind of felt that this would be our last reunion. We’re all turning 80 now! But one never knows….our community is planning a reunion in June 2014 to celebrate the anniversary of the first graduating class (1914) of Ephrata High School.

Many reunion events are planned. Two members of the class of 1938 still live in Ephrata; we hope they’ll still be sturdy and able to join in. This reunion will include my children’s classes as all ten of them are alumni. I am hoping some of them can attend.

I understand why some people don’t attend reunions. They have memories of high school, didn’t feel they fit in, whatever; but we’re not the same people we were in our teens. So, yes, I always go to class reunions.

Note: Grace is an active member of the Ephrata High School 100-Year Reunion committee. Her generosity, along with her expertise and input regarding reunions, is greatly appreciated.