45th Reunion Report

On August 4 and 5, 2006, 89 members of Elmira Southside High School's Class of 1961 gathered for their 45th reunion. What a terrific time we all had!

Fifty-six classmates came to Angie's in Pine City on Friday night, and 78 attended the Saturday event at El Monte in Fisherville (Big Flats). Over 120 people, including spouses, came to the Saturday event.

On Saturday, our Senior Class president Jack Page led us in a moment of silence to remember our deceased classmates. He also presented Jack Griff's compilation of facts from Elmira's (and our) past. Classmate Dave Sheen, now a Southport Town Supervisor, spoke about the value of an Elmira upbringing and quoted remarks that Elmira native Brian Williams had made at the May, 2006, grand re-opening of the Eldridge Park carousel.

Bottles of wine were awarded as prizes for:

  •  Most children: Tom Breese and Carl and Diane Scoza Stratton tied with five each; Carl and Diane got the wine because they had the youngest.
  •  Most grandchildren: Miriam Gilbert Stanton with 13.
  •  Those who came farthest: Californians Gene and Jan Maslinski Reibson and Marie Deaton Waters. Gene and Jan also won the 50-50, which should help defray the cost of the trip! (The other 50% is seed money for the 50th reunion.)

Bob Ludwig entertained at the microphone while setting up photo shots and encouraging 50-50 ticket sales.

In addition, $120.00 was collected for a class donation to the Eldridge Park Carousel project. This donation will be recognized with an engraved star to be displayed on a wall in the carousel building; it should be ready next year, so look for it on Panel 3 when you visit the carousel.

Classmates spent the parties reminiscing, catching up on 45 years of personal histories, and taking pictures. Click here to view photos taken at the reunion, including the group photos of the grade school classes.

The final version of our 45th reunion book includes contact information, photos, and biographies of all those who provided information. You may continue to send send updates to  Bernadette Malone McMahon for possible future updates of the book.

The book includes a list of those still missing, and we intend to keep searching for them. If you're on the list of the missing, or if you have information about someone who is, please contact Bernadette or  Gary Jezorski to provide an update.

If you've never seen it, the 40th reunion book from 2001 is still available. Some of the contact information is out of date, but it does include some photos of people who do not have photos in the new 45th reunion book.

Don't forget to bookmark this website for future reference!