Jim Hironimus

White Hall

Our Class of ’69 Reunion for our high school is next month. Every year attendance gets lower and lower.

It never has been above 70% ever, and now it is down to less than 45%. Why?

I moved from the area almost 50 years ago. My family has long since died and there really isn’t anything to do there, so that makes the cost of attending questionable if it is worth it.

The only thing that is a large gathering for more than a week is the Grange Fair, and one can only do so much when you are there. For people that are from out of town, they have the expense of getting there, paying someone to house-sit, maintain their yards and pet-sit. Many also have to take vacation from work.

Then there are the people that stayed in their home town and never traveled. They still maintain their “15 minutes of fame.” They still are in their same cliques as they were in high school. Some still strive to sit at “their table.”

And there is the “having to go along to get along” syndrome that is so real in small communities.

Many that left their areas have done really well, but when they attend a class reunion, no one cares.

And, as rude as it sounds, many that stayed do not care about those that left, and treat them like outsiders!

I suggest that if people running their class reunions want more to attend that they send out a sheet to everyone in their class, and ask why people do not attend.

Class reunions are supposed to be a fun gathering for all classmates and not just a select few that remained living in their same “hometown area.”

You would be amazed how many of your old classmates have been very successful, or need your help, or are ill, or would just like to see how people have matured and grown up and what they turned into in their older years.

If they scheduled the reunion with a large event, got discounts for hotels for attendees, made an effort for those that have to travel and then made all classmates feel welcome, that would be a great improvement — they would get more to attend.

Please, make it enjoyable for all and not just for a select few!