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Faces and places of their past...
At times the roar of rain on the roof of the Early Co. Gin cotton warehouse Friday evening would drown out the roar of the crowd. But, it didn't dampen the friendships being renewed or the memories being relived inside by the crowd of approximately 600. (See list of attendees at earlycountynews.com) The rains had passed by the time the classmates and spouses began making their way back to their vehicles - most excited about their renewed friendships, a few dissapointed that a special classmate had not made their way back. The activities resumed Saturday morning at Mangham Auditorium, again hampered by the rain. Against a backdrop painting of the Blakely Theater, a three-hour program of on-stage skits, music and recollections took the reunion back through those three decades which shaped the lives of the classmates, most former students from Blakely-Union, Kessler, Damascus, Washington, Carver, Jakin and Hilton.
A solemn remembrance ceremony for the deceased classmates - over 500 were on a list included in handouts - was conducted by Myra White and Betty Orange. The ceremony included the lighting of a candle for each decade followed by a few moments of silence. See list of deceased at earlycountynews.com Others participating on the program included reunion co-chairpersons Priscilla Jones Collins, Joan Puckett Wall and Herbert Swords. Blakely mayor Ric Hall and County Commission chairman Richard Ward greeted the crowd. ECHS student DeVante Graham performed the National Anthem and Rev. Fred Daniels gave the invocation.
However, the fellowship hall at First Methodist Church on College Street was abuzz with activity after the attendees were directed there for desserts and group photos. By 4 p.m. all of the classmates had departed, most on their way back home, and all chock full of new and renewed memories. "It was great," co-chair Joan Puckett Wall said. "I know I speak for everyone involved when I say that is the most rewarding thing I have ever done."
The reunion was sponsored by the Alexander Building/Theatre Committee and Early County 2055 in an effort to make the classmates aware of the efforts underway to provide a brighter future for Early County and to solicit their support.
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