Settling on a pattern
Class reunion organizers become old hands at preparing for Old Settlers Day
Staff writer
Planning a class reunion takes a lot of time and communication, but class members pull it off every five years.
Old Settlers Day, when Marion graduates come home for fun and reunions, will be Sept. 27 this year.
Events include a ride in a downtown parade, lunch and games at Central Park, and time together to catch up.
The class of 1985 will have its 40th reunion this year. It will be the class’ eighth five-year reunion. Patty Putter, who still lives in Marion, is one of five classmates who organized this year’s festivities.
The committee also includes Chris Meierhoff, Brenda Edwards, Jeff Harper, and Sherri Hess.
The class always was close, Putter said. A group was organized to plan reunions, starting in 1990.
“A group of friends who live in Marion decided to work together on the planning,” Putter said.
Reunions usually bring about 30 classmates.
We are really working on getting some people here who have not come back for any reunions,” Putter said.
Staying connected hasn’t proved difficult.
Edwards created a social media page five years ago, and others in the class have maintained contact with each other.
“There are some who have never come to a reunion for one reason or another, but we do our best every year to make contact with them and make sure they are invited,” Putter said.
Class reunions usually have the same theme, she said.
“We are pros at it by now,” Putter said. “About six months before Old Settlers Day, the group gets together and decides, yes, we are having another reunion, yes we are ordering some fun T-shirt designs, and then we plan the meals.
“We have done the same thing for the last five reunions, and everyone enjoys their time here, so we just keep doing it the same way.”
Committee members meet four to five times before the reunion, each meeting lasting about two hours.
“We are like a well-oiled machine,” Putter said.
The first few reunions were at Edwards’ house in Jex Addition. At that time, the downtown parade began there.
Now, the class meets at the Meierhoff home before the parade.
“Chris and Kathy have been very gracious by letting us meet at their home,” Putter said. “They have the space, and after all of these years, it just feels like everyone is coming home.”
This year’s activities will include dragging Main St. once after the parade. In earlier years, class members did a Chinese fire drill while dragging Main.
“We are too old for that now,” Putter said.
A family lunch will include sloppy Joes, side salads, and chips at the Meierhoff home.
“Our classmates are encouraged to bring their kids and now grandkids to join us for lunch,” Putter said.
A “cream can” meal is served in the evening. Chris Meierhoff, Ryan Walker, and Ty Waner usually prepare it.
“For the last couple of reunions we have started having a silent auction to raise funds for our class account,” Putter said. “We use the funds to send memorial gifts for classmates who have lost loved ones.
“This is always fun to see what all is donated. Most of the items are handmade or hold some significant memories.”
Putter said her best memories of class reunions revolve around seeing classmates hang out together.
“Listening to all of the stories the boys tell is always entertaining,” she said. “My best memories are the ones with Bret Dannenfelser in them.”
The worst memory for both Putter and Edward was the class’ first five-year reunion, when they came face to face with the reality that life is unpredictable. A classmate had died.
“We were so young, assumed we were invincible and that was a big reality check that life is so fragile,” Putter said.