High school reunion open to 65 years of graduates, By Mark J. Yablonsky FRANKLIN An All-Class reunion of Franklin School alumni from the years 1927 through 1982 is planned for Aug. 28. The event is put on by the Franklin Historical Society. The day-long reunion will be held at the Fireman’s Park from 1 to 7 p.m. and includes a guided tour of the building, which today is home to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Speaking of the alums from days gone by, historical society board member Joseph Bene said, “These are people who haven’t seen each other in years.” “And they’ll renew old acquaintances and fond memories.” Bene is a member of the class of 1946. The school, modeled after a similar building in Gary, Indiana, was built at a cost of about $150,000 and opened in September 1915 as a vocational school. Twelve years later, two wings were added onto both sides of the building to make room for high school students, and the school became known as the Franklin High School. The final high school graduation there took place in 1982. After that students from Franklin, Ogdensburg, Hamburg and Hardyston all began attending Wallkill Regional High School. Reminiscences and a repast The event, which includes a “casual chicken barbecue dinner,” is designed to remember the building and town’s “old high school days.” Many of its alums may recall lines from the school’s alma mater: “There’s a high school on the hilltop where the oak tree stands so strong; to her prestige and glory raise we now our voice in song.” Historical society president Judy Williams is a 1977 graduate, who is proud of the school and its many graduates. “Franklin continues to have a strong relationship with its alumni past. As time marches on, we realize how important and precious these memories are.” To date, Williams said, alums from as far away as Ohio, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Texas have RSVP’s that they’ll be coming to the reunion.
If you go
What: Franklin School alumni, 1927-1982
When: Aug. 28, 1 to 7 p.m.
Where: Fireman’s Park
How much: $35
Contact: Judy Williams at 973-827-9001
or Sally McGrath at 973-827-7655.