I just received a notice in today’s mail that the Dallastown Area High School Class of 1959 will hold its 50th reunion on August 7-8, 2009. Well, actually, we knew a year ago that it was scheduled for those dates, but this was the official notification, along with an itinerary and the usual request for payment. But, there must be some mistake; it can’t be 50 years ago that we graduated from dear ol’ D-town! No way! It seems like it was just yesterday.
A close-knit group, the Class of 1959 is truly unique. Not only were we the first class to graduate from the new junior-senior high school, we have held reunions on a regular basis since then, and even occasionally hold special gatherings between reunions, such as the Meddie-care party when we all turned 65.
Because the old D-town H.S. building was too crowded, I was bussed to a city school for my early high school years (much to my eternal sorrow).
Old DHS Building in the Borough of Dallastown, Now an Elementary School
But I knew most of the kids in the DHS Class of ‘59, and many of the underclassmen. Some were neighbors; some I had gone to elementary school with; some were friends of friends; others I knew from church or from the Dallastown Boys & Girls Band, of which I was a member for many years.
When a new high school was completed in the fall of 1958, I was finally able to enter those hallowed halls of wisdom with my friends. To their everlasting credit, they accepted me as one of their own. 
There was never any doubt that I was a part of the class, and I felt completely at home. In fact, just recently, when discussing an incident that happened during our senior year, one of my dear friends who I had known long before entering D-town remarked, “Oh, Judy, I forgot that you were only there our senior year!”
Our classmates remain close, and in fact, when someone is hospitalized or suffers a death in the family, word goes out to fellow class members across the country. They, in turn, respond with cards and e-mails, and yes, there’s even a prayer chain for the ill or the bereaved.
Well, I guess I must face reality. I’ll have to accept the facts. Since we graduated in June of 1959 - and this is 2009 - that means we’ve been separated from our dear old Alma Mater for 50 years. So much has happened since then, but I’ll never be separated from those wonderful senior class memories.
So, count me in, Reunion Committee. I’ll meet you and the rest of the gang at noon on Friday, August 7, at the Dallas Theater, as we begin our walk down memory lane together.
Before Gray Hair and Wrinkles (1958-1959)
(You can read more about my high school adventures in my family history book, “The George Druck Family Chronicle, 1741-2008.” To find out how you can own a copy, write to me at jaroutson@aol.com.)
