Synopsis of the History of the 50+

Waverly High School Reunion

1990 through????

1989

In the summer of 1989, Laverne “L. W.” Kehe formed a committee to discuss the concept of a multi class reunion. The group was to include all students that were members Waverly High School Classes from at least 50 years ago.

 

Cards were mailed to hundreds of students from the classes of 1919 to 1940 inviting them to a 1990 50 Plus Reunion, over 200 accepted the invitation.

‘1990

The first “50+reunion” covered 3 days, September 14, 15, & 16, 1990, coinciding with the “newly initiated Waverly Heritage Fest”.  Friday offered a meal on the Star Clipper Dinner train either at noon or evening; Saturday was a Dinner at the Red Fox and Sunday a brunch at the Country Club. (The costs Per Person were: Dinner Train $45.00, Evening Dinner $10.00, Sunday Brunch $7.50)

 

“L. W.’s” original idea for the class celebrating their 50^th anniversary to also coordinate the 50+ did not work.  They were too busy with their own 50^th to do the 50+ plus they had never attended a 50 plus reunion.  It was found that the class that had their 50^th the year before (last year’s “Inducted” class) had more time to do so and was more “in condition” to set up the 50+.

1991

The second 50+ also coincided with the Waverly Heritage Fest, September 13, 14 & 15, 1991 with most of the 50+ activity occurring on Saturday, beginning with a bus tour of Waverly and the old school facilities. Lunch was at Mitchell Manor and the Dinner was at the Waverly Country Club.  Brunch on Sunday was also at the Country Club. Host Class 1940, Honored Class 1941.

1992

In 1992, still coordinated with the Waverly Heritage Fest, the reunion was September 11, 12 & 13.  Again, the Saturday luncheon was at Mitchell Manor with afternoon spent reminiscing.  The dinner was at the Country Club and Brunch Sunday also was at the Country Club. (Luncheon $4.00, Sat night dinner $11.00, Sunday Brunch $4.00). Host Class 1941, Honored Class 1942

1993

The 1993 Reunion was almost identical to the previous year except for the dates, September 9, 10, 11 & 12, but there was no Brunch planned for Sunday. (Luncheon $5.00, Dinner $11.50). Host Class 1942, Honored Class 1943.

1994

For 1994, the primary focus was shifted to the Heritage Days Events with a noon luncheon at the Waverly Country Club being the only event just for the 50+ reunion group. Also, in 1994 Edgar Zelle became the Committee Chair. (Probably the time at which the records started being kept on a computer) (Luncheon $8.00). Host Class 1943, Honored Class 1944.

1995

There is no specific information for the 50+ in 1995, except that Paul Meyers was from the oldest class attending. The Heritage Days program is included indicating that they were held on September 8, 9 & 10, 1995. Host Class 1944, Honored Class 1945.

1996

For 1996, the Heritage Days Committee changed their dates to July 18 to 21, so the 50+ Reunion still in September, was set as a one day event, scheduled for September 14, 1996. The event was a noon luncheon at the Waverly Country Club. The mailing list now was over 700. (Luncheon $8.00 + $2.00 for postage, etc.).  Host Class 1945, Honored Class 1946.

1997

In 1997, the 50+reunion remained a 1-day event on Saturday, September 6, 1997, no longer in conjunction with Heritage Days. Again, the noon luncheon was served at the Waverly Country Club. (No costs, figures, available).  Host Class 1946, Honored class 1947.

1998

The 1998 50+ Reunion as held on Saturday, September 12, 1999, with a noon luncheon at the Waverly Golf and Country Club.  By this time the mailing list was almost 800 names. (Luncheon $8.50 plus $2.00 for postage, etc.). Host Class 1947, Honored Class 1948.

1999

September 11, 1999 was the date for that year’s 50+ Reunion, which a luncheon served at the Waverly Golf and Country Club. (Fees were $9.00 plus $2.00 or more for postage, etc.). Host Class 1948, Honored Class 1949.

2000

In 2000, for the first time, the 50+ Reunion was held at the Waverly-Shell Rock Junior High (The old High School). It was scheduled for September 9, 2000, and was a catered noon luncheon. Host Class 1949, Honored Class 1950.

2001

The “Old High School” was also the location of the 50+ Reunion in 2001.  At this reunion the “Story of the Clock” atop the “Old High School Building” was presented by Dr. Lagomarcino.  It seems there never were any works installed, just the numbers and hands. The organizing class, the Class of 1950, undertook the project of getting the clock completed and before the next 50+, the clock was running. Host Class 1950, Honored Class 1951

2002

The 2002 50+ was also at the “Old” High School on September 7 and was a catered luncheon.  The mailing list was now approaching 900. (Cost was $10.00 plus $2.00 for postage, etc.). Host Class 1951, Honored Class 1952.

2003

September 6, 2003 was the date for the 2003 50+ Reunion.  This was the first year that it was held at the fair grounds in the 4-H Building, primarily to get into an air-conditioned facility. The mailing list went over 900 names. (Cost was $11.00 per person with a request for $2.00 per reservation form for postage, etc.).  Host Class 1952, Honored Class 1953.

2004

In 2004, the 50+ was again held at the 4-H Building at the Fair Ground, this time on Saturday, September 11, 2004. (Costs remain at $11.00 plus $2.00 for postage, etc.). Host Class 1953, Honored Class 1954.

 

2005

The 4-H Building at the fair grounds was the site of the 2005 50+ Reunion on September 10, 2005. The mailing list is now well over 900. (Costs were still held at $11.00 per plate and a request for $2.00 per reservation form for postage, etc.) Host Class 1954, Honored Class 1955.

2006

Although the 2006 50+ was still held at the fair grounds, the Droste Hall was added to the event.  Registration and pre-meal fellowship started in Droste Hall at 9:00 AM, and  starting at noon the Alumni were moved by class to the 4-H Building, and ushered to their tables. The mailing list is now nearly 1000. (Costs remained at $11.00 with an option to add $2.00 for postage and other costs). Host Class 1955, Honored Class 1956.

2007,2008 & 2009

2007-2009 50 Plus Reunions were held at the Fair Grounds, Utilizing the 4-H and Droste Buildings. All basically the same as the 2006 Event.

2010

2010 The 50Plus Reunion was moved to the Centre, on the South edge of town.  A much better venue in all categories although a bit more expensive, but well worth it.  It is a more comfortable area, much more room and far better acoustics. Having everything in one building; large enough to provide an open area for coffee and conversation and a separate eating area is a big plus and the parking is also much better. The Host Class was 1959, Honored Class was 1960.

 

2011 The date had to be changed to the SECOND Saturday AFTER Labor Day because the Centre was not available the First Saturday after Labor Day.  This also got it away from the IOWA vs. IOWA STATE Football game and of course got it further from the Labor Day Weekend.  The committee being formed as a permanent part of the 50 Plus agreed to establish the Second Saturday after Labor Day as the permanent planning date. The Honored Class this year, 1961, was the first combined Waverly-Shell Rock High School Graduating Class.  Host Class was 1960.

2012

2012 The 23^rd celebration of the 50 Plus was retitled to be the “Waverly/Shell Rock High 50 Plus Reunion” and was  held on Saturday, September 15^th at the Centre.  The Centre opened for Socializing at 9:00 AM and the meal was served at 12:30. The Class of 1962 (First Class to spend their full Senior year in the New WSR High School) was inducted. Class of 1961 was the host. The WSR Band and Cheer Leaders were part of the program for the first time.

2013

2013 The 24^th Celebration for the Waverly/Shell Rock High 50 Plus Reunion was held on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at The Centre. The Class of 1963 was inducted, Class of 1962 was the host. It was decided that the Established Date for the WSR 50 Plus Reunion would remain: THE SECOND SATURDAY AFTER LABOR DAY.

2014

2014 The 25^th Silver Celebration of the Waverly–Shell Rock 50 Plus Reunion was held at the Centre on Saturday, September 13^th, 2014. The Class of 1964 was inducted to the group and the Class of 1963 was the host class.

 

 

2015

2015 The 26^th Celebration of the Waverly – Shell Rock 50 Plus Reunion was held at the Centre on Saturday September 12^th (NOW ON THE SECOND SATURDAY OF SEPTEMBER). The Class of 1965 will be inducted into the group and the Class of 1964 will be the host class. Class of 1955 is observing 60 years in the 50 Plus Event.

2016

2016 The 27^th Celebration of the WSR 50 Plus was held at the Centre in Waverly on Saturday the 10^th of September. Switched back to the First Saturday after Labor Day. Class of 1966 inducted and Class of 1965 was the host class.

2017

2017 The 28^th Celebration of the WSR 50 Plus was observed at the WAVP in Waverly on Saturday September 9, 2017.  A scheduling conflict required the change of venue. The WAVP is new and nice but really a bit small, but we managed. Scheduling problems continue so the 2018 event will also be in the WAVP. The Host Class was 1966 and Class of 1967 was inducted.

2018

2018 The 29^th Celebration of the WSR 50 plus was observed at the WAVP in Waverly on Saturday. September 8, 2018. The attendance was somewhat lower probably to some extent due to the limited space at the WAVP, The 2019 Event is scheduled to be back at the Centre which has considerably more space. The host Class was 1967 and Class of 1968 was inducted.

2019

2019 The 30^th W-SR 50 Plus Reunion is scheduled for Sept 7, 2019, at the Centre in Waverly.  This is almost as early as it can get as Labor Day is the 2^nd of September this year. Leap year next year jumps it a day so Labor Day 2020 will be the 7^th and the 50 plus will move down to September 12^th, 2020.  Host Class was 1968 and Class of 1969 was inducted.

2020

2020 Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic the 2020 Reunion was cancelled

2021

2021 The 32nd 50 Plus was held as scheduled on the first Saturday after Labor Day. A Special day as that made it 09/11/2021 the 20^th anniversary of the Attach on New York. It still was held at the Centre, opening at 9:00 for visiting and a catered buffet served at 11:30. The Waverly High School Pep Band entertained. Due to another Scheduling “Blip”, the 2022 Event will be held on Saturday, September 2 leading into Labor Day weekend, the 2023 will be back on September 9^th,  the first Saturday AFTER Labor Day. This year the Classes of 1969 and 1970 co Hosted and Class of 1971 was inducted.

2022 33rd Year

2022 Had to be cancelled due to several complications that arose. They were associated with the fact that the reunion had to be scheduled for the Saturday before Labor Day, and other issues. The 2023 event is scheduled to be on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Centre, 1211 4th St SW in Waverly.  Doors will open at 9:00 AM with lunch at 11:30 followed by a short program.

2023 34th Year

2023 Event was held as scheduled at the Centre with the Classes of 1972 and 1973 Inducted. A short program by Shell Rock Mayor Larry Young and information about the W-SR Foundation by Don Meyer.

The existing Standing Committee for these events has decided that they will no longer continue to serve in that capacity. The Committee needs younger members to step up and take over those duties.The incoming class has always been in charge of the next event with help as needed from the Central Committee.

A new Standing Committee was organized with current and new members. One Important Change is that The 2024 50 Plus Reunion will be held in conjunction with the Annual Waverly Heritage Days in July.