On Friday evening, May 22, the upper room of the Everett school building wore an unwanted gala day air, and bright lights, gleaming from every window, extended a cheerful welcome to those who were wending their way thither to share in the festivities attending the first reunion of the members of the Everett High School during the year 1874. As teachers and pupils gathered in the old familiar place and clasped hands in cordial greeting, the years rolled away, time was indeed turned backward in its flight, and we seemed to live again in our school days.
The reception was of a purely informal character, two or three hours being pleasantly passed in renewing friendships and recalling happy memories of the past. A little after nine o’clock, the teachers, Mr. H. T. Atwood and Miss Anna I. Saville, took their seats upon the platform. Mr. Atwood, in brief but felicitous words, addressed the members present, and in accordance with an old-time custom, called the roll, to which thirty or more voices responded.
A suggestion having been offered by Dr. Ralph M. Fogg to the effect that the ex-pupils should form themselves into an association to be known as the Norwood High School Association, for the purpose of extending and perpetuating this reunion by holding one annually hereafter, met with universal acceptance, as did also the proposition to extend a cordial invitation to all the alumni of the High School to join us in membership.
The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. Ralph M. Fogg; Vice President, Mr. Lucius Worthington; Sec and Treas., Miss Carrie Capen; Reception Committee, Mrs. W. F. Tilton, Miss Maggie Williamson, Eugene Winslow, E. H. Wheelock; Committee on Entertainment, Miss Lizzie Tucker, Mrs. Geo. Capen, L. B. White; School Historian, Dr. R. M. Fogg. It is proposed to hold a picnic in the near future.
Among the invited guests was Mr. L. V. N. Peck, a former teacher, but owing to a previous engagement he was unable to be present. Quite an elaborate musical and literary program had been arranged, but owing to the lateness of the hour and the necessary departure of several of the guests on the last train, it was only partially carried out. Letters containing words of earnest congratulation mingled with expressions of regret for unavoidable absence, were received from former members of the school whose homes were distant or who were detained at home by business cares or household duties.
After partaking of a bountiful collation served by Mr. T. F, Wellington, the genial host of the Norwood House, the hour of parting drew near, and as farewells were uttered all fervently hoped that the success attending this, the first reunion of the school of ’74, might be an earnest of many happy reunions in the future.
(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)