Memories revisited at Pincher Creek Alumni event

Hundreds gathered to toast the past and renew old ties
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

On Saturday, June 29 the Pincher Creek Community Hall was filled with about 250 Pincher Creek Alumni that had traveled from all over Canada and the United States to attend the Memories Reunion for everyone that graduated schools in Pincher Creek between 1952 and 1965.  Matthew Halton, St. Michael's and Pincher Creek High Schools all existed during that time frame.  Alumni David Green and Gayle Stephen acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event.


Memories filled the room.  Even though many faces in the room still grace the streets of Pincher Creek regularly, there were people that were seeing some of their classmates for the first time since they had graduated.  People were chatting, mingling and reminiscing throughout the room.  Many gathered along one wall to enjoy the memorabilia that was laid out. "It's amazing going back and looking at all this," said  Dale Stuckey who graduated in 1963 and posed with a picture of his grade 12 basketball team. He said that he really enjoyed catching up with everyone, some of whom he had not seen for 40 years.

Dale Stuckey then and now

After dinner the organizing committee was invited up on stage and shown their appreciation. There was a heartfelt and touching memorial ceremony for classmates that have passed on.  A delegate from each year came forward on stage and lit a candle while the names for that year were read to the quiet room.

Memorial Candle Ceremony

Greetings were sent to the Alumni from the Town and the Municipal District read by David Green.  There were toasts made, speeches made to the teachers and the students, and the revised edition of the book 'Prairie Grass to Mountain Pass' was dedicated to Matthew Halton High School on behalf of the retired teachers.

Book dedicated to MHHS on behalf of retired teachers.

University of Lethbridge Music Professor Bente Hansen is a 1981 graduate from Matthew Halton High School.  She was named as one of the most popular professors in Canada by Macleans Magazine.  She performed with 25 year old Jesse Plessis who has just received his Masters in Music from Brandon University in Manitoba this year.  The duo rocked the house with Beatles tunes arranged by  Plessis and other favorites from the 50's and 60's.  To find out more about their touring schedule contact them on Facebook.  It is well worth seeing these two individually or as a duo,  as their energy and enthusiasm is matched by their expertise.

Jesse Plessis with mentor Bente Hansen

Caroline Johnson led the room in the Stein Song, Matthew Halton's School Song, which was printed on the back of the program for those that did not remember the words.  Looking around the room,  many did remember.

Caroline Johnson:  The Stein Song

Other events held during the weekend for the alumni included a golf tournament, a wine and cheese get together, and a breakfast.

Helen Blackburn will stay in town until August, when she returns to Bolivia where she is helping the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission to build a home for boys ages 7 - 16 years old. She still whistles as beautifully as she ever has, and will be back in Pincher next year for her 70th birthday.

Helen Blackburn

Bob and Sita Likuski traveled from San Francisco to attend.  Bob graduated in 1955 and the couple try to come to the area annually to visit with family.

Sita and Bob Likuski

George Huddlestun (1958) and Joanne Parsons (Stuckey) (1961) are a story of romance, lost and found love.  They dated in high school before life took them in different directions.  They became reacquainted a few years ago, and in October of 2012 they married.  Joanne was wearing a ring that George gave her when she was 15.  "It took me 50 years to get him," she said.  He hugged her and told her that she was worth waiting for.  The couple currently reside in Okotoks.

Former classmates and newlyweds George Huddlestun and Joanne Parsons

Sometimes paths cross, friends are made, lessons are learned and the music of our lives is richer for it.