By Ellen (Rose) Lukkasson

If you have Facebook or saw the Gazette last month you may already know about the first ever weekend-long reunion for Andes Alumni going on from July 29^th – July 31^st.  The idea started with the Class of ‘81 and since has spread to include the help of many others. Here is the outline for the weekend.  There should be something to suit everyone in the weekend of reminiscing and reacquainting.

Class of 1950—My dad is in this picture. Can anyone else spot their parents?

Friday July 29^th will be arrival day for many.  There is nothing organized for this day.  Come wander through town, check out the shops and see who’s around.  Friday night stop by the Andes Hotel for a “See you when you get there” visit.  Lawrence Cooley Acoustic will provide the musical ambiance while Cans and Clams is going on in the Summershack, and later on we can share the stage when karaoke kicks off inside at 8:00 pm. Find Ellen Rose or Amy Sweitzer to get your name in “The Book” and into Sunday’s give-away drawing.

Saturday July 30^th Most of the early day is free to enjoy breakfast or lunch at the local eateries with long lost friends, check out the shops, go swimming at the pool or visit some of your own “Happy Days” memory spots. Get lunch to go and lounge in the grass at Ballantine Park.  Around noon you can also witness the excitement of the Annual Ice Cream Run as the bikers complete the leg of the journey through Andes.

3:00 PM Meet in the Yellow Room of the Andes Hotel and get signed in for the “Memory Walk.” While you are signing in, get your name and contact info in “The Book” for possible future events and enter your name in Sunday’s give-away drawing.  Once we have gathered into an orderly or disorderly mob, as the case may be, Andes historian Jim Andrews, as well as other knowledgeable alumni, are going to be our hosts as we wander through Andes. As we reminisce we’ll also learn from them what changes have occurred and how they’ve affected Andes.  We will visit the Hunting Tavern Museum, walk up to Bohlmann Park, around High Street and down to the school.  At the school Jan Stevens will take over and give us a tour of the building. We can relive old times and learn how the building is being used now. We will have group pictures in some of the old yearbook spots then wander back to the Hotel via the tennis courts.

6:00 PM The Andes Hotel will be having a Chicken BBQ with Mickey Weaver at the grill, live music by Just Throw Money and a cash bar out in the Summershack. Regular menu and inside dining also available.

Sunday July 31^st 12:00 PM Come to the school for some fun in the sun. The PTSA will be putting on a Picnic Buffet for us.  There will be burgers and dogs, potato and pasta salads, watermelon, desserts and drinks. $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 10. See Dale Cole to get your name in the softball lineup and he will turn us into teams for a couple of games of softball.  If you can’t play come cheer on your favorites. Ought to be good for some laughs and great for pictures!  Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and kick back and visit with old friends. The PTSA will be selling Mountaineer memorabilia and holding a 50/50 raffle. We will also be having the drawings you got your name in on Friday and Saturday. We are giving away some fun stuff and you must be present to win.

IN CASE OF RAIN- everything but the softball will move to the Andes Fire Hall.

Note:  All of the events this weekend are free other than your food and drinks. We will be taking up collections all weekend for the Andes Scholarship Fund. Some shops in town will have cans at their registers (as well as discounts for alumni) and we will be passing the can at the various events. Please help us keep the memories of your favorite teachers alive and help the next generation of Andes graduates.~