Written by Jim Barns, Member, Bronxville High School Class of '64

Oct. 29, 2014: The first baby boomer class to graduate from Bronxville High School, the Class of 1964, held its 50th class reunion October 10 to 12.

It is still booming!

Of this class of 102, 45 of the 90 surviving members attended, many with spouses. Four non-grads attended. Superbly organized and with a wonderful spirit of friendliness and memory lane hilarity, it was a great success--for this reporter, a late bloomer boomer, one of the great experiences of his life.

Perhaps reflecting such a social community as Bronxville, the agenda was full--dinner at Fogarty's Friday night, Saturday morning a tour of the high school and a quiet recognition of 14 departed classmates with enlarged yearbook photos, a scavenger hunt in the village linking 1964 store locations with the current ones, a casual time to visit at the home of Gordon Harriss '64 and Elizabeth Harriss, ever the welcoming hosts, dinner at the Field Club, and Sunday morning brunch at The Tap in Tuckahoe!

Passing comments on the above:

The schools have always been the pride and joy of Broncoville and this has continued. Spare no expense.

New gymnasium, computer facilities, expansion of the auditorium, etc. Impressive, but 50 years later maybe only the library seemed familiar, but, after all, it is the memory of classmates and teachers that count.

The gathering for our departed classmates took place in the school, not by the flagpole, which had been the original site but changed for rain possibility.

The scavenger hunt was a great idea for seeing the village and being with a small group of strolling students. At the time of writing, the winner is not known. Anne Brown, whose father was a village retailer, got high marks for her effort.

Every person would have his or her own perspectives to share. For me, a high priority was speaking with people I never knew in those backward adolescent days--50 years later; how satisfying. Many youthful highjinks recalled from back then were shared, mostly a male domain. The humor and personas of yore returned easily. What has gone on for the last half century seemed less important during this weekend.

Some noteworthys: people who traveled the farthest were, from England, Barbara Bodenhorn, who was a spirited dancer, and, in second place, from Santa Cruz, California, Teren DeCossy, also a spirited dancer. She was one of six people from the West Coast. Generally acknowledged as the surprise returnee was Brad Barton, who had gone away to school in junior high school. Though resumes were not flashed about, his stood out. Founder of Arena Football and a co-owner of Five Guys restaurant! (I enjoyed the bonus peanuts.) He seemed so relaxed.

A side activity was golf, organized by Bill Black. There were seven players. Of particular note was the challenge round between two touch football quarterback rivals, Bob Marshall and Larry Ransom. Bill (Byford) Brown smoked the course with 11 putts in 9 holes, crushing his stunned opponent, Buck Schottland. Bill was in "the zone."

The stellar organizing "A team" was led by the "Spirit of '64," Tina Morrison, a veteran of reunion organization, and Gordon Harriss, also a vet. Bob Warrington was in charge of Friday and Saturday nights, and Bill Black was our activities guy and compiler of that impressive list of 1964 stores! Cathy Ware organized decorations and Tom Sanford, again, managed finances. A social psychologist might try to link their aptitudes to classes at BHS . . . 

One enthused classmate said, "In five years, we really will be old. Let's meet in three."

This will take further consideration.

Pictured here (rotating): Members of the Bronxville High School Class of '64 at the 50th reunion. In the photo with a BHS '64 graduate wearing an orange scarf (L to R): Cathy Ware Burgess, Anne Fairchild Brown, and Tina Hewitt Morrison; in the other photo (L to R): Mary Donohue Allen, Tica Edgecombe Barr, and Mary Wilson Marchant.

Photos courtesy Bob Warring, Bronxville High School Class of ’64