The FSHS Class of 1950 will hold its Sixtieth Reunion on Friday and Saturday, September 17-18, 2010. Members of other classes are welcome to join the Nifty-Fifties in celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. The reunion will feature an interesting and enjoyable two-day program highlighting the history and ties that all of us have to Fort Smith, Fort Smith High School, and to one another, including the following:
MARIOTT MIXER FRIDAY NIGHT: Although out-of-town guests may, of course, stay at the location of their choice, because the main events will be in downtown Fort Smith, the reunion committee has negotiated a special rate for out-of-town guests at the new "Courtyard by Marriott" Hotel, 900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith AR 72901, phone 479-783-2100. The Marriott has agreed to give reunion attendees room rates of $85 plus tax and service charge for its standard rooms (a King bed and sleeper sofa or a room with two queen beds) with a cutoff date three weeks (August 26) prior to the Sept. 18, 2010 arrival date and a credit card guarantee or check received not later than Sept. 7. A continental breakfast will be available for $4.00. Those wishing to reserve a room at the Marriott should do so at the earliest possible time. When making your reservation mention that it is "FSHS Class of 1950 60th Reunion" to get the discounted rate. The initial reunion "mixer" with hors d'oeuvres will be in the Marriott conference room at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, September 17, at a cost of $30.00 per person. There will be a bar for drinks to be paid for as ordered. See: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fsmcy-courtyard-fort-smith-downtown/
UAFS BRUNCH SATURDAY MORNING: The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has come a long way from the Fort Smith Junior College located in the small rooms beneath Grizzly Stadium when we were in high school, and we believe that all attendees will want to view what has happened in this regard. On Saturday morning, September 18, all reunion attendees are invited to be the guests of UAFS for a brunch at 10:00 a.m. followed by a tour of the campus. Although there will be no charge for the brunch, the committee will need a head count of attendees beforehand (see the registration form), and, if available funds permit, the committee will make a donation to UAFS. See: http://www.uafortsmith.edu/Home/Index
FS HISTORY MUSEUM VIDEO-RECORDING OF 1940 FORT SMITH MEMORIES: At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, attendees will meet at the 1940's soda fountain in the Fort Smith Museum of History at 320 Rogers Avenue, and at 1:00 p.m. there will be a historical preservation video-recorded interview of those attendees willing to participate and share their free-ranging memories of life in Fort Smith as seen through the eyes of teenagers during the 1940's, including such topics as Fuzzy Farnsworth, Nora Brown, Frank Jones, Cooley's Drug Store, Famous Eat, Garrison Avenue and Downtown Fort Smith, Movie Theaters, Dance Halls and Dance Bands, and all other topics into which the free ranging discussion takes the group. The recording will be preserved along with the Historical Society's other Fort Smith historical records. Although there will be no charge for participation in the video-recorded interview, the FS Historical Society would welcome a $5.00 donation. See: http://www.fortsmithmuseum.com/
US MARSHALS MUSEUM AND BELLE POINT TOUR: Following the FS Historical Society video-recording there will be a twenty minute presentation by Jim Dunn, the director of the new $50,000,000.00 U.S. Marshals Museum to be erected on the Arkansas River waterfront north of the of downtown bridge in Fort Smith. See: http://www.usmarshalsmuseum.com/about. If the weather and time permit, there will be a tour of Belle Point, the stunningly beautiful site of the original Fort overlooking the confluence of the Poteau and the Arkansas Rivers, which was restored from what was known as the "Coke Hill" shantytown when we were attending Fort Smith High School. See: http://www.nps.gov/fosm/index.htm
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH, BANQUET AND DANCE: At 5:30 p.m. attendees will gather at the entrance of Adelaide Hall located at the southwest corner of third and Garrison Avenue for a reunion group photograph, or photographs, and at 6:00 p.m. there will be a banquet and dance in the Adelaide Hall Ballroom. See: http://www.varsityfortsmith.com/varsityfortsmith/index.htm. All reservations should be mailed to Paul Gean, 1105 Adelaide Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901 to arrive not later than September 1, 2010. Cost of the dinner and dance will be $45.00 per person for those whose reservations and payment arrive prior to August 1, and $50.00 per person for those whose reservation and/or payment arrives between August 1 and September 1. There will be a cash bar for mixed drinks.
BANQUET PROGRAM: The banquet program to be MC'd by Peg Putnam will include a welcome by Mayor Ray Baker, a very brief acknowledgment of departed class members, a twenty minute talk and slide presentation by Chuck Girard concerning Garrison Avenue and the history of downtown Fort Smith, followed by a dance featuring music from the 1940's and 1950's.
SUNDAY MORNING: There will be no formal activities Sunday morning, September 19.
We look forward to seeing you on September 17 and 18. If you have questions, please email one of the following: Putnam, Peggy (peggyp@cablelynx.com); Paul Gean (paulgean@geanlaw.com); Cate Stan (shcate@yahoo.com); Eddie Coffman (ecoffman@sbcglobal.net); or Pryor Tom (tbpryor@cox.net).
