“Fifty & Fantastic” was the theme of the Seymour Senior High School Class of 1967’s 50th class reunion Oct. 7 at The Pines Evergreen Room south of Seymour.

The foyer at the entrance was decorated in a fall theme with white wicker furniture, mums, pumpkins, decorative lanterns and a “Fifty & Fantastic” banner. At the registration table, each classmate received a name tag that included their senior class picture.

The evening started out with a social hour to give classmates a chance to reminisce. A memorabilia table was set up by classmate Don Goecker that included many items from 1967 plays, sporting events, license plates and more.

A slideshow, which was compiled by Cheri Conquest Hull, brought back fond memories. It was comprised of pictures classmates had emailed her that contained everything from grade school class photos to sports and social events from the time to graduation pictures.

Photographer Nikki Jackson took candid pictures during the evening and the class picture. An arch, decorated with purple and white flowers and small white lights, was utilized for pictures of classmates and their spouses or individuals.

Classmate Ken Wendling gave the invocation, and disc jockey Jason Noel played soft dinner music during the buffet-style dinner. The tables featured fall-style centerpieces and placemats designed by classmate Bob Bowman. Also, there was a coffee mug and a koozie printed with “Fifty & Fantastic” for each person.

After the dinner, Hull expressed everyone’s gratitude to the military veterans from the class. Their dates of service, rank and military branch were shared with the group, and they were asked to stand. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played softly in the background.

Classmate Herb Hunter was introduced as the emcee for the night, and he recognized the reunion committee. That consisted of Hull, Hunter, Goecker, Cathy Haskett VonDielingen, Wanda Robinson Hunt, Connie Nentrup Burrell, Jean Gray Back, Judy Kriete Duncan, Laverne Heacock East, Linda Byers Searfos, Linda Myers Wendling, Mark Edmonds, Mary Brewer Countryman, Pam Brown Baker, Patsy Prather Mize, Peggy Ude Findley, Ronda Miller, Sandy Gossett Schrink, Sharon McKain Black, Steve Cockerham, Terrie Evans Jones and Beverly Heacock Ruddick.

A number of teachers from the Class of 1967 had been invited, and several were able to attend, including John Britton, Jim Brock, Jon and Lois Geuder and John and Marvina Lewis. Classmates had the opportunity to visit with them, and some even had their pictures taken with them.

A memorial tree was made by classmates Linda Wendling and Jones honoring the 40 deceased classmates. The tree was adorned with small white lights and a small golden picture frame containing each one’s senior picture.

Deceased classmates include Clydia Anderson Payne, Gordon Ballard, Richard Brown, Deanna Burbrink Cothren, Denny Cole, Clark Edmonds, Robert Edmonds Jr., David Fleetwood, Elizabeth Hauck Hutchinson, Gary Hess, Kathy Hopper, Steve Johnson, Donna Johnson Brannan, Charles Koerner, Charles Kriete, Victor Marcott, Linda Marsh Brown, Steven Tony Marshall, Dayna McGinley, Patricia McKain Maschino, Don McKinney, Dennis McNeely, Richard Brown, Steve Morrow, Richard Morrow, Don Murray, Teresa Nicholson Butler, John L. Phillips, Dennis Pierce, Mary Jane Porter Mattix, Sally Porter Rogers, Richard Rebber, Tom Robertson, Tom Schepman, Richard Stearns, Tom Stewart, Roxanna Terry Williams, Kevin Toppe, Elaine Wheeler Eggersman, Barb Wiethoff Guthrie and Ted Wiggs.

A poem, surrounded by small candles, dedicated to the deceased was displayed on an old-school desk sitting beside the tree.

An opportunity table, which included items donated by several classmates, was at the back of the room. That consisted of a fall leaves quilt made by classmate Margie Francis Emily, a sterling silver necklace and earring set handmade by classmate Miller, two 16-inch owl pillows made by Roberta Reis Polley and a framed print of an original oil painting done by classmate Mike Schrader.

Proceeds from these items will be used to purchase books for the Seymour High School library.

For the first time since 1967, Sammy the Owl ventured from his place at Seymour High School and joined the classmates for the evening. He was even included in the class picture with more than 100 present.

A skit was presented about a time capsule that was supposedly buried in 1967. Items included an old, dirty black trunk was brought in that was reported to have been dug up for the class reunion. Some of the items included a rotary telephone, a 1967 license plate, Bass Weejuns (penny loafers), old 45 rpm records, a Beach Boys album, fishnet hoses, a picture postcard of Seymour High School from 1967, English Leather cologne and more from the time.

A card was made for classmate Tim Nowlin for all to sign and add a note to Nowlin, who couldn’t attend. Nowlin always smiles when the card is delivered. He remembers most of the people who write comments on it.

The night before the reunion, an informal party was at Fairfield Inn & Suites in Seymour hosted by classmates Tony and Lynn Gamron, Herb and Faruza Hunter, Hull and Searfos. Pizza from The Brooklyn Pizza Co. in Seymour and cold beverages were enjoyed by all in attendance.

A class directory was put together by Hull, and they can be acquired from Fred Moritz at Union Hardware in Seymour.