Elvis came to the class reunion!
On Saturday, September 15, 2013, members of the graduating classes of 1941 through 1959 gathered at the Fincastle United Methodist Church Family Life Building at 4:00 p.m. to attend a Hawaiian luau. This event was planned by Geneva Mateer of Fincastle and a committee of members of each of the classes between 1949 and 1959 . Mrs. Mateer contacted members of the classes of 1941 to 1948 and invited them to come and join the others. There were approximately 102 from the ten year group and 35 from the earlier period.
It was requested that the guests wear clothing suggestive of island wear and many complied. Everyone received a colorful lei to wear which is a traditional gift at a luau.
The tables and decorations were very colorful and pleasing to see. The stage held a grass-skirted manikin and other objects depicting the Hawaiian isles. Terry Vaughn, relative the Dodd families of Fincastle, talked about the origin of the luau which goes back many years in the Polynesian culture. Nancy Simmons Duffy gave a history of the Big Spring.
Special surprise guest of the evening was Elvis Presley, brought to the stage by Jerry Goad, a local talent, who entertained with his guitar and Elvis’s songs. He presented the traditional gifts of scarves to the women who came to the stage to cheer him on. He makes these scarves himself to give to his fans.
The ladies of the Fincastle Methodist Church prepared the buffet of delicious foods and desserts There were very few leftovers.
Four who traveled from out of state to attend were Eileen Peck Snead, Jackie Bosserman, Mack Bullard and Lloyd Crowder.
The guests mingled and talked, catching up with friends and their activities. The classes decorated a space for each class around the walls with pictures, mementos of years past, and pictures. Mrs. Mateer thanked all for coming and expressed her gratitude to all who helped with the event.
–submitted by Faye Caldwell
Source:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/botetourtview/2013/10/fincastle-high-school-reunion-was-a-great-success-and-elvis-came-too/