The Lincolnton High School Class of 1955 recently gathered to celebrate their fifty-third year reunion. Pictured are front row (l-r): Louise Bentley Holloway, Jean Langston Carter, Helen Partridge, Carolyn Stevenson Link, Shirley Martin Ivey, Russell Reese, Carol Martin Reese, Jackie Banks Adams, Betty Goldman Steele, Orville Steele, LaVina Glaze Marlow and Buddy Marlow. Back row (l-r) Thomas Partridge, Jack Carter, Brady Link and Vernon Adams. Not pictured: John Ivey. Spouses are shown in italics. Beautiful Wisteria, Dogwood, and Redbud presented a beautiful welcoming scene to members of the Class of 1955 as we drove into Hickory Knob State Park, McCormick, SC, on April 5, 2008. The restaurant was chosen as a gathering place to celebrate the fifty-third anniversary of our graduation from Lincolnton High School, Lincolnton, GA.

Classmates attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Adams (Jackie Banks) of Washington, GA; Mrs. Louise Bentley Holloway of McCormick, SC; Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Marlow (LaVina Glaze) of Lincolnton, GA; Mr. & Mrs. Orville Steele (Betty Goldman) of Hephzibah, GA; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Carter (Jean Langston) of St. Simons Island, GA; Mr. and Mrs. Russell Reese (Carol Martin) of Lincolnton, GA; Mr. and Mrs. John Ivey (Shirley Ann Martin) of Martinez, GA; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Partridge of Dearing, GA, and Mr. and Mrs. Brady Link (Carolyn Stevenson) of Cayce, SC.

The class gathered around 10:30 a.m. in the lobby and went into the Bordeaux Room at noon for a luncheon. Before the meal, LaVina Glaze Marlow welcomed everyone and encouraged them to say words of greeting or special things they would like to tell the group.

A memorial time was observed for remembering classmates who are deceased. In the quietness, Betty Goldman Steele read each name: Alton Banks, Carl Banks, W. L. Crook, Gaynell Maner Bradford, Nina "Honey" Massey Crawford, Grace Mathews Goldman, Thelma Mathews Schlock, and Allen McCurry. They will always have a place in our hearts and are sincerely missed.

A scripture, Psalm 100, was read by Jackie Adams. Brady Link (husband of Carolyn Stevenson Link) graciously offered a prayer of invocation and blessings for all the class members and the meal. When the meal and expressions of its goodness were finished, everyone enjoyed just being together and playing a couple of games with prizes. Lots of fun and laughter filled the room.

Classmates that make our class complete but were not in attendance are: Carolyn Bohler Loper, Cecil Crozier Quarles, Beth Drinkard Reed, Barbara Goldman Talbert, Jeanette Goolsby Goldman, Thomas Goolsby, Sylvia Hadley, Wade Ivey, Ruth Jones Cantrell, Polly Lewis Copsey, Dolly Matthews Harper, Gerald Norman, Bobby Prather, Grady Reed, Olin Reed, Irma Sandifer Sikes, Charlotte Walker Poss, and Shelby Jean Walker Hall.

After expressing "thanks" to the restaurant's hostesses, it was time to say farewell. It came much too soon. We look forward to the next get together and pray God's blessings upon the Class of 1955!