Pictured attending the Lincolnton High School Class of 1948 Reunion are, front row, (l-r): Mable Craig, Bonnie Caudle, Dr. Grey Rawls, Peggy Guillebeau, Murray Norman, Mickey Norman, Albert Paradise, Velma Paradise; second row: Frances Holloway, Glinda Wells, Ben Hill Wells, Carolyn Scott, Gene Scott, Bettie Luking, Bill Luking; third row: Pat Hester, Emily Hester, Mary Goldman, Bobby Goldman, Dean Flanigan, Everette Flanigan; fourth row: Billy Norman, Doris Norman, Wendell Mims, Louise Mims, Mamie Neil Reed, Helen Parks and Bobby Parks. The Lincolnton Class of 1948 gathered at The Groves-May House in the Lincoln County Historical Park on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. for the celebration of their 60th class reunion. Thirty-six seniors graduated from Lincolnton High School on May 24, 1948, fourteen boys and twenty-two girls.

The porch of The Groves-May House was invitingly decorated with green ferns and yellow chrysanthemums. Inside the registration table held a beautiful floral arrangement of autriums and greenery given by the family in memory of John Hawkins who taught this class and coached their football players. The refreshment table was covered in white linen and held a crystal punch bowl with green punch, depicting the class colors of green and white. Cheese biscuits and mixed nuts were served with the punch during this time of gathering, greeting and fellowship.

Sixteen classmates with ten spouses and two special guests were present to enjoy reminiscing and memorabilia. These were: Bettie Bradford Luking and Bill, Emily Dunaway Hester and Pat, Helen Smalley Parks and Bob, Glinda Goldman Wells and Ben Hill, Everette Flanigan and Dean, Bobby Goldman and Mary, Albert Paradise and Velma, Gene Scott and Carolyn, Billy Norman and Doris, Wendell Mims and Louise, Frances Kendrick Holloway, Mamie Neil Spires Reed, Peggy Cullars Guillebeau and guest Dr. Grey Rawls, Mable Bohler Craig and daughter, Bonnie Caudle, and Mickey and Murray Norman, both of whom were graduates in this class.

Classmates unable to attend were: Mary Lois Bradford Culbertson, James Maddox Gable, Hilda Clary Quarles, Martha Goldman Bohler, Lee Pinson Miller, Azalean Ross Dechau, Betty Jean Rushton Veal, Martha Jean Smalley Grimaude, John Cooper and Earl Partridge. The main reason given for being unable to attend were physical problems. Seven of the male graduates and four of the females are now deceased.

Dean Flanigan decorated the mantel in the dining area with dainty glowing candles in memory of these eleven classmates.

After posing for pictures of the class and all those in attendance, by Judy Koehler of Koehler Galleries, the group assembled in the dining area for dinner and a program. The dining tables were overlaid in white linens and beautifully decorated by Dean Flanigan in the fall motif. Centerpieces were of frosted orange pumpkins with bright fall leaves scattered around them. After a welcome by Mickey Norman, class vice-president, and grace by Murray Norman, a most delicious three course dinner was served by The Lincoln County Historical Society caterers, Flo Pursley, Lunette Reese, Nina Albea, Nobiedean Hawes, Lydia Burns, Lindy Byrd and Sue Hill assisted by Dr. Norman Pursley and Buddy Hawes.

The program theme was "Keeping up With the Times," with the printed program featuring a revision of Grant Wood's "American Gothic" art. Helen Parks showed the original picture and explained the various aspects of the revisions.

The only formal parts of the program were memorial tributes. Two of the thirty-six graduates had died since the last reunion in 2006. Glinda Wells paid a touching, loving tribute to her friend, Mary Paradise Rogers, while Mickey Norman shared her heartfelt memories of Jeanette Rowland Chapman, who was noted for baking cakes with many layers. Albert Paradise gave human interest memories of John Hawkins, teacher and coach, and of Dr. Weems R. Pennington, Sr., team physician and family doctor. Others added their cherished memories of Mr. Hawkins and Doc.

Mickey Norman then shared tender remembrances of "Miss Susie" Ivey, her class friend and neighbor who taught some of the members of this class at Four Points School. Her former students added their memories of her as their teacher.

Since the last reunion, three classmates had lost their husbands. They are Peggy Guillebeau's Dr. Dempsey Guillebeau, Mable Craig's Raymond Craig, and as late as Sunday, October 12, Azalean Dechau's Edward Dechau, Jr. Two classmates had lost children to death - Everette and Dean Flanigan's Beth F. Keener and Wendell Mims Wendell "Nicky" Mims. Billy and Doris Norman had lost a grandson, Kendall McCall. Sympathy was extended to all of these classmates.

The printed program had many interesting facts from 1948 and special thanks to the local committee for planning and staging the reunion of 2008.

Helen Parks and her "crew" did a superb job with reunion announcements which were mailed far in advance. These cards bore a picture of the Lincoln County High School which is so dear to the hearts of this class. This was special since the new school building will likely be occupied before this class has another reunion. A white rose and the motto, "The Higher we Climb, the Broader the View" were also featured along with the necessary information about the reunion and the scheduled football game with Washington-Wilkes for Friday night, October 17.

This quaint announcement was followed by another one with vital information and reservation forms mailed in September which required a response. This one featured a picture of the class at the 58th reunion held in 2006.

Only four teachers of this class remain. They are: Miss Mildred Estes Fortson, second grade; Mrs. Geneva Morris Leverett, home economics; Mrs. Willie Ruth Broome Freeman, home economics; and Mrs. Carolyn Jane Cliatt Paradise, commercial courses. None of the teachers were able to attend this reunion. The surviving mascot, Fran Stewart Upton came by to greet the class members during the evening.

Mable Craig had seven colorful fabric coasters to hold goblets of beverages and presented sets of four of these to each class member as favors. Peggy Guillebeau had favors for each one at the time of departure. She had bright red glass Christmas ornaments embossed with white 1948 - LCHS. Peggy also brought a tall glass container of delicious chocolate candies for an after dinner treat.

Another reunion, number 63, is planned for 2011 when these classmates have reached 80 years of age. The same place and caterer were requested.