By Jane Beck Harris

The 80^th Birthday Party Reunion for the DB Class of 1960 is behind us, and everyone attending had a wonderful time! While our numbers were down from past reunions, the spirit was the same as ever. There is no doubt the DB Class of 1960 has a bond that simply cannot be broken. We had expected forty-eight for the dinner on Thursday and varying numbers for the other events. Several last-minute illnesses and home repair catastrophes brought our dinner total down to forty. Unexpectedly Andy Slemp turned up; driving from Roanoke VA as soon as repair folks left his house at noon. We had classmates travel from Chapel Hill NC – John Reed, Vienna VA – Fred Churchill, Lebanon TN – Joe Shaffer, Lexington SC – Zollie Harrison Miles, and Edgemont AR – Libby Strong Roller. The rest of us from the Tri Cities area, many who do not attend First Friday, were enjoying seldom seen classmates. Many other classmates regretfully due to health issues, vacations and traveling, or long distance to attend sent regrets.

Those on the bus tour learned about changes that have occurred over the past 60+ years and heard about a few changes to come – i.e., a large townhouse development that will be built along Main Street – where Citizen’s Supply was located near the train station. The changes to our “DB” are significant – it looks the same from the outside, but the inside is greatly changed. We did recognize the seats in the auditorium – they are the same!

We enjoyed visiting and great food at the Press Room dinner. Ralph Suit welcomed everyone, Fred Churchill brought comments from the out-of-town group and thanked those who planned the reunion. Recognition went to Barbara Williams Coughenour for all she has done over the years to keep our group connected. We called Sue Shaulis Thomas in Colorado. Sue has been instrumental in planning most of our past reunions – many of us spoke with Sue.

A small group braved cool temperatures (due to Hurricane Ian) on the Friday morning barge ride on the lake at Bays Mountain Park. We learned about beaver, fish, the history of the lake, and enjoyed the almost turning leaves. We then joined a group of about twenty for a delicious lunch at the Chop House. Again, visiting, and renewing friendships was enjoyed by all. The final event was a tour of the STEM area at the new DB. 

There was a “mini” DB 60 reunion on Thursday night in Brentwood TN as Kathy Morse Parham and Ellie Whitlow Cate enjoyed their own reunion.

It was great to see our 80-year-old classmates enjoying their birthday party. We wish all of you could have been with us.  Chip Coffin commented he wanted to remember us as we were at DB – healthy, good looking, smart, slim, and full of life. That is indeed a great memory. But Chip, while the group present at the 80^th Birthday Party may not have been 100% healthy and not all were slim; they were definitely happy, smart, good looking (for 80) and definitely full of life!

Everyone absent was missed.

And last but not least, we owe a huge "thank you" to the 80th Birthday Party Planning Committee members.  They dedicated countless hours out of their busy personal lives to make sure the event was outstanding and that all attendees enjoyed a memorable experience.  From the huge smiles in the reunion pictures in our photo gallery, I'd say they were successful.  THANK YOU TEAM!!  Committee members include Vivian Eversole Brown, Carolyn Rice Cameron, Barbara Williams Coughenour, Phyllis Fugate, Jim Gee, Jane Beck Harris, Margaret Ketron Colley, Kathy Morse Parham, Ralph Suit, and Diana Woodard Agett.

Photos of the event  (including six new photos submitted by Zollie on Tuesday, October 4^th) are available in the photo gallery.  Click here to enjoy them.