2018 PNS '55 - '56 Reunion Luncheon

Article by Mickey Hersak, Member, Provincial Normal School 1955-56 Reunion Committee; Photos by Dorothy J. Martin

On the morning of June 9, 2018, the 1955 - 56 class of the Provincial Normal School met at the Viscount Gort Hotel in Winnipeg to celebrate their 62nd Anniversary Reunion event.

The 52 guests and participants who began to arrive at 10 a.m. were greeted by the registration team of Nelma Fetterman and Rita Schroeder. Mingling and visiting began immediately since it had been two years since the class last met. The informal program was called to order at 11:50 a.m. by Mickey Hersak, the emcee for the day. Dorothy Derksen, the Reunion Committee Chair, brought greetings on behalf of the organizers. Roger Starr read out the names of deceased colleagues prior to Nelman Fetterman delivering Grace. The served lunch was enhanced by table decorations consisting of mirrors and centre pieces arrange by Muriel Stiles.

Gordon Goldsborough, a reknowned radio personality, historian, webmaster, photographer, author, biologist and environmentalist, was the guest speaker. His presentation, "Early Schools in Manitoba," delighted an extremely receptive audience. Pat Holbrow thanked Gordon who remained afterward for book signing and to share more stories of early Manitoba schools with the participants. Interestingly, the enlarged yearbook pages which were on display included photos of our guest speaker's mother, Joan Hodgson, and his aunt, Dorothy Goldsborough. Musical entertainment by Elbert and Lorraine Toews, who sang "We Have This Moment," was enjoyed by all. One of the attendees, Dorothy J. Martin, formerly Robinson, described her day as follows: "It was very exciting to meet a happy crowd of people renewing old friendships and making new ones. This was a day to be remembered and I am anticipating another in the future. Sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to make this wonderful reunion possible and such a success!" The Provincial Normal School 1955 - 56 Reunion Committee, comprised of Dorothy Derksen (Chair), Mel Bodnarus, Claudia Eisbrenner, Nelma Fetterman, Mickey Hersak, Pat Holbrow, Lawrence Huska, Rita Schroeder, Muriel Stiles, Roger Starr and Elbert Toews, is in the process of preparing for the 65th Anniversary Reunion scheduled for 2021.

Mickey Hersak and Gordon Goldsborough

Photo Contest Entry "Kayaker at Sunset" by Roy Helene