Norwell District Secondary School’s 75th anniversary celebration in the spring will feature a full range of activities in Palmerston and around the north Wellington area.
The celebration organizing committee has released a full schedule of events for the anniversary, which is slated to take place May 8 to 10.
Co-organizer Betty Douglas said the emphasis will be on the “party” element of the reunion, with a constant stream of activities taking place over the three-day period, under the theme “It’s Time We Head On Back.”
“Were aiming for everybody to come and have an awesome time. It’s a party, we want people to come – and not just alumni – it’s a community event,” said Douglas.
“We want everyone to come and have a wonderful time and really come home not only to Norwell, but to north Wellington and see what’s changed.”
The reunion weekend opens with a Redmen Alumni Golf Tournament, a four-player scramble at Pike Lake that begins with a shotgun start at 11am on May 8 (registration is $380 per team and starts at 9:30am).
A Theatre Norwell production will be held at 7pm on May 8 in the E. C. Gray Centre at the school.
A Savour the Flavours dinner sponsored by the Town of Minto will include the official kick off to the Norwell 75th celebration, with opening ceremonies beginning at 5:30pm at the Palmerston arena. The dinner will feature the produce of local farms, prepared by local chefs while the work of local artisans and musicians will be on display.
The Lucas Rogerson Band will provide the evening’s musical entertainment. The cost is $40/person with doors opening at 5pm.
A Norwell staff breakfast in the school cafeteria will kick off the activities on May 9, with former staff invited to renew old acquaintances, make new ones and learn what’s happening at Norwell in 2015.
Minto Culture Bus Tours will also take place throughout Saturday, offering participants a chance to view developments around the community, as well as take a look back.
“It’s time we head on back” to see what’s happening in North Wellington, organizers state. Three tours are scheduled, beginning at 10am, 12:30pm and 3pm from Palmerston Foodland.
A child-friendly movie will be screened at the Norgan Theatre Saturday morning, providing a day-care option for parents who want to take the culture bus tour.
A highlight of the event is sure to be a visit to the reunion tent at Lions Park in Palmerston, where reunion-goers can reminisce with old friends while enjoying beverages, a barbecue and live music sponsored by the Minto Cultural Roundtable. A group photo will be taken in the park at approximately 5:15pm.
“Were hopefully going to get the shot off the bridge so it will be a bit of an aerial and it should be a good shot,” said Douglas.
May 9 events will also include Theatre Norwell performances at 2 and 7pm and a Norwell Dinner Dance with music by the Neil Murray Band at the Palmerston arena. Cost is $40 per person with doors opening at 5:30pm.
The reunion will wrap up on May 10. Sunday activities will include a breakfast at the school hosted by the Norwell Business Leadership class, followed by a non-denominational church service in the small gym at 11am.
Closing ceremonies will include a wine and cheese celebration beginning at noon at the former train station in Palmerston.
Douglas notes only the golf tournament and staff breakfast are limited to alumni.
“Everything else is open to anyone and everyone who would like to attend. We really just want everyone to have a blast,” she said.
Registration is required for all events except for Lions Park activities. For more information or to register go to www.ugdsb.on.ca/norwell.
