Press Releases

Alumni from Early County Area High Schools Attend Their Tri-Decade Class Reunion in Blakely, Ga.

Blakely, GA – Hundreds of Early County high school alumni from the classes of the 40s, 50s and 60s are expected to attend the upcoming Early County Tri-Decade Class Reunion celebration scheduled for April 4-5 in Blakely, Ga. The sponsors of the weekend commemoration -- Early County 2055 (EC2055), the non-profit organization based in Blakely, and the local Alexander Building/Theatre Committee – promise attendees an entertaining and enjoyable stroll down memory lane.

Former students from area high schools, including Blakely Union, Kessler, Damascus, Washington, Carver, Jakin, and Hilton, who have not seen each other in decades, will travel to Blakely from as far away as Washington State to attend the event. The program will include a reception and dinner, Friday evening, April 4th, as well as dedications, skits, and dancing from the 40s, 50s and 60s by members of each class on Saturday, April 5th.

"Who can forget the 40s, perhaps the greatest decade in American history, which brought the pride and patriotism of a world war, the birth of the baby boomers, big band music and movies like Casablanca; or the golden era of the 50's with Elvis, Mickey Mantle, and the hula hoop; and the 60's, a time of change, counter culture, the Beatles, a man on the moon, and Star Trek," said Priscilla Jones Collins, a lifetime Blakely resident from the Class of '57, and co-chairperson of the reunion. "The people who will be attending the Early County Tri-Decade Reunion are the products of these three decades and each has the rich memories of the historical events of a thirty year span of history."

"Early County is buzzing with excitement about this event, which so many local volunteers have worked hard to pull together," said Blakely native Joan Puckett Wall, co-chairperson of the reunion and a retired speech pathologist who graduated from Blakely Union High in 1957. "The alumni from these three decades have so much to bring to the event, so much experience and so many memories. It will be a weekend of fun, friends and fellowship."

Joining Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Collins as co-chairpersons of the reunion is Herbert Swords, a retired businessman, Blakely native and Class of '54 graduate.

In addition to the entertaining program, excursions are planned for the Early County Historical Museum, Coheelee Creek Bridge, the southernmost historic covered bridge in the United States, and Kolomoki Mounds, one of the largest pre-historic mound complexes in Georgia.

"We are thrilled that so many Early County high school alumni will be attending this weekend reunion," said Lisa Collins, project manager of Early County 2055, one of the sponsors of the event. "It is a time for remembering the past, celebrating the future of Early County, and learning about its compelling Economic Revitalization Initiative".

"We want the people who grew up and went to high school here in the 40s, 50s and 60s to know about the EC2055 initiative and the efforts underway that will create a healthy business climate for the community to support future generations," Collins said. "It will be their children and grandchildren who will be the core of the community in the years ahead."

The Atlanta-based Charles and Catherine B. Rice Foundation originated and funded the initial planning process with a gift to the county in the spring of 2006 to support the revitalization, economic development and preservation of Blakely and Early County. Now in Phase Two, EC2055 is focusing on a five-year capital campaign that will stimulate economic development through new job creation, increased retail shopping options, historic restoration and more.

Also sponsoring the event is the Alexander Building/Theatre Committee, a local group that is overseeing the funding for renovating the historical building into a multi-purpose structure and making it accessible to the community.

For further information contact Early County 2055 office, 229-724-7558