Happy Birthday to Mr. Don Broas on August 30! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

The Valley Central Class of 1976 recently celebrated 50 years since graduating from high school with a memorable three-day reunion held August 14–16. The weekend was filled with laughter, stories, friendship and plenty of opportunities for classmates to reconnect and celebrate five decades of memories.

The festivities kicked off Friday morning with a special tour of their alma mater. Vice Principal Cletus White graciously led the tour, giving classmates an opportunity to walk the halls of Valley Central once again and reminisce about their high school days.

At 3 p.m., classmates gathered at Angry Orchard for the Friday Mixer. The afternoon was filled with smiles, laughter and heartfelt reunions as old friends caught up and shared memories from years gone by.

Early Saturday morning, classmates who enjoyed golf headed to Stony Ford Golf Course for a golf outing. The day continued with plenty of stories and reminiscing as classmates prepared for the evening’s dinner dance at Colden Manor at Spruce Lodge.

The dinner dance was a special evening as the Class of 1976 celebrated the incredible milestone of 50 years since graduating. During the celebration, classmates paused for a solemn moment of silence to honor the 67 members of their class who have passed away. Their names and photographs were projected on a screen, ensuring that those classmates who could not be there were remembered and included in the celebration.

Sunday brought everyone together once again for a catered class picnic at the home of Louie and Debbie Estrada. The delicious food was provided by classmate Ray Baty, adding another personal touch to a weekend centered around friendship and togetherness.

Paying It Forward
While the reunion provided countless opportunities to celebrate the past, the Class of 1976 also chose to make a lasting investment in the future.

One of the highlights of the 50th reunion was the class’s scholarship fundraising effort. Through a free-will donation fund, the Class of 1976 has raised an impressive $7,517.76 to date, with the goal of giving back to future Valley Central graduates.

The Class of 1976 is working with the VC Scholarship Council to establish a new scholarship, the “Valley Central Spirit ’76 Scholarship.” Beginning in June 2027, the class plans to award two $500 scholarships; one to a deserving male student and one to a deserving female student graduating from Valley Central High School.

The scholarship will serve as a lasting legacy of the Class of 1976 and its commitment to the Valley Central community. What began 50 years ago as a group of young students walking across the graduation stage has grown into a class determined to help the next generation achieve its dreams.

Special thanks to Kim Baty Kosteczko for sharing the events of the reunion weekend!

News from the Library: As we approach September, are you scrambling to get the kids prepared for school? Is it a bittersweet time, a first day for the little ones, or a feeling of relief? Join us at the Josephine-Louise Public Library for our Annual Boo Hoo breakfast on the first day of school, Thursday, September 3. Commiserate over coffee and light treats with other parents. The library will open early, 8:45 a.m. for you to sit for a while with others or grab a quick cup of coffee to start your day.

 Saturday, August 29 Lisa Melville-McIver, vice president of Walden Historical Society, will be talking about Concealment Shoes at 12 noon; the Jacob T. Walden House and Shafer House Museum will also be open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. What are concealment shoes and ritual concealments? Very simply, they are old shoes and other items that people put in the wall and conceal for good luck or to keep away evil spirits. But nothing is simple--concealment rituals are highly complex with many forms and functions.  We also still don’t know a lot about them, partly because of the secret nature of the custom, but also the specific reasons have been lost to time. Come see items from a stash found in the Latourette House in the Town of Montgomery and learn more about this custom!

Walden Rec is offering Little Acorns Fall Sport Clinics for Ages 5-7. It will be Saturdays Sept. 12-Oct. 24, 10 - 11:30 a.m. with many sports. Registration is $40 per child. To register visit waldenrecreation.sportngin.com.

They are also organizing an Adult Kickball League on Saturdays September 12 - October 17 $20 per player, 18 and older. Games will take place at Bradley Park. Register today at waldenrecreation.sportngin.com.

Village of Walden Outdoor Soccer Registration is open. Boys and Girls Ages 5-13, games to tentatively begin in September and take place at Bradley Park on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Village of Walden Residents $50, Town of Montgomery Resident $60, plus online registration fee. To register visit waldenrecreation.sportngin.com or call 845-778-2177 x1524.