St. Regis schools to celebrate centennial this weekend
For those planning the St. Regis centennial celebration, the long months of putting together all the addresses of former classmates and teachers, as well as organizing activities for them to enjoy, is over. This weekend, St. Regis schools will celebrate 100 years. And while the district is actually 110 years old as it was chartered in 1900, the board is hoping for a great turnout, as this may be a long time before another event similar to this one is planned.
"Everything has gone great," organizer Shelly Dunlap said. "It looks like we're going to have a really good turnout. We're extremely excited. It's been really fun and exciting seeing all the people responding."
Dunlap said that the committee has received registration from individuals as far away as Florida and Las Vegas.
The weekend will kick off mid-day Friday with a nine-hole, four-person scramble golf tournament at the beautiful Trestle Creek golf course in St. Regis. All proceeds will support the St. Regis golf program. John Douglas and Coach Dan Park will head up this event. If you are not into golf, there will be a horse shoe tournament at the Community Park. A catered B-B-Q and live music will follow at the St. Regis Community Park from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with keynote speaker Barry "Spook" Stang. Registration packets will be available at 5:00 p.m. at the park and also at the golf tournament for those who have not yet registered.
On Saturday, two group activities are being planned. Enjoy a guided float trip down the Clark Fork River or a bike ride on the newly constructed Hiawatha Trail which follows the old Milwaukee railroad bed from Lookout Pass. For the softball players in the group, plan to enter the annual Firecracker Softball tournament. It has even been rumored that Dan Noonan, Don Guiles and Chuck Antos are planning a resurrection of a notorious softball team. Individual class parties are being planned for Saturday evening at various businesses in town and at homes of alumni.
Start Sunday morning off by attending a sunrise service to be held on the football field at 8:00 a.m. followed by the annual pancake breakfast at the school lunchroom hosted by the United Methodist Church from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (free will offering). The Fourth of July parade starts at 11:00 and is bigger and better each year.
If you play an instrument, brush up on the school song and plan on joining the fun of an All School Reunion Band being organized by Denley Loge and Judith Stang. Also classmates will be entering floats into the parade if they so desire to do so.
After the parade, stop by the school for a tour of the facilities, happening at noon, which may be much different than you remember. Also planned during this time is the dedication of a time capsule to be opened in 2110. The Alumni Association and school will be gathering items for the time capsule. Spend the rest of your day at the park, beginning at 1 p.m., enjoying kids' games, the community club barbeque, logging contests and the always spectacular town fireworks display. It will be a wonderful day filled with pride and a special way to end a joyous celebration of St. Regis School.
St. Regis Schools educate students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and enrolls about 164 kids.
"It's a safe and secure atmosphere," Gloria Hermes said in a previous article that appeared in the Mineral. "We don't seem to have a lot of bullying that other schools have and kids have come here from that environment and done very well. The facilities are wonderful with large classroom and up-to-date computer technology. Plus, the staff is amazing and well educated and just does a great job with the students."
Dunlap said that she encourages anyone who is an alumnus of the school district to attend. The committee is psyched about the upcoming weekend and is looking forward to reconnecting with those who have walked the hallways of the St. Regis School.