Two BHS Classes Hold 50th Reunions Next Week

The BHS Classes of 1971 and 1973 will be holding reunion celebrations next week with activities planned throughout Bedford Day weekend. *Image: Robert Dorer*

Wait, you say, how can two classes both be having their 50^th reunions in the same year?

By rights, the BHS Class of 1971 should have gotten together in 2021 – but the pandemic intervened and America was locked down then so the group is celebrating the weekend of September 22-24, as is the Class of 1973.

Organizers for both classes have planned a full roster of events, beginning on Friday and continuing until Sunday. Some participants will be marching in the Bedford Day parade on the 23^rd.

The Class of 1971 will make their headquarters in the Burlington Marriot Hotel, where their banquet will take place on Saturday evening, with dancing and music from the Class Reunion Band (they’ve been practicing hard.) On Friday, there is a meet and greet in the hotel lounge and a tour of the high school – which the organizers say ‘’aint the same place when we were there 52 years ago.”

Dan Genetti wrote from California a few weeks ago to tell The Citizen how it all came about:

“ In August 2022 Debbie Bowlby Larsen and I had a conversation about a reunion. It seemed Covid was less threatening, and people were ready to travel and reengage in the world. Debbie, who often took the lead on these events, reached out to her team that had worked on past reunions. Her sister Diana Mahoney began researching hotels; Chris Mudgett undertook the arduous job of finding contacts for classmates, and managing data; Carolyn Kirk had managed the past few events and knew where the bodies were; Nancy Jones and Jim Houle had managed our email and address lists for years. In January 2023 we began weekly Zoom meetings and now, here we are less than a month out.”

The Class of 1973 leaders are equally enthusiastic about their big weekend, which is headquartered in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn.

Karen Letizi LaPointe reports they are looking forward to a jam-packed weekend, centered around Bedford Day. She proudly noted that the Class of 1973 presented 10 ASPIRE scholarships to deserving students at the annual CSF Dollars for Scholars event on May 30. Karen says “We’ve been raising money since our 45^th reunion wanting to establish a legacy in honor of our 50th.”

LaPointe said their events start on Friday with a walking tour of downtown Bedford with the Bedford Historical Society, host Kevin Duffy, and a tour of Bedford High School with National Honor Society students, Ray Claflin, host. In the evening Marsha Brock will host an informal welcome get-together at the hotel.

On Saturday, Judy Church Delagarza invites attendees to march in the parade or to watch with classmates on the Bedford Common near First Parish. Saturday evening’s dinner is the highlight of the weekend with LaPointe as host. The committee has also put together a list of events happening in the Boston area for those who would like to head out on their own or with classmates.

The ‘73 class reunion committee includes Ray Claflin, Class President; Judy Church Delagarza, Class Vice President; Karen Letizi LaPointe, Class Secretary; Mark Woodworth, Class Treasurer; Marsha Brock; Kevin Duffy; and Joe Kleber.