Winthrop High School’s class of 1961 recently held its 55th reunion on Johns Island, S.C. A reunion also was held earlier in Winthrop.

Attending classmates were Dick Artus, Ed Hoar, Beverly Jones Small, Judy Million Williams, Terry Rourke, Bob Thomas, and Harriet Rankin Pratt.

The Winthrop High School, class of 1961, recently held its 55th reunion on Johns Island, S.C. A reunion also was held earlier in Winthrop. Seated, from left, are Robert Thomas, Tom Williams and Terry Rourke. Standing, from left, are Charlotte Thomas, Dick and Sandi Artus, Judy Million Williams, Harriet Rankin Pratt, Linda Heins Rourke and Jim Pratt. Contributed photo

A highlights of the reunion was the story behind the Wayne Yacht Club banner that welcomed the class of 1961. Earlier in the year a member had found an old photo, circa 1918, of Androscoggin Lake shore.

Just before the reunion, Harriet Rankin Pratt, Hoar and Richard Artus took it to have it enlarged, and while discussing it they decided to form the Wayne Yacht Club, not to be confused with the Androscoggin Yacht Club in Wayne. A large banner was printed as well.

After everyone arrived, the new club was established. Following the reading of the charter, Ed Hoar was appointed commodore, Dick Artus as vice-commodore, and Harriet Rankin Pratt as secretary. Each alumni was given a charter member card, copy of the charter, and a photo of the lake shore. The same items were sent to those who planned to come. The group decided they should have a reunion in 2018 to celebrate the centennial of the photo.

Dick Artus collected a few corrections for the class directory, which he is updating and will have available via email if requested at dick.artus@gmail.com.

The planning has begun for a 2017 reunion.

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