SUN CITY – When you live in Sun City and can’t always get back to your high school reunion, among the numerous activities that are already offered in the community, you can attend a “Blast from the Past Reunion.”
Jane Tenant, the Special Events and Class Coordinator in the Lifestyles Department, has scheduled this event for 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 18 in Drendel Ballroom. Everyone is encouraged to dress in their poodle skirts, bobby socks, neckerchiefs, pony tails, jeans, and plaid shirts. Pull out your granny dresses and go-go-boots. Let’s party!
Come share a shake with your favorite squeeze in the old-fashioned malt shop and enjoy burgers, curly fries, and hot dogs. Sip on a phosphate in the ice cream shop. Dance the jitterbug to the live band music of the StingRays in your penny loafers and saddle shoes.
Among the highlights will be a demonstration by the Huntley High School Cheerleaders and the marching band. There will also be a guest appearance by the Sun City Pom Pom Squad. The Sun City group Idols Encore will perform song and dance routines, as well as the Blues Brothers, which is actually made up of two ladies – one tall and one short – wearing sunglasses.
To remember this auspicious occasion, there will be a photo opportunity with you and your sweetie snuggled side by side in the back seat of a classic car. Several couples will perform a jitterbug demonstration, and throughout the evening, you can stroll through the area and view the ongoing slideshow, Remember When, or check out the high school Hall of Fame. All who wish to attend are urged to contribute and drop off a high school photo to be displayed in the Hall of Fame.
During the evening between 7-10 p.m., there will be a Trivia Contest, so be ready to test your memory of the good ole days from yesteryear.
Jane reflected on the first high school reunion party. “About seven years ago, a core group of people and party planners gathered together and put on the first reunion, which really brought the community together. Joan Riffner gathered the group, and it was so successful they decided to follow up with another one. It became so big it had to be held at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake,” said Jane.
Joan and Betty Frank, another chairperson, decided, “Let’s do this again.” They felt it was fun and very appealing to the new people. The StingRays have played at previous events, and the department thought it would be fun to bring them back.
Another highlight of the evening will be a demonstration done by about a dozen synchronized swimmers. How are they going to pull this off in Drendel Ballroom? By exercising everyone’s imagination using fencing built to simulate a pool.
The cutoff date for registration is May 11, and tickets are $28/person. There is pre-registration only. Food will be offered buffet style with a cash bar and soda. Either purchase online at www.SCCAH.com or purchase and pick up the night of the event. Tickets can be picked up anytime at Customer Service in the Prairie Lodge. Call Customer Service at 847-515-7650. There will be a “Will Call File” set up.
Jane wanted to be sure to mention what a “great pleasure it was to be working with so many talented, willing, and capable people. I so appreciate the support of the community.” Jane said, “Come out, have fun, and look back on yesteryear.”
