The Hamlet High School class of 1960 held its 50th class reunion at The Ballroom in Hamlet. The class released 50 red and black balloons outside to celebrate the passing of 50 years.

On July 23, Dr. William (Bill) Stubbs gave the welcoming address “Lost in the Fifties,” which was accompanied by Ronnie Milsap’s song by the same name. Roberta Walker Butler recognized all the classmates in attendance and Bert Russ gave the invocation.

After dinner, Diana Holland Faust and Doug Faust entertained the class with a salsa dance to Ritchie Valens’ tune “La Bamba.” The barbershop quartet Out of Bounds also performed. David Millson is a member of the group and also a class of 1960 member.

After closing remarks by Butler, music of the fifties was played by DJ Roy Childress of Lexington. The theme for the evening was a Sock Hop and the class dressed in attire of the fifties, complete with poodle skirts.

On July 24, brunch was held at First United Methodist Church in Hamlet. Catering for the reunion events was provided by Simply Elegant Catering in Rockingham. Special guests included Evelyn Monroe, mother of Carroll Garner, and Florence Walker, mother of Butler.

On the evening of July 24, the prom theme was “Time In a Bottle.” Linda Liles Bendell gave the welcoming address “Hamlet High Friends.” Butler recognized honored guests and Rev. Vance Mann gave the invocation.

After dinner, William Land led the Memorial Moments. A picture of each of the 16 deceased members was displayed on a special table. Shirley Morse Guthrie sang “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Butler recognized the reunion committee and then recognized the cancer survivors. Survivors were Nannette Atkinson King, Phyllis Smith Hendrick, Bonnie Anderson, David Millson and William Land. She also recognized Shirley Lassiter, spouse of the late Richard Lassiter.

After closing remarks, Mike Helms, an Elvis impersonator, performed. The class danced to Elvis Presley music.

Forty five class members, out of the 85, attended the reunion. A total of 78 people attended the reunion events. Each class member received a keep-sake souvenir Coca-Cola bottle which contained sand, a flower and an invitation to the events. The attendees will also receive a class group picture and a class directory with photos as a special memento.