Richmond's tight class of '57 marks 60th reunion

The USSR launched the world’s first satellite, Sputnik 1, Elvis bought Graceland, the average home cost $12,000 and a gallon of gas was 24 cents.

Oh, and students in Richmond still rode the Steveston Interurban tram to school.

Things have undoubtedly changed since Rose Lane and her Richmond Secondary class of ’57 graduated 60 years ago.

But the memories still burn bright in her head and, most likely, that of her 109 fellow surviving graduates, many of whom will turn out next week to mark six decades since successfully completing high school.

“There are so many things to recall, but I really remember getting the tram to school every morning,” said Lane, 78, when asked to dig up abiding images of school life in Richmond in the ’50s.

“I’d get on at the Woodwards Road station, where I still live to this day, as it happens.

“There would be two cars, one would be full of the Japanese students, who all got on at Steveston. There was no segregation, as such, but we tended to ride in the other car.

“I would ride the tram to Brighouse and then walk to the school.”

Next week, more than 60 students from the Richmond Secondary class of ’57 will reconvene at the Richmond Curling Club on Hollybridge Way for their 60th anniversary reunion.

And, given that 30 of the 139 graduates have sadly passed away, the potential turnout is not too shabby.

“The first reunion was the tenth in 1967, I can’t quite recall where that was, likely at a local hotel,” she said. “Most events like that were in a hotel in those days.

“We’ve kept it going every five years, ever since that day. Last time was a big one, 55. It lasted three days, with a cocktail party, a barbecue and a dinner-dance.

“Our organizing committee is dwindling a bit now. I’m basically it. It does get more difficult every year.”

For some people, attending school reunions is a bone of contention with their spouses. Not so for Lane and six other couples going to the big event next Wednesday.

“My husband, Alan, and I graduated together and got married a year later,” she said, adding that the year was also graced with four sets of twins and one set of triplets.

“At least five or six couples from that year got married and still are.

“We all see each other regularly and are all still friends. We’re a very close group when it comes to socializing. We have lunch once a month, with up to 20 or so turning out.”

A few of next week’s attendees are travelling from the Island and the Okanagan, but the majority, said Lane, still live around Richmond.

And any who, for some reason, aren’t aware of the event at the curling club next Wednesday, Aug. 16, from noon to 4:30 p.m., are still welcome to join in the fun.

“It’s quite unusual that we all still live around here,” said Lane.

“Last time (at the 55th anniversary) my grad partner from ’57 was supposed to come for the first time, from Ontario, but he stood me up!

“There might be a few of them still out there who haven’t heard about next week or have forgotten. They can still get in touch and come along.”

Any grads of ’57 who weren’t aware of the event can contact Lane at 604-277-2437 or emailing [email protected].