Forty years later…the Chilton County High School Class of 1976 hosted its “40th Year Class Reunion” during a fun-filled two-day schedule, which took place on May 27-28.

On Friday evening, May 27, from 6:30-10:30 p.m., the reuniting, renewing old friendships, and sharing old memories started with a “Meet, Greet and Get-Reacquainted” affair at the Senior Center Building in Clanton. Lots of food, favors and fun were had.

On Saturday morning, May 28, beginning at 9 a.m., the Class of ’76, along with their spouses, friends and special guests, former teachers and faculty: Mr. Zed Price, Mrs. Romie Pelham, Mr. and Mrs. Gwen (Wayne) Price, Mr. and Mrs. Coach Don (Linda) Hand, Mrs. Earle Finlayson, Mrs. Hera Scruggs, Mr. and Mrs. Rick (Sheri) McKee, and Mr. and Mrs. Coach Sam (Wanda) Weeks, assembled for “Brunch with the CO’76” in the Chilton County High School cafeteria for a full buffet breakfast, a program, activities and door prizes, and a tour of the class’ Alma Mater.

On Saturday evening, May 28, starting at 7:30 p.m., the reuniting, revisiting, reliving festivities continued with a “Class of 1976 Night Out” hosted at Elizabeth Hall in downtown Clanton. This portion of the 40th Year Reunion was an all-around, fun-filled event set to a 70s and 80s photo booth and “Celebrate Good Tims, Come On!” theme. DJ Herb White kept spinning the tunes from a selected playlist that included old school to line dance music. The 40th Year Class Reunion began and ended with lots of food, good fun, games, door prizes, memorabilia, favors, memorable moments and more.

Even though the traditional way of doing things, the use of word-of-mouth, never goes out of style, during the planning of the 40th Year Reunion, a continual appeal to classmates to apply the new twist to the “3Rs”—reaching out, reconnecting, and reuniting—through the use of social media played an enormous part in the reunion plans coming together. Many classmates reached out and tagged friends and family on Facebook to find other 1976 classmates. As a result, the turnout for all three events was surprisingly larger than originally expected.

“Nothing but applause, applause,” said Debra Fambro-Tinsley, planner and organizer of the 40th year reunion. “I am more than appreciative for all of my fellow CO ’76 classmates, and everyone involved in making our 40th Year Class Reunion a real successful celebration!”

Fambro-Tinsley said the 40th Year Class Reunion Weekend of Events could not have been such a success without the help of the following CO ’76 Committee Members and volunteers:

•Planning & Organizing Committee: Debra Fambro-Tinsley, David Cox, Jeanne A. Taylor-Brust, Wendell Saxon, W. Keith Hosecloth, Johnny Reed.

•Finding Classmates Committee: All CO ’76 Classmates participated.

•1973-1976 Teacher/Faculty Search Committee: Tammy Scruggs-Lewis, David Cox.

•Publicity/Media Committee: Debra Fambro-Tinsley, Tammy Scruggs-Lewis.

•Set-up/Decoration Committee: Debra Fambro-Tinsley, Vyonka Hilliard, Kissed by Misty Blue.

•Registration/Name Tags Committee: Connie Butts-Kirby, Debra Fambro-Tinsley, Kelly Tucker-Petty.

•Entertainment Committee: W. Keith Hosecloth, Johnny Reed, Venita Faye Gill-Underwood, Henry Watkins.

In Memoriam (Classmates Gone Too Soon): Jeanne A. Taylor-Brust.

•Photographer/Videographer Committee: Paul Braxton, HP2 Photography.

•Telecommunications and CO ’76 Website Registration Committee: David Cox.

•Food Committee: CO ’76 volunteers, Debra Fambro-Tinsley with assistance from Vyonka Hilliard, Kissed by Misty Blue.

“I will be the first to say, I am extremely proud of the outcome of such a meaningful reunion,” Tinsley said. “It was heartwarming to re-connect with many of my yesteryear friends, some I have not seen in 40 years. The years have really been good to us! And to see that many of my classmates were basically the same warm personalities I remember from West End City School, Adair Jr. High, and Chilton County High School was gratifying. Regrettably, time did not permit as much one-on-one with everyone in attendance as I would have liked; overall, I so enjoyed the ambiance of good company and being in the atmosphere of good friends.”

In addition, a special thanks is extended to each of the spouses, friends, and significant others. From start to finish, over the last two years of planning and organizing this most meaningful task and momentous project, the 40th Year Class Reunion Weekend of Events could not have been accomplished without their support, commitment, patience and understanding.

During event No. 2, Tinsley passed the reunion torch on to another classmate, Wendell Saxon. Saxon is already speaking on future cruise plans for a 45th reunion. Tinsley said that, being a lover of cruises, she and her husband will be one of the first to register, whether it be the 45th or 50th.

Classmates attending included: (front row) Paul Braxton, Phillip Pledger, Angie Pelham-Harmon, Sheila Smith-Hucks, Debra Fambro-Tinsley, Teddie Sissy Echols-Parker, Christine Robinson Davis, Evelyn Brown Worthey, Ray Finlayson, (second row) David Wilson, Ken Willis, Mike Creest, Jimmy Oaks, Stan McGinnis, Keith Parr, Steve Yeargan, Connie Butts-Kirby, Mike Thomas, Becky Ray, Kelly Tucker-Petty, Tammy Rushing-Cleckler, Larita Hicks, Tammy Scruggs-Lewis, Henry Watkins, (back row) Randy Day, John Burke, Keith Hosecloth, Wesley Sansom, Greg Wilson, Wendell Saxon, Jody Thigpen, Johnny Reed, Yvette Freeman-Ford, Hal Ellison, David Cox, Angela Cleckler-Hubbard, Jeanne A. Taylor-Brust, Holt Jordan and Keith Rushing.

Faculty attending included: Zed Price, Romie Pelham, Gwen Price, Linda Hand, Don Hand, Earle Finlayson, Wanda Weeks, Hera Scruggs, Sheri McKee, Rick McKee and Sam Weeks.