Oak Grove Reunion Connects Students From 1930s-90s

High school reunions are common, yet you rarely hear of elementary school reunions. The Oak Grove Reunion, however, was started in 2009 and typically has a couple hundred attendees. This year marks the sixth reunion, to be held 2-5 p.m. May 7 at the Oak Grove Elementary School gym.

The event is free to attend and is open to anyone who attended Oak Grove Elementary School from the 1930s through the 1990s, as well as teachers, staff, parents or neighbors of the Oak Grove community.

In 2008, Linda Bennett Futral and Linda McPherson Stanton, who attended the school in the ’50s, came up with the idea to reunite friends who hadn’t seen each other in decades. They also created a website, which houses more than 1,400 photos of previous reunions, the school through the years, classmates, staff and more. (If you have photos to share, you can post them at https://oakgrovereunion.myevent. com.) A list of who’s coming to this month’s reunion, a page where you can RSVP, interesting facts, memories and alumni comments also can be found on the website.

On the Memories page, Herschel Reaid posted: “I went to school in the ’30s. When I was about 8 years old, I got paid (5 cents per fire) to go to school early in the mornings to start the fire in the heaters before the other kids got there.”

The first Oak Grove School was a one-room schoolhouse located across the road from Oak Grove Baptist Church. In 1933, Orlando Morgan donated the land on which the school was built. Georgia Power Co. gave the timber, and the patrons of Oak Grove cut the trees and hauled them to the sawmill, according to Martha Chapman. Jones Mercantile Co. also offered bricks. In 1935, the school opened with approximately 100 students. It originally consisted of grades one through nine. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/3Kry6dX.

The Riders’ Perspectives

“For the last two years, the amazing Speed for Need team has pushed our daughter in the Next Step Ministries 5K. (She) has developmental disabilities, so her ability to participate in events like this is limited. The guys that push her are incredibly patient and make sure all those they push are engaged and having a great experience. It means the world to Christina (aka Tink) and brings joy to us, her parents. Can’t say enough good things about the organization and what it stands for.”

— Angela and Bubba Cooper

“Appreciated the way the Speed for Need volunteers made it possible for Erin to participate in the Next Step Ministries Run, Walk or Roll 5K. Speed for Need made it possible for Erin to be present and experience the satisfaction and accomplishment of completing the 5K event.”

— Tom and Stacy Peters, parents of Erin Peters

“As a track commander, Nick beams with enjoyment while spending time with others and riding with the team.”

— Jennifer Heitert, mom of Nicolas “Nick” Medina (an F3 Cherokee member)