Once A Lion Always a Lion

What makes a good reunion?
Pancakes
Parade
Shopping
Banquet
A dance IN THE STREET.
… and plenty of time for visiting with Luther Lions who will come from near and far.

The Luther Alumni Celebration is Saturday, May 7, all day on Main Street and at each school building. The event is held every two years, and this year’s organizing team is led by Phillis Sumner McGrew. The group has spent many hours dreaming, planning, organizing – and tracking down addresses, vendors, parade entries, sponsors and all of the other minutia that goes into planning a big event. McGrew said she has loved every minute of it and is ready for the big pay-off on May 7 when all of the Lions come home.

McGrew spent has traveled the world since her high school graduation 50 years ago (but who is counting?) and after the few years she spent working in her beauty shop in Luther. Her husband worked in the oil industry which took them to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Romania, and, of course, that far off land of Texas. When it was time to retire, Phillis said it was time to come home and settle in Edmond.

“When I first got married and was living overseas, we would come stay with my parents in Luther on our leave for a month at a time, but over the years I lost contact with my schoolmates and friends. I decided when we retired and moved home I wanted to get reacquainted with friends and family,” said Phillis.

At the reunion two years ago, Phillis began that quest to reunite with her friends. And before she knew it, she had volunteered to be president of the 2016 reunion, and they accepted her offer.

“I thought this was the perfect time to get involved. We have worked very hard, but it has been wonderful. The people of Luther are the salt of the earth. They pitch in and help with everything. Would I do it all over?  You bet I would,” she said.

Like all good events, the day begins with pancakes and ends with a dance! All former students of Luther Public Schools, and particularly the Lions who graduated in 1965-66 are invited. This event promises so much fun, that even non-Luther alumni (and area residents) say they will attend. Because who doesn’t love a parade (or pancakes)?

Schedule: Once A Lion Always A Lion

8 – 10 am: Pancake Breakfast, elementary school, Sponsored by 4H and FFA

9 am: Park Dedication, Baseball Field/Wildhorse Park

10 – 11 am: Class of 1965-66 Coffee & Cinnamon Rolls, Josephine’s Cafe

10 am – 5 pm:  Street Vendors downtown. NOTE: booths still available.
So far, vendors include:
The Chicken Shack (opening soon in Luther at the gas station on Hwy 66)
Mary Kay
Face Painting
Pampered Chef
Young Living Oils
The Knife Dudes
Scentsy Candles & Scents
Adriana Fashions

NOTE: TWO of Luther’s brand new businesses are expected to be open.  The 116 Farmstead & Market will be open for future regular customers and visitors to take a peek, although they hope to be fully open by the end of May. Also, a new computer repair business, PC Dreams is opening at 107 S Main on May 2.

10 am – 2 pm: Author Eldon Reed, class of 1962 will be visiting with fellow Lions and do a book signing of his Normal Series: So, This is Normal? and Longing for Normal. A Christian fiction writer with a heart for foster and adopted children, Reed uses landmarks in and around Luther for his book settings.

11 – 2 pm: Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Department will offer child fingerprinting, downtown, in honor of Max “Dousky” Pickle from the Class of 1957

2 pm: PARADE! What’s a celebration without a parade? Entries still being accepted, even 2016 political candidates! Contact Trandy Langston. 

3 – 5 pm: Middle School & High School tours. Be sure to check out the class pictures at the gym.

3 – 5 pm: Silent Auction, high school Library, proceeds to benefit Luther Alumni

5 – 5:30 pm: Pre-banquet entertainment from the LHS jazz band, high school cafeteria

5:30 pm: BANQUET, catered by Dan’s from Davenport, high school cafeteria
Speaker Ken Root, Class of ’67. Currently in Iowa, Root is the Senior Broadcaster for the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.

8 – 11 pm: Street Dance, Main Street, featuring DJ Shorty B

For more details, information and fun pictures, go to the Luther Alumni Facebook page.

Kimberly K MIller – Attorney