Submitted Photos Above, the joint committee poses for a picture. First Row: Mary (Moldenhauer) Gier, Patti (Kelly) Ralabate, Nancy (Szymanski) Proffer, Martha (Ward) Lukasik. Second Row: Jay Warren, Gib Snyder, Peggy (Griffis) Kleparek, Christine (Haas) Switzer. Third Row: David Strada, Lorraine (Polichetti) Cole, Tony Gregorski, Dave Grabias Back: John Gaura. Missing from the photo: Scott McElhaney, Debbie (Warner) Piglowski, Jim Gestwicki and Terry Leja.

The 1968 graduating classes from Cardinal Mindszenty High School and Dunkirk High School celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduations with a class reunion the weekend of Aug. 2 to 5.

Organized activities began on Thursday when classmates gathered at the Class of 1968 tent on the city of Dunkirk pier to hear the sounds of both local band HooMan followed by the Nickel City Pimp Choir.

On Friday, several members of both classes attended a wine tasting at Noble Winery and 21 Brix while others took part in the annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Shorewood Country Club. Friday evening the classes had separate gatherings, with CMHS at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia and DHS at American Legion Post 62 in Dunkirk.

On Saturday afternoon several members of CMHS 1968 had a tour of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, the site of their freshman year classes when it was St. Mary’s School. The 4 p.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Church was attended by reunion goers to pray for living and deceased class members.

Saturday evening there was dinner, dancing and plenty of dialogue at Shorewood County Club. After dinner guests were seated, Gib Snyder (CMHS) and Jay Warren (DHS) provided an opening welcome to the “one and only 50th reunion of the Class of 1968” before class presidents David Strada (CMHS) and Walter Drag (DHS) made short presentations. The night continued with dancing to the band Second Street Sunset, with Dunkirk classmate Scott McElhaney joining the band to play guitar and sing some memorable songs from yesteryear.

On Sunday, a memorial for deceased members was held at the Dunkirk Lighthouse, where coffee and donuts were provided and classmates were bidding farewell to all who traveled from afar. Many new memories were made over the weekend, as were friends.

Plans are in the works for a 70th birthday party in two years.

Class members attended from California, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Illinois.