“We found out halfway through the year that the school board decided to merge the schools,” Gabbard said. “We were not happy.”
Both Gabbard and Dawson remember the sadness of seeing the tile tiger in the main entrance getting demolished and everything that was Taft High School started going away.
A lot has changed in 30 years, but perhaps nothing more than the technology that has allowed many of the classmates to get back in touch with one another.
“We had no money for a reunion, so we created a group on Facebook,” Thomas said.
“Kids today take all of the technology available for granted,” Garrett said. “Most of my classmates had only a single line house phone to call each other. It is amazing how one single communication tool has re-bonded a group.”
“We’re all chatting every day,” Thomas said of the 60-member Facebook group “Hamilton Taft High School Class of 1980.”
So far, they’ve located about 90 of the approximately 300 members of their class, and are hoping more will find their way to the pages they’ve created for the weekend of activities:
• Casual Get-Together, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, July 16, Pier 27 (formerly The Farm), 2461 Ross Millville Road, Ross Twp.
• Thirty Year Gathering, 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, July 17, Ryan’s Tavern, 225 High St., Hamilton. Brian Childs will serve as deejay and master of ceremonies for the main event in the upstairs lounge.
Dinner available downstairs off the menu.
• Bowling with Friends, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 18, Fairfield Lanes, 5181 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, with special pricing for classmates. The more that participate the better the deal and family members are welcome to join the fun.
• Drive In Movie Night, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18, Holiday Auto Theatre, 1816 Old Oxford Road, Hanover Twp.
For more information or reservations, call (513) 939-7765.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.
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