38th Annual Bauxite Reunion set Saturday
For the past 38 years, Bauxite has come alive on the Saturday before Memorial Day with an influx of former Bauxite students, teachers, neighbors, plant employees and just good friends.
In 1980, J. D. Berry made an effort to interest anyone with Bauxite connections to come together to renew old friendships and reminisce of days gone by.
With the lack of modern day social media and organizational skills, few people attended the event, which was held at the Bauxite Community Hall.
Following Berry’s efforts, during a discussion about the event between Arnold Wright and Jack English, it was suggested that Wright begin working far in advance to organize an annual reunion in 1981.
With enthusiasm and his outgoing personality, Wright “hit the ground running” with the idea.
There was no stopping Wright, who set up a video camera to record the first reunion attendees. Copies of this video can be ordered through the Bauxite Museum.
The first reunion hosted more than 400 people. From that day forward the Annual Bauxite Reunion has been held each year the Saturday before Memorial Day.
For the event, Wright always arrived early to meet and greet old friends as they came up the front steps of the Bauxite Community
Hall. Wright continued this practice from that first Annual Bauxite Reunion until he passed away May 1, 2017. For those 36 years, Wright never missed a Bauxite Reunion.
This year, the 38th
Annual Bauxite Reunion will be held Saturday. Prior to the reunion Friday night at 6:30, the traditional old-time movie will be shown at the Bauxite Community Hall.
Volunteering at the ticket booth will be Shorty and Deanne Wilmoth. Admission to the movie is offered for a donation of 25 cents per person. Popcorn will also be offered at 25 cents, as well as soft drinks.
Wilson Duvall, assisted by his wife, Virginia, will be manning the concession booth as he did in mid-1950s at the Bauxite Theater. The 1947 movie titled “Angel and the Badman,” starring John Wayne, Gail Russell and Harry Carey, will be the featured film, with a cartoon prior to the movie.
As reunion tradition dictates, Saturday morning the welcoming doors of the Bauxite Community Hall will be opened at 10 for guest registration.
Joe E. Duvall, president of the Bauxite Historical Association and Museum, will open the annual membership meeting at 1 p.m.
Following a brief business session, 1957 Bauxite High School graduate A. C. “Shorty” Wilmoth will be guest speaker.
Prior to the membership meeting, guests are welcome to meander through the Bauxite Museum to view memorabilia and artifacts on display.
An elevator is also available for easy access to the large museum area on the second floor.
The Sports Room, located upstairs, is well organized and artfully arranged with sports items from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. This room compliments the many treasures from the early years of Bauxite Miner history displayed in the first floor sports room.
Several items from the Bauxite High School marching bands of years past add a touch of excitement to one side of the large open hall in the upstairs area.
The Military Wall of Honor is a must-see in the Bauxite Museum. What began with six pictures of veterans from Bauxite who served in the U.S. Armed Forces has grown to more than 150 skillfully arranged photographs lining three walls of the Hines Room in the downstairs area of the museum.
Celebrating their 60-year class reunion, the Bauxite Class of 1959 will meet for lunch at a local restaurant Friday to renew friendships and memories of their high school days. This group is also planning to attend the Bauxite Reunion on Saturday.
Several members of this class will be traveling from North Carolina, Texas and Georgia.
Without exception, former Bauxite residents from the four corners of the United States will “come home” for the 38th Annual Bauxite Reunion on Saturday. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this special Bauxite event.