Mullan High '50+1 Reunion'

Fifty years — half a century — plus one very long COVID-19 delay and, finally, the MHS Class of 1970 was able to unite for a long overdue reunion. The class of 1970 was one of the largest in MHS history with 34 graduates. Twenty-three actually spent 12 years together in the Mullan schools. Ten classmates have passed away, and a total of 30 classmates and spouses attended the festivities over the weekend of July 23-25.

The reunion committee consisted of residents from Mullan (Debbie Morris), Coeur d’Alene (Connie and Bill Arthur and Mary Jacobs), Cataldo (Cheryl Groth), and Spokane (Martha Schatzka and Vickie Pickett). Other classmates who came from as far away as California, Utah, Arizona, Washington and southern Idaho included the following: John Goggin, Dennis Goggin, Sheryl Nickerson Smith, Diane Helfer Jutila, Lorna Hendrickson Steichen, Thomas Barton, Linda Wolfgram Nottingham, Cheryl Brown Groth, Mary Smith Jacobs, Martha Smith Schatzka, Debra Blacketer Morris, Dennis La Celle, Bill Arthur, Connie Wiitala Arthur, Ben Cornell and Vickie Sellers Pickett.

Friday night began with a tour of the high school and reminiscing about classes, teachers, pranks and activities. Pranks such as climbing out the second-story history room window and fleeing down the fire escape or lifting the coach’s VW from its parking space and placing it in front of the entrance to The Miners’ Club bar were shared. Painting the “M” on the mountain as Freshmen, marching in the Spokane Lilac Parade and playing basketball and swimming in the brand-new Pavilion as juniors were fond recollections.

Take-home memorabilia included: Personalized booklets containing up-to-date information about each graduate along with memorable events from high school; etched glasses and purple and white M & M’s reading “Class of 1970 50+1 Reunion” and MHS Tiger T-shirts.

Saturday morning a catered breakfast was provided by classmate Dennis La Celle and his wife Lorna at The Morning Club. A tour of the John Mullan Museum led by former MHS teacher Wayne “Bud” Koski followed.

Saturday evening a banquet was held at the Wallace Elks. Prior to dinner, a prayer and moment of silence for deceased classmates was followed by an enthusiastic singing of “Tigers Bold,” the school song.

Following dinner, a memorial ceremony included photo displays of departed classmates and the sharing of stories about each. A return to The Morning Club included listening and dancing to the music of classmate Forrest “Frosty” Greenfield and the band, “One-Gun and the Long-shots.”

The final event of the gathering was a Sunday morning breakfast served at The Morning Club. Plans for a group cruise to Alaska or Mexico are in the works for the next reunion in 2022 or 2023.