Admission is $5 per person (cash or check). Please bring a covered dish. There will be a ‘pass the hat’ collection and drawing to award a scholarship to an attending member of the Class of 2025. We will have raffle baskets and items again this year. If you would like to donate a raffle item, please contact Joy Mestagh at 816-830-2731 or Susie Schwinn at 913-683-0537. Raffle tickets will be available to purchase at the event.

All classes are welcome. Honored classes will be this year’s graduates, the 10-year Class of 2015, the 25-year Class of 2000, the 40-year Class of 1985, the 50-year Class of 1975 and the 60-year Class of 1965.

For more information, visit the McLouth High School Alumni page on Facebook.

Pictures worth a thousand words

Well, maybe not 1,000 words, but the McLouth Alumni Committee hopes that pictures are worth at least a few words.

They have recently restored two senior class picture composites that will be on display at this year’s annual McLouth Alumni Banquet, to be held the evening of May 10. Classes of 1972 and 1973 will be displayed, with “old” and “new” for comparison.

Traditionally, the McLouth School District has a composite made of each high school graduation class.

For various reasons, some of these composite photographs have degraded over time. Because of this, a collection had been taken at an annual Alumni Banquet with the hope of starting a restoration program. However, it had to be delayed, as a local vendor could not be found with the expertise to make the repairs.

A vendor in Lee’s Summit, Mo. has the ability to address some of these concerns. However, it can be an expensive process, with the average cost, so far, of $350 per picture composite. With the restored composite, a digital copy is also supplied, which will provide lasting preservation. The committee realizes that a “perfect” restoration is unlikely, but significant improvements will be made.

The committee hopes that individual classes might contribute to the restoration of their own composites, should repair be necessary. No work on a composite can be started until its total repair cost has been raised.

The committee hopes that additional undesignated donations will occur to assist with other class composites needing attention, and whose members have passed into history.

Time is ticking, and without restoration efforts, some picture composites could be beyond repair.

A picture may not be worth 1,000 words, but each picture composite has thousands of priceless memories.

— Please submit McLouth community information, announcements and upcoming events to Beverly Muzzy: mclouthhappenings@gmail.com or 913-796-6935.