An attempted recovery of a 50-year-old time capsule ended in failure when graduates of Elphinstone High School in 1967 reunited with old friends and classmates in Gibsons for their 50th high school reunion in mid-June.
Organizers Wendy Inglis and Merrilee Mulligan (nee Olson) reported having dug up portions of the boulevard in front of Gibsons’ long-time high school, Elphinstone Secondary, in search of the time capsule, but the search was a disappointment.
“We would welcome anyone who has any information that might assist us in finding the capsule to please get in touch with us,” Wendy noted.
Despite the disappointment, the reunion was a great success with approximately 35 former students gathering to share stories and memories. At a party held in the Kinsmen Hall at Dougall Park in lower Gibsons, a meal was served on Thursday, June 15, with food provided by some of the graduates and served by members of Elphinstone Grade 11, 2018 Grad committee. At one point in the evening, and much to the surprise of the young students attending, the old-timers broke into song, singing the Elphinstone Secondary sports song from 1967: “Hoo-ray for Elphie, hoo-ray for Elphie. Someone in the crowd is singing hoo-ray for Elphie.”
Master of ceremonies Mike Skellett said during the dinner that teachers he described as old back in 1967 were far younger than anyone now attending the reunion. Some of the teachers recalled included Mr. Peterson, Mr. Truman, Mrs. Glassford, Mrs. Day, Mrs. Hercus, Mr. Yablonski and the principal at the time, Mr. Potter. Mr. Montgomery, former vice principal, sent best wishes by phone.
Earlier that day, some of the folks took part in a poker walk in lower Gibsons. Elphinstone’s current vice principal, Drew Murphy, provided a tour of the school to the 50th reunion guests.
All in all, it was a memorable gathering.
