NEW EDINBURG, Ark. – The New Edinburg All School Reunion, which commenced in the mid 80’s, was held at the New Edinburg Community Center on July 8. Approximately 170 students, teachers and friends attended the event and enjoyed a delicious meal catered by the Golden Girl’s restaurant located in Warren, owned by New Edinburg alumni, Cathy Golden Rice. Organizers over the years have included Anita Knowles, Frankie McGhee Hall, Rex Trammel, Bobbie Bell Dunlap, Marvin King and numerous other graduates of the 1950’s era. The 2023 reunion was hosted by the Re-New-ing Edinburg organization.
According to alumni, Marvin King, a 1952 graduate, Ms. Nan Bussey Russell, a 1929 graduate of New Edinburg High, was the oldest graduate attending the first reunion, and Mr. King himself, age 90, was the oldest student attending this year’s event. Mr. King was also the oldest male teacher attending this year’s event as he was the basketball coach from 1957-1960 and his wife, Mrs. Betty St. John King, was the oldest female teacher attending. Ms. Betty taught first grade at New Edinburg from 1956-1961. The oldest female student attending this year’s reunion was Ms. Janis Moseley of Little Rock who graduated in 1951.
Additional teachers attending other than the Kings included long time coach, Odell Wolfe; math teacher, Paul Martin; agricultural/science teacher, Travis Hopper; math teacher, Cindy Morris; Senior English, Deborah Jones; English/Librarian, Jonalyn Reep; Kay Childress, second grade; Lorraine Word Taylor, third grade; Vickie Parrott Nutt, kindergarten; and Sue Sanders, sixth grade. Mr. Danny Allen, principal, and Mr. Edward Parham, superintendent, also attended.
Out of state attendees included Paul Raymer and spouse Rene’, Class of 1971, from Milner, GA and Curtis Creswell and spouse Carol, Class of 1973 of Decatur, TX.
A raffle was held in order to raise funds for the 2024 reunion with a gas grille donated by Ms. Frankie Hall and won by Carol Creswell. A pair of outdoor rockers donated by Roger and Patricia McClellan was won by Ms. Frankie Hall and an Arkansas cutting board which was donated by Lorraine Word Taylor was won by Travis Hopper.
Everyone in attendance enjoyed the event as each person took a step back in time to relive their school days, reminisce days gone by whether good or bad plus enjoy the fellowship of the New Edinburg Eagles.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event which should be even bigger and better. Everyone is encouraged to “watch” Facebook on ether the “Re-New-ing Edinburg” page or the “New Edinburg Community Center” page for additional information.