50-year PHS class streaked its way into alumni legend

Their hair is graying and thinning, but for members of the Powell High School Class of 1965, nothing can dim their place in the lore of PHS reunion history.

The headline in the Powell Tribune of June 24, 1975, recalls, with some admiration, the boldness of the act that remains one for the record books: “’65 Streakers Prove Alums No Old Fogeys.”

Yes, it happened. Two guys in the Class of 1965, then celebrating its 10th reunion at the Powell Country Club, added a little spice to the evening with a streak through classmates assembled in the dining room. They whisked past other adjacent gatherings as well.

No names were revealed, and the identities remain closely held today as the Class of 1965 prepares for its 50-year reunion as part of the PHS alumni association’s 100th anniversary hurrah on June 26-27.

Gene Shuler, who is co-chairing the 50-year reunion, said classmates still get a chuckle at the hijinks 40 years ago, but they aren’t giving up the pair who bared it all.

Will there be an encore?

“We’ve said it’s the girls’ turn,” Shuler laughed. “But we haven’t had any takers.”

Meanwhile, the Class of 1965 is looking for a good turnout for the 50-year reunion, and Shuler said his class plans to be involved across the board in the 100th anniversary activities.

“We’ve got quite a few playing golf Friday,” he said.

Golf is the opening activity of the alumni gathering — a 9 a.m. shotgun start on the Powell Golf Course with a $60 registration fee. The ‘65 class reunion will follow Friday night, June 26, with enchiladas at the Eagles Club, then move on to the bonfire and kegger at the Park County Fairgrounds with its 7 p.m. starting time.

The fairgrounds will be the location for most of the 100th all-class reunion activities.

On Saturday, June 27, a free breakfast (donations accepted) for all alums starts the day between 8-10 a.m. at the fairgrounds. For the 100th, the alumni association is putting together a parade and inviting all classes to participate.

The parade will form at the fairgrounds, wind its way downtown and then back to the fairgrounds where a classic car show will be set up.

Alums are invited to drive their classic cars in the parade and then put them on display.

For the runners (and walkers), the Powell Recreation District and Plaza Diane are combining to stage an 11 a.m. alumni “color run,” starting and ending at Plaza Diane downtown. The route will take runners past the new and old high schools and through the fairgrounds — 5K for runners and 2.7K for walkers.

It will be a “color run” for participants, who will be given white T-shirts with their $40 entry fee so they can be showered with color packets enroute to finish in bright-colored T-shirts. Protective sunglasses will be issued to all.

The work of PHS artists through the years will be on display at the fairgrounds in a 100th anniversary alumni art show Saturday, June 27. The art show starts at noon.

A horseshoe pitching tournament will come off if enough interest is shown. Gene Shuler has agreed to organize the event if horseshoe pitchers sign up.

Music will be a prominent feature of Saturday afternoon and into Saturday night at the fairgrounds. PHS alumni bands which performed together in the past will reunite on the fairgrounds pavilion stage and play sets starting at 4 p.m. for live music enjoyment and dancing (see related story).

Food and drink vendors will be available.

It’s only fitting that the alumni celebration will include music from several decades.

Local musicians from the 1950s through 2000s will play from 4-10 p.m. during the alumni festivities Saturday, June 27, at the Park County Fairgrounds.

Not all of the band members listed below will particpate, but each band is hoping for a good turnout, said Terry Faxon, who is helping organize the alumni music.

Formed in the 1950s, The Del Cannon Band will get the party going at 4 p.m. The band also played as the Pop a Tops. Members include Del Cannon, Bill Eden, Sam Wilson and Bill Smith. The band plays mostly country music, reminiscent of Merle Haggard, Ray Price and The Ventures. The band still plays in the area today.

Terry and The Pirates, a band from the 1960s, will take the stage at 5 p.m. Band members include Terry Swenson, Terry Waln, Veryn Urion, Dave Schmitt and Gerald Banks. The band’s sound is described as early fun rock with songs like “Wooly Bully” and “Wild Thing.”

Musicians from several different bands from the late 1960s and ‘70s — from Decembers Children to Sagecreek — will take the stage at 6 p.m. Members include Jerry Faxon, Bill Blake, John Holderegger, Mike Caskey, Mike Catterton, Doug Sprague, Garth Hannum, Matt Grosinger, Steve Munsinger, Rick Haskins and more. Their songlist includes “House of the Rising Sun” and “Come Together.”

The line-up continues with sounds from the 1980s at 7 p.m. The 1984-88 band Live Wire will play hairspray rock like Poison and Scorpion. Band members include Travis Smith, Paul Faxon, Marc Trevino and Rick Clifton.

Starting at 8 p.m., the band Icarus takes the stage. Featuring Tom Petty mash-ups and hits from Weezer, the band played from 2003-05. Members are Daniel Cummings, Cole Asay, Jay Hecht and Chris Larsen.

The band Bones in the Road continues the night of music at 9 p.m. The band plays contemporary rock and roll like the Foo Fighters. Members are Paul Faxon, Arnie Flores, Adam Flores, Ric Ramsey.

All bands and musicians will join together for a jam session beginning at 10 p.m. to finish the celebration.

Food and drink vendors will be available at the fairgrounds. The event isn’t limited to PHS alumni and is open to the public.

If there are other interested alumni who would like to perform, contact Jerry or Terry Faxon at jfaxon@tctwest.net or 754-5621.