Bell bottoms and wide-collared shirts gave way to crisp polos and capris when the Warren High School Class of 1975 gathered recently to celebrate a half-century on from graduation.

The Class of '75 held its 50th reunion Saturday night, June 28, met up in town at the German American Club on Kelly Street as 62 mates and their partners reveled in their recollections on the noteworthy occasion.

Nancy Braz Ingram, Karen Correira Ramos, Dot DiSalvo Ansel, Lori Huftalen Baril and Cheryl Keyes Coffey began planning the event about six months earlier, reaching out to as many of their classmates as they could.

By the time that recent Saturday night came around, classmates as far away as Tennessee, Florida, Virginia and South Carolina flew back "home" for the special celebration.

So many stories, so many great memories flowed throughout the night and a beautiful memorial board was created to honor the 29 classmates who have passed. What really hit home to some was that that were in school together from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Towards the end of the night, Keyes Coffey shared a poem she wrote in honor of the special occasion:

Take yourself back, it’s 1975
The world was warned, we have arrived.

Graduation Day – family and friends by our side
We partied, we laughed, we hugged, we cried,

We promised to stay in touch, this was not the end.
But good-byes were inevitable with some of our friends.

We left school that day, proud and strong.
A new journey ahead, the road would be long.

And now here we are – at this retirement age
Whoever thought it would be all the rage

We have senior, discount shopping days
We just have to remember what store - what day

We are now our parents, can this be real?
Look in the mirror – here’s the deal

Keep dancing, keep laughing, keep the party alive
Embrace early bird specials, and after dark, don’t drive.

Tonight, when you leave, when you walk out this door.
Always look back….that’s what friends are for

As you continue on your journey, may you always feel peace and love in your heart.