"60 Years of Cavaliers"

Jerre Thompson Foster remembers the night Don Waters made the first touchdown at the new East Rutherford High School football stadium when she was a senior. From the graduating class of 1963, Jerre, 78, says if her memory is correct, "He ran the whole field" for the touchdown.

That memory from an East Cavalier and countless other memories from students over the past 60 years, will no doubt be shared when graduates gather Saturday, Oct. 7 for their "60 Years of Cavaliers" all class reunion.

The reunion kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Park on Pavilion Square (Pops) in Forest City and concludes at 6 pm.

Although the official reunion time ends at 6 p.m. the band too MUCH SyLviA picks up where the reunion ends for a free concert for the reunion crowd and the general public (concert was rescheduled from a previous date).

"We want the reunion to be a time when everyone can see each other again," said Randy Herring, from the Class of 1983, who is spearheading the event. He and a reunion committee of Cavaliers have met for months to plan the "60 Years of Cavaliers All Class Reunion" making sure as many people as possible were notified.

Just days before the big day, Randy said he believes there will be a great crowd.

"If the weather is good, there'll be thousands," he said.

Over the years Randy has helped organize numerous other class reunions for East Rutherford and this year concentrated on the all class reunion.

The Class of 1983 decided at their 30th reunion they would try to meet every year following.

"We have tried to stay together, hang together and have spearheaded this together. We have had so much participation," Randy said.

At Saturday's reunion there will be plenty of fellowship, music with DJ Phillip Murray, a 1993 East graduate and employee, food trucks, and T-shirts.

Randy believes the reunion will certainly be a time to find old friends and meet new ones.

"We want the reunion to be a time for everyone to catch up," he said.

Forest City Mayor Steve Holland, also an East graduate, will welcome his fellow Cavaliers.

Other guest speakers will include coaches, teachers and principals.

Town Manager Janet Mason, also an East graduate and former East Rutherford principal said, "We are looking forward to celebrating 60 years of East Rutherford High School memories and lasting friendships at POPS in Forest City."

"As a member of the Class of '83, I appreciate all who have worked so hard to pull this event together. I encourage everyone to join us during the reunion and stay for the too MUCH SyLviA concert. We will have great food, beverages, and music throughout the day. Through the years, we've grown and changed, but the Cavalier spirit remains a cherished part of our lives," she said.

Randy said most of the expenses of the reunion have been paid, including the banners streaming Main Street and the advertising costs.

Any money left after expenses will go toward the East Rutherford Cavalier girls athletic facility.

"It is very important. The girls have nothing at East," Randy said. "The boys have field houses for baseball and football and the girls have nothing," he said.

Saturday's all class reunion coincides with the annual East Rutherford High School homecoming football game to be held Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Former homecoming queens will ride in the 2023 East Rutherford homecoming parade in Forest City beginning at 4:30 p.m. and will also be recognized on the football field during the halftime of the football game.

From the 125 members of the Class of 1963, 42 have passed away, Jerre said. Some of the classmates couldn't be located. Cell phone numbers will be helpful for a future event, she said.

She also said the Class of 1963 class had reunions for the 10th, 20th, 25th and 30th and a 50th reunion.

"Now we have had one here at our home every year, except during Covid," she said. Following the combined class reunion gathering on Saturday, Jerre said her class will gather again at her home for hot dogs.

Starting a brand new high school as a senior 60 years ago wasn't easy for Jerre and her classmates. After spending their first three high school years at Cool Springs, the seniors were the first senior class to occupy the new East Rutherford High School facility. They spent one year there before graduating high school and going to college, work or the military.

"We weren't sure about it after three years at Cool Springs what we would do," Jerre began of the new adventure.

"Knowing there would be students from Ellenboro, Bostic and Sunshine, we were hoping we would make new friends," Jerre said.

"We were such good friends as close as we could be. It was wonderful," Jerre said.

So at Saturday's reunion as the "60 Years of Cavaliers" gather again to reminisce, they'll come from all corners of Rutherford County and beyond and renew old friendships for six decades.