How many people can say they just had lunch with a teacher they had in the 1960s?

Fifteen Langstaff Elementary School graduates from the 1960s can say just that following their eighth annual class reunion held in Newmarket in June. Newmarket resident Nancy Cameron hosted the former Thornhill students in her backyard, with their former teacher, Joan Evans, 95, being the guest of honour.

“It started out with about six people and kept growing each year to now,” Cameron said. “Most of us just turned 70 but we feel we look and act so much younger.”

Some of the luncheon participants travelled from London, St. Catharines and Mississauga.

“We feel pretty unique that many of us went from Grade 1 through to Grade 8 together and now about 20 out of 30 are getting together some 60 years later,” she added. “It was amazing to have our teacher this year and she even remembered us and what we were like while in her classroom.”

The group uses the time to reconnect and learn how they all “turned out.” While most are happily retired, the group ended up having a vast range of experiences and careers including a Supreme Court judge, educators and even a kidney donor.

“We are so very fortunate,” Cameron said. “Things were very different back in those days and we cherish our upbringing, our feeling of safety, and our sense of community.”

The group also enjoys reminiscing about times past and shared memories of their childhood classrooms.

“We enjoy reliving the ‘old days’ and comparing life back then to how it is now,” she said. “What is really special is that we all bond as a group and feel like close friends even though we don’t meet as a group more than once a year.”

Many of the former classmates continue to keep in touch throughout the year via social media and those who live close to one another will meet for lunch and conversation.