Albany High grads of the ’60s to revisit spring break

ALBANY — Mike Patterson, one of the most vocal proponents for the partying prowess of Albany High School graduates from the so-called golden era of the 1960s, insists there are two kinds of people in the region.

“You’re in one of two categories: You either went to Albany High School during the decade of the ’60s, or you wish you’d gone to Albany High School during the decade of the ’60s,” Patterson said. “We had the best teachers, the best football teams, the prettiest girls. And we had the best music. Our parents were called the Greatest Generation, but I think we were the Greatest Music Generation.

“And, I might add, the Class of ‘67 has been accused of being the partyingest folks who ever went to Albany High.”

Patterson, Dr. Price Corr and other AHS grads are busy putting the final touches on what has turned into an annual graduates-of-the-’60s gathering, scheduled this year April 24-25 at the 1822 Palmyra Road Hasan Temple. Their plan is to top last year’s first AHS Classes of the ’60s Birthday Bash.

“The biggest concern we have this year is whether our folks have the stamina to party hard both nights,” Patterson said.

His concern is well-founded. With Albany favorites Relapse scheduled to perform Friday night and Macon’s Grapevine Band set to play Saturday, it’s a sure bet attendees will have no problem getting into the theme of the party: Spring Break — Revisited.

“Where else can you go to feel so much like a teenager again?” Gloria (Middleton) Haguewood, a Class of ‘67 grad who now lives in northwest Arkansas, said of the trip home … and down memory lane. “I remember saying to myself, ‘OK, I’m 60, I’m not going to act like I’m in high school again’ when we had our 45th reunion (in 2012). Of course, we did. And I said last year, ‘I’m 63, I’m not going to act like I’m in high school again.’ Wrong.

“You can’t help it. Especially those of us like me who moved away. The ones who never left don’t appreciate the deep roots we established there.”

The Albany High Class of ‘67 had such memorable 40th and 45th reunions, its members collectively wondered why they should wait every five years to get together. So last year, the group invited all AHS graduates from the decade of the ’60s to a birthday bash called Living in the 60s — Then and Now.

“The Class of ‘67 was turning 65, the Class of ‘66 turning 66, the Class of ‘68 turning 64 and the Class of ‘64 turning 68,” Patterson said. “So we decided to have a ‘birthday party’ for all the classes of the ’60s. We had more than 350 people attend, and everyone kind of agreed we should do this every year.”

As Corr noted, who knew how many more opportunities there would be for the unusually close-knit group to gather?

“It wasn’t just our class; the students at Albany High at that time were all very close,” the surgeon said. “When we all get together, we relive a very special time in our lives.”

Organizers say, oddly enough, it’s sometimes easier to get graduates like Haguewood who live far away to return for the get-togethers than it is to entice alumni who live across town.

“The thing about something like this is reconnecting,” Patterson said. “That’s why people come from Chicago, California and other parts of the country. It’s often easier to get them here than it is to get someone to come from Doublegate.

“We even took the time when we had our 40th reunion to call some of the local graduates who didn’t respond to our invitation. The response we got from one graduate got our attention. He said, ‘I didn’t like you SOBs in high school. Why would I want to see you now?’ But really, it’s the people who don’t live here who are hoping to reconnect with some of their high school friends.”

Corr’s wife, Terry, who was born in northeast Ohio but moved to Georgia when she was 12 and graduated from Perry High School, said she realized quickly that a special bond existed among the AHS graduates.

“I saw it when we were dating and went to Price’s 10-year reunion,” Terry Corr said. “The whole class was so close, and they were just such wonderful people. I can tell you, I have the best time at his class reunions.”

Classes of the ’60s Spring Breakers will start gathering at the Hasan Temple April 24 at 5:30 p.m. Light snacks and a cash bar will be available, and Relapse will start the music at 8:30, playing “until the last person falls asleep.” The party kicks back off April 25 at 5 p.m. A cash bar will be available, and celebrants are encouraged to bring their own food, snacks, beer, wine or other beverages.

Grapevine will start playing at 8 p.m. and continue until 12:30 a.m.

A limited number of $60 tickets are still available for the Spring Break bash. Tickets include both nights.

Additional information is available by emailing Patterson at [email protected] or by calling (229) 407-0385.