Multiple Dover High School classes to host a first reunion

A multi-year Dover High School class reunion is planned for July 17, with seven classes joining together in a first for the school’s reunion history.

High school graduation day, a milestone for any family with children, was once the last day all those students would see each other with any regularity. Class reunions, held every five years, were the single chance for classmates to catch up on each other’s lives after their school years together.

Both the ability to remain in touch with friends and the way in which people do so have changed in recent years, and Dover High School’s alumni are trying something that is increasingly the norm — frequent, small, informal gatherings — and when such reunions are held, they combine several years of alumni graduates.

Dover High School classes of 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986 will all gather together at Breitenbach Wine Cellars on Saturday, July 20 with appetizers from 5-8 p.m. The event will be held inside the winery barn. New Wave Nation will coincidentally be playing live music that evening, for which a separate bracelet may be purchased. The cost for reunion tickets is $20 each and includes parking and appetizers.

The idea started when the Class of 1980 found its own 40th reunion year swallowed by pandemic restrictions in 2020. The following year, as the Class of 1981 prepared for its own milestone reunion, members of the Class of 1980 suggested the two put together a joint celebration.

“We did, and it was a huge success,” said Linda (Rini) Weber, an organizer of the upcoming joint reunion and member of DHS Class of 1981. “Everybody really loved it and had a good time and said we would have to do that again. They wanted to always do it that way.”

Word got around to the members of the Class of 1982, who heard what a success the joint affair had been, Weber said.

“We thought there was no reason to wait another five years. So why not do an interim? So at that point we were planning on gathering the classes of 1980, 1981 and 1982,” Weber said.

The Class of 1983 began asking to join soon after, and the plan was to just stretch it from 1980-85 — until there was a strong suggestion that 1986 be included, which is where it stands today.

“We are especially reaching out to teachers who were at the school those years,” Weber said. “Everybody always wants to make sure we invite teachers. That adds a lot of fun.”

Original plans, before so many alumni got on board, called for a traditional gathering at the Tool Shed at Breitenbach Winery, which has since been sold. “So we will just have an informal reunion with appetizers and beverages at the winery barn,” Weber said.

Members of those seven graduation classes from Dover High School who would like to attend may contact their own class representatives for ticket information. For the Class of 1980, the contact is Jody (Bober) Pershing at 330-407-2159. The Class of 1981 is headed up by Dan Dummermuth at 330-432-8999. The Class of 1982 contact is Cindy Lorenz at 330-447-5557. Call Beth Rini for the Class of 1983 at 734-649-7123. For the Class of 1984, call Lynda Pissocra Hutras at 740-739-1624. Check Facebook for information for 1985 and 1986.

“We had such a great time in 2021,” Weber said. “We may be a little more cramped in the barn this year, but I know it will be a great time. We’re hoping a lot of former students can come and join with us.”

Breitenbach Wine Cellars is located at 5934 Old Route 39 NW in Dover.