CEDAR BLUFF — Less than 2,500 people have ever graduated from Cedar Bluff High School. That's only a tenth of the present population of Cherokee County and it is several thousand fewer than annually attend the town's Liberty Day celebration. In fact, 600 more people than have ever graduated from “the Bluff” bought tickets to last year's football game between the Tigers and Cherokee County.

Certainly the largest gathering of these scant few past graduates is the annual Cedar Bluff High School Reunion. This year's event will be June 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Cedar Bluff First Baptist Church Christian Life Center -- and it's not too late to attend this year's event.

The Cedar Bluff reunion is not just open to former graduates, either. Any teacher, former student, or friend and their guests are invited as long as they meet the June 17 registration deadline. The charge is $20 per person. That fee covers alumni dues, postage, printing, and dinner catered by Sageberry Restaurant.

Those who have attended the reunion for any of the past 24 years know the event is not only about a meal; it's about reconnecting with the past.

Nancy Colley, Class of 1967, lives in Mississippi. She schedules a week for her reunion trip and treats it like a vacation.

“We've already had three in our class to pass away,” said Colley, who's been coming home for the past four years. “I just got to thinking about a couple of people I haven't seen in years. It's great to see everyone, to hear about their families. I love these people. I went to school with them for 12 years. ”

A vast majority of reunion attendees are from the older generations, and that's a fact that concerns reunion organizers. Without younger alumni to take future responsibility of the event, the long-term continuation of the reunion is in jeopardy.

"Until last year our class was kind of the younger ones at age 60,” Colley said. “I wish the younger ones would come. I've called people about coming, and they just have the best time.”

Ellen Neal, Class of 1962, who has been to every reunion since 2002, agreed.
“I wish the young ones really would come,” she said. “I think they would enjoy it.” It's all well-organized. The food is good. I get to see people I haven't seen in years and years.”

Joe Frank Rhinehart, Class of 1954, also enjoys renewing old acquaintances and hasn't missed very many reunions. In fact, he's only missed one in two dozen years.

“That daughter of mine messed me up,” he said. “She scheduled her wedding on the reunion date. We have been to every one except that one.”

Buddy Barkley, Class of 1960, is also one of a few that have only missed one reunion.

“Every year someone comes that I haven't seen in 20 or 30 years, and I get to enjoy their company for a while,” he said. “It's a feeling you just can't buy.”

Barkley said the sad part is when one of those long-lost friends doesn't make it back the following year.

“I talked to Boyd McHugh at last year's reunion,” Barkley said. “He said that he almost didn't come. I sure was glad he was there. Boyd died after that. I've got pictures of us sitting there together at the reunion. I wouldn't take anything for them.”