It was 1952 and they were walking on their hands.
Will Carter can still remember standing in Lakeside Park while two of his high school classmates, Nils Sjoberg and Alfred Hopkins, went down to board the ferry across Kootenay Lake — the big orange bridge wasn’t built yet — going the whole way without resorting to dropping down to their feet.
“Here’s these two guys walking down to get on the ferry on their hands, and I thought that was so impressive I busted out laughing,” he told the Star, while visiting with the organizing committee for the upcoming 1952 high school reunion.
As it turns out, though Sjoberg will be at the reunion and could perhaps demonstrate his retention of that skill, Hopkins has since passed away. But Carter is looking forward to seeing his former classmate alongside approximately 50 others when they come together in August.
They’ve got lots to reminisce about, according to Bob Nuyens.
“Nelson in 1952 was still bouncing back from World War II, and all of us went through that, have memories of family members who were sent off to fight. Right from when we started elementary school in 1940, we were right in the middle of that war, so we were a class that had seen an awful lot.”
Some of the students left high school early to take on apprenticeships, pursue careers or start families. Some became electricians, one was a local stockbroker and their deceased classmate Gerry Koehle became a successful hockey goalie.
“We call ourselves the Nelson high school reunion because in those days graduating from Grade 12 wasn’t as significant,” said Rachel Paton.
“There were about 80 of us that went through the graduation ceremony, but there were over 100 if you count the people who didn’t stay through the ceremony. We were pretty close knit through junior high and high school, and now this is our sixth reunion — which gives you an idea of how close the group is.”
One of their favourite memories is of getting “pine floats” from Wait’s. Because many of them were low on funds, the kids who couldn’t afford a milkshake would sit at the table with a glass of water with a toothpick floating in it.
Duff Franklin remembers the Playmor Dance Hall.
“It was going wide open in those days and well known jazz and swing bands used to play out there. We would make trips when we could. There was the famous Maple Leaf hockey team, and I know myself and some guys I associated with never missed a game.”
The friends were also fond of hiking Pulpit Rock, and spent lots of time at the Hume Hotel.
“All of our functions are being held at the Hume Hotel, and we’ve had three or four reunions there,” Rose Anne Marshall said, noting that their classmate George Benwell’s father used to own it.
“My deceased husband and him used to go down into the catacombs to play as young boys, and I think all of us have felt associated with the Hume and have gone there for many years. We’re very happy they’ve been able to host us.”
The reunion will be held on Sept. 6, 7 and 8. For more information call Bob Nuyens at 250- 229-2242 or Evelyn Trainor at 250-352-3086.