By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

LARNED — The first-ever Larned All School Reunion will coincide with the 2013 Santa Fe Trail Days.
The All School Reunion scheduled June 7 to 9 will bring more than 600 registered alumni to town at the same time as Santa Fe Trail Days.
A dedication of 3rd Street in honor of Hall of Fame coach Gene Keady will highlight Santa Fe Trail Days at noon June 8.
Larned All School Chair Marilyn Stude is excited about the interest from alumni about seeing their old friends.
“We’ve got people coming from all over,” Stude said. “It will probably remind people of the days when Larned had a Moonlight Madness and After Harvest Festival in July. We’re really excited about the response we’ve gotten. We’re thinking everyone will have an enjoyable time.”
Among the registered alumni ate 101-year-old Edith Haun, a 1930 graduate and Wilma Fraser, a 1931 graduate.
‘Both Edith and Wilma were school teachers in the district,” Stude said. “Edith has come up with some really good memories of her early days. Those types of stories were just what we wanted.”
A performance by the band “Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations,” will highlight the June 7 schedule. The 8:30 p.m. dance is open to everyone. “The band will draw people on their own, but we fully expect more than 1,000 people to show up sometime during the weekend,” Stude said. “The Jimmy Dee Band performed together for decades and after taking a break, reformed several years ago.  They are billed as highly entertaining.”
The All School Reunion committee have planned for more than a year for this weekend. The web site had more than 800 alumni and friends registered on the site.
“We did not have any type of a road map, but our committee has had a good time putting everything together,” Stude said. “We put together a very good web site and have kept information up to date.”
Lt. Col. Chris Zielke, a commander at Fort Riley Army Base is a Larned High graduate who will deliver an address at the Legion Riders Veterans Memorial Service at 1 p.m. June 8 at the Pawnee County Courthouse.
One of the June 8 highlights will be a 4:30 p.m. photo by Rob Hines at Larned High’s football stadium.
The June 8 All School Reunion dinner at Larned Middle School starts at 5 p.m. and will be catered by Wheatland Cafe of Hudson. Garfield’s Bill Barger will deliver a comedy skit and other entertainment will be provided.
“The banquet and program will provide good memories and provide a good gathering point,” Stude said. “I’m sure that everyone will enjoy the atmosphere.”
The city of Larned will provide a special treat by lighting the city’s water tower.
“When you look back at Larned’s Looking Back Page, you will see the water tower lit,” Stude said. “It will be one way to recreate some childhood memories.”
Larned’s school memorabilia will be displayed at Larned Middle School with several showcases. Anyone with memorabilia can contact Stude, 620-285-3316. Anyone who would like to volunteer in some way, can also contact Stude.
The annual Santa Fe Trail Days parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 8.
Santa Fe Trail Days will be packed with old-fashioned entertainment, vendor crafts booths, a hamburger feed, pancake feed, bouncie, parade, gunfights, car show, living history presentations, car show and carnival rides.
The Pawnee Valley Community Hospital will sponsor its 3rd annual benefit race at 8 a.m. June 8. The race benefits the Fort Larned Foundation for Education to improve the health and wellness of Larned High athletes. Information is available at www.pawneevalleyhospital.com. For information, call 620-285-8605.
A 9 a.m. June 9 continental breakfast will be catered by a business in Chase.