A lot of things have changed since 1952. But one thing that hasn’t is the spirit of camaraderie between classmates from Oakdale High School, former Mustangs who have continued to get together periodically to mark the anniversary of their graduation.
This year, several members of the Class of 1952 – who donned their caps and gowns for OHS 70 years ago – came together at Gambini Farms on River Road to share some laughter, some wine and some tall tales from the past.
Hosting the event was class member Joe Gambini, while classmate Carol Davis helped with the planning and was at the sign-in table to greet attendees.
Tables were set up in the Gambini barn and festively decorated in the red and gold Mustang colors, with gift bags on each place setting. An expansive museum room in the barn drew plenty of visitors, with memorabilia from OHS, unique pieces of Oakdale history and information about the history of the Gambini Farms business, which has been in operation for more than 100 years.
Before the luncheon – catered by Medlen’s House of Beef – the classmates had the chance to catch up, sitting in small groups or chatting one on one.
Classmates Ted Neely of Lincoln, near Sacramento, and Bob Carrere of Oakdale marveled over the onsite museum.
“A lot of time and effort,” Carrere said of appreciating the work that went in to putting the many displays together.
“It’s amazing, it really is,” added Neely, who served as the class president for the Class of 1952.
Davis said there were 147 graduates in the Class of 1952.
The reunion attendance number for this year was 39, according to Davis.
She added that they know several members of the class have already passed and there are about 30 that “I’ve lost track of” over the years.
Some guests also attended with the class members and Gambini’s daughters Tori and Toni helped put on the luncheon. Sister Hazel Gambini Kerner assisted with the decorating and preparations as well.
Wayne Mathis traveled from Sodey Daisy, Tennessee to attend the reunion.
“I only came to Oakdale my last two years, junior and senior,” he said.
Among his most notable memories, breaking an elbow while wrestling for the Mustangs. He and his wife made the reunion a stop on a West Coast trip, also visiting some children and grandchildren in Washington State while also planning to go to Boise, Idaho.
Eunice Muniain Gire traveled from Richland, Washington and was happy to reunite with Davis, the two having started school together in first grade in Knights Ferry.
Host Joe Gambini was bursting with pride to welcome the crowd.
He offered many thanks to those that got the plans in motion for the 70-year reunion.
“My two daughters, Toni and Tori, they did so much work helping put this thing together, see the signs, the balloons, the museum that they have spent two to three months on, putting this thing together and I hope all of you have enjoyed that and we enjoy having all of you with us today,” Gambini said. “This is so great, so great, I am honored to do this.”
There were 100 attendees at the 25-year reunion, 89 attended the 30-year gathering in 1982. The largest attendance at a reunion was 110 in 2002 for the 50-year event, while 67 turned out for the 60-year gathering in 2012.
In 2018, the last event, there were 37 attendees and Gambini told those in attendance that, following the reunion four years ago, Davis suggested that might be the last one.
“I thought, what are we all going to do, disappear?” Gambini asked rhetorically, then answered his own question. “No! I woke up one morning and I said, 70 years, we’ve got to have a party … it’s nice to see all our classmates.”
