Celebrating the Class of '65       After more than a year of planning and preparation, the Hudson High School Class of '65 reunion went off without a hitch this past weekend as some 50 HHS alumni and their spouses returned to the town that many hadn't seen for decades. They came from the U.K, Canada and the U.S. and immediately made their presence felt all over town as they hiked, cycled, golfed, played tennis, or just settled in to one of Hudson's many eateries or watering holes to reminisce and catch up on news. This is an incredibly fit bunch of 60-year-olds; I saw nobody smoking and everyone quickly found something to keep them active. · · · Sunday morning brought everyone to their old alma mater to dedicate a young tree in memory of departed classmates, led by Martha Wood and Mike Ross, top right, from left, former Hudsonites Chris Carter, now living in Gatineau; Torontonian Tom Cundill; Gerry Rowland lives in Tillsonburg, Ont., and Michael Dwyer, of Oakville. Tom had fond words for former HHS physical education instructor Doug Steeves, who attended Friday's welcome gala. "You could actually enjoy Doug's phys-ed. It was a privilege to be on one of his teams." Now living in Brandon, Manitoba, Doug still stays in contact with old Hudson friends like Bob Putnam. The commemoration was also an opportunity to recall long-buried memories. Mike Ross, who grew up on Selkirk and now lives in Fredericton, told me that his first kiss was with Martha when they were both in Grade 1. He remembered it vividly, under the rowboat at Mrs. Monaghan's house. Martha said she didn't remember. With Mike's wife's permission, I suggested a reenactment to see if it would jog Martha's memory. Martha, who grew up on Maple and now lives in Holstein, near Guelph, Ontario, may not have remembered the kiss, but she recalls writing a Teen Activities column for The Hudson Gazette while in Grade 10 and 11. · · · Sunday afternoon found Class of '67 grad Joanne Hagberg and her husband Peter Munzar at the Royal Oak Tennis Club with fellow HHS alumni Hugh Cotton and Adrian Rys. Peter, who graduated in 1962 claimed to be the oldest grad at the reunion. Peter, below, one of seven Munzar siblings to have attended Hudson High, recalled his first date with Joanne 37 years ago at the Hudson Yacht Club. · · · The reunion brought together many avid cyclists aching for an excuse to go for a ride, either a leisurely jaunt through Hudson's back streets or a century from the Oka to Carillon ferries, then back on the south side of the Ottawa. Here, reunion co-organizer Sue White Petch, right, prepares to lead the pack.