“We provide a time and place, you provide the fun and memories” is the working motto for the Eastside Elementary Reunion planned for May 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Eastside Park.

End-of-school picnics at Eastside Park was one of the many traditions enjoyed by Eastside students over the years and hopefully the reunion will provide a chance to enjoy the experience once again.
“In January I was watching the snow fall, and feeling a bit lonely for all the friends I had made at Eastside,” organizer Betty Arndt said. “I knew my son was missing his classmates too, and wondered how they were getting along at Ballard. So I posted a note on Facebook and had some replies that it would be a lot of fun. The Niles Noon Optimists encouraged me to go for it. So here we are — we have a date and a time, and if no one shows, OK, and if many show, that is OK, too.”
This is not a school event, so adult supervision needs to be provided. Bring soccer balls and basketballs, as this is like the end-of-school picnic — a chance to run around and have some unorganized fun. A search for the tug-of-war rope may mean another tradition may have a chance to continue on.
Another Eastside tradition was raising money for Relay for Life, and bottled water will be available for a donation to raise money for the Relay.
David Eichenberg, former principal of Eastside and current principal of Ballard, will offer up a few words about the possible opening of Eastside.
“This is the first time I have ever tried to do something like this,” Arndt. “So it will be simple, easy going and hopefully, fun. If you want a lot of bells and whistles, this is not the reunion for you. But if you just want a hug and a chance to see students that are at a different school, hopefully they will be here too. I don’t mind if you were only at Eastside for a year, or that you went to Eastside 50 years ago, feel free to stop by and say hi.”
Arndt can be reached at bettyjarndt@comcast.net.