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Reunion to celebrate the days of one-room schoolhouses (6 photos)

S.S. No. 1 Dunkerron Public School reunion also inviting people from other local one-room schoolhouses

Like a bell ringing to start school, local organizers of the annual S.S. No. 1 Dunkerron Public School reunion are putting out the call for all former one-room schoolhouse students to join their event.

The invitations have gone out for the July 25 event at 1812 Grillhouse, but the scope of invitees has been expanded this year to include not just Dunkerron students but anyone who attended a one-room schoolhouse in the area of Bradford West Gwillimbury and New Tecumseth.

“As we age, we become increasingly more interested in our heritage and wish to refer to ourselves as the last of the one-roomers,” said Janice Dobney, one of the organizers.

A visit last year by Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer suggested the new direction. Although he did not go to the Dunkerron school, the mayor did attend a one-room school in Bond Head for Grade 1.

But then, in 1960, the one-room schools were closed.

“It’s inspired us to try to open it up to all the other one-room schoolhouses in (Bradford West Gwillimbury),” Dobney said, noting that in a rural community, “we all knew one another, even though we attended different local one-room schoolhouses in the immediate area.”

The organizers are hoping to get more information on the various one-room schools in the area, such as their teachers and students, and put all the research together to build a picture of the history of the one-room schools, the connections they built, and the shared memories and memorabilia.

About 50 people have registered for this year’s reunion, the biggest turnout to-date. Everyone from former students, teachers and school-board members, and their spouses and descendents has been invited.

Dobney said she does not know how many will be from other schools in this inaugural year of the expanded event, but, “we’re just so lucky to have so many people interested in history," she said. 

Keffer and his wife, Jean, will be among the guests attending.

The event starts at 3:30 p.m. and includes a roast beef and chicken buffet served at 5:30 p.m. at 1812 Grillhouse, located at 1812 Simcoe County Rd. 27, in Dunkerron.

There will be live piano music, karaoke, and people are welcome to share poems, songs or memories with the group, as well as bring photos and memorabilia.

It will be an evening of memories, reminiscing, and plenty of music, as guests share the songs of yesteryear.

For more information, contact Linda Baker at [email protected] or 905-939-8361; Janice Dobney at [email protected], or Bill Church at [email protected] or 905-939-7074.


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Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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