LARGO, Fla. ? Altoona Day 2009 was held in February at Stacy?s Buffet with 135 people attending.
The event is held each year for former Altoonans, who now live in Florida, as well as current Altoona residents who spend part of the winter months vacationing in the Sunshine State.
In addition to enjoying lunch, those present shared Altoona stories and memories with new and old acquaintances from their hometown.
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Courtesy photo
Seven members of Altoona High School?s class of 1961 attended Altoona Day in Largo, Fla., in February. They include (from left): Hank Orberg, Dick Crider, Karen (Loudon) Civils, Linda (Stewart) Delozier, Wilbur Decker, Barbara Smith and Linda (Ross) Rand.
Several door prizes donated by Altoona area businesses were awarded, too.
Altoona High School classes of 1953 and 1958 tied for the most graduates in attendance ? 11 each.
A Mountain Lion statue was awarded to the oldest AHS graduate present, Louise Somerville, class of 1936.
Somerville, who lives in Clearwater, Fla., taught elementary school for three years in a one-room schoolhouse in Carson Valley then taught 35 years in the Altoona School District before retiring.
Two of Somerville?s former students, Donna Hig-ginbotham of Hollidaysburg and Joyce Anderson of Duncansville, also attended Altoona Day.
The youngest AAHS graduate on hand was Audra Detterbeck, class of 1999.
Detterbeck, who received a Mountain Lion hooded sweatshirt, graduated from Penn State University in 2005 and has lived and worked in Tampa, Fla., since then.
Jim Lane was re-elected president of the organization and Joe Burns was re-elected secretary-treasurer for another year.
Altoona Day 2010 will be held Feb. 18 at Stacy?s Buffet.
