HARDWICK – With the advent of June upon us, the Hardwick Academy/Hazen Union Alumni Association is finalizing plans for its two major events of the year.
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On Saturday, June 21, the association will be hosting the annual alumni reunion. The reunion will return to the Brochu Pavilion at 2244 West Hill Road in Hardwick, where the event was held last year.
The reunion is open to all classes and staff from both Hardwick Academy and Hazen Union. The Association will be recognizing the five year classes ending in 0 and 5 from both schools.
Registration for the event will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The Village Diner will be providing a buffet meal starting at 12:30 p.m. The reunion is free to attend, the cost of the meal will be $20 per person. The deadline to reserve a spot at the reunion is this week.
The Brochu Pavilion offers ample parking, including some handicap spaces, plenty of outdoor space, indoor cover, many picnic tables and bathroom facilities. The association will also have an additional tent set up for cover. Attendees are also welcome to bring lawn chairs.
This year’s association honoree is Rick Norcross from the Hardwick Academy Class of 1963. Norcross spent most of his career as a successful artist, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.
Norcross recently announced his retirement from performing, having just turned 80. His band, Rick and the All Star Ramblers, a western swing band, have been singing together for over 20 years and performed over 1,000 times. Norcross said he began singing at the young age of 16.
Norcross recently released the last of his 16 albums, entitled “The 2nd Bestest Songs I Ever Wrote.” He had a famous green tour bus he paid tribute to in his final studio album, “God Bless The Mighty Pickle.” He will be bringing some of his recorded music to the reunion with him.
Also at the reunion this year, the association will honor the three students from Hazen Union who each received a $500 award. Each gift from the association was named in honor of an alumni. The Tristan Southworth Service Award has been gifted to Emma Rowell, the Pat Gallant Spirit Award has been gifted to Baylie Christiansen and the Hardwick Academy Class of 1955 Future Endeavors gift went to Taylor Cloutier.
The alumni association will begin its weekend on Friday afternoon, June 20. The association will be hosting the annual Master’s Memorial Golf Tournament at Mountain View Country Club in Greensboro. This event is a fundraiser for scholarships at Hazen Union and honors past golfers from the area.
The tournament is a nine-hole scramble with tee times slated for 1 and 3:30 p.m. It is open to all golfers, not just alumni. The cost to play is $40 for those who walk the course and $50 for players wishing to rent a golf cart. If there is not a foursome, the organizers will try to set individuals up with a team.
The association will be selling food at the tournament and Teddy Foster will be selling his french fries and fried corn. Food sales will be cash only.
Golfers are being offered free driving range use prior to the tournament and are urged to be present 30 minutes prior to teeing off.
To request a reunion registration form, or sign up for the golf tournament, email Dave Burnham at [email protected].
