In the first weeks of 1930, the call went out to “everybody who has ever lived in this town of Windham and indeed the neighboring communities which we now like to call ‘Greater Willimantic’: to those whose ancestors lived here; to all who were in schools here; or in business here; or had church relations here- we send out the call to all these, wherever they may be now, to come back and join with those of your own time, and with the rest of us, in a genuine homecoming and reunion”. Over 3,000 copies of “the call”, along with a summary of the proposed program were sent out to those whose addresses were known. “The call” also stated that, “We shall rally around the four essential institutions in community life—the Home, where life is nurtured; the Church, where our lives are consecrated; the School, where we are trained for life’s activities; and the Civil Government, by which our lives are ordered and safeguarded”. The formal celebration was scheduled for June 15-20 but actually began on Saturday, June 14, with a Flag Day program sponsored by the Elks at their home and park and to which the whole community was invited. On Sunday, a “mass meeting” was held at the Armory. The speakers at the meeting were clergymen of several different denominations and the general theme was the relationship of religion to community life with special references of the Home and the Church. Monday and Tuesday were set aside for registration and to give time to all those who were returning from all over the country to, “renew old acquaintances”. On Monday night, the St. Jean Baptiste Society held its 50^th anniversary celebration with a banquet at the Armory and dancing at the Al-Pierre Tabarin.   It had been decided that Wednesday would be the “big day” of the week long celebration. For this “civic day”, businesses, stores and factories closed at noon so that everyone could attend the celebration. There was an elaborate parade of seven divisions that included eight bands and drum corps, 2500 marchers from local civic and industrial groups as well as twenty floats. A crowd of almost 10,000 people attended the parade. A light rain continued throughout the time of the parade but spirits remained high. The parade ended at Elks Park where an address was given. Later, celebrants moved up Pleasant Street to the Armory for the “general community Reunion”. “There will be no set program but music and dancing, and everybody looking up everybody else, to see who has come back.” The Armory’s hall was set up by group gatherings and there were hosts and hostesses who made certain that everybody would have a good time and find the groups they were looking for.  4000 people, residents and former residents got together to dance to the music of the Peerless Orchestra, renew old friendships and simply chat with one another. That evening, a reception was also held for the Senior graduating class of Windham High School. A special invitation was sent to former pupils and teachers who were at Windham High when John J. Maddox was principal, inviting them to the reception. On Thursday, graduation exercises were held at Windham High School and at the Normal School. On Friday evening, the “Old Natchaugers”, who had been hosting reunions since 1905, once again held a banquet at the new Nathan Hale Hotel. Among the special guests were scores of the area’s former and present day teachers and principals. The festivities ended on June 20 with a banquet attended ny about 175 graduates of the old Natchaug High school and their guests. At that banquet, a symbol of “The High School Spirit”, a lighted torch representing knowledge and education, was passed on to WHS Principal Egbert Case. It was passed on the Case by an 1880 graduate of Natchaug High School, Dr. Wilbur Lucius Cross, who, in the following year, would become the governor of Connecticut. Log on to threadcity.us for more photos and articles and to discover more facts about Willimantic, Windham and surrounding towns