Inside the Redmen Hall, old friends got together to reminisce about old stories and share new ones as the Wareham High School class of 1969 gathered for their 55-year high school reunion Saturday, Sept. 21.

Kathleen Hunt and Jay Maloney have helped organize many of the class reunions every five years for the last 55 years. Maloney and Hunt said they wanted to make a commitment to reconnect with their old classmates as they begin other chapters of life.

Of the 123 members of the class, 30 were present at the 55-year reunion.

"It's great because some of us haven't seen each other in over 50 years," said class member Linda Monast. "Everybody looks a little bit different and older, and it's just nice to get together and talk about the old days."

According to Maloney and Hunt, one of the hardest parts about planning the reunions is tracking everyone down. Over time, the reunions have ended earlier and gotten smaller as people have passed away and lost contact with one another.

Because they are getting older, Maloney mentioned how each reunion "is more valuable now."

"We're all at that age where if we were married and had kids, our kids are gone doing stuff," said Maloney. "Some people are not married, they're alone and they've got friends but [the reunions] are a way to reconnect."

Reconnecting with old friends and reliving past memories is common at the reunions, said Maloney, but he added that the reunions have helped people strengthen their relationships over time.

"You spend a lot of time talking about your kids or your parents and then you start talking about your grandkids and taking care of your parents and the actual progression through life," said Maloney.

Maloney and Hunt are undecided on if there will be a 60-year reunion.