Decades To Gather Saturday At Altoona Elementary Reunion

    Former students, staff members, and supporters of the historic Altoona Elementary are invited to join the fun this Saturday, June 24, when the school will be the location of an Altoona Elementary Teacher and Student Reunion. Beginning at noon in the school's community room (cafeteria for all of you long-since-graduated students), the invitation is open to bring a dish to share with the potluck dinner and also bring along plenty of old stories to share.
   The school, located at 42630 SR 19 in Altoona, has a century-long history of service to the community. Today, the school site serves as the home of the Altoona School charter elementary, but for decades was home to Lake County Schools' Altoona Elementary, before the construction of Spring Creek School in Paisley. That school, completed in the 1990s moved the student population from Altoona, with the site serving in an alternative education capacity until the current charter school opened in the early 2000s.
   For many years, Altoona Elementary served the children of North Lake County with a single building, featuring a large cafeteria and four classrooms. Over the years, portables were added, but the historic main building, which was restored by Lake County over a decade ago as part of a project that saw the main building be opened for community use as well as classrooms once again, has served as the campus’ most important structure.
   The reunion is being held as a way for former students and staff to come together and reconnect, while also sharing stories from their own Altoona Elementary experiences.
   The event begins at noon, and organizers are inviting guests to bring a covered dish and a basket of goodies that can be raffled off. Raffle proceeds will be donated to the Altoona Charter School. Blackwater Creek Bluegrass will perform from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
   To learn more, call 352-932-8581 or 352-455-3200. Email contact can be made at altoonaIndiansreunion@gmail.com.