Pat Gibson Ballard has invited Turkey Creek High School alumni to a luncheon every fall since 2011. This year’s reunion will be Oct. 4 at the Strawberry Festival Grounds.
Ballard first organized an alumni sock hop in May 2011.
“Everyone enjoyed it so much that in November of that year, we had a picnic, and we’ve had a picnic every year since then,” Ballard said.
The building at 5005 Turkey Creek Road that was once historic Turkey Creek High School is now Turkey Creek Middle School.
The TCHS class of 1908 was the first to graduate at that location, but the oldest living alumni graduated in the early 1940s. All alumni are welcome at the picnic, which includes anyone who graduated up until 1972, when the high school was closed.
Southern Style Catering, a company run by Kevin and Jenifer Goolsby, will cater lunch for the picnic. They are Ballard’s neighbors, and she has hired them for the event all four years.
“Good food and super nice, good, Christian people to work with,” Ballard said. “They’re kind of like my kids.”
However, dessert is up to the guests. Everyone who wants to can bring a potluck dessert to share.
Guests also may volunteer to bring handmade items as door prizes. Ballard said these typically include crafts such as crochet, woodworking and flower arrangements.
“Just a variety,” she said. “Anything anyone is interested in making and donating.”
Alumna Glenda Cooper Roberts’ (Class of 1962) granddaughter has even made a painting of a turkey that says, “Turkey Creek Gobblers Forever” as one of the larger prizes.
There will be a display of memorabilia at the picnic, including TCHS letterman’s jackets, cheerleading sweaters, class rings and photos. Ballard also keeps a list of alumni who have died since last year’s picnic, and she has made a memorial booklet for the display.
Alumni’s guests are welcome, too.
“We even have some Plant City Planters coming — our rival from back then. I even married one of them,” Ballard said.
“They come from out of state,” Ballard said. “They come from all around. It’s a good time. Someone compared it to just a huge family reunion.”
To register, send a check for $25 per person to TCHS Alumni, P.O. Box 93, Dover, FL 33527. The price increases to $30 after Sept. 19.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.