It's true what they say: there really is no place like home.
Graduates of Castlegar's Stanley Humphries Secondary School, class of 1978, met for a 35th reunion during the Canada Day long weekend and judging by the amount of smiles, it's a safe bet the reunion was a great time for those who attended.
A wind-up party was held at Nealy O'Briens pub on Friday, followed by dinner at Chances and finally a barbecue at Pass Creek Regional Park.
"The pub was great," said Frieda Gurky who was an organizer of the event. "We had about 60-70 people out there and then the following night we went to Chances for a wonderful Italian buffet. The staff there are so accommodating and easy to work with."
Sunday was all about relaxing (and, for some, perhaps nursing a slight hangover) under sunny skies at Pass Creek Regional Park.
For those who still call Castlegar home, the reunion was a simple matter, but others came from much farther.
Dana Kloosterman made the trip from Duncan, B.C., Harry Hoodicoff traveled from Edmonton and Sharon Kilback and Perry Samoyloff journeyed the farthest coming all the way from Ontario.
Samoyloff's said he would have made a special trip to make sure he could see his former classmates, but was also able to tie in some family time to his holiday.
"My daughter [Anastasia] is working at the community centre in Christina Lake," said Samoyloff. "I left the rest of the family in Ottawa and made the trip out to see her, too."
Now a diplomat with Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada, Samoyloff said he owns property in Ootischenia and plans to retire here when the time is right.
"I've been dragging my family all over the world with my work," he said. "This is where I want to retire."
Welcome back graduates and please visit again soon.