PEMBERVILLE – Iona Herman Baker hosted the 75-year reunion for Lake Township High’s Class of 1934 in a
recently remodeled villa at Otterbein Portage Valley, complete with catered meal prepared by the
village’s executive chef, Reggie Hall.
Baker was thrilled to be joined by Ethel (Korn) Rideout, Evelyn (Albright) Korn, Pearl (Taylor) Bahnsen,
Samuel Layman and Oscar Garner.
She said that most of the 36 students who graduated with her have attended past reunion from all over the
United States but this year, those they dubbed "The Survivors" numbered six and all have
stayed local all their lives.
Baker bragged that the Class of 1934 was the first to go all 12 years of school in the "new"
centralized school district instead of starting in a one-room school.
For many, it was the first experience with indoor plumbing and riding a school bus, she noted.
Her father served on the school board at the time and she noted that he received many complaints from
parents that centralizing the school district would cause widespread diseases such as whooping cough. Of
course, it turns it out it gave students an improved education and opportunities for socialization.
The centralized building which the group refers to was demolished a few years ago.
Everyone who attended brought photos of graduates and the many class reunions they’ve enjoyed.
The group thanked the Lake Township Alumni Association for their help in organizing the class reunion and
staff members at Otterbein Portage Valley who pulled together details for the gathering.