Boyden High Class of 1959 Celebrates 20 Years of Lunch Bunch Reunions

The group of high school classmates has been meeting monthly since 2005 to stay connected.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Boyden High School Class of 1959 celebrated the 20th anniversary of their monthly lunch bunch gatherings on February 6th. Around 18 classmates met at Olive Garden in Salisbury, North Carolina to enjoy a special cake and catch up with each other. The group started meeting in 2005 after some friends encouraged one of the organizers, Phyllis Beck, to get out of the house following the deaths of her parents. The lunch bunch now meets on the first Friday of each month, rotating locations, and has grown from an initial 10 attendees to around 18 today. While the group has lost 64 of their original 168 classmates over the years, the remaining members cherish the opportunity to stay connected and reminisce about their shared history dating back to elementary school.

Why it matters

The Boyden High School Class of 1959 lunch bunch demonstrates the power of community and lifelong friendships, even as members of the group have faced the loss of loved ones and classmates over the decades. Their monthly gatherings provide a sense of continuity and support in an era when many high school alumni lose touch after graduation. The group's commitment to staying connected is a heartwarming example of the importance of maintaining those bonds.

The details

The Boyden High School Class of 1959 lunch bunch started meeting in February 2005 after Phyllis Beck's friends encouraged her to get out of the house following the deaths of her parents. The group initially had 10 attendees but has grown to around 18 members who now meet on the first Friday of each month, rotating between different restaurant locations in the Salisbury area. In addition to the monthly lunches, the class used to hold reunions every five years, though they don't have any reunions currently planned. The group has lost 64 of their original 168 classmates over the 20 years, which saddens the remaining members, but they cherish the opportunity to stay connected and reminisce about their shared history dating back to elementary school.

  • The Boyden High School Class of 1959 lunch bunch started meeting in February 2005.
  • The group celebrated its 20th anniversary on February 6, 2026.

The players

Phyllis Beck

One of the organizers who started the lunch bunch gatherings in 2005 after the deaths of her parents.

Marilyn Fisher

Assists Phyllis Beck with scheduling the monthly luncheons for the group.

Edith Julian

A classmate who notes the group used to have reunions every five years, though they don't have any currently planned.

Perry Hood

A classmate who notes that some members of the group have been friends since first grade.

Charles Goldman

The group's photographer who has captured events for at least 25 years.

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What they’re saying

“When we started, we never dreamed it would turn out to this.”

— Phyllis Beck, Organizer (salisburypost.com)

“the sad thing is that we've lost so many people who were part of the group.”

— Phyllis Beck, Organizer (salisburypost.com)

“we just need to keep up with our people as long as we're here.”

— Marilyn Fisher, Organizer (salisburypost.com)

“these people are so special to me. I went to school for 12 years with a lot of them and we just have love. We share love. It's just such a wonderful group. We don't see each other often, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off.”

— Priscilla Eller (salisburypost.com)

“it was good to 'see all the classmates again and keep up with them.'”

— Brenda Ritchie, Classmate (salisburypost.com)

The takeaway

The Boyden High School Class of 1959 lunch bunch demonstrates the enduring power of high school friendships and the importance of staying connected, even as members of the group have faced the loss of loved ones and classmates over the decades. Their monthly gatherings provide a sense of community and continuity that many alumni struggle to maintain after graduation.