Twenty-three members of Rockport High School's Class of 1959 and their guests — including teacher Paul Gahm SEmD enjoyed a festive reunion at Roy Moore's Fish Shack last month.

Participants were greeted in Dock Square with a blast from the past — four vintage automobiles, a 1948 Oldsmobile 66, a 1950 lime and black Ford Crestliner, a 1951 powder blue Lincoln Lido, and a 1952 green Packard, owned respectively by John Erkkila, Don Smith, Bruce Newman and Grant Newman.

Inside, an ambience from the 1950s was created by a bulletin board decked with photos from their high school years and the sound of popular music from that era. In particular, one classmate, Fran Wilson Leach-Pierce, evoked memories when she arrived in her maroon and gray Rockport High School jacket. Seasonal décor brightened the dining room with pumpkin and autumn flower table centerpieces, added class member Sarah "Sally" Clark.

The prize for the classmate who had traveled the farthest to attend was awarded to Judith Jewell Heller, who flew in from Washington state. Class president Bob Travers welcomed the class and Ben Hull read a poem he wrote for the occasion, "Beacons and Buoys." The Rockport High School Alumni Association gifted each alum with a box of Rockport candy and a free year's membership in the Alumni Association.

A tour of the Rockport High School Apartment building was given to class members the next day. The Class of 1959 was the second-to-last class to spend all their high school years in the Broadway building.

Other classmates attending included Ann Broadley, Mary Evelyn Brown Mielke, Susan Downs Gove, Charlie Elwell, Jean Erickson Balzarini, Audrey Fears DeMilia, Everett Jylkka, Betty Kielinen Erkkila, Ted Komi, Al Lattof, Gus Olson, Roger Parsons, Sheila Pearson Irvin, Pat Rowe, Lloyd Schwartz, Zeke Skobe, Sheila Story Griffin, Don Strople, and Mary Ann White Silva.

New ambulance features artist's

A painting of the Twin Lights by local artist Ken Knowles will be featured on the side of Rockport's newest ambulance.

At a recent open house, Knowles displayed a photo of the work that would be attached to the interior of the town seal. Knowles is the son of one of the first emergency medical technicians in Rockport, Sheldon Knowles.

In the early 1970s, Sheldon worked hard to establish the beginning of what is today known as Rockport's Ambulance Department, said department head Rosemary Lesch.

"The hard work and dedication has continued throughout the years and Ken is keeping his father's memory alive by donating his original, hand-painted art work to the new ambulance's exterior town seal," she said.

The department will hold its annual Ambulance Benefit Breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Ellen's Harborside Restaurant. Stuffed French toast, ham, juice and coffee will be served. Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased at the door or by calling 978-546-9589.

Quick hits

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport's art gallery is featuring the works of artist Richard Giedd throughout November. Giedd is a senior designer at a major Boston newspaper and continues Web design, illustration, and fine art projects at his studio. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Old Sloop Coffeehouse will present a performance of gospel, folk, blues, and improvisational jazz by Uma Pollack and John Hicks on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Opening this concert will be the swing trio Sparkle Motion. The suggested contribution for this concert is $10 for adults and $5 for people younger than 18 or older than 65, with a maximum of $20 for families. The church is handicapped-accessible. For more information visit, www.rockportucc.org/oldsloopcoffeehouse.htm, call 978-546-3551, or send e-mail to oldsloopcoffeehouse@rockportucc.org for reservations.

The Friends of Rockport Athletics is hosting a bowling tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester. Cost is $20 per person based on a four-person team. Organizer Michelle Elwell said "lanes are going fast." For more information or to sign up, call Elwell at 978-546-3157.

People in the news

A special dedication will be held next week in honor of Margaret "Meg" MacDonald, a beloved teacher in the Rockport schools for 21 years. On Thursday, Nov. 12, a rainbow garden and bench will be dedicated outside at the end of the prekindergarten and first-grade wing of Rockport Elementary School at 3:30 p.m.

Friends, family, former students and their families are cordially invited to attend the event, which will be held rain or shine. Refreshments will follow in the school cafeteria, said kindergarten teacher and event organizer Sue Niemi.

MacDonald passed away on July 28, 2007, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Bridge club

Saturday, Oct. 24: First, Greg Hanifan and Cynthia Bjorlie, 47; second, Lester Stockman and Muriel Davis, 42.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: First, Bjorlie and Bernice Blitz, 31; second, Gus Lawson and Bill Parsons, 291âÑ2.

Thursday, Oct. 29: First, Marge Baker and Pat Sylvia, 331âÑ2; second, Davis and Barbara Beyea, 321âÑ2.

Saturday, Oct. 31: First, Davis and Stockman, 57; second, Bill and Pat Hidden, 56.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: First, Maureen Sheehan and Bjorlie, 491âÑ2; second, Molly Foster and Lyn FitzGerald, 471âÑ2.

Thursday, Nov. 5: First, FitzGerald and Foster, 31; second, Lawson and Hanifan, 29; third, Beyea and Davis, 281âÑ2.

Rockport Ramblings is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Ramblings, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000 x3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.