Porter Pride Shines Strong, 900+ At Greenport's All Class Reunion

GREENPORT, NY — It was a day of joy, laughter, memories and a fierce sense of Porter pride as more than 900 turned out for the fourth annual Greenport High School All Class Reunion Saturday.

New this year, according to GHS All Class Corporation President TK Krumenacker, was a "Best Class Tent Contest. We invited classmates to rally together and decorate a tent that represents their class year," Krumenacker said. The Class of 1983 won the Best Class Tent contest — and a $500 gift card to Andy's.

The fun also included an auction; John Jackson and Anne Heaney Chouinard announced the winners of more than 40 items.

The popular event, organized by the GHS All Class Corporation, a 501c3 charitable organization, was held at the 5th Street Park in Greenport.

The beloved event took months of planning by dedicated volunteers: During the winter and spring, organizers held a pre-event, a "stepped raffle," that helped raise start-up funding, Krumenacker said.

"This is not just some picnic," he said. "It is an event that takes much effort to be as successful as we have been. Our corporate structure, dedicated officers, committee chairpeople, committee members, volunteers and 'Porter Pride People' make this event worth it all," he said.

He sent a shout out of thanks to the businesses that contributed gifts to the raffle, including Front Street Station, First and South, Bob's Discount Furniture, Peconic Cruise Line, Cross Sound Ferry, Hampton Jitney, the George D. Costello Sr. Memorial Skating Rink, The Blue Inn at North Fork, and more; prizes included gift certificates, handmade items, a large bucket of tools from Riverhead Building Supply, and a Dream Green raffle ticket for a possible $50,000 win.

Yard signs were donated and lined the fence line of the park, "a great way for people to write a memory tribute to a loved one, teacher, or classmate," Krumenacker said.

The last All Class Reunion, held in 2016, brought out a joyful crowd. But sadly, some from that day were missing from this year's event.

"The GHS All Class Corporation is sad to have lost some amazing and valuable people in our organization, including Danielle Harrison-Meraz, welcome tent chairperson, Gary Lillis, welcome tent committee member, Billy Rempe, music committee member and Jean Wetmore, former Greenport High School truant officer," he said. "Many alumni have passed through the 'purple and gold' gates as well."

GHS logo merchandise was on sale at the event, which featured live music, DJs spinning dance tunes, food, raffle items, a 50/50 raffle . . . and "fellowship with Porter Pride in stride," Krumenacker said.

For additional photos and memories, go to the "GHS All Class Reunion" Facebook page.

Patch photos courtesy TK Krumenacker.