Riverhead High School's Class of 1973 Planning 40th Reunion

Back in 1973, the top song on the radio was "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree," Richard Nixon was in the White House — and in Riverhead, a class of almost 300 students was getting ready to graduate.

Today, Riverhead's Class of 1973 is planning their 40th reunion, to be held on August 10 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Flanders Men's Club.

Christine Lessard, who is on the committee organizing the reunion, said so far, about 100 are expected to attend.

The last reunion, celebrating the class' 30th reunion, was such a great success that former classmates were already planning their next get-together, Lessard said; the class plans a reunion every 10 years.

"People are coming from all over —Hawaii, Utah," Lessard said. "One thing about our reunions — people forge how much we all liked each other. And so, when we get together, it's like we've never been apart for the past ten years."

The reunion will be a barbecue, with guests feasting on lobster, chicken, clams, corn salad, free beer and wine, and a DJ spinning the songs, past and present. The Flanders Men's Club, she added, is on the bay, with outdoor fire pits and "a million dollar view."

A memorial wall will also pay tribute to those classmates who've passed away, Lessard said. "It's important that they be remembered," Lessard said.

One of the best parts of planning the reunion, Lessard said, is that social media has made it easier for former friends to reconnect. "It's an absolute blessing," she said. 'It's brought us all back together, and really close. Even those who can't attend the reunion want to see photos and articles, so they can keep in touch for our 50th reunion."