Welcome to the website for the
Harding West '60s Reunion
10-26-23
At our recent Harding West '60s Reunion, photographer Don Elrod (elroddigital.com) made a video commemorating this final "organized" reunion.
If you care to view it, click on the following link https://vimeo.com/877619581?share=copy We hope you enjoy it.
10-21-23
As many of you know, the final “organized” Harding/West ‘60s Reunion is now in the books. From Sunday, October 15th through Tuesday, October 17th we gathered at Ducks Nightclub in Ocean Drive, SC.
For three days and nights we reconnected with our friends from high school (and earlier). We caught up with one another, exchanging life stories. Hugs and kisses were all around. Smiles and laughter were in great supply. A few tears were shed.
It would have been terrific if every person from the ‘60s classes could have been with us. Unfortunately, that could not happen.
A suggestion by Beth Beecroft (West Meck ’68) was made to consider streaming the reunion. We had never done that, but we looked into it with our photographer, Don Elrod (elroddigital.com). He said he had the equipment and could set that up for us. Hearing this, the committee voted to have him do this so that everyone could watch the reunion live as it happened.
Well, not everyone had the time to stream it live, so Don worked out another benefit for us. He recorded all of the streaming video and has made it available to us to be viewed at our leisure.
Log on to www.hardingwestphotos.com. Once there, select whichever day’s video you would like to watch. When you take a break, note where you are on the timer at the bottom of the page. You can use your cursor to return to that point when you come back to continue viewing.
Don will leave this online for 6 weeks where you can watch it free. After that, due to the cost of bandwidth, there will be a charge to view the recorded video. So, if free appeals to you, find time to share in the experience soon. Downloading it will not be an option until it is available for a fee.
We sincerely appreciate your support of our annual reunions since 2004.
Your 2023 Harding West ‘60s Reunion Committee
10-01-23
Fellow Harding West ‘60s alumni,
Two weeks from today, the last organized Harding West ‘60s Reunion will take place, from October 15 - 17, 2023. This iconic event has reunited many hundreds of Harding & West alumni for nearly 20 years. We are saddened to see it winding down this year.
Your 2023 planning committee has worked hard to make this last organized gathering one for the ages. We expect a large crowd this year to celebrate this event.
Sadly, not everyone who would like to participate in person will be able to be there. With this in mind, we’d like to bring the party to you!
An idea by Beth Beecroft was floated to the committee weeks ago to see if we could stream the reunion. We have been in discussions with our awesome photographer/videographer, Don Elrod, to see if he could make this happen. Don has been in touch with our host venue to confirm they have the necessary technology in place. It seems they do. As of now, it looks like we can stream our reunion to all who wish to join in!
On Monday, October 16th and Tuesday, October 17th, you can be a part of this wonderful “westside” happening. Just log on to www.hardingwestphotos.com. You should immediately see the reunion in progress. And the best part of this is… it’s totally FREE to you!!
Each day from 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM, you will be able to observe the various “goings on” outlined in Reunion Activities on our website. Make note of any particular activity you’d like to see and log in at that time. Or, you can leave it on all day.
Several stationary cameras will give you views from different angles. The cameras will be re-positioned occasionally to allow you to see as much as possible. We believe it will be the next best thing to being there.
Note: If you go to the website and are unable to see the reunion, your computer, laptop, iPad, or other device may not be up-to-date with the necessary software. Between now and then, you may wish to verify you can receive streaming video.
We hope this special benefit will allow you to feel connected once more to your friends from Harding & West.
Forever in the bond,
Your 2023 Harding West Planning Committee
9-2-23
Online registration for our 2023 reunion ended 9-2-23. We are excited to report that as of now, 505 classmates & guests have pre-registered for our October reunion.
Please consider joining us for this last organized Harding West '60s Reunion. You may pay at the door beginning at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 15th.
Come make lasting memories with some of your friends from the '60s.
If you have any questions, select Contact Us, submit your inquiry with a good phone # and we'll respond promptly!
7-13-23
Westsiders,
As early registrations for our October reunion continue to come in, we thought it would be nice to share where we are right now compared with past years at this point in the process.
Looking back to last year, we are 32% ahead of where we were on July 31st of ’22. And we are still over two weeks away from the end of July.
In 2016, when our actual attendance at OD was 600, we are tracking fairly close with the numbers of pre-registrations at about this time in July.
These numbers are indicating a great interest in attending the Harding West ‘60s Reunion this year. Perhaps it’s because this will be our last “organized” reunion. Or maybe it’s simply that everyone has such a fun time mingling with old friends while listening to ‘60s music.
Whatever the reason, it looks like this year will be the one to remember. Don’t pass this up and regret it later. Think of it like Woodstock was and be among those happy Westsiders who could honestly say “I was there”.
Click on our >> website << to register now. You may pay online by credit card or download a form to mail in with a check. Just read all instructions before starting the process. If you have questions, click on Contact Us, send your phone number and someone will respond promptly.
While on the website, check out our schedule at Reunion Activities.
We look forward to a great time with you and your guests.
Your 2023 Reunion Committee
It's Registration Time!
If you haven’t gotten excited about the return of the Harding West ‘60s Reunion yet, perhaps this will help.
As of Thursday June 1, 2023, online registration will be LIVE! You can pre-register for the reunion beginning that day and be well on your way to having the time of your life.
On this website simply select “Register & Payment”. Before you do anything else, PLEASE read all the instructions first. This will likely save you some time.
You will have two options: “Register & Pay Online” or “Register & Pay by Mail”. The choice is yours.
If you choose online, please remember this. During the process, you will be asked to click “SUBMIT” three different times. Failure to do this will result in your registration not going through. If you have any issues, click on “Contact Us” and someone will reach out to you soon to assist. Be sure to include your phone number.
The Harding West Reunion Committee does not send out receipts. You will receive an email from our vendor, My Event, acknowledging your online registration & payment. Emails are usually sent immediately after you register. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within several minutes.
If you opt to register & pay by mail, click where you can download & print a registration form. You must complete the entire form, otherwise you will be required to fill it out at the beach. If you are registering for others and need more space, just print an extra form. NOTE: Mail-in registration must be postmarked no later than 09-01-23 to receive the lower pre-registration rate. Envelopes postmarked 09-02-23 or later will be returned to you.
All guests (non-Harding/West ‘60s (or earlier) classmates) must be registered by their sponsor. The sponsor must also be registered and paid to attend.
All pre-registered attendees will pick up their credentials at the registration desk upon arrival at Ducks. We will not be mailing them this year.
Your planning committee has already met several times this year. We are excited to be able to have this reunion and hope to see many of you there. Check out the “Reunion Events” tab on the Home Page. Also, make sure to watch for additional updates over the next several months.
Your 2023 Planning Committee.
April 2, 2023
Dear Harding/West ‘60s classmates,
Last December, Ducks was sold because one of the owners was dealing with some serious medical issues. He and his wife, Robin, were unable to devote the time necessary to manage Ducks in the way they felt was needed.
Also, last year was the first reunion we had since 2019 due to Covid restrictions. Our attendance was just a bit above half of our historic average. Some folks stayed home and took a “wait and see” approach. They wanted to see how well those who attended did insofar as coming home ill. We’re happy to say no one reported getting sick last year.
Some may have lost their enthusiasm for our reunions due to the three years between our ’19 reunion and our ’22 reunion. Still others may be less able to muster the energy to spend three days and nights reconnecting with friends. Too many candles on our birthday cakes can have that effect.
Whatever the reason, we collectively need to show the new owner that he can justify opening Ducks exclusively for us on their normally closed days. While we can proudly point to past numbers of attendees in excess of 600 each year, that does nothing for him today.
On March 1st, you were sent an email survey from your 2023 planning committee. The one question was, “if we plan a Harding/West ‘60s Reunion for October ’23, will you likely attend?” The responses received from everyone tallied up to 320 classmates and guests. We understand some folks might attend, but didn’t bother to respond. At the end of the day, 320 is the only number we can count on.
In life, we sometimes come to the realization that things we take for granted are not forever. We’ve all had things happen around us that seemed surprising in the moment. Later, we look back and say the signs were there. Perhaps this is happening now.
Regardless, your 2023 planning committee met on March 26th to consider everything. The decision was made to move forward with plans for a 2023 Harding West Reunion at Ducks. The dates are Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, October 15, 16 & 17. We are going to go all out to make this one as memorable as possible.
Looking ahead, you can expect to see online registration and payment activated on our website on or about June 1st. You will be given ample notice of the actual date ahead of time.
For those who prefer lodging at the Avista Resort, they are once again providing preferred rates for our folks. You may call 1-843-249-2521 to make reservations beginning today. You should give them our group code # 3039508 at the beginning of the conversation.
Bonus: You may extend your stay for up to three days before and three days after our reunion dates at our special rates. It is my understanding they are already booking other groups heavily for the times we’ll be there, so just a word to the wise…don’t wait too long to book. Availability may get tight.
In the near future you will see a list of reunion activities posted on our website. Check often for that.
We hope this news brings a smile to many westsider’s faces.
Your 2023 Planning Committee
Been Waiting 4 Years for this event?
Cut the King 2023 !
BBQ King has agreed to resume our Harding-West Meck '60s gathering!
Please join us on Sat. April 15th, 2023
beginning at 12:00 Noon
@ BBQ King for our reunion with old friends, fine food & plenty of fun!
If you have a classic car, hot rod or whatever, shine 'er up, & cruise with us!
A rain date is set for the following Sat. April 22nd
in case of a complete wash out.
Pre-registration for our 2022 reunion is now closed. If you plan to attend, you may pay at the door when you arrive. Click on "Reunion Activities" to see when walk-in registration will be open. For those who pre-registered, you may pick up your name tags during registration hours.
For those of you looking for additional activities in North Myrtle Beach our friend Joyce Love recommends Facebook pages for "Explore NMB" and "Friends of NMB". There is a FB page also for band schedules at "Myrtle Live" which has a home page at www.myrtlelive.com. For happy hour enthusiast there is https://myrtlebeachhappyhour.com. After happy hour comes dinner so check out the FB group called "North Myrtle Beach Eats".
Parking in NMB has gone through some changes since our last reunion. Check out https://www.northmyrtlebeach.com/parking-lots for the latest in parking info.
8-7-22
Pre-registrations for the 2022 Harding West ‘60s Reunion are still coming in. With just over three weeks left before the deadline for early registration, we encourage you to do this now. Click on this link and select “Register & Payment”. https://hardingwestreunion.myevent.com/
After two years without a reunion, this group of westsiders is gearing up for a big time October 16, 17, and 18. Having to miss two in a row has left our “regulars” anxious to come together again. Please choose to be a part of it this year!
Your planning committee met last Sunday to nail down plans for this year’s party. Click on this link and select “Reunion Activities” to see what’s in store for you. https://hardingwestreunion.myevent.com/
Due to an anticipated smaller crowd this year, we found it necessary to cut back on a few of the most expensive activities. The positive result of this is more time to mingle and catch up with dear friends. After all, that is the prime reason for a reunion…reconnecting & reminiscing.
If you have any questions regarding online registration, select the “Contact Us” button and let us know how we can help you. Be sure to include your phone #.
Should you prefer, you may register and pay at the door when you arrive at Ducks. To save yourself a lot of time in line, download the registration form from our website, fill it out and bring it to the registration desk. Just go to the website, select “Register & Payment”, scroll to “download a printable form” and follow the prompts. Please fill it out completely and legibly.
If you pre-register & pay, a packet containing your name tag(s) will be waiting across from the registration desk. We encourage you to arrive with everyone for whom you registered, if possible.
Your name tag must be worn to enter Ducks. That is your proof of payment. If you lose it, a replacement must be purchased at the registration desk.
We look forward to a successful reunion and sincerely hope you will be a part of it.
In the bond,
Your 2022 Planning Committee
It's Registration Time!
If you haven’t gotten excited about the return of the Harding West ‘60s Reunion yet, perhaps this will help.
As of Wednesday June 1, 2022, online registration will be LIVE! We’ve waited over two years for this opportunity. You can pre-register for the reunion beginning that day and be well on your way to having the time of your life.
On this website simply select “Register & Payment”. Before you do anything else, PLEASE read all the instructions first. This will likely save you some time.
You will have two options: “Register & Pay Online” or “Register & Pay by Mail”. The choice is yours.
If you choose online, please remember this. During the process, you will be asked to click “SUBMIT” three different times. Failure to do this will result in your registration not going through. If you have any issues, click on “Contact Us” and someone will reach out to you soon to assist. Be sure to include your phone number.
The Harding West Reunion Committee does not send out receipts. You will receive an email from our vendor, My Event, acknowledging your online registration & payment. Emails are usually sent immediately after you register. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within several minutes.
If you opt to register & pay by mail, click where you can download & print a registration form. You must complete the entire form, otherwise you will be required to fill it out at the beach. If you are registering for others and need more space, just print an extra form. NOTE: Mail-in registration must be postmarked no later than 09-01-22 to receive the lower pre-registration rate. Envelopes postmarked 09-02-22 or later will be returned to you.
All guests (non-Harding/West ‘60s (or earlier) classmates) must be registered by their sponsor. The sponsor must also be registered and paid to attend.
All pre-registered attendees will pick up their credentials at the registration desk upon arrival at Ducks. We will not be mailing them this year.
Your planning committee has already met several times this year. We are excited to be able to have this reunion and hope to see many of you there. Check out the “Reunion Events” tab on the Home Page. Also, make sure to watch for additional updates over the next several months.
Your 2022 Planning Committee
**********
Many thanks to all who volunteer at our reunions. The unselfish gift of your time and efforts enhances the overall experience for all of our attendees!
Click the links below to enjoy memories
from past reunions.
2009 General Reunion Video
2010 General Reunion Video
2011 In the Bond Video
2011 Veteran's Flag Tribute...short version
2011 Veteran's Flag Tribute...with flag presentations
2015 General Reunion Video