BETHEL — Renewing a tradition begun in 2000 and repeated again in 2003, Alder River Grange 145 will sponsor a reunion on Sunday, June 17, for those who received at least some of their education at the East Bethel School just down Intervale Road from the Grange Hall.

The original school on the site was built in 1885 and replaced in 1928. Many East Bethel children attended school there until 1968 when the building was closed and later sold to a former student, George Haines, who lived there for several years before building a house on Kimball Hill, where he resides today.

Among the teachers who taught there were Helen Newmarker, Gwendolin Holt, Florence Hastings, Floribel Nevins Haines, Mina Stevens, Bernice Noyes and Lillian Bartlett. Two other former teachers, Alta Brooks Sturgis and Edna York Bean, are still living and at least one of them may be present for the reunion.

Festivities will begin at 1 p.m. and continue through the afternoon, with refreshments. There will be a PowerPoint presentation on the history of the school and all those attending are invited to bring photos they may have relating to their school days.

Dave Bean of the Bethel Food Pantry will be present to discuss community efforts to provide food for families in need. The pantry has been selected as Alder River Grange’s Community Service Project for 2012.

All former students are invited to participate in the activities. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about East Bethel and its history.