"Red and white is our banner, proudly we wear it, too. Freshman and sophomores and juniors, and seniors tried and true …"

The Melvindale High School Cardinals who flock south every winter still enjoy the camaraderie of a small community. For the 10th year they have taken one day out of their busy snowbird schedules to party with fellow alumni in the month of February.

One of the Swanson girls, June Delsi, class of 1943, is the organizer.

An administrative professional in a nearby school district who claims that her bosses won’t let her retire, she spends time during the year sending out notices to those who have attended in the past and those who expressed an interest to drop by.

This year the event was moved to Haines City, near Boynton Beach, where Delsi, with help from her up north sister, Nina Swanson Derda of Wyandotte, arranged for a brunch that turned into lunch, and for many, a long dinner.

Seventy-five people attended this year including Beulah Straubel Clark, a 1929 graduate, and Robert Meggison, the youngest in the group, of the class of 1961.

Carl Kissner, a former teacher from the 1940s and ’50s, attended. He lives in nearby Altoona.

Allan Moore, a 1944 graduate, brought along a sound system. That gave guests an opportunity to identify themselves and share some memories.

Delsi said the group this year represented Florida, California, Louisiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Ed Long and George Stolt came the greatest distance, popping in from homes on the West Coast. Dave Poirier came over from Louisiana.

As the organizer, Delsi said it is refreshing to see so many of her old friends, and the turnout encourages her to plan for the next year.