Groton reunion – brand-new venue and more!

For many who have attended Groton High School , its annual Groton Alumni Reunion Picnic is an August destination. For years, the Groton Alumni Association has hostedthe event at the Groton Rod & Gun Club, but if you plan to attend this year, you’ll need to set your sights —and your GPS —for Stonehedges Golf Course & Banquet Facility instead.

This year’s event will take place  Saturday, August 2, with check-in beginning at 1 p.m. The main meal will begin at 2 p.m. with a program to follow at 3:30 p.m. The $25 registration fee ($20 for lifetime members) includes a meal with beer, iced tea, and lemonade. New this year is a social participation option: A $15 fee ($10 lifetime members) for appetizers and beverages only. There will be a cash bar.

Flo Butts Allen ‘73, GAA president (whose mother, Laura Butts, started the GAA in 1997), and its vice-president, Lisa Shurtleff ‘83, have been hard at work getting things ready since last year, along with the rest of the officers, Phyllis King Boyden ’68, secretary, and co-treasurers Nan Metzgar Farkas ‘75 and Mary Meeker ’75.

GAA supporting committee members Betty Tompkins Conger, Sophia Brashear Darling, Mary Ann Batzer Smith, Joy Trescot, Coretta Smith, Audrey Griffin Aloi, Doreen Griffin Miller, Buddy Belonsoff and Lee Shurtleff have also been invaluable to the GAA – not only in planning for the reunion, but for many other things.

What else does the GAA do?

“We are very proud of our recent annual newsletter and its new layout,” Flo said, “and we couldn’t have done it without the help of our technical and social media coordinator, Sophia Darling. We appreciate her very much, as well as Lee Shurtleff, our community collaborator, who also helped with it.”

Lisa spearheaded the “Alumni Connections” section in the newsletter, which she said “highlights alumni, giving us a brief look at their adventures since graduation. This edition featured Stephanie (Stevie) Short Nicholas ’68, Kimberly Bombard-Pearlman ’87, and Jessica Ellis Sheedy ’93.”

The GAA sells raffle tickets at the annual reunion and accepts donations anytime, all of which contribute to the expense of the picnic, support of school-related events and activities, and scholarships.

Each year, the GAA awards the Alice Sincerbeaux Houston Award, honoring Houston ’26, for her many years of service to the GAA. Delaney Ayer was its recipient in 2024 and in 2025, Alyssa Slater received it. There is also a GAA Leadership Award which honors the leadership of former GAA presidents Meredith Wells and Betty Conger. In 2024, Megan Cute was awarded, and Cooper Hewitt received it for 2025.

Life at GHS for Flo and Lisa

While at GHS, Lisa was the statistician for girls’ varsity softball and volleyball, and a member of the yearbook staff and The Yorker’s Club (a junior historical society). She also worked in the high school office assisting the administrative staff and the school nurse, was always on point to serve on set-up committees for proms and parties, and sang in school chorus and in Sunday choir at Groton Community Church.

Interestingly, although Lisa was involved in girls’ sports, when Flo was at GHS just 10 years earlier, there were no sports available for girls, other than intramurals. Flo played basketball, volleyball and field hockey, played flute in band, and sang in chorus. She also attended TST BOCES to earn her cosmetology certificate.

“Things were different for women then, even in cosmetology,” Flo said. “We were not allowed to cut men’s hair, but barbers could cut women’s hair. In 1975, women could then cut men’s hair, but only in a separate room!”

The GAA has helped ensure Groton’s graduates can maintain their relationships with fellow alumni and the school.

“After graduation, I didn’t think much about how we would stay connected,” said Lisa, who is also her Class of 1983 representative, “but belonging to this organization [the GAA] has helped in reconnecting and increasing the participation in alumni events.”

“This is a great community and a great school”, Flo added. “The school is supportive of the community and vice versa. My heart breaks when people don’t realize what a great community this is. It has so much to support the kids.”

GAA meetings take place at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month in the new Village Office Building on Main Street. All alumni are welcome. Next year’s alumni picnic will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026!

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922. 

In brief:

Bright Star Theatre

The Bright Star Touring Theatre will perform “Freedom Songs: The Music of Black History” at the Groton Public Library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 29. From the work songs of the fields of people who were enduring the bonds of slavery, to ragtime, jazz, R&B, and the inspired spirituals of the Civil Rights movement, this play follows the compelling story of the role that music played in the history of Black Americans. Meet incredible Americans like Scott Joplin, Billie Holiday, Little Richard, and more in a tale that is sure to intrigue audiences of all ages! For more information email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org or call (607) 898-5055.

G.I.F.T. Golf Tournament

If you’re looking for some summer fun, the G.I.F.T. Golf Tournament committee is planning for its 17th annual golf tournament, taking place Saturday, August 2 at Stonehedges Golf Course & Banquet Facility, 549 Stevens Road. In the past 16 years, this tournament has donated over $20K to Groton High School sports.

The cost for each four-person captain & crew team is $200. There will be both men’s and a women’s mixed divisions. Golf cart fees are not included, but the entry cost includes breakfast snacks, lunch after the tournament, and some fabulous door prizes! For more information, or to let them know you intend to play, call or text Seth at (607) 279-3532. 

Teen Time at the Park

Sponsored by Groton Recreation, Teen Time at the Park is a laid-back, fun gathering for teens to hang out, play sports, enjoy music, or simply relax with friends. It’s a chance to unwind, meet new people, and make the most of the outdoors in a chill, social atmosphere. Teens age 12 and up may play sports or board games, do crafts, and more. This free program is available from 3:30-5 p.m. every Wednesday at Groton Memorial Park.