By Ed Shannon, staff writer

It was again a special weekend for a group of 1962 Albert Lea High School graduates to get together for a time of relaxing, reminiscing and another reunion.

Thus, on July 20, 21 and 22, these men enjoyed a weekend of golfing, eating, plenty of conversation and two boat rides on Fountain Lake.

Several of these graduates are still residents of Albert Lea. Others reside in other parts of the state and nation. Two of the group have dual residencies; in Albert Lea, plus Nevada and California.

And it&8217;s these two &8212; Dean Allen and Morrie Sorenson &8212; who started this annual tradition about 15 years ago.

Allen is a retired educator and school principal who has a home in Las Vegas, Nev., plus a local home for the summer months on North Shore Drive.

Sorenson is a practicing attorney who has a home in Santa Rosa, Calif., plus a home for the summer months on Park Avenue and across Fountain Lake from Allen&8217;s residence.

&8220;We keep in close contact. All of us were involved in various sports at Albert Lea High. It&8217;s our intention to have this get together the third weekend of July. I e-mail to 30 guys and about 15 to 20 will be able to come,&8221; Allen explained.

One man at this year&8217;s reunion is a 1962, but of a different school. Bill Smith graduated from Faribault High School and still lives in that city. He became friends with several of the Albert Lea graduates while attending college in Mankato. Then he served in a U.S. Army military police unit in Vietnam with a 1962 ALHS graduate, Clair Flaten, now of St. Louis, Mo., who was also a part of this weekend reunion.

A member of the 1969 class at Albert Lea High School has been a part of these reunions. He&8217;s Art Sorenson of Manhattan, Kan., Morrie&8217;s younger brother.

Other 1962 Albert Lea High graduates at this year&8217;s event were: Dave Boyum of Burnsville, Dave Olson of Kansas City, Kan., Gary Jacobsen of Albert Lea, Gary Moden of Davis, W. Va., Phil LeBeau of

Savage, Gene Hansen of Albert Lea, Terry Heilman of Northfield, Dave Elvebak of Albert Lea, Jim Donovan of River Falls, Wis., and Bruce Palmer of Albert Lea.

During this year&8217;s reunion the group spent Friday and Saturday afternoons at the Rice Lake Country Club south of Lake Mills, Iowa, and Sunday at the Green Lea Golf Course in Albert Lea, following breakfast in the clubhouse.

On Friday evening they ate pizza from Jake&8217;s, a taste treat they recall from their high school days. They also enjoyed a pontoon boat ride on Fountain Lake in Allen&8217;s watercraft. On Saturday evening they had a steak fry, followed by another boat ride.

Allen said the group of buddies are looking forward to another get together during the third weekend of July next year.

Meanwhile, they and the rest of the Albert Lea High School Class of 1962 will be having their 45-year reunion on Sept. 21 and 22.