30th Reunion Event FAQ

FAQ: When is the Panther Valley High School Class of 1996 Reunion?  

Saturday September 12th, 2026 (at the Grove in Nesq.)

FAQ: What time will it start? 

• We are still working on the start time. 

• The Grove Venue (contractually) closes at 8:30p.

•  We may push the start time slightly earlier.

• This ensures everyone has enough time to catch up plus accommodate some of us 40 year olds -- who have early bed times (not pointing fingers here) 🤣

• We are open to ideas (or requests) for the best, optimal start time. 

• We have the venue reserved for the ENTIRE day (from AM until close....)

•  . . . however some of us don't wake up until 12 noon😁 (again not pointing fingers here) 😂

• Some of us need to coordinate babysitters (for ourselves, not the kids) 🤣

TAKE OUR POLL BELOW!!!

What start time do you prefer? 

12noon?  2pm?    5pm?  Other?

FAQ: Why did you choose this date?

• Finding a date that everyone can agree on is VERY DIFFICULT.  

• If we book the date in the summer, we might interrupt family vacations.

• If we book it too early in the spring, we conflict with kids sports and  family event schedules. 

• If we book it too late in the year, were dealing with weather & PA's World Famous Pot Hole Palooza. 🤣

• On the surface, September seemed like a logical choice (pun intended there).

• Could September possibly offer everyone the fewest life disruptions as possible?  

• ::Specifically::  the weekend AFTER Labor Day seems to have more availability for quite a few folks.

• That day seemed the most logical (perhaps were wrong?)

• Honestly who doesn't love a September Stroll down the crowded streets of Jim Thorpe? 🤣 (see Diane)

• Or how about a midnight September skinny dip in Mauch Chunk Lake? 😭 (see BJ)

• Perhaps we'll encounter a  "rain free" September. (See Marta for weather predictions)

We really tried to find the middle ground to appease to all (so cut us some slack, jack ;-).    Coordinate tents for inclement weather? 

THIS EVENT HAPPENS RAIN OR SHINE.

FAQ: Where is the Panther Valley High School Class of 1996 Reunion?  

The Grove in Nesq.

For the map challenged folks 😂 (we know who you are) 🤣 134 W. Catawissa Street, Nesq, PA 18240

FAQ: Why did you choose this location?

• Class officers chose a location familiar to anyone who attended the previous reunions. 

• Additionally, we wanted to have somewhere that had curb appeal, the smell of fresh fall air, easy parking, lots of open space for catching up in small groups.

• A place that is ADA accessible, (maybe) has clean bathrooms 😂, hot looking fireman nearby to save us 🤣, lots of wooden  splinter free  seating, while also providing opportunities for folks to bring their own comfy chairs or hammocks.

• Chillaxing in the Class of 96 style our class was known for.  

Comfortability is our goal.  

Nature offers that respite for us city slickers.

FAQ: Can I bring my spouse, kids, significant others, favorite pets, imaginary best friend(s). 😂

Will anyone be allowed to attend? 

• We are still in the very early planning stages working out every detail.

• If you have specific ideas, please share. 

• It would be cool for your significant other or spouse, maybe even your Favorite pet to hear some of the crazy childhood stories of what you were like as a high schooler 🤣 (or maybe we all just stick to middle school stories only). 

• Reunions are great opportunities for the Spouse Buffer by introducing  your partner as your "plus-one," which gives you an easy escape route from tedious conversations. 😂

• It is a fine balancing act since  some people are allergic to imaginary best friends, people, pets, or kids.😂🤣

FAQ: Will there be special guests like former teachers, celebrities ((?!#!?)) or former classmates who did not graduate but were important to our class invited?

• We have discussed inviting former teachers, celebrities, former students  - including those who left before senior year to the event.

• We understand how important childhood memories are, enjoying our class legacy, and spending time in some everyones company. 🤣

• This is truly a big event  and not lost on anyone of us. 

 ♥️ We also want to recognize & memorialize classmates that are gone before their time.  ♥️. ♥️ We are open to all suggestions and recommendations. ♥️

 The challenge for events like this is: 

1. Getting contact info for teachers (or former classmates) who are still alive or don't use social media.

2. We also want to ensure no one is accidentally left off the guest list, has hurt feelings (from not receiving a formal invitation), or feels intentionally left off a guest list (that is never our intention ever). 

3. The "extended" guest list continues to grow and grow and grow AND GROW ....  at some point it could possibly become unmanageable, parking nightmare, overwhelming attendance numbers or just create more headaches.

4.  Balancing act -  some folks prefer a more intimate event meant for the 97 graduates of the Class of 1996 yet others want something much bigger than we are capable of creating

5. Yet...sometimes it's those surprise guests that enhance an event like this creating a generational memory that lasts forever. 

♥️ Keep In Mind: this event is meant to be one of celebration and not upset or anger anyone. ♥️

The Class of 1996 paparazzi (eg. Kristin 🤣) keeps asking if Mrs. Heff or Mr. Everhart will be attending.  🤣  We cannot confirm or deny Mrs. Heff's attendance due to recent cut backs on Gingerbread Airlines. 🍪

Tune into TMZ(.)com to see Mrs. Heff travel details . 

FAQ: Will there be entertainment, games or door prizes? 

• We are still in the very early planning stages working out every detail.

• If you have specific  clean  games, entertainment ideas, or door prizes.  That don’t suck  🤣 then please share.  

• The Grove does have horseshoes and some other games.

• We have a few ideas of our own... but nothing fleshed out yet.

• If you have contact information for the Badlees (for Heff), Mr. Roper (for Zac), Raymond the Amish Comic (for Rick), OR Bon Jovi (for Tina, Kristin, and Megan) then we want to hear from you. 😂

FAQ: Will there a hotel room discount code for out of town classmates or a preferred hotel? What about Babysitters!?!?

 How about coordinating the rental of an AirBnB for out of towners?

• We are still in the very early planning stages working out every detail.

• If you have specific ideas, please share.  

• Some of us would just prefer to drop our kids off in the Poconos for a week+, perhaps at Great Bear Lodge. 🤣😂

• Unfortunately The Lansford Hotel is no longer available. Sorry

FAQ: Are you planning on opening the Panther Valley Time Capsule inside the Panther Statue?

• YES!!!!  We are working on the logistics now.

• We want to figure out the best pathway to make this happen with minimal disruption to the school. 

• We know everything inside the time capsule is sealed inside the base of the statue. 

• If we can detach that sealed box (in the base) without breaking the statue then we have a chance. 

• Our plans is to bring the time capsule to the reunion - opening the box in front of everyone.  

♥️ We even thought about inviting some news media to really share the moment with the entire community. It's a feel good type of journalism. How many PVHS classes were creative enough to do a time capsule? ANSWER: NONE except our class. ♥️

♥️😍❤️ UPDATE DECEMBER 2025: ♥️😍❤️ Marta graciously volunteered to work with the PVHS Head of Maintenance to get the time capsule. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR MARTA's HELP ♥️😍❤️