Reunion a success despite big blaze

OREM — The wildfire that threatened parts of Catalina Island last week came close to scorching the high school reunion plans of several Utahns.

After more than two years of planning a 50-year reunion for the Hawthorne High School Class of 1957, Orem's Buddy Youngreen had to scrap it all and come up with new site just days before the May 12 event — all because of the fire ravaging the picturesque resort town, a popular vacation getaway and film location about 20 miles off the Southern California coast

"Everyone rallied, like happens with any kind of tragedy," Youngreen said, referring to the scramble to find new accommodations. "Good will and a caring attitude were manifested by everyone, and we somehow brought this off."

Youngreen, a live theater producer and director, was the chief organizer of the reunion. Hawthorne High's graduating classes from 1954-60 were also invited to the event.

He put down deposits at the Avalon Casino Ballroom on the island more than two years ago for the event. A year ago, he traveled to the casino to make sure everything was in order with hotels, food arrangements and other intangibles.

"I thought I was really doing well to anticipate everything," he said.

And so Youngreen was understandably surprised last Thursday, two days before the reunion, when he flew into Long Beach Airport with planning companion Margo Watson of Sandy and saw flames rising from the island.

"I looked out the window and saw the whole island of Catalina on fire," he said. "I thought, 'Oh no. This can't be happening."'

The blaze, which started Thursday afternoon, burned 4,750 acres. Fire officials have since contained the fire.

Thus began the process of changing plans at the last minute to accommodate more than 200 alumni traveling from across the country, with one couple even making the trek from Australia. Youngreen said he knew canceling was not an option.

The Catalina Travel Connection worked with Youngreen to set up a reservation at a Hyatt Regency Hotel nearby on the mainland. Lucky for them, one of the Hyatt's five ballrooms would indeed be open, making Youngreen's task a bit easier.

The next task was to contact all the travelers, which included performers and a reunion photographer from Utah, and let them know of the change in plans. The travel agency came through for Youngreen, manning the phones 24 hours a day.