Residents and former residents of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, will swarm the village this summer for a very special event that only happens once every five years.

Mark your calendars, tell your friends, book your flights and accommodations —Perth-Andover Homecoming 2005 takes place from July 25^th - 31^st.

For more information including a full schedule of events or to register please visit the Perth-Andover Homecoming 2005 website at www.pahome2005.ca.

In 1982 former Perth resident, Robert Armstrong, chaired a committee of former Perth Regional High School students and organised the first Perth Homecoming.

Susan Murchison (Hayward) was also instrumental in the planning of that inaugural reunion.

Due to the success of the event it was decided to enlarge its scope and rename it the Perth-Andover Homecoming. A second successful homecoming was held in 1987.

In 1989, the wheels started to turn in preparation for Perth-Andover Homecoming 1992, with Jim Finnamore, Ron Ingraham, Herrick Hansen, Susan Murchison (nee Hayward), Theresa Finnamore (nee O'Hagan) and Chairperson Judy McNally (nee Hansen) as committee members.

The 1992 event was an overwhelming success. The committee also made a slight change in the occurrence of the Homecoming in 1992. To coincide with the "turn-of-the-century" the committee decided to host the event every four years from 1992, scheduling the event for 1996 and the "big one" in 2000. After the 2000 Homecoming the rotation of homecomings would then occur every 5 years.

In 1994, the tragic drowning and loss of committee member, Jim Finnamore, saddened the Village of Perth-Andover and committee members. Jim's wife, Frances, joined the committee in the fall of '94.

In 1995, committee members were again saddened by the loss of another committee member, Ron Ingraham.

One of the staunchest supporters of Perth-Andover Homecomings was CJCJ radio DJ and former resident, Ted Hayward. Teddy passed away unexpectedly prior to Homecoming 2000, but the Village of Perth-Andover and committee members have fond memories of his support and love for the village and Homecomings.

Since 1995, the committee has consisted of Herrick, Susan, Theresa, Judy and Frances, who organized Homecoming '96 and Homecoming 2000.

Although this committee decided to resign their positions in 2000, there was concern over the prospects of having the event, as announced, in 2005.

In January 2003, Perth-Andover Recreation Director, Wendy Dickson, approached Judy to see if she would be interested in again spearheading the Homecoming 2005 event.

At that meeting it was agreed that the Perth-Andover Recreation Commission would take over basic responsibilities for the event, with Judy on board to continue co-ordinating the overall schedule.