It’s the ’50s at Linton Hall

"Remember these icons?" read the poster at Linton Hall School's cafeteria en-trance.

Photos of Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando greeted grandparents at the Grandpar-ents' Nifty Fifties Day Ice Cream Party—as did Principal Liz Poole dressed as Elvis.

"It's a nice event to include the grandparents," Poole said, "a nice way to con-tinue our tradition of hospitality and involvement with the community."

Sitting at the Everly Brothers table, John and Rose Brunkhus talked about their twin, first-grade grandchil-dren, Luke and Lexie.

The Brunkhuses hadn't heard of Grandparents Day.

"It was a real surprise," Rose Brunkhus said.

And to Elizabeth Chowinard, who flew in from Massachusetts to attend the event, "It was an offer you can't refuse." Her grandchildren are Maggie (sixth grade) and Emily (fourth grade).

Dressed in pink, poodles, stripes and shiny shoes, the children proudly sang and recited poetry as their grandparents, parents and teachers—many of whom were dressed in 1950s garb—clapped, sang and even "twisted" along with the performers.

Three generations of the Upperman family were among the attendees. Summer, Amanda and Malorie Upperman had the chance to visit with their great-grandmother Veronica Shourds, and grandmothers Patti Cole and Eileen Upperman.

"I think it's going to be really fun," said Amanda, a fourth-grader. "We get to sing in front of a live audience ... I like it because I get to sing with my friends."

Malorie, who is in kindergarten, said the best part was "seeing my grandparents."

Pre-kindergartener Summer was a little shy, hiding her head and looking cute in the shiny-pink poodle costume Cole made from a bedspread. Grandmom had sewn costumes for all three girls.

On the stage prizes were given for the grandparents who traveled the farthest to attend the event. Grandpar-ents from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Alaska were in the running.

Not to be overlooked, however, was Ann Goetz, who had just returned from Hawaii and heard about the event that morning.

To her, the rush from Oak Hill was worth it to see third-grader Lydia and first-grader Reese Goetz per-form.

"It's just a wonderful commemoration of grandparents ... the children put a lot of effort into it ... they do very well," Goetz said.

Grandparents who had dressed in '50s attire also won awards, as did those who correctly answered trivia questions.

Ice cream was served after the festivities, and grandparents and grandchildren had photos taken with a wooden, painted '50s car.

This is the second ice cream social the school has held. The event began as a luncheon, and expanded to the current incarnation, Poole said.