Enjoy a final day at Portland Pool

To the editor:
An open invitation …
I would like to extend an open invitation to all Jay County folk that have ever in their lives enjoyed Portland Pool to join us all Sunday.
That will be the final day for the New Portland Pool, opened first in 1960. Great times were had by many Jay County residents at this pool. It makes no difference if you were a child of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s or have been there just since the turn of the century, many memories were made there. Many friends were made there.
I recently had a conversation with Roger Domingo, husband of fellow Portland High School class of ’66 friend, June Barger Domingo. He told me she had reminisced about spending her summers at the pool. Those of you graduates of Portland High School will long remember the four local elementary schools and the many, many smaller high schools in our county. This was a place for all to gather and meet one another. For those east, north, west and south warders it was an opportunity to meet some from different schools before we went to junior high. She was mentioning that opportunity and the memories just came flooding back for me.
For many others this was where you met your first boyfriend or girlfriend. This was the place to ride your bikes to and cool off at the same time. Meet up with old and new friends and while away the hot, summer afternoon. And last, but no least, to check out the good looking lifeguards.
This is the last opportunity to share in those memories so bring your cameras and your $3 entry fee and come enjoy the last day this pool will ever be open as we have known it all these great many years. Share your memories with others and let’s make an afternoon of it. And if you don’t care to swim, dress comfortably and enjoy the memories with others.
Let’s close this beautiful ole gal with the dignity she so richly deserves.
Melodi Haley
Portland