Frostburg alumni from the 1960s have been gathering at the Thomas Farm in Westminster for nearly 60 years. This year, they gathered for the last time and one more group shot.

For the past six decades, the Saturday before the fourth of July has been a tradition of dear friends, great food and memorable fun. A group of Frostburg graduates have gathered at the serene 155-acre farm of Dr. Dawn Thomas (honorary alumnae) and the late Dennis Thomas ’65 in Westminster, Md., where they’ve laughed, ate and reminisced.

And now, they say goodbye.

“It was sometimes bittersweet because everyone knew it was our last one,” said Dawn, whose husband Dennis started the event on his grandfather’s farm. “We enjoyed having it here. It was really special.”

What started out as a group of “a few Frostburg couples” from the 1960s who met for an annual pool party, evolved into an annual get-together, which usually included bushels of steamed crabs. But now, the group of devoted alumni have decided to stop the traditional gathering for several reasons, including the failing health of individuals, the growing difficulty of gathering and, most of all, the loss of so many of their friends.

Dr. Dawn Thomas (honorary alumnae)

But the names of those lost still linger in the farm’s air -- Dennis, Bill, Ned, Jerry, Mary Jo, Charlie, Dick, Jane and on and on. Even though these faces are gone, the stories and their spirits remain.

While it could have been a weepy affair, this year was one of celebration, gratitude and friendly conversations and debates -- even about how many years the group has been gathering.

“It’s been anywhere from 55 to 58 years, depending on who you ask,” said Sam DeBone ’64. The first was circa 1967 and they continued yearly until the pandemic, where a few years were missed. But the longevity and spirit of the event are what truly mattered. “It’s a day that everyone looked forward to.”

Sam DeBone ’64

Early participants all had ties to Tau Kappa Epsilon and Alpha Xi Delta, a former fraternity and sorority at Frostburg. Over the years, they broadened the scope of invitees. Still known around their inner circle as the “Thomas Crab Feast,” they haven’t cracked crabs since regrouping post-pandemic (as the times changed, so did prices). They’ve settled for fried chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs.

“Everybody would bring a dish. One of the gals would bring a special cake,” said Dawn, who noted that the only rule was that no one could bring their children. It wasn’t an unkind exclusion, she clarified. Rather, it was a decision to allow the old friends to be friends and not parents for the day. “We wanted all of us just to be together.”

Karla Globus Diaz ’68, Rosemary Ewing ’68 and Emalie Gibbons-Baker

That need to be together was a continuation from their days on campus.

“It’s like we just left the dorm up in Frostburg and went to someone’s apartment in Prince George’s County and did the same thing,” DeBone said.

He also credited the group’s longevity on something he called the “Bill Graves Effect.” DeBone’s referencing the warm personality and tenacity of the late Bill Graves ’65/M’71 who, despite the feast being held at the Thomas farm, was in charge of its coordination and the exclusive guest list. Graves was also known to invite one special “surprise” guest every year, which included former FSU Vice President for Student Affairs Alice Manicur and former President Jonathan Gibraltar, among other notable drop-ins.

“We’ve always had a couple of the [Frostburg] staff join us,” said Dawn, adding that former FSU Alumni Directors Mary Beth Pirolozzi ’90/M’95, Colleen Peterson (honorary alumnae), Lynn Ketterman (honorary alumnae) and current Director of Alumni and Donor Relations Shannon Gribble ’98 were all in attendance this year.

Sandy Priebe Day '67, Don Hutchinson '67, Carolyn Smith Roy '67

Other attendees came as far away as Nevada and points in the Midwest.

Both Dawn and DeBone have theories why these graduates from the 1960’s era remained so close. Dawn believes their upbringings bonded them. They all came from similar backgrounds and most of them were first-generation college students. This led to an instant familiarity. DeBone agreed and offered that world events bonded them.

“It was the time before and during the Vietnam War -- that brought us together. We all had the same ideals. That time is very important in our lives,” said DeBone, who knows this nearly 60-year bond is unique. “Only a few people have done what we’ve done.”

Ralph Jordan ’68, one of the original members of the Thomas Crab Feast, was unable to attend the final gathering but sent his thoughts that DeBone read to the assembled group.

“What a joy, honor and privilege it has been to know all of you… that last Saturday before the fourth of July was always so special.  It was like a big family reunion,” Jordan wrote. “The stories and adventures, travels and family issues, the fun times spent and the not-so-fun stuff -- we all shared and became closer.  What a marvelous gift this was.”

Genie Zorn Crawford ’67 and Quincy Crawford '65

Jordan singled out Dawn and Dennis’s generosity for offering their farm and for the “magnificent opportunity and blessing.”

“It’s been a hoot and a thrill and an important time of joy that has been cherished by us all -- exclusive to us and a part of what we learned -- to value friendship and loyalty in a small college in the Western Mountains,” he continued. “All who gathered once a year to celebrate a kinship -- a unique friendship filled with a genuine love and care. It will always be a part of who we are and part of our collective legacy.”

Even though the Thomas party will end, the relationships and smaller gatherings will continue. DeBone plays golf and cards with some of his former classmates. Dawn regularly keeps in touch by email and phone and there are “clumps of folks” that still get-together if they live close to one another. And at these gatherings, they will keep the names and the spirits of the ones they’ve lost alive, as well as the memories of the Crab Feast at Thomas Farm.

Dennis Baker ’66 and Lynda Tinsley Lockard ’65