Guests from as far away as Hawaii were in Laurel Saturday night, October 19 for the 9th PDI Reunion. The idea for the reunion came about when a couple of friends met at Phillips Drive-In one day to enjoy the delicious hamburgers, chili dogs, and shakes and talk about the good ole days back in the 50s and 60s when PDI was the place to be in Laurel. A reunion was suggested and little did they know that 9 years later the reunion would still be happening, and the attendance would grow to an estimated 1800 people with almost 150 antique cars lining the streets surrounding the iconic drive-in restaurant. This year, organizers of the reunion are grateful to Community Bank for stepping up to sponsor the event. All proceeds of the event will go to the Laurel Police Department’s “Shop With a Cop” program and “Mission At The Cross” ministries.
A glimpse at the 9th Annual PDI Reunion
The Classix was the first of three to provide entertainment for the night. L-R John Helveston – keyboard and vocals, Wilson DeWitt – drums, James Ducker – guitar, Lowery Hicks – bass guitar, and Susan Alexander – saxophone. Not pictured Mike Walley – keyboard and vocals, who joined the group later. Photo by Linda Cranford
Like ole times LPD Officer Joe Perret, who kept the boys in line in the 50s and 60s, handcuffed R. b. “Sleepy” Coggins as Ken Keyes pleads for his innocence. “I started to run, but I couldn’t find my cane,” exclaimed Sleepy who now lives in Pullman, Washington. Both Coggins and Perret were given plaques as the 2019 PDI Reunion Mascot and Policeman of the Century respectively. Photo by Linda Cranford
LCranford
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