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with old friends!
Dear Members of the SPHS Class of '57,
We are totally unable to attend your Sunshine Soirée, and that fact makes me so very, very sad. My wife, Virginia is due to have a knee replacement three days before your reunion and she will be hospitalized until the 27th of October. Following the surgery, she will be confined for a week or more for rehabilitation. I consider the coincidence most unfortunate.
In an earlier note from Pat Spalluto Shapiro, Pat wrote that I was one of your favorite teachers, followed by the question, "we know WE were your favorite class, right?" How right she is: Right, right, right, a thousand times.
After I graduated from Franklin and Marshall College following my stint as an aviation cadet (navy) during World War II, I began my career as a teacher at Merchantville High School on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, directly across from Philadelphia. I taught there for five years. While there, South Plainfield, where I grew up, was planning its FIRST High School, and I decided to apply for a position.
What a thrill that was. I, of course, was one of the many kids who went daily by bus to North Plainfield. The wonderful part of going to NPHS was that I met the girl I would eventuqally marry. We now have been married for 61 years (I assume most of you wonderful students of mine are now 67 years old. Am I right?)
I could not believe that your class of 67 students were the top class in the new high school for four years, and that I taught all of you twice as eleventh and twelfth graders. I thought I had died and gone to Heaven after the large home rooms and English classes I had at my first school. Your class of sixty seven students divided into three classes averaging 22 per class. My former classes averaged 32.
After teaching you wonderful students for your junior and your senior years, I also became your senior advisor and had much to do with your senior trip, your senior play and your graduation as the first senior class from SPHS. Wow!! I also asked the principal to put all of you into one large homeroom so that when we were planning your senior events each announcement was heard by all. The principal thoought I was crazy to ask for a homeroom of 67 kids, but I finally convinced him. I state all of these details as a direct answer to Pat's question as to whether "youse guys" were my favorite class. I never had to speak a harsh word to anyone. We were so close and so friendly that it really was the most enjoyable experience of my entire career as a teacher. I will never forget that experience with all of you. I even wonder if any teacher anywhere has ever had as wonderful an experience.
Sincerely,
Len Stilo
of SOUTH PLAINFIELD
PS
I left South Plainfield for Bridgewater only because the Board of Ed. did not understand my later workload as chairman of two departments and teacher of three classes of English at
B-RHS. I had only the English dept and one class.
PPSI also attended NPHS as a student with five or six of your SPHS teachers: Harry Lobby, Al Ranger, "Weeze" Wyckoff and two others.
Pat
Dick & Judy Randolph
I talked to Claire tonight and also received a note from Stephanie Drosdick about the reunion. I will most likely be there depending on what's happening at that time with my wife. We've been searching for a medical diagnosis of her balance problem for about two years now. We think we found someone that can help, but it will take some time to get her going again.
See ya,
Bob (Skip) Colburn
This is Richard Evans in Lomita, CA soon to move to Tucson. My wife Michiko and I will be at the reunion in October. Glad you have it the last part of the month. I have traveled around Florida on and off for many years. Played on St Pete beach back in the '60s between Air Force tours in Southeast Asia. Graduated from University of West Florida in Pensacola. Retired from the Air Force in Fort Walton Beach.
I enjoy your site especially the photos. I will send you some via snail mail......
My cell is 310-686-6675 which you can add to the mail list.
You always had artistic talent as I remember it. Wasn't it you who gave the yearbook the name of "Regit"? being tiger spelled backwards...
Richard (Dick) Evans
Note: Everyone in the Air Force over all the years knows me as Dick....
3.21.07
Pat,
This is Richard Evans in Lomita, CA soon to move to Tucson. My wife Michiko and I will be at the reunion in October. Glad you have it the last part of the month. I have traveled around Florida on and off for many years. Played on St Pete beach back in the '60s between Air Force tours in Southeast Asia. Graduated from University of West Florida in Pensacola. Retired from the Air Force in Fort Walton Beach.
I enjoy your site especially the photos. I will send you some via snail mail......
My cell is 310-686-6675 which you can add to the mail list.
You always had artistic talent as I remember it. Wasn't it you who gave the yearbook the name of "Regit"? being tiger spelled backwards...
Richard (Dick) Evans
Note: Everyone in the Air Force over all the years knows me as Dick....
3.22.07
Pat,
I have attached four photos. The proudest photo is of me with Robbie Risner whose plane I worked on prior to his being shot down over North Vietnam. He was held prisoner for seven years and thirty years later I met him again in San Antonio airport. There is a nine foot statue of him at the Air Force Academy.
I worked on many of the aircraft that flew during the Vietnam war. I spent three and a half years total in Southeast Asia, mostly Thailand. We lost a lot of good pilots. I was humbled by the bravery shown on their flights into Hanoi.
One photo is of me in 1966 outside a maintenace trailer at Takhli Thailand. I was sent there for six months duty all the way from France.
Another photo of me and my wife Michiko on our travels in Italy. It was taken at a our favorite little restaurant on a street.
The third photo is of me on the Great Wall last year while in China during another of our trips.
Dick Evans...
To: flyingcolorsofnaples@comcast.net
Subject: fall of 2007
Hi Pat: I had a kidney transplant on 02-01-06. At this time, all is fine. Its not an option for me to travel too far from the transplant center due to the possibility of complications or organ rejection...... Say hello to all
Bill Colucci
JUST FOR FUN...BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S LIST
OF #1 SONGS IN JUNE OF THESE YEARS:
THE 1950s
1959 ... "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton
1958 ... "Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
1957 ... "Love Letters in the Sand" by Pat Boone
1956 ... "The Wayward Wind" by Gogi Grant
1955 ... "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" by Perez Prado
1954 ... "Little Things Mean a Lot" by Kitty Kallen
1953 ... "The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)" by Percy Faith
1952 ... "Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson
1951 ... "How High the Moon" by Les Paul & Mary Ford
1950 ... "'The Third Man' Theme" by Anton Karas
THE 1960s
1969 ... "Get Back" by The Beatles
1968 ... "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
1967 ... "Groovin'" by The Young Rascals
1966 ... "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones
1965 ... "Back in My Arms Again" by The Supremes
1964 ... "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups
1963 ... "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto
1962 ... "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Ray Charles
1961 ... "Travelin' Man" by Ricky Nelson
1960 ... "Cathy's Clown" by The Everly Brothers
THEN, UNFORTUNATELY, WE GREW UP!
We send regrets for not being able to attend our class reunion. Ironically, we now have a home in FL but are in the midst of selling here in NJ, and other committments are keeping us here in the fall. Regards to all.
Doug
I am definitely planning to attend our reunion. Please keep me informed of the final plans. Haven't seen anyone since school (that I remember) so it will be great to see old friends again.
Until we meet again,
Marcia (Burke) Garcia
We have heard from Judy Kelley!! (Hi Dude)
However she and Rob will not be with us:
Hi Pat!
Got your phone message of last night and sorry I have not replied to the reunion invitation sooner.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend in October but certainly do look forward to the next one in 10 years - I will absolutely be there!
Rob and I moved to NY's Finger Lakes region late in '04 after I retired. We owned property near Canadice Lake and planned to build so we could be closer to our daughter and grandkids, Tabitha, 10 and Braeden, 6 who live in the Rochester suburbs. Our timberframe home is all but complete now and we so enjoy the beautiful wooded hills, slower life style, quiet and lack of metro NJ/PA traffic. However, the winters could be just a tad milder.
I keep in contact at Christmas time with Ginny Apgar and Sylvia Kozimbo but I'm sure you've heard from them. I saw Dee Carvilano (sp?) 6 or 7 years ago when we both lived in eastern PA. I believe she and her husband planned on retiring in FL.
We welcome any of our classmates to visit if they're in this lovely part of the country. A comfy guest room and decent meals await. Our phone number is 585-367-2815 and e-mail, handzo912@frontiernet.net for directions.
Please give my best regards to everyone at the reunion, I'm sorry I will miss them.
Judy Kelley Handzo
Hi
Although my wife Karen and I will not be able to attend what appears to be a great event, you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Claire, thanks for your thoughtful call. It caused me to dig out my old yearbook and review the faces and comments which filled the pages. Being such a loner I have virtually no memories of my years at SPHS other than a few of my involvement in the National Guard. In one regard I guess I missed a great deal of social interaction. Oh well, what is past is just that, past!
Looking back, however, gave pause to marvel at how fast the years have passed and what events, both personal and international, we have all either participated in or to which we were witnesses. You have all selected a wonderful state in which to enjoy your "autumn" years. I taught science in Sarasota (1964), served as one of the first Interpretive Naturalists in the Department of Natural Resources for the panhandle region based in Panama City (1970) , and went through combat crew training in F-4s at McDill (1971). We lost enough planes during crew training that we coined the phrase "one a day in Tampa Bay".
In reviewing the yearbook it was interesting to see what each of us aspired to become. Claire, did you ever become a stewardess? I know I had no stated interest in college at 18 yet went on to obtain two advanced graduate degrees and taught on the faculty at Air University for 8 years; Bud was going to become a mechanic and went on to get a PhD and form his own cable company, etc. Funny how life turns out. I have been fortunate to have traveled all over the world living or stationed in, or visiting, countries in 5 continents. This experience has made me eternally grateful having been born in America. For all its faults, America with all its liberties and opportunities, is still one of the greatest countries in the world.
Hopefully, we have all enjoyed our brief tenure on earth so far and have our health and the love of our friends and children to support us in our "golden years".
Pete Seiler
PS: The attached photo of Karen and I was taken at her son Matt's wedding along with his sister. Although taken two years ago, I haven't changed much, perhaps a bit heavier & balder.
I am glad to hear you are all doing well. I still live in NJ in Fair Haven. I have a home in Estero, Fl. Have stayed at the Naples Beach Club and often go to the beach there and spend Thursday nights along 5th st in Naples for dinner and music. My son lives in Naples and is a golf pro in Fort Myers. He and his wife are expecting 2nd child this April. His wife is a real estate agent there. What a small world after all!
Ironically, they lived outside Bradenton(Riverview) by Tampa for a while, near where you are going to have the reunion., so I have been in that area frequently. Where has 50 years gone!!?? Seems like only yesterday we had fun at the Knotty Pine, Updykes, Grunings, sock-hops and all!
I will be in contact. Take care. Best regards.
Dave Kent
Ray Crosby
Barbara Weiss Hallam
Hey Barbara-I have saved an email that says you will DEFINITELY be at the 50th. A girl of her word!
Hi Pat,
Here's my story and I'm stickin" to it.
After I left School I joined the Marines. stationed
with VMA 331 Jet Squadron, Spend 3 months
on the USS Intrepid(we called it the USS decrepid)
was in a plane crash off the Virgin Islands, we were
heading for Cuba.spend month and a half in the
hospital in St. Thomas,then they picked us up in
Helicopters and sent us to Guantamo Bay, Cuba.
I was discharged in 1962, Worked for Lockheed on
their Polaris missile project, and eventually went
into the computer field, spending the next 38 years
as a computer developer and programmer, my later
years as a Computer analyst on wall street,
I retired in July 2001, moved down to
Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta Virginia
with my son and his family. I met and married
my wonderful wife Mary here in Moneta.
Dan and Mary
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I wastaken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction,
she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting
question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always
wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, thewrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken abackby that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), butI don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed,or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon ?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!
Well gang,
It is almost time for the event. Pieces are falling into place like a renown painting, sculpture or one the other inspirations. We've inspired some to come, some to wish they could and others just to think about the reunion. Interesting, Mr. Stilo noted that we had 67 members in the class of '57 and now we are all approximately 67 years old.
I will personally miss not seeing many and I am looking forward to spending time together like we three have spent together, but expanding our relationships to learn about the other attendees. We are pleased to think that the grand plan of no formality proved to be a hit. After all it is a Florida thing, a way of life.
God willing and with his blessings we will gather among friends and renew and create greater relationships that will forever bond us together in time.
We will probably be on site approximately at 2 p.m. on next Friday.
A GREAT JOB - TEAM!!!!!!!!!
The DanFran Group