Happy New Year...

2011 is upon us. We hope the year ahead is kind to you and your loved ones.

We are pleasantly surprised with the great response from so many of you that took the time to write with your appreciation of the new WHS Blog. It's nice to see that so many of our classmates embrace the chance to be better informed of their fellow former classmates. Just a few weeks after the site's debut the stats show over one thousand Internet hits! In the end though, this is really your site, yours to share whatever news or school memorabilia that you feel all of us would enjoy. The three amigos here welcome your suggestions, along with any material that would make for an interesting read. This month a special thank you goes out to Vicki Kalugin, Craig Kalugin and Loretta Keating for their help in making it possible to view some of our mug shots dating back to elementary school.

In addition, we're pleased to present a look back at life in Fords circa 1964, a revisit to our senior play, an outreach to classmates that some of us have lost contact with over the years and last but not least...our student highlight presenting Kathie Maguire Morolda and her amazing creative talents.

Read ahead...and make 2011 a memorable and healthy new year!

Rich, Cindy and Diane

Mr. Newberger's class...

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Fords....1964.

In 1964 many of our Fords classmates played the role of junior historians completing a project on their home town.

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Remember back in the day when we looked forward to Christmas, Valentine's Day, Summer vacation and our once a year class trip? Shown here is a Fords class trip to New York City...we felt like rock stars for the day riding in coach luxury.

She wore white gloves...

How many of you from Fords remember Mrs. Klein as your crossing guard?

Our First Taste of Off-Broadway...

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Can You Help Us Find...

We have heard from many of you with questions concerning the whereabouts of some former classmates. So, with that being said, here is a list of those mentioned and if anyone can shed some light on them. In the future if there is anyone in particular that you wish to locate, let us know and we'll be happy to highlight your request. I'm assuming these inquiries are based on good intentions and not to collect unpaid lunch money from forty years ago...with interest. :)

In Search of...

Susan Hilbig, Judith Kaufman, Larry Cenegy, Stephanie Chulock, Fran Liska, Eddie Mitchell, Stan Oliva, Mark Smith, Michael Clayman, Michael Donato, Joyce Campbell, Beth Conine. Joanne Balsamo, Michelle Coughlin, Janet Fenton, Gail Meszaros, Jimmy Peterson, Maryann Teleposki, Karen Terry, Stuart Homer, Lydia Varga, Richard Janni, Chris Saakes, Neil Winter, Henry Ryan, Mark Mandelberg, Susan Binder, Joyce Beca, Mike Ladjack, Steve Purdue, James Martelli, Gail Curren, Patti Murphy, Joe Rappa, Carrie Sebestyen, Margie Silogy, Robert Springer, Lee Slotkin, Joan Stein, Linda Van Pelt and Elizabeth Webber.

ONGOING FEEDBACK:

* Melodi Willis reports that Denise O'Donoghue and Mark Smith are married with three children and reside in Cranford, NJ.

* Stephanie Chulock is married to Larry Cenegy, have three children and four grandchildren. They reside in the state of Texas and are looking forward to attending our 45th reunion.

* Chris Saakes is well and calls Avenel, NJ home.

* Linda Van Pelt is happily married and calls the Jersey Shore home. Linda is a member of Classmates.

* Michele Coughlin is accessible on Facebook under the listing of Michele Ann Bobik.

* Neil Winter is a member of Facebook.

* Joyce Campbell is accessible on Facebook under the listing of Joyce Henry.

* Joann Balsamo is a member of Facebook listed as Joann Balsamo Epstein.

* Patti Murphy is a proud mom of three and has several grandchildren. She would welcome your friend requests where she can be found on Facebook under her listing of Patti Murphy.

* Lee Slotkin has his dentistry practice in Somerset, NJ.

* Joan Stein is well and lives in Medford, Massachusetts.

* Mike Ladjack is happily married, lives in NJ, avid fisherman and is employed by Verizon. Mike can be found on Facebook.

* Beth Conine is also happily married and living in Perkiomenville, PA. Beth is a member of Facebook listed under the name of Beth C. Keys.

Classmate Spotlight...

An artist is someone who employs creative talent to produce works of art. The term may be used in connection with any branch of the arts--for example music, literature, and theatre...but more commonly refers to an individual who practices the visual arts or fine arts. Kathie Maguire Morolda is one such artist, starting her business, Cranbury Station Gallery, because of a dream she had from an early age to be able to combine her love of art and her entrepreneurial tendencies into a “living”.

In 1978, her first child, Adam, was turning one, and the second child, Casserly was on the way. Kathie and her husband Nick purchased their home with the intent that some day she would be able to open an Art Gallery in an old black smith building shop on their property.

Eventually, after the birth of their third child, Kathie opened Cranbury Station Gallery in 1983. With her business plan of being politely aggressive and the use of networking with fellow businesses her dream began to blossom.

Over the past 27 years, the business has been fortunate enough to provide fine art and custom framing services to many prestigious companies, from that first assignment with the Heritage Banks, to restoration of historic frames for Princeton University. Clients began to have trust in her to frame their valuable art and possessions. Kathie has also framed artwork for many notable personalties, from Bill Bradley and Toni Morrison to Bebe Neuwirth. Back in 1995, when the movie “IQ” was being filmed in Princeton, her business was selected by Paramount Motion Pictures to frame all of the art in the scenes of Albert Einstein’s home. This was a real accomplishment, because the artwork had to be “authentic” to the era and completed within 24 hrs! Recently Cranbury Station Gallery was hired by the Toy Industry Association to conduct seminars at their four day Toy Fair at Jacob Javits Center in NYC, with Kathie speaking on a variety of business challenges faced by a independent business owner.

Although she is proud of all these accomplishments (and many more), perhaps the accomplishment she is most proud of is building the business while raising her four children. In the beginning while juggling the duties of a business owner and a mom working from home, she was able to advance her skills as an artist, and began to sell her own artwork at the gallery. Shortly after that Kathie was signed by Apple Arts as one of their published artists.

Kathie is very involved in the many business owner associations. She unselfishly devotes much of her time to promote the merchants of Princeton. Her participation was the voice of the independent, smaller businesses in the Princeton area, addressing both their immediate concerns and where they would like to see independent businesses grow in the future. This was a very successful venture. As an active member in the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, Kathie is often asked to represent the independent business owners on many panel discussions. As a result of her exposure on these panels, a new respect has emerged for the smaller businesses.

Part of her vision at the gallery is to mentor aspiring female artists in their business dreams. She encourages her part time employees to gain as much business experience as they can while working at the gallery, by exposing them to both technical and business disciplines. Many have gone on to successful careers as business owners themselves. In addition, Kathie is very active in the Princeton based program, "Not in Our Town", an organization dedicated to eliminating racism in the community.

For many of us that were aware of Kathie's kind spirit during our days at WHS we know it's more than just business advancement for her. Kathie is a prominent member of the "Give Back" program, working to support a shelter for domestic abused victims, collecting food for the Trenton soup kitchens and she gathers clothing to assist a back to work program for women in need to have "interview" clothes.

So, in our decision to highlight Kathie Maguire Morolda this month as a fellow classmate it was not solely based on her amazing creative talents but her unselfish heart as well. The Princeton community is certainly fortunate to have Kathie as one of their team members...when it comes to WHS we have always embraced her as one our own.

Kathie is considered by her creative peers as one the world's best watercolor artists. We applaud the young lady that once rode the school bus from Menlo Park Terrace.. Kathie, you are more than an amazing artist, you are someone that has stayed true to your kind ways...something that Nick and the kids will certainly agree with.

Take a moment to visit Kathie's web site at: www.kmmorolda.com and view additional samples of her terrific work.

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Over fifty years ago...

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A Step Back in Time...

An iconic institution located on Amboy Ave all these years. As we all know the old church has been replaced but I imagine this image brings back many memories for those that attended school and Catechism classes over the years.

25th Reunion...

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Welcome!

We welcome you to our WHS 1970 Blog. In an attempt to stay connected, share with you information related to our high school and the people associated with it we have designed this communication tool with you in mind.

The Class of '70 is coming off the high of a very successful 40th reunion. What was obvious from that experience is the awareness that our classmates welcome knowing more about their friends and classmates during our life at WHS and beyond.

It is our attempt to do exactly that, keep you informed, share with you upcoming events and generally deliver to you in your Internet mailbox a monthly email to keep you in the loop.

Along with the newsy posts we will also feature each month a "Spotlight Profile" on either one of your former classmates or faculty. Many of our alumni have accomplished much in their lives since our days at WHS and we would like to share those interesting stories with you. If you would like to suggest a former classmates' story for us to highlight, please contact us with that or any questions or suggestions you may have by clicking on one of the Blog Administrators located on the right side of the page.

In addition, we pay tribute to those of our classmates that have passed.

Finally, we suggest after reading our blog that you minimize the screen, turn up the volume and enjoy an hour's worth of songs selected from our 1968-70 era.

Enjoy!

Rich Kee, Cindy Hathaway Prokop and Diane Sharrie Gambetta

P.S. Don't forget to feed the fish ...thanks!

40th WHS Reunion...

Ask any fellow classmate that was in attendance for the 40th reunion and you will hear words such as: memorable, beyond fun and simply a great time spent with each other.

The weekend began with a Friday night football game, sharing laughs together afterwards at J.J. Bittings Brewery and the Liberty Tavern. Saturday afternoon there was the tour of Woodbridge High School, reunion in the evening and many coming together for Sunday brunch the next day. Gary Morton provided the entertainment while our fellow classmates soaked up the fun.

Plans are already in place in an attempt to make our 45th even more successful. Ronnie Kost is developing our very own 1970 WHS web site that will help keep us informed and assist in organizing our next five year reunion in 2015. In the meantime, several unselfish souls have stepped up and are making themselves available in organizing regional Mini-Reunions for those that would like to stay connected in between each of the five year gatherings. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melodi Willis about your regional chairperson in your area at: melodiwillis@yahoo.com

By the looks of those in the following post...you will agree their smiles tell us that the next reunion is one that we don't want to miss!

The Eyes have it...

Just a small sampling of the smiles that dominated the reunion weekend. How many of your classmates do you recognize?

Some may say we should ID each face...now, what fun would that be?!

Ok... we've caved into your requests for names. Here's the names, you match them to the faces.

Doug Hart, Joyce Greenberg, Tony Russomanno, Rocco Favata, Melodi Willis, Pat Koebel, Linda Weber, Alan Cannizzaro, John Carvana, Bennett Singer, Steve Karger, Kathy Jedrusiak, Cindy Hathaway, Flo Muniz, Doug Diem, Patricia Drost, Roger Puente, Shelley Green, Raymond Ruiz, Karen Niedermeier, Pat Navalany, Karen Winograd, Marie Zelinak, Aletta Vandernat, Penny Shuff, Corrine Van Wagner, Patricia Sofran, Sally Lund, Vicki Kalugin and Nancy Ryder.

Classmate Spotlight...

Know the feeling of finding a twenty dollar bill in a pocket of an old winter coat? That's what it was like for us recently to reconnect with one of our former high school classmates. Ed Healy, a former Little League teammate of mine, has gone on to practice his dream. Ed, known to his 106.5 rock listeners in Charlotte, NC as "The Wizard", can be heard on Sunday mornings hosting his rock radio gig. One listen to his show and I'm sure you'll agree with me that not only did he get it right...he's nailed it. He had the good sense not to be a cloned version of Casey Kasem, Howard Stern or Rick Dees...for that, we're grateful.

As a kid I grew up listening to WABC's Cousin Brucie out of New York City. Am I the only one that allowed a dream or two to occupy my head with a fantasy of managing the airwaves with my choice of songs one day? Ed not only wanted that same dream but he walked the talk and obtained it. Combined with the confidence he brings to this audio table...the voice, the demeanor and cross section of songs makes listening to his show well...time well spent.

The "High Priest of Songs That Don't Suck," The Wizard, aka The Wiz has been bringing to the airwaves the Roots of Modern rock for over 15 years now. You can tune in each Sunday morning 8 AM ~ Noon east coast time ( www.106.5.com ) for Resurrection Sunday featuring music from The Clash, The Police, Tears For Fears, Blondie, Psychedelic Furs, The Ramones, A-ha, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, INXS and so much more.

Ed started his career at the beginning of the decade of debauchery, 1980 at K94FM in Asbury Park, NJ. WJLK 94.3. Pat Gillen gave him his first shot and he had enjoyed himself enough to be arrested. When he moved to Charlotte he landed a gig on Sunday mornings.... 15 years, over 700 shows, 40,000 songs and maybe, just maybe one of these days as Ed put's it..."I'll get it right".

At 10am he'll play back a triple shot of the biggest hair bands. He revisits the 80's with a little Aqua Net from bands like Dokken, Iron Maiden, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Motley Crue and your suggestions at wiz@1065.com

If you were stranded on a Desert Island with only 3 songs, what 3 songs would you take? Send those requests in now and remind him of your shared WHS roots, make a note of the time and tune in to hear one of your own selections hopefully being played!

I must say for those of us that grew up with Ed, there is that nice feeling, even better than finding that twenty...to see one of the "good guys" discover happiness in their life, family and trade. Some of us can say we knew you even "back when"...behind the Wizard's curtain. Nice going Ed, you've done WHS classmates proud!

A Step Back in Time...

An iconic landmark in Woodbridge...where I suspect a few of us enjoyed our first "We may doze but never close" meal strapped into a high chair (booster seats weren't invented yet).

A staple throughout our life, the Reo Diner remains at the corner of Amboy Ave and Main Street to this day. Although many feel today that it has lost it's charm and suffered a dip in the quality of the food, we'll always lay claim to it as one of our most favorite destinations after a football game, date or dance.

I wonder if the "pizza burger" is still on the menu.