When we were young this was the time of the year we usually enjoyed family vacations but in the back of our minds we were dreading the fact that just around the corner was time to hit "Two Guys" for those school clothes and school supplies. Now...it's a time to enjoy the backside of summer.
This monthly update we're pleased to bring you a few stories of school and the area and in particular what was really "behind" Great Eastern. An invitation to share handshakes, a pop quiz, a fun "Original Cast Members" and a classmate spotlight that places equal importance on both teaching and learning...someone we believe you will really enjoy reading about.
Our mystery classmate (Penny Shuff) was not much of a mystery, not one incorrect guess...damn. So, have a hand at it this time around! Last but not least, your Blog team is growing, before long we'll be looking for office space!
Our response from many of you on the question of whether or not you would encourage or discourage our next reunion at the three year mark versus the traditional five was in favor of "three". Just another testament as to the great time all of you had last year! Whoever is in charge of our next reunion please note the response and we hope that is helpful in your planning for our next gathering.
We once again thank all of you that take the time to write us in appreciation for this blog. It's fun for us and great to know you enjoy it monthly as well.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Welcome Chris...
After long weeks of difficult negotiations we have finally come to terms with Chris Boland O'Keefe to join the WHS Blog family. It took a six figure salary, extensive benefit package and an unheard of clothing allowance to have her agree to terms. Cindy, Diane and I feel it's all worth it if Chris brings with her the great sense of humor and kind spirit she's demonstrated to all of us throughout the years. We are sincerely happy to have her as a member of this misfit group.
If any of you have any materials or photographs pertaining to WHS or the area you feel your fellow classmates would enjoy seeing on the Blog please contact Chris or any of us and we would be grateful to share amongst the troops.
Chris, once again, it's fun to have you aboard!
If any of you have any materials or photographs pertaining to WHS or the area you feel your fellow classmates would enjoy seeing on the Blog please contact Chris or any of us and we would be grateful to share amongst the troops.
Chris, once again, it's fun to have you aboard!
Lend a hand...
Robin Chanin shared with her Facebook friends that over the years that she and her sister have "collected" handshakes of notable people over the years and have enjoyed a fun competition between the two as to both the quality and quantity in their respective collections. We thought that was fun and would like to extend an invitation to all of you to share on the Blog those public notables you have shared a handshake with over the years.
To get it started Cindy, Chris and Diane have shared some of their memorable meetings and they are as follows: Walt Disney, Leon Hess Jr., John Astin, Peaboe Bryson, Jimmy Stewart and Sam Rosen...for me, one stands out for not only securing a handshake but also a knockout kiss on the old Mike Douglas Show by Genie Francis of Luke and Laura fame back in the 70/80's. That's a story to be shared someday, perhaps late at the Liberty during our next reunion weekend!
To get it started Cindy, Chris and Diane have shared some of their memorable meetings and they are as follows: Walt Disney, Leon Hess Jr., John Astin, Peaboe Bryson, Jimmy Stewart and Sam Rosen...for me, one stands out for not only securing a handshake but also a knockout kiss on the old Mike Douglas Show by Genie Francis of Luke and Laura fame back in the 70/80's. That's a story to be shared someday, perhaps late at the Liberty during our next reunion weekend!
So... share with us, don't be shy!
Original cast members...
Oh my...did we ever have an idea that we walked the hallways with such babes...of course we did! :) Next month we skip from Sex and the City to America's favorite: "I Love Lucy", one you don't want to miss!
(Click to enlarge)
Cindy Almasi, Janice Hresko, Nancy Hopta and Sally Lund
Classmate spotlight...
Walking through the hallways of WHS nearly a year ago on reunion weekend was the first time back for this fellow alum. Bringing back memories that we all shared together over forty years ago. Since leaving the building in '70 Steve moved onto earning his degree in political science from Indiana State University, followed by another degree in education from The College of New Jersey (formally known as Trenton State).
In speaking with Steve it is very apparent his dedication to his students. Steve shares with a great deal of pride that this is his 24th year of teaching history and psychology at the high school level in the Irvington, NJ school district. "My goal with each and every student I am entrusted with is to prepare them for adulthood, real life after school and most importantly; a better understanding of themselves than when they first entered school", said Steve.
For those of you that may know Steve well over the years will share without hesitation that Steve is the first to volunteer his time and efforts to most causes, evident with his help during our last reunion and assisting with the scholarship our class awarded a 2011 WHS student. In fact Steve made himself available to represent our class at the scholarship presentation ceremony this past May.
For those of you that may know Steve well over the years will share without hesitation that Steve is the first to volunteer his time and efforts to most causes, evident with his help during our last reunion and assisting with the scholarship our class awarded a 2011 WHS student. In fact Steve made himself available to represent our class at the scholarship presentation ceremony this past May.
One of Steve's great passions is his love for bicycling. As a member of the Jersey Shore Touring Society, once serving as a past president, Steve finds himself on his bicycle three to four days a week enjoying his Bradley Beach neighborhood and shore points beyond. One of the reasons he enjoys his membership with the club is it's dedicated commitment to organize and participate in so many charity events.
Being a widower now for over fifteen years he cherishes his family of one son and three daughters, not to mention his beloved four year old grandson Corey. When asked about his zest for life Steve explained "We only get one shot at this life of ours and why not make the most out of it, Live Life!" He credits his ninety year old dad as an inspiration for making the most out of life. His dad who has experienced lost and many life challenges still projects optimism at every turn..."if it works for my Dad, then it works for me".
When time permits Steve's other interest has been his love of photography.When asked about sports he was quick to list his hometown favorites: Jets, Devils and of course, the Yankees.
Another example of never letting the grass grow under his feet is the fact that Steve can be found on the speakers circuit. He is frequently called on as a guest speaker to share the story of his great uncle; Norbert Masur. Masur, for those that may not be familiar with is responsible as a Swedish representative of the World Jewish Congress negotiated with Heinrich Himmler in 1945 to save over 7000 lives that were entrench in the concentration camps. Steve's studies and presentation on the subject is extensive and impressive.
Steve is looking forward to our next class reunion and having spent time with him for this profile I would strongly suggest if you are in attendance...pull up a chair next to Steve if you have the opportunity...this classmate of ours is one very interesting, fun unassuming individual. Time well spent is guaranteed...trust me.
How many remember this Parkway icon?...
The Pabst Blue Ribbon bottle that served as an icon of beer brewing and as a road marker for motorists along the Garden State Parkway has resurfaced along another major roadway -- the New Jersey Turnpike, just past Exit 15E -- in a junkyard in the Ironbound section.
Cut into a half-dozen pieces, most of it is hidden, but this week slow-moving motorists could spot the giant bottle cap in T. Fiore Recycling's scrap yard. The 60-foot-high bottle sat on its perch overlooking the Parkway for more than 70 years before it was dismantled to make way for houses and a shopping mall.
Cut into a half-dozen pieces, most of it is hidden, but this week slow-moving motorists could spot the giant bottle cap in T. Fiore Recycling's scrap yard. The 60-foot-high bottle sat on its perch overlooking the Parkway for more than 70 years before it was dismantled to make way for houses and a shopping mall.
1966 St. James Graduation Roster...
Check out the names of our fellow classmates that successfully endured what some called "educational boot camp" :)
(Click to enlarge)
Great Eastern and a little "Brandy"...
For the past 170 years Mary Ellis has resided on what she probably thought would always be a stately piece of property overlooking the scenic Raritan River. In actuality though, Mary has really just been monopolizing a prime parking space for the better part of the twentieth century. How poor Mary came to rest beneath the asphalt of the Loews Theater parking lot on Route 1 in New Brunswick is a romantic, and ultimately tragic story, not unlike a Bronte novel.
As the legend goes, Mary Ellis came to New Brunswick in the 1790's to stay with her younger sister Margaret. It was around this time that she met and fell in love with a man who was a sea captain, and former Revolutionary War officer. The Captain sailed down the Raritan and out to sea one day, vowing that when he returned he and Mary would be wed. He even left her his beloved horse to look after in his absence.
Every day after her captain's departure, Mary would ride his horse from her sister's house, on what is now Livingston Avenue, down to the banks of the river to eagerly await a glimpse of her lover's returning ship.
In 1813, she purchased a parcel of farmland overlooking the river from which she would maintain her daily vigil. Mary died there fourteen years later in 1827, still faithfully anticipating her captain's return. She was buried on the property, along with her sister, some other family members, and according to local lore, the captain's horse.
The plot, which was originally surrounded by an ornate wrought iron fence, lay in a rural, wooded setting until the twentieth century. Over the years the ownership of the land has changed hands several times, and the neighboring area has given bloom to a blight of strip malls, and cut-rate outlets. Mary's farm was paved over, and for many years was the site of the Route 1 Flea Market. Stranded high and dry in the market parking lot, Mary’s four-foot-high grave remained adrift in a sea of tarmac and bargain hunter-mobiles. Until recently, the small, grassy island was enclosed by a chain-link fence and sporadically maintained by Mary's descendants. Often though, the weeds on the plot were so tall that one could park right next to the grave without even noticing the two and a half foot tall marble head stone.
Those who did take note of the parking lot grave have always been curious about, and sometimes even inspired by it. In the early 1970’s pop hit "Brandy," the song was really an ode to Mary. The Looking Glass, the band that wrote and recorded the song, were in fact from New Brunswick, and did record other songs based on local sites. "Brandy," the fine girl, according to the song, was in love with a ship captain who could not leave his true love, the sea, to marry her. Sound familiar?
After the demolition of the Route 1 Flea Market a few years ago the property was redeveloped and became the Loews Cineplex. The parking lot was re-graded, making Mary’s grave stand even taller than before. Still parked in a prime spot, Mary’s grave has been given a new retaining wall, and a few small trees have even been planted close by. The final resting-place of Mary Ellis seems to have been given a new lease. It’s just too bad the new theater isn’t a drive-in.
Every day after her captain's departure, Mary would ride his horse from her sister's house, on what is now Livingston Avenue, down to the banks of the river to eagerly await a glimpse of her lover's returning ship.
In 1813, she purchased a parcel of farmland overlooking the river from which she would maintain her daily vigil. Mary died there fourteen years later in 1827, still faithfully anticipating her captain's return. She was buried on the property, along with her sister, some other family members, and according to local lore, the captain's horse.
The plot, which was originally surrounded by an ornate wrought iron fence, lay in a rural, wooded setting until the twentieth century. Over the years the ownership of the land has changed hands several times, and the neighboring area has given bloom to a blight of strip malls, and cut-rate outlets. Mary's farm was paved over, and for many years was the site of the Route 1 Flea Market. Stranded high and dry in the market parking lot, Mary’s four-foot-high grave remained adrift in a sea of tarmac and bargain hunter-mobiles. Until recently, the small, grassy island was enclosed by a chain-link fence and sporadically maintained by Mary's descendants. Often though, the weeds on the plot were so tall that one could park right next to the grave without even noticing the two and a half foot tall marble head stone.
Those who did take note of the parking lot grave have always been curious about, and sometimes even inspired by it. In the early 1970’s pop hit "Brandy," the song was really an ode to Mary. The Looking Glass, the band that wrote and recorded the song, were in fact from New Brunswick, and did record other songs based on local sites. "Brandy," the fine girl, according to the song, was in love with a ship captain who could not leave his true love, the sea, to marry her. Sound familiar?
After the demolition of the Route 1 Flea Market a few years ago the property was redeveloped and became the Loews Cineplex. The parking lot was re-graded, making Mary’s grave stand even taller than before. Still parked in a prime spot, Mary’s grave has been given a new retaining wall, and a few small trees have even been planted close by. The final resting-place of Mary Ellis seems to have been given a new lease. It’s just too bad the new theater isn’t a drive-in.
A step back in time...
(Click to enlarge)
How many of us remember climbing into our parents car for a special treat that was a summer trip in the late fifties to the Drive-In located across the street from what is now WHS? I recall my Dad never being happy with the speaker as we moved around the entire lot until he secured the best location and speaker..oh those were the days my friend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)