Welcome...

We welcome you to your latest Blog update. This month we are especially pleased to highlight two former classmates, Bea Davis-Braswell and Charlotte Enik-Klecan. We're sure you will enjoy their stories.  You'll see an example of 3rd grade art, well known folks born the year we graduated and some yearbook booster comments that will make you smile. We had hoped to also include a feature of one of our well known musicians from the 60/70's but unfortunately that will be pushed back to next month due to a death in his musical family.

Please turn up the music, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the read!

Rich, Cindy, Chris and Diane

Classmate spotlight...

Watch out Mr Ruiz and Mr Russomanno, this girl knows her baseball. In fact, she has issued a challenge to both of you for a test of Bronx Bombers trivia at our September reunion. We're speaking about our fellow classmate, Charlotte Enik-Klecan.

 

Charlotte's home turf was Strawberry Hill, having attended classes starting at School #3 before moving on to School #11, Barron Avenue Junior High and finally our shared time at WHS. "For some reason I was perceived as shy and reserved back then...now, not so much! I have so many fond memories of the friendships throughout my school experience. There was Alan Cannizzaro, Dennis Ottaviano, Nancy Hopta and one in particular, Christine Gill, who's friendship I was blessed with that began long before my first day of school". We reached out to Christine and she shared with us: "Charlotte and I were best friends for what seems like forever. She is always in my heart. She is my sister. We have known each other since we were little kids, always going to the playground together, playing jacks, going on the swings and everything that kids do. We were always together! We hadn't seen each other in years and when my mom passed on in 2006, Charlotte was there!! What a great and happy surprise! She always cared about me and the people around her. She wasn't afraid to try new things. She is brave and a truly good soul. Unfortunately we haven't seen each other since 2006 but I know that we would pick up where we left off. Our friendship is the kind that you don't need to see one and other, but we know that we are always there for each other. I just love her. Right now I am honestly getting teary eyed. Charlotte is a hoot. She always has a smile on her face and could talk to anyone. She is so down to earth and grounded. Understanding, caring, funny and a wonderful daughter, sister and friend...to those lucky enough to be in her life". In addition, Nancy Hopta-DiCarlo wrote: "If there were a dictionary that matched a face with a word, then a photo of Charlotte Enik would definitely be listed under the word “FRIEND.”  Chotsi and I have been friends for many years, although we lost contact for a while after graduation. Thanks to one of our past reunions, we reconnected.  She and I shared many experiences in school including wonderful vocal music concerts with Mrs. Musacchia and screaming our lungs out at football games.  Chotsi is, without a doubt, one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have ever met.  I’m so blessed and thankful to be able to call her my good friend!  Love you,Chots".

 

Anyone that has the pleasure of knowing Charlotte will say Christine and Nancy's words were heartfelt and point on. When asked about her nickname of "Chotsi" I was told a shortened form of it is credited to our classmate Nancy Hopta-DiCarlo. "Thinking back on our WHS days I remember when the day arrived allowing us to wear blue jeans. It certainly was different times back then. I think of how much I appreciate in hindsight my typing classes. That simple class was most significant for me in the business sector".

 

Not letting the grass to grow under her feet, Charlotte landed her first job the Monday after our WHS graduation. It was at the Woodbridge Town Hall as an assistant to the City Clerk. Several years later Charlotte began her twenty year career with Eastern Airlines as a reservation agent. After Eastern she served as a customer care manager for Scholastic Books. Today she joins husband of nearly forty years, Ed, in retirement. Home is Monroe Twp. and their two children, Stephanie and Eddie reside in Strawberry Hill. Stephanie teaches 2nd grade at the Mawbey Street elementary school and Eddie enjoys his career with the United Way.

 

Embracing the benefits of retirement both Charlotte and Ed plan to expand their love of travel. On the schedule next up is a trip to Tampa to check in with her Yankees during Spring Training (be careful Tony and Ray, don't be suckered into a big wager on her challenge). Also on the calendar is a trip to Hawaii to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Along the way Charlotte will bring along her camera. Our talented classmate has always enjoyed photography and her work has been recognized in several impressive competitions.

 

We spoke of past reunions and how much she is looking forward to our next reunion. "Rich, I can't fairly explain how much I enjoyed our last reunion. One aspect of the evening that was bittersweet was learning of those classmates that have passed. It only reinforced the importance of making an effort to attend. I am so glad I set aside time to be there and I can only hope others will do the same. I assure all of those that may be considering attending...please do, it was a special experience".

 

We played a word association game. Here goes... Rock & Roll or Country? Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Thick or Thin Slice? Thin plain. Mountains or Beach? Seaside then and Belmar now. TV or Book? Emily Dickinson.

 

Looking back into the yearbook you will find under her photo an interest in dancing. When I pointed this out Charlotte was quick to say "oh yes, Rich...meet me on the dance floor, I'll be the first out there!". I guess she was right, this fellow classmate of ours is 180 degrees from that shy and reserved girl we once walked the WHS hallways with.

 

Charlotte, thank you for sitting down with us and one last request...save me a dance my friend.

 

Memo to Ray & Tony: Brush up on your pinstripe history.

Back in the day...

Gary Mehes received this Get Well card from Alan Cannizzaro when their 3rd grade class from Strawberry Hill (Mrs. Pape, School #3) had an epidemic of chicken pox. The two headed person was traced from scissors, perhaps to show the "before and after" face of chicken pox.

Pocket change...

Classmate Spotlight...

One of our student spotlights this month is a Sewaren girl, Bea Davis Braswell.  Many of us are Facebook friends with Bea and love reading about her starting so late in life!  I laughed, Bea started out by saying “just in case no one remembers me, I was the co-captain of the WHS Drill Team”.  I do believe all those who knew Bea, cannot forget her.
 

   After graduation, Bea began working for the telephone company in Perth Amboy.  Being somewhat of a restless soul, Bea wanted to travel so she became a flight attendant for United Airlines based out of and living in New York City.  During a time of her flight attendant days she caught the attention of a magazine mogul and he offered her a job with his company.   This was the beginning of a series of jobs in the corporate sector.  In 1976, Bea landed a job working at the DeVry Technical Institute in Iselin, New Jersey, where she met her husband John, who is currently a supervisor at United Cerebral Palsy.  They have been married for 38 years, have one daughter, Kym, and five beautiful grandchildren.

    In high school, Bea was good friends with Chris Elisko, who passed away too early, and Beth Goodale.  Beth and Bea still maintain contact, but not as frequently as Bea would like.  Bea still maintains friendships through Facebook with John Carvana,  David Muse, and Sharon Melvin.  

 



Bea’s biggest regret is that she did not have the confidence in herself to attend college right out of high school. She always wanted to be a doctor and now thinking back on it, if she had the right mentor ship, she believes she would have pulled it off.  Other than that, she enjoyed every second of her youth and her experience at WHS.  Bea also plans on trying very hard to get back for our 45th reunion. When John Carvana learned of Bea's Blog feature he asked to include the following: "I've known Bea since we were in junior high school. I thought then, as I do now, that she was one of the cutest girls I'd ever seen. Always loved her big smile and her genuine "perkiness". We liked each other but since Sewaren was too far from Iselin, we didn't actually "date", however, she was my girl at the Woodbridge Junior High School Junior or Prom (I think that's what it was called). Had it not been for Bea, I may have never met my best friend of 50+ years, Gary Morton. We were both a bit smitten by Bea and I won her over (of course) but Gary and I remained friends throughout. Actually, the three of us have remained friends all these years. I think the world of Bea. She has become a strong spiritual role model for me and I'm sure for others. We haven't seen each other in years, but she's someone that always has a special place in my heart. Got mad love for ya, Bea! Namaste!"In 2000, Bea took a course at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York to study Holistic Health Counseling.  It was there Bea discovered she had a gift for counseling, so at the young age of 50, she started college and obtained a Bachelors in Psychology from Ottawa University in Phoenix.  After being a part of social work for a period of time, inclusive of a job as a Case Manager for Child Protective Services, Bea decided to pursue her dream of a Master’s Degree and work with children.   She began that pursuit at Capella University.  Due a series of “stops” and “starts”, she finally succeeded in that degree after five years.  Bea is finally at the internship stage and currently works as a Child Therapist at an inner city facility in Phoenix, AZ.   Bea states it is a crazy time of her life.  When most of our classmates are winding down, Bea is just getting started!

 

Bea is also a Reiki Practitioner and Holistic Health Counselor.  Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing done by “laying of hands” and is based on our “life force energy” flowing through our bodies.  If your life force is high, you are more capable for being happy and healthy.

Bea enjoys cooking, soap making, sewing and decorating.  Bea and her husband love to travel and their biggest wish is to become beach bums in Key West!  However, she acknowledges that both of them need to slow down first.

Thank you, Bea, for allowing us to profile you.  It was great talking with you and  I hope your beach bum days in Key West happen for you and John.

 



 



Want to Feel Old?...

All of these fine folks were born into the world the year we graduated...

A Step Back in Time...

We decided to take a glance at the end of our Baronet yearbook to check out our collective booster comments, if you recall, most of us sold these for a dollar per in order to reduce the cost of our annuals. Many of them reflected the sign of the times back then and although tempting we decided to hold off from sharing the many listings for our alumni's undying love for their boyfriend/girlfriend at the time.

A few of your Booster comments:

"Then Came Me and the World Rejoiced", Kiss Me You Fool, I'm Waiting", "We met at the A&P", "Mash the Potatoes and End the War", "Draft Beer...Not Students", "May John Lose His Drumsticks", "47 Hamilton Ave, Seaside", "McDonald's is My Kind of Place", "My Mother, The Attorney General", "God Bless Our Boys in Vietnam", "Robby Has a Cold, Black, Wet Nose", "Support Mr. Nixon", "I Ain't Got Nothing to Say", "Thank You for Letting Us to Wear Pants", ""Finally Grew Up - Took Long Enough", "Remember the Pueblo", "Ignorance Prevails", "I'll Never Forget Mr. What's His Name" and "This Thing is Costing Me a Dollar".