Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Class of 1962:

 

History was made this past weekend: August 10, 11, and 12.  It was also reviewed from adolescent perspective and it was planned for August of 2012, knowing that some of us will be older, but not necessarily wiser.  It was also considered that some of us will be using a cane and, indeed, some of us will not be there at all in the body, but perhaps, in serene spirit.

 

The weekend began by some members meeting in front of the police station (no, they haven’t torn that down YET) and enjoying the parade.  I can’t report on it due to circumstances beyond me control.  I arrived just as the parade was ending.  I am told that the fire trucks are still red and it’s a difficult to gather enough teenagers in August to play “Yankee Doodle Dandy” unless it’s on an electric guitar and there’s plenty of Bud in a keg nearby!

 

Anyway, there was an informal gathering in the East End Steakhouse after the parade attended by about ten.  We had to drag Dave Nobile and Dave Wood out of the bar to spend a few minutes with us.  I think they were working on a couple of babes who were victims of the parade exhaustion and apple martinis.  Lots of laughs however and anticipation for the gathering at the Elk’s Club on Saturday evening.

 

Time out – I have to come clean with you.  I started this “report” in August of 2007 and it is now January 1, 2008.  I have lots of good excuses for the interruption, but I’m sure Miss Van Keuron would not buy them and yet I hope that you will.  I promised this report would be written and so it shall be.  Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead.  I won’t get up from this table even to pee until it is finished to my satisfaction-and to yours.

 

Sadly, I must report that in the interim, brother Craig Loucks passed away.  I recall from the obituary that Craig was living in Canada.  He took residence there around the time of the Viet Nam conflict and came to love Canada.  In case you don’t remember, Craig was an accomplished and respected concert pianist.  I personally liked Craig a lot and hope you will remember him in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Saturday night was the gala event-the mother of all reunions.  You may recall that Linda Lapone Leogrande was the Chairwoman of the 45th reunion and, in retrospect, we could not have selected a finer, more capable person to organize and make this reunion happen.

 

Not coincidentally, the event was scheduled with the Canal Days event and therefore perennially the Western Park and Elk’s Club get very busy.  That Saturday eve was no exception.  When I arrived, Linda and Lou were already setting up the arrangements and the entertainment.  Linda had acquired Doo Wop DVD’s and rented a television monitor the size of Mr. Tucker’s blackboard.

 

My heart was truly warmed and my memory equally challenged as each guest entered the room.  One by one, each member entered and the memories filled the room.

 

I was honored and humbled to act as master of ceremonies for the evening, but didn’t really know my function until checking with the real brains of the evening – Linda.  So in my usual modes operandi – I scratched out a schedule of procedure on a napkin.  It is by good future that I kept that napkin and it will appear now that I still have as much memory as a 1985 Hewitt Packer computer.  My brain really is the texture of day-old oatmeal, but I shall now try to remember each and every member who attended-and even their significant partner.  With that in mind, I will recall the prayer that came from my heart, through my pencil, to the napkin:

 

Heavenly Father – we ask your blessing for the Class of 1962.  We thank you for the opportunity to gather together to share the love and respect we have for one another.  Thank you for the good health and the good memories we share.  I will end this prayer with a moment of remembrance for Susan Konik, Walt Palmer, Bob Urich, Cheryl Young, Linda Trask, Paul Mocko, Carol Grant, Bill Troy, and any others of whom we are not aware.  Amen.

 

As I raised my head and opened the one eye that I had closed – I realized what a chump I was – for there at a table slightly to my left sat Alice Templeman King and her husband Pastor King.  I should have had a clue when he entered the hall with his collar that an esteemed member of the clergy was present and could out-pray me with both eyes closed and an IPOD with Elvis songs playing in both ears.  I talked later with Alice and her husband – both delightful and explained to him that I was glad he has taken over carrying her – one of those big fiddles – I think it’s called a cello.  Alice and I used to be sweethearts until she took her cello away from me and broke my heart.

 

A well deserved round of applause was given to Linda and her team of reunion engineers consisting of Tek Wastowicz, Celia Perry and Elaine Miller.  Come to think of it – they engineered the last reunion too and we owe our cohesiveness to these wonderful women.  They had several meetings which I was told they enjoyed immensely and plan to have a few more for apparently no reason at all.  I think wine has something to do with it.  And by the way – the pack horse for the engineers was Lou Leogrande – a truly nice guy.

 

I had the pleasure then of introducing a lovely and gifted young lady named Julie Scarano.  In case you don’t recognize her name, Julie is the brains and composer of www.lfhsalumni.org.  Julie gave a short speech to enroll members.  The response was very positive and we now have a good representation on the website.

 

I had been in contact with Julie for several months and asked her to come to the reunion and present her case for anyone to join.  She did and showed us why the school and city that we left behind is in very capable hands.  Please go to the site and register.  It is very user friendly and costs nothing to keep informed about virtually all alumni events.

 

Bob Bagans then read letters from the Honorable Klaus Reininger, Roslyn Buccafunno, and Martha Horton.

 

We then took a break to eat a very well prepared dinner served by the lady Elks.  After the adjournment we still had lots of time.  It seemed like a good idea to hear from each brother and sister of the Class of 1962 – i.e. what you have been doing for the last 45 years?  This actually turned out to be a wonderful way to talk with each other since we can’t all listen to each other in one-on-one conversations.

Members present who spoke were as follows:

1.      Bob Bagans

2.      Harry Balderston

3.      Pat Belorit Komar

4.      Jim Bellinger

5.      Joe Capadeau

6.      Barb Chizz Hoke

7.      Edith Chuck Wastowicz

8.      Kay Duane Martin

9.      Elaine Gerdin Miller

10.  Barb Hyla Davis

11.  Carol Johnson

12.  Bob Lamana

13.  Linda LaPone Legrande

14.  Bill Lucas

15.  Dawn MacDonald Gillotti

16.  Steve Malek

17.  Dave Nobile

18.  Joan Palisi Pellerito

19.  Bob Pavalock

20.  Tony Pellerito

21.  Celia Pettinella Perry

22.  Suzanne Pfannebecker Goodrich (Can I buy a vowel?)

23.  Kathleen Sheehan Kugler

24.  Pat Sokol

25.  Paula Stransky Debnar

26.  Pat Taverni Coon

27.  Alice Templeman King

28.  Sarah Timmerman Israel

29.  Donna Walrath Vaughn

30.  Dave Wood

31.  Kathy Zysk Johns

Hearing from everyone was truly enjoyable and made me wish I could spend at least a half hour talking with each and every class member.  Wouldn’t we all love to go back in time and relive those wondering days when all we had to worry about was Miss McGill and all we had to complain about was what we had for lunch.

 

The last order of business was selection of chair person for the 50th reunion.  Yup – kids – half a century!  Two brave souls raised their arms – presumably to scratch their underarms, but were conscripted into the class service.  The chairmen for the reunion in 2012 will be David Wood and Dave Nobile.  Sorry guys – you should have learned at auctions – you NEVER raise your hand.  I learned that in Mr. Kreger’s class.  Relax – I have a feeling that the gals who have pitched in for the past reunions will still be available.  Ya just have to bring lots of wine to the meetings.

 

A lovely breakfast was held on Sunday morning at the Best Western.  It was attended by about 10 of us and turned into a very interesting discussion about Little Falls, aging and world events.  I can tell you this – Little Falls High School is very well represented in various parts of the United States by some very brilliant people.  I was impressed.

I will conclude this time with my wish for such good health and happiness for my Class of 1962 brothers and sisters that we will have even more members returning in 2012.  It was rumored that some of us will be returning for Canal Days each August until the next reunion.  Check on the website for details.

 

I wish each and every member and your families a healthy and happy New Year for 2008.  I apologize if I have missed mentioning anyone.  Please contact me at the alumni website or write me and correct me and ream me out.  I will love hearing from you for any reason.  With much love –

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Pavalock