News from Edith Needham Godfrey

The Godfrey's Thanksgiving 2009
Back Row: Bruce, Isabel, Ben, Mike, Jared
Front Row: Alan, Sophia, Kate, Skipper, Clara, Edie, Jenni, Miles.

GHS classmate Edith Nedham Godfrey lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband Mike, who continues to run his in-house violin and viola studio. Mike is also taking a Constitutional Law course at UNO, thanks to a Senior Passport program. Edie is recovering from a serious illness and is recovering her strength. She is once more singing in her church choir and volunteering in the church office. After a rigorous program of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, her cancer is in remission.

In July of 2009, Mike and Edie took a camping trip that included stops on the Lewis and Clark trail, both Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and Mount Rushmore. You can see that Edie is back in the saddle again on her visit with friends in Montana.



Holiday gatherings are precious opportunities to capture family photos. We hope you will send us photos from your special occasions, too. You can e-mail them to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com.

News from Louis Migliozzi

Louis Paul Migliozzi

Classmate Louis Paul Migliozzi is a registered professional engineer who specializes in structural analysis and design. Typical field installations include steel and aluminum stairs and rails, processing equipment, and mechanical project design. Lou lives in Southampton, MA and has several career highlights, including resurrection of a hydroelectric turbine that was over 100 years old, design of a sock dye machine for Burlington Industries, and design of a solvent coating plant operation in Holyoke, MA. You can check out Lou's business web site at
http://lpm-engineering.com .

Lou has three daughters - Gina, Ree, and Nicole, and one son - Conzolo. Lou owns a small farm in Southampton and a ten-acre campsite in Shelburne, MA. He is interested in ecology. Lou burns vegetable oil from restaurant fryers in his 1995 Mercedes E 300 Diesel automobile. He composts, grows red raspberries, makes raspberry wine, and cuts his own cordwood. Lou is a member of the Southampton Lions Club and sings bass in his church choir.

Classmates and Their Stories

In this photo, taken at the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in November, John Awdycki is third from left. Tom Ryan is in front, far right. Behind Tom is Joseph Bishop, former Junior High School gym teacher and coach. Photo provided by Carol Johnson Smith.

It has been our pleasure in the past year to post news, photos, and updates from members of the Gardner High School Class of 1960 on the reunion web log. As we enter into another holiday season, we hope even more classmates will send us recent photos and share stories or greetings . Here is a quick summary of themes that have emerged from the postings so far:

65+ and still learning new skills or gaining new knowledge (playing piano, speaking French, etc.)
65+ and keeping fit by walking, bicycling, dancing, etc. 65+ and traveling to visit friends and family or resort destinations
65+ and still employed, part or full time (fully 25% of our class)
65+ and retired, but busier than ever, and wondering where the time goes
65+ and giving back to community by volunteering or providing service
65+ and assuming care-giver roles for family members who are older or younger
65+ and receiving awards, honors, or recognition of individual achievements
65+ and establishing daily or weekly "comfort" routines that provide stability, predictability and reliability (reading, group luncheons, theater, movies, dinners, etc.)

Got news? Please send photo amd message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com

Gardner in World War II - A History

Gardner in World War II - A History

This volume, about the thickness of a building brick, was published by the Hatton Press in Gardner in 1947. The first section includes photographic reproductions of World War I dead - Gardner heroes who gave their lives during 1917-1919. The next section includes chapters on Civilian Defense, Gardner's Industrial Efforts, Red Cross and USO organizations, and other home-front activity during World War II. A special section of photographs and brief biographies is dedicated to the honored dead who were killed in action. Next, a whopping 438 pages are devoted to Gardner's Service Men and Women who served our country and returned home to become teachers, policemen, firemen, business owners, and to raise families in Gardner. Many aunts, uncles, mothers, and fathers of GHS Class of 1960 classmates are featured in this section. This part includes black and white photographs of each individual and brief descriptions of their military service, battles and campaigns, decorations and citations.

There is a copy of this book in the Local History Room of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner.

News from Vincent Maillet

Vincent and Doris Maillet on a trip to the Caribbean

Vincent and his wife Doris are still working and live in Gardner. Vincent is a quality controller for RR Donnelley in Bedford, MA and Doris works for the Henry Heywood Rehab Center in Gardner. They have no children but both are from large families and have twenty two nieces and nephews with many family functions to attend.

The couple both enjoy traveling and have recently bought a home on a golf course in Plant City, Florida. Some of their immediate family live in this area and Vincent plans to play golf in retirement. Other recent trips have included the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach. Next year, they are planning a trip to Hawaii. Two of Vincent's other hobbies include woodworking and photography. Vinnie is especially proud of his kitchen remodeling project (new cabinets, lighting, etc.) which he completed by himself in his "spare time."

Vincent sent us a black and white photograph taken at a grade 8 Open House at the Holy Rosary School in Gardner. You can view the photo by copying and pasting the following link into your internet browser:

http://www.box.net/shared/oosmfmhvgh

John Awdycki honored recently

Photo courtesy of Carol Johnson Smith

GHS classmate John Awdycki was honored recently at his induction to the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame. The ceremony was conducted in Chatham, MA on Nov. 13-14 2009. John graduated from the University of Massachusetts and is a long time professor of Accounting at Mount Wachusett Community College. He won the Cape Cod League batting title in 1965, hitting .407 for the town of Orleans with 44 hits, 28 RBI, and 22 runs scored. John was also as a two-time All-New England and All-Yankee Conference player for the UMASS Minutemen during his college years. Later, he was a top hitter in the semi-pro Quebec Provincial League, a coach at Orleans, and general manger during his last Season.

Thanks to Tom Ryan for providing the lead on the this posting, and congratulations to John Awdycki for his deserving accomplishment.

Got news to share about another GHS classmate? Please send an e-mail to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Images of America: Hubbardston

Images of America: Hubbardston

Arcadia Publishing recently released another in its series of local history stories, this time featuring the town of Hubbardston. Hubbardston began as a rural farming community, producing crops, livestock, and dairy products. Its millponds even generated enough power to run small millworks. For a time, inns and hotels also flourished as Hubbardston was on the north-south stage route, but the arrival of railroad in 1871 changed that. Later, a great influx of Finnish immigrants settled in the area. The book acknowledges the contributions of noted residents Adam Wheeler, second in command at Shay's Rebellion; Jonas Clark, founder of Clark University; and Waino Holopainen and Roy Handy, inventors of the first hydraulic backhoe. The author, Gary W. Kangas, is a member of the Hubbardston Historical Society. He grew up on a farm that was in his family from 1894 to 1998.

For those GHS classmates that grew up in Hubbardston, the Arcadia publication ($21.99, ISBN 9780738565156) may be ordered at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com or Barnes & Noble bookstores in the greater Gardner area.

The cover of the Hubbardston volume features a photograph of the 1933 Boy Scout troop. Classmate Robert Hunter Coffin, Jr. was quick to identify his father standing in the front row.

Greetings from Suzanne Skamarycz Nobrega

Ed and Sue (Skamarycz) Nobrega

Ed and Sue live in Duxbury, MA. Sue is a retired elementary school teacher and each keep fit, enjoy travel, and visiting with children. Both Ed and Sue attended the GHS Class of 1959 50th class reunion and have shared their observations and suggestions with our planning committee.

We invite you to send us a greeting that we can post to our GHS web log, along with a recent photo, to help remind us of the many common hobbies or interests that we share as former classmates. Please address your e-mail to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com.

Class of 1959 Reunion

One more time in the Hallowed Halls of GHS

The Gardner High School Class of 1959 held its 50th Class Reunion over the weekend of October 9-11, 2009. You can get details and photos at the Class of 1959 web site at http://www.ghs59.org . These include photos taken in the corridors, the gym, and the auditorium of our old high school. The Friday night social and tour of the old GHS building attracted 65 attendees; the Saturday dinner, 111 classmates and spouses or guests; the Sunday brunch, 57.

Now the Elm Street School, our former alma mater building is up to building code and features an elevator. Several of the Class of 1950 reunion attendees and the building principal were stuck in the elevator for several hours as firemen and elevator technicians worked to free them. Then it was on to William's Tavern and Restaurant where the Frday night social provided a great start to the weekend.

Both Judy Heino Collette and Suzanne Skamarycz Nobrega report that the Friday event was well attended and filled up the back room of William's Restaurant. Hearty appetizers were set up at one end of the room and rows of tables allowed attendees to sit and chat. If you have thoughts about the Friday night social idea for our reunion in July of 2010, please add a comment to this message or send an e-mail message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com.

Remembering Pamela Marien

Pamela A. Marien, 1960 Argus Photo

Pamela A. (Marien) Schultz, 66, of Westminster, died in her home after an illness on Friday, October 16, 2009. Pamela attended Westminster Elementary and Junior High School before Gardner High School. She shares the "Little Oscar" award for wittiest student with Richard Kiiski.

Pam was a computer analyst for fifteen years at the former Digital Equipment Corporation before she retired in 1989. She moved to Cape Cod, where she worked as an accountant at Colson Landscaping, before moving back to Westminster in 2004. Pam enjoyed cooking and gardening. She is survived by her mother, two sons, a daughter, and five grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Lavery, Chartrand, and Alario Funeral Home, 99 Summer Street, Fitchburg, with calling hours on Saturday, October 24 from 9-11 a.m. followed by graveside services in Woodside Cemetery in Westminster.

Gardner Scenes: Lee's Hot Dog Stand

Photo by Judy Heino Collette

In the August 1, 2007 edition of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, correspondent Shirley Barnes reported that "Seventy years ago, Harriet Lee won $ 100.00 playing bingo." Later, Harriet and her husband would use that money and other savings to start a small food stand on land near their home. Starting in 1937, they sold hot dogs and soda to workers at a nearby paper mill on the Otter River. The hot dogs were a foot long served in a ten inch roll, selling for 10 cents apiece. During World War II , the stand was closed. The original building was burned down in 1942, but a new stand was opened after the war.

A lot of GHS alumni remember the little building (no seating inside, only a take-out window) at the curve in the road near the railroad bridge over route 68 entering Baldwinville center. Lee's was popular for its many varieties of hot-dog toppings, including "the works."

Gardner Scenes: The Otter River

View over the Otter River

Here's another photo from classmate Judy Heino Collette. We are approaching peak foliage time here in north central Massachusetts and Judy took this photo over the Otter River. At this time of year, the blaze red and orange of the maples stand out in dramatic contrast to the deep green of pine trees or deciduous trees that have not yet turned colors. The birches, hickory, and poplar trees add a splash of yellow. Eventually, the oaks will turn leathery brown.

Is there a Gardner Scene you would like to see featured on the GHS web log? Or a childhood neighborhood or storefront scene that you are curious about? Send your e-mail requests to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or add a comment to this posting.

Gardner Scenes: Parker and West Street

In this photo by Judy Heino Collette, you see the "island" at the intersection of Parker Street (to the left) and West Street ( to the right). Following West Street along Route 68 you could drive through Otter River and then on to Baldwinville for a stop at Lee's Hot Dog Stand. Taking Parker Street along Route 101 you could drive to East Templeton and then on to Queen Lake.

Do you have a favorite neighborhood or intersection that you recall from your "growing up in Gardner" days? Send an e-mail message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com and we will try to get a photo of what that Gardner Scene looks like today.

News from John Oinonen

Travelin' Man: John and Lorna Oinonen on a trip to San Francisco

John and his wife Lorna are both retired. John retired after 25+ years in the energy conservation field - working with MASS-Save, New England Electric, and RISE (Rhode Islanders Saving Energy). Lorna retired after 25 years in the Human Resources area, working with Digital, Cherry Semi-Conductor, Intel, and Boston Financial, where she was a Vice President.

John writes that "We hike (belong to the Appalachian Mountain Club), sail (on our little boat) and really love to travel. Our dog, Bella, a Chinese Crested Powderpuff, gets us out every day, all year, for a brisk three mile morning walk, so we are feeling good. We are looking forward to a month in Naples, FL this winter and may go to Europe for a while next year."

We would enjoy posting a recent picture of you on our web log with a brief write-up about your work, retirement, family, and current interests and hobbies. Please send your digital images and text via e-mail to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com, or send an e-mail to arrange a telephone interview.

Reunion Planning Update

Linda Giles Merikanto, Douglas Fleming, Janyce Charles Gemborys, Stanley Gemborys, Judy Heino Collete

On Tuesday, August 18, the GHS Class of 1960 50th Reunion Planning Committee met for lunch at Williams Restaurant and Tavern in Gardner. Joining the committee were Stanley Gemborys and his wife, Janyce Charles Gemborys. As regular reunion attendees, Stan and Jan offered some suggestions for reunion features that would be appropriate for our 50th class reunion, including saying grace before the meal and acknowledging deceased class members. Most of the discussion focused on the Saturday, July 24 "main event" at the Westminster Village Inn on Route 2, but other conversation explored two related reunion events that would also be planned for the weekend of our reunion. These include an optional "pay as you go" Friday night social following a tour of the "older" Gardner High school building or a "newer" Gardner library or museum, and an optional, "pay as you go" brunch or breakfast on Sunday. Linda Giles Merikanto has taken on the follow-up task of finding suitable locations. The related reunion events are being considered in response to observations by classmates who say there is never enough time to get around to everyone at the reunion dinner. The extra events will provide more time for catch up and conversation. In addition, committee members will prepare a suggested list of activities, short trips, and things to do that will further help connect classmates with similar interests. Judy Heino Collette will assemble an "All Things Gardner" list that can be shared electronically with classmates prior to the reunion. If you have some suggestions for the reunion committee to consider - from special guests, to 50's music in the background to door prizes or raffles for some unique "Gardner area goods" - there is still time to send them to us. You can add them as a comment to this post or send us an e-mail addressed to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Adventure in Casco Bay

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a memorable trip
That started from the Portland docks
Aboard a tiny ship."

With apologies to the authors of the Gilligan's Island theme song, we share this story of a 5 1/2 hour sightseeing cruise in Casco Bay, Maine with a stop for lunch on Bailey's Island - planned and carried out on August 14th by five GHS Class of 1960 classmates: Jacqui Tier Sanford, Linda Giles Merikanto, Donna Blake Beise, Janice Dick Drummey, and Mary Phelan Nordman. Bailey Island was first populated by Europeans in the 1600's and was called Newaggin by the local Abenaki. Cook's Lobster House is a Bailey Island landmark. So are the Giant Steps, a natural rock formation.

Our adventurers listened to the Captain describe the history of Casco Bay and cruised past lighthouses, forts, and 19th century summer colonies. Jacqui Tier Sanford says this was "a beautiful day to renew old friendships - a glorious Maine day on the ocean with good company. We did a lot of talking regarding both past and present times and had a great lunch at Cook's Lobster House. I think we were all sorry to see the day end."

News from Yvonne Savaria Perreault

Yvonne Savaria Perreault writes, " I really believe thus is the happiest time of our lives. We love being retired and having the time to do what makes us happy. Roger loves to fish and I go along for the ride. It is a joke with us because most of the time I bring a book along to read (my favorite hobby) and I just troll a line. Wouldn't you know it - I catch the fish!" Yvonne adds, "We both volunteer one day a week at the regional hospital here in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We are also members of the Rod 'n Reel Club and active in our local church. The Ozark Mountains are beautiful with a bounty of hiking trails. We started geocaching while we were still living in Massachusetts and we have continued caching here. It brings us to locations that we would not find on our own and we have met a great group of people "addicted" to the same hobby."

Both Roger and Yvonne have Facebook pages. Their son and his family are only 2 1/2 hours away in Farmington, Arkansas. Their daughter and her family live in Houston, Texas.

Want to send a message to Yvonne? Leave a comment to this post or send an e-mail to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Holy Rosary School Civic Club

In this Gardner News photo, Captain Henry Cormier of the Gardner Fire Department explains the purpose of Fire Prevention Week to the Grade 8 Holy Rosary School Civics Club. Shown in the photo are James Sand, recording secretary; Andre Bernard, corresponding secretary; Jacqueline Tousignant, president; Edward Hachey, vice-president;Georgette LeBlanc, treasurer; and Dianne Roy, sergeant-at-arms.

Thanks to Dianne Roy Young of East Templeton for sharing this photo. If you have a photo we can post to the GHS Reunion web Log, please send it or tell us about it in an e-mail message you address to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com.

Remember Heddy Sakai?

Richard Goguen and Heddy Sakai

Heddy Sakai was an exchange student from Japan during our Freshman year at Gardner High School. Richard Goguen sent along the photo and story. "Through Facebook, I made friends with Chandra Farnsworth, who now lives on the west coast. She told me that Heddy Sakai was living in Boston and teaching at Bentley college. Heddy had gone back to Japan after our Freshman year but returned to get her undergraduate degree from Wellesley College before going to work in New York City. While in New York, she got her Masters and Doctorate from Columbia University. She came back to Boston and taught briefly at Framingham State College before assuming her current position at Bentley College. I knew Heddy because I used to go to the Farnsworth's after school and before band practice our Freshman year. We made contact via e-mail and have met several times since Easter. The photo was taken at my house."

Are you looking for someone you remember from High School? Send a message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com . Maybe we can help you make the connection.

Still Magnolias

Photo 2004 provided by Gladys Narkevicius Richardson

Not to be confused with the Steel Magnolias, these ladies are still magnolias today. Gladys Narkevicius Richardson sends along a story about how old classmates can become new friends when they share common interests. "Even though we all went out separate ways after graduation, about ten years ago we reconnected and now meet about once a month. We get together in the Boston or Worcester area and go to plays, symphonies, museums, or just do lunch."

Standing in the photo above are Virginia (Blake) Monette, Diana (Virta) Wood, and Gloria (Michaelewicz) Tarpey ('59). Seated are Gladys (Narkevicius) Richardson and Winona (LeBlac) Moeller.

Do you belong to a group of GHS classmates who get together from time to time? Know someone who does? Please help us get a photo and short write-up to go with it. Want to send a message to any of the classmates pictured above? Send your message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

News from Elaine Stanley Guaraglia

Elaine Stanley at the California Academy of Science, San Francisco, June 10, 2009

Since retiring from 40 years of teaching in elementary schools, Elaine keeps active by becoming a master gardener, walking dogs, and conducting tours for Canine Companions for Independence - an organization that trains dogs to assist persons with disabilities. Elaine and her husband also go out on Bodega Bay fishing. Elaine's daughter and son-in-law (who hails from New Hampshire) are both specialty veterinarians in Tucson, Arizona. Exercise is important to Elaine, who does Scottish Dance on Monday Nights and walks briskly five times a week in her Santa Rosa, Califirnia neighborhood. She invited us to view her performance with the Redwood Country Cloggers as they perform "Cajun Moon" at the Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival in northern California, on YouTube. Click on the link to see Elaine dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYXe-T-d_Tw or enter Redwood Country Cloggers in Google or your favorite search engine. Elaine says that clogging is like tap-dancing, square-dancing, and folk dancing all melded together. She dances with her group at farmer's markets and fairs.

News From Laurie Blacquiere

Laurie Blacquiere

Many GHS classmates will remember Laurie Blacquiere as a very outgoing fellow - always with a crowd around him - but few know that he transferred from Notre Dame High School to Gardner High School. Following graduation, Laurie attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMASS where he majored in Ornamental Horticulture. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force. Upon discharge he went to work for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. In 1966 he left to return to Gardner and took on the task of expanding the Gardner Munical Golf Course from nine to eighteen holes. March of 1970 marked the beginning of Laurie's long career as a firefighter in the Citty of Gardner which included earning an Associates Degree in Fire Science Technology. Laurie retired from the Fire Department in 2001, but still maintains a few horticulture accounts and enjoys doing work on his own property. Laurie and his wife have been married for 43 years and now live in Otter River. They have two adult boys and five grandchildren ranging in years from 17 to three. "The last one is a wonderful little girl after four boys," says Laurie.

Laurie has been a member of the Gardner Lions Club for forty years. He was chosen to receive a "Melvin Jones" fellowship - the highest award given to a Lion at the local level. Laurie is curretly the chairman of the sight and hearing committee. He has also volunteered three years of service with other businesses for construction of the Gardner Animal Hospotal on West Broadway.

Laurie is one of 28 other GHS Class of 1960 classmates currently on Facebook. You can contact him there or send a message to him via ghsclassof1960@gmail.com.

Editor's note: Laurie J. Blackquiere, age 67, died on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at UMASS Medical Center in Worcester.

Save the Date for Our Reunion

The Westminster Village Inn

Please save the date for our 50th Gardner High School Class Reunion Dinner

Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Wachusett Village Inn, 9 Village Road, Westminster, MA 01473
(978) 874 5351 http://www.wachusttvillageinn.com/

Reunion registration forms and details about other reunion-related events, including times and locations of all weekend activities, will be available in January, 2010. You can continue to get reunion updates, hotel reservation information, news from classmates, and more here ar the GHS web log.

The Class of 1960 Reunion Planning Committee includes Judy Heino Collette, Linda Giles Merikanto, and Douglas S. Fleming.

Do you have a question? Need some more information? Please contact Judy Heino Collette at (978) 632 3806 or e-mail to judyccats@aol.com .

A text-based version of this posting was sent to all classmates with e-mail addresses. Postcards were mailed to other classmates. Just in case we missed anyone, we hope you will share this information with friends and classmates.

At The Beach 1960

A Day at the Beach

Here's a black and white photo provided by Linda (Giles Merikanto. Linda and her younger sister sit with Carolyn (MacIntosh) Fratturelli as Barbara (Osborne) Rameau and Jacqui (Tier) Sanford kneel behind. This photo was taken at athe Polish American Country Club beach in Gardner, MA on July 6, 1960. To me, that looks like Len Erickson in the background, but I don't have a forensics lab to create better resolution. Recognize anyone else? Got any other hunches?

If you have some high school photographs you can share with the 50th High School Class Reunion Committee, we would enjoy scanning and posting them to our web log. Please send us a message at ghsclassof1960@gmail.com . We will return your orignals promptly and safely.

News from Judy Heino Collette

Judy (Heino) Collette and her husband, George

After graduating from GHS, Judy attended the Stenotype Institute of Boston, which led to her first job in transcription at General Radio in Concord, MA. She married George Collette in 1961. Son David was born in 1962, daughter Lisa in December, 1963, and daughter Carolyn in December of 1965. Grandson Kyle was born in 1990. In 1970 Judy returned to work as a typesetter for a local printer. After 34 years working for four different printers, Judy retired in 2004 as a Graphic Design Manager.

In the late 1980s, Judy and George started traveling with her sister and brother-in-law, first to Bermuda, then later to London, Paris, and Jamaica. The "traveling bug" brought them to Aruba, Antigua, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Dominican Republic, Grand Bahamas, Nasau, Hawaii, and Ireland. Many of these places were visited more than once. Now, their immediate family frequently travels with them for family vacations in Maine, California, and Virginia Beach.

Judy's documentation skills have kept her very active with GHS Class of 1960 reunions. She has volunteered many hours organizing Holy Spirit Church fairs. Judy also volunteers for the United Way and local Red Cross Blood Drives.

For the past five years, Judy and George have supported their youngest daughter in her fight against Cancer.

News from Eric Chapman

Eric Chapman and his beloved Viola

Eric Chapman started his teaching career in the History Department at St. Paul's School in NH from 1964-1968. He went to the University of Michigan where he was a Teaching Fellow in African-American Studies. Later, he supervised implementation of early childhood education programs for an educational research foundation. At the same time, he founded a violin making school in the United States which led to the creation of the Violin Society in America. In 1974, Eric founded the Ann Arbor Summer Sympony, now in its 35th season. By 1978, Eric started Eric Chapman Violins, Inc. which he still operates out of his home in Lincolnshire, IL . He also serves as contributing editor to the Journal of the American Viola Society. Eric writes that he "keeps active with the viola and plays with two quartets and the Skokie Symphony."

Eric and his wife Adina have two children, ages 13 and 15. Both are active musicians. Their son does trombone and voice and has sung in 24 concerts with the Chicago Symphony. Their daughter, 15, is a freshman at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Adina is a trombonist and former music school dean. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Adina teaches foods and gourmet foods at Hillary Clinton's former high school.

Would anyone like to send a "note" to Eric Chapman? Write to us at ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or add a comment to this post.

News from Brendan Dunn

Brendon J. Dunn

Brendan has been married to his wife Connie (Constance Lessard) for 43 years and lives in Landing, NJ. The Dunns have three children, Shannon (41), Kathleen (38), and Bryan (31) and five grandchildren. Brendan worked as a Senior Toxicologist for Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc.) in Morristown, NJ for 27 years. He retired in 2003. Brendan continues to stay busy doing consulting work for the same company. His hobbies include rock/mineral collecting and photography. Brendan is a member of the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society, the Fluorescent Mineral Society, and the Morris Museum Mineralogical Society where he participates as Membership Chairman and Editor of the Society's newsletter. Other interests include collecting and reading about Native Amercan Indian crafts and artwork, golf, and travel. Brendan remains an avid Boston/New Englad sports fan, following the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots.

News from Helen Cormier Haga

Helen (Cormier) Haga and her brother, Robert Cormier

Helen (Cormier) Haga of Washington state writes that she plans to retire next year "if the economy picks up." She works as a medical Lead Procedure Technician doing Dexa Scans, Ultrasounds, and a variety of monitoring procedures for heart and lung conditions. Helen and her husband Tor spend most of their free time on a major reconstruction of their house on Camano Island. Camano Island is in Puget Sound, twenty-five miles north of Seattle. The house is a tri-level and Helen's dad will soon have his own one bedroom, full kitchen, living room and family room with fireplace and great view of salt water and mountains on the ground level. When she does retire, Helen says she wants to study Spanish, volunteer at the Raptor Center on Camano Island where they rehabilitate large birds of prey, and perhaps join the Friends of Camano Parks.

News From Beverly Morze Piccone

Beverly (Morze) Piccone

Beverly (Morze) Piccone says, "My first visit to the blog was filled with emotions : happy to see/read about classmates, proud of their accomplishments, but deeply saddened to read of our class losses."

Since graduating from Gardner High School, Beverly has experienced a variety of careers. After graduation from UMASS - Amherst, Bev taught in Montgomery County, Maryland. After her her first year of teaching, she accepted a summer internship with Congressman Phil Philbin in the U.S. House of Representatives. This led to career # 2. Bev writes that "as Vice Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Phil was often summoned to the White House to meet with President Johnson, and I had the job of delivering him to the back door of the White House."

Beverly continued to work on "The Hill" until 1974 and the birth of her first child, Rebecca. This started career # 3: at home mother. Then came career # 4. "When our second child, Robert, was six, I joined a compay whose products were educational toys and materials. This allowed me to remain at home AND rewarded us with travel around the country and to many exciting spots in Europe and Asia. " With children ready for college, Beverly embarked on career # 5. "In 1994 I became a residential real estate agent and over the past 15 years, I have worked with clients from 28 different countries. While the market in the DC area has cooled considerably since the boom days, I am still busy, but also enjoying career # 6 - grandmother. Our first grandchild, Frederick, was born to our daughter and her husband. Both our children and their spouses live in the "Big Apple" and we visit them often.

Beverly adds that "Although my careers have changed, I have had the "roots" of living in the same home for 36 years with the same husband of 41 years. Our weekly routine consists of dinner and a movie on Friday night and we make it a point to see all the Academy Award nominees. I am looking forward to our milestone reunion and a return visit to my hometown."

News from Barbara Pelletier Bachand

Barbara Pelletier Bachand

Barbara demonstrates her Yankee brand of humor when she writes, "I went down to the pharmacy and got a passport photo. I can either plan a vacation outside the USA or save it for my obit. My Dad did that. Has everything together, picture and all in one envelope, with all his wishes spelled out. Makes it easier for the survivors." A clever way to solve the photo problem!

Barbara adds that she is spending her retirement being "busier than I've ever been," and goes on to say that "New Bedford, MA is a city rich in art, history, and architecture. For the past twenty years or so I have been a volunteer tour guide at the Rotch Jones Duff House and Gardnen Museum. I have also just completed four months of training at the New Bedford Whaling National Park and hope to be an interpreter doing walking tours this summer. I have chosen to talk about the history of the Quakers in early New Bedford." Like other GHS Class of 1960 classmates, she keeps learning. "About eight years ago I took up the clarinet again after not playing since high school. I have played with the UMASS-Dartmouth Wind Ensemble and in the summer I play with the Dartmouth Community Band. We do big band (swing) music in the gazebo on the beach. It's lots of fun except for unexpected lightning storms and being pelted by Canada Geese!!!"

Barbara and her husband Richard enjoy spending time with two grandaughters in Scituate, MA and two grandsons in Fort Collins, CO. She adds that she enjoys reading the Reunion blog and getting news about classmates and can't wait to see us all next year.

News from Joanne Guertin Augustino

Joanne (Guertin) Augustino retired in 2008 after working 34 years at Heywood Hospital as a staff X-Ray technician. Her hobbies are working in the yard on her flower garden and spending summers at Queen Lake in Phillipston. She says she "finally learned to knit and am making socks on four needles." Joanne has two children: Trevor, age 43 who is a fire warden for the state and lives in Granby, MA and Jocelyn, age 42 who is a professional photographer in Washington, DC.

Isn't it amazing how retirement can free you up to learn and do things you didn't have time for when you were working? We'd like to know what you are up to these days and welcome stories and photos from all GHS Class of 1960 friends and classmates. Please send us an update and a digital image via e-mail addressed to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

News from Robert Cormier

2009 Adult National Championships, Grand Rapids Michigan

Robert "Scooter" Cormier writes that he is still working and looking forward to semi-retirement. Bob is Program Chair for Multimedia and Computer Drafting and Design at the Norwood MA campus of the ITT Technical Institute. Bob has 25 years experience in Architectural Engineering and has taught at Northeastern University.

Bob sends this photo from the 2009 freestyle event, which he won against strong competition.

He has a daughter, Noelle, and a grandson, Connor, who live in Connecticut.

Robert Menne

Worcester Telegram Photo 2007

There's no doubt about it. GHS Class of 1960 classmate Robert Menne has an impressive resume - including wins in a PGA Tour event, the 1974 Kemper Open in Charlotte, NC, the Massachusetts Open, the New Egland PGA, and several prestigious head pro and teaching pro positions. But there is more to Bob than golf, as a June 10, 2007 article in the Worcester Telegram reveals. You can read the full story at http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070610/NEWS/706100604/1009/SPORTS

Bob lives in West Plalm Beach, Florida.

Enduring Friendships

Rachel (Hebert) Reilly and Judy (Heino) Collette - an enduring friendship

This week's posting is about enduring friendships - friendships that last a lifetime - even if you are separated by distance or have not had much communication over the years. In some cases, you can simply pick up where you left off after many years. In other cases, you have had such regular correspondence that there is no sense of any interval in the relationship. Take the example of the two people in the photograph above. They were good friends in high school and have continued to work together by planning and attending GHS Class Reunions. We would like to learn about other enduring frendships among our GHS Class of 1960 classmates.

* Do you have a special friend you call, or to whom you write cards or send email?

* Are there a group of friends with whom you get together on a regular basis, or with whom you meet when you go back to Gardner?

We would enjoy posting a picture of your "friends" meeting on our web log. If you would like to nominate another special friendship, please send us a message at ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Gardner Junior High School Eagle

Thanks and a tip of the reunion planning hat to Janice (Goeke) Tuffin, who mailed us a copy of the Gardner Junior High School Eagle (Volume III, Number 3, April, 1956). The lead story reported on the Quiz Show assembly in which students from Grade 8 competed against Grade 7 in a current events contest. Our grade 8 class was represented by Eugene Andes, John Yablonski, Philip Cavanaugh, Jadwiga Nerkevicius, Elaine Stanley, and Beverly Morze. After five rounds of questions, the Grade 7 team was victorious. Charles Bagdonas and Elaine Stanley won the top prize in the word game section. The mimeographed newsletter (now yellowed and faded) is 14 pages long and includes contributions written by the following classmates:

* Poems written by Carolyn Cunninghan, Harold Fiske, and Gail Moore

* A report on Mr. Joseph Bishops's broken ankle by Janice Goeke and Carol Johnson

* Descriptions of lobby showcase scenes from Longfellow by Nancy Cormier

* Hit Parade Tunes, TV, and Movie selections by Brenda Nyman, Virginia Blake, and Theresa Bridge

* Summary of Club Activities by Roger Kinnnear and Dennis Wehren

* Gossip Column by Carol Johnson and Janice Goeke

* Student Government Report by Brenda Nyman and Sheila Harrington

* Book Reviews by Dennis Erickson, Brendan Dunn, Carolyn Cunnigham, Judy Goodwin,Walter Dubzinski, Richard Kiiski, Ann Fleming, Louis Migliozzi, Jadwiga Narkevicius, Norman Begun, and Linda Giles.

Janice calls the document a "relic" but I think it is a sweet treasure that foretold the character and leadership of those who contributed to it. We haven't tried scanning or copying the document yet, but if you contact us at ghsclassof1960@gmail.com perhaps we can send you a part of your own past.

Was this post useful or interesting to you? Please leave us a comment. Thanks.

On The Radio 1960

These were the popular tunes on the radio in 1960, including the spring of our Senior Year at Gardner High School. Does any one song remind you of a pasrticular time or place?

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - Shirelles

He'll Have to Go - Jim Reeves

Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles

Only the Lonely - Roy Orbison

Let It Be Me - Everly Brothers

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland

Stay - Maurice Williams and the Zodiaks

Chain Gang - Sam Cooke

Save The Last Dance for Me - Drifters

Shop Around - Miracles

The Twist - Chubby Checker

Cathy's Clown - Everly Brothers

I'm Sorry - Brenda Lee

Paper Roses - Anira Bryant

If there is another song you woyuld add to the list, please send a message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or add a comment to this post.

50th Class Reunion Survey

E-Mail Survey Results

We recently conducted an e-mail survey of attendees at recent class reunions, asking them to identify important features, things that did not work so well, and what they might suggest for the reunion planning committee to consider for our 50th class reuniuon in 2010. Here is what our classmates said.

* Put high school graduation pictures on name badges.

* Make sure we have plenty of time to mingle and talk.
* A moderately long cocktail hour for moving around and mixing.
* Socializing and catching up with people.
* Visiting with friends

* Some might want to golf.

* Having a live band is not a priority for me.
* 50's music in the background would be nice.
* Music from the 50's and 60's



* Good food in a relaxed atmosphere helps.
* The casual theme works best. Let's be comfortable.

* Taking up a collection and making a donation to GHS or the community might be appropriate.

* How about a trivial pursuit game or other way to warm things up?
* Something that woould get everyone to meet with other people.
* Could we ask people to get up and share a memlorry of GHS?
* Give everyone a chance to acknowledge a special teacher.

* Hold the reunion in a resort location or out of state.
* The location should be attractive and accessible.

* Make it a weekend event, with maybe a group tour of the Gardnmer Museum, High School, or other point of interest.
* Communicate early and well in advance of the reunion.

* Give a report on classmates who can't be there.

We hope this posting "seeds" your interest, too. Please send us your thoughts in an e-mail mesage you address to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or click on comments to enter a reply.

On the Radio 1959

Class reunion attendees tell us that the music from the fifties and sixties that is often playing in the background helps set a memorable tone for our reunions. The following tunes were popular hits on the radio in 1959, including the spring of our Junior year at Gardner High School. These are not listed in any particular order. How many of them do you remember? Is there one for which you can still remember some of the lyrics?

What'd I Say - Ray Charles

I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos

Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin

Sleep Walk - Santo and Johnny

There Goes My Baby - The Drifters

Put Your Head on My Shoulder - Paul Anka

Shout - Isley Brothers

Sixteen Candles - The Crests

Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison

Lipstick on Your Collar - Connie Francis

Poison Ivy - Coasters

Love Potion No. 9 - Clovers

Come Softly To Me - Fleetwoods

Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton

A Teenager in Love - Dion and the Belmonts

If there is another song from 1959 that you would add to the list, please send a message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or add a comment directly to this post.

Facebook Friends

At last count, the following GHS Class of 1960 members have Facebook Accounts. Facebook is a "social networking" platform that enables you to post information, photos, commentary, and more with family, high school or college classmates, work associates and others. To do this, you must start an account (free) on Facebook, enter some basic information, and send others a friend request so that you can see their information and get a daily "stream" of news about their activities. Facebook has a "friend finder" that helps you locate classmates.

Donna Rae (Blake) Beise

Laurie Blacquiere

Robert Hunter Coffin, Jr.

Judy (Heino) Collette

Cecile Maillet Danielson

Gordon J. Dickie

Dennis Erickson

Douglas S. Fleming, Sr.

Dick Goguen

Phyllis and Russell Hoag

Ruth (Viewig) Hutchison

Dorothy (Wolanski) Kauffman

Gloria (LeBlanc) Ley

Jean (Williams) Mattson

Linda (Giles) Merikanto

Jeanne (Desmarais) Mnoholitny

Mary (Phelan) Nordman

Elizabeth (Carr) Parks

Yvonne (Savaria) Perreault

David Prime

Rachel (Hebert) Reilly

Tom Ryan

Jacqui (Tier) Sanford

Patricia (Roberts) Strandberg

Sheila (Harrington) Susen

James Tamulen

Glenn T. Theodore

Annette (Arsenault) Wall

Marcia (Shepard) Wilk

John Yablonski

David Zarozinski

This list will be updated from time to time. Last updated March 26, 2009. To report omissions or additions, please send e-mail to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com . Thank you!

News from...Marilyn L'Ecuyer Michaelson

Marilyn L'Ecuyer Michaelson is president of Business Communication Services in Pioneer, California. Her husband Ron is an environmental consultant. Marilyn will retire from her telecommunications consulting business at the end of 2009. She has lived in Virginia, California, and Hawaii. In 2010, the couple will move to Wasilla, Alaska.

For more complete contact information, send a message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Senior Banquet 1960

Photo provided by Janice Goeke Tuffin

From left, going back, and coming down on the right are Donna Blake, Janice Dick, Jean Williams, Lucille Minns, Judy Goodwin, Janice Goeke, Jane Granquist, Annette Cormier, Joanne Guertin, Joyce Leamy, and Rachel Hebert.

Where are these people now, and how many of them keep in touch? Seven of them have e-mail addresses, and three are on Facebook now.

If you have a group photo from your GHS days, we can scan it electronically and post it to our web log. All photos will be returned to you safely. Please help us stroll down memory lane with a photo.

Sunshine State Classmates

The following alumni and friends of the Gardner High School Class of 1960 now reside in Florida, part or full time. Congratulations to these fortunate property owners.

Marty and Linda Anderholm

Paul and Loretta (Davis) Bettez

Annette (Arsenault) Wall

Carole Anne (Barry) Clark

Betty Beach

William Bradford

Richard and Paula (LaChance) Donovan

Dennis Erickson

Leonard Erickson

William Farnsworth

Kenneth and Sandra (Merikanto) Hansen

Wayne Harding

George Kangas
Elizabeth (O'Regan) Adkins

Rachel (Hebert) Reilly

Elizabeth (Jacki) McDonald

George Kangas

Francis X. Lupien

Sandra (Merikanto) Hanson

Elizabeth (O'Regan) Adkins

Kenneth and Barbara (Osborne) Rameau

David Robichaud

Donald Roy

Alice (Teles) Stone

Did we miss someone? Should there be another name on the list? Please notify us by leaving a comment or sending an e-mail message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

News from Tom & Jackie Ryan

Tom and Jackie (Tousignant) Ryan are now retired - he as a high school teacher and coach, she as a nurse. Tom likes to work out, attend football games, watch his grand children compete, and root for the Boston Red Sox. Jackie and Tom live in Meriden, CT and have four grown children:

Pat - helicopter pilot now FBI agent

Kathy - elementary school teacher

Bo - school principal

Kelly - social worker

Tom is an active Facebook participant and shares his reactions to books and movies online. If you join Facebook this week (it's free!) you can "make friends" with Tom and twenty-one other GHS Class of 1960 alumni. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ .

Looking for news from someone else? Send an e-mail message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or leave a comment to this post.