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.