Finnish Center Seeks Donations

Formed as a social group for Finnish immigrants in 1898, the Finnish Center at Saima Park, 61 Scott Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Finnish and Finnish-American heritage and culture.

GHS Classmate Lloyd Hannula asks, "Do you have a pair of cross-country skis and/or ski poles/cross country ski boots you can donate or loan to the Finnish Center at Saima Park? In February we will have a series of open houses featuring our Saima Park cross-country ski trails. Dates include February 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. We are also seeking donations or loans of snowshoes."

Can you help Lloyd? For more information, contact Lloyd Hannula at (978) 602 2014 or lloydhannula@aol.com .

Making a Donation to the Stone Fund

Thanks to GHS classmate Russell W. Hoag, Jr. for discovering that a monetary contribution can still be made to the Stone Fund, even though the Nichols and Stone furniture company is no longer operating.

Address correspondence to:

Albert H. and Rueben S. Stone Fund
P.O. Box 1008
Gardner, MA 01440
(978) 630 2800 phone
(978) 630 2801 FAX
albertstonefund123@gmail.com

If you need to reach someone before the end of the year, please call Donna Bell-Isle at Leblanc and Sans Law Office, (978) 632 0011

Many classmates who were recipents of the Stone Fund have expressed an interest in "giving back." Gardner High School also has an Alumni Scholarship Fund that takes donations for distribution to future graduates. Donations can be made out to the Gardner High School Alumni Scholarship Fund and sent to:

Judy A. Mack
Gardner High School Guidance Department
Gardner High School
200 Catherine Street
Gardner MA 01440
(978) 632 1600 main office
(978) 630 4066 guidance

You don't have to be a Stone Fund Recipent to want to give back to your community, and contributing to either the Stone Fund or the Alumni Scholarship Fund is both generous and tax-deductable.

Lining Up is Hard To Do

Here's another picture from Brenda Nyman Clausen, taken on Saturday July 24, just as we were all lining up for our 50th Class Reunion photo. As you can see, the front row (to be seated on the grass) had not been called in yet, and the folks in the back row have not climbed on the staging sety for them . There's a lot of visiting, greeting, and hugging going on. Our sympathies go to the photo crew, who must have felt like they were herding squirrels. Still, it all happened on time, and the complete and finished photos were delivered before dessert.

Greeting Former Classmates

Brenda Nyman Clausen took this photo showing Karen Heywood Greenlaw and William Farnsworth greeting Peter Larson and Carrie Cunningham Larson at the Saturday Reunion Dinner on July 24, 2010. If you have photo from the reunion, we'd like to see them. Reunions go by so quickly - it is hard to get photos of everyone who attended. You can help us tell the whole story.

Listening to Language

Your reunion plannning committee continues to receive hand-written notes, e-mail messages, and telephone calls from classmates commenting on our 50th Class Reunion. Here are some of the things people have said. They can teach us about what mattered most to those who attended.

"The best reunion ever."
"Fabulous job"

"Thank you for all your hard work."

"Thank you all for your hard work."

"Everyone I spoke to said everything was great."

"A wonderful weekend filled with memories."

"Outstanding planning, organization, and execution."

"Everyone was so nice"

"My table made it especially fun."

"Was planned out to the T's"

"The hospitality suite was a great idea."

"I can't imagine the hours you spent getting ready for this."

"Excellent job of set-up."

"Was fun to get ready via Facebook and the GHS Web Log.

"You really went above and beyond."

"Each event was fun."

"I wasn't going to go but the e-mails made me feel wanted"

"I haven't been to a reunion before and I am glad I went."

"I got ideas for my own class reunion . (guest)"

"What a blessing to see so many classmates after all these years."

News from Roger Kinnear

Roger and Nan Kinnear are regular attendees at GHS reunions.

Roger Kinnear now lives in Collierville, Tennessee. He is retired from a career as plant manager of food plants, and is enjoying visiting with grandchildren in the area and traveling to see others. Roger and Nancy have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. In high school, Roger was a member of the GHS Ski Club and served on the Stage Crew for four years.

After the Ball is Over...

Following our 50th Class Reunion in July, most people returned to their homes and daily routines. Some stayed in the area and visited with friends and family. Others completed other planned trips or extended vacations in New England. Classmate Louis Paul Migliozzi had other pressing business, as shown.

If anyone remembers who won the wine basket that Lou donated for our Reunion Raffle, please let us know. We didn't keep a record of who won what at our 50th Reuinion, but we promise to do better next time.

Remembering Pamela Prime

Pamela Prime Miller died on July 25, 2006. This picture, taken in 2001, was provided by Nancy Ball Griffin of Columbus, Ohio. Nancy writes that Pam and her husband, Cledith, were the parents of two sons. After living for a while in Germany, Pam and Clete lived in central Pennysylvania from the early 1970's until she died. Pam worked as an occupational therapist throughout her career. She enjoyed hiking, camping, swimming and the company of their dog, Peach.

News from Jeanne Charest Mallet

Jeanne Charest spent only two years at Gardner High School, but made friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

Jeanne was born in Gardner but spent her early school years in South Royalston. She feels that she was underexposed to the larger world -- she never experienced a library before going to high school. Going to high school in the "city" (of Gardner) was a big deal, but it meant getting up early to get on the train every day to go to school. She writes, "At first I was overwhelmed and felt awkward. I found out that there were uptowners, downtowners and "us"-- out-of- towners. That's hard to figure out when you are a kid with so little experience socially."

Soon Jeanne made new friends and that made a big difference. She lists Ginny Blake, Connie Lesneski, Sue Skamarycz, Joanne Bogdanski, Jackie Tousignant, Donna Blake, and Judy Bishop as her social circle. She felt academically overwhelmed but her goal was to play on the girls softball team in her freshman year. Earning her letter was a special reward.

By the time sophomore year arrived, Jeanne was more comfortable in Gardner but then discovered that Royalston was going into a regional high school with Athol. "The prospect of change was distressing but after every effort to find the money to stay in Gardner, I realized I'd have to go with the flow. " There, Jeanne lettered in thre sports and found total acceptance."

Jeanne married her boyfriend from Gardner, Barry Glinski. "We have three very successful daughters and five grandchildren. Our marriage didn't last and after a divorce, I married Phil Mallet from Athol. We have been together for the better part of 30 years and continue to be happy. We are both presently retired and live in a condo in West Boylston."

Although she only went to GHS for two years, Jeanne acknowledges that "Ginny Blake and I have been friends for 54 years, which means that my short stop at Gardner High School had an everlasting effect on my life."

More Band News

Our own Major Domo, Richard Goguen, at the Amercan Legion National Convention in Hawaii

Richard Goguen writes, "Our Waltham American Legion Band of which I am a drum major and drummer received an invitation to march in the Gardner 225th Anniversary Parade in September. I haven't marched in a Gardner parade in about 50 years or so. I hope that I can connect with classmates again on the parade day. I am furnishing a bio and pictures to the parade committee.

50th Reunion Group Photo

This is a low-resolution, poor quality facsimile of our 50th Reunion group photo taken just before the Saturday Dinner.

For a guide to who is pictured in each row, please go to http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep7fvn/attendees.htm

You can still order print copies of the 8 x 12 photo by sending $10.00 to the photographer.

Paul Lehoux

Lasting Memories

157 West Street

Gardner, MA 01440

(978) 632 0966

FACEBOOK friends have access to the photo ID guide and albums of informal snapshots taken at each of the three reunion events, with names of classmates "tagged" in each photo.

Did You Take Pictures?

Attending the GHS Class of 1960 50th Reunion Dinner on Saturday, July 24 were Priscilla Dionne McKillop, Dianne Roy Young, Barbara Reed Fuller, Janet Therrien Miller, Shirley Long Smith, and Alice Teles Stone.

If you have digital photos from any of the three reunion events, please send them to us so we can put them into online albums or feature them on our GHS Web Log. Attach them to an e-mail message you send to dfleming373@verizon.net.

Thanks to classmate Shirley Long Smith for sending this photo.

Stage Crew

The Stage Crew for our Senior Class Play "Follow The Dream" 1960: Back: Raymond Barton, Roger Kinnear Front: Ray Faucher('61), David Feltmarch

Every live production has some folks front and center, on stage, and other folks behind the scenes, pulling on ropes, moving props, and adjusting lights.

The same goes for our 50th Class Reunion. Here's the stage crew who helped make our 50th Class Reunion a success:

Carol Johnson Smith - registraton table
Carolyn Hebert - raffle tickets (Judy's daughter)
Judy Goodwin Cross - raffle tickets
George Collette - room set-up
Barbara Fleming - informal photographs
Ronald Cormier - library tour

Memories Shared, Memories Made

Evelyn Hurme Fogg reviews an album of Westminster elementary and junior high photographs assembled for our 50th Class Reunion.

The Monday, July 26 edition of the Gardner News (Volume 208, Number 175, pages 1 and 5) featured a front-page story on Gardner High School's class of 1960 three-day reunion. Staff reporter Steve Marcotte attended the Sunday Brunch at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library to interview classmates. His report acknowledged the large number of scholarships and awards received by members of our class, and included quotes from Jerome Pierce, Judy Heino Collette, and Judy Goodwin Cross.

The color photo of Karen Heywood Greenlaw published in the Gardner News did not scan well (came out too dark and grainy) so we used one of our own from the Sunday Brunch in this post.

The album that Evelyn is holding is still not complete. We are missing Mrs. L'Ecuyer's 1st grade class, 1949, and Miss Smith's 6th grade class, 1954. It does contain the entire Junior High Yearbook from 1957, thanks to Jean Williams Mattson.

The following GHS classmates and friends contrubuted to the album by loaning original documents or photographs for copying and scanning, or by helping to identify names of students in photos.

Jean Williams Mattson, Evelyn Hurme Fogg, John Oinonen, Ernest Lehtonen, Oscar Lehtonen, Merilyn Ruuska Dunn, Marilyn L'Ecuyer Michelson, Robert Marien, Robert Lowman, Ruth Vieweg Hutchison, and Richard Donovan.

A Salute to Service

David Feltmarch provided this photo of three GHS classmates in training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Shown are David Feltmarch, Russell Hoag, and Ronald Rosengren.

At the Saturday Dinner program of our 50th Class Reunion, class president Stanley Gemborys called upon all former service members to stand in recognition of their service to country. We do not have a complete list of all GHS classmates, male and female, who served in a branch of our armed services. If you can help us by identifying classmates who are veterans, please include their name in a comment you add to this message. Thank you.

Sunday Brunch

Our Sunday Brunch at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library on West Lynde Street in Gardner provided additional time for meeting and greeting former classmates. Some classmates toured the library facility, including the local history room, while other classmates mingled or sat in small groups or pairs, examining posters and class photo albums. The library tour was conducted by Holy Rosary School classmate Ronald Cormier.

The Friday Night Social and the Reunion Dinner events bustled with activity, laughter, and noise. The conversations on Sunday were more personal, focused, and reflective. Classmates put their heads together to identify classmates in our elementary or junior high school photo albums.

For more photos from the Sunday Brunch, click on the following link:

http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/9296283/1/SundayBrunch?h=1ac09e

Just for the record: 43% of GHS Class of 1960 classmates live in the greater Gardner area. An additional 14% live in other Massachusetts communities. The remaining 43% live in other states, including Alaska and Hawaii, with Florida having the wildcat's share. 115 classmates registered for our 50th Reunion. This represents 56% of our class. Gardner area classmates accounted for 32% of the overall attendance.

Saturday Night Dinner

Reunions within reunion: former Sacred Heart School classmates gather together for a group photo. Front row: Connie Lesneski Libed, Barbara Pelletier Bachand, Donna Blake Beise, Roberta Dines Graves, Judy Heino Collette, Janice Dick Drummey. Back Row: Gordon Dickie, John Yablonski, David Pacocha, Lucile Minns Fagan, Barry Glinski, Rachel Hebert Reilly, John Awdycki.

Banding together: Major domo Richard Goguen assembled former GHS band members for a group photograph. Front: Jacqui Teir Sanford, Karen Heywood Greenlaw, Barbara Pelletier Bachand, Claudine Marchegiani Reilly; Back: Richard Goguen, Rachel Hebert Reilly, Carrie Cunningham Larson, Linda Giles Merikanto, Bill Farnsworth.

Our 50th class reunion dinner was held at the Westminster Village Inn on Saturday night, with the steamy weather holding steady long enough to get an outdoor photograph of all of us, without any rain on our parade.

You can view a more complete album by clicking on the following link: http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/9296283/1/SaturdayDinner?h=015013

Friday Night at William's Tavern

Pull up a chair and visit a bit with Roger and Yvonne Savaria Perreault from Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Shari Montville Whipple is front and center in this digital photo taken on Friday night.

The Friday Night Social at William's Tavern and Restaurant on Pearson Boulevard in Gardner served as a warm-up for the main event, our 50th Class reunion dinner, on Saturday. Over 80 classmates participated, meeting, greeting, and discovering new friends in a relaxed setting with plenty of appetizers, both hot and cold, and friendly waitstaff who were eager to refill every glass.

For a more complete album, please click on the following link:

http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/9296283/1/FridayNight?h=27943b

Safe Travel, Classmates

Here's wishing all GHS Class of 1960 classmates safe travel to and from our 50th Class Reunion events. Whether you live near or far, we hope you enjoy meeting former classsmates and making new friends.

The weather this week continues to be hot and muggy, with chances of thundershowers in the afternoon or evening over the weekend of July 23-25, 2010.

The photo above was taken by Judy (Heino) Collette and shows some hand-painted items prepared by classmate Diane (Brazawskis) Ewing for our reunion raffle. What a nice way to remember our 50th Class Reunion - some lucky ticket holder will take home quite a keepsake.

........................................... Don't Be Late!

Friday Night Social, Williams Tavern, Pearson Boulevard - 6:00 p.m. (NOTE: There is NO Tour of the former GHS building on Elm Street)

Saturday Reunion Dinner, Westminster Village Inn - 5:30 p.m. (registration) 6:45 p.m. (class photo), 7:00 p.m. (dinner) 8:00 p.m. (short program and raffle).

Sunday Brunch, Levi Heywood Memorial Library, West Lynde Street 10:00 a.m. (includes tour of building)

The Girl on the Boulevard

Here is a photo of a confident and poised young woman at the beach. She is a classmate you may remember, particularly if you attended Pleasant Street, Connors Street, and Gardner Junior High in the 1950's, too.

You will see her again at our 50th Class Reunion. Can you identify this person?

News from Nancy Ball Griffin

Nancy (Ball) Griffin with her husband Paul and grandchildren AJ (11) and Elizabeth (9), plus Stella

Nancy and Paul were married in 1963. Nancy graduated from Framingham State College in 1964. She taught in both urban and rural areas in Rhode Island before moving to Rochester, Minnesota where daughter Jennifer was born. Nancy and Paul then lived in the Twin Cities area and Indiana before moving to Columbus, Ohio. She writes, "It took many years, but I finally became a Buckeye Nut," but adds that all New England teams are still her favorites. Nancy worked in several small businesses, in real estate, and as a nursing home administrator. In 1994, Nancy returned to teaching, this time in inner city schools, and reports that she loved it.

In addition to photos of her own family, Nancy sent pictures of the late Pamela (Prime) Miller, who died in 2006. Taken in 1995 and 2001, these will be shared in a special post.

Nancy contributed a story to the GHS Memory Book and will join us at our 50th Class Reunion on July 23-25, 2010. Like many others in our class, Nancy enjoys traveling, reading, crafts, and spending time with friends and family.

Enjoying Your 50th Reunion

One way to have a good time is by taking a chance on winning one of our unique raffle items, like this felted Icelandic wool purse handmade by Janice Dick Drummey.

Our 50th Class Reunion is rapidly approaching and we hope you are preparing for a good time with friends and former classmates. You can help yourself have a more memorable journey in time and place by doing some of the following:

* Looking at the pages of your 1960 Argus before the reunion. You can't expect people to look like that after 50 years, but reviewing the photos in the Argus will remind you of people you might want to seek out at the reunion.

* Introducing your spouse or guest to classmates who may share similar hobbies or life experiences.

* Taking a camera so you can share some photos with family and friends back home, or to send us digital images for posting to the GHS Web Log

* Collecting a FEW photos of home, family, or hobbies to share with classmates. This may be especially important if you have recently retired, relocated or purchased a brand new Harley.

* Carrying extra cash for all those little unexpected purchases you might make, including a class photo and raffle tickets.

* Taking time to chat with people you didn't know very well in high school, but with whom you may have developed similar interests or opinions over the years.

* Don't forget to pack your sense of humor. There are always a lot of things that can go wrong and not meet your expectations. You can't expect to recognize everyone by name, and they may not even remember you, either. A room may be crowded. A dinner table may be full. Someone may have taken the last scallop wrapped in bacon. Plus, it could rain. Hey, we are all still here, aren't we? Let's party.

GHS Memory Book

GHS Memory Book - Cover Design and Photo by Judy Heino Collette

Thirty-five classmates responded to our invitation to contribute a memory of their Gardner days. The invitation was sent out via e-mail, posted on Facebook, and published in the home news section of the Gardner Daily News. Samples of the GHS Memory Book will be displayed at the Saturday Reunion Dinner on July 24th, 2010. Electronic versions of the GHS Memory Book will be provided at no charge to classmates with e-mail. Paper copy will be sent to classmates who request one for a nominal fee that covers costs of copying and postage.

The GHS Memory Book includes first-person anecdotes about persons, places, and experiences that have made a lasting, lifetime impression. A separate section is devoted to other perspectives on the Gardner experience. Some are written with humor, many as tributes, and others with wistfulness, a few with wishfulness or even mischief. One thing is sure: you will learn things about former classmates that might surprise you!

The GHS Memory Book includes a cover, introduction, table of contents, and 24 pages of memories - 28 pages in all. The work was collected and compiled by Douglas S. Fleming. Judy Heino Collete designed the cover and completed the technical edit and formatting. Classmates who authored items for the publication include Yvonne Savaria Perreault, Carrie Cunningham Larson, Galdys Narkevicius Richardson, Timothy Swanson, Tom Ryan, Donna Blake Beise, Connie Lesneski Libed, Alice Winter Empie, Elaine Stanley Guaraglia, Richard Goguen, Jadwiga Narkevicius Earle, Walter J. Dubzinski, Jr., Louis Paul Migliozzi, John Oinonen, Annette Arsenault Wall, Linda Giles Merikanto, Douglas S. Fleming, Edith Needham Godfrey, Suzanne Skamarycz Nobrega, Jean Williams Albert Mattson, Judy Heino Collette, Dennis Erickson, Jan Morin Ricord, Barbara Pelletier Bachand, Nancy Ball Griffin, Jeanne Charest Mallet, Carole Nyman Platukis, Robert H. Coffin, Jr., William Farnsworth, Karen Heywood Greenlaw, Virginia Blake Monette, Stanley R. Gemborys, Winona LeBlanc Moeller, and Beverly Morze Piccone. Shari Lee Montville Whipple provided the verse that marks transitions between the sections of the text.

To request a paper copy to be sent via USMAIL, contact Judy Heino Collette. To request an electronic version you can read on your computer and print yourself, contact Douglas S. Fleming.

News from Winona LeBlanc Moeller

Winona (LeBlanc) Moeller and her husband Ken, at Ken's 50th Class Reunion at Melbourne, Florida - from Florida Today, May 23, 2010

Winona has a B.S. (nursing major), M.S. (Family Health and Education) and certificates for post-graduate study. She is a retired LTC, Army Nurse Corps and completed assignments in Germany and throughout the United States. Winona was on special assignments to Fort Sam Houston and the Pentagon for Army Nurse Education. She was honored as Woman of the Year for America Red Cross Europe and earned the Outstanding Nurse Award for Quality Improvement in the Northeast Region.

Winona remains active on the Board of Alumnae at UMASS Amherst. In retirement she keeps busy with home remodeling, gardening, cooking, reading, listening to classical music, walking, and swimming. She quickly adds that "Any of these activities take a back seat when Ken and I are able to enjoy our grandchildren - Derek, 5, and Amanda, 3." Winona and Ken moved fifteen times in their married lives (43 years). Their two children, Gregory and Jonathan, live in Massachusetts and New York.

In high school, Winona was a member of the Junior Red Cross 1, 2, 3, 4 a Senior Play Usherette, and Pro Merito.

Senior Banquet Informal

Following the 1960 Senior Banquet, some classmates met in Ashburnham at the camp of Winona and Pamela LeBlanc. Seated around the kitchen table are (starting from the back, center, near the refrigerator, and moving clockwise): Jadwiga Narkevicius, Alice Winter, Geraldine Girard, Marilyn L'Ecuyer, Evelyn Hurme, Beverly Morze, Winona LeBlanc, and Pamela LeBlanc (partly obscured). Gladys Narkevicius took the photo.

What memories does this photo evoke for you?

Fact: Seven of the nine persons at this gathering will also be in attendance at our 50th Class Reunion on July 23,24, and 25, including the photographer.

Do you have an old high school photo like this you can share on our web log?

News from William Bradford

William Bradford and his wife Lynn on a trip to the Georgia and Carolina Mountains

After graduating from high school, Bill spent four years in the Navy aboard aircraft carriers and on bases in Florida. He earned a B.S. degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and then worked as an engineer for Southern Bell. He writes, "Now retired, I am enjoying life with my wife, Lynn. We have two children -a daughter, Teresa, and a son, Billy - and four grandchildren. I keep busy with BMW motorcycle and car clubs, painting, reading, traveling, and attending grandchildren's sports activities. Bill and Lynn live in Port Orange, Florida.

Bill attended elementary and junior high school in Westminster prior to enrolling at Gardner High School.

News from Jadwiga Narkevicius Earle

Jadwiga (Narkevicius) Earle, her husband Bill, and three of their grandchildren

Jadwiga writes, "After graduating from Bridgewater State College in 1964 I was hired to teach physical education at a small school, grades 1-12, in Sandwich, MA. There I coached girls varsity basketball and softball. I started field hockey the following year and continued to coach it for 18 years. When the first grade teacher retired, I was asked to fill her position and I did. I taught first grade for three years. I left teaching after I married Bill Earle, who was also a physical education teacher and coach. We have four children - Mary, 38, Katie, 36, Karen, 34, and Kevin, 30. My husband left teaching to run a family fuel business in Sandwich. I worked in the office for fifteen years and retired when the business was sold. My husband continued to work for the new owners. We have six grandchildren - Jonathan, 12, Joshua, 8, Madision, 8, Brandon, 6, Hailey, 5, and Chloe, 4. Since everyone lives in Sandwich, we get together often for birthdays, holidays, and our children's sport events. Bill and I enjoy spending time in Wells, Maine and have traveled to Ireland and Italy. We are looking forward to seeing other countries."

In high school, Jadwiga was elected class secretary in years 1 and 4. She played field hockey and basketball and was Pro Merito for years 3 and 4.

Finding Sam Evans

Sam Evans and daughter Emma at Organ Pipe National Monument, 2005

Sam Evans did not graduate from Gardner High School in 1960. His father died the year before, leaving his mother with three young boys. Sam's senior year was spent in a school in Connecticut (Wooster School, Danbury) - thanks to a family friend. The eleven years before that were spent in Gardner. Sam attended School Street Elementary School, Gardner Junior High School, and three years at GHS.

Samuel Porter Evans graduated from Washington&Jefferson College, served in Vietnam with an Army artillery unit, then earned an MBA from UCLA. He spent most of his business career in the cable television industry in the Pacific Northwest. Today, he lives in Tucson, Arizona and volunteers wuth and supports various conservation and humanitarian groups. Summers are spent away from the desert in a cabin on the British Columbia coast, 100 miles northwest of Vancouver.

Many classmates will remember Sam's "I Speak for Democracy" speach at a school assembly.

Sam has traveled extensively, living in western China for two and a half years and in Argentina for one year. He writes, "I will miss the reunion and opportunity to reunite with classmates. Thanks for introducing me to the GHS web log where I can read about classmates and learn what you have been doing all these years. I look back fondly on my Gardner days; life was much simpler then than it is for kids today. My thoughts will be with you as you gather in July and I wish you all the best."

How we found Sam: At one time, Sam joined Classmates.com and included a map of his location. We went to a telephone database and entered Sam Evans in Tucson AZ. Bada bing! The man at the other end of the line was Sam.

GHS Class of 1960 - By The Numbers

2 - children's sweaters, hand-made by Linda Giles Merikanto, and donated to the Reunion Raffle to be held on Saturday, July 24th, 2010.

247 - number of classmates pictured in the 1960 Argus yearbook

43 - number of classmates who are deceased

107 - number of classmates planning to attend a reunion event

75 - approximate percentage of classmates who are retired

25 - approximate percentage of classmates who are currently working full or part-time

84 - number of classmates with accounts on Facebook

34 - number of classmates contributing a memory to the GHS Memory Book

Top Ten Interests and Hobbies (as reported on Facebook and in updates privided to the GHS Web Log)

1. Reading and watching movies

2. Dining out

3. Visiting with children and grandchildren

4. Walking and excercising (biking, swimming, skating, dancing, hiking)

5. Traveling to other states and countries

6. Gardening and yard work

7. Concerts and theatre

8. Attending sports events

9. Photography and nature study

10. Practicing a new skill (musical instrument, speaking Spanish, wood-carving, etc.)

Did we miss something? Not get it quite right? Leave us a comment with your addition or request.

News from Walt Dubzinski, Jr.

Walt and Irene (St. John) Dubzinski

Walt writes "I'm still coaching football at Gardner High School after retiring from the faculty six years ago. I guess that means my days at GHS were very good or I wouldn't still be here today." In his contribution to the GHS Memory Book, Walt acknowledges that the teachers and coaches at Gardner High School were the greatest influence on his life and career.

Walt and Irene have three children - a son, Michael, now a guidance counselor and football coach at Wachusett Regional High School; a daughter, Kathryn, raising a family in Holden; and another son, Steve, a guidance counselor and basketball coach at Leominster High School. Steve also assists Walt with the Gardner High School football team.

This almost-but-not-quite-retired couple spend their free time visiting grandchildren, attending sporting events, and spending summers in Maine.

Coach Priscilla Power

Coach Priscilla Power

Gladys Narkevicius Richardson reports that Coach Priscilla Power will be unable to attend our 50th Class Reunion Dinner due to health issues. Coach Power lives in Maine with her pup, Chyna. She would enjoy hearing from her former students and athletes. Contact a member of the reunion planning committee for her address. We are not posting that for privacy reasons.

Gardner's 225th Anniversary Celebration

Judy Heino Collette sends a link to the web site for Gardner's 225th Anniversary Celebration this year, with events running from June to October.

http://www.gardner-ma.gov/pages/GardnerMA_Webdocs/celebrate225

Check out the program to see what may be happening when you are in town for the GHS Class of 1960 50th Reunion or other family visits. On June 26 there will be a Family Movie Night. Judy says the September parade promises to be one of the largest ever in Gardner, but she is looking forward to the "South Gardner Block Party" on October 2, (Union Street to Chelsea Street). There will be food vendors and bands.

At the Prom 1960

Six Senior Prom Attendees

Here is a photo from Linda (Giles) Merikanto showing "how we looked" at the Senior Prom in 1960.

Back row: John Tinker, Dennis Erickson, Larry Lundwall
Front row: Linda Giles, Candace Brooks, Elizabeth Carr

Do you have a late fifties high school photo you can share with us? Contact us at ghsclassof1960@gmail.com . We can scan and return your photos promptly.

News from Stan & Jan Gemborys

Stan and Janyce (Charles) Gemborys

After graduation from GHS in 1960 Janyce studied at the Henry Heywood Memorial School of Nursing in Gardner, receiving her diploma in 1963. Stan earned an A.B. in Biology from Dartmouth College in 1964. The couple then spent three years in Auburn, Alabama, where Janyce started her long career in Student Health and Stan earned his Ph.D. in Botany in 1967. Stan writes, " When we arrived there, segregation was still strong and it was certainly an eye opener for us Yankees. Lurleen Wallace, then Governor, signed my diploma."

Stan and Jan then moved to Virginia, where Stan took a position as Assistant Professor of Biology at Hampden-Sydney College, a small private liberal arts college for men in a county that had only recently reopened its public schools after they had been closed to avoid integration. Janyce worked in student health at Longwood College in nearby Farmville, Virginia. Janyce retired in 1990 after becoming ill, and Stan retired in 2005.

Over the years, Stan taught "classic" college biology courses such as Botany, Plant Ecology, Marine Biology, and Limnology as well as some more "esoteric" ones - Playing God with Nature, Agriculture and Ecology, and How Ecologists and Theologians Look at Nature. Stan taught his first section of Environmental Biology in 1968 and over time taught that course to over 1800 students. Together, Stan and Jan took over 400 students abroad to study ecology and natural history. Janyce served as resident nurse and advisor on trips to Bermuda, Jamaica, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, Great Britain, and Central Europe.

Stan and Jan purchased a home in Eaton Center, New Hampshire - now their current legal residence - and have spent most of their summers and holidays there. Stan also conducted field research in the area. He studied the vegetation of the Bowl Natural Area, the land use of Eaton, and how the paintings of the White Mountain school of painters reflected the ecology of their times.

Stan and Jan have enjoyed skiing, horse keeping, attending antique auctions, and cultural events on the Hampden-Sydney College campus. Janyce is still a collector and Stan says he tries his hand at woodworking. In retirement they have enjoyed travel and in recent years have visited Japan, Tahiti, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Santiago, and Tunis. Janyce enjoys her membership in the DAR and Stan is a Rotarian.

Just this summer, Stan and Jan sold their property in Virginia. A few years ago, they bought a home in Manomet, Massachusetts to be closer to their daughter Kyra, and grandson Connor, who live in Duxbury. Stan adds, "Y'all come visit, hear?"

Where Are They Now?

Do You Recognize These People?

Our 50th Class Reunion will bring together people who may not have seen each other since the late 50's or early 60's. Although we have worked hard to keep our class database up to date, we still lack current and accurate contact information for the following GHS Class of 1960 graduates:

Mary Ann Kropotkin
James M. Perry

Michael A. Smith

Can you provide us with any leads, tips, or suggestions? We will follow up.

Crosby, Stills, and Nash will perform at the AARP conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on September 30-October 2, 2010. Video of their first live performance of Suite: Judy Blue Eyes at the 1969 Woodstock Festival is available on You-Tube.

News from Nancy Cormier Toolin

Nancy (Cormier) Toolin

Nancy writes, "My partner, Richard (formerly executive chef of the Salem Cross In, West Brookfield, MA) and I have been together for 22 years. We may actually make it legal soon but are in no rush. We have been on Cape Cod for 18 years and it is always a pleasure to be here. We have been in the travel business for 15 years and have traveled extensively all over the world, but there is still more to see. Amsterdam during tulip time is on my bucket list.

My company, CruiseOne, is one of the largest home-based sellers of vacation get-aways on land and at sea, including honeymoons, family reunions, corporate meetings, and other events. We get great discounts, and you get ME!!! Service with a smile and a deal! Call 1-800-425-7245.

I volunteer for the Audible Local Ledger, reading for the blind, and continue my acting by recording talking books. Last week I was Mata Hari. You can't beat that - being 47 years old, thin, with green eyes. Oh well...type-cast again. La Chaim! "

Nancy attended Pleasant Street and Connors Street Elementary Schools, then went to Gardner Junior High School. At Gardner High School, Nancy as a member of the Senior Play cast, Senior Kid Party committee, Little Oscar committee, and Senior Banquet committee.

Senior Class Play

Cast of the Senior Class Play - "Follow the Dream"

Back row: Robert Frenette, Ernest Johnson, Blair Lariviere, Douglas Fleming, Edith Needham, Timothy Swanson, Marjorie Jandris, Stephen Resnick

Middle Row: Claudine Marchegiani, Norman Begun, Pamela Prime, Bill Farnsworth, Nancy Cormier

Front Row: Shari Montvile, Judy Goodwin, Beverly Morze, Elaine Stanley

Behind the scenes were Mr. George Black, faculty director, and Carolyn Cunningham, student director. Barbara Pelletier was prompter. The stage crew included Ray Barton, Roger Kinnear, and David Feltmarch. Usherettes for the performance were Mary Phelan, Jackie Teir, Linda Giles, Rachel Hebert, Gloria LeBlanc, Helen Legere and Pamela LeBlanc.

Did we leave anyone out? Please send a message to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com if we have omitted anyone who was involved in the Senior Class Play production.

News from Timothy Swanson

Tim Swanson and his wife, Ginger

Timothy Swanson writes that "Ginger and I have been married for almost twenty two years (a second marriage for both of us) and live in Columbia, CT, just west of Willimantic. I am Associate Professor of Physics and Chairperson of the Department of Physical Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University. I have no plans to retire, as I enjoy college teaching far too much to stop now."

Tim sent us a reflection on his high school days to add to the GHS Memory Book. He writes about individual teachers and his band experiences. Here is an excerpt from the conclusion to his essay.

"We were fortunate to grow up in the 1950's and attend high school at the end of that decade. It was among the best of places and among the best of times to do that. Gardner was a city in which quality education was valued by teachers, parents , and the community itself. It was a city in which a person could feel perfectly safe walking its streets both day and night. It was peace time, the time after the Korean War and the time before Vietnam would divide the country and be a dual danger to those entering the armed services. It was a time when we as students could focus on the things we valued - family, friends, and studies - without many of the worries we have today. I thank all of you for the many good times we shared together."

Tim's year round interests include reading about naval history and the American Civil War. He has also done work on the genealogy members of their families. Tim races a small sailboat in the summer and enjoys golf. Tim and Ginger will not attend the 50th Reunion in July. They are caring for two grandchildren ages 4 and 6 while their parents are on a long trip out of the country. Tim sends special greetings to boyhood friends Stan and Russ, and to all those with whom he shares so many GHS band memories, including Dick, Harold, Norm, and Bill.

More Raffle Items

Showing Her True Colors - photo by Judy Heino Collette

These handmade knitted scarves by Judy Heino Collette are among the items to be raffled off at our 50th Class Reunion Dinner on Saturday, July 24, 2010. In addition to well-known Gardner-area items like Priscilla's Candy, our reunion raffle will feature one-of-a-kind items made by classmates. Here's a small sampling:

* Bob Coffin's zesty medley of gourmet toppings and sauces - Chunky Serrano Salsa, Caponata My Way, Grandma Jennie's Rummage Pickle, Spicy Mango Jam, and Wake-Up-The-Dead Sauce.

* Doug and Barbara Fleming's Wild Berry Preserves - blueberry, black raspberry, and blackberry spreadables for toast, biscuits, crackers or to mix with yogurt.

* A Stanley Gemborys hand-carved ambulatory device - better known as a walking stick.

All raffle items will be displayed at the Reunion Dinner and tickets will be sold for $1.00, $5.00, and $ 10.00. We have something for everyone. Go ahead. Put your money down on a chance to win an item you can take back home as a unique momento of a very special evening.

News from Karen Heywood Greenlaw

Karen (Heywood) Greenlaw

When Karen remarried in 2005, she hung up her stethoscope, too. While living in MO, CT, MI, and TN, Karen worked as a medical assistant for various Family Practitioners and Internists. Karen and her husband, Wayne, now live in Rustburg, VA near Lynchburg. Karen's passion is being outdoors. She enjoys hiking, biking, camping, skiing, and yard work, especially gardening. Karen sings in her church choir and takes advantage of the many activities offered at the five colleges in her area, especially Liberty University.

Wayne has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from GA to ME. Between them, Karen and Wayne have 14 grandchildren. The couple loves to travel...Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Europe, and different cruises. They spend summers up and down the New England Coast from Maine to Cape Cod. Karen is in Gardner several times a year to visit her mom and sister. She looks forward to seeing old friends at the Class Reunion in July.

Karen's son, Doug, lives in Indianapolis with his family. Her daughter, Daphne, lives in Nashville but will move to Minnesota soon. Daphne and her oldest daughter, Madison were filmed last summer in a film titled "Home Schooled?" - a story about a family who refuses to send their children to public school when home schooling becomes illegal in the state they live in.

Karen offers a link to the movie trailer at http://homeschooledthemovie.com/ . The film will be shown at the Independent Christian Film Festival in San Antonio TX in November.

Reunion Raffle

A Gift Basket of Wildcat Wine from Anthony's Liquors of Gardner - one of many raffle items you might take home from our reunion! - photo by Judy (Heino) Collette

As part of our Saturday dinner program on July 24, 2010, we will be conducting a raffle of uniquely Gardner area and classmate-made items. Why not take a chance on winning one of our very special items? Proceeds from the purchase of raffle tickets will help defray reunion costs and create a moment we can all enjoy together as the winners are announced.

Some of the items to be raffled on Saturday evening include:

* An Icelandic Woolen Purse (grey, felted) - handmade by Janice (Dick) Drummey

* Knitted Scarves (Gardner colors) - handmade by Judy (Heino) Collette

* Toddler's Tennis Sweater -knitted by Linda (Giles) Merikanto

* Home-made Raspberry Wine -pressed and bottled by Lou Migliozzi

* Walking Stick - hand-crafted by Stanley Gemborys

* Basket of Beauty Supplies donated by Virginia (Blake) Monette

Other raffle items are Gardner area products like seasonal beer from Wachusett Brewing Company, a cheese basket from Smith's Country Cheese, and a box of Priscilla's Candy. Revisit this blog to learn about additional items and raffle ticket bundles. You can't go wrong by "taking a chance" on your class.

Got a question about the raffle or an item to suggest? Send your idea to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com .

Mystery Girls

Do You Know These Girls?

The owner of this photograph says the two girls look like World War II refugees, but you may recognize something in the eyes, the hair, or the smiles to identify these two GHS Class of 1960 classmates.

Who are they?

These childhood pals have remained friends throughout theue adult lives. Both attended West Broadway and Prospect Street Elementary School. Both will attend the 50th Class Reunion in July.

Let us know if you recognize them. Send your responses to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com or use the comment feature of the blog.

News from Brian Bjurling

Brian and Betty Bjurling

Brian served four years in the Coast Guard and loved his tour of duty in Hawaii. He completed a BS degree in Accounting starting at Mount Wachusett Community College and completing it at Bentley College, now Bentley University in Waltham, MA. Brian lives in Leominster MA and has been married to Betty for 28 years. They own their own business, Bjurling Associates, Inc. Brian prepares taxes and Betty is completing requirements to qualify as a Quickbooks advisor.

Brian's mother is their only surviving parent and still lives in Gardner. Brian and Betty have traveled around the United States and to Germany. They look forward to visiting Europe again next year.

You can join Bri's Notes and follow their adventures by going to http://bribjurling.blogspot.com

News from Jeannette Morin Ricord

Jeannette (Morin) Ricord and her husband, Phil

Jeannette describes the past 59 years in a nutshell: " I married Phil Ricord of Winchendon. We have 4 children and 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. I operated a Child Care Home in Winchendion for 35 years. Phil and I retired in 2004 and moved to our youngest child's home in Templetion. I began to write more - something I had been doing all along, writing stories for children. Now I have branched out with adult humor with a self-published collection of anecdotes, many of which have been published in the Gardner News. The book is titled "It Ain't Easy." I curently have some queries out to different agents on a middle grades novel and some children's stories. Jeannete's other interests include gardening, camping, fishing, and walking.

Jan belongs to the Wachusett Writers and Poets Club. You can read samples of her work on www.tweez.com/wwpc .

Aloha from Judy Goodwin Cross

Judy (Goodwin) Cross

Location, Location, Location. Talk about a dream come true! Judy and Alan Cross live in Princeville on the north shore of the "Garden Isle" of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Judy has been an independent contractor in the real estate field for over 25 years. Alan is still active in Oceanfront Realty International, specializing in condominiums, vacation homes, and single family dwellings on Kauai. Between them, Judy and Alan have four children. One son lives in Madrid, Spain. Two other sons and their families live in Ohio. A daughter lives in California.

Judy's current activities include snorkeling, yoga, and volunteer work for the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Association. Judy enjoys travel, seeing new places, experiencing different cultures, gourmet cooking, and wine tasting. She is especially fond of family sea cruises.

Judy will be attending the 50th Class Reunion in July.

News from Rachel Hebert Reilly

Rachel (Hebert) Reilly and Michael Reilly

Rachel and her husband, Mike (GHS '59) have lived in Cape Coral/Fort Myers, FL since 1988. She has been a Professional (National Certified) Guardian since 1999 and is very close to retiring. Prior to that, Rachel was a full-charge bookeeper working for CPA firms. Michael, a Registered Nurse, retired in 2006.

Rachel's daughter Donna is now in business with her father running a floral shop in East Priovidence, RI. Her son David is an assistant VP of Finance at a college in MA. David has two sons, Ryan 13, and Terry, 10. Of her children, Rachel says "Watching them grow into wonderful, contributing members of society has been my greatest pleasure in life."

Living close to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Busch Gardens, and the Disney Parks has given Rachel and Mike the feeling that they have been semi-retired since they moved there. They enjoy the beaches, sunsets, resorts, and everything that Florida has to offer year-round. Rachel and Mike attend Boston Red Sox spring training games in Fort Myers. They hope to get to a Pawtucket Red Sox game when they are in MA this summer.

Rachel's is a familiar face to anyone who has attended a GHS reunion. Both Rachel and Mike look forward to seeing clasmates and friends at the 50th reunion in July. The weekend of July 23, 24, and 25 promises to be a very special occasion.

Elementary School Photo Collection

Connors Street School Class Photo Grade 5 1953


We have been collecting elementary school class photographs taken during 1949-1954 from the Hubbardston, Westminster, and Gardner schools. Our work is almost done, but not all collections are complete, and not all students in the class photos have been identified. We have prepared class photo albums for the following schools and grades:

Westminster Elementary Schools Grades 1-6 plus 7-9.
Hubbardston Schools Grades 1-6 plus 7 and 8.
Coleman Street School Grades 1-6
Connors Street School Grade 5
Elm Street Grade 5
Gardner Junior High School Homeroom Photos Grade 7 and 8
Holy Rosary School Graduation Photo
Pleasant Street School Grades 1-4

Prospect Street School Grades 1-6
Sacred Heart School Graduation Photo
School Street Grades 1-6
West Broadway School Grades 1-4
West Street School Grades 1-4

The following GHS classmates have helped by providing photographs to scan electronically or by identifying students or teachers in the photographs. Much of this work has been done through e-mail.

Robert Hunter Coffin Jr., Alan Erickson, Lloyd Hannula, Jerry Arsenault, Sandra Merikanto Hanson, Lorna Rivers, Jean Williams Mattson, Evelyn Hurme Fogg, John Oinonen, Ernest Lehtonen, Merilyn Ruuka Dunn, Marilyn L'Ecuyer Michelson, Robert Marien, Richard Donovan, Ronald Rosengren, Elaine Stanley Guaraglia, Brian Bjurling, Suzanne Skamarycz Nobrega, James Tamulen, James Ewing, Elizabeth Jacji MacDonald, Carol Johnson Smith, Nancy Ball Griffin, Carolyn Cunninghan Larson, Roger Kinnear, Gladys Narkevicius Richardson, Janice Goeke Tuffin, Shari Montville Whipple, Martin Anderholm, Priscilla Hubbard Brown, Linda Giles Merikanto, Louis Migliozzi, Bevertly Morze Piccone, Shirley Long Smith, Richard Goguen, Carole Nyman Platukis, and Thomas Ryan.

Our photo albums will be displayed at Reunion Events on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25. You may be able to identify some "unknown" students in the photos. We hope you will be able to help us with this work in progress.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Judy Heino Collette reports that over 100 GHS Class of 1960 classmates and friends (not including spouses and guests) will attend one or more reunion events over the weekend of July 23, 24, and 25, 2010. What an opportunity to greet old friends and former classmates, to get re-acquainted, catch up on life events, and discover new friends with similar interests! Here is our classmates list so far, but be prepared for some "Wildcat" surprises.

David Ambrose, Martin Anderholm, John Awdycki, Nancy (Ball) Griffin, Peggy (Ball) DiStefano Carol Anne (Barry) Clark, Lucy (Belanger) Hebert, Robert Bernard, Charleen (Surrette) Bernard, Judy (Bishop) Farnsworth, Brian Bjurling, Donna (Blake) Beise, Virginia (Blake) Monette, John Brooks, Jeanne (Charest) Mallet, Robert Coffin, Carolyn (Cunningham) Larson, Gordon Dickie, Donald Diemdowicz, Janice (Dick) Drummey, Priscilla (Dionne) McKillop, Roberta (Dines) Graves, Richard Donovan, Paula (Lachance) Donovan, Walter J. Dubzinski, Jr., Dennis Erickson, James Ewing, Diane (Brazawskis) Ewing, Bill Farnsworth, David Feltmarch, Douglas Fleming, John Forrester, Stanley Gemborys, Janyce (Charles) Gemborys, John Gerrard, Geraldine (Girard) Nelson, Linda (Giles) Merikanto, Barry Glinski, Janice (Goeke) Tuffin, Judy (Goodwin) Cross, Judith (Goguen) Forest, Richard Goguen, Carole (Griffin) Cormier, Bruce Handy, Lloyd Hannula, Sheila (Harrington) Susen, Judith (Heino) Collette, Judith (Herr) Bonk, Karen (Heywood) Greenlaw, Rachel (Hebert) Reilly, Elizabeth (Hill) Rathburn, Marjorie (Jandris) Kraskouskas, Bruce Jacobsen, Carol (Johnson) Smith, Roger Kinnear, Carol (Kucinskas) LeBlanc, David Laroque, Laura (Davis) Laroque, Georgette Leblanc, Connie (Lesneski) Libed, Gloria (LeBlanc) Ley, Pamela (LeBlanc) Sogard, Winona (LeBlanc) Moeller, Shirley (Long) Smith, Robert Marien, Cecille (Maillet) Danielson, Claudine (Marchegiani) Reilly, Jacqueline (Manseau) Robichaud, Vincent Maillet, Lucille (Minns) Fagan, Louis Migliozzi, Shari (Montville) Whipple, Beverly (Morze) Piccone, Creighton Morris, Jadwiga (Narkevicius) Earle, Gladys (Narkevicius) Richardson, Edith (Needham) Godfrey, Donald Niemela, Brenda (Nyman) Clausen, Carole (Nyman) Platukis, John Oinonen, Elizabeth (O'Regan) Adkins, David Pachocha, Barbara (Pelletier) Bachand, Mary (Phelan) Nordman, Jerome Pierce, Ray Racette, Barbara (Reed) Fuller, Kenneth Rameau, Barbara (Osborne) Rameau, Anita (Roach) Cormier, Dave Robichaud, Dianne (Roy) Young, Donald Roy, Tom Ryan, Jackie (Tousignant) Ryan, Yvonne (Savaria) Perreault, Marcia (Shepard) Wilk, Suzanne (Skamarycz) Nobrega, Elaine (Stanley) Guaraglia, Claire (Sylvestre) Montgomery, James Tamulen, Alice (Teles) Stone, Janet (Therrien) Miller, Jacqui (Teir) Sanford, Carole M. (Tobia) Mumby, Richard Touchette, Robert Whipple, Jean (Williams) Mattson, Geoffrey Wood, Diana (Virta) Wood, John Yablonski, and David Zarozinski.

Cannot attend our 50th Class Reunion? You are welcome to send a greeting to ghsclassof1960@gmail.com and it will be posted on our GHS MESSAGE Board at dinner at the Wachusett Village Inn on Saturday, July 24th 2010.

Editor's Note: Attendee list updated on July 16, 2010