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 .