Gardner High School Murals

Patty (Wolcott) Berger is shown standing beneath a mural painted by her father.  Patty posed as the girl shown in the white dress who is taking a picture of a graduating student.

The murals on the wall of our "old" Gardner High School building on Elm Street were completed on October 9, 1940.  In an article published in the Gardner News on Thursday, December 22, 2011, author Mike Richard describes how the murals were painted on canvas by John Gilmore Wolcott of Lowell, Massachusetts.  These murals depict life-sized figures showing both the curricular and extra-curricular activities of the high school.

Were you inspired by a particular image from these murals?  Could you identify with the young artist working on a painting?  The students with diplomas, graduation caps, and gowns?  Or the football player, chemistry lab, or shop machines?  The scenes were filled with meaningful activity.

One of the remarkable things about Mike Richard's article, "Life meets art for woman depicted in decades-old mural" is that Mike interviews the daughter of the artist, who was amazed that the vibrant colors of the murals are as alive today as when her father first painted them more than 70 years ago.

These murals offered to each of us "images of potential" that we may not have been aware of at the time, but which have profoundly influenced our lives.  If you have a special memory of these murals, I hope you will try the comment feature on this blog and tell us about it.

A Message from Russell Hoag

The following message from classmate Russell Hoag was sent via e-mail recently:

This is the time of year that I would like to urge our former classmates to consider supporting the Stone Fund with a monetary contribution. My own family, as with many other families in Gardner at the time, would have had a difficult time funding my college education without scholarships from the Stone Fund.  During each of the first three years of college, the Stone Fund provided me with a scholarship that amounted to about 40% of my annual tuition.

Starting last year, Phyllis and I have begun to repay those awards to the Stone Fund, hoping to complete the effort in four annual installments.  To compensate for the time value of the money we are doing so at a rate of about ten to one (Ten dollars for every one dollar awarded in the 1960 period).  Rather than as a donation, we view this as a repayment.  As a former recipient, I am confident that such a contribution will be used to support needy students from th Gardner area.  Unlike many other well-known charities, you truly know where your donation goes.

The address for the Albert H. and Reuben S. Stone Fund is P.O. Box 1008, Gardner, MA 01440

Many thanks for forwarding this idea. We are in our third full year of retirement and are now living in Roanoke, Virginia.  As we have seen from comments made by other retirees on the GHS Web log, the years are literally flying by.  We enjoy reading the postings and appreciate the way the blog keeps us connected.

Russ and Phyllis Hoag

Editor's note: Russ is both sincere and generous in expressing his reflections on the Stone Fund.  The folks at the Stone Fund are very approachable and would accept donations in any amount, from both Gardner men and women (scholarships are now awarded to female applicants).  I hope that you find Russell's appeal to be timely, relevant, and in keeping with the season.

Boys State Representatives 1960

The American Legion sponsored program, Boys State, emphasizes the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of franchised citizens.  The GHS Class of 1960 classmates shown above represented Gardner High School: Timothy Swanson, Stanley Gemborys, Richard Donovan, John Awdycki, and Walter Dubzinski, Jr.  Alice (Winter) Empie represented Gardner High School at Girls State. Students were selected on the basis of demonstrated leadership, character,scholarship, loyalty, and service to school and community.

Remembering Coach Priscilla Power

Priscilla F. Power, 90, of York Harbor, ME, died on Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Edgewood Center in Portsmouth, NH.  She was born November 30, 1921, and was a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Coach Power was a physical education teacher and coach at Gardner High School for 34 years.  In the photo above, she is shown with GHS Class of 1960 classmates Rachel (Hebert) Reilly, Marcia (Shepard) Wilk, Mary (Phelan) Nordman, and Donna Rae (Blake) Beise.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820-6043.  The Lucas and Eaton Funeral Home of 91 Long Sands Road, York, ME is directing arrangements.  Visit http://www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com/

Remembering Ray Racette

Raymond C. Racette, age 70, of Phillipston, MA, died in his home on Saturday, October 1, 2011.  Ray taught science in Gardner for 33 years, retiring in 2000.  Ray also operated Racette's Driving School in Gardner for 15 years.  He was a graduate of Fitchburg State College where he received his Bachelor's and Masters degrees. 

Ray enjoyed picnics, sailing on Queen Lake in Phillipston, and traveling to St. Thomas.  He attended Our Lady of the Holy Rosary elementary School and will be remembered by many former classmates from Holy Rosary and Gardner High School. Ray served on the Argus Business Board during his Junior and Senior year of High School.

A complete obituary is available from the Boucher Funeral Home, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner MA 01440.

Remembering Richard Touchette

GHS Class of 1960 classmate Richard E. Touchette, age 69, died on Friday, August 12, 2011.  Following high school, Richard served in the Massachusetts National Guard and worked for four years at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT. He then attended Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State College, where he graduated in 1970, with a major in History and Geography.  "Dick" worked as a production planner for Mead Container in Gardner and later, for 26 years as production planner for Star Container in Leominster. He retired in 2006.  His favorite hobby was travel and it was his goal to visit all 50 U.S. States in his lifetime.  Dick also enjoyed train shows, reading history, and following the Boston Red Sox.

Remembering Joe Baublis

Joseph Anthony Baublis

GHS Classmates who attended Gardner Junior High School may recall an 8th grade mathematics teacher named Joseph Baublis.  Joseph Anthony Baublis, 88, died recently.  He was a science and mathematics teacher at Gardner Junior High School for 35 years, until his retirement in 1985.  Mr. Baublis lived in Athol all his life. He loved to read, and enjoyed fishing, golfing, and traveling.

Lloyd Hannula on the Appalachian Trail

The Spectacular McAfee Knob, near Roanoke, VA

Lloyd Hannula just got back from six weeks of hiking the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, finishing up on everything south of Grafton Notch in Maine.  He writes, "Had a ball, the weather was not unkind, - not much rain, warm to hot during the day, sleepable temperatures at night."  Lloyd did 10-13miles each day.  His first treat was at the Bear's Den Hostel featuring Pizza, Ben & Jerrry's Ice  Cream, shower, and bunk.  From there it was on to Front Royal and a resupply of provisions.  Lloyd says "The Shenandoah was a "walk in the park" with well-maintained trails near the Skyline Drive.

Lloyd is lookingforward to finishing up the Appalachian Trail this year.  His plans are to head to Maine in August to do the 80 mile stretch betweeen Grafton Notch and Stratton.  Then on Labor Day, to return to Maine to do the 100 miles from Monson to Baxter.

If you are not familiar with the terrain covered by the Appalachian Trail, you might look for Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (NY: Anchor Books,1998) ISBN 978-0-307-27946-0

Way to go, Lloyd.

Retirement Thoughts

Retired classmate Gordon Dickie's T-shirt gives you a clue to his choice of retirement activity.  Continue reading to learn about how other GHS Classmates feel about retirement.

Most GHS Classof 1960 classmates expect to retire eventually, and some even plan for it, establishing a personal timeline and following a series of steps toward "countdown" - like selling the big house, buying winter property, or moving into a retirement community.  Many retire locally and find new activities and interests.  Others move to an entirely different location to mark the transition to a new stage of life.  Here are some retirement thoughts submitted by people you may remember well.

"I am now enjoying and fully appreciating the freedom that retirement affords me and love traveling with Wayne, be it on a cruise ship, hiking a trail, biking through the countryside, visiting the kids, or going back to Gardner to see my Mom and sister. I spend a great deal of time in my flower gardens. I have learned that daily exercise and good eating habits are a necessity at this stage of life.  For me, it is impportant to keep moving - even when it hurts!" - Karen Heywood Greenlaw

"Retirement has opened up time to pursue hobbies, travel, education, volunteerism, and other interests. We have more time for activities with children and grandchildren and share time with friends and neighbors. Ed and I have completed a cross-country road trip to the West coast and back.  Ed grows our own organic vegetables, many of which we eat during the winter months. We are truly enjoying each and every day." - Suzanne Skamarycz Nobrega

"Geoff and I are busy getting our cottage on Prince Edward Island ready for the summer rental season.  We enjoy the warm water and ocean view but have a lot of work to do to get it ready.  We are back and forth during the summer.  Retirement can be fun.  Every day feels like Saturday." - Diana Virta Wood

"My wife and I retired at the end of 2010.  I was worried and wonderng if I was doing the right thing but now there is no looking back! We visited Hawaii and California in the fall and in January left for our winter home in Florida.  We just got back to Gardner.  I'm glad I didn't have to shovel all that snow, but I did have to get back to cut the grass!!!" - Vincent Maillet

"The retirement yeaers are flying by a lot faster than our years of working.  I have no complaints and my wife and I try to enjoy every day.  I used to dream of retiring in Florida, but never thought it would happen! - Donald Roy

"At first I missed working but now I am getting used to retirement.  I moved back to Gardner and love it! I reecently traveled to the Virgin Islands on a trip I won at Foxwoods on a penny machine. Sailed on the Nowegian Epic, a beautiful ship.  Went to Aruba for a week. Spent a week in Destin, Florida with classmates." - Roberta Dines Graves.

"There is much peace, joy, and love in the autumn years of life with a lot more time for reflection.  There is time to do the important things and still learn and experience something new." - Geri Girard Nelson

"I love retirement.  I devote more time to writing and belong to the Wachusett Writers and Poets Group. I have placed many stories in newspapers and magazines.  We enjoy grandchidren, camping, fishing, and taking long walks - anything outdoors! - Jan Morin Ricord

"My husband Stan and I love retirement and often wonder how we got anything done when we worked.  We have added a wrap-around porch on our house and a den that looks out on the lake.  Stan plants a lot of vegetables and some fruits.  We babysit for our great-grandson.  I am doing all the reading I couldn't do when I worked plus I knit and crochet and do some quilting.  - Judy Herr Bonk

"We live in a "55 and over" community in Florida and there is never a dull moment.  We are in walking distance to the clubhouse, gym, and pool. We play cribbage, billiards, pool volleyball, mah jong, and go to they gym once a day. There is sometung to to do all the time if you choose.  When we go back north for the summer, we enjoy visiting with family and friends and spoiling the grandkids.  We still drive back down before the snow starts falling. - Barbara Reed Fuller

Do you have a reflection on retirement that we can add to this blog post?  Please add a comment or send an e-mail so it can be added to this posting.

News from Jane Granquist Niemi

Jane (Granquist) Niemi

Jane (Granquist) Niemi of Addison, ME sends us a picture of herself and her brother Nils, who some classmates from West Gardner, Coleman Street Elementary School, or the Albion Stret neighborhood may remember.

Jane keeps the books for the Old Mill Restaurant on Route 2A in Westminster. She summers along the Maine coast north of Bar Harbor and Jonesport. During the winter months, Jane visits her brother and his wife, who live in Colebrook, NH. Jane enjoys gardening, sewing, reading, and following NASCAR races. She welcomes hearing from former classmates. Please leave a comment or contact us privately to get contact information.

Classmates at Work, Part 2

Bruce Jacobsen of Blacksburg, SC has two careers - operating a swimming pool sales and service business, and working part-time for H&R Block doing taxes from Jan-April.

Marcia (Shepard) Wilk of the Villages, FL works as a licensed clinical social worker/therapist in private practice.

Brian L. Bjurling and his wife Betty operate Bjurling Associates, a business taxes and payroll prepartion firm with offices in Worcester and Leominster. Brian and Betty live in Leominster, MA.

Robert Hunter Coffin Jr. teaches at a high school in Fairfax, VA. He writes, "It is nice to pick up Social Security while still bringing in a monthly paycheck and other retirement income. I'm having fun doing my Herve Bowden routine and providing students with anecdotes and stories about the blood, guts, gore, sex, and stupidity that makes up real history."

Betsy (Carr) Parks is a broker/owner at RE/MAX Proferssionals realestate in Lawton, OK.

Beverly (Morze) Piccone lives in Rockville, MD and is also active in real estate. She shares pictures of some of her exclusive listings with friends on Facebook.

James M. Perry lives in Glenshaw, PA and consults for the Free Education Foundation in Washington and is preparing to teach a Systems Engineering course for the University of Maryland.

Nancy (Cormier) Toolin of Marston Mills, MA organizes and arranges specialty cruises via CruiseOne to exciting destinations.

Carolyn (Cunningham) Larson of Castelton-On-Hudson, NY provides education consultng services to local and state education agencies.

Jane (Granquist) Niemi of Addision ME, keeps the books for the Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster, MA.

Evelyn (Hurme) Fogg runs a convenience store and family business in Rindge, NH.

Maryann (Kropotkin) Packard works at the Montague Public Library and lives in Turners Falls, MA.

Georgette LeBlanc is a senior manager for UBS wealth management, investment banking, and asset management services in New York City, NY.

Nancy (Haynes) Poole conducts Neighborhood Bible Study Groups and lives in Gilford, NH.

Stephen Resnick and his wife Carol own and operate Paper Americana, dealing in printed ephemera, including historical documents, rare manuscripts, pamphlets, posters - particularly World War I posters - antiquarian books, and 19th century trading cards. Stephen lives in Cazenovia, NY.

Patricia (Roberts) Strandberg is an independent tax consultant living in San Antonio, TX.

Timothy Swanson is professor of Physics at Eastern Connecticut State University. He lives in Columbia, CT.

Carole (Tobia) Mumby manages databases for the Chelmsford, MA public schools.

Dorothy (Wolanski) Kaufman is postmaster of the famous King Ranch in Texas and lives in Corpus Christi, TX.

John I. Yablonski is "in control" at Biocontrol, the company he founded in Westfield, NJ.

This is the second in a series of posts about GHS Class of 1960 classmates who are not yet fully retired. If any of this information is inaccurate or outdated, please contact me so I can edit and correct this post. If you know of another classmate and what they are doing, please forward this informatiion so we can share it.

Remembering Eric Chapman

Eric J. Chapman as pictured in the 1960 Argus

Mark Furth is a member of the Viola List Blog and posted a tribute to GHS Classmate Eric Chapman, who died of lung cancer at age 68 on April 7th, 2011, in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He wrote, in part: Before opening a violin shop, Eric was a Teaching Fellow in African-American Studies at the University of Michigan and taught history at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. Eric grew up in a musical home and by age four fell in love with the sound of the viola. As a youngster he helped to demonstrate violins and violas at the famous Wurlitzer shop in New York. He played viola for 45 years in civic orchestras, founded the Ann Arbor Summer Symphony in 1974, and remained active in chamber music. Eric brought unimpeachable integrity to a trade not always known for high ethical standards. He treated a young student shopping for a starter instrument with the same respect he accorded to a high-budget client looking for one made by an old Italian master. He never stopped learning and teaching. Eric is survived by his wife Adina, daughter Ariel (a very talented young violist) and a son, Raphael. I can't begin to express how much he will be missed. Need contact info to send condolences? Please leave your name using the comment feature or send an email to or call the keeper of the class database.

Classmates at Work, Part 1

Jim Tamulen teaches first year iron-worker apprentices.

Not all GHS Class of 1960 classmates are fully retired...yet. Approximately 35 alumni are still employed or are self-employed, full or part-time. This post is the first in a series of posts on what they do and why they do it.

Jim Tamulen, a retired iron worker, teaches first year apprentices in Structural Steel Erection, Labor History, and Rods. He has conducted classes in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Burlington (VT), and Clinton (ME). "My wife comes along on some of the travel and we make it a nice long weekend," says Jim. "The pay has helped us enjoy life more."

Marjorie (Jandris) Kraskouskas works full time overseeing all aspects of human resources for 1000 + employees at the Hockomock Area YMCA. She writes, "Working for a mission-based organization that models character values is important to me personally. The position continues to be stimulating, challenging, and ever-changing - something I thrive on. Marjorie adds, "The face may be aging, but the brain still works."

Claudine (Marchegiani) Reilly is Wellness Manager at CVS Caremark in Woonsocket, RI, providing health promotion programs to over 220,000 employees country-wide. She also does telephonic health coaching weekends and evenings and plans to contunue that work through her 70's. She regards health coaching as "a fabulous opportunity because I can do it in the comfort of home and set my own hours." Claudine enjoys photography, gardnening, biking, xc skiing, and hiking.

Merilyn (Ruuska) Dunn retired in 2007, spent the next few years "on vacation," and then got restless. She missed her clients who became friends, and started consulting again on a limited basis. She used her market research background to move into health care needs for seniors, teaming up with an associate who publishes monthly newspapers directed at senior issues. She also continues to consult on digital imaging.

Marilyn Michelson recently moved from California to Alaska. She works for the MatSu Business Alliance, an organization that focuses on helping small and medium-sized businrsses. Marilyn writes their weeky newsleters, operating from home and loving it. Her husband, Ron, consults on environmental issues and also works from home.

Harold Fiske retired as professor of Music from the University of Western Ontario in June of 2010 but continued to work part time, teaching an undergraduate course. He is considering doing a graduate course during the 2012 winter term, and still writes book reviews and articles. Harold and his wife, Anne (Fleming) Fiske continue to live in London, Ontario and travel to far offplaces like Dubai, where theuir son and family live.

The Hawaiian Number

Back: Annette (Cormier) Scribner, unknown person, Jackie (Teir) Sanford, Karen (Heywood) Greenlaw.

Front: Jeanne Levine, Kathy Guilfoyle, Beverly (Morze) Piccone, Mary Alice Ahearn

Do you recognize the "unknown" person in this photograph? Beverly (Morze) Piccone says this was part of a short program during half-time at a football game. Karen (Heywood) Greenlaw added that John Yablonski's mother sewed the costumes. Tom Ryan noted that this happened at the Gardner-East Providence game in 1959. He said the Cats were trailing at the half and that Coach Dubzinski gave a rousing half-time speech. Can you provide additional facts, corrections, or details?

At The Prom

In this photo are Carolyn (Cunningham) Larson, Kenneth Briggs ('59), Jean (Anderson) Webb, Russell Hoag, Janyce Charles Gemborys, and Stanley Gemborys. The photo was taken at the Junior-Senior Prom in the Spring of 1959 and appeared in the 1959 Argus.

Do you have a photo from your Gardner high school days that you could share with us for posting on our GHS Web Log? Sports events, parties, birthday celebrations, summer jobs, automobiles - all help make it fun to remember the "good old days." Please leave a comment or send me an e-mail if you have an item to share.

Smart Fellows

In 1960, National Merit Scholarship commendations were awarded to these GHS classmates:

Back: Geoffrey Wood, Robert Hunter Coffin, Jr.

Front: John Forrester, Timothy Swanson

Geoff, Bob, and John attended our 50th class reunion in July of 2010.

Do you have some photos from older issues of the GHS Argus or some clippings from the Gardner News that we could scan and post on our Web Log? Please use the comment feature or send me an e-mail telling us about your "finds."

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Elizabeth O'Regan was an exchange student from Ireland during our years at Gardner High School. She attended our 50th Class Reunion in July, 2010. Elizabeth O'Regan Adkins currently lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Classmates who wish to reconnect with Elizabeth may contact me via "comment" or e-mail.

GHS Stamp & Coin Club 1958

Here is a photograph of Stamp & Coin Club members from the 1958 Argus yearbook. That photo would have been taken during our Sophomore year at Gardner High School.

Back Row: Lou Migliozzi, Blaire Lariviere, unknown, unknown

Middle Row: Ron Wester ('58), unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown

Front Row: Stephen Resnick, Larry Hull, Geoff Wood, Harold Fiske, Mr. Joseph T. Kivlin, club advisor

If you recognize any of the unknown students in this photo, please leave a comment or send e-mail to me directly.

Note: The Local History Room of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library contains copies of all Argus Yearbooks - including yearbooks for the years your parents may have attended Gardner High School.

Chair City of the World

Chair City of the World by Constance Riley is a combination of personal memoir and factual documentation of the lives of the Timpany, McConnell, Riley, and LaRoche families and their connections to the rise and decline of the chairmaking industry in Gardner, Massachusetts from 1869-2008. Sprinkled throughout the narrative are observations on the immigration of different ethnic groups, politics, children's pastimes, unique Gardner celebrations, and places many GHS classmates will recall. The book includes some nostalgic photographs.

Chair City of the World by Constance Riley (2008) Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4363-5846-0 is available through local libraries and bookstores and at www.amazon.com/Chair-City-World-Constance-Riley/dp/1436358450

Some of the many local families mentioned in Constance Riley's recollections include Nelsons, Zarozinkskis, Blakes, Hawke, French, LeClair, Tamulen, Kinnear, Hooper, Piper, Atter, Tobia, Waterman Reilly, and Rahaim.

A special addendum to the text lists Gardner chairmakers 1805-1960. Constance Riley's brother, Bernard (Red) Riley was general manager of Heywood Wakefield and personnel manager for Nichols and Stone.

Here's a lick from the text.

"South Gardner had its own gang of rascals. No one remembers why, but they called themselves the Blackwater Navy. Instead of Spanky, the ringleader was Red Riley. A gang of seven or eight boys used to gather in a small building, probably a tool shed, between Travers Printing and Dr. Heininger's on West Broadway. When the gang grew larger, they needed a bigger clubhouse. They moved from West Broadway to the Shack, which was in the backyard of 53 South Main Street and had once been home to Clair Timpany's chickens." - page 49

Anyone who grew up in Gardner in the 1950's will probably identify with many of the people, places, and events that Constance Riley captures in her book. Whether you borrow it from a library or purchase your own copy, you will come away with a deeper appreciation for your hometown.