We recently sent emails to classmates to confirm contact information for our class database, including street address, telephone, and e-mail, and invited classmates to share some things (life events, moves, hobbies, interests).  Here are a few responses.

 

"Aloha, Doug - it is possible we will be moving back to the mainland (California) in 2014.  Will be in touch.  Judy Goodwin Cross, Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

 

"Paul and I are moving to Indiana to be closer to our daughter and grandchildren.  We  bought a house and are renovating it. " Nancy Ball Griffin, Columbus, OH

 

"Linda and I built a new house in Port Townsend, Washington and are living in a sailing community.  We enjoy sailing, kayaking, and fishing." Robert Frenette, Port Townsend, WA

 

"I have sold my home in Stoneham, MA and purchased another in Center Conway, NH."

Linda Giles Merikanto

 

"Thanks for keeping in touch.
 Marilyn Michaelson, Wasilla, AK

 

"We have moved from Virginia to North Carolina to await the arrival of a new grandson, who now happily lights up our lives."

Phyllis and Russell Hoag

Cornelius, NC

 

"My husband and recently I returned from a trip to France.  We saw the D-Day beaches up north, then headed south to visit with friends.  The best part was having my daughter join us in Provence, where she studied in her junior year in college."

Pamela LeBlanc Soberg, Menlo Park, CA

 

 

In order to reach classmates without e-mail, we will have to pick up the phone and call - but that too can lead to some interesting conversations and news we can report in future posts.

 

Our age cohort seems ready to give up the bigger house, mowing the lawn, and shoveling snow in exchange for more time to spend on new hobbies and interests.

 

Douglas S. Fleming, Sr.
P.O. Box 597, Lunenburg, MA 01462
(978) 582 6705

Blood Mountain Sequel

Amazon.com is promoting Joni Bogdanski's (Joanne Taylor Moore) new book.  The paperback version runs 302 pages and is published by Black Opal Books.  For those of you who might enjoy a mystery novel set in the modern American southwest, join Joni for "mystery and mayhem in the desert."

Can You Identify Students in this Photo?



Norman Beauregard posted this photo to Facebook recently.  This was taken in 1954 or 1955 during our Junior High School years. Some students are from GHS Class of 1960 and some are from the GHS Class of 1959.  Can you help identify some of the students in this photo?  Can you identify the exact date or specific event at which this took place?

Please add a comment or send your ideas to dfleming373@verizon.net .

Taking the Short Cut

Do you remember these stairs?  Can you describe where they are located? Got a special memory of these stairs?

They have been called "the Shortcut" or "the Iron Stairs," however 35 years ago this famed stairway was officially dedicated as "Sullivan's Stairs." Read about the history of this famous passageway in "The Gardner Scene," in The Gardner News, written by Mike Richard.

Remembering Martin Anderson

Martin L. Anderson, 87, of Gardner, died peacefully Tuesday August 13, 2013 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, after a period of declining health.

Martin was born in West Warren, MA November 11, 1925, and has lived in Gardner since 1951.

Martin graduated from Palmer High School. He proudly served his country with the United States Navy during WWII. After leaving the Military he attended the University of Massachusetts. While in college he excelled as a hockey, football, and baseball player. He graduated in 1951, moving to Gardner where he began his teaching career. He taught both History and Math, and coached football, baseball, and track over the years. Over 50 years, Martin coached at Gardner, Oakmont, Monty Tech, and for one year at WPI.

Martin will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Evelyn (Pardo) Anderson, one son; Martin L. Anderson, Jr. of Florida, three daughters; Judy Giovannangeli of NH, Sandra Trombley of NH, and Karen Mason of Westminster, eight grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Martin was predeceased by 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Relatives and friends are planning to honor and celebrate Martin's life at a memorial service to be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations in Martin's memory may be made to the Oakmont Regional High School Athletics Department C/O Erik Dawley, 9 Oakmont Dr. Ashburnham, MA 01430

To sign the online guestbook for Martin, please visit the website at www.fletchercares.com. The Lamoureux Fletcher and Smith Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Read more about Mr. Anderson at the following link:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20130814/NEWS/308159942/1009/mobile&TEMPLATE=MOBILE

News from Richard Donovan

Richard Donovan as an eighth grader at Westminster Junior High School in 1956.  He would attend grade 9 in Westminster before attending Gardner High School.

GHS Classmate Richard Donovan reports that he and Paula (LaChance) Donovan are still residing in Coral Gables, Florida.  Both of them play golf.  Paula has been very involved in competitive tennis. Dick has been involved with a number of civic and charitable organizations and serves as a board member on several.  The Donovans have traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East over the years.  Dick has bought and sold businesses around the country and still visits his business holdings on a regular basis. In addition, the family also owns real estate in Florida and Massachusetts which they operate with their two boys.  Both Donovans welcome news from classmates.

Editors Note: The GHS Class of 1960 was fortunate to get the "last batch" of students from the town of Westminster in the fall of 1957.  Oakmont Regional High School was being built and the first class to graduate from Oakmont did so in 1961. Among the Westminster students choosing to attend Gardner High School were Nancy Haynes, Marilyn LeCuyer, Carol Waterman, Marilyn Parnanen, Judith Viweg, June Prentiss, Ernest Lehtonen, Geraldine Gerard, Erik Pakkila, Janyce Charles, Evelyn Hurme, Rita Lemieur, Terry Tosh, Betty Leavenworth, Robert Marien, William Bradford, John Oinonen, Merilyn Ruuska, Robert Clarkson, Joseph Marien, and Jean Tkaczyk.

Remembering Walter Dubzinski, Sr.

You may remember him best as a teacher, football coach, or guidance counselor.

Walter Dubzinski Sr., a former pro football player who went onto become a legendary high school football coach, died Friday night, April 26, 2013. He was 93.

Dubzinski was a college fullback before becoming a center and linebacker on Boston College's 1940 Cotton Bowl team and 1941 Sugar Bowl and national championship squad.

He went onto play two years in the NFL for the New York Giants in 1943 and the Boston Yanks in 1944. He was one of the oldest living former NFL players and the oldest ex-Giant at the time of his death.

While Dubzinski was an outstanding player, he will be remembered as one of the best coaches in Central Mass. history, walking the sidelines at Gardner High from 1945 to 1965.

A member of the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame and Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame, Dubzinski was predeceased by his wife, Ruthie, in 2010.

Dubzinski's sons include current Gardner High coach Walter Dubzinski Jr. and longtime Leominster High coach John Dubzinski. His grandchildren include current Wachusett Regional coach Mike Dubzinski and Gardner High assistant football coach Steve Dubzinski.

You can read more about the life and family of Walt Dubzinski Sr. at http://www.boucherfuneral.com/runtime.php?SiteId=4671&NavigatorId=65882

Funeral services will held on Wednesday, May 1 from the Boucher Funeral Home with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Church.  Burial will be in the Greenbower Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday, April 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Boucher Funeral Home in Gardner.

Classmates and their Hobbies, Part 1

Janice Dick Drummey enjoys travel, knitting, and felting.  In addition to her craft projects, Jan organizes informal lunches with classmates, often featuring former classmates who are visiting in the Gardner area. This photo was taken on a revent trip to China.

This is the first in a series of reports on GHS Class of 1960 classmates and their current hobbies or interests.  Additional summaries will be posted as we hear from more classmates.

Peggy Ball DiStefano of Witchita, Kansas has enjoyed working from home this stormy winter. While the Guadalupe Medical Clinic has had to close, Peggy does her administration department tasks from home “in my sweats, taking breaks or snacking and enjoying a cup of coffee.”

Joanne Bogdanski Moore of Yuma, Arizona recently sold her second book, Blood Mountain Prophecy, which is a sequel to her first publication, Blood Mountain.  Joni’s novels are set in the modern American Southwest.

Diane Brazouskas Ewing of Gardner is learning electronic scrapbooking. Her husband Jim Ewing is restoring a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad.

Robert “Scooter” Cormier of Cambridge, Massachusetts continues to compete in senior men’s skating competions nationwide.

John Gerrard of Leicester, Massachusetts participates in costumed Civil War Re-enactments.

Winona Leblanc Moeller of Winchester, Massachusetts enjoys house remodeling, volunteer work in her community, gardening, walking, swimming, reading, and travel.

Marilyn LeCuyer Michelson of Wasilla, Alaska is teaching herself to knit socks, is taking Zumba Gold and Tai Chi, does volunteer work at a regional hospital, and is adding swimming sessions to her exercise routines.

Louis P. Migliozzi of Southampton, Massachusetts is training a Belgian draft horse named Bill.  Bill reports that Lou is responding to commands well once his harness is adjusted properly. Lou and his daughter Nicole make Boyneberry (a variety of raspberry) wine.

Patricia Roberts Strandberg of San Antonio, Texas prepares tax returns and does some accounting but really enjoys sewing.  Pat makes pillowcases which she sells at craft shows.

Shari Montville Whipple of Gardner has been researching four family genealogies and reports that she has found many surprises along the way, including the first Whipple to arrive in Dorchester, MA in 1632.  Her husband, Bob had quadruple bypass surgery in October of 2012 and hopes to play golf this spring.

Geoff Wood of Queen Lake enjoys heating his home with wood and splitting it all himself with a maul and wedges. His wife, Diana Virta Wood enjoys gardening and book club meetings.

The GHS Web Log welcomes photos of you enjoying one of your hobbies to include in our posts. Please send your information to dfleming373@verizon.net .