Warde 30-Year Reunion Chair Announces Christmas Sing-Along Event in Bridgeport

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 30-year reunion president Tony Procaccini (seen in both photos) is involved with the upcoming Christmas Carol Community Sing in Bridgeport, which promises to be an enjoyable event for the entire family.

B.A.C.I.O., Inc., a local Italian cultural organization headed by Bridgeport ex-Mayor Leonard Paoletta, announces a first-time Christmas Carol Community Sing on Sunday, December 9, at 3 PM.

The event will take place on the grounds of Saint Margaret’s Shrine, 2539 Park Avenue, Bridgeport. If weather alters the plans, the venue becomes the Circolo Sportivo building, directly across the street from the shrine. Light refreshments will follow there in any case. The music program is expected to last about an hour.

A volunteer combined choir, accompanied by a brass quartet, will be conducted by Fairfield native Tony Procaccini, Music Director of Saint Patrick Church, Bridgeport.

Selections will include seasonal carols such as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and well-known secular songs such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.”

Most importantly, singers of all four voice ranges with at least basic music-reading ability are still needed as of this writing. An optional general rehearsal is set for Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Bridgeport. If interested, please contact Procaccini immediately at 718.873.7421 or by e-mail to aprocaccini@juno.com.

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

The Warde Library ... Then and Now

It seems just about everybody has access to the Internet these days, whether it be at home, at the library, or even at work. Most of our research, communication, and even shopping can be done rather easily with the click of a mouse. Take a look at the Warde library today!

We grew up in an entirely different world, though. I'm sure you recall spending a lot of time in the Andrew Warde High School library when we attended the school in the 1970s. As we tell our children today, we didn't have the luxury of computers, the Internet, or email when we were youngsters. We did all our research by looking through card catalogues, the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, or by making telephone calls on our rotary phones.

Consider the following entry from the 1976 Flame yearbook: "The library at Warde can be described as a learning and research center. In addition to the books and the massive periodical section, the library provides a wide selection of maps, filmstrips, records, and tapes. These materials have always proved invaluable aids to students involved in independent or group research."

Can you imagine? Maps, filmstrips, records, and tapes. In today's world, maps are outdated almost instantly. As for directions, forget copying everything from a map. Just log on to mapquest and print the directions. Don't you remember trying to loop one of those archaic filmstrips around one of the reels before we played it? It always seemed as though we had a problem with a filmstrip, too. As for records, how many of you still have any 45s or LPs in your home? Better yet, do you still own a record player? I do, and I'm quite proud of it.

Today's students at Warde are equipped with do-it-all cell phones, digital cameras, ipods, and just about any piece of high-tech equipment imaginable. Not so in our days at Warde. What did we have? Read on:

"The Media Center provides Warde students with an outlet for diverse methods of self-expression. The facilities, which have grown considerably over the years, can be used by students and faculty to complete work on projects, which can be either classroom assignments or individual undertakings.

"Slides, transparencies, videotape machines, periodicals, cameras, and movie equipment are all available. Students can also use the Media Center's audio visual equipment to improve their operating skills."

Slides. Transparencies. Videotape machines. Has it really been over 30 years since those were luxuries in our high school library and media center? I wonder what the Warde library will look like 30 years from now. Hmmmm.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Warde's First Thanksgiving Day Football Rivalry

I'm somewhat surprised that there wasn't even one response to last week's trivia question. I wanted to know which school was the first football rival of Andrew Warde High School on Thanksgiving Day.

Believe it or not, Roger Ludlowe High School had a well-established rivalry with Bassick High School of Bridgeport, dating back to the days before the opening of Warde. That tradition continued even after the Melville Avenue high school opened in 1956.

The Crimson Eagles' first Thanksgiving Day rival was Kolbe High School of Bridgeport. Warde never lost a game against Kolbe, which played its home games at Hedges Stadium at Harding High School.

I distinctly remember watching games from both Hedges Stadium and Andrew Warde High School in the late 1960s. In fact, the following is taken from a blog entry from October 26, 2006:

"Thanksgiving Day was always a football day," mentioned Tom Davis. "It was an enjoyable day. We were thankful that we won every Thanksgiving we played." He pointed out that during his playing days, Warde took on Kolbe in the annual Turkey Day rivalry. Davis said the Eagles never lost a Thanksgiving Day contest against Kolbe when he attended Andrew Warde.

So, the next time anyone asks you about Warde's Thanksgiving Day football rivalry against Ludlowe, tell them that Kolbe was actually the first rival the Eagles played back in the 1960s.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Warde Blasts Ludlowe, 28-0, in Thanksgiving Day Shutout; Eagles/Mustangs Lead Series, 8-4

The following article is reprinted from today's Connecticut Post. The Warde Mustangs won their second straight Thanksgiving Day game over Ludlowe and improved to 9-4 overall in the series, dating back to the days of the Andrew Warde High School Crimson Eagles.

Senior Chike Madu rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns to propel Fairfield Warde past Fairfield Ludlowe 28-0 before 2,500 fans at Taft Field Thursday. Madu, who broke loose for touchdown runs of 25, 67 and 83 yards, was named Most Valuable Player in the game for Warde.

"I knew going in today I was going to have a big game. I've had over 100 yards (rushing) the last five games," said Madu, a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder. "The team played great. Hopefully, we've been able to establish something for the underclassmen here at Warde."

Junior Phil Tsopanides took the same honor for Ludlowe with 62 hard-earned yards rushing and 15 yards on pass receptions.

The Mustangs finished 4-6, which is two more wins than the previous season. "We really could have had six wins. We're moving toward being competitive," coach Tony Catapano said. "It's never going to be a numbers thing here. It will always be about getting whatever we can from what we have."

Warde's defense intercepted three Ludlowe passes and recovered a fumble. The Falcons (1-9) trailed 13-0 at the half. Warde's Arthur Preston picked off Ludlowe quarterback Rob Ferrara on the opening possession of the game and returned the ball 23 yards to the Ludlowe 29, setting up Kyle Walsh's 3-yard plunge that gave the Mustangs an early 7-0 lead.

On their next possession, the Mustangs faced a fourth-and-three at the Ludlowe 25. Madu burst through the line off right tackle and raced in untouched. Madu really showed off his sprinter's speed in the second half, scoring on dashes of 67 and 83 yards. Catapano says his star runner has managed to get his 40 time down to 4.6 seconds through hard work.

"He's an example of what we can do here if the kids commit to the program. When you invest yourself to 18 months or 24 months of training and conditioning, you will improve," Catapano said.

Madu piled up 172 of his 237 yards, which came on 18 carries, in the second half. That took the offensive burden off quarterback Ralph Fidaleo, who completed 4-of-8 passes for 33 yards with two interceptions.

Ludlowe's Mike Deliberti had both picks off Fidaleo, but the Falcons were never able to capitalize. Ludlowe had two scoring threats in the fourth quarter, but one ended in a fumble at the Warde 17-yard line and the other on downs at the Warde 13.

The Falcons managed eight first downs in the second half, although they never scored. Zach Kraus intercepted a halfback option pass for the Mustangs early in the fourth quarter. Mike Jacob came up with another pick off Ludlowe quarterback Ferrara, who was 13-for-22 for 122 yards in the air.

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Thanksgiving Trivia Time

The Thanksgiving Day football rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe high schools dates back to our years at Andrew Warde High School. However, yesteryear's Crimson Eagles and Flying Tigers have been replaced by today's Mustangs and Falcons.

We'll never forget Warde's two gridiron victories over the rival Flying Tigers during our senior year in 1975. That marked the only time either high school won both games against its town rival in the same season.

Although the current series is squared at one game apiece, the Warde Eagles/Mustangs lead the overall Thanksgiving Day series against the Ludlowe Tigers/Falcons, 8-4.

However, Andrew Warde High School didn't always play Roger Ludlowe High School on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, Ludlowe developed a long and storied traditional rivalry with Bassick High School in Bridgeport long before Warde opened. That rivalry continued even after Ludlowe Coach Fern Tetreau moved cross-town to develop the fledgling Crimson Eagles' program when the Melville Avenue school opened in 1956.

While Ludlowe continued to play Bassick each Thanksgiving morning, Andrew Warde High School started a rivalry with another neighboring school which began in 1968 and ended in 1974. Which school was Warde's first Thanksgiving Day rival?

The first person to email the correct answer to me will receive an Andrew Warde High School hooded sweatshirt from our gift shop. Please note that 30-year reunion committee members are exempt from this contest. My email address is pppiorek@news12.com.

Good luck, and Happy Thanksgiving! Go, Crimson Eagles --- er --- Mustangs!

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Third Renewal of the Warde vs. Ludlowe Football Rivalry Set for Thanksgiving Morning

The Fairfield Warde Mustangs tackle their arch-rivals, the Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons, on the gridiron this Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day, at the Falcons home field on Unquowa Road. Game time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

The Mustangs enter the contest with a 3-6 record, while the Falcons have only won one of nine games thus far. Warde is the favorite to win its second "Battle of Fairfield" since the rivalry was resurrected two years ago.

The host Mustangs captured last year's contest in a driving rainstorm, 21-12, to claim the Gallagher/Baryas trophy for the first time since the rivalry was re-established. Nearly two inches of rain and strong, gusty winds affected the players. That game featured the Warde field dedication ceremony and the observance of the 50th anniversary of the opening of Andrew Warde High School.

Two years ago, Ludlowe won the Thanksgiving Day affair, 20-14, after jumping out to a 20-0 lead at the intermission. It was the first time the two schools met since Thanksgiving Day, 1984, when the Eagles played the Flying Tigers for the last time.

The rivalry between Fairfield's two public high schools has always been intense. This corner researched the sports battles between Warde and Ludlowe during our senior year of high school in 1975-76. Here's a look at how Warde fared in each of the sports:

Football: Coach Bill Davis' Crimson Eagles defeated Ludlowe twice on the gridiron. Warde won the regular season meeting, 27-13, and the Thanksgiving Day affair, 28-6.

The victory on Turkey Day, November 27, 1975, came on a wet and mild day with nearly a half-inch of rain and temperatures in the upper 50s. It marked the only time in the long and storied history of the rivalry that one school "swept" the other in football in the same season.

Soccer: Although Warde tied Ludlowe twice by identical 1-1 scores, the Tigers won the coveted Swedish Cup over Constantine "Dino" Vanghele's squad by virtue of their better overall record.

Baseball: The Crimson Eagles, coached by Bob Jackson, posted a dramatic 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Ludlowe by scoring all their runs in the final inning.

Volleyball: Coach Ed Bengermino's FCIAC runner-up Eagles beat Ludlowe two games to one.

Field Hockey: Coach Pat Jennings squad lost a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to the Lady Tigers.

Basketball: Bengermino's cagers dropped a one-sided affair to the Tigers, 80-47.

Ice Hockey: The skaters tied Ludlowe, but the highlight of the season was defeating Wilbur Cross at the New Haven Coliseum.

Wrestling: Although Coach Frank Bent's grapplers finished with a winless record in 13 matches, they lost a narrow decision to Ludlowe, 32-24.

Boys' Track: The team defeated Ludlowe, 84-61, and placed seventh out of 16 teams at the FCIAC championships.

So, will today's rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe be as intense or as exciting as it was during our years at Andrew Warde High School? Please take part in our latest online poll by accessing the drop-down menu below. I'd like to know what you think.

Will today's rivalry between Warde and Ludlowe be as intense as when we attended high school?

Yes, it will be intense.No, we had the most heated rivalry.I'm not sure.It doesn't matter.

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Editor's Note: The information provided on this Web site is courtesy of the Flame yearbook. Unfortunately, some sports summaries didn't include complete information, so I wasn't able to list a few of the sports results.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Girls' Soccer Now Big-Time at Warde

Editor's Note: The Fairfield Warde High School girls' soccer team won the class L state championship Saturday afternoon, November 17, by shutting out Farmington, 1-0. The photo shows the Mustangs celebrating after their victory.

Congratulations to the Fairfield Warde High School girls' soccer team. The Mustangs shut out Berlin High School, 2-0, last night to advance to the Class L state championship this Saturday at Municipal Stadium against Farmington High School.

The winners posted yet another impressive victory before a huge crowd under the lights at Shelton High School. Emily Bengermino scored both goals for the 14-5-1 Mustangs, including one 4:34 into the first half that set the tone for the game.

Yes, girls' high school sports have come a long way since our days at Andrew Warde High School. In fact, are you aware that Warde didn't even field a girls' soccer team during our days at the school?

According to our 1976 Flame yearbook, "Two years ago, girls at Warde had but one athletic alternative in the Autumn --- field hockey. Today, in an effort to provide a more diversified sports program for girls, the school also offers volleyball and cross country in the Fall." The photo below shows the 1975 Warde girls' field hockey squad.

As hard as it may seem to believe, the yearbook states, "Fall sports (in 1976) saw the inaugural season of girls' cross country at Warde, currently one of only two FCIAC schools fielding teams in this sport." The Crimson Eagles posted a 2-1 record against rival Roger Ludlowe High School, the only other team in the league.

"Next season, with several more schools fielding teams in the FCIAC, our squad looks forward to an expanded schedule," according to the yearbook.

A generation ago, most girls' athletic contests received little if any press coverage, and the events took place immediately after school. Usually, just a handful of spectators were in attendance. The boys' games, on the other hand, were scheduled during the prime-time evening hours.

This corner finds it difficult to believe that girls' athletics were extremely limited and didn't receive the notoriety or recognition of their male counterparts just over a generation ago. Now, both the boys and girls are competing on an "even playing field," and that's the way it always should have been.

Good luck to the Lady Mustangs as they attempt to capture a state championship for Warde High School. I'll look forward to seeing the highlights on News 12 Connecticut and reading all about it in the newspapers.

Did you play girls' sports at Andrew Warde High School? How do you feel about the discrepancy between the sports offered for boys and girls when we attended high school? I'd like to know what you think in the "comments" section below.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."

Class of 1976 30-Year Reunion Chair to Perform at Benny Rae Day Celebration in Bridgeport

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1976 30-year reunion committee president Tony Procaccini will perform during the Benny Rae Day celebration this Monday in Bridgeport.

Procaccini (at left) was one of dozens of musicians influenced by Rae (right) and worked with him from 1973 to 1985.

"Benny Rae Day" will be celebrated at Bridgeport City Hall Annex on Monday, November 5, at 2 p.m. Mayor John Fabrizi has proclaimed the day to honor the legendary bandleader-singer.

Since his early years as a child prodigy singer, trumpeter and composer, Benny Rae has been known in area music circles. While still young, he performed and toured with his mentor, international star Louis Prima, and Prima's wife, Keely Smith. He later settled in Bridgeport for a long and stellar career at local venues.

Benny Rae is steeped in the American Songbook, following the path of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme’. In later years, he added contemporary music to his mix, expanding his repertoire and attracting more fans.

He influenced dozens of musicians who worked with him, including Tony Procaccini, music director of St. Patrick's Church in Bridgeport. The driving force behind the proclamation, Procaccini notes, "I felt it was only right to thank and honor Benny for his great work over many years. The city's music life has been greatly enriched because of him."

Many individuals have contributed to the event. In addition to Procaccini, the principal organizer and initiator of the proclamation, they include former Bridgeport Mayor Leonard Paoletta, Warde 1976 classmate Tommy DeLaurentis (owner of Daybreak Doughnuts), Robert Lisi, and guitarist and college music professor Bruce Bednarsky. Bednarsky performed and recorded with Benny Rae for 10 years, and attributes much of his current success to the singer.

The event is free and open to the public. City Hall Annex is located at 999 Broad Street in Bridgeport.

Procaccini wrote, "He (Rae) worked with Prima and Keely Smith for years. Benny did impersonations like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Frank, Ella, Dick Haymes, Al Hibler, Anthony Newley, Tony Bennett, Bing, Satchmo, a dead-ringer on Prima (who once almost tried to have him arrested for doing his shtick!!!), and many, many others.

"I worked with Benny from 1973 until 1985, plus a couple small spurts with some others. Two summers the band wasn't hired, so we played duo.

"A kid like me could never learn a tune like "Nina Never Knew" or "Stars Fell on Alabama" unless working with him. I have many lyrics in my head from those years. I helped Benny at some points, too. He called tunes by opening lyrics, not titles."

"He lent me a Sinatra album in 1979, and I was hooked on Frank. I learned tunes I didn't know from other LP's I went out and bought, imitating the Riddle arrangements, etc."

Benny Rae, born Benedetto Mechello Rea, was a local child-prodigy singer, trumpeter and composer before emerging on the national scene with Louis Prima and Keely Smith in the 1940s and 1950s. He reestablished his presence in the Bridgeport area soon after, and became a local legend. He led a “little big band” called Benny Rae Plus Three, influencing fellow musicians as well as audiences. His repertoire included music from Al Jolson to Barry White, and he helped keep Bridgeport’s nightclubs hopping for decades, until the era of live music ended.

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."