Class of 1976 30-Year Reunion President Shares Vivid Memories of Drivers Ed at AWHS

The following was written by Tony Procaccini in response to the previous article about drivers education classes during our days at Andrew Warde High School. Several new laws will go into effect later this year for 16- and 17-year-old drivers in Connecticut.

Your entry on "Drivers Ed" (that's what I called it back then) brought back vivid memories both of that class and my first solo drive, from the spring-summer of 1974, as we completed our sophomore year.

In my case, by the time we were 16, I had an important and frequent need to drive, for baseball games and for gigs I was playing with Benny Rae, the latter usually ending at very late hours.

Since I was born in January 1958 (i.e., early for those born in that year), I completed the course as early as I could, and began driving in June of 1974. The course was highlighted by Mr. Ambrose's dry sense of humor, no question about that. I recall Ginny Cunningham being my driving partner, since pairs went out together, for "on-the-road" training.

Well, since my father had given me lots of one-on-one training and parking lot experience driving the family car, I was very comfortable behind the wheel when the coursed started. And Mr. Ambrose knew this when we went out. Now and then I exceeded the posted speed limit, though not by much. His reaction, in every case, was to either verbally admonish me or to use his passenger-side brake pedal to slow down the car.

His famous word of admonishment was "Rinky-Dink," to anyone who wise-cracked or did something he didn't like. I heard "Watch out, Rinky-Dink!" more than once. My friend and classmate Joe O'Brien remembers this clearly, too. We were either in the same class or different classes in the same semester. (His birthday is right after mine, so we were in the same age group.)

OK, now for the story of my first solo drive. In late June of 1974, I passed my drivers exam, and got my license, at the old MVD office on East Main Street, Bridgeport. Yes, the same one that had very little parking, was on a street in which it was difficult to find parking, and always had long lines! Well, on that same evening, I had a Fairfield Senior Babe Ruth baseball game at Sturges Field and, since my parents didn't need the yellow two-door 1967 Chevelle, I said, "I'm taking the car to the game, Mom and Dad."

They were actually surprised, not thinking I would drive solo on the day I got my license, but I did. And I still vividly recall pulling out onto Edgewood Road and getting a rush from the solo experience, and even noticing that listening to the radio was almost a distraction, because I had to concentrate more, not having a chaperone.

OK, that's my Drivers Ed and first solo drive story, and I'm sticking to it!

Your class blog is great, keep up the fantastic work! We all appreciate it, Paul.

Tony Procaccini

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Today's Drivers Ed Much Different Than Over a Generation Ago at Andrew Warde High School

There's no question that learning to drive a motor vehicle today is much more difficult than when we learned to drive as students at Andrew Warde High School over 30 years ago. Several new laws will go into effect later this year for 16- and 17-year-old drivers in Connecticut.

The recent spate of deadly accidents involving teenage drivers across southwestern Connecticut prompted Governor M. Jodi Rell and the General Assembly to act. In addition, there are countless more distractions for drivers in this day and age, including cell phones, DVD players, and state-of-the-art stereo sound systems in vehicles.

Effective August 1, 2008, learner’s permit holders are not allowed to drive with anyone other than a licensed driving instructor giving instruction, a passenger giving instruction who is at least 20 years old with a valid driver’s license for at least four years, or a parent or legal guardian who has a driver's license.

What was it like when we were learning how to drive? According to the 1976 Flame yearbook, "The classroom phase of the driver education course is designed to help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed for safe driving. Emphasis is placed on the physical fitness and psychology of the driver, automobile mechanics, traffic laws, and sound traffic practices.

"Behind-the-wheel training is also available. Automobiles are provided by local dealers and are equipped with dual brake controls. Each student must accumulate six hours of on-the-road experience."

Contrast that with today. Under the new law, 16- and 17 year-old drivers who receive a learner’s permit on or after August 1, 2008, must complete 40 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Currently, learner’s permit holders are required to complete 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training.

According to the Flame, "Any student who successfully completes the driver education course is eligible to apply for a driver's license by taking the examination given by the Department of Motor Vehicles."

If you took the class at Warde, Mr. Ambrose was the seasoned instructor who never seem to get too rattled. Others, including me, attended the Chase Driving School on Black Rock Turnpike. We were well-prepared for both the written and driving tests.

After passing our driver's exam, we couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of the family car. I don't think there were any restrictions imposed on us back then. In fact, many times we'd crowd six or seven classmates into a friend's car and drive to Kuhn's during our lunch period. Many times we'd "cruise" the Post Road well after midnight on the weekend.

Today, that's unheard of. There are many new restrictions which will go into effect this Summer. Effective August 1, 2008, 16- or 17-year-old licensed drivers will be prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Currently, the nighttime hours restriction is midnight to 5 a.m.

In addition, during the first six months after obtaining a driver's license, the only passengers allowed in the vehicle with a 16- or 17-year-old driver are a licensed driving instructor giving instruction, one passenger giving instruction and who is at least 20 years old who has had a driver’s license for at least four years and has not had the license suspended, and/or the driver’s parents or legal guardian.

Between six months and a year, the only passengers allowed in the vehicle with a 16 or 17-year-old driver are anyone permitted during the first six months as well as any additional members of the driver’s immediate family.

Times have certainly changed. What do you think about the new laws for teen drivers which will take effect later this year. What would you have thought if these restrictions were placed on you after you earned you driver's license over 30 years ago? I'd like to know. Just click on the "comments" tab below.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School Hockey History: A Big Win Over Notre Dame & The Second Annual Senior Stars Game Highlight the 1975-76 Campaign

The Fairfield Warde High School Mustangs' ice hockey team reached the state championship game for the first time in school history this year. Warde lost to Amity in the title game.

The foundation of the Warde hockey program was constructed 36 years ago when Arnie Larsen, the school's first hockey coach, organized a team midway through the 1972 season.

This is the fourth in a five-part series on the history of Andrew Warde High School hockey. Today we take a closer look at the 1975-76 season, including the Second Annual Senior Stars Game.

The start of the 1975-76 hockey season saw the addition of Trumbull High School to the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, giving the circuit 15 teams. Each team played every other FCIAC team once for a 14-game league schedule.

Overall, the Andrew Warde High School hockey team had a 20-game schedule, including a pair of contests each against arch-rival Roger Ludlowe, Trumbull, Stamford, and Rippowam. The Eagles also played cross-town rivals Fairfield Prep and Notre Dame, too.

Prior to the start of the season, which began during the first week of December, the Crimson Eagles were invited to participate in a six-team jamboree on Friday night, November 28, 1975, at the newly-opened Milford Ice Rink.

Although the Eagles' skaters defeated Trumbull, 4-2, to christen the season, they finished with a 6-11-3 overall record for 15 points. However, Warde posted three straight victories in December, punctuated by a 10-1 drubbing of town rival Notre Dame. Warde's FCIAC record was 2-10-2 for six points.

Senior Andy Larsen led the team with 55 points on 38 goals and 17 assists. Other leading scorers included George Swift (7-7-14), Paul Larsen (6-7-15), Joe Hamilton (4-9-13), Craig Benak (2-11-13), Bob Chizmadia (1-4-5), and Bob Hey (0-5-5). Cumulatively, Warde tallied 61 goals and yielded 93.

Warde closed the season on February 16 with an exciting 5-5 tie against league foe Stamford. Paul Larsen scored a three-goal hat-trick and brother Andy added two more goals to help the Crimson Eagles to the draw at the Wonderland of Ice. The tie snapped a three-game losing streak for Warde.

The highlight of the season was the prominent role of Warde's Andy Larsen in the second annual Senior Stars Game at the Darien Ice Rink on Saturday, April 3, 1976. Larsen and Jack Vichiola of Ludlowe each scored goals to lead the East to a narrow 6-5 victory over the West in the FCIAC clash before over 400 fans.

Warde's junior varsity hockey team was part of a six-team league in 1975-76. The other schools participating included Fairfield Prep, Roger Ludlowe, Wilton, Trumbull, and Masuk.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School's 1981 Baseball State Championship Among the Most Memorable Athletic Events in Crimson Eagles' History

Andrew Warde High School's rich sports history includes some memorable games, matches, and individual performances. What do you think was the most dramatic sports event in the school's 30-year history from 1956 to 1986?

After much thought, the Crimson Eagles' 1981 baseball state championship has to be considered among the top three sports events in school history.

Andrew Warde edged Rockville, 9-8, in 13 innings for its first state baseball championship that year. The game took four hours and 50 minutes to play. What made the game memorable was the dramatic finish for Warde, which entered the ninth inning trailing, 8-5.

However, Greg Cantwell's two-run triple closed the gap to one run, and Cantwell stole home with two outs and two strikes to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Take a look at this classic television sports report of the "fantastic finish" for Warde:



The Eagles ultimately won the game in the 13th inning at 12:20 the following morning at Quigley Stadium in West Haven. Cantwell stole third base and scored when the errant throw sailed into left field. The ballpark was home to the Double-A West Haven Yankees at the time, adding luster to the scholastic championship.

One year later, the Eagles advanced to the state championship game again, only to fall to North Haven at Penders Field in Stratford. Warde came within one victory of claiming back-to-back state baseball championships.

I'd like to know what you think was the most memorable athletic achievement in Andrew Warde High School's 30-year history. I'll compile the list and tabulate the votes over the next few weeks.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School Hockey History: The Crimson Eagles Join the FCIAC; 'Fairfield Night' at the Wonderland of Ice Draws Over 1,300 Fans

The foundation of the Warde hockey program was constructed 41 years ago when Arnie Larsen, the school's first hockey coach, organized a team midway through the 1972 season.

This is the third of a five part series on the history and early years of Andrew Warde High School's hockey program. Today we take a closer look at the third and fourth seasons of the Crimson Eagles' hockey team, FCIAC membership, varsity status, and 'Fairfield Night' at the Wonderland of Ice.

By the time the 1973-74 season arrived, the Crimson Eagles' hockey team became a member of the highly-competitive Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which included 14 teams and two divisions.
 
"Thanks to the enthusiastic support of the Andrew Warde administration and athletic office, the Warde hockey team has attained varsity status this year," wrote head coach Arnie Larsen. The squad held its first practice November 1st at 6 o'clock in the morning in Bridgeport.

Remember, over 30 years ago, securing precious ice time and getting a team bus for a fledgling hockey team were considered luxuries which today's high school athletes take for granted. It was not uncommon to travel great distances to hold practice late at night or early in the morning. Larsen noted in a correspondence to his team that "all players should plan to be at Warde at 5:20 a.m. to board a school bus which will depart promptly at 5:30 a.m. for the rink."

In addition, Warde hosted a junior varsity team which practiced with the varsity skaters each Thursday morning in Bridgeport. "Depending on ice availability and budget considerations," wrote Larsen, "J.V. games with other schools will be scheduled."

The varsity skaters started the season by defeating league foe Ridgefield, 4-3, on December 4th. A month later, the Eagles faced off against cross-town rival Ludlowe and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Tigers. After a 3-0 defeat to Ludlowe on February 12, Warde concluded the season by defeating town rival Fairfield Prep, 3-1.


Overall, the Crimson Eagles finished with a 5-12-3 record for 13 points. The team scored 55 goals and gave up 72. Andy Larsen led the team with 19 goals, 11 assists, and 30 points. Craig Benak (7-7-14), Ken Caplan (4-10-14), Jon Grannis (2-10-12), Bob Losch (6-4-10), and Pete Prevelege (4-4-8) were the other scoring leaders for the Eagles.

The following year, Andrew Warde participated in the first-ever Fairfield Night at the Wonderland of Ice. The Eagles joined town rivals Roger Ludlowe, Fairfield Prep, and Notre Dame high schools in a hockey doubleheader in Bridgeport on Saturday, January 11, 1975.

According to the Fairfield Citizen, "One of the largest crowds ever to watch Fairfield County hockey turned out at the Wonderland of Ice to watch Warde edge Ludlowe, 4-3, and Fairfield Prep shut out Notre Dame, 3-0. While the Fairfield Night was not a tournament, it did allow the 1,300 fans a chance to see the four Fairfield schools skate during the same evening."


Warde jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead by the three-minute mark of the first period as Andy Larsen and Bill Schlubach pumped shots into the Ludlowe net. Craig Benak and Joe Hamilton assisted on the Larsen goal, while Benak and Larsen set up Schlubach's tally.

After a Ludlowe goal by Tom Scarzynski, Warde seemed to put matters comfortably to rest. A goal by Benak and an unassisted score by Ken Caplan, the Warde captain, gave the Eagles a 4-1 lead. However, Ludlowe staged a thrilling third-period comeback only to fall one goal short.

Jack Vichiola tallied a goal assisted by Tom Herzog less than a minute into the final frame. Pat Murphy scored soon after, assisted by assistant captain Chuck Herde, and Warde hung on for the one-goal margin of victory. Bruce Lazar posted 18 saves in goal for the winners, while Ludlowe's Steve Curry turned away 20 shots.

The hard work, sacrifices, and dedication of the team finally paid off. Warde defeated its arch-rival in the spotlight before well over a thousand fans. "For the first time in the history of the Warde hockey team we had full support," wrote Joan Caplan in a letter to the Fairfield Citizen. "The rink was packed with students, cheerleaders, parents, faculty, and important political figures. And I, for one, a proud parent of one of the Warde players, was grateful.

"For these kids deserved all the recognition they received that night. Yes, it was a victory for the Warde team in many ways. To me, it was more than just beating Ludlowe. It was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication against great odds, and it all started four years ago when a group of kids got together because they wanted to play the game of hockey.

"Three cheers, too, for Arnie Larsen, for without his support, dedication, and tenacity, the team would not be what it is today. They have finally become a team worthy of the respect of everyone."

Paul

Fairfield's "Often Overlooked & Mostly Forgotten" Elementary School: Nathan Hale

The following was written by AWHS Class of 1976 graduate Russ Nagy. "I've really enjoyed reading your blog once I found the AWHS site and have been conversing with Tony Procaccini occasionally. I wanted to comment specifically on the four-part series of articles on 'Warde Neighborhoods' and how much I enjoyed reading them."

I grew up where Jennings Road dead-ends into Kings Highway East. Where my parents' house used to stand is now a rather large office building and parking lot which is situated between Shepard Street and Nathan Hale Street, backed up to the Rooster River. If you look at Mapquest (or the like), you will also see Rainbow Street, which actually never existed. This area may be designated Villa Park (actually to the east) or Tunxis Hill or even Holland Hill.

The point of my communication is to point out an often overlooked and mostly forgotten elementary school - Nathan Hale - which was also demolished when the office building was planned. The last graduating sixth grade class was in 1971, one year after I graduated in 1970. My father also graduated from this school in the early 1930s! For nearly 30 years after 1971 the school building was used for various purposes by the town until being razed around the year 2000.

The geographical area that Nathan Hale served is somewhat like a triangle. The first leg would be to draw a fairly straight line from the Bridgeport city line at the intersection of Kings Highway East and Tunxis Hill Road, near Mountain Grove Cemetery and the bridge over the Rooster River to approximately the intersection of Jennings Road and Black Rock Turnpike. The next leg is from that intersection to approximately the intersection of Grasmere Avenue and Kings Highway (McKesson was there, now Home Depot) and back to make the Rooster River (Bridgeport line) the last leg.

Nathan Hale was a fairly small school and its attendees would go on to split almost 50/50 to Tomlinson/Ludlowe and Fairfield Woods/Warde. This was probably one of, if not the, most blue collar, racially diverse neighborhoods in Fairfield. There was a very large Hungarian population here.

I have attached a photo of my 1970 sixth-grade class, and I can recall nearly all but two full names of the students, a couple of which I've seen on the Warde Web site. I hope that I don't embarrass anyone, but I'll tell you who is in the photo and where they went to high school (or should have) to the best of my knowledge. I know that several attended Warde but didn't graduate.

Front Row (left to right): Nancy Leonard - W, Susan Toth, Deborah Bodnar - W, Cheryl, Leslie Allen - W, Sharon Sears, Susan Dougherty - W; Second Row: Calvin Hunter, Pat Bennet - L, Sean Dwyer - L, Brett Peters, Lisa Slingo - W, Pam Bakonyi - W, Elizabeth Luna, Paul Roma - W, Russ Nagy - W, Joe Takacs - W; Third Row: Teacher James Connely, Mark Steedly - W, Steven Lasky - L, Bill Elliot - W, Hector Luna, Jerry Deaso - W, Bob Novak, Hubert Staley, James Wach - W.

I haven't spoken to very many of these people in a long time. I would love to hear from any one of them. These were great memories and good times.

Russ Nagy

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Andrew Warde High School Class of 1975 Graduate Reunited With Lost Class Ring Via the Internet

When Deborah Ann Marshall lost her high school class ring in 1976 just one year after graduating from Andrew Warde High School, little did she know that she would be contacted 32 years later by someone looking to return her ring.

Credit the Internet, something which didn't exist when Deborah attended high school over a generation ago, the concern of a Florida couple with local ties, and some fairly quick detective work by Warde graduates with getting the high school ring back to its rightful owner.

Anna Ferrara, a 1976 graduate of nearby Central High School in Bridgeport (seated at the far left in the photo below), found Deborah's ring that same year. Thirty-two years later, Anna and her husband, Joe (second from left), now living in Florida, decided to search the Internet in hopes of finding its owner. He found the AWHS Class of 1976 reunion homepage and contacted 30-year reunion president Tony Procaccini (seen in the middle of the photo) via email on March 19.


Joe said his wife found the ring in Bridgeport in 1976. She got married right out of high school, tucked it away, found it again on her 1983 move to Florida, and put it in a safe deposit box near her home in Clearwater. The ring, still in pristine condition, emerged from the box in Florida twenty-five years later on March 18th. They resolved, this time, to find the owner.

Joe gave Tony the pertinent details, including "Warde 1975" and "DAM," the initials on the ring. Tony, in turn, contacted Mary Ann Colihan (second-from-right above), the president of the AWHS Class of 1975, to find out if a classmate with the same initials could be identified. Mary Ann sent out several emails, and within hours she heard from Deborah in Milford.

After a flurry of emails among all the parties, a group meeting with everyone involved was held last Friday evening, April 4, at Testo's Restaurant in Bridgeport to convey the ring to its original owner.

How did Deborah lose the ring? She gave it to an errant beau (not once, but twice) who said he lost it in 1976 in Bridgeport. Deb shared vivid memories about letting the ring go when she knew it was the wrong thing to do. However, she has used the story of the lost ring as a cautionary tale with her kids. She plans to give the ring to her youngest daughter Leah, just back from a tour of duty in Iraq with the Air Force. It will be her good luck talisman.

Even a news crew from News 12 Connecticut, including anchor Nancy Barnes and a photographer, covered the story for the late-night newscast. Click the video below to see the story.



Incredibly, in a little more than two weeks after the initial email from Joe to Tony, the gathering took place. Anna and Joe flew in from Florida to visit relatives in Stratford, Mary Ann arrived from Canada via Washington, Deborah drove from Milford, and Tony came from New York City.

What a great story!

Paul

Andrew Warde High School Hockey History: A Winning Record & Championship Trophy in the Team's Second Year of Existence

The Fairfield Warde High School Mustangs' ice hockey team reached the state championship game for the first time in school history this year.

The foundation of the Warde hockey program was constructed 36 years ago when Arnie Larsen, the school's first hockey coach, organized a team midway through the 1972 season.

This is the second of a five-part series on the early years of Andrew Warde High School's hockey program. Today we take a closer look at the 1972-73 season, including an unforgettable comeback victory and the team's first championship trophy.

Now that the foundation was in place, the Andrew Warde High School Crimson Eagles' hockey team became a member of the Amateur Hockey Association for the 1972-73 season. In just their second year of existence, the varsity skaters finished with a 26-24-2 overall mark. Cumulatively, the team scored 176 goals and yielded 184.

It was quite a memorable season. In addition to the team's winning record through the grueling 52-game schedule which stretched from November 17 to March 6, the campaign also featured an incredible comeback overtime victory and a championship trophy.

The most exciting game of the season, no doubt, was against Masuk High School of Monroe in the Spring Hockey Carnival Tournament. The Eagles trailed the veteran Panthers throughout the entire contest and found themselves behind, 3-0, with just three-and-a-half minutes left in the game.

Incredibly, Coach Arnie Larsen's charges scored three straight goals during "running time," when the clock doesn't stop, including the tying goal by Andy Larsen with just two seconds left. Then, Ken Caplan scored the dramatic winning goal in sudden-death overtime to give the Eagles an unbelievable 4-3 win.

Warde captured the Holiday High School Hockey Tournament at Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport without losing a single game. The Eagles played Trumbull, Masuk, and Notre Dame twice apiece over a six-week period and claimed their first hockey trophy.

The Eagles opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Trumbull, but Warde stormed back to win the next five games. Wins against Masuk (5-0), Notre Dame (3-2), Trumbull (3-1), Masuk (4-0), and Notre Dame (3-2) propelled the local skaters to the championship. Warde finished with a 5-0-1 record and outscored its opponents, 20-7, including two shutout victories.

Individually, senior Todd McEvily had a tremendous year in goal for the Crimson Eagles. Bob Quintiliani and Gerry Bojnec also performed admirably in goal, and both were looking forward to returning next year. The most serious injury was sustained by Danny Carter, but he eventually made a complete recovery.

Andy Larsen led the squad with 36 goals and 33 assists for 69 points. The other leading scorers included Ken Caplan (31-28-59), Bob Losch (27-18-45), Craig Benak (9-26-35), and Pete Prevelige (20-13-33). Larsen and Kaplan netted three "hat tricks" apiece, while Losch and Jon Grannis tallied a pair of hat tricks.

Warde's junior varsity hockey team also had a successful year. The squad split six games and outscored its opponents by a 17-15 overall margin. The highlight of the season was a 6-0 whitewashing of town rival Notre Dame High School. The team also posted 5-3 and 2-1 victories over Masuk High School.

Now it was time to take the next step. The Warde Eagles were about to attain varsity status and join the elite 14-team Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference the following season. The team had come a long way in just a little more than one year.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".