Andrew Warde High School Song Written in 1959 and Sung by Joan Grapski of the Class of 1963

How many of you are familiar with the Andrew Warde High School song? Quite frankly, I didn't even know there was one. However, Joan Grapski of the Class of 1963 was kind enough to forward the lyrics to me. Joan also provided a video of her singing the school song. I hope you enjoy it.

Here are the lyrics of the Andrew Warde High School song, written by the Class of 1959:

With heads held high and voices strong
To you our thanks we raise.
For knowledge, guidance, and for love
All through our high school days.

For the many friends we've made here
Who will last our lifetime through,
Andrew Warde,
We find ourselves indebted to you.

And so be sure, dear Andrew Warde,
When long from you we've gone,
The memories of these happy years
Will ever linger on.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

Respected Veteran Connecticut Post Columnist Charles Walsh Recalls His Days at Andrew Warde High School as 50-Year Reunion Approaches

Well-respected journalist Charles Walsh admits English was his favorite class when he attended Andrew Warde High School over a half-century ago, but he never wrote for the school newspaper. Walsh, the veteran Connecticut Post columnist who authors his Fair Game piece three times a week, will attend the 50-year reunion of the Warde Class of 1959 next month.

"I actually attended Ludlowe in freshman year before going to Warde as a sophomore in September of 1956, graduating in June 1959 as Sputnik was orbiting the Earth," he told me via email. Walsh was part of the last graduating class at Warde with any ties to Roger Ludlowe High School. He and many of his classmates were transferred from Ludlowe to Warde when the Melville Avenue high school opened in the Fall of 1956.

Walsh especially remembers playing foootball for the Crimson Eagles under legendary coach Fern Tetreau. "Playing football for Coach T was the highlight of my otherwise rather shaky high school experience," he admitted. "The 1958 team, led by the late, great Bob Anderson, was pretty good, finishing with a 5-4 record. Fern was a great coach who gave even mediocre players like me a chance to see game action."

Tetreau coached the Eagles to a perfect 9-0 record and state championship one year later. Walsh shared a personal story about the man after whom the school football field was named. "He (Tetreau) allowed me to have 'Bullhead,' the nickname that Ed Zelle gave me, embroidered on my varsity jacket," he mentioned.

"I had lunch with Fern recently and he apologized for taking me out in the Thanksgiving Day Ludlowe game (which we won), in favor of a bigger, faster player. I got the feeling it has been bothering him ever since," he said.

What else does he remember about the coaching staff during his playing days on the gridiron? "Line Coach Russ Dobelstein, who is now Dr. Dobelstein, retired and living in Rhode Island, worked very hard to get me to 'block somebody, Walsh!'"

Over a half-century later, Walsh vividly remembers his days at Andrew Warde High School. "I loved running around in my cousin Art Schuerer's 1950 Ford coup," he said. "Smedley Housemaster Ken Peterson was a great man. (I remember) Mr. Burr's gentle sense of humor as he tried to convince me you could not learn algebra by osmosis, that is: by sitting on the book. I cherish to this day the astonished looks on the faces of a few of my teachers when, defying all odds, I graduated on time," he joked.

When Walsh started at Warde, the school was still not completely finished. "The place, as I recall, was still partly under construction, so there were areas where we couldn't go," he recalled. "I remember students being allowed to smoke outside the cafeteria and the Downshifters Club cool cars in the parking lot next to the gray '51 Ford I borrowed from my aunt."

The photo below shows a Warde pep rally held in the parking lot behind the high school prior to the first football game in 1958. That's because the gymnasium wasn't built as of yet.

Walsh has been a mainstay the the Connecticut Post. "I worked at the newspaper for 27 years in just about every job except janitor," he told me. "I began writing a television column in 1993 and the Fair Game column in 1995. I estimate that by now I have written over six billion words, many of them spelled wrong. I retired in 2007 but still write three columns a week from home."

The Andrew Warde High School Class of 1959 is holding its 50-year reunion Saturday, August 22, from 6 to 11 p.m. at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull. The reunion committee created a Web site which includes a welcome page, information on classmates, photo albums, the details of the reunion, a memorial, a guest book, and a contact form. Click the image below to access the Web page.

Be sure to read Charles Walsh's Fair Game column in the Connecticut Post. Good luck to him and the rest of the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1959. Have a great time at the reunion.

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 Class of 1964 Held Successful 45-Year Reunion Last Saturday

Andrew Warde High School's Class of 1964 held a successful 45-year reunion last Saturday night, according to reunion committee member Gloria Evans. The event, which was held at Aldario's Restaurant on Naugatuck Avenue in Milford, was well-attended.

"The reunion was fantastic. I had a wonderful time catching up with classmates I haven't seen in years," she told me via email earlier this week. "Two classmates were there who have never been to a reunion in 45 years. We had a total of 46 classmates attend. (I) hope for the 50th that the turnout is better."

Evans, who was part of a graduating class of 353 students and is pictured below with fellow classmate Steve Szobota, said classmates came from Florida, North Carolina, and even New Mexico to attend the event. She said the alumni enjoyed reminiscing about their high school years and playing pop trivia. "We did an age test type quiz," she said. "We asked questions about things that happened during the 60s. We'd read a line and a classmate would have to finish it."

For example, one of the lines was You wonder where the yellow went (when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent). The winner took home a toothbrush and a carton of Pepsodent toothpaste. Another one was M&M's melt in your mouth, (not in your hands). The winner, naturally, received a box of M&M's.

"We also asked general questions such as who came the farthest and who has been married the longest," Evans added. "We gave little gifts for all the questions." In addition, a disc jockey played popular oldies from the early-to-mid 1960s. Here are a few photos from the memorable evening. The first photo shows reunion committee member Linda Komaromi White between Doug Goodfellow and Ted Ringelheim.

Evans has fond memories of her years at Andrew Warde High School. She even shared a funny story about a high school dance during her senior year. "I loved going to the Friday night canteen dances in our high school cafeteria. I didn't miss any," she admitted.

"I remember I had the measles during my senior year and my mother told me I wasn't to go out. Well, she was out that evening, and (don't) you know it, I dressed myself in slacks and a sweater that covered just about everything and I went. I wasn't missing the canteens."

Conversely, she sadly remembered one of the biggest news stories of the century. Just three months into their senior year, Evans and her classmates were shocked to hear that the president had been assassinated in Dallas. Evans recalled it as if it happened yesterday. "I was walking down the hall and over the loudspeaker came an announcement that President Kennedy was shot and killed," she told me.

"I burst into tears and walked out of school. My mother knew I would be coming home because when John F. Kennedy was running for president, he came to the Sikorsky Airport in Stratford. When he got off the plane he walked along the fence, greeting the public, and he shook my hand. I'll never forget it. I was in awe."

What else does she remember about her days at Andrew Warde High School? "My favorite teacher was my biology teacher, Miss Klanick," she said. "I was in Smedley house. Do I remember my homeroom? You bet I do. I was in SC4. It was the chemistry lab room. My homeroom teacher was Mr. Magee and I always called him Mr. Magoo. For that I had detention. Even on graduation day."

She also remembered graduation day and all the emotions which went along with it. "You would think that that would have been a happy occasion, but for me it was sad," she said. "As we entered the courtyard and started down the path, the tears rolled down my face. I cried so hard I could hardly see. I knew in my heart that for me this was the last time I would see some of my classmates. I was right because there are a number of them I haven't seen since graduation."

Evans cherishes her high school memories. "High school was the BEST four years of my life. I loved school. I loved my classes, all except one. I had great friends and now I have wonderful memories. I wish I could go back and do it all over again."

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 Classes of 1976, 1977, and 1978 to Hold Informal Gathering This Sunday Afternoon at Captain's Cove Seaport in Bridgeport

An informal gathering for Andrew Warde High School alumni from the classes of 1976, 1977, and 1978 will take place this Sunday afternoon, July 12, from 1 to 7 o'clock at Captain's Cove Seaport in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. The event originally began as a casual get-together a few years ago by members of the Warde Class of 1978 as a means to stay in touch. However, it has quickly become an annual tradition by expanding to include the two prior classes.

"An annual event like this helps bring together classmates in the years other than those spaced out every five years from graduation," offered Tony Procaccini of the Warde Class of 1976 and president of the 30-year reunion committee in 2006. "A student missing one formal reunion, effectively, doesn't see his high school peers (other than those close to him/her) for 10 years. Thus, this opportunity brings together friends unable to attend on other dates."

Procaccini, who said about 20 classmates from the Class of 1976 attended the event for the first time in 2007, thinks the gathering is ideal for Warde alumni who still live locally. "It's easy to bring children and spouses, have no worry about formal RSVPs and admission charges, and just show up in casual attire at any time during the time span," he pointed out.

"For those who live far away, if they happen to be vacationing, have a need to visit family in the home town, or just want to get away and find long-time friends in a relaxed atmosphere, it's perfect," added Procaccini, pictured below with classmate Joanne Amelung Lavista during the July get-together two years ago.

The highlight of this year's event will be a performance by the local band To the Max, featuring Andrew Warde High School graduates Rob Fried (1977) and Jerry Vigorito (1976), local businessmen and musicians who founded Band Together in 2005. Band Together creates great musical events which unite a community of talented musicians with concerned citizens to raise money for Connecticut families in need or local charities.

As for the venue, since 1982, Captain’s Cove Seaport, located on historic Black Rock Harbor, has grown from a vacant lot and a handful of slips to one of Connecticut’s premier tourist attractions and seaport complexes. Food and drinks are available in the 400-seat restaurant, which includes everything from different varieties of seafood to hot dogs and hamburgers to chicken sandwiches.

There are many novelty gift shops built in Colonial and Victorian architectural styles along the boardwalk. Visitors may also enjoy an hour-long boat ride on Long Island Sound aboard the Chief. There are many other seasonal attractions as well. Captain's Cove is an active maritime and amusement center for residents of southwestern Connecticut.

Procaccini, the music director at nearby St. Patrick's Parish in Bridgeport, said the early response has been encouraging. "This year, approximately 20 classmates have responded 'yes' to our invitation," he said. "So, adding in a spouse and a kid here and there, we'll probably number 25 to 30, in my estimate. Again, look at our Web soon after July 12 for another set of photos of classmates having fun in the sun!"

Sunday will be the warmest day in quite some time with the afternoon temperature climbing into the mid 80s. Any early showers will give way to clearing skies by late morning. At this point, Mother Nature looks as though she is going to cooperate and offer a dry and warm afternoon for us.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".

High School Tug-of-War Contest Between Warde & Ludlowe Highlighted Barnum Festival's Annual Fairfield Day on This Date, Sunday, July 2, 1972

The Barnum Festival's annual observance of Fairfield Day brought out a record crowd Sunday, July 2, 1972, at Jennings Beach with as many as 20,000 people reported participating and observing in the various events and festivities.

The highlight of the day was the tug-of-war competition between the town's two public high school teams, a performance by the Fairfield Colonades, a karate demonstration, field games for youngsters, and a visit from the Barnum Festival Royal Family. Music was provided by the Virgin Island Steel Band, and there was a community sing-a-long, too.

Both the girls' and boys' Roger Ludlowe High School tug-of-war teams pulled their Andrew Warde High School rivals through a pit of mud to win the tug-of-war contests. Each of the winning teams received trophies from Peter Januska, chairman of the event.

Fairfield's current Assistant Fire Chief, George Gomola, finished first in the pie-eating contest, while sixth-grader Richard Linley, who would eventually win a state award for drafting as a freshman at Andrew Warde High School in 1975, finished first in the corn-husking contest.

Paul

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".