Hi, Paul. As I’m sure you recall, you graciously posted notices of our AWHS 50th Reunion on your Blog last October. I had promised to provide you with a follow-up narrative which I am happy to append. I tried to include as many different names in as many different contexts as possible. But even in so doing, many of the attendees have been left out. I am also appending a full list of the attendees if you are interested in posting that along with the narrative. I am aware that Wayne Cotter is putting together a video picture compilation of the evening that should be available in a month or so and which we will forward on to you. Again, thank you for all that you do in keeping the spirit of the “old” Andrew Warde High School alive. Please stay in touch and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Holiday season. Warm regards, Eric.
Almost exactly 50 years and 4 months after their high school graduation, the Andrew Warde High School Class of 1967 reassembled on October 14, 2017 at Vazzy’s in Fairfield to celebrate their half century reunion. Organized by Micka Zeman-Ellison, Stephanie Ostrofsky Owsiany, and Wayne Cotter, the Class continued its tradition of gathering every 5 years in Fairfield to celebrate their high school experience and get reacquainted with each other.
This landmark reunion drew classmates from all over the country and one, Carol Mercurio, from St. John in the US Virgin Islands. The long distance attendee award went to Linda Raichelson Gliner from San Francisco who at 2961 miles edged out Terri Shea from San Pedro, CA by a mere 95 miles. Other notable long distance travelers included Michael Brustein from Washington, DC, Tom Deluca from Anwatakee, AZ, George Kellis from Lakeland, FL, Bruce Kelley from Richmond, VA, Connie Kelley Sidberry from Garner, NC, Stephen Mate from Stow, OH, Stuart Silver from Delray Beach, FL, Reva Weiskoph Friedman from Lawrence, KS, and Cydney Arons Kasenetz from Alexandra, VA.
The least travelled award unquestionably goes to class president and former Rooster River Boy Jeff McHugh, who not only did not leave Fairfield, but also remained a part of the Fairfield Public School System for almost his entire career. Since 1984, and only after his superiors agreed that he need not ever wear a tie at work, Jeff has served as the Dean of Students at the Fairfield Woods Middle School, the same middle school that he and almost all the other class had attended. Others classmates continuing as residents of Fairfield include Melanie Correnti Kooris, Eileen Evarts McMahon, Seth Lewis, Doris Norwich, Stephanie Ostrofsky Owsiany, Linda Pistey, Barbara Postol Rifkin, Jay Ringelheim, and Fred Tippett.
Sixty classmates and 16 guests in total joined in the celebration including many former athletes and class leaders. The co-captain of Warde’s very successful basketball team, Rich Fekete, was joined by the co-captain of the less than successful (but no less spirited) football team, Eric Mazur. In fact, accompanied by Steve Silver, the three of them were the last to vacate Vazzy’s at evening’s end, and only after strong encouragement from the Vazzy’s staff. Steve Mate, cross country team captain, Michael Brustein, president of the Varsity Athletic Association, Fred Bogin, president of the School Council, Abe Brustein, President of the International Service Commission, and Seth Lewis, co-chairman of the Club Commission were also in attendance. Jay Ringelheim and Harold Shaw ably represented the Yearbook Committee and were distinguished by defying their age and looking most like they did in high school. Not to be outdone by the men, Cynthia Bernhard Rivers, Captain of the cheerleading squad joined her co-cheerleader Lynn Wesche Welsh in adding to the aesthetics and the festivities.
Classmates were certainly grayer (and many sported less hair) but most were easily recognizable despite the passage of so much time. However, lapel buttons with senior year high school photographs and printed names (now too small to read without generous magnification) helped bridge the gaps in time and memory. Classmates recalled lazy, hormone-fueled summer days at Jennings Beach and rowdy weekend evenings at Friendly’s, Ho-Jo’s, and the Dutchess. Those alums living in the Stratfield section of Fairfield shared remembrances of Mrs. Barske, the feisty old Russian woman who ran a candy store out of her Valley Road home. The thirty class members who had passed on were remembered fondly by all and were a poignant reminder that time is a limited and very valuable resource. The reunion was a great success with only congratulations and accolades for the organizers. The night ended far too early with promises to cherish both the memories and each other and, the firm commitment to gather again in five years for the 55th!
Dr. Eric Mazur
No comments:
Post a Comment