50thStory

The 50th Reunion of the Class of 52 was so special that one classmate suggested that we hold a picnic in the interim years.

Dick McKenzie noted in the Guest Book: "I understand at least one class of fellow old-timers is now setting up a picnic in New Castle every year in addition to the five year extravaganza. I think this is a great idea. A number of us chatted about the value of this now that we are truly entering the ranks of senior citizens.

"It isn't a happy thought but realistically, in five years there will some missing and sadly missed faces from this years group. I would be happy to participate in planning something like that for our class. If we coordinated with the timing of other classes we might start a New Castle homecoming."

Read McKenzie's comments and other favorable comments about the Reunion in the "View Pages" of the Guest Book.

Ranier Devido, one of the many Leapers who has been instrumental in holding the class together and who has been a big part of organizing the Reunions, reported that the class now has enough donations to keep the website operating for at least two more years. Thus, no more donations are needed at this time. He and the Reunion Committee appreciate all the help that has been offered.

The Reunion

While name tags were helpful in the early hours of the cocktail party Friday night, it was 1952 again by brunch time on Sunday.

The only complaint was that we didn't have enough time to visit with everybody. Just when it seemed one was within arm's reach of someone they wanted to talk to, the moment disappeared by yet another interruption. But, that's part of reunions -- interruptions, and short but savored moments.

Yet, that might be an excuse for get-togethers in the off-reunion years. It's definitely something to think about.

The final total of reservations for the Reunion was: 192 graduates and a total of 301 persons (spouses and friends) for the dinner Saturday night. There were 162 at the cocktail party on Friday and 130 for the brunch on Sunday. Several people who made reservations couldn't make some of those events for various reasons.

At least 40 showed up for the Arthur McGill School get-together and around 30 attended a gathering arranged by Dick McKenzie at Cascade Park. Five took part in the golf outing.

John Wyza, a member of the Reunion Committee, was named chairman for the 55th Reunion, succeeding Bill Buckner who, along with the committee, put together what many consider one of the best, or the best, reunion ever.

However, it wouldn't have been a success if all of you hadn't showed up. So, everyone of the more than 300 people can take pride in one great weekend.

Another reason for the success of the 50th was: There was no music, no dancing and no speeches -- just plenty of time to walk from table to table and talk to old friends.

After all, that's the only reason for reunions.

While many of us seem to let invocations slip quietly by at many of the banquets we attend, keeping one's attention on the one given by Kenneth MacDonald Jr., a retired Methodist minister and a member of the Class 52, came quite easily. It was articulate, not-long, and filled with words that seemed to be sincerely chosen for a celebration with his classmates.

Etcetera...

In addition to the regular work by the committee, there were a lot of other in-kind services provided of which many are not aware.

Beverly Houston King spent a lot of time inputing all the addresses, emails and telephone numbers into her computer at home, and also printed out the labels for the mailings.

The newsletters were printed by Bill Panella at his law office. Ranier Devido supplied all the envelopes. Judy and Lee Silverman had those Green address books printed at their business.

Pattie Bush Tippie donated the glass frogs and T-shirts.

Also, when the committee met, unlike other classes which meet at various restaurants etc., Bill and Peggy Buckner and Ranier and Barbara Devido held the meetings in their homes and afterward provided a huge helping of food and beverages. Bill and Peggy even had a corn roast last summer.

Members of the committee were: Bill and Peggy Buckner, Ranier and Barbara Devido, Beverly Houston King, Phyllis West, Laura Conway Crawford, Anthony Mastrian, Fred and Carol McClain, Leroy and Donna Grimm, Howard and Sandy Gaston, John Wyza, Judy and Lee Silverman, Tom and Marcia Walker, Patty Bush Tippie, Bill and Mary Lou Groucutt Panella, Sylvia Tranquillo Ewen and Bob Melder.

...More etcetera

The Class of 52's version of the Baker Street Irregulars concluded their detective work with the addresses of only 12 persons unaccounted for. All last fall and into the winter and spring months the group tracked down over 40 members of the class.

The Irregulars were: Pete Dantonio, Barbara Bender Howe, John Cunningham, Judith Smith, Laura Conway Crawford, Jean McIlwraith Tebay, Dick McKenzie, Beverly Houston King, Arlene Bodendorfer Calhoun and Bob Melder.

(Photos taken at the reunion are welcome and needed. They can be sent via "Email the Editor" or to Bob Melder's home address.)

Reservation list

Here are the graduates who made reservations for the reunion (a couple didn't attend for various reasons):

Lucille Morgan Yelkovich, Mary Gorgacz Kunsman, Mary Lou Fonner Spiro,Velma Burris Rector, Charlene Prentice Farris and Joe Farris, Barbara Cartwright Heiken, Vicky Clavelli Lauro, Kathryn Sherer Hoffmaster, Connie Frigone Mangino, Lottie Shaffer, Joan Fusco Quahliero, Wilbur Foht, Sara Gregor Zarilla, William Mitchell, Joseph Hensley, Ann Rishor Moore, Stan Kolodjeski, Dee Matarazzo, Nick Maciarello, Carmen Pastore, Pauline Tontsch Cox and Don Reed.

Conrad Palumbo, Bill Branscome, Bob Armstrong, Charlotte Venditto Rozzi, Russell Johnston, Rosemary Zajac Mielcusny, Donna Whiteside Frazier, Patricia Lastoria Toscano, Charles Scott, Frances Kidoor Morgan and Francis Capezio.

Bill Boak, Ugo Fiorante, Grace Love Drake, Doris Mittler Callahan, Elizabeth Csiszer Holden, John Ross, Phyllis West, Barbara Baatz Davies, Helen Henle Hodge,

Rosemary Goodrich Ayers, Beverly Hanna Baker, Vince DeStefano, Betty Regan Kumrow, Jim Dufford, Edward Kaczmarczyk, John Wyza and Tom Costa.

Edward McNamara, Gerald Banks, Rose Mary Pagley Flanagan, Helen Magine Cook, Joyce Latimer O'Neil, Harriet Foster Marshall, Jack Wright, Madeline Bertucci, Dawna Houston Aiken and Gretchen Mackey Lowery.

Beverly Owens Wood, Lucille Palumbo Pazak, Lois Tilton Klingensmith, Viola Mangino Malizia, Ronald Meek, Janina White, Floyd Cotton, Sam Cook, Veronica Tempesta Mone, Gaylene Deiger Polding, Bob and Barbara Edgington Deegan, Jim and Mary Robinson Dawson.

Anna May Venturella Flamino, Shirley Zarilla Konetsky, Rose Lombardo Droeder, Marjorie Delancy Roberts, Leonard and Clara Masone Perretti, Vivian Rauso, Ann Lovaglio Bobby, Bert McClimans, Patricia Duddy Masters, Virginia Morris Shelok, Sherry Plonka Willetts, Don Chieze, Nick Perrotta, Suzanne Blau London, Pat Coulter Byers, Joan Book Weber, Shirley Sarbo Jones, Doris Meister Locke, Gordon Windl and Leroy Grimm.

Keith Huff, Peggy Cannon Brown, Robert Taylor, John Cobau, Elizabeth Kos Evanoski, William Mansfield, Loretta Stofick DePalmo, Nadyne Stevens Klingensmith, Marion Ross, Kathleen Essinger Schooley, Ralph Mielke, John Casasanta, Marian Charles, Donald Rispoli, Ruth Leonard Cooper, Eugene DiSanti and Kenneth Thomas.

Ronald Badger, Nancy Burkholder Scherer, Agnes Mitchell Yohman, Rosina Prioletti James, Sam Manos, Bill Hunter, Anthony Vendilli, Pete Dantonio, Agnes Comparone, Henry Sturdifin, Paul Dewberry, Dorothy Britton Ruffner, Marilyn Canon Harris, Bob French, Emmy Lou Dean French, Sylvia Tranquillo Ewen, Rosella Clark Cummings and Jim Bryan.

Barbara Campbell Sullivan, Kenneth MacDonald, Howard Gaston, Elizabeth Tackitt Sherrill, Ernie Montgomery, Beverly Houston King, Ranier Devido, Jean McIlwraith Tebay, Phyllis Lutz Williams, Hamilton Lewis, Joe Malandro, Arlene Bodendorfer Calhoun, Gwendolyn Bazley Huddle, Jack Eve, William Guthrie, and Lauretta Corbett Klein.

George Fair, Patty Trumble Whiteford, Barbara Gorst Bortz, Dolly Reider Doyle, Dick McKenzie, John McKay and Sally Mikels McKay, Gil Mason, John Mezza, Judith Smith, Anna Mary Langan Mooney, Bill Panella and Mary Lou Groucutt Panella, Fred McClain, Harry Senheiser, Patty Bush Tippie, George Albertini, Mary Jane Lewis Riedel and Tom Bordonaro.

Bill McCarthy, Earl Ruby, Nancy Lewis Forsaith, Joe Plant, Judy Storch Silverman, Lianne Reiber Gray, Tom Harris, Anthony Mastrian, Lyn Thayer Taussig, Dennis Must, Alexander Beck, Dickson Mitchell, Bob Suber, Ann Perry Mayberry, Walter Merritt, Ralph Johns, Ann Berry Tomlinson, Carl Costello and Tom Walker.

Helen Sumner Burick, Laura Crawford, Skip Olson, Bill Buckner, Philip Kirol, Josephine DeLio and Bob Melder.