IN MEMORIAM

Monday * January 23 * 2012

Vincent Flag – circa 1937

With your speakers on,

click on this snowman to check out

Marilyn Welte shaking her bootie with Sarah & SweetPea

ROSE CRISCIONE

CAROL MAE DUMAN CHRISTMAS LETTER 2011

Dear Family and Friends: Can you believe its that time of year again? It seems that each year it comes around faster and faster. So this year’s letter will be short and sweet.

Dwaine has had the opportunity to preach a couple of times, baptized two of his great-grandchildren, and been the narrator in our Easter Cantata and our upcoming Christmas Cantata on the 18^th. On the more serious side, he had two stent procedures (one artery having three, and the other having one lone one) that allows more blood flow to his heart. Even though he isn’t running around the block several times, we have joined a gym and at least he does the treadmill and some other muscle-building machines. We haven’t really started seriously as yet, but of course the New Year is coming and we are going to make a point of continuing at a more serious pace.

Carol is as busy as usual, having taken on the leadership role in our Women on Missions group at church. This has really kept her busy! They gave a shower to a home called “The Potter’s House,” which is a home for babies of Moms who are in prison. They provide homes in Christian Foster Homes until the mother is released, or the child is given up for adoption. They also have other services; it is quite a mission. They had their usual Mother and Father dinner with the theme of “Hobo Night in New York City.” You should have seen Dwaine! He looked just like one, so much so that the Pastor didn’t recognize him at first. What fun, and they say that Christians don’t have fun. Oh, yes we do!. Besides singing in the choir and doing lots of solo work, Carol has been able to do a lot of what she really loves to do. She was also a featured soloist at our Avon Park Spring Festival on Main Street in March. In October, the Women on Missions group held a Bazaar, and with the funds provided 30 basket of food - plus one of the ladies donated 30 turkeys to the needy in our community for Thanksgiving.

So now we are preparing for our Christmas Cantata and that takes a lot of time. Did we say we were laid back this year? Well, we guess not that laid back. We wish now we had more space to tell you more of the activities we were into this year. Oh, one other note, Carol had a complete knee replacement in September, and with the help of the Lord, many prayers and a great doctor, she has not slowed down too much since then. Dwaine says she is on “roller skates” all the time.

To finish this letter, we recently had a wonderful visit with his daughter Marcia and her husband Ken from Oklahoma. His son Justin also was here with us a couple of days. We wish you a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

God Bless and Keep you in His loving care,

Love, Dwaine and Carol

Marilyn Welte Thanksgiving Greetings

As we shift into a new year, click HERE to shift back in time

to great cars and great songs

[thanks to Carol Mae Duman for this video]

and click HERE to shift back in time to THE SIXTIES

[thanks to .Wayne Brumagin. for this video]

WE REMEMBER

Epitome of Cool – Customized 1950 Ford (by Greg Murphy)

EPITOME OF COOL – 2012 . . .

Click HERE to see the TOYOTA FUN-VII CONCEPT CAR

Do you remember an old car you had that you’d just LOVE

to see again . . . or to own again???

Click here to see one such touching story

We thank Gretchen Coblentz and Alice Jones for bringing this to our attention.

The story prompted me to see if I could find my above-mentioned 1950 Ford. So far, no luck.

"Life is too short and friends are too few"

cartoon

“Lead me not into temptation . . . ”

Oh, heck, just follow me; I know a shortcut

LADIES LUNCHEONS

The second 2012 THURSDAY LUNCH

is . . . on FRIDAY for February.

.** FEBRUARY 3^rd ** 1 pm.

.OLD COUNTRY BUFFET. Upper Peach St

The January 5^th attendees were:

* Mary Chervenka * Sandy Hamilton * Trudy Taylor * Gerry Schutte *

* Jeanne Laudensack * Diane Parshall & Angie (Diane’s daughter-in-law) *

The second 2011 SATURDAY LUNCH is.

.** FEBRUARY 21^st ** 1 pm.

.PUFFERBELLY RESTAURANT. 414 French St

The January 14^th 2011 SUMMERHOUSE CAFÉ attendees were:

* Gayle Fratus * Mary Hofmann * Pat Mountain * Bev Dinges *

* Jeanne Laudensack * Trudy Taylor * Sandy Hamilton* Bonnie Johnson *

.Trudy’s December lunch report on Ricardo’s.

Ricardo's is doing very well since reopening

a few weeks ago. They are completely booked up

through the end of this year...which is actually only three

weeks from today. Not accepting any reservations until next year.

.Erie Times write-up on Ricardo’s.

“Serving good food for nearly seven decades clearly leaves an impression. And while co-owners Pete West and Cathy Merski vowed Ricardo's would be back, it remained to be seen whether the recreated restaurant would hold the same appeal for its patrons.

Would West and Merski try to duplicate the familiar decor? What other changes might they make now that they were starting over? Those questions were answered when the new Ricardo's opened on Nov. 14. The place looks completely different on the inside, but its effect on the taste buds is exactly the same.

The place looks good, and the changes Merski and West made to the layout really opened it up.

What connects to all the memories and expectations many of us bring to the table is what hasn't changed: the little dish of pasta, the fried zucchini, the tasty steaks, all just like we remembered them.

The new surroundings are working for the restaurant's customer base. The place was jamming Wednesday night, and other folks I know have reported similar scenes when they've visited. Business has been a whirlwind since they reopened.

That's good news for the owners and the staff, but it's also comforting for all of us who view Ricardo's as something of an old friend. Now that down and out has given way to up and running, it's good to get reacquainted.”

[the below Ladies Luncheons pictures are courtesy of Trudy Taylor]

Started a new exercise routine yesterday.

So far, I’ve only missed one day.

Hey, look at how a 1958 Spokesman was advertised on e-Bay

. . . we’re ANTIQUES !

THINK before you TALK

and LISTEN before you ANSWER

Here were our attendees at one or more 2011 events:

John Scott

Tom Smith

Bob Mucha

Jack Turify

Barbara Lee

Vivian Jones

Gayle Fratus

Judy Wehrle

Linda Marsh

Gary Weibler

Al Thompson

Dena Johnson

Gerry Schutte

Audrey Braine

Anita Narducci

Midge Williams

Jim & Willa Soli

Sandy Hamilton

Karen O’Connor

Mary Chervenka

Jeanne Laudensack

Rich and Patty Strong

Rich Caldwell (Molecule)

Trudy Taylor & Doug Duer

Greg & Patti Porath Villabona

Kenny & Mary Hofmann Holland

Bonnie Markley (in from Colorado)

Bob McGinnett (in from Saegertown)

Joe and Theresa Augustine Chessario

Dave & Loretta Ricciuti Ross (in from Illinois)

Richard & Cathy Holland Hayes (in from N Carolina)

Wayne & MaryJane Morgan Brumagin (in from Butler)

Jon & Suellen Pietrasanta Gerbracht (in from Maryland)

For those of you who plan ahead more than

what you’re having for dinner tonight . . .

.Background on date selection.: We realize that any dates picked

for a Reunion may run into conflict with someone’s plans.

Dates are coordinated with the gracious hosts of our Friday and Sunday events . . . and tie with other events of interest such as the annual Roosevelt ’55 get-together (which is Thursday, Aug 2, 2012)

This was our 7^th Annual Reunion interspersed

with our 45^th and 50^th Reunions

A good time was had by all!

Special THANKS again go to Jon & Suellen Gerbracht for opening their Erie

home once more for us for a get-together on Reunion Friday night

And Special THANKS again go to Linda Marsh for opening her Lake City

house for us for a picnic on Reunion Sunday

And Special THANKS again go to Gayle Fratus for organizing and orchestrating the four Reunion 2011 events

Steps to the new Gerbracht cottage

Work-in-Progress visit at the cottage

Al Thompson * Jon Gerbracht * Trudy Taylor

Richard & Cathy Holland Hayes

Bob McGinnett * Linda Marsh

Al Thompson

Greg & Patti Porath Villabona

Patti Strong * Audrey Braine

Rich Strong * Bob McGinnett * Wayne Brumagin * Midge Williams * Audrey Braine

Patti Strong * Audrey Braine * Jon & Suellen Pietrasanta Gerbracht

Audrey Braine * Midge Williams

Rich Strong * Midge Williams

HOSTS Jon & Suellen Pietrasanta Gerbracht

Jon Gerbracht

Jim & Willa Soli * Trudy Taylor

Jim & Willa Soli * John Scott * Al Thompson

Midge Williams * Anita Narducci * Dena Johnson

Jim & Willa Soli

Trudy Taylor * Bonnie Markley

Doug Duer * Trudy Taylor

Rich Strong * Gary Weibler

Bob McGinnett * Rich Strong

Loretta Ricciuti * Jim & Willa Soli

Loretta Ricciuti * Wayne Brumagin

Bonnie Markley * Cathy Holland * John Scott

Al Thompson * Gayle Fratus

Ken and Pat Hofmann Holland

Anita Narducci . . . and . . . Dena Johnson

Rich Caldwell ]aka Molecule]

Gerry Schutte & Trudy

Dave & Loretta Ricciuti Ross

Sandy Hamilton * Trudy Taylor

Jeanne Laudensack * Wayne Brumagin

Ken & Mary Hoffman Holland * Mary Chervenka

Ken Holland

Jon Gerbracht

John Scott * Suellen Pietrasanta * Gerry Schutte

Audrey Braine * Linda Marsh

Bob McGinnett * Karen O’Connor * Gayle Fratus

Gayle Fratus * Sandy Hamilton

Mary Chervenka * Jeanne Laudensack * Wayne Brumagin

Bonnie Markley

Gayle Fratus * Bob McGinnett

Wayne Brumagin * Sandy Hamilton * Gayle Fratus

Bonnie Markley * Trudy Taylor * Wayne Brumagin

Bonnie Markley * Doug Duer * Trudy Taylor

Bonnie Markley * Trudy Taylor

Wayne Brumagin * Sandy Hamilton * Gayle Fratus * Bob McGinnett * Jeanne Laudensack * Jon & Suellen Pietrasanta Gerbracht

Jon & Suellen Pietrasanta Gerbracht

Doug Duer * Trudy Taylor * Wayne Brumagin * Gayle Fratus

HOST Linda Marsh

Suellen Pietrasanta * Bob McGinnett * Jean Laudensack

Jon Gerbracht

Anita Narducci

Bob McGinnett * Judy Wehrle * Dena Johnson

Sandy Hamilton & Trudy Taylor * Suellen Pietrasanta * Jeanne Laudensack * Charlie Heffner

Gayle Fratus * Patti Huffman * Karen O’Connor * Sandy Hamilton

Gayle Fratus * Patti Huffman * Trudy Taylor

Pat Huffman * Karen O’Connor

Suellen Pietrasanta * Barb Lee

Charlie Heffner * Karen O’Connor * Sandy Hamilton * Trudy Taylor * Jeanne Laudensack

Barb Lee * Bonnie Markley * Tom Smith * Jon Gerbracht * Linda Marsh

John Scott * Barb Lee * Bonnie Markley * Tom Smith

Charlie & Patti Huffman Heffner

Wayne & Mary Jane Morgan Brumagin

Jeanne Laudensack * Rich Strong

Midge Williams * Dave & Loretta Ricciuti Ross

Midge Williams * Audrey Braine * Patti Strong

Tom Smith

Wayne & Mary Jane Morgan Brumagin * Rich Strong * Rich Caldwell * Jack Turify

Audrey Braine * Patti Strong * Anita Narducci * Loretta Ricciuti

Loretta Ricciuti * Midge Williams * Dave Ross * Audrey Braine

Judy Wehrle * Dean Johnson

Audrey Braine * Midge Williams * Loretta Ricciuti

Joe & Theresa Augustine Chessario

Bonnie Markley * Trudy Taylor

Joe Chessario * Rich Caldwell

Doug Duer * Tom Smith * Rich Strong

Gayle Fratus * Karen O’Connor

Jack Turify * Rich Caldwell

Anita Narducci * Rich Caldwell * Dena Johnson

Rich Caldwell * Rich Strong * Jack Turify

Doug Duer * Charlie Heffner

Jack Turify * Pat Strong * John Scott

REUNION 2012 DATES

"Not one person wished me Happy Birthday today . . . which is

fair enough, I suppose, seeing it's not my birthday"

cartoon

Vintage Erie bands regroup for 2011 Spring Fling III

Larry Harden hasn't sung on stage in more than 20 years. The original Ruby Port hasn't played publicly since its glory days at the Calabrese Club ended in the 1970s.

On Friday, however, the past becomes present for those who cherish Erie's music history. Harden will be back in school as a Classmate, Paula Grack Holmes will belt out Janis Joplin songs with Ruby Port and several other groups -- including the original Contels -- will reunite at Spring Fling III at Waldameer Park's Rainbow Gardens.

"I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of faces. That's the good part of it, the part I like the most," Harden said about rejoining Ron Corsi, Dave Dennison and Frank Silvaggi in the Classmates. "I'm sure in that audience there will be people I've known for years but I just haven't seen. It's going to be good to see them again."

Harden will sing the Temptations' "My Girl" and Bobby Lewis' "Tossin' and Turnin" among other selections. Why climb on stage now after turning down numerous requests over the years?

"Well, Paul Yoculan is a hard man to say no to," Harden said, with a laugh. "He's my neighbor. Every time he came by the house, he'd stop and say, 'You gotta, Larry. You gotta.'"

Yoculan, one of Spring Fling III's organizers, has played in many groups over the years, including the Epics and the Younger Brothers, who made a splash at New York City's Peppermint Lounge in 1964-65. With help from original Four Jays' member Marty Day and others, he assembled a show that will take Erie back to the '50s, '60s and '70s.

"We've had so much fun rehearsing," said Yoculan, who'll join George Nopio and Loren "Buggsy" Cope for a brief Original Epics' set. "It's so great getting together; it just comes natural. It brings us right back to where we were at that time."

"It's like a family reunion, you know, 40 years (later)," said Holmes.

That spirit brings Cope back to Erie. He lives in Palm Springs, Fla., but wasn't going to miss a chance to sing again with the Contels, who enjoyed area radio airplay with "My Dream" and "Hey You" in the 1950s, and the Epics.

"(I like) the camaraderie of getting together with all the old singers," Cope said. He remembers singing at Erie sock hops in the '50s with the Contels, who were inspired by the Four Jays, one of Erie's first do-wop groups that had begun in 1954.

"I saw the Four Jays for the first time when I was in Roosevelt Junior High. They came over to the Academy choir and stepped out and did 'Cindy Lou,' which was a Mariners' tune," Cope recalled. "We started off with do-wop with the Contels. If you remember Cliff Schilling, we did all his sock hops."

He also remembers, a decade later, singing before celebrities -- including members of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Herman's Hermits (who joined them on stage) -- as part of the Younger Brothers at the Peppermint Lounge in New York.

"We went to work for a week with a week option and wound up staying 21/2 years," Cope said. "We did Madison Square Garden twice and Carnegie Hall -- that was a result of Shelley Winters, who came into the Peppermint Lounge frequently. We met a lot of fun people and rubbed elbows with a lot of famous people."

Sir Paul won't be in the house Friday, just music fans and fellow musicians to fondly celebrate the binding power of music.

"When we started calling people, asking if they were interested, it was amazing," said Day, who'll join the Four Jokers. "Everybody went out and sold tickets. The response by everybody is just outstanding. We're trying to keep (the music) alive. Hopefully some young people will come around and pick up where we're leaving off."

Nothing good ever follows these three words:

“Here, hold my beer!”

cartoon

" I don't like thinking before I say something.

I like to be just as surprised as everyone else

by what comes out of my mouth."

classreport

to periodically check our award-winning sister

website lClassreport.orgr

cartoon

Click HERE for the First Episode ever of The Lone Ranger

We have almost FIVE DOZEN Vincent ‘58 Facebook users.

Many of the pictures on this website have come from Facebook . . . but check each person’s link for their latest postings that include more than pictures.

Here are clickable links:

* ALL Vincent

1. Berarducci, Joe (Elizabeth)
2. Cacchione, Dave
3. Chambers, Jean
4. Christensen, Georgia
5. Coblentz, Gretchen
6. Criscione, Rose
7. DiNicola, Bob (Pam)
8. DiPaolo, Pat
9. Duman, Carol Mae
10. Elser, Judy
11. Ferguson, Bev
12. Fronzaglia, Carm
13. Gilbert, Dave
14. Harden, Larry
15. Hauserman, Janice
16. Holberger, Karen
17. Holland, Cathy
18. Hughes, Nancy (Gene)
19. Jakubcsik, Ann
20. Kish, Dave (Linda)
21. Krista, Chester (Chet)
22. Lee, Barb
23. Loew, Sue
24. Makepeace, Darryl
25. Mancuso, Al
26. Markley, Bonnie
27. Marsh, Linda
28. McDannel, Hilma
29. McDonald, Lois
30. Miller, Carol
31. Moore, Judy
32. Mountain, Pat (Linda Shorts)
33. Murray, Colleen
34. Narducci, Anita
35. Nitkiewicz, Barb
36. Orlando, Sandy
37. Porath, Patti
38. Prizinsky, Dave (Judy)
39. Ricciuti, Loretta (Dave)
40. Rose, Judy
41. Rostad, Pal
42. Ruff, Karen
43. Sample, Marge
44. Sanders, Paula
45. Schute, Gerry
46. Sechrist, Carole
47. Simms, Phyllis
48. Soli, Jim
49. Spaulding, Betsy
50. Stoscher, Dennis (Elba)
51. Thompson, Al
52. Tullio, Vito
53. Vieyra, Robin
54. Waratuke, Phyllis
55. Ware, Gene
56. Welte, Marilyn
57. Williams, Midge
58. Wright, Mel
59. Wynn, Barb

LET ME KNOW IF I’M MISSING SOMEONE

"The handle on my recliner apparently doesn’t qualify as

an exercise machine . . . Who knew?"

Note from Bonnie Markley

Bonnie & G’son Joshua having lunch together at CiCi’s Pizza in Colorado Springs CO

Note from Carole Sechrist – Weds Feb 2, 2011

We have highs of low 20's today in Houston, Texas with snow bearing

down on us at the daily rate of possibly 2.'' When y'all pick yourself

up off the floor (from laughing), understand that we are usually in

light sweaters at this time of the year

. . . have no fear though, all our blooming flowers are snug under their

sheets and plastic coverings protecting them from this happening. 

It has been announced that the schools in most of Texas will be

either out today, or as ours are, let go at noon.  The anticipation is high. 

The Yankees living in this part of the world are laughing our socks off. 

We are looking forward to enjoying our winter -  it will be

60+ degrees on Saturday.  With tongue in cheek,

Joe and I wish you all a safe, warm winter, knowing

that a lot of you are beyond laughing about it.

Take care.  Go Steelers!!!!!! Carole Sechrist Lazenby

MORE from Carole and Joe

\

Hope all is well out there.  We are bracing for the summer months, but right now it is

absolutely beautiful.  Of course, the pollen is so heavy you can barely walk across the

street without turning yellow!  'If it ain't one thing it is another.'  Enjoying the web site

as always; it is good to read about our ole friends.  Also, to have our memories jerked.

Bierre is certainly doing that with his Roosevelt Press, also. I would not hesitate to say

our class is one of the lucky few who have such devoted school mates to keep this all

going.  Kudos to both of you . . .

We are still making new memories, just returned from our 4th trip through the

Caribbean, having taken 80 people on a 7-day cruise.  We had the biggest time as most

of them were from our community.  The 'big one' for this year comes in late Oct./early

Nov.  48 of us are flying to Rome, staying 3 days in that beautiful city, boarding the

Mariner of the Seas, and sailing from Rome to Palma De Mallorca and Cartagena, Spain

on to Madeira, Portugal and Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands.  Then we have a 6-day

crossing of the Atlantic into the Bahamas, and on into Galveston, TX., at our back door.

We will be gone 21 days. I never in my fondest dreams thought I would be doing this

type of thing when we retired.  It certainly never entered my head in the 50's. HA.

Phyllis Simms    ***     Patti Porath

Pat DiPaolo *** Phyllis Waratuke

Dave Prizinsky *** Neil Allegretto

Front-row seat to the sights & sounds of ZABAWA

[white house porch dweller Barb Nitkiewicz w/Lloyd]

Barb Nitkiewicz

Beverly Fenn

Trudy Taylor * Gayle Fratus * Bonnie Markley

Patti Mountain

Bonnie Markley

If there are no reliable eye witnesses

and no conclusive forensic evidence,

I had nothing to do with it

Note & pics from Jon & Suellen Gerbracht

From December 2010 note from Jon/Suellen:

We‘re happy to report that we‘ve been healthy and busy for one more year. In fact,

this has been a banner year for both work and pleasure! The highlight of the fun

part was our August Disney cruise on the Mediterranean. We were gone 17 days.

We‘ve never, ever, been away so long.

We flew to Barcelone and visited Malta, Tunis/Carthage, Pompeii, Rome, Sorrento,

Florence, Corsica, Monaco, and Eze. At each port, we signed up for a tour. Other

adventures included sitting on a camel, and posing as the head and limbs of

decapitated statues, or on empty pedestals in classic ancient stances.

Paula, Jay, three grandchildren, and Jay‘s parents were with us, but Janis, Tom,

and family could not get away for so long. We took an extra four days after the

cruise and went by rail to Paris for a couple days and then took the Chunnel to

London. ‘‘Twas hard to come home. ‘‘

Once we left the ship, life became more difficult with language problems and no

laundry facilities, so in that regard, home looked pretty good. We tried to limit our

luggage, but that‘s so hard. We‘ll just have to practice on more trips and cruises

until we get the baggage factor right!!

Work-wise, we encountered the perfect storm. This year the two construction

projects Jon has been working on for several years both came to fruition at once

(a medical building in Orlando and a cottage on Lake Erie).

After literally years of permit applications, endless meetings and phone

conversations with EPA, DEP, Coastal Waters, Bureau of Engineers, and a slew of

others, both projects began construction this year (2010). Jon‘s ‘‘day job‘‘ has

become sitting at home on the phone working e-mail or composing letters to keep

the two going. Florida started later and should be ready for occupancy by February

(or March or April – as these things go). The Erie project started in May and will be

ongoing, we hope ending by Fall 2011. So far, we are waiting for the roof to be

completed as the snow flies and the rains come to that region. Just returned from

another hearing in the endless series instigated by a disgruntled (retired lawyer)

neighbor. This week, I announced to Jon that this project is no longer just a

project, it is now a crusade.!

On the lighter side, we continue to chaperone the high school band, and Jon planned

their spring trip to Florida. He works usually two nights per week and sometimes

substitutes in the high school by day. My school continues – not as full as it was in

past years, but with a change from one less 4-year-old class to one more 2-year-old

group. We must be flexible. We attended CPAC again last February, and visit Mount

Vernon when they have special events.

Our children and grandchildren are doing fine, and have very full schedules with

work and other extracurricular activities. We almost have to make an appointment

to see the local ones. We do get to Florida 3-4 times each year to see the

southern contingent. And they also travel north three or so times.

Note from Bob Dedad – Mon Feb 14, 2011

robertdedad@btinternet.com

Darryl, I usually review the 1958 Strong Vincent reunion site and want to

tell you that you really are doing a great job on keeping everyone informed.

Even though I only spent one year at Vincent (I then transferred to Prep),

all of my friends I went to school with at Columbus and Roosevelt went on

to Strong Vincent  and were in the class of '58.

My only contact with some of them is though e-mails since I now live in England

and only get back to Erie once a year for about 10 days as part of my 2-month

visitation in the states.  Your upkeep of the site really keeps me in touch with

some of them and what is going on with my ex-classmates.

Thanks again. Robert (Andrew) Dedad

More from Bob Dedad: regarding Prep, I left there in December ‘56

for San Antonio TX and never moved back to Erie until the 80's

after retiring from the National Security Agency as a GS-15

(civil Servant equivalent to a one-star general in the military). Bob

Note from Sandy Owen –

Mon Feb 14, 2011

Sandy Owen's daughter Patty Saraceni getting married on

North Carolina's Crowder Mtn mountaintop;

WBTV.com helicopter video coverage

or on the picture for the news item(s)

Sandy Owen's daughters Sue Kamler & Patty Saraceni

Sandy Owen's eight grandkids . . .

2010 Annual Holiday Hike in the Durand Eastman Park

on the shore of Lake Ontario in Rochester NY

Today is the oldest you've ever been

. . . yet the youngest you'll ever be

. . . so enjoy this day while it lasts

Note from Marilyn Welte –

Fri Mar 4, 2011

Sharing some recent pics....

From our Big Island trip a few weeks ago . . . snorkeling in the thermal

ponds along the south volcanic coast area . . . beautiful cottage we spent

a few days with friends . . . Kiluaea Volcano is flowing big time, filling up

a huge caldron.  We tried to get close but the road was closed.  

Fascinating how the Big Island of Hawai'i keeps getting bigger!

Sarah is so much better!  Took a whole year of healing from her open

chest surgery!  As you can see, she is almost back to her normal happy

Hawaiian self!  She is finally gaining some weight back now.

I thought I was going to lose her last year!

MORE . . . from Marilyn . . .

Aloha Darryl!

Wow!  I just checked out our website! It was such a treat to see

everyone's photos! I really enjoyed that you also had their SV photo

and name! Some of us look so much different than back then . . .

yet some of us are clearly still so remarkably recognizable!

Keep up the fantastic work you are doing for us!  

Do you need some donations to keep the website in operation?  

If so, let me know.  I really do want to get back to Erie for the 55th

reunion if I can. Now I feel reconnected again finally!

So when are YOU coming to visit here?  You promised me years ago you would

return to the islands!  I am still waiting!

I hope that you are well and taking good care of yourself!  

Did you have a wet winter to ward off any problems of more dry

conditions this summer and fires?

I think of our grand visit at your place and am still very grateful

for that marvelous time!  Also for the extreme kindness you showed to

me in driving up to the mountains for my graduation ceremony!

You are forever in my heart!

Warmest aloha hugs & wishes filled with island sunshine

and 80-degrees to warm you!!

Mele

Some visual treats from our classmate photographer extraordinaire

Mele with her winged buddy Sweetpea and our friend Sarah

Some pics from: Sunset at Queen's Beach, Waikiki . . .

celebrating birthday dinner . . . view of sunset over Koko Crater

in front of our house . . . and North Shore Wailua Beach house lunch

with friends . . . all in 80+ degree winter!  

As we watched all the snow and cold on the mainland!

IT’S THE LAW

1. Law of Mechanical Repair

After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.



2. Law of Gravity

Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.



3. Law of Probability

The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.



4. Law of Random Numbers

If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.



5. Variation Law

If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).



6. Law of the  Bath

When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.



7. Law of Close Encounters

The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.



8. Law of the Result

When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.



9. Law of Biomechanics

The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.



10. Law of the Theater & Hockey Arena

At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet, and who leave early.  The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies and stay to the bitter end of the performance.  The aisle people also are very surly folks.



11. The Coffee Law

As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.



12. Murphy's Law of Lockers

If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.



13. Law of Physical Surfaces

The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet.



14. Law of Logical Argument

Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.



15. Brown's Law of Physical Appearance

If the clothes fit, they're ugly.



16. Oliver's Law of Public Speaking

A closed mouth gathers no feet.



17. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy

As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.



18. Doctors' Law

If you don't feel well and make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better . . . But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

Note from Trudy Taylor –

Fri Mar 4, 2011

Gayle Fratus * Gerry Schutte * Trudy & Doug

Dick & Rose Criscione Atkinson

Gerry Schutte * Rose Criscione * Dick Atkinson (’59) * Gayle * Trudy Taylor * Doug Duer

.From Trudy.: Last Saturday [Feb 26] Gayle, Gerry, Doug & I had lunch with

Rose & Dick Atkinson at Perkins Restaurant on Peach St.

We were not able to attend the funeral of Dick's mother on Friday.

A winter snowstorm prevented us from going. Mayor Sinnott declared

Erie to be in a snow emergency state for the entire weekend.

Saturday was a better day to travel and such.

Rose & Dick originally planned on leaving for Tennessee Saturday morning,

but ended upstaying another day. We had a very nice visit.

It was good to see Rose & Dick.

"May your troubles be less, your blessings more,

and may nothing but happiness come through your door"

Above: ''Aussie thinks carefully about everything''

. . . and Aussie Edwards is conducting a one-dog study.

Q: have the new products improved my image? yes or no? Thanks

Aussie’s hiding spot when he knows it's bath time

Meet Aussie * Child of Georgia Christensen

The rest of the story: We took a real chance at the

pound when the grand kids wanted dogs.  Aussie was in a cage on an

upper level; he just looked at me with sad eyes. He wasn't eating or

drinking; he’d had just given up.

Aussie was only 12 lbs and is now 42 lbs. He didn't have much fur left.

We soon found out he had limes disease, but we had a small chance that

antibotics would work. They did ($1000 later). He was obviously a

backyard dog thrown out at night, and been abused.

Aussie has turned into a wonderful pet. I can honestly say he is the

smartest dog I have ever owned. Also, he’s a fantastic guard dog.

However, my grandson trained him to pull him on a skateboard,

so during our daily walks he is hard to control.

Aussie thinks the minute you put the harness on, it is time to pull.

I've noticed that you enjoy pictures of him on Facebook; I plan to post

others. He is afraid of a camera (thinks it is a gun), so getting cute

shots is difficult.  Glad you get a kick out of the postings. Hope all is

well with you.

"If you eat a cookie and nobody sees you,

it has no calories"

COVER DAY for BRIG NIAGARA

DAYS of YORE

ERIE . . . lower State St . . . circa 1922

Pedano's Grocery * 18^th & Cherry

Murphy’s * West Erie Plaza

“The Student’s Favorite Rendevous”

Plan Your Social Parties at

WALDAMEER PARK

The Best of Bands at Popular Prices

Phone: 32-102 and 32-402

[1938 Spokesman Advertising]

From ROOSEVELT PRESS * June 1954

SELECT a YEAR for 20 or so HIT SONGS that year

* 1940’s * 1955 * 1956 * 1957 * 1958 * 1959 * 1960 * 1961 *

* 1962 * 1963 * 1964 * 1965 * 1966 * 1967 * 1968 * 1969 *

SONGS of YORE

In the body of the Juke Box that appears, you can select any

of a variety of hits songs from the chosen year – ENJOY

erie

erie1

ERIE WELCOMES YOU !

Ruth Peterson [Johnson], Ingrid Pearson [Collin], Ellen Anderson, Elvira Pearson [Lang], and Gladys Pearson celebrate the Roaring 20s in style in front of a sign advertising Perry's Flagship Niagara at the Public Landing and Erie's industries and amusements, along with a predicted population of 200,000 by 1930. Elvira and Gladys were sisters; Ruth and Ingrid were cousins. The girls’ mothers were shocked . . . shocked . . . it wasn’t until Kathryn Hepburn and Lauren Bacall in the 40s made wearing ‘pants’ acceptable.

Click here or on the beach picture to view a short video

of a nice evening at Presque Isle Beach

Click HERE or on the above graphic for a video on Erie

''I promised myself I wouldn't eat the whole box of

cookies in one sitting, so I'm eating standing up''


 Rfrom ROSS WRIGHT

A couple had been married for sixty years. Though not young as they would like, they were both in very good health largely due to the wife's insistence on healthful foods and regular exercise during the last several decades.

One day they were in an auto accident and found themselves at the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter escorted them inside and took them to a beautiful mansion furnished in gold and fine silks with a fully stocked kitchen and a waterfall in the master bath. A maid could be seen hanging their favorite clothes in the closet. 
They gasped in astonishment when St. Peter said, "Welcome to Heaven. This will be your home now." 


The old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. 
"Nothing," Peter replied. "This your reward in Heaven." 


The old man looked out the window and saw a beautiful championship golf course, better then anything he had seen on Earth. "What are the greens fees?" grumbled the old man. 
"This is heaven," St. Peter replied, "You can play free, all day every day." 
Next they went to the clubhouse and saw a lavish buffet lunch with every imaginable cuisine laid out before them, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, and free flowing beverages. 
"Don't even ask," said St. Peter to the man, "This is Heaven. It is all free for you to enjoy." 


The old man looked around and glanced nervously at his wife.  "Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods?" he asked. 
"That's the best part," St. Peter replied. "You can eat and drink as much as you like of whatever you like and you will never get fat or sick. This is Heaven!" 


The old man then asked, "No gym to work out at?" "Not unless you want to," was the answer. 
"No testing my sugar or blood pressure or . . ." 
"Never again. All you do here is enjoy yourselves." 


The old man glared at his wife and said, "You and your #&*%!* bran muffins! We could have been here ten years ago!" 


PENINSULA PONTOON RIDE

Tour is through the interior of the peninsula, providing opportunities

to view abundant wildlife and scenic views

* Mary Adams (birthday girl; friend of Dena) * Vivian Jones *

* Jeanne Laudensack * Dena Johnson * Midge Williams *

* Gayle Fratus * Bonnie Johnson * Ann Jakubcsik * Audrey Braine *

* Bob McGinnett * Anita Narducci * Diane Parshall * Trudy Taylor *

* Sandy Hamilton * Karen O'Connor *

* [classmate] Al Thompson, the environmental educator pilot *

Paal Rostad * Oslo, Norway

Paal Rostad * Oslo, Norway

Darryl Makepeace * Poway (San Diego) CA

Carl Giannelli * Pittsburgh PA

Hilma McDannel * Holly Hill FL

Ensigns Jim Viera [on USS Wahoo submarine duty]

& Dave Cacchione [on USS Saint Paul heavy cruiser duty]

honolulu shore leave * 1963

Jim & Jeri-Lee Higgins, Tidioute PA

Loretta Ricciuti [Marengo IL]

Loretta Ricciuti [Marengo IL]

Karen Ruff [Columbus OH]

of two-girdle myrtle [click here]

(watch video to understand…size 14 to size 7 in 6 weeks)

Here’s another short you-tube video from Karen

Karen Ruff [Columbus OH]

Mel Wright [Littleton CO]

Mel as Sean Waymen [@www.KSJE.com web streaming radio]

Listen to two of Mel's World Beat 90.9 fm broadcasts:

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-931219.mp3

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-928644.mp3

Mel Wright [Littleton CO]

Paul Erzer [Cumming GA]

Sandy Orlando [Erie]

Sandy Orlando [Erie]

Eugene & Nancy Hughes Ware [Erie]

Eugene & Nancy Hughes Ware [Erie]

Barb Wynn [Morrisburg Ontario Canada]

Son of Barb Wynn’s daughter Laura

Patraeus recognizes TF Currahee Soldiers for combat actions . . . July 2011

Are YOU in here? Jon Gerbracht and Barb Wynn are here, for sure

Christmas Party @ the Orion Club [top floor of bldg on nw corner of state st & Park Row]

From Jon Gerbracht: My dad was one of the organizers of the Orion Club. My dad was president, treasurer, social chairman and everything else. We were there all the time when we lived at 420 Peach Street. In those days I walked to the club and the drug store on the ground level of that building.  My mom and dad used to tell me about going to the drug store for chocolate sodas when they were dating. 

My dad also was one of the founders of cub scout pack 118? (I think)  It met at the Orion Club for the full pack meetings.  Rev Porath was our scout master.

One of the fundraisers was the slot machines in the bar at the club. I remember that when we went there on weekends, and my dad had all sorts of stuff to do, he would give me a pile of nickels and let me play the machines.  After the nickels were all gone, he would open up the machines, give me another pile of nickels, and I would do it all over again.

One of the saddest things was when the Club voted to dissolve. That must have been in the 1950s; my dad was in charge of paying all the final bills, and paying the balance in the account to each of the remaining members.

Barb Wynn’s Dad delivering from Kent Pharmacy, 10^th & washington Place, Erie * circa 1928

Barb Wynn’s Wedding day – January 23, 1960

Barb Wynn [Morrisburg Ontario Canada]

Ann Jakubcsik [Erie PA]

Ann Jakubcsik [Erie PA]

Al Mancuso [Huntsville AL]

Al Mancuso [Huntsville AL]

Al Thompson [Erie PA]

Joe Berarducci [Bellmawr NJ]

Janice Hauserman [Reston VA]

Gary Weibler [Erie]

Carol Miller [Clifton Park NY]

0

Carol Miller [Clifton Park NY]

Dave Cacchione [Camas WA]

Carol Carr [Erie]

John Yannitello [McKean]

Carol Mae Duman [Avon Park FL]

FOUR GENERATIONS - Son Justin, Great Grandchildren Paige & Dustin

Granddaughter Rachel, Father Dwaine Derrick [Carol’s husband]

Carol Mae Duman [Avon Park FL]

Linda Marsh [Erie & Carolina Beach NC]

Carmelita Fronzaglia [Erie]

Midge Williams [Erie]

Midge Williams [Erie]

Judy Moore [Erie]

Jeanne Chambers [Jamestown NY]

Jeanne Chambers [Jamestown NY]

Betsy Spaulding [Cour D'Alene ID]

Betsy Spaulding [Cour D'Alene ID]

Jim Soli [Erie & New Port Richey FL]

Cathy Holland [Apex NC ]

Barb Lee [Erie]

Barb Lee [Erie]

Jackie Grande [Salt Lake City & St George UT]

Anita Narducci [Erie]

Sister Carole Ruland [Oro Valley (Tucson) AZ]

Judy Rose [Jamestown NY]

Gretchen Coblentz [Bradenton FL] & Mayville NY]

Back Row: Erik (16); Kurt, Nate (13), Amie, Gretchen, Craig, Kristy, Scott (1), Bryan, JT (16)

Middle Row: Katie (18), Sally, Steve, Keith, Melissa, Sam (13)

Front Row: Emily (11), Gracie (9), Alison (5) . . . colors identify families

Gretchen Coblentz [Bradenton FL] & Mayville NY]

3/20/2011 . . . Gretchen tells us that classmate Ross Wright

and his wife Dottie will be visiting with Gretchen & Craig this week

Ross Wright [Duluth GA]

Marilyn (Mele) Welte [Honolulu Hi]

Marilyn (Mele) Welte [Honolulu Hi]

Paula Sanders [Dayton OH]

Paula Sanders [Dayton OH]

Colleen Murray [Mesa AZ]

Chester Krista [Davenport FL]

Judy Elser [Brunswick ME]

Rose Criscione [Murfreesboro TN]

Rose Criscione [Murfreesboro TN]

Pat Waldo [North East & Stuart Fl]

Marge Sample [Cumming GA]

Marge Sample [Cumming GA]

Susan St John [Cary NC]

Dave Gilbert [Deerfield IL]

FOUR THINGS YOU CANNOT RECOVER

THE STONE . . . AFTER IT IS THROWN

THE WORD . . . AFTER IT IS SAID,

THE OCCASION . . . AFTER IT IS MISSED

THE TIME . . . AFTER IT IS GONE

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet

when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly

My work here is done for now . . . Bye, Bye, Cya later