Peace on Earth?

Photo via Liberty Church

After the reunion in mid-September and then the horrendous devastation after hurricane Sandy I started to feel that the class blog had run out of purpose and that it was probably time to just let it fade away. Then came the terrorist attack upon children in Newtown, Connecticut last week compounded by its timing to what is supposed to be the most joyous season of the year, Christmas, and a New Year.

I was even more convinced that that was it for the blog. The final straw. I went to the blog format pages, behind the scene stuff, and I noticed that there have been a few hundred visits to the blog in the past month. Perhaps members of the class were looking for more news about our New Jersey friends. Charlie had already covered that concisely with his comment on the previous post. There may be those who have been waiting for something new to entertain or amuse them. I have nothing for them.

Some blogs have a custom of putting up what is called an "open thread" where there is no particular subject matter presented  and viewers/followers can comment on any subject that they care to.

Consider this an open thread.

Sandy versus Westfield

Lou's uncle's house

Lou's backyard

Lou Bace Hogan sent a few photos of the results of hurricane Sandy in her neighborhood.

Three houses down

Two houses down

Two fir trees snapped and fell in her backyard. One landed on her uncle's house. Fortunately, there was no structural damage done.

Two and three doors down from Lou's house homes did suffer some roof damage but still appear to be sound.

Trees have been the main problem with long power outages  in Westfield and throughout central NJ. I found this article which may explain why restoring service has been slow. Or not. Lou tells us that Pam Dorne just got her power back on the other day. Carole Plowcha emailed her with news that her power is out again after the latest storm and that she is now staying with friends.

I asked Lou what have been the biggest headaches for her after Sandy:

" No power for 8 full days. Waiting in a gas line for three and a half hours so Ed and I could get to my cousin's son's wedding (50 miles away) last Sunday. We would not have been able to make it back and forth on our gas tank. One of 2 fir trees falling on my uncle's house next door to us."

Other members of the class who live in the Sandy destruction zone may have their own stories to report. We're still waiting to hear from a few that have not responded yet to emails and phone calls.

FYI  Not that this has anything to do with the subject at hand I just saw that the class blog has now over 5000 hits since it started. There are a total of 53 comments.

Photo credits: Lou Bace Hogan

There goes the neighborhood

Sue Will Babcock sent this photo of her new neighbor in Manahawkin. Sue also had some great news about Ella Mae.  Elly, to all her friends, did not lose her home after all. There is some water damage and some personal possessions lost but her home is still intact and Elly is "staying with family and enjoying her darling granddaughter."

Both Sue and Lou report that Kathy Helmstetter is OK and staying with her sister down near the shore. Everyone, so far, is holding up quite well considering all that they have been through. Trinity tough.

There are still a few classmates we don't know about yet but I'm sure we'll get reports as soon as they become known. Keep up the prayers.



Photo credit: Sue Will Babcock

Aftermath

                                                      Photo: coastalcare.org

By now most of us are aware of the devastating blow hurricane Sandy delivered to our Alma mater  state, New Jersey. There are 36 classmates and their families who still live there and by a rough count, around 12 of them live along or near the Jersey shore. Ten counties have been declared federal disaster zones, including Union County where HTHS was. Several of our classmates still live there. I have tried to contact Lou Bace Hogan by email and phone with no success. Power may still be down there. Charlie sent out several emails just before the storm to those he knew lived along the coast urging them to get out. He has only heard from Ella Mae Weikel Roessner, she "is safe but homeless." Not hearing from any of the others can be a frightening experience especially when we are used to communications brought to our livingrooms at lightening speed in this Twenty-first Century. All we can do is wait and pray that all our NJ classmates and others in the affected areas of Sandy are alive and safe.

I know that many of my classmates, for whatever reasons known only to themselves, refuse to participate in the class blog. I also know that many of my classmates have visited the blog numerous times before the reunion and, especially, afterwards to see all the great photos of  members of our class enjoying themselves at a superb location in, Spring Lake, that may no longer resemble what they experienced. We just don't know what is happening.

So, I am making this plea to all classmates regardless of where you live: If you know of anyone who has been hurt by this storm or is now safe from it, please let us all know here on the blog. If you are from Jersey by all means do let us know how everything is going for you and any others that you know of as power and communications permit. It's one of those times a blog can be useful in almost real time communications and getting the word out. We are all concerned.

Use the comment button just below to say anything or add anything you feel appropriate. This is not about me or you. It's about all of us.

Update 11-5-12  Elaine Reinberg Martin has an offer of assistance for any of our New Jersey classmates who find themselves in need. Don't be shy about asking for help. Check out the comments link. Caution: Do not divulge personal info like tele#, email or home addresses in the comments section. Use the class roster to get in contact with a specific classmate. If you don't have that you can email me at the email address at above right on this page. I can email you the info that you are looking for.
Update 11-5-12 #2 After checking around I found this useful source of information. Westfield Patch. I tried calling several classmates in Westfield with no success, however, power is supposed to be back on by this evening. Perhaps as early as tomorrow we may get more firsthand information about what has happened. As far as Westfield is concerned. As to our classmates and friends along the coast that may take a while longer.
Update 11-7-12 Spoke briefly with Lou yesterday via cell phone. She and her family are all OK though Westfield is "a mess" and power has not been fully restored. Not for her house. The Westfield Patch, strangely, has nothing about this continued power problem except that schools will be closed today in anticipation of another strong and cold nor'easter aimed at NJ and NY later today.
The chief culprit does appear to be downed trees throughout Westfield. Lou's son-in-law, Kevin, in the Westfield FD told her that 25 homes have been condemned and 75 more have structural problems.
Also spoke with Tom Polese and his wife, Doris. According to Tom, the King's home in Spring Lake where the reunion was held has been spared, though other shoreline communities like Mantoloking, Long Branch, Atlantic City and Asbury Park have severe damage.
Update 11-7-12 #2 Received an email from Lou and she finally has power, though many in Westfield still do not. She reports that Kathy Helmstetter, Becky Maher and Carole Plowcha are all OK.
Update 11-8-12 From an email sent by Lou, there is now 3" of snow on the ground in Westfield as of 7:30 AM EST. Those offers from Wisconsin and Massachusetts are looking more and more appealing aren't they, Jersey folk? If there was only some member of the class who owned a hotel on Oahu.....


Here are the instructions for using the comment link:

* Comments hyper-link. There is an orange 'comments' hyper-link at the bottom of every individual post on this blog. That means you can make comments on any and as many posts as you care to. Just left click on the comment hyper-link and a separate smaller window will open up automatically. There may be a number of comments already in that window from other 62ers you recognize. After reading them, of course, scroll past them using the side bar till you come to the box headed: Leave your comments. Type in whatever you wish to say and when you are through move down to the Choose your identity options. Those of you familiar with those various options know what to do there so no need to explain to you. For those of you who aren't familiar I would suggest that the easiest identity to choose is the bottom 'anonymous' identity. [Don't forget to put your name to your comment when you're done or no one will know who said it.] Click the radio button next to 'anonymous' and proceed to the bottom bar that says: Publish your comment. Click that and within a few seconds your comment should appear right before your eyes underneath everyone else's comments.

Who is that masked man?

Two  members of the class have indicated that they have reunion photos they'd like to have posted. While we're waiting for them to arrive I have a mystery photo to share with you. Which classmate will be the first to figure out who this is? You will have to use the comment button to give your answer. Sorry, there's no other way. Instructions are right above this post.

I'll give one hint: It isn't Ed Huetteman standing next to his latest birthday present.  Charlie isn't eligible to participate since he knows who it is. Good luck.

And. On the subject of luck I do hope that all my classmates on the Eastern seaboard weather this "Frankenstorm", Sandy,  without too much difficulty and that you and your families remain unscathed. Those of you inclined might snap a few photos and send them to the blog. I do not mean to sound self-serving. This will be an historic event, one of the last of our lifetimes, perhaps, and should be recorded.

Stay safe.

Update 11-13-12 We have a winner on the name that masked man mystery question. You'll have to click the comments link to find out who it is and who guessed  correctly.

50th Reunion - Nancy Whalen Goldsmith edition

Nancy, besides securing for the Trinity Jersey Girls® Limousine Seven their forever fame, set up shop near the entry way to the reunion and photographed most of the attendees as they arrived. She was also busy the night before at Connolly's snapping photos of classmates and guests who were warming up for the main event. Here's most of the gang again in a slightly different angle than Mary Baker Carrajat's similar photo.

The rest of Nancy's photos can be found here.



Photo credit: Nancy Whalen Goldsmith [ Though it was most likely Ernie who took this photo]

In memorium - Nancy Whalen Goldsmith

 Nancy Whalen Goldsmith, gave the 39 classmates, (63 participants), at the reunion a moving remembrance for those classmates no longer with us.

"In memory of our classmates who have gone before us, but left us all with strong imprints of their lives especially at Holy Trinity High School. May we never forget:

James Barry

Susannah Byrne Sandoval

Thomas Gornoski

Joseph Grosso

William Kervick

Geraldine Sabo Smullen

Diana Jill Schilling Ruskin

Margaret Mary Smith Beverley

Robert Winkler"


You may have noticed the inclusion of, Diana Jill Shilling Ruskin, to the list we already knew. Lou Bace Hogan, informed me that when she called Jill to see if she was coming to the reunion she was informed by Jill's husband, Paul, that Jill had died in November of 2011. She had been ill for quite some time. RIP, Jill.

We have the proof!

Thanks to Nancy Whalen Goldsmith's patience and keen eye for the arriving guests at the 50th Reunion we now have conclusive visual evidence that those seven Trinity Jersey Girls® did indeed arrive in a limousine as they intended. Or, they were just leaning against someone else's white stretch limo. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt if you do.

That leaves us only to wonder if complimentary champagne was served on their excursion. [ I have heard a rumor that there was a minor accident along the way. No one was injured.]

Nancy has also supplied us with photographic evidence of another classmate indulging in unusual merriment.

Why it's none other than, Helen Stavish Scavuzzo, table chair* dancing at Connolly's Station the night before. With beads! Would the Sisters of Charity approve of such ribald behavior - in a public road house no less? I think not.

* Chair dancing, as Nancy pointed out, requires way more balance than table dancing. Good thing Connolly's didn't have poles.

We can only speculate as to what other candid gems Nancy might have in store for us.



Photo credits: Nancy Whalen Goldsmith

50th Reunion - Lou Bace Hogan edition

Lou told me that she was so busy running around that she didn't have much time to take many photos.  She did manage to get a few nice group shots. Here's one.

Kathy Fitzpatrick, Elaine, Barbara, Janet, Willis and Helen at Connolly's Station in Belmar, the night before the reunion.

The rest of Lou's photos can be viewed on Flickr



Photo credit: Lou Bace Hogan

50th Reunion - Sue Will Babcock edition

Leading off Sue's photos is the, alleged, Trinity Jersey Girls® limo group.

Marilyn Herbst, Carole Plowcha, Ella Mae Weikel, Sue Will, Pam Dorne, with Kathy Helmstetter and Cathy Monninger in back. (Do any of you see a limo here? Anywhere?)

I had heard, from a usually reliable source, that these Magnificent Seven TJG's planned to arrive at the reunion in style. In a chauffeured  limousine. After serious study of this photo that claim can only merit this reply: Yeah, Yeah, I'll believe that that happened only when I see a photo of them actually exiting said limousine.

So, until visual proof of said stipulated suave swankiness is forthcoming, you and I will have no choice but to reserve final judgment while we content ourselves with perusing Sue's other more credible photos on Flickr. [Click the link.]
                                                                                                                                           


Photo credit: Sue Will Babcock

50th Reunion - Mary Baker Carrajat edition

I might have known. The first classmate to send photos and videos of the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1962 is Mary Baker Carrajat who also happened to be the first responder to the blog when it started. Way to go, Mary!

Did everyone sign the banner?

Here's a few photos in slideshow format:

Mary's husband, Wes, took a few short videos the night before the reunion.

This is a first taste of the happenings at the reunion. There will be more. Stay tuned.

Addendum: 9/17/2012

 I asked Mary; What do you remember the most about the reunion.? This was her response:
                                                                                                                                                

"I think I will remember laughter.... everyone was delighted to see and talk and be with each other.   The 'delighted' shriek because at first you didn't recognize someone.... and then the 'Oh' when recognition hit.  No more (if you remember our classes) A, B and C classes..... we are all in the same place now.   Charlie Mattina was recognized and given a gift for all the work he did/does to keep us together and informed.   And Nancy and Willis were thanked for opening their house to us all.   And you were mentioned, too, for your blog.   Nancy Whalen honored all our classmates who have passed on.   Our famous Bernie Worrell was, too, mentioned.   The food, soda, beer, wine... all flowed and was wonderful, as did the hugs and kisses. 

"We all hope to have another, but who knows.....  we're not (as you know) getting any younger.   But this was well worth the efforts that the commitee members put in, so maybe there will be another.... 10 years?   After all  in 10 years.... ages 77 - 78 .... these days that is not old at ALL."

Addendum two, later that same day:

I am not at all pleased with the slide show presentation I did on Mary's photos. It does not do anyone justice. It's just OK for a quick review. All of Mary's photos, except for the top photo, are now in a set on Flickr. [Click the link]. Much better quality. You can make comments on individual photos there if you like. Just click on the first photo and you're off. Tip: Don't use the slide show there.



Photo and video credits: Wes and Mary Baker Carrajat

Are your bags all packed? Are you ready to go?

                                                    7 days until the 50th reunion 

Before you board that plane, train, automobile or Trinity Jersey Girls® limo, there are just a few  odds and ends that need to be brought to your attention.

First: One more photo,( I never tire of them), and email concerning the most famous member of our class, Bernie Worrell, from Janet Tremblay Pozen.

Bernie and Janet, together again.

"On tour Bernie Worrell and his group played at Johnny D's in Somerville MA.  Bill Hogan and I and our spouses spent the night stage-side bathed in their amazing jazz.
"Yes, Bernie is our 'claim to fame.'  That night we were infused with his brilliant music, amazing range (yes, we detected some of his classical origins), and subtle leadership of the younger (yes, he is as old as we are) musicians.
"He truly is a living legend (oh those hands) where most of us can only wish we were.

"As we departed Johnny D's we spoke with several of the younger musicians who were hanging outside for their cigarette.  They recognized us because Bernie had introduced us during the show (AND we were the oldest by far in the audience). (SOME of us danced, Bill. ) They spoke of Bernie with reverence and the privilege it is to work with him - confirmation of the looks on their faces when he lead them into their solo parts.

"Thank you, thank you Bernie."   [ JTP]


If I had to lose the class record for the most (interesting) time spent with Bernie at one of his performances I'm glad that, Janet, (along with her dance resister friend, Bill) now holds that enviable distinction. Bernie had joyfully made it a point to tell me back in May 2008 that he had a serious crush on Janet at HTHS. A glimmer of that is still very much evident. Obviously, Janet was enjoying the moment as well. Seeing this photo and reading her account made my day. I hope it makes yours.


Next: Copies of our 1962 Class Night program were submitted by both Lou Bace Hogan and Paul Younghans. The things that some people save! Thankfully. This particular image is the program Paul sent. It arrived looking like it was just printed yesterday.

 Last, and, most appropriately, Lou Bace Hogan furnishes us with a pristine copy of the Commencement Exercise invitation which proclaimed our graduation from HTHS so many years ago. Simple yet eloquent.

This will wrap up the class blog for now. To those who are going have a truly festive and unforgettable 50th Reunion at the King's residence in Spring Lake. Do forward any photos, videos, personal experiences and observations that you have to the blog afterwards so everyone may share in the celebration and the HTHS Class of 1962's 50th Reunion can be preserved in the ethereal amber of cyberspace forever. Or, at least until Blogger goes out of business.




Photo and print credits in descending order: Weather Underground; Rosemarie, Bristol, UK, Janet Tremblay Pozen, Paul Younghans, Lou Bace Hogan.

Clan Carlton

                                               21 days until the 50th reunion


                                                                                                                                   
Hadn't received anything worthy of a new post on the blog until, low and behold, this Carlton family gathering photo turned up in the inbox. This has got to be a family group record for the Class of '62 wouldn't you agree?

Notice they are all wearing Trinity Blue.

There wasn't a lot of info in the email except that this a very recent photo of "the first chance to get all 11 grandkids together" taken at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

I only had to do just a little sleuthing to find out that Dennis and Peggy Carlton, (you can find them easily enough in the center), have 5 children: Patricia, Maureen, Daniel, and twins, Kathleen and Megan. I'm guessing the twins are at the extreme left and that Daniel must be the tall young man on that same side.
You will be able to find out exactly who is who here, including the names of all eleven grandchildren, at the reunion since they will definitely be there!

Dennis and Peggy, that is.



Photo credit: Dennis Carlton

Reveille call

         
                                                    63 days until the 50th reunion
                                                                                                                                                                Here is your November 1961 edition of Reveille.
                                                                                                                                                            I'll repeat this again.You can read your own downloaded copy of Reveille by using the following method:
1. Left click the Reveille page.
2. Right click the superimposed image.
3. Click "save image as" on the menu that appears.
4. When new window opens, label the image as Reveille pg 1 [repeat in sequence with all four pages]
5. Click "save". Image will download to your computer.
6. Use magnifier/ enlarger that is part of your photo gallery program to increase to readable size and use pointer to scroll the enlarged page.

 Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Paul Younghans would like to know if anyone has any photos of the old parking lot across the street from the rear of the school. He is interested in finding any pictures of his 1954 Ford [with gray primer] that might be in them. Was there anyone who was into photography in our class?

Please let Paul know if you can help in his quest.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!

                                                       69 days until the 50th Reunion

                                                                                                                                                                      As many of you know, Paul Younghans, will not be able to attend the 50th Reunion. But he wanted to share with his former classmates a couple of items that he found stashed away in one of his mystery cartons. This is the first edition of Reveille published by the senior class of 1962: The October, 1961 edition. I've put this up in a large size so you can read it while you are tapping your fingers waiting for the festivities to begin. You may have to get out your magnifying glasses to assist you.

There is a way for you to read the pages on your computer. Left click on the page. When the pop-up page changes the image it looks like it changes to a smaller size. But not really.
 Right click on that image. When the menu appears click 'save image as'. Label the image anyway you want, like: Reveille Page 1. Then click save. The image then downloads to your computer. Use the magnifier in your own computer's photo gallery system to increase the downloaded image to readable size. That should work. You will also have your very own copy of Reveille to print if you wish.

Here's an abridged report on the front page:

* Four new teachers joined the faculty, including new PE instructor, Margaret Stockhammer, who had to fill the formidable sneakers of the well liked, Miss Rodgers. Father John Flanagan, replaced, Father Houghton, as "being in charge of Holy Trinity HS". Funny, somehow it seemed he was always there.

* Janet Roguski, was inaugurated as Girls' State Governor at Douglass College, New Brunswick. She  learned and did almost everything a candidate for office could possibly know and perform within our political system of government and in its electoral process as they were designed to function. A laudably prestigious accomplishment. This probably explains why she isn't Governor of Texas today.

* Freshman were given a complete rundown on everything that would be expected of them over the coming year including a warning about a much to be feared "jug". Yes, never pass up an opportunity to intimidate the poor, lowly beasties.

* In the middle of the page we learned that, Charles Mattina and Lucretia Bace, were installed as temporary officers in an exciting new political club, the Teenage Republicans. Do the Romney campaign veep-vetters know about this?

* Barbara Griek qualified as a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Catherine Bartels, John Finch, William Hogan, Catherine Keegan, Willis King and Nancy Roberts, were awarded Letters of Commendation. We'll have to stay tuned to a future Reveille edition to find out how Barbara did.

* The U. S. Navy was offering a scholarship. Maybe Ted Hack can fill us in?

* And five seniors; Barbara Staib, Stephanie Woodruff, John Finch, Charles Bodayla and Charles Mattina, will be attending a journalism class. We all know how THAT turned out.
                                                        

Page 2

 Page 2 has a conservative Op Ed offered by, Willis King. A liberal rebuttal by an alumnus, Robert Wilhelm '61, appears in the November edition. [Were there no liberals in our class?]  Together they make for an interesting political / historical time-capsule, especially in light of events that would soon follow our leaving the comfortable womb of HTHS. Fifty years later both positions sound remarkably familiar.

* Mary Anne Zambito, releases her inner, Murray the K.

* Elaine Reinberg, my former next door neighbor - Hi Neighbor! - does the Alumni-News. Elaine had a natural gift for interviewing the more mature collegiate male.

*  Two reporter/artists by-lined as, "Lu and Cathy," cover the pleated plaid skirt euphoria of the senior girls at being the first upper class in Trinity history to wear the innovative not-a-uniform uniform. The girls were so besotted with them those skirts might very well turn up at the reunion.


The rest of this edition you will have to decipher as best you can on your own because my eyes are rebelling against this shrinking print.

Page 3:

Even  kindly, Barbara Staib, can't resist mugging the frosh ^

 And finally, the sports page. Sorry, no scores in this one, but there are several faces and names you will surely recognize as well as some well written sports columns.

Paul and I hope you enjoyed this historic literary excursion.
You might send Paul an email and let him know what you think of his contribution. He'd enjoy that.

                          Next week: The November, 1961 edition of Reveille.

Another Bernie Worrell sighting

                                                 77 days until the 50th Reunion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Saturday, June 23, 2012, Lou Bace Hogan, and her husband, Ed, and, Ed Guididas, and his wife, Mary Lou, traversed the wide wilds of New Jersey to attend the Fourth Annual Local and Legend Music Festival at the Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes to see Bernie Worrell and his orchestra. [Read Bernie's Wiki entry and you might be surprised to discover, as I was, that long before he was our classmate he had already made a couple of remarkable musical achievements.]

Bernie Worrell live at Ringoes

The theme for this particular 4th edition of the music festival was a tribute to and celebration of Bernie's 65 years in music. Kinda makes a 50th celebration of anything less significant in comparison.

If you click the picture to larger size and look very, very closely you might be able to see both Lou Hogan's and Ed Guididas' signatures on the poster.                        Or not.

While Lou and Ed, and, Ed and Mary Lou, - - stay with me here - - were setting up their chairs around 5:15 PM they heard the band on stage mention Bernie Worrell by name. After that band set was finished Lou and Ed G went up to Bernie and asked him if he recognized them. Well, it's only been a paltry fifty years. Of course he did!                                    Or not.

Bernie was extremely preoccupied then, as you can imagine, but they agreed to get together after his performance. However......

Lou relates: " As luck would have it, Bernie's set-up guy had not shown up so Bernie had to do everything himself which took quite a while." That caused the band to go on much later than scheduled. The rules were that the whole place had to shut down at sundown and everyone had to be gone by then. A casualty of the delay the hoped-for meeting with an exhausted Bernie was all too brief. Just barely enough time for this photo to prove to us that Lou and Ed had really been there and really did meet with Bernie face to face. They also had a great time listening to Bernie and his orchestra perform.

Lou, Bernie and Ed with WOO T-shirt

It's a shame they did not get to talk longer with Bernie. Though I must confess I'm inwardly pleased, that, in all the class, I alone, still hold the record for the most time spent with Bernie at one of his performances. He didn't know it but, that chat and performance was the inspiration for the class blog. For that, I'm indebted to Bernie. If you enjoy visiting here, you are too.

For those who have never heard Bernie perform live, except for his long-ago gig up in Sister Rose's Piano Lounge or at our Alma Mater concerts, you are missing something special. You can visit his website and check out his tour schedule. Unfortunately, he will be in Stowe, Vt. the day of the 50th Reunion. You can even purchase something there to show your support for our talented and distinguished classmate. You can also go to You Tube and dial-in his name. There are quite a number of offerings featuring him there. The following You Tube of Bernie Worrell is just a tiny taste of what that man has done throughout his long and brilliant career.



I know we all wish, Bernie Worrell, and his legion of fans, many awarding years of musical entertainment and enjoyment ahead. We can also hope he got himself a new set-up guy.


Photo credits: Lou and Ed Hogan

Jean Peterson Sinnott

                                                 83 days until the 50th Reunion
                                                                                                                                                              Next on our pre-reunion photo cavalcade is a post almost a year in the making because of some technical difficulties. Jean's husband, Richard, was able to solve the problems. Jean had first taken drawing lessons about ten years ago but only started painting in 2008 when she enrolled in an  art class at a favorite art gallery conducted by the owner/artist. Her chosen medium has always been oil because "it really lets you play with color and texture."

Her first painting is The Train. It's from an old photograph belonging to her husband, Richard.  Trains are his hobby and the painting was done as a surprise gift for him. It's of a NYC bound PRR train at the Rahway station.

This painting is from a photo in one of Jean's favorite English garden magazines.

An early still life done with sunflowers she received from Kroger and a vase from her daughter Laura.

An English cottage photo re-creation.














Last, my personal favorite, for some inexplicable reason, painted from a photo taken in 1994 on her first trip to San Francisco.

The Golden Gate Bridge

All in all, some very nice stylized work done by Jean, especially when you consider that she's only been at it for four years. She has her own art room downstairs at home and when her granddaughter, Reagan, comes to visit "we love to paint together."  Jean's brother, Dick, has been an artist for many years so Reagan probably has inherited genes.

 As to why she only started painting later in life Jean says, "I just never thought I could do it. I really think that anyone who wants to can learn. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised!" We might recall back in our day a certain, Grandma Moses, who only began painting in her late seventies.

There can be no doubt that the gifts Jean is most proud of are all in the photo below taken last Thanksgiving at her home. They just happened to be surrounded by a few of her paintings.

Seated R to L: Jean's son, Steve, holding his son, Ryan. Steve's wife, Diane, with the budding artist, Reagan. Daughter, Laura, with, Isabelle. Laura's husband, Scott, with, Kennedy.("The twins are walking, holding on. They are doing so well.") Standing: Jean's husband, (and chief photographer), Rich, holding, Lily, their Cavalier King Charles, and, Jean, holding Laura and Scott's son, Christian. Jean adds that Reagan and Ryan had a great time playing with the twins and Christian in the pool on Father's Day.

Jean and Richard Sinnott

Jean is eagerly awaiting the Reunion. " We will have such fun." Looks like she's already starting without us.

Photo credits: Richard Sinnott

Richard did an excellent job squaring up Jean's paintings and photographing them for this post. That is not easy to do.   

Janet Tremblay Pozen

100 days until the 50th Reunion

I asked for some photos that you would like to share while waiting for the 50th Reunion to commence and Janet Tremblay Pozen has been the first to respond. And has she ever!


First up: Janet, with her husband, Robert Gray, and four of their five grandchildren. "Tess came along later."  Now this is exactly the kind of photo I've wanted to put up on the class blog from the very beginning, classmates. Just perfect.

Olivia, Robert, Henry, Janet, Evan and Audrey

Then there's this B&W gem from the past. Can you identify all the kids in the photo?  Unless you went to HT Grammar you would not know who two of the boys are. They didn't go on to HTHS. One boy in the photo did, but, for only two years.

Janet Trembley's 8th grade party

For those who no longer have our freshman yearbook this is how some of us looked that first year at HTHS. The gauntlet has now been thrown down to any of you in 9B and 9C if you want equal time.

Freshman 9A

How good could any of our Blue Brave B-Ball teams have been without these Lady Blue Braves to help raise the crowd and the team's spirits?

Freshman year

Sophomore year

Senior year Lady Blue Braves

And, if that wasn't enough, Janet hosted a mini-reunion of the Massachusetts contingent of HTHS at her home recently. Kathy Amon said it best: " Were we all kneeling or is Bill really that tall?"

Whatever the answer to that question they ALL look absolutely marvelous!

Bill Hogan, Maryann Hogan, Charlie Mattina, Janet Tremblay Pozen, Kathy Barry Amon and Diana Finer


Are you ready to rumble Jersey Girls?

Kathy, Diana and Janet

Thank you, Janet, for all these memories.

  Senior photo          

Photo credits: Janet Tremblay Pozen and Robert Gray  




Answer to Second Trinity Jersey Girls reunion: Pam Dorne Venckus                                                 

Second Trinity Jersey Girls Reunion

The Trinity Jersey Girls® met again on May 4th at Klein's Fish Market in Belmar, N.J. A smaller turnout this time but with an addition of one previously unseen member. Can you spot her and do you know who she is? If you don't know you'll have to wait until somebody sends me something to put up here on the blog for the answer.

Trinity Jersey Girls

Photo credit: Lou Bace Hogan

Your destination for the 50th Reunion

By now you should have all received your invitations to the 50th Reunion of the Holy Trinity High School Class of 1962.  You know where you are headed.      

 For those of you who, even with the assistance of the latest Garmin Nuvi, Expresso or Alpine GPS navigation device, still successfully manage to get lost here is a photo of Nancy and Willis King's Spring Lake home where the 50th Reunion will be held. This should help make visual contact easier.                                                                                                                                                                 .

New Jersey Monthly  photo    

  Looks like a home right out of  Architectural Digest, don't you think? How gracious of Nancy and Willis to make their summer retreat available to all their classmates, and their spouses and guests, for a reunion that will certainly be remembered by everyone the rest of their lives.

There was a suggestion in the flyer to bring memorabilia to the reunion to share with your classmates. I would like to add that you could send one favorite photo or item from among your memorabilia to me, here, at the class blog. There are 132 days and a wake-up until the reunion. In between messages and updates from the Reunion Committee it would be a nice way to pass the time, break the ice and share a little of who you are and what is important to you right here, right now. Email address is at the top right of this page. I see that I am now, officially, on the Reunion Committee so it's all perfectly legal.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 5 /3/ 2012: If you did not notice it on the back of the invitation, the price per individual for the reunion main gathering at the King's residence is $85. [ A real bargain at that.]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

50th Reunion: Accommodations

Becky Maher Welter has been compiling a list of accommodations available in the Spring Lake area. This is what she reports:

"I have been looking at both motels and Bed & Breakfasts. All the B&B's in Spring Lake require a 2 night minimum. There is a Travelodge and Budget Inn within about 10 minutes of Spring Lake. The next closest hotels are in Wall and Neptune, more like 20 minutes from Spring Lake, but conveniently located to the Garden State Parkway. The Marriott Residence Inn is already 100% booked for that weekend. The manager told me there are a lot of weddings in September and they book up early. The Courtyard Marriott in Wall does have openings. I didn't ask at any of these places for a group rate since at this point we haven't any idea."

Chateau                                                                   Ocean House
500 Warren Ave                                                       102 Sussex Ave
Spring Lake                                                              Spring Lake
732-974-2000                                                           732-449-9090
2 night minimum $119-239/night                               2night minimum $230/night

Normandy Inn                                                          Breakers Hotel
21 Tuttle Ave                                                           1507 Ocean Ave
Spring Lake                                                              Spring Lake
732-419-7172                                                           732-449-7700
2night min. $214-$284/night                                      2night min. $260/night

Budget Inn                                                                Courtyard Mariott
1909 Highway 35                                                      1302 Campus Parkway
Wall, NJ                                                                     Wall, NJ
732-449-6146                                                             732-919-2780
(No rates yet for Sept.)                                                $239 for Saturday only
                                                                                  $209night if both Fri. and Sat.
Travelodge
1916 Highway 35
Wall, NJ
732-974-8401
$96/night

                                                                               
There may be additional places listed by Becky as she finds them. However, I would suggest that you book your choices early. I know of two out-of-state classmates that have already done so.

What are your kids doing for spring break?

 Charlie also mentioned in the newsletter another photograph that Christine Keenen Kealy had sent him. The Facebook cool kids have all seen it and she also sent me a copy last year about this same time. We were going to do a more complete post together on the many achievements of her daughter, Courtney Jane Kealy, but more pressing family matters came up for Christine then and we both let it lapse.

I don't have all the details of Courtney Jane's photo-journalist and free lance reporter career,  but I did catch one of her reports from the Middle East last year while listening to a local FM oldie station - what else! - that featured Fox News 2 minute sound bytes on the half hour. Actually, I found Fox News to be completely digestible in small portions like that.

Courtney Jane Kealy and friends - Libya, April, 2011

Christine has told me that Courtney is safely back home stateside helping her late brother, Sean's, young family at this critical time in their lives. Please give a thought and your prayers for all of them.

Photo Credit: Courtney Jane Kealy

Then and now

I just finished reading Charlie's newsletter and while I do appreciate all the shameless plugs he was making on behalf of the class blog, I was surprised that he mentioned one particular post, that, in reality, had not appeared here. It would be much too confusing to explain how he came to know about its existence.  Let's just say that Charlie is, in addition to all his other fine qualities, clairvoyant.

What I am referring to is our own Class of '62's, hands down, cutest couple. Then:

Christine & Paul - First date, 7th grade

         And now:                                                                                                                                          

Christine & Paul -  Decatur, GA 2011

There is nothing more to add.

Photo credits: Christine Keenen Kealy