Friday, October 15, 2010
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Thanks for the Memories!! Let's do it again!
This whole elementary blog idea started in 2000 when a few RHS classmates' emails spread like wildfire. This blog consists mostly of conversations regarding our 40th reunion and, of course, memories from our elementary days. As we approach our 45th reunion, please share your comments, memories and wishes on our RHS Class of '70 Facebook page. Let's start with...
Are you interested in reuniting with your elementary classmates again in 2015?
Are you interested in reuniting with your elementary classmates again in 2015?
So... how do I blog????
Please add a comment to any of these conversations! Look over our selection of blogs in the right menu, including those within past months. When you are feeling inspired, simply type a mesage in the "Post a Comment" text box. Underneath the comment box, open the "comment as" menu and select "name/url" (unless you have a listed profile). Type your name; you may leave the url blank. You may choose to be anonymous or include your name within the text as well. Select "Preview" if you would like to see what your comment will look like before it is published. You may choose to delete a message after it is published but it will leave a message stating "comment removed by blogger". Come on...You know you want to join us!
Followers
Would you like to be notified by email when new comments or updates are made? Please email Bob Elgin at willard.sixty4@gmail.com if you would like to be added to or deleted from our growing "Willard" distribution list.
Blog Archive
What question or memory do YOU have?
ATTENTION WILLARD '64 ALUMS: We want to add YOUR name to our list of blog categories! Please email me with a short bio blurb to let me know you are interested. Once you are set up, you may add your memories or comments as simply as an email! Also, let me know if you have a new question, memory or subject that you would like to bring up on this blog site. I can start a new blog conversation. jbeirne_308@yahoo.com Judy Schoneman Beirne:)
RHS Class of 1970 Reunion site
More Ridgewood School Memories
Welcome to our page of Willard Reminicences!
As the Ridgewood High School class of 1970 prepares for its 40th reunion, many Willard Elementary alumni have begun to reconnect. The effect has sparked hilarious memories; "few accurately recalled or characterized. But very revealing and lots of fun!" states "Ricky" Bowe (who insists he has gotten taller). Join in the fun and add to our conversations!
YOUR Blog Post!
We'd like to include a blog post for you! Please email your name and a brief bio paragraph to jbeirne_308@yahoo.com. I will post a blog heading for you. Be the first to post a comment in your comment box and include your memories of your days at Willard. If you would like to be notified when a comment is posted in any of the Willard blogs, let me know that as well and I will add you to the list. Happy Blogging - it's great (and fun!) to keep in touch!! Judy Schoneman Beirne:)
Class Pictures
Thank you to everyone who is contributing photos. Do you have others to share? Send them to jbeirne_308@yahoo.com and I will post them! You may click on the slideshow images to view them on a larger scale.
AM Kindergarten
kindergarten
2nd Grade Mrs. Hay
Miss Behrans' Second Grade
grade 3 Miss Talbot
4th grade Miss Getman
4th grade Mr. Slicker
grade 4
Grade 5
grade 6
Mr. Slicker's 6th Grade
Bob Marlowe writes: I am writing this a week following the reunion, and I am still reeling from how great it was!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that, somehow, I felt a greater connection to the Willard gang than to those whom I met later, and other Willardites mentioned the same thing.
I have to express my gratitude to those who put the RHS-70 reunion together, AND to those who made the Willard reunion happen.
It was a very special weekend.
Bob Elgin shares: And I would like to follow up on what Bob said with a little anecdote – a true story, as it were. For those who have heard this already, please bear with me ...
ReplyDeleteOn Sunday morning I got up and walked over to the DoubleTree to get some breakfast. As I was wandering around looking for the restuarant I walked by the banquet hall where the reunion was held. Two workmen were already there cleaning things up. One of them says to the other “hey, what was going on here last night?” The other replies “It was a Ridgewood High School reunion – from the seventies I think” He then notices the sign and says “yeah, 1970”. Then the first guy says to the second “you mean they had an event this big for a 1970 reunion? Amazing!”
So there you have it from a couple of expert witnesses. I mean who knows how many dozens of reunions they’ve had to clean up after? So to all those who organized this entire weekend and made it happen, you can take this as a true testament to how great it all was. And, I’d also like to acknowledge all of us who took time out to come, because no matter how great the organization, you don't get to have a party unless people show up. Gosh, to think that the cynical generation we once were actually had some school spirit after all. My best wishes to everyone! -Bob (E).
Facebook has many reunion conversations happening! Here's one:
ReplyDeleteRobert Thompson: Irene, PLEASE call for a Do-Over !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I missed too many people and now I can't find them!
Virginia Zabriskie Goble Ditto for me.
Judy Schoneman Beirne Me too! And this time.... in sloooooowwww motion please!
Marsha Golla- McCarthy I agree
Barb Hall Binder And me - I agree! Do we really need to wait 5 years?
Donna Nunley Williams Maybe we all just need to move back to NJ!
Virginia Zabriskie Goble I might go for that, except that 36 years in Texas has thinned my blood.
Ann Larson joined FaceBook just over a year ago so I could enjoy this past weekend. I had so totally lost touch with everyone from h.s. Who knew a h.s. reunion weekend could be so wonderful. I look forward to finding pics on line and keeping up with folk between now and the 45th! BTW, anyone from RHS'70 has a standing invitation to stay with me when you come to Vt for leaf-peeping or skiing.
ReplyDeleteAlice OGara Durnan
ReplyDeleteHad so much fun at my reunion...miss everyone already!! Bill Fletcher, Bob Marlow and Bev Florance.....best dance partners!!!
What an AWESOME time at my 40th high school reunion in NJ!! The Willard Elementary School tour and dinner was a great warm up! I miss these friends already!
ReplyDeleteIn a bit of poor timing, my email address is changing,
ReplyDeleteFROM Vairtec@optonline.net
TO Vairtec@comcast.net
I have no idea how to make a change so that posts to this blog continue to come to me, so I am simply putting it here in hopes that someone will pick up the ball for me.
RWMarlow@comcast.net works, too.
I already sent a note of thanks to Irene, Rick, and Brian, as well as a note to Judy for having us Willard tykes to her home. It was all more than good. I am still savoring the unexpected wonderfulness of it all.
I thought the entire weekend was awesome. I really liked that we reconnected on the elementary school level intially. The Elks Club was fun but so loud. The tour of RHS had me talking and sharing memories with people I really did not know. I loved every minute of it. Thanks to the reunion committee and all the other volunteers that helped make it so special. I will attend the 45th. Pam
ReplyDeleteDave Chandler adds: Well what the two Bobs wrote sure resonates with me! I, too, had a wonderfully memorable time and am still processing the whole thing. I echo the thanks to all the organizers.
ReplyDeleteWhat I came away thinking was what a special bunch of people we were and are and what a special place RHS was (though I didn’t see that when I was there). The entire weekend felt so validating and left me feeling warm about having a “history.” The tour was like being in a nice dream—so much seemed familiar. It was particularly touching to see the plaque for RHS WWII veterans that I’d forgotten about that had the names of my Dad and Uncle. Most of all, I realized RHS is special to me because if it hadn’t been for RHS, I wouldn’t have met the love of my life.
All the best to everyone—Dave
Comments from Don Gilbert ...
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about the upcoming reunion, I thought that it would be nice to attend but there was no way I could go. Then the Willard blog started getting to me and I began changing my mind. I'm sooooo glad I did because I found reconnecting with everyone so rewarding.
I too had a truly wonderful time at the reunion and was amazed at how much Ridgewood had changed and yet at the same time how little it changed. I had the opportunity to walk Ridgewood Ave. and felt right at home despite all the years I've been away even though almost all the storefronts had changed. What was even more amazing to me was the friendliness of all the classmates - there were no cliques, circles or groups - everyone was really happy to see one another and this made the event very special. My hat is off to the organizers especially Rick Bowe, Irene Nagy, Brian Cochran, Judy Hall and Susan Main (and all others I'm missing) because I know how much work goes into organizing an event like this as I plan events professionally. Well done!
Don Gilbert
Susan Schaffner Baylies writes:
ReplyDeleteHi Don,
It was really fun to see you. The Willard blog is what got me to come too. Graet idea, Judy Schoneman!
I really enjoyed seeing the Willard folks, but it was also fun chatting with GW friends, and those BF kids that I hadn't known very well, and some people I hadn't known at all in HS, but was glad to meet them at the reunion.
I just finished a video about it, which features Sally Rodman, Harriet Dearden, Linda Mclaughlin, Bill Fletcher, Alic O'gara, and more of you in photos. I might make separate videos of Willard tour and RHS tours, because I took some footage(now there's an old-school analog concept) of that. I'll keep you posted.
Additional comments from Susan Shaffner Baylies...
ReplyDeleteLink to reunion video on Youtube:
RHS & Willard reunion 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unS1Ym2mCzo
Our time together was way too short. I couldn't find the words to describe our reconnection until tonight. I've come to realize how precious a thing is our shared childhood. I think we all feel that way, you can see it in our faces as we look at the pictures! And the beautiful part about being together again is that we are all on the same page...maybe different political, religious and personal views, but we all share life's humbling experiences, which enable us to now connect on an even deeper level. (Sniff, sniff), I love you guys! ;D
ReplyDeleteComments from John Millar...
ReplyDeleteFriends,
It is with respect and admiration that I write to say thank you to Rick, Brian, Bob, Irene, Judy S.B.,
Judy H.S.,Susan M. F., Sally Rodman, Chuck and many other volunteers. The tour at Willard, dinner with the Saydahs, the Elks Club Ice Breaker, another RHS football victory and the blast from the past dinner dance were great.
For the Willardites: I have my block print from Mr. Filacy's class. It is a pretty good depiction of a panther.
I'll find a way to donate it to the Willard art room.
The reconnections were nothing short of magic.
In my wife Pat's words "John you grew up with so many nice people!"
Last Sunday we went to the openhouse at the Ridgewood Firehouse at Glen & Maple. We went to tour the firehouse and look for a plaque with my Dad's name on it because he had been one of the Project Engineers who worked on it's conversion from a Public Works Garage to a working Firehouse. While there we met a fine young Engine Company Officer named Brendan Corcoran. Guess who's son he is?
Please keep us posted regarding the next five year plan.
Thank you and keep the faith,
John
jmillar@tconl.com
3349 S 115th St.
Omaha, NE 68144
Brian Corcoran writes ...
ReplyDeleteJohn,
Thank you for your note. Having been involved in three out of the four reunions, I can say that the response for our 40th has been nothing but positive. Not a single complaint; the first one ever! Everyone had a great time.
We are still working on the wrap up and recovery. We hope to get the photos from the photographer posted in the very near future. And we will also throw out ideas on how to keep us all better connected.
Although it is to early to decide, the thoughts for the 45th seem to lean to casual gatherings and possibly a pig roast or just plain BBQ. Don't hold me to it, yet I think it is a great idea. Something different!
It was great to see you. I guess Nebraska has been good to you as you look fantastic. If you plan on coming east anytime please let me know and hopefully we can connect somehow.
Best to you and your family,
Brian
P.S. Brendan is one of three; all great boys. 3 EMT's 1 police officer 2 firemen, all doing what they like helping people, triathlons, reffing etc.
I love, love LOVE the idea of a BBQ/pig roast as the "Main event" rather than the fancier dinner/dance. I was never much for dressing up, dancing or loud music. The more casual events were what made this reunion for me.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents. But I'll put in on record with all of you (I already said it to Irene) that I'm willing to be one of the worker bees next time. (Not an organizer, please -- you really don't want me taking that on :-)
I've been bragging about our reunion to anyone who will listen. And I really feel that revisiting our elementary selves was a big part of making the event so mellow and positive.
BTW, you all have open invitations to the "west coast of New England" (Burlington Vt area. Easy access to hiking, skiing and water sports -- or less physical culture)
Love you all (even if I don't recognize your email address :-)
Ann Larson
Irene Nagy comments...
ReplyDeleteI am thinking that in the picture of Miss Eliason debarking the plane, it could very well be Miss Howerton right behind her (who was my 3rd grade teacher)!
And Bob Elgin adds...
Yup, I agree. I'll bet that was/is Miss Howerton.
In reference to Miss Eliason video produced by Susan (Shaffner) Baylies...
Friends,
I hope we find even more classmates to join us next time. I just uploaded a video about Miss Eliason, mostly leafing through her Travel Scrapbook in the Southern Historical Archive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdDiXDLySW0
Thanks for posting the video, Susan. It's fascinating to learn about all that adventure, experience and talent that we of course were unaware of. It has been fun to read the follow-up e-mails, see the photos and get a sense of the reunion. I'm glad everyone had a great time and I am sorry that I was unable to attend the event.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Marysue Moses
Reunion continued for me in a strange way this past Friday (cue the theme music from Twilight Zone). I was answering phones for Vermont Public Radio's fund drive. A man gave me his name, "Paul Ashley." Probably not that uncommon a name, but I thought I'd take a chance.
ReplyDelete"Did you used to live in Ridgewood NJ?"
"Yes" (with an elongated, dubious sound.)
"At the corner of Hillcrest and Parsons?"
"Who are you?" (almost a shriek)
Well, I lived just up the block from his family and Michele Ashley was one of my best friend, at least for a while. (I just happened to find a stack of old pictures last week of us on Huffman's ice and my backyard tree) She entered Willard in 6th grade and went thru GW and jr yr at RHS with us. The family moved to France and after a year Michele got an RHS'70 diploma and started college in the US, but then entered an institute in Italy to learn violin and cello making. She has two shops, in Montreal and outside Boston; I look forward to her stopping near my Burlington Vt home sometime when she's en route. Check out her website at www.micheleashley.com A favorite musician of mine in Vt plays one of her instruments!