Piling On!

 In case you needed any more cruel reminders of what we are turning into (or have become) now that you just celebrated your 50TH HIGH SCHOOL Reunion, here is some "elder humor" sent to me by Jon Peterson. If the print is too small for you to read, then get out your old-timer glasses (OR use the Zoom option on the browser to enlarge the print).

How to be cruel to old guys:

AARP Eye Chart 

Now, in the interest of fairness, here is something for the more sentimental among you...

Winter of My Life 

You know. . . Time has a way of moving quickly And catching you unaware of the passing years.   It seems just yesterday that I was young, Just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, And I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all...   And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is... The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...        How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?   I remember well... Seeing older people through the years and thinking that those Older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off That I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...   But, here it is... My friends are retired and getting grey... They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me... But, I see the great change...   Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... But, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those Older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!  And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory!  'Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!   And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared For all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability To go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!      Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... Things I should have done, but indeed, There are many things I'm happy to have done.  It's all in a lifetime...   So, if you're not in your winter yet... Let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly!  Don't put things off too long!!   Life goes by quickly.  So, do what you can today, As you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!   You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... So, live for today and say all the things you want your loved ones to remember... And hope they appreciate and love you for all the things You have done for them in all the years past!! Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.   ~ And, Remember ~ "It is health that is real wealth And not pieces of gold or silver."     ~Author, Unknown

 

 

Double Inductees

Once again, let's all congratulate Carl Kowalski and John Cooke on being inducted into the AWHS Academic Hall of Fame. This is the fifth year for this prestigious honor and they join previous class of 62 inductees, Paul Kelly, Maureen Sullivan Driscoll and Henry Amoroso (posthumously). Congratulations. Our class is very well represented.

The ceremony was held at the Neighborhood Club in Quincy and went off without a hitch. The breakfast buffet was excellent, although they may have run out of bacon thanks to someone at our table who will remain anonymous. The class of 62 showed its support for our classmates with 3 tables of family and friends.

The best part was that the speeches were short and sweet. When there are as many inductees as in the photo below, they have to be short winded. Both our boys did a great job with their acceptance speeches.

Here are the two latest from our class displaying their plaques. As this was only the fifth induction, there is still time for the rest of us. For starters, you'll have to bone up on your latin. "Omnia Gallia est divisa in la plume de ma tante" or something like that.

Here are their brag sheets. Do you believe all this stuff?

If you still haven't had enough Hall of Fame info you can go click HERE to see a brief but informative video of the ceremony. (Defintely worth the 4 minutes of your time.)

And, if you still haven't had enough, click HERE to see a couple hundred photos.

Nice going guys.

Photos from Maria (Luizzi) Sullivan

Thanks to Maria Sullivan (daughter of Lorraine (Stella) and Tony Luizzi) we have a bunch of photos from Friday night's mass and party. They are on Shutterfly. You can access Shutterfly via the link below. Once you are on the Shutterfly page and see the first photo, click on Veiw Album to bring up the photos. Once you see the album, click on the Detail View button above the photo album. You should see the enlarged photo. Click on the < or > arrows on the right to move through the photo album.

To view the photos, click HERE

Here's a sample of what is out on Shutterfly....



The Morning After...

Check out these photos from Martha Muldoon of the Brunch after the Reunion. People don't look any worse for the wear. I guess we must party a little less hardy as we age gracefully.



I'll post more soon. In the meantime, if anyone else has some photos to share, send them to me.

More from Friday Night

Here are a few photos of Friday's Activities sent to me by Lorraine Stella Luizi. Thanks, Lorraine.





The Big Night!

Well, the big night finally arrived when 125 or so classmates, with or without spouses, crammed into the hallway between "3 weddings and a funeral" with just one bartender. Luckily we all had name tags or we may not have known to which function we belonged.

We all spent a fun evening trying to figure out who we were talking to ("Everbody's so different I haven't changed" - Joe Walsh) while summarizing the last 50 years of our lives.

Here are a few photos of the evening but check back later as I'm sure there will be more.

Herding Cats for the big class photo...

Here are some of the "Outsiders", a gallant band of spouses who put up with an evening of reminiscing of which they had no recollection. (Marie, Judy, Alyce and Carol)

Mr. McAulliffe, Esq.  makes a point...

Which the Kowalskis appear to be enjoying.

Aren't these two a happy couple? Where are their spouses?

John and Marie Peterson are enjoying their conversation with Rick Blasser (alas, not shown).



Does Carl have a little bit of Paulie Walnuts look going on?

Karen Maloney thinks so and looks a bit nervous.

Did anyone know that Terry and Charlie are cousins and attended art school together? A very artistic family.



Check later for more updates. The blog will stay on line as long as there is interest.

Friday Night's Festivities

Here are a bunch of pictures taken by Anne Conlon.

Joe Driscoll, Peter McCombs, Bob Antoniuc, Carl & Carol Kowalski, Elaine Mattie McCombs and Maureen Sullivan Driscoll

Standing...Jay & Ginny Mulligan, Seated...John & Roberta Record, Don & Connie Milone

Marie Gallivan Fox, Terri & John Cushing, John Cooke and Grace Sullivan Sutte

 Joan Loughran Hartnett with Jim and Sister Mary Andrea

Margie Ryan Henderson, Terry Christian Howe and husband, John

 

Connie Doherty Darcy, Patsy Sullivan Ghiorse and Mary Ann Gunville Clark

Jack McBirney, Jim & Karen McKenna

 

Judy Concheri Hallisey, Bernie Hughes, Lynn Ruell Wilkins, Kathy Bracchi Eggleston

Rick Blasser, Kathy Hamilton Welch and Tim Faherty

Joan Alessandrini Santacroce, Louise O'Brien Moore and Sue Downey

Cheryl Singler Gardner and Pam DiRico Birmingham

Cathy Ward Pickett and Carol Ryan Norton

Paul & Nancy McShane Miles