Life doesn't imitate art, it imitates bad television.
Woody Allen
|
So, whatcha been doin'
(for the last thirty years...?)
|
 |
| Cheryl Gross, Debbie Sutton, Kristie Hearle |
|
|
 |
| Janet Kunkel and Laura Murphy |
|
|
 |
| Debbie Vargulick and J. Susa |
|
|
 |
| Karen Boyle |
|
|
 |
| Barney Molloy |
|
|
 |
| Salutation |
|
|
 |
| Eddie Sambrana and Robert Robles |
|
|
 |
| Cheryl Gross, Kristie Hearle, Hubbies, Baby |
|
|
 |
| Nina Abrevaya |
|
|
 |
| Jimmy "Keegs" Keegan |
|
|
 |
| Lisa Cozolino |
|
|
OK, I’ll go first here. Please don’t leave me hanging, folks…
Where have I been for the last thirty years? Well, it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye, and yet it was an entire lifetime.
Here’s the short version: in 1986 I met the girl of my dreams (literally) while working in the publishing industry in NYC. She was a receptionist; I was a copy boy going up to the 7th floor with a bunch of manuscripts. The elevator doors opened too suddenly, she was standing there, and I was picking my nose. I was up to my knuckle; I turned bright red. She smiled, and politely pretended not to notice. It was love at second sight. Kelly and I have been happily married since 1988, and our life together still has something of a magical, dreamlike quality about it, every single day (fairytales can come true, you know…)
We have one daughter, Maddy. My sun does in fact rise and set with her. She’s about to enter college, and to say she’s been my pride and joy during the last seventeen years is a vast understatement.
Professionally I remain extremely undistinguished in almost every way. I've dabbled in everything from book publishing, to credit card marketing, to the international sugar industry, to commercial real estate. It is abundantly clear to me now that fame and fortune are not to be mine in this lifetime. Not even close.
I missed the 10th reunion (I think I still lived with my mommy at that point in time!) I made the 20th reunion and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I know the 30th Reunion will not disappoint. I very much look forward to seeing all of you there.
Soos
|
 |
| Me and Maddy |
|
|
 |
| Kelly and I |
|
|
OK - I'll be brave here... (see how things change?)
It definitely doesn't feel like it's been 30 years - I still feel like I'm in my early 20's - ok, that's pushing it but, it could be because my daughter is 21 now and I just look at her in total awe. Although her dad and I split, she's the best thing that ever happened to me.
I pretty much stayed local most of the time - I tried Houston for a while since my parents moved down there back in '82. The natives didn't care much for "Yankees" so I came back home.
I've been with Pepsi since 1985. I never thought I'd stay 5 years let alone 23. Most of that time I was taking care of benefits, compensation, and stock options. Now I work for 3 ex-secret service guys who were hired after 9/11. One of which was Clinton's bodyguard and actually looks like him. You can imagine the stories I hear!! I have 6 more years (and counting!!!) until I can retire and move on to something else.
Can't wait to see everybody in November!!!
Lisa Donnelley
September 19, 2008
|
 |
| Lisa D. and baby Lindsay ("Lins") |
|
|
 |
| Lindsay and Uncle Roy |
|
|
Here is my little abreviated life story !!
For 28 of the last 30 years I have been married to my soul mate Randy ! Living here in Florida for 33 years now, how the times does fly !!
We have 2 daughters, Amy who is 25, a pastry chef living in High point NC. Erin who is 24, married to Chris, both chefs living in the Asheville NC area.
We enjoy visiting with them, but love our "empty nest" :)
After 8 years in the banking indusrty, then owning and running my own business for 8 years I am currently what I like to call "semi-retired". Randy is a partner in a construction company and hopes to retire in another 5-7 years. We are currently building our retirement home in North Florida in the Gainesville area.
All in all, life is good! Enjoying reconnecting with old friends and really looking forward to seeing everyone in November !
Cheryl Gross
October 1, 2008
|
 |
| Chris, Randy (back row); Erin, Cheryl & Amy August 2007 |
|
|
 |
| Cheryl & Randy December 2007 |
|
|
 |
| Randy, Amy, Cheryl, Erin: Erin's Wedding Day |
|
|
Well, I have been married to my best friend (Fern) for the last 23 years. We have two kids, Bethany 17, and Justin is 12.
Fern is a teacher in Yorktown and we own an RV Service Center in Gardiner NY.
We have lived in Hyde Park, NY for the last 21 years.
We are avid RVers and travel as often as possible. We are roller coaster addicts and NASCAR nuts as well.
Still can't believe that 30 years has gone by!
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!
Rich Michel
October 28, 2008
Len-Rich RV
PO Box 242
Gardiner N.Y. 12525
www.len-richrv.net
|
 |
| Bethany, Fern and Justin: Camping Trip, Tennessee |
|
|
 |
| Justin: Martinsville |
|
|
 |
| Bethany: NASCAR Race Park, Tennessee |
|
|
How to sum up the last 30 years?
It’s hard to believe this much time has gone by.
I’ve been married for the last 21 to my husband Ed and have two sons, Ari 18 and Daniel 12. We’ve lived in Princeton, New Jersey for 19 years and love the area and our involvement in the community.
I’ve been working as an occupational therapist with children since I graduated from college in 1982. I have spent many years developing programs and teaching in a variety of organizations in our community.
My husband and I bought a local business a few years ago and I have found myself in the role of hiring and managing our employees.
Life has had its share of ups and downs as I am sure it has for all of us.
Having the chance to work on this reunion has been one of the ups. It’s been really wonderful finding old friends and classmates and corresponding with many of you. I look forward to seeing you at the reunion and to staying in touch through this exceptional website. Thank you to Richie and John and to everyone who has contributed; and to the technology for making it possible for us to click onto these amazing photos and memories.
Lori (Starkman) Simon
October 29, 2008
|
 |
| Daniel and Lori |
|
|
 |
| Ed, Ari, and Lori |
|
|
 |
| Ed and Lori |
|
|
As I sit here reflecting what has happened over the past 30 years in my life I can't help but remember all the people from Elementary school through High School who influenced how I look at life and who helped prepare me for the great things this world has to offer.
After High School I went to Albany State and graduated with a degree in Computer Science. Having loved spring breaking in Ft. Lauderdale, upon graduation I packed my bags and moved to the Sunshine state (where I still am today)! I found a job at American Express, which offered great growth opportunities. I took full advantage and ended up with my Masters Degree and as Sr. VP of Technologies supporting Computer Ops Worldwide.
At 27 I married my first husband and had three wonderful children with him. I am now married to my second husband (Pat) who rocks my world! In 2004 I got burnt out with corporate America (too much travel & headaches!) so my husband & I started a Marine Construction business and we have been going strong ever since. (anyone need a dock??) I wish I had become an entrepreneur right out of college but you live and you learn!! Our passions are our children, family, friends and travel.
I have a stepson Dustin (22) who works for our company, a daughter Kaitlyn (20) attending Western Carolina University, a son Robert (19) attending Palm Beach College and my youngest Eric (17) in his Sr. year of high school.
I am really looking forward to partying with all of you and rocking to all the tunes from our high school years. Bring it on!
Donna (Duchene) Isham
November 4, 2008
|
 |
| Donna & brother Howard |
|
|
 |
| Cruise 2008: Donna, son Eric, daughter Kaitlyn, son Robert |
|
|
 |
| Donna & husband Pat September 2008 |
|
|
My husband Bill and I moved to Redmond, Washington in 1995. Our son Shane is 14 years old, and our daughter Andrea is 10. I am truly blessed with a wonderful family.
We love living in the Northwest. Before we left New York, I worked as an illustrator for a package/advertising design studio in White Plains for about ten years. I stopped working to raise our two children, and now I am painting again - mostly watercolors and acrylics. I just launched my website: www.susanderrick.com.
I am sorry to miss our reunion. I've enjoyed looking at all the now and then photos - a great trip down memory lane.
My warmest wishes to all. Thank you! Have a great time at the reunion.
Susan (Olson) Derrick
November 17, 2008
|
 |
| Susan and husband Bill: Disneyworld 2005 |
|
|
 |
| Sue, Shane and Andrea |
|
|
After working in Manhattan for two years I decided to move West and settled into Southern California. I joined a company called the Capital Group, which is the parent company for a mutual fund family called The American Funds. I've been with them for 23 years.
The best part of my decision to move west was that I met the woman of my dreams, Anita. It was love at first site, at least for me, she needed a bit of persuasion. We have been married for twenty years and have two terrific children, Madelyn is 14 and is into fashion design and movie making. Olivia is 12 and is a super soccer player and protector of all living creatures, especially turtles.
My career took us to Geneva, Switzerland for two years where the travel bug bit us. We thoroughly enjoy our family time traveling, skiing, and watching movies. With the exception of our time in Europe we have lived in Virginia Beach since 1992 . Keep us in mind if you ever head this way.
Andy Ward
November 18, 2008
|
 |
| Andy, Olivia, Anita and Madelyn: Great Pyramids, Egypt |
|
|
 |
| Andy, Madelyn, and Olivia: Arches National Park, UT |
|
|
 |
| Andy and Anita: Papa Bears, Peekskill...just kidding |
|
|
Wow.. my daughter and I were sitting around this afternoon and we started talking about my days back in high school when she decided to see if there was a Walter Panas Class of 1978 website. We were pleased to find this site...and on the day of the 30th reunion!
Hope all is well with you. I have been quite busy over the past 30 years to say the least. I married Greg Edwards (Class of 1976) in 1982. We moved from Peekskill to Wappingers Falls in 1985. In 1986 our daughter Kari Anne was born. In 1990 we moved to Easley, SC and in 2004 we moved to Lake Lure, NC and have spent the last 2 years in Rutherfordton, NC. We come back to visit NY from time to time, but over the years many of our family members have moved out of the area.
It was fun going through the class website and brought back a lot of memories. I hope all have enjoyed the reunion and I look forward to visiting the website from time to time to keep up with classmates and events over the next 30 years!
Happy Holidays!
Annette (Presutti) Edwards
November 29, 2008
|
 |
| Annette and daughter Kari |
|
|
Wow, not sure where to start.
After WP '78 I did pretty much the same thing I did during WP. Nothing :). As life has regrets (we all have them) I wish I had dedicated more of my time to schooling than to just hanging out waiting for life to catch up to me. Soon, I got that kick in the pants (that everyone needs once in a while) and I moved to AZ. I did apply to ASU and was accepted for night school classes but alas school was just not my thing (nor the funds to accommodate it). About a year or so later Mom and Dad rescued me and flew me home (more to that story but your kids may read this).
After a few odd jobs I accepted a position with New York Telephone and then went on the AT&T where I spend 20 happy years. As downsizing became the name of the game and feeling that bullet whiz by my ear a few times I accepted an early retirement package. Retirement at 40 (not likely). I then went on to Citigroup as an AVP, downsized again, or do they call it right-sizing these days? I then decided to free- lance and do contract work, first at Verizon and then a financial firm, BlackRock. I am currently seeking a full time position as I am too old (don't smack me folks) for the insecurity of freelance. Ok, so that is the career saga.
I have a very small group of friends from high school, those I started in grade and middle school with. Yes, I was the quiet one but remember you all fondly and look through year books all the time. I currently own a home in Weehawken, NJ and my office base is in NYC. I may be relocating soon dependent on job acceptance. Have a wonferful family, support group and good friends. We just had 50th b-day up in Oneonta for our good friend Red Mitchell. So many people showed up. Kelli Guerin, Michael Vignola, Colleen Kelly, Wendy Williams, Sharon Grimont, the "O'neill" brothers, Diane Fortier and her children, Cathy Bowdrin and countless others. A good time had by all. For those that don't know, Red has been fighting MS for many years but is always the trooper. She is class '79 and graduated with my sister Debbie. Red's focus has always been on children. Although Oneonta is a big college town it is generally a small community town. If there is a kid in need that needs a place to stay and Red has a couch, it's theirs for as long as they need it. Keep her in your prayers.
God Bless. I think of you often and wish you all happiness. As the years go by, even those that were not close when we were younger, as we get older we seem to create a bond that will last forever.
Robert Lent
August 10, 2011
|
Next?
Class...? Class...? Class...?
Bueller....? Bueller....? Bueller....?
Anyone....? Anyone....? Anyone...?
|
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.
Mark Twain
|
|
|
