For the Out-of-Towners

For those of us arriving from out of town, we have secured a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn, 1500 Easton Road, Willow Grove - near the turnpike.  The rate for the rooms is $104/night.  Rooms are available with one king bed or two double beds.

But here's the catch.  You MUST mention UMHS Class of 63 Reunion to get this rate.  And you MUST make your reservation by September 8.  Past that date, they may not have a room and you won't get the good rate.

If you're coming alone, find someone to double-up with.  Fill the rooms!  Remember the old PJ parties of our youth?  We can do it again!

I'm not sure how many rooms they are holding, so call them quickly and get your reservation.  The phone number is 215-659-3535.

Here Is The Winter

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. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. 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 gray...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. But at least I know, that though the winter has come and I'm not sure how long it will last, this I know – that when it's over on this earth, it's done. A new adventure will begin! 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.

So whatever you would like to accomplish in your time left, please do it quickly. Don't put things off too long. Life goes by quickly. 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 that you want your loved ones to remember, and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past. Life is a gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

Author Unknown

High School Reunion

Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.

I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.

 

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed 'most apt to succeed'
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted 'least' now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.

At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fiftieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.

And now I can't wait; they've set the date,

Our sixtieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party 

I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.

It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's at least one 

Other person who can make it that night.

Author Unknown

Thanks to Jim Pearson for sending this to me!

Some Woodlawn Cuties

Back row:  Walter Smith, Sally Eynon, Denny Johnson, Janice Arnold, Bill Campbell, Donna Dreisbach, Jerry Connor

3rd Row:  Bill Delaney, Joyce Stewart, Lynne Rose, David Brown, Howard Smith, Linda Kates, Dottie Winter, Geri Dessino

2nd Row:  Henry Johnson, Mary Ann Morrison, Barbara Burrows, John Campion, Jack Kavalek, June Fritsch, Charlie Guenzel, Tommy Walton, Dickie Erwin

Front Row:  Allan Brandt (also in the individual picture), Wayne Smith, Arthur McVeigh, Gary Kerschner, Jimmy Myers

Teacher:  Mrs. Schiesser

Back row:  Clayton Wheeler, Dickie Erwin, David Brown, Howard Smith, Denny Johnson, Walter Smith, Gary Kerschner, Jerry Connor, Albert Johnson

3rd Row:  Wayne Smith, Barbara Burrows, Lynne Rose, Dottie Winter, Janice Arnold, Donna Dreisbach, Bill Campbell, Charlie Guenzel, Tommy Walton

2nd Row:  Linda Kates, Geri Dessino, Joyce Stewart, June Fritsch, Mary Ann Morrison, Sally Eynon, Janet Seely, Donna McDowell

Front Row:  Arthur McVeigh, Denny McLaughlin, Allan Brandt, John Campion, Jimmy Myers, Henry Johnson, Jack Kavalek

Teacher:  Miss Morrell

Thanks to Allan Brandt for supplying these pictures.

This Can't be Us!

Another year has passed
And we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
And winter seems much colder.

There was a time not long ago
When life was quite a blast
Now I fully understand
About 'Living in the Past'

We used to go to weddings,
Football games and lunches
Now we go to funeral homes
And after-funeral brunches

We used to have hangovers,
From parties that were fun
Now we suffer body aches
And sometimes have the runs

We used to go out dining,
And couldn't get our fill
Now we ask for doggie bags,
Come home and take a pill

We used to often travel
To places near and far
Now we get sore a$$es
From riding in the car

We used to go to nightclubs
And drink a lot of booze
Now we stay home at night
And watch the evening news

That, my friend is how life is,
And now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up.........
Before you're too darn old!!

What's Happenin'

The reunion committee held a coast-to-coast meeting last night.  Quite a few things were discussed.

First, classmates will be getting a letter sometime this summer with full information about the reunion - the date, the place, the menu, lodging for out-of-towners, the cost.  Replies will need to be received by a specific date, along with your menu choice and a check.  Those who reply past the cut-off date will need to send a different amount.  Time is of the essence.

Plans for the weekend will include a home football game on Friday night, October 4, probably with a special section for us all to sit together, and an informal get-together after the game at the Willow Inn for anyone interested.  Saturday, October 5, we'll most likely have a tour of the school to see all the changes and additions.  Saturday night will be the reunion dinner-dance at Villa Barolo in Warrington.  You can take a look at their website, www.villabarolo.com, to check out the menu (see the dinner package for $28.95 for the entree choices).

We're working out a deal with the Hampton Inn close to the restaurant to block a group of rooms.

But before we can send out letters, we must have current addresses for our classmates.  Our "alphabet girls" have been working diligently to locate everyone, but there are still some missing.  Take a look at the list of missing and see if you know anyone or have any information at all about the whereabouts of these classmates.  Any little clue will help!  Just leave a comment and we'll take it from there.  We really want to reach as many classmates as we can.

I'll post a link to this blog again on Facebook in various groups to enlist all the help we can get.  If you read this blog but your address isn't listed, either add it yourself (in the comment section) or e-mail it to me (pistilli2012@ymail.com).  If you just want to let us know that you're alive and kicking but don't want your address listed or don't want to receive reunion information, that's OK too - just let us know.

October is getting closer by the day!

Little Cuties

Pete Constantine sent these pictures.  See if you can recognize anyone in them.

This was a kindergarten class (1950) from Fulmor Heights.  The teacher was Mrs. Johnson.

1952 - second grade at Byberry Road Elementary School, which became Round Meadow.  The principal is Mr. Dougherty, the teacher Mrs. Justice.

Leave a comment if you recognize anyone in these pictures.  I see Barbara Paul, Judy Neill, Robin Wright, and Linda Colbeck in the 2nd grade picture.

Thanks Pete for this fun look back!

Check Out These Cuties!

During the weekend of the 45th reunion, these lovelies took a trip down to Center City.  Philly will never be the same!

Back Row:  Judy VonGerichten, Sue Richey, Sandi Granato, Karen West, Donna Dreisbach

Front Row:  Sally Eynon, Sandi Marchant

OK, girls - get serious!

Very nice!

Drill Team

Front Row:

Donna McDowell, Beverly Rowland, Ethel Kennedy, Nancy Telmosse

Middle Row:

Joyce Stewart, Shirley Knapp, Anne Stephens, Donna Gross (captain), Millicent DeHaven, Joan McNickle,  Lorraine Eberz

Back Row:

Donna Lapp, Diane Cimini, Sandy Granato, Judy VonGerichten, Sandi Marchant, Janice Arnold, Joyce Argue, Helen Liddle

You Can't Take It With You

Senior Class Play

Front Row:

Walt Schandein, Charlie Guenzel, Tom Hassler, John Mankelwicz, Hobart Pillsbury, Don Merkin, Jan Koziatek, Dick Carter, Dean Hasseman, Carlos Sison

Back Row:

Bob Schaeffer, Robin Wright, Barbara Young, Carole Lehman, Diane Cimini, Margie Milani, Janet Seely, Anne Stephens, Jim Chiodo

The Behind-the-Scenes Crew

Back Row:
Laurie White, Sandi Marchant, Jim McGhee, Bill Lusch, Doris Weiler

Front Row:
Carol MacKibbon, Denny McLaughlin, Janice Arnold

You Look Mah-velous!

Donna Stricklin and her husband Frank Mazza

Doing some world traveling

And doing some modeling

Fantastic!

Washington Trip 1963

We looked great!

Here's an Oldie!

This was a 6th grade dance at Round Meadow.  Can you recognize anyone?  I see a few that I remember.
(Click on the picture to enlarge it enough for your old eyes to see!)

Thanks to Robin Wright for supplying the picture!

You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby...

Cause baby, look at you now!

Judy VonGerichten, Diane Cimini, Carole Lehman

Doris Weiler, Donna Dreisbach

This was at the girls' 47.5 reunion in North Carolina

Judy VonGerichten, Sally Eynon, Donna Dreisbach

Carole Lehman, Tony Pileggi

Shirley Bolmarcich and Gary O'Hara - Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara

These were from the 45th Reunion

Lynne Rose (with my favorite singer John McDermott)

OK, who else is brave enough to post some pictures??

Hello Gorgeous!

A lot of us are on Facebook or have kept in touch through the years.  So we know what some of us look like now.  But others haven't been so fortunate to see each other recently.

So...how about we post some up-to-date pictures here?

If you would like your picture posted, e-mail it to me at    pistilli2012@ymail.com    and I can post it for all to see.  Or send me a message on Facebook and I can grab your picture from there.

We were a great looking class back in '63 - and I'm sure we all look just as great now!


Lynne (Rose) Pistilli

Coming From Far and Near...

For those of us who have moved away from Willow Grove, we working on some hotel deals for the reunion weekend.

Sandi (Granato) Belli is scouting out some sites for us and doing some wheeling and dealing to get good rates.

So far, she's checked 2. There's a Days Inn at 245 Easton Road, Warrington, which would be near the restaurant for October 5.  We can have rooms blocked for us.  But you'd need to call by September 5 (mention UMHS reunion) to guarantee a room.  $89.99 + tax for each night with a free Continental breakfast in the morning.  Phone 215-674-2500.

Also Hampton Inn, 1570 Easton Road, Warrington.  Prices are higher, $169 or $189 for a suite  They said we should call for reservations ASAP.  Phone 215-343-8400.

There are a few others Sandi will check, maybe some closer to Willow Grove.  We'll update this post when we have more information.

So start thinking about getting a group together to share a room - remember all the old slumber parties, girls?  We can party all night!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I know that we're all gorgeous now, but wouldn't it be fun to see how we looked way back then?

If you have any pictures that we could post on picture boards, send them on.  Prom pictures, the Washington trip, parties, dances, weddings, football and basketball games, the Thanksgiving Parade, the 250th Anniversary of Willow Grove - anything at all.  I'm sure some of you have shoe boxes full of old pictures.

You can scan them and e-mail them to Donna (dllindsey@sbcglobal.net) or mail them to her at:

Donna (Dreisbach) Lindsey
6153 E Calle Pantano
Anaheim, CA 92807

Please send good clear copies, not the originals, and don't forget to identify the people in the picture.  We might recognize the faces but not be able to remember the names!

We'll post as many as we can on boards at the reunion so we can all "ooh and aah" over how young we looked!

Information Update Update

We're doing great on the updates!  So far, we have 63 classmates located and posted.  Keep up the good work!

Don't forget to check the list of the missing and if you know ANYTHING or have any idea at all where to start looking for these classmates, leave a comment on the Joe DiMaggio post.

And don't forget to post your current information, if you haven't done so already, on the Update post above (not on this one).

The Missing

Our missing classmates list is getting longer instead of shorter!

Check the Joe DiMaggio post above and see if you have any information on these people.  Leave a comment here or on that post if you know - or think you know - anything about their current whereabouts.

You Oughta Be In Pictures

We're on the lookout for elementary school pictures.  Donna Dreisbach Lindsey is looking for pictures from Woodlawn, in particular class pictures from Mrs. Welsh's 3rd grade and Miss Morell's 6th grade.  Does anyone have one stored away somewhere?

How about the other elementary schools?  Any class pictures available?

Wouldn't it be great to see how we've all changed?  For the better, I'm sure!

If you have any pictures, comment below and we'll get hold of you to let you know where to send the pictures.