Happy New Year

before there was Dick Clark there was Guy Lombardo. Party like its 1968!Remember that it is also a holy day of obligation.
"In Circumcisione Domini et Octav Nativitatis"

Genesis 17:10-12: This is my covenant which you shall observe between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male-kind of you shall be circumcised. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every manchild in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant, shall be circumcised.

A jewish boy and christian boy were talking to one another

"I’m getting operated on tomorrow, "said the christian boy.

"Oh? What are they going to do?" asked the jewish boy.

"Circumcise me!" replied the christian boy.

"I had that done when I was just a few days old," said the jewish boy.

"Did it hurt?" asked the christian boy.

"I couldn’t walk for a year!"

Paul Cullather

With sadness I report the passing of Paul Cullather on December 27th, 2008. Paul was an asset to his home town of Schuylkill Haven doing much to promote youth sports.

Paul V. "Cully" Cullather Jr., 58, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday at Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street.Born in Pottsville, March 13, 1950, he was a son of Claudia Burke Cullather, Pinebrook Personal Care, Orwigsburg, and the late Paul V. Cullather Sr.He was the husband of Rita Leddy Cullather, to whom he was married 30 years.He was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, where he coached CYO basketball and was an officer in the league.He was the owner and operator of Cully's Sub Shop, Schuylkill Haven.Cully was a member of Rainbow Hose Company and Schuylkill Haven Recreation Commission, and he was a Schuylkill Haven Little League coach and Anthracite Action basketball coach.Surviving, in addition to his wife and mother, are a son, Shaun Cullather, York; two daughters, Janelle Cullather, Schuylkill Haven, and Lindsey Cullather, Schuylkill Haven; two brothers, Brian Cullather, Schuylkill Haven, and David Cullather, Schuylkill Haven; a sister, Sharon Schafer, Schuylkill Haven.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, with the Rev. Michael Stone officiating. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Ambrose Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven. The family request donations be made to St. Ambrose Church CYO, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, or Schuylkill Haven Recreation Commission, 12 W. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

Réquiem æternam dona ei, Dómine.
Et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
Requiéscat in pace.
Amen.

merry christmas

christmas greetings.

christmas youtube: 1950s-1960s

aluminum tree

elvis

white christmas

baby please come home

Glasswax stencils

Kent cigarettes make great Christmas presents

even more random photographs

Above is an picture of the group getting organized for the photograph. If you want to watch a great Youtube concert of an old classic from the sixties, then click the Link: Stand By Me
It is very uplifting and highly recommended if you are in need of an uplift, watch the whole video, even if your employer is watching you waste time on the computer.

I received these photographs from Joan Rees which I will share with you. All the lower photographs were taken indoors except the photo of Sholly (center bottom) which editted and cropped from the group photograph; she is exhibiting some serenity and coolness while everyone was trying to get settled for that large photograph--- who said class reunions need to be stressful? again if you click your mouse on the photograph it will enlarge.

thanks Joan for sharing these with us.

December 8th

December 8th - the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

It is a holy day of obligation honoring Mary.

It is also the date that we lost John Lennon.

Here is the B side of Happy Christmas (War is Over): Listen, the snow is falling. I think that is the song being sung in the picture above.

Here is the first national announcement of the assassination of John Lennon: Howard Cosell.

on the porch

this picture was taken on the porch of the Sweet Arrow Lake Club House. Not a great picture as almost everybody ended up in shadows.

hallway portrait

rummaging through some old, unused photographs (that is, scraping the bottom of the barrel)....here is one depicting Sister St. Isabelle smiling at a portrait of Bertie the Bunyip in the school hallway next to the fire extinguisher. Of course it is another fraudulent photograph... fire extinguishers were on the opposite walls.

40th reunion random photo #4

Here is a photo sent in by Bill Garrity. You get an excellent view of the lake with a trio of classmates posing for the camera.
Speaking of trios, the maitre de blog has selected the following as the most popular trios of the baby boomer era:

Jimi Hendrix Experience
My Three Sons
The Shangri-Las
Cream
ZZ Top
The Three Stooges
Bee Gees
The Supremes
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Kingston Trio
Peter Paul and Mary
Kukla, Fran & Ollie
Huey, Dewey & Louie
The Toys

40th reunion random photo #3

Here is a collage of random "happy faces" photographs taken at the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse. Notice how all the photographs were neatly editted. Photography sure has come a long way since the old photo booth at the Trailways Bus Station down at the corner of East Norwegian Street and Highway 61.

cakes

Here are two cakes that were on the desert bar. Ann Marie was especially proud of these cakes, and rightfully so. When deciding on the proper desert the imortal words heard in the Language Lab came to mind...."Qu'ils mangent de la brioche." "Let them eat cake."

40th reunion random photo #2

Here is a collage of the reunion. The photo of the waterfalls was not taken at the reunion (the leaves are all green) but it fits in well.

photo courtesy of George Connell.

P.S. The blog has had over 10,000 hits as of 11-14-08.

40th reunion random photo #1

Here is a photograph of a Minersville contigent taken at the 40th reunion at Sweet Arrow Lake on October 18th.
The number one record on October 18th, 1968 was "Hey Jude" and it was performed on "The Smothers Brothers Show" during that month. It became a big, big hit.
Here is a Youtube video of the Minersville Bicentennial Parade from 1976. I think the video man had a one track mind, and it was not on the bicentennial....Minersville 1976 the video is eight minutes long, so make sure your boss is not nearby when you watch it.

The photo of the group courtesy of George Connell.

Another group photo

Here is a photo taken by George Connell, who cleverly was able to be in the picture at the same time. This proves that it is actually possible to be at two places at the same time. This version of the group photo omits Pat Braukas while adding Mickey Brennan and Suzie Somers. A mystery that perplexes even the best forensic photography experts to this day.

Peggy Powers was at the reunion but not in either photo; so don't bother looking for her, you won't find her.

If you have a lot of time on your hands you can compare the two group photographs to see the subtle differences. But really, if you have that much time on your hands, go out and rake some leaves, look for some missing socks, rotate your tires, take your dog for a walk...for God's sakes....do something productive with your life....

George will be sending me some other photographs that will be shared with you on the blogsite.

If you want me to email the photograph to you, then send in a request. But if you click your mouse on the picture, close your eyes and say the magic words, "the reunion was groovy," the photograph will enlarge for you. Believe me.

Here is the list of names for the above photograph:

First row (seated on ground), left to right:
Ginny Holley Cunningham, Marie Zambiasi Fries


Second row (kneeling / sitting), left to right:
Jerry Yeasted, George Connell, Ken Koscil, Larry Lonergan,
Carol Felker-Kaufman Scarborough, Rosemary Zitka Armour, Marsha Pradon Baumener, Ann Louise Schlitzer Scheuer, Diane Kubilus Noga, Mary Shollenberger Roth, Joan Rees Katz,
Mary Jane Appleby, Lynn Zula Caudill, Marlain Carroll


Third Row, left to right:
Peggy Moser Hutton, Cliff Hutton, Ed Sadusky,
Cheryl Belas Koscil, Carol Talpash Weirich, Sue Hutsko Klegka,
Marie Messaros Zebertavage, Kathy Gauntlett Palokas, Tom Takach,
Maureen Hughes, Ann Marie Lescavage Wachter,
Imelda Pfeiffenberger Juba, Jo Ketner Gallagher, Peggy Holahan,
Patty Murphy Loeper, Jackie Maley Troy, Kathy Brixius,
Sue Hummel Sheetz, Suzanne Somers


Back Row, left to right:
Mickey Brennan, Joe Murton, Dave Cunningham, Marie Seminavage Wetzel, Bill Schlitzer, Jerry Zebertavage, Don Reidel, James Morgalis, John Salmon, Vickie Centeleghe, Jay Zane, Al Frantz, Marty Eagan, Bill Garrity, Joe Ferris, Paul Steffanic, Jerry Wargo, Mim Leinheiser Tirjan, Dennis Maley

Robert Namiot

I was sent this obituary this morning. It is from the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star newspaper and brought to my attention by Tim Mihalski. It is with hearfelt sadness and sorrow to post it. Our love and prayers go out to the family.

Robert J. Namiot

Born in Minersville, PA on Nov. 23, 1950

Departed on Nov. 3, 2008 and resided in Fredericksburg, VA.

Robert James Namiot, 57, of Fredericksburg, won his battle with cancer and went home to his Heavenly Father Monday, November 3, 2008. Bob spent his final days at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends. In fighting his illness Mr. Namiot's courage was an inspiration to many.
He was a retired LTC in the Virginia Air National Guard and had retired as a gunsmith and instructor at the FBI Academy at Quantico. Mr. Namiot was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, as well as the Knights of Columbus and the Rappahannock Model Railroad Club. He was also a motorcycle, car, sailing, and health and fitness enthusiast. He loved God, his family, his country, and chocolate ice cream.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Namiot; a son, Benjamin Namiot and his wife, Kari; a daughter, Amy Chidester and her husband, Mark and their daughter, Violet Chidester who is due to arrive in December; a brother, Leon Namiotcavage; several nieces and nephews; two grandnephews; and one grandniece. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Josephine W. Namitcavage; and a brother, James.
A Mass of celebration will be held at 10:30 Friday, November 7 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 1009 Stafford Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710.

Online guest book at: http://www.covenantfuneralservice.com/

All Souls Day

On All Souls Day

Remembering those classmates who have died over the past five years:

Paul Hollywood

Daniel Fisher

Gloria Pauser

Michael Coleman

Frank Betz

Frank Ney

Barbara Valinsky

"Réquiem æternam dona eis, Dómine. Et lux perpétua lúceat eis. Requiéscat in pace."

Amen.

40th reunion - group photo

This photograph of the group picnic is compliments of Marie Zambiasi.

Maybe someone can send me a list of the names in order and the list of names will be posted.
Other photographs of reunion are welcome at the blog. Send them in....
The group gathered together in the sunshine and sat for this picture on a picnic table that is not visible in this photo.

I think if you click your mouse on the photograph, you may get a somewhat larger picture...

Thank You

We give a special thanks to those classmates and friends who sent in a contribution for the reunion but were unable to attend:

George Donahue, John Mager, Ceil Elinausky, Mernie Mulroy, Rita Wachter

thanks to Pine Creek Nursery for decorations, Hidden Valley Golf Course for the ice.... thanks to Mim for bringing Elvis....thanks to Bob Evanchalk and Sweet Arrow Lake County Park for the hospitality...thanks to Marsha Pradon who brought her memorabilia along to share with us...thanks to "honorary classmates," Tom Noga and Dan Wachter for helping set up.... thanks to George Connell for taking some pictures that he will share with us...thanks also to those who made any financial contribution or helped out in anyway....thanks to those who travelled a great distance to attend...thanks to those who showed up and made it a great time...thank you.....

Consider becoming a financial supporter of Sweet Arrow Lake

To preserve Sweet Arrow Lake to ensure that future generations may enjoy the benefits and memories that the lake has provided to us and past generations.
To join, send five dollars for one year’s dues to:
SWEET ARROW LAKE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
C/O CAROL J. KEESEY
154 WEST LAKE DRIVE
PINE GROVE, PA 17963

some photos of reunion

Here is a collage of photographs taken on October 18th, 2008.

Remember the reunion held at Sweet Arrow Lake Park?

60s memorabilia is thrown in to liven up the picture.

it's over

The reunion was great....weather was fall-like, not as warm as the past week but dry and seasonal...no one skinny-dipped in the lake.....the number of people who signed up totalled 88....Elvis entertained for 90 minutes after the feast....George Connell took the official picture....Awards were presented to the following:
1. Travelling the farthest (or is it furthest?)....Rose Zitka....San Diego, CA.
2. Travelling the least.....Mim Leinheiser
3. The coveted SPAM award for first to correspond by email...Geraldine Glunz
4. First Time Attendee Awards.. Rose Zitka, Pat Braukus, Al Frantz, Sue Hummel, Cathy Gauntlett
5. First to show up (the punctuality award)...Jerry Zebertavage & Marie Messaros
6. Most participation via internet....Bill Garrity
7. Tattoo's...Lynn Zula, Peggy Moser
8. The shot glass award...Lynn Zula
9. left over calendar award....Paul Steffanic

Somehow in all the hoopla the award for first person to send in a reservation was overlooked...George Connell will have to wait five years to receive his prize.

A splendid time was had by all

A great time to reminisce and great re-acquainted with old friends or acquainted for the first time with new friends. If you attended and have any suggestions or comments please leave them by clicking on the comments link.

Here are a few comments received so far:

" IT WAS GREAT!!!!! I agree the reunion was the best ever, no one tried to impress anyone- Everyone could just be themselves, it was so much fun, it was great-to see everyone and be able to just talk. I liked having no DJ. The Elvis guy was good, he sang just enough songs to relive the old days and reminisce. I was so glad I went."

"I agree it was certainly one of the best. What was the attendance?" 88 registered with three that did not show up: Dave Toth, John Mager and Patti Minnig

THANKS PINE CREEK NURSERY, 1425 Long Run Road Friedensburg, FOR THE DECORATIONS.

map of the area

Going up the country

Here is a map of Sweet Arrow Lake Park. For anyone leaving afterwards and heading to 81 South, a word of caution. Pine Grove is holding a large parade and the streets will be closed. Traffic will be diverted hopefully but it was recommended that you turn right on Waterfall Road and then left on Sweet Arrow Lake Road and avoid the congestion. You should head to Paradise and the Ravine entrance to 81.
Remember that the doors open at 1PM, group photo at about 2:45, food at 3PM, entertain 4-6.
Early arrivers should get some exercise by checking out the park...commune with nature....However skinnydipping in mid-October is not recommended for a variety of reasons.

the last photograph

May everyone have a pleasant journey to the reunion tomorrow.....

weather forecast for Sweet Arrow is:
Saturday: mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s (so bring a jacket!). North winds 5 to 10 mph.

THE REUNION IS INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE, WHICH HAS A GAS FIREPLACE....but bring a sweater or jacket for the outside........

go phillies

the 30th: candid photographs

The Pottsville Club was the scene for the 30th reunion .

candid photographs courtesy of George Connell.

random photograph #18

This obviously fake photo tries to give you the impression that Senor Wences was a part of the Language Dept.

hamburgers

I am running out of photographs...I am now down to a final few...I call these my hamburgers photographs.....this obviously phony picture to the left depicts Sister Marie de Lourdes checking out J. Wellington Wimpy in the school cafeteria. Everyone just called him Wimpy and while he is appropriately dressed in a white shirt, tie and jacket, hats were not permitted to be worn.

The photograph on bottom left depicts an orderly hamburger dinner for Junior 6 home economics class.

Some things haven't changed in forty years, such as the love of a good hamburger. Yes, even the whole family.

There was a fast food joint down on the Boulevard where some classmates found employment. It was the Stop N Go.

regrets from the west coast

The Blogosphere received this personal note from a classmate on the West Coast who is unable to attend.

It was so good to get the invitation to our 40th class reunion. Regretfully my wife and I will not be able to attend......Please say hello to Teresa DeMarkis, Dave Cunningham, Jim Morgalis, Joe Murton, Kathy Keating, John Dougherty, Jerry Yeasted, Mike Fanelli and so many others...my cup runneth over. I am sure there are so many other classmates whose names escape me, but hi to everyone and I wish the best for all.

Best Regards,

John

Bellingham,Washington

From York

Hi,

I can't print out the invitation but I shall be there!

Peggy


This note came from York, Pennsylvania the where the the Continental Congress met in in 1778 and approved the Articles of Confederation, the first document to refer to the "United States of America." Enough history trivia already...York is noted for the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and the weightlifter that greets everyone passing on 83. We are certainly glad that Peggy will with us.

Time is running out. Get your reservations in right now or email your intentions. We just had a donation of an Elvis Impersonator who will entertain from 4-6...

Hi from Montgomery County

Hi...I will definitely be there...thanks for tracking me down.

Maureen

Pottstown, PA...often mistaken for Pottsville, Pa...the birthplace of Daryl Hall....situated in Montgomery County....home county of Patti Labelle and Bill Cosby.

The Discipline Office pop quiz

Is the caption of this photograph:

A. "Operator, give me Beechwood 4-5789."

B. "Operator, what do you mean, 9-1-1 hasn't been invented yet?"

C. "You have the wrong number...This is not the Butterball Turkey Hotline. It is the Nativity Discipline Office."

D. "The so-called note your son dropped off is not being accepted. Being 'sick of school' is not a valid excuse for being absent."

E. "Is this Angelucci's Pizza Shop? I would like two pepperonis, with extra cheese, delivered to the Discipline Office."

E. "This is the Discipline Office....It is for Nativity students only. Sir, you have to be a student here to be disciplined. I suggest you try the yellow pages."

F. "Matt, I want to put one hundred dollars down on Tampa Bay."

G. "No, this is not Ms. Cleo; this is the Nativity Discipline Office. But I can predict your future...detention for one full week."

H. "Is this American Idol? I cast one vote for...Fantasia."

I. "Barnes and Noble? Do you carry 'Punishment for Dummies?' "

H. None of the above.

35th reunion

For your information, the number of reservations for the 40th has now surpassed the number for the 35th and the 30th. Way to go. The 35th reunion was the "controversial" reunion held at the county club. As Groucho once said, "I refuse to join any club which would have me as a member." Some refused to attend fearing that they would be forced to change into loud checkered golfing clothes.

Anyway, a good time was had by all.

2003 was the year that Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected Governator of California. Incidentally Gary Coleman came in 8th place. Phil Spector was arrested for murder and the Righteous Brothers, Spector's artists, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

photo courtesy of George Connell.

Incidentally, if you would have invested twenty dollars into a ticket to the reunion one month ago, you would be ahead of the Stock Market right now. It is still not to late to get in on the action. See the left column of the blog for Invitation information.

miscellaneous photographs

The upper photo is that of Sister Dionysia during a Mission Club meeting.


The lower photograph shows Sister Jane de Chantal reviewing a book in a classroom.

library

Here are some '60s girls in the school library wearing the latest in school fashion.

If you are planning to attend the reunion, then send in your reservations now. I think the Book of Love had been checked out years ago and never returned. The library had many other books, but I don't ever remember ever checking one out.

Here is a TIME magazine's list of the top ten most banned books in the 20th century (of which the 1960s was a part of):

10. Candide by Voltaire

9. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

8. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

7. 1984, by George Orwell

6. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

5. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov

4. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

3. The Anarchist Cookbook, by William Powell

2. The Satanic Nurses...I mean...The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie

1. Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling

Cincinatti

Plan on attending the reunion and looking forward to seeing former classmates. This will be the second one I will attend, the first being number 5...
Regards,

Jim

Jim,
Glad to hear that you are heading in from Cincinnatti, Ohio for the 40th. I checked and discovered that Cincinnatti is the birthplace of the great 60s and 70s band, The Isley Brothers, as well as the birthplace of Roy Rogers and Pete Rose.
Happy Trails to you,
maitre de blog

Hudson River Valley

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Peggy

Good to hear from you. By the way, the Hudson River Valley is the birthplace of greats, such as Martin Van Buren, Pee Wee Herman, and Mel Gibson and made famous by Washington Irving.

Reporting in from North Carolina

Looking forward to the reunion.... Marlain said that there was a group going to Maroons in Pottsville on Friday night.... Can't wait to see everyone....
Lynn

Finally we heard from Lynn. She now resides in North Carolina - the birth place of Ben E. King, Soupy Sales, Andy Griffith, Aunt Bee. and the Panthers. By the way, the state dance of North Carolina is "the shag." Maybe Lynn will oblige with a lesson for all.

Update 10.6.08: Lynne wants you all to know that Wilkes County, NC is the Moon Shine capital of the world. It says so on the Sign that welcomes you to the county. Also, N Wilkesboro speedway is where Nascar got its start.