Regrets and Fond Memories from Richard Cook: Wide-Eyed and eighteen I had my entire life mapped out after I graduated from High School. Somehow, somewhere I lost that map. The scary thing was that every so often I would find myself back on track, thinking that I knew exactly what I was doing. But sooner or later I would discover that I was back in the thickest underbrush without the aid of a compass. Yet, I have still managed to arrive at this moment in time with my sanity somewhat in tact. (However, many of you, especially Kathy Smulski, will probably doubt that.) It was a pleasant surprise when I received Dez’s call about the upcoming reunion. After I lost the initial contact from the moment I graduated with everyone in the class I figured that I would forever be listed as an MIA during each of the reunions’ roll calls. From somewhere in an old box I found my yearbook. As I thumbed through the pages old faces and forgotten memories returned. There was Ross Spooner, Debbie Stratton, Nancy Matascik, and Kevin McCall who lived on the same street as I did. In those pages I rediscovered quiet Claire Calcinari who was in my homeroom both at Nathan Hale as well as at Pulaski. Then there was Phil Bruzas and fond memories of football push-push drills in the mud. Finally, I came upon the picture of Lou Zabohonski who was a great friend during our Senior year. It is with regret that I will not be able to join you at this joyous occasion. Although my numerous commitments preclude me from attending, I shall think fondly of each of you on that special day. What has happened to me in forty years? First of all I’m still numb to the fact that that many years have actually past. In simple form my story is as follows: To the possible horror of my old laboratory partners, Jean Bonafonte and Lisa Dowling, I actually make a living as a certified laboratory chemist in a research facility. Even without looking in my yearbook I have always remembered Jean’s reminder of our days at Pulaski. There next to her picture she wrote, “Remember last year in Chemistry? How could I forget the time that you almost blew Lisa and I up!” She, and others, may be surprised to learn that I have never succeeded in that particular endeavor, although several of my colleagues have gold stars in that category. My best regards to each and every one of you. A special thank you to “Mr. Mac” for all of your support during those chaotic high school daze (sic). Rich Cook

CAPTIONS

At Pat's request I have captioned all of the reunion pics. Between the two of us we knew who most of you were, or we thought we did. If we made errors, please forgive us, but do correct us. You may send corrections to either Pat or me. Next topic will be sports. Phil Bruzas sent me an envelope of sports clippings and the recent sports hall of fame dinner was held in New Britain. Thanks to Phil, we have some one of kind photos. I promise I'll get to it soon. Rosi

25th REUNION REDUX

Sandy Mazur, Judy Maglio, Marilyn Bindas

Robby Shettle, Kathy Tombari

Bernice Nowak, Sueann Thiede

Bob Polidori, Bob DiDonno, Art Tiede, Warren Burton

Robby Shettle, Barb Vallario

Patti Dezi, Jerry Bogosian

Marcia Sharasheff & Donnie Ahern, Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Ahern

Rosann Faiola, James (the hubs)

Sandy Sobolewski, Sal Scalise

Nancy Melechinsky & Bruce Hoffman

Shirley Gugel, & Hubs?

Pat Czarnaty, Bob DiDonno

Gretchen Schaffer, Marsha Neumeister

Debbie Bayram, Tony Dawkins, Theresa Willett, Yvonne Williams

Sandy Mazur, Kevin Smith Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Smith

Karen Tatum, Tony Dawkins

Jane Bentley, Dolores Koff

Candy Broemel, Susan DeSena, Barb Vallario, Marilyn Bindas

Tommy Shultz, Roger Jackucewicz

Patti is really cleaning out those junk drawers! (kidding, kidding) Now this set of photos has many more faces to test your memories. I realize that the contest wasn't one of my better ideas, so go ahead and use the comment function or send me an email and identify all these young fresh faces and I promise no one will win anything! Cross my heart. You guys look SO young. Honestly some of you look better than you did in high school. I decided that just because I wasn't there doesn't mean you don't get to see how I've aged, so I put a ringer in the photos of James and me taken the same year as the 25th reunion. After all, it wouldn't be fair if you compared the old crone I've become with my year book photo. Anyone else out there that wasn't able to attend the 25th, feel free to send me a photo of yourself taken in 1993 and I'll post gladly post it. So Bruce, it looks like you won the previously mentioned infamous contest. Contact me via email and we can decide on your "prize" Rosi

PROUD HUSBAND

I received this email today from Bart Mazzarella. Sounds like Kasmira Stryczek is one lucky woman!

"My wife, Kas, is in picture #5, (second row, second from right with the blond hair}. Nancy Lamb is in picture #9 and is the blond on the right, (but you already knew that)! Neither of these favorite blonds of mine have changed a whole lot since 1968! Especially my wife of 39 years! Kas is still gorgeous and no one believes she is a grandmother of 7! Everyone here in Florida is telling her to go to the reunion to show off how well she's kept herself, but she's never been that type of person. The fact is we haven't been back to Ct since 2000 when we moved my mom here to Vero Beach. Her mom, Anna, has been living with us since 1999."

VIEWING RENUNION PHOTOS

Some of you may be having difficulty viewing the reunion photos. I did change the host for these blog photos because there is a known issue with vanishing photos that are resized and hosted on google web albums. For those of you who have security settings that do not allow you to view anything that is hosted on a secondary host site, I have stored these photos on Picasa Web Albums. Here is the link. If your security setting does not allow a live link, just use copy and paste to put the address in your browser address bar.

25TH REUNION PHOTOS

Patti Dezi, Henry Loveland, Linda Silvia, Tony Dawkins, Barb Szczepanik

David Corning, Linda Silvia, Barb Szczepanik

Nancy Matascik, Peggy Foley

Sandy Mazur, Cheryl Griffin, Judy Maglio, Nancy Lamb

Phyllis Williams, Bob Polidori, Pat Dezi, Marie Giannini, Judy Maglio, Art Tiede, Stephen Carey

Phyllis Williams, Pam Pauls

Kevin McCall, Debbie Bayram, Nancy Lamb, Rich Fentner, Art Tiede, Pam Pauls, Bill Sara, Pat Dezi, Jane Bentley, Marie Giannini

Front Row, L to R: Bill Sara, Pam Pauls, Barb Szczepanik, Back Row, L to R: Art Tiede, Marie Giannini, Tom Gzyl, Judy Maglio, Kasimira Stryczek, Linda Silvia

Phyllis Williams, Judy Maglio, Stephen Carey, Pam Pauls

Pat Dezi, Barb Szczepanik, Linda Silvia, Art Tiede

Tom Gzyl, Judy Maglio

Art Tiede, Marilyn Bindas, Judy Maglio

Pat Dezi sent her photos from the 1993 reunion. Now I wasn't there and I wish I had been. Looks like everyone had a great time. If I got any of these wrong, let me know.

More Memories from a Classmate

Let me say first and foremost, thank you to the 40th Reunion Committee for all the long hours and tireless work to make our reunion memorable. I think I can speak for all of us who are interested that we are so happy you started this whole process, and we are eternally grateful for all you're doing! I want to add a few memories of my own about Rich Stolarun. We sat togther in 9th grade (at good ole Washington Jr. High) in French & Algebra. We had such a nice friendshp and connection, we eventually referred to each other as "brother and sister". I found him to be a quietly funny and warm young guy, with a terrific sense of humor. When we got to PHS, we didn't have any classes together, and would just greet each other in the hall. But we never forgot our friendship from 9th grade, and alluded to it in our yearbook inscriptions. I can't think of the Viet Nam war, without thinking of Rich. So, here's to you Rich....we'll remember you on our 40th reunion party with a smile on our faces - like we remember you! I do hope Mr. Mac comes to our celebration. I had him for 12th grade English (or American, as he insisted it be called). When my older son went to NBHS from 1992 - 1996, he had Mr. Mac for German for 4 years. He loved his humour, intellect and his raw patriotism, as we did. When Dennis & I went to NBHS for parent orientation - Mr. Mac was excited, and made sure Mr. Donahue and Mr. DiMugno knew we were there. It was great to see some of our Pulaski teachers still at it. Hope to see my old friends at the reunion, and also the classmates I didn't know - we all have a lot in common - especially now. Janet (Weed) Boutin

THE BOYS TO MEN OF '68

".........Tommy Meyers who transferred in to PHS in the Summer of 1967. He was the missing link and one of the best athletes that I played any sport with. You cannot forget Sonny Hall either in an age without sports enhancing drugs and steroids"..... , wrote Phil Bruzas, in a recent email. On the subject of sports, Phil also informs us that Mr. Mac is to be inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame in April of 2008 along with Artie Corsaletti '67. If it weren't for Phil many of us wouldn't know that New Britain had a Hall of Fame.We have 3 members of the class of '68 who already hold a place on this prestigious list. Tommy Myers, Sonny(Willie) Hall and Greg Wysocki.

John Liljestrand, and Bill Eaton, who were both coaches at Pulaski also have a place in the Hall of Fame. You can read about our very own sports heroes by clicking this link

As a side note; Phil Bruszas, our true class historian, urged me to contact Mr. Mac. Those of you who admired Mr. McNamara, will be happy to hear that he is still going strong and his slightly whacked sense of humor is intact. The only thing that may keep him from our class reunion is an archaeological dig in Greece! Some things should never change, thank goodness.

Thanks again, Phil. You are definitely one of the Reunion Committee's heroes. For those of us who are far away, you are our link to the people and places of '68. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know.

Reunion Invitations are here along with my memories

All the email invitations have been sent, if you have not received your email invitation please let me know. I will be sending invitations in the mail to those that do not have email. We hope everyone will attend or at least consider attending. Spread the word. The years have passed but the memories and friendships live on. Now is the time to renew those friendship that somehow were left behind. I have been fortunate in that I have already made new friends from our class that I will continue to stay in touch with after the reunion. My high school friends have always been an important part of my life, especially when I moved to Long Island in 1970, divorced in 1972, deciding to stay on Long Island, partied until 1975 when I met and married my husband Dave. I often say I remember my high school boyfriends better than I remember that 2 year rebound marriage. As fate would have it, I would not have come to NY if I didn't marry, so no regrets. Barbara Szczepanik, Judi Maglio, Pam Sutak, and Linda Sylvia have shared in the many different stages of my life away from New Britain. I had lost contact with Nancy Lamb until our 10th reunion, and our friendship really renewed itself after the 25th. I am hoping after the 40th I will have renewed many more. If it were not for my New Britain friends and Frank Cuomo this reunion would not be happening. I have begged them to please get one started, finally working together we have accomplished it. As Pam and I began the task of finding everyone I have had the pleasure of speaking with many of you. So many asking what took so long to get a reunion started. So here we are ready to have that long awaited party, please make it successful by attending. My gift of gab has really paid off in organizing the master list. Where it has gotten me in trouble in the past, this time it has proven to be a great advantage. I have had help from Marilyn Bindas, Cliff Cayer, Bruce Kraczkowsky, Phil Bruzas who has a memory like no other, Claire Calcinari, Scott Gerber, Art Tiede, and Lisa Dowling in finding classmates, without their help we would have more than 69 left to be found. Our goal is NO CLASSMATE left behind so we will continue our search. I have read that some of you would like to get in touch with others, I will be happy to contact each of you to give out the others email address with your permission, so please I mean it when I say email me anytime with anything. I thank you all for being so kind to me when I called (especially those that said Of course I remember you), the best was when one male classmate said Goodbye DEZ see you in June. My high school days came flooding back with that one line, I have not been called Dez in I guess 40 years.

One Step At A Time

We were the generation that was going to change the world. In 40 years I've learned it isn't always the big gestures that make the difference. It can be as simple as a helping hand when it is needed, one word at the right time, an inner truth expressed outloud that lets someone know they aren't the only one.. So I second Rosann, lets hear from the "men of 68." Thank you Rosann for giving us this forum. And Lisa Dowling I need your email. If you are in touch with Sally K she has my email. You cannot believe how many times I have thought about you over the years. And Cheryl Griffin are you out there? Vicky Micklos where are you? Janet Kalwat, I've heard great things about you. Bruce Hoffman I still remember you from Trinity Methodist and Cheryl Pajor I would love to hear from you. Tom Shultz are you the governor of anything? And has anybody heard from Chuck Searle? Sally Hornkohl Bell

OUR ROOTS GO DEEP

It seems that the Girls of '68 are starting to speak up. If you read the comments under Sally's, Karen's, and Scott & Sharon's post, you'll be reminded that some of our ties to each other go all the way to childhood. In my life, I knew Robby Shettle , Barbara Vallario, Karen Percival, Suzanne Corr, Ross Spooner, Bruce Hoffman, Ken Valentine, Gail Caliando, Karen Nelson, Kevin McCall, Martin Johnson, Donna Byett, Nancy Matascik, Debbie Tremont, and probably quite a few more I can't recall at this moment, long before high school. Some were casual aquaintances, some were close friends throughout my school life and some beyond. Chris Mucha was my Maid of Honor. Through my chats with Pat Dezi, I have gained the knowledge that some alums are married to each other, or into each others' families. This 40 year mark is having some unusual effects on the people in my family. First, there's me. Now let's face it folks, I wasn't the most outgoing, smiley, school spirit, kinda girl and here I am helping Pat Dezi and others bring us all back together. I think I left "a smile" in the class will. Strange days! Even my husband, James, had a ghost from the past reach out to find him this weekend. Gotta love those old girlfriends, NOT. Now lets hear some more stories from both the girls of '68 and the boys of '68! Ro-Imnosmileyface-Faiola-Reeder

Another Voice Heard From

This girl of '68 is at times, a worn out warrior...I still believe in revolution and have an automatic response when being told "you can't do that..." There are times the fight is still in me. Being stubborn has served me well. I raised two children (with the goal of growing up before they did) to be independent, know who they are and be proud of it. I am no good at marriages, but great with kids, animals and old people. I am a long time friend of Bill W. and after 26 years, have gotten the hang of "one day at a time." There are a lot of things I don't understand, and still struggle to accept. In the last few years three people close to me have died, two of whom were my personal heroes. I have not recovered yet. I think I have learned what is important, but I have not had an "open heart" for quite some time. I trust it will return if I keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep the proverbial faith. Being the girl from '68, I have always been drawn to a good existential crisis. It is just easier when it's happening to someone else. So Sally, in the past 40 years I have gone to college many times, finally graduated and got a master's degree. I have been married twice, which means twice divorced for me. I have a son and a daughter who are both artists. Now I run the facility I went to work in 25 years ago as a social worker. I don't have much grey hair, but both my knees need to be replaced. I still turn up the stereo loud, listen to Talking Heads or B B King. I have a parrot that loves to dance to rap music and meows like my Siamese cat (not at the same time.) I sleep with an old basset hound who has no eyes and when folks see her they say "is she blind?" (I love that) I eat too much junk food and don't exercise. And I am convinced I am at least 15 degrees warmer than everyone else (yes, I feel like a freak.) And I remember walking home from Stanley School with you, going an extra block or two past my street because we were having fun and I did not want it to be over. What I wanted was a real life. And lucky me, that's what I have. Does it get any better?

" Girls of 68" This is for you.

So, I want to say I am the first to appreciate a proud husband that has been in love with his wife and happily married for 39 years. Life doesn't get any better. But, for those of us who have been (in these last 15 years) to the raw edge of menopause and back and have returned with our "true voices" intact, this post is for you. Please don't back out of this reunion because you think you should look a certain way or still be "18." One of the reasons I am coming to this 40th is because I have been taking care of an 88 year old mother that is coming to the end of a long battle with her health and who has lived her life for what "others" wanted her to be or do. It makes you re-evaluate what it means to be female. If anyone got to see the musical "Menopause" you know life isn't about staying the same. It is about looking changes in the face and learning to go with them. So, "girls of 68" I am gray, battling weight, divorced and still pretty happy with the way my life has turned out. I've raised a dynamic daughter, live in a comfortable house that I paid for myself, and have worked in a career I love for the past 26 years. Not typical, I guess, but real life. I am "coming home" to honor my New England roots & to say thank you to some great people (male and female) that helped me on the road to where I am today. So I want to hear what the "women of 68" have been doing in the past 40 years-married or not, gray or still paying for "natural color," thin or thick. Like Sugarland/Bon Jovi says in the song, " there are a million miles of memories on that road. Who says you can't go home-there's only one place they call me one of their own." I for one am looking forward to seeing everyone. I may have to put on my progressives to do that, but I will be there with an open heart. See you in June. Sally (Hornkohl) Bell: Way Out West

REACHING OUT

With great sorrow we report that one of our classmates, Sandra Sobolewski Skarzynski, is confined to a nursing facility in Windsor. She has suffered from MS for several years now. Although Sandy is now tube fed and incapable of speech, she is still aware of her surroundings and cognizant of any attempt to communicate with her. As often happens in life, we lost track of one another but during our high school years Sandy was an important and beloved person in our lives. I invite you to post any memory you may have of her, encourage you to send her a card, or, if so inclined, pray for her. Thanks for your support.

Sharon (Rosiek) Ruetenik and Scott Gerber

Cards may be sent to: Sandra Skarzynski, Kimberly Hall South, 1 Emerson Drive, Windsor, CT 06095

Many thanks to Rosann for posting this slide show. This was sent to me by a good friend, Al Cohen, who just turned 90 years young recently. I thought it was worthy of sharing with you all.

CLIFF CAYER SHARES THIS

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A SYMBOL OF OUR GENERATION

Patti Dezi took this photo and wanted to share her view of the size and scope of the Memorial. I tried to incorporate this into the previous post, but blogger is having a little hiccup concerning photo resizing. We don't mean to dwell on this part of our past, but the war affected us individually and as a generation. It is part of who we are. We invite those of you with memories related to the memorial to add them in comments or to the actual post. Photo courtesy of Pat Dezi

THERE ARE PLACES I REMEMBER.....ALL MY LIFE

This is the first line of one of my favorite Beatles songs and I can't get the words out of my mind as I start a rather long post with pictures. Pat sent me some very emotionally powerful photos. I encourage all of you to either comment or find your own photos to share with the people who were there in your life through the 60's.

In Memory of

Lance Corporal Richard Raymond Stolarun

Let us not forget Lance Corporal Richard Raymond Stolarun, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Marine Corps, LCPL Stolarun served our country until October 12th, 1969 in Quang, South Vietnam. He was 19 years old and was not married. Richard died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. Richard was born on July 22nd, 1950 in New Britain, Connecticut.

LCPL Stolarun is on panel 17W, line 071 of the VietnamMemorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.

"All these places have their moments of lovers and friends I still can recall....Some are dead and some are living

And I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before

Pictures of the VietNam War Memorial Wall and Corbin Heights, courtesy of Pat Dezi. All of the other pictures of our classmates, who will remain ever young, scanned from the 1968 Titan. Memorial to Rich Stolarun courtesy of Cliff Cayer and the Tanaya web site. Please feel free to add comments, memories, or pictures of your own. -Ro Faiola Reeder It should be noted that when I was able to find obituaries for the classmates, pictured above, I linked the obituary to the photo. If you click on Mike Jendrzeczyk, Art Therrien, Tony Dawkins, Tom Thorell, Joe Sirko, and Henry Loveland, you can view their obits. If you have access to others, please let me know and I will link them, as well.

I Know I'll often stop and think about them...... -The Beatles-

So many of us grew up in the Corbin Heights Projects. Seeing my home all boarded up was certainly a shock. . Such wonderful memories of life in the projects, this is one picture I will put aside. I am sure we all look better than they do now......Patti Dezi

picture taken September 2007