Tag Archives: Class of 1966

St. Mary’s Class of 1966 reunites after 50 years

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Eighth grade classmates of the Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Class of 1966 held their 50th reunion on June 11, 2016. The reunion activities started with 4 p.m. Mass at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Church followed by a self-guided tour of the school.

During the tour, the classmates were able to visit the classrooms, library, cafeteria, and principal’s office. At one point, they took their seats in a classroom as they did 50 years ago. Conversations centered around how the high quality of education and discipline at St. Mary’s had a positive effect on their lives.

After the school tour, the classmates had a reception and dinner at La Una Banquet Hall on Drinker Street in Dunmore. Timothy McGurl played Beatles songs on his guitar as his classmates shared photographs, stories about their families and jobs, and their escapades at St. Mary’s.

One such story centered on Madelyn’s Penny Candy Store. This popular candy store was on Chestnut Street near the school during the 1950’s and 1960’s, but was off limits to the students. Students would attempt to sneak into Madelyn’s to buy candy by leaving the official school line on the way home. For just a few candy cigarettes or atomic fireballs, Robert Meehan (Rollo) and William Cicciotti (Wild Bill) recalled spending many hours standing in the classroom corner after getting caught by Sister Victoire.

While there were humorous stories, many classmates expressed that going to St. Mary’s not only provided an excellent education, but served as the basis for lasting friendships which can only happen in a place such as Dunmore. Perhaps, this was best stated by Ellen Burne in a letter expressing her disappointment for being unable to attend the reunion. She stated in part “Personally, my memories of living in Dunmore are among those most dear to me. We are all so fortunate to have been raised in such a loving, family oriented community where friends for life were made.”

The classmates wish to thank the Reunion Committee of Regina Kearney Garvey, Mary Alice Golden McCormick, and James McCormick for all their work in organizing this outstanding event. They also made a donation to the school in memory of two classmates, Susan Gilligan and Michael McDonald.

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Out of the original class of 58 students, over half (30) attended the reunion event including:

Robert Farrell, Robert Kelleher, Regina Kearney Garvey, Mary Alice Golden McCormick, Gerald Conway, Donald Loftus, Robert McDonald, Sharon Maus Pitoniak, Kathy Fennie Blythe, Marianne Kramer, James McCormick, Patrick Cuff, John Earley, Regina Garvey, Mary Katherine Kreis Curtis, William Ciccotti, Michelle Langan Rohulich, Eileen McLaine Mallas, Laurie Holmes Ekes, Linda Dougherty Borland, Maria Graci Ceccacci, Patricia Grady, James Vinard, Robert Meehan, Brian McAndrew, Timothy McGurl, Owen Dougherty and Lorraine Spangler Vitris.

(Photo credit: Michael Straub Photography).

 

 

 

 

DHS Class of 1966 return to alma mater

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Members of the Dunmore High School Class of 1966 reunion committee pose with their official graduation class photo. From left: Joyce Sposto, Arlene Michaels, Annie Longo, Ann Mellert and Dee Faatz.

By Stephanie Longo

Once a Buck, always a Buck.

That saying proved true recently when members of the Dunmore High School Class of 1966 reunion committee returned to the halls of their alma mater almost 50 years after their graduation.

“Going back after 50 years, it was as if you never really left,” said committee member Dee Trolio Faatz, who was the Class of 1966’s Miss Buck. “It was where our future was molded.”

The five committee members who participated in the tour had the opportunity to see the changes that Dunmore High School has undergone since graduation, including the theater where their cafeteria once was and the school’s new gym.

“There were a lot of changes for the better at Dunmore High School,” said tour organizer and 1966 reunion committee member Annie Longo.  “I was very impressed to talk to the teachers in the classrooms and hear their methods for teaching our young people. I was extremely impressed to talk to the school nurse to find out how the diabetic students were taken care of during the day. All of this goes to show just how special Dunmore High School is.”

The Dunmore High School Senior Class Officers escorted the alumni throughout the building, allowing the chance for some of the members of the Class of 2016 to meet their 1966 counterparts.

“It was a job that seemed very rare for us to be in charge of, but wound up being the most rewarding task we took on this year,” said class of 2016 president Ally Borgia.  “Not only did we show them around, but we also got to walk in their shoes and learn some things ourselves. It was amazing to see their reactions to all of the changes, both emotionally and physically. It made us all realize the impact this school truly leaves on all who are blessed enough to call it their school.”

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Some DHS seniors escorted members of the Class of 1966 on a tour. From left: Garrett Murray, Arlene Michaels, Pat Reese, Joyce Sposto, Dee Faatz, Ally Borgia, Annie Longo, Dominic Mesko and Ann Mellert.

One person who made an impact on the Class of 1966 was remembered during the tour. A portrait of the late Eugenia DeFazio, who was principal of Dunmore High School from 1961-1977, now hangs in the school library.

“You could almost see Mrs. DeFazio standing in the hall directing traffic,” Faatz said. “She taught us to respect our superiors and ourselves.”

“I think if Mrs. DeFazio were here today, she would be very proud of all of the changes to Dunmore High School and what it has become,” Longo added. “As Mrs. DeFazio would always say, ‘it’s a sad state of affairs’ if you don’t apply yourself to the betterment of society. Today’s Dunmore High School students are really carrying on her legacy. She would be proud of them, too.”

Borgia admitted that she and her fellow class officers would welcome the opportunity to return to their alma mater in 2066 for a 50th reunion tour of their own.

“Our number one take away from our time with the Class of 1966 was that the memories we make behind the walls of DHS will stay with us forever,” she said. “The idea of one day being able to revisit in the future can only help resurface core memories that we made together during our time in high school.”

“It’s home,” Longo said. “Dunmore High School is our home. It is a part of us and always will be. It was wonderful to go back.”

 

St. Mary of Mount Carmel Grade School Class Plans Reunion

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Committee members from left to right are: Sam Beawick, Jerry Conway, Rob Meehan, John Kohansky, Bob McDonald, Bill Ciccotti, Patrick Cuff, Tom Leshinski, and Jim McCormick, president of the reunion committee.

Former students of Saint Mary Of Mount Carmel Grade School, gathered at the Brooklyn Pub in Dunmore to conduct their first reunion committee meeting for the 50th reunion of the Class of 1966. The event is in the planning stages at the present time, but the committee has many great ideas and is confident the celebration will be one to remember.