CHRISTMAS MORNING

I wanted to wish you all a warm Christmas morning – it is even brisk here in Central Florida this fine morning and gives me somewhat of the taste of those Christmas mornings in CNY... Ron Fairbank sent this to a number of us this past week but I thought it was worth sharing with all of you this wonderful morning as I contemplate memories of previous Christmas mornings …

Another year gone—

Judy Norton did her stage manager thing again with Rudolph the Red Nose...and the local children’s ballet schools.
Suzy Becker is back in Arizona
Bill Little even got a taste of cold weather down in usually sunny Florida
Steve Bernardelli despite the weather probably still played golf.
Dick D'Orazio returned a few weeks ago from another successful hunting trip with his son down in Montana
Dawn D'Orazio continued teaching the kids at Cazenovia
Pete Dardaris still can't believe he screwed up on the date for our re-union
Ron turned another year older, continues procrastinating on completing the story of the "Purple slip" for the blog. And Carol is seriously considering retirement next June but concerned about too much free time.  Imagine?
Louise and Al put the bikes up, and got out the wax and skis.
Barb Clark --I loved her pearls Friday night-no doubt has been busy doing something...
Lee and Jim Wilson probably continued traveling to visit their kids.
Ed Hutchinson our ever faithful record and web keeper has passed the torch to Bill little-we all owe him a huge debt of appreciation for all his reliable tracking and keeping us up to date on J.D. classes.  Big thanks for the numerous hours you devoted to all of us Ed.
Our classmate Jim Robb remains at James Square--I plan on taking my reunion photo disk and laptop and pay him a visit in early Jan.

The time is here for the Syracuse group to reconvene for a breakfast or lunch, catch up, and take some photos to share. Will contact Louise in January.

Lastly, Anne Brennan sent in a short note to the Post Standard Editorial page last week--reminiscing about the monorail at E.W. Edwards at Christmas time--how many of you remember that.  Dick Case in his weekly column brought it all back about 2 weeks ago when he interviewed some folks who grew up here and shared their memories of the attraction.  I remember riding it and ending up in the toy department and Santa Claus. Progress (?) and time moves on.

Fondly,
Ron Fairbank

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Louise Brown Smith and her husband want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See their Card

WE ARE SORRY TO HEAR ...

We lost another class associate and close friend to many in our class this past week. Tim O’Day passed away on December 9th in Pinehurst NC, where he resided in recent years. Tim lived on Dewittshire Road just down from Judy Skelton another classmate. He did eventually go away to school but was in our class up through at least 10th grade. After completing college he lived in Skaneateles for years until retiring to Pinehurst. For those of you who would like to know more on his life please click here to view his obituary.

For those of you that have moved out of the CNY area and have trouble remembering what it was like to live there during the winter see the photo of Sue Reisman's back yard. It is not officially winter until the 21st of December but I believe it was about 8 degrees and 15" of snow on the ground when the photo was taken. Florida is wonderful this time of the year folks - come visit us we need the tourist dollars.


 

PHOTO PAGE UPDATED

Some of you that did not attend the reunion have been visiting the photo page and have been commenting they can't match names with "matured" faces! We didn't have any trouble at the reunion - WRONG!! Anyway, with some assistance from Mary Franklin Barnes we have attached captions to all but one photo. I have additional photos to post and that will be done in the coming weeks. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. If you are traveling be safe.

Bill

BLOG UPDATED

Hi all -- the blog has been updated. Check the links to the left for updated information

REUNION PHOTOS

If you check back the middle of this coming week we should start to have most of our reunion photos that many of you shared with me up on line.

If you ordered the CD/DVD or a copy of the group picture from the photographer at the Saturday evening event, she indicates they were all mailed out this weekend and you should have them in a few days. If you got home and had a second thought about placing an order, it’s not too late. You can call Kris at (315) 530-9969 or send a check to:

                        Memories To Last Forever

                        5858 East Molloy Road  Suite 156D

                        Syracuse, NY 13211

Please include you name, address, phone number and Jamesville DeWitt 1960. Cost is $20.00 for the CD and $25.00 for the DVD

You can also go to her website and place an order – http://www.memoriestolastforever.smugmug.com/

REUNION WAS A WONDERFUL SUCCESS

I didn't talk with a single person who didn't indicated that the weekend wasn't a tremendous success. Everybody seemed to have a great time talking about the old days and what they were doing these days to keep occupied. The weather was absolutely perfect. Local attendees said it was the best three days in a row all summer. Even some of us from down south who don't take to the cool weather remarked that it was very pleasant. The committee is preparing a summary of the weekend events alone with some photos which will be posted in a few days I hope. Later next week we will have a photo page up where many people have provided us with their digital photos from the weekend. Keep checking back and by all means send us your comments and experiences from the weekend ...

REUNION

Today is the day! First get together is at the High School at 3 pm  See you all there!!

It's FinallyHere!!!  Tomorrow starts the Reunion Weekend....  We look forward to seeing everyone. For thoses of you that couldn't make the weekend we will begin posting updates next week and Hopefully we will have lots of photographs.

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!

Louise Brown Smith and her husband Al provided a photo this morning. It was taken yesterday on their morning bike ride. Louise says the weather is beautiful and the leaves should be in full color by the time we all arrive next weekend. She also provided the 5 day weather forecast and it looks pretty nice! Looking forward to seeing everyone next later this week.

LIMESTONE GRILL

 
For those of you who are staying over Saturday evening after the festivities at Toggenburg we will have pay-as-you -go breakfast at the Limestone Grill. It will give everyone one last chance to talk and to say your good-byes before heading home - hopefully having enjoyed a wonderful weekend and lots of great new memories about old memories. Just 10 days and counting ....

Mini Re-union

Some of the guys staged a mini Re-union at Hafners on Taft Road yesterday.  Class of '60 yearbook is in orange bag to refresh memories as required.  We shared many laughs, stories and memories.  We plan on meeting regularly after the re-union for breakfast or lunch to stay in touch. L- R: Pete Dardaris, Chuck Middleton, Ron Fairbank, Dick D'Orazio and Pete Fietta.

19 Days and counting!!!

That's correct we have only 19 days before the Reunion Weekend begins. Excitement is beginning to rise!!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

On Saturday afternoon Pete Fietta and his wife Tina have graciously invited all of us to their place on Cazenovia Lake. The first photo shows his beautiful home as you approach the entrance. The second photo shows Pete and Tina on their boat at the lake and the final photo is of Pete demonstrating to us how he plans to arrive at the party. It’s all shaping up to be a wonderful weekend.

TOGGENBURG

Excitement is beginning to build as the reunion committee works on final preparations for our Reunion Weekend get together on 8 -9 October. The top photo shows the exterior of the Toggenburg facility where we will host our Saturday evening festivities. Second photo is an interior shot of the facility with (L-R) Pete Fietta, Dawn Verdow Dorazio and Barb Frost Osborn sitting at one of the tables.

THE BRAE LOCH INN

Many of you that have not lived in the CNY area for a long time may or may not remember the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia where we will host our Friday evening reunion event. Shown above is a photo of the Inn. I actually remember having dinner there with my family many years ago. It’s strange that many of us have moved away from CNY yet I have a friend here in Tampa Bay (JDHS Class of 1968) who just purchased home only blocks from the Inn and is planning on returning to the area once he retires.

Carolyn Hanford Pedersen

We came across a Youtube video of Carolyn Hanford Pedersen's art. Thought you might like to take a look 

 

REUNION COMMITTEE MEETING

Our post today includes two photos of a recent meeting of our local reunion committee member at Wegmans Food Market making plans for our fall get together. The first photo includes (L-R) Sue Becker, Judy Norton, Louise Brown Smith, Ron Fairbank, Barb Frost and Dawn Verdow Dorazio. The second photo is of Sue Becker and Judy Norton.

MUSIC OF OUR TIME ...

Several members of the reunion committee have been talking about the recently developed music survey and some of the particular music we remembered. Peyton Hills sent several of us a link to music of the 50’s and I thought it was worth posting the link to the blog. It not only brings back the music but memories of many other things – girls clothing, cars, places we frequented and many other memories. Take a listen …

CAROLYN HANFORD PEDERSEN ART EXHIBIT

Carolyn Hanford Pedersen and Lee Shultes Wilson in Madrid, NM. The Art Exhibit "Transitions by Carolyn H. Pedersen" includes a group of collages created from Carolyn's own watercolor paintings which were influenced by both the sandy beaches of LakeOntario and the beautiful vistas in New Mexico.

Joanne Berardi Boak Family

Joanne Berardi Boak sent us a photo of her kids and grandkids

LOUISE & AL BIKING

Louise Brown Smith and her husband Al riding their bikes across country. When they retired last year they rode their bikes from Cazenovia, NY to the west coast.

THE OLD PHOTOS KEEP COMING IN !!

Please keep them coming !! This one is from the August 1990. 30th Reunion. L – R Lou Anne Geary Allen, Mary Franklin Barnes, Sue Reisman and Eileen Bissetta McEntee

This photo is from July 2000 Reunion. Bottom Row L-R Bill Momper, Dawn Verdow Dorazio, Leslie Smith Needham , Trina Schultz Robb, Mary Jane Ruzekowicz Sheriff, Judy Norton, Mary Franklin Barnes

Middle Row – Dick Dorazio, Sue Becker, Jayne Kemmerer, Cindy Childs Over, Barbara Bunn Clark, Jim Robb, Sue Reisman

Top Row – Roger Sherman, Chuck McElroy, Peyton Hills, Rod Bucklin, Neil Hoffmann, Ray Kitt, Ron Fairbanks

JDHS BASKETBALL POWERHOUSE

Jamesville-DeWitt players celebrate a 59-45 win over Newark in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball Championships Class A final game in Glens Falls, N.Y., on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Winning never gets old, it seems, for the Jamesville-DeWitt boys basketball team, which won its third consecutive Class A New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship.

We will have more information on accomodations for the reunion over the weekend or the first of  next week. However, Charlie McElroy and his wife Anne have a wonderful B&B in Skaneateles that you might want to investigate. The Pine Grove B&B is located at 2707 Pine Grove Road in Skaneateles, NY. Phone number is (315) 673-2558.

This photo was taken last summer in CNY -(L to R) Barb Frost Osborn, Mitzi Fairbanks, Dawn VerDow Dorazio & Sarah Newton. Sarah was in for a visit from Calf.

Neil Hoffmann sends us this piece of nostalgia from the 30 year reunion. Remember the steins? I had to think for a moment – they were great for the hot weather of Florida! I used mine until the horns were scrubbed off the ram and finally the ram disappeared along with the writing. I think mine finally went in a garage sale. Thanks Neil for the memory.

Reservations at the Craftsman Inn

Hi Everyone,
We have heard from so many of you, who plan to come to our reunion, that we are happy and excited. The Craftsman Inn is not quite ready to take our reservations. Please wait about a week before calling The Craftsman Inn to make your reservations. We can't wait to see everyone!

Several of you have asked about alternative lodging particularly if you wish to be closer to family or friends. If you click on Registration to the left and then on Lodging 2 you are provided with some alternative locations.

The Reunion Committee

Dave Rodgers sends us this photo of he and his wife Marion taken last fall. Dave says he is looking forward to seeing everyone in October!

We were not sure if we were going to come up with a Jamesville Elementary School photo, but Steve Bernardelli came up with the photo. How many of your classmates can you identify? See the list below of some of the names.

Front Row: Gus Ganotis, unk, Pete Fietta, Chuck Palin, Steve Bernardelli, unk, unk, Chuck Middleton, Billy Momper, Gary Jones, 2nd Row: unk, Joyce Rounds, Ann Rice, Mary Jane Ruzekowicz, Carol Crowley, Phyllis Crosby, Miss Hess, Rosalie Dinino, Shirley Allen, Sara Newton, unk, unk,unk, Top Row: Danny Mitchell, John Massa, John DaRin, Pete Dardaris, KenOchsner, Dick D'Orazio, unk, Joan (Mitzi) Fairbanks, unk, Carl Jones, unk, unk, unk, Sandy Casinella, Patsy Quadrini, Danny Herlihy, Raymond Lang

JIM ROBB RINGS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY

  

This photograph of Jim came out of the Syracuse newspaper.  Jim and Trina (Trina Schultz Robb) still live in DeWitt. As the photo indicates Jim is active with the DeWitt Rotary.

Previously we posted a Moses DeWitt photo. How well did you do matching names with faces from 1950? This week Butch Falso provides old memories, classmates and friends from 1951 Lyndon School House photo. He comments, “Please correct me if I’m wrong, 1951 is a long time ago and remembering what I had for breakfast this morning is tough enough!” His best attempts at identifications are shown below the photo… additions or corrections???

 

Front Row: Ray Egan, Gary Savage, Mike Waters, Dick Luczyski, Chuck West, Eddie Kaup  Second Row:1^st two UKN, 3^rd, Nancy Smith,  Sue Becker, Emmy Lou Smithers, Nancy Sullivan, Carol Mitchel, UNK Third Row: Charlie Rich, Charlie McElroy, Unk, Linda Vogle, Cindy Childs, Cathy Parker, Sandra Cronk, Dorothee McCormick, I think a Latvian girl named Brades), Bill Truman, Don Brang  Top Row:  Jim Scott, Butch Falso, Jim Paul, Unk, Dennis Cowell, Joe Luczyski, Maybe a Seidel,   maybe a Marcellus, George Minick. 

Butch Falso with one of 11 grandchildren, Andrew, on recent trip to Everglades City, FL for airboat ride and wildlife excursion.

L to R -- Lee Shultes Wilson, Barbara Bunn Clarke, Louise Brown Smith at a recent get together in Central New York as they plan for the 50th Reunion

Ok – here is a Moses DeWitt photo from 1950. How many people can you identify?


ANSWER: Top row - 5th from left to right - Larry Van alstye.
2nd row from top - l to r - 4th from left, Judy Skelton...6th from left - Jayne Kemmerer, next to Lou Ann Geary....Nineth from left Louise Brown. 11th from left.Ray Kitt Last next to blackboard, Mike Lawyer.
3rd row from top - l to r, Ann Farnsworth & Barbara Bunn...4th from left, Patty Motherwell. 5th, Triny Schultz.. Far right end of row Nancy Eggers. And far right, bottom row...Garry Molina. (provided by Ray Kitt)


Neil Hoffman, his wife, with children and grand children


Eileen Bissetta McEntee and Mary Franklin Barnes July 2009- St Lawrence-1000 Islands