Our 40th Reunion may be over, but the magic of that evening continues for many of us who were totally surprised how much fun it was.  For those of you who couldn't make it, perhaps you can plan ahead for the next Reunion in 2005.  We plan to announce the date two years in advance for the out-of-state classmates that need to make visiting arrangements.  And, for those of you who just didn't make it a priority or just didn't care . . . you really missed out!

    The Woodbury Country Club proved to be an excellent choice for this event.  It is a beautiful place nestled near the estate section of Long Island, surrounded by trees and lovely gardens.  Huge glass windows enchanced the view overlooking a magnificent garden area with fountains softly spraying the pond below.  A garden wedding was taking place outside at the same time as our event.  The evening was warm and slightly misty.

    After the valet parked our cars, we entered the marble-floored lobby.  The air was filled with lovely music payed by a pianist on a Baby Grand piano.  Identification pins with our photos from high school were laid out on buffet tables outside the cocktail area.  Lois Blank jumped in to help us unscramble that name tags for the photographer who was waiting inside. At 6:30 pm, the concierge opened  up the double carved doors of a room directly off the lobby filled with appetizers and hors d'oeuvres.  We gradually filtered into he room and were confronted with  champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and petite fours.  Some of us had our pictures taken by a professional photographer, while others sampled the delicious fare being passed around by the waitresses and waiters.  An ice carving with "MHS 1960" was displayed among the vodka and caviar.

    We were coaxed upstairs at 7:30 pm on the second floor to be greeted by a dummy dressed in Marion Banner's memorabelia from high school including a felt poodle skirt, sweater, scarf, wig and all.  It was a scream!  This room was overlooking the gardens and the fountains was softly lit with pastel colors for a beautiful effect. 

    A 16' table sat in the corner with bundles of blue and gold balloons on either side and a banner overhead that Pete Holub had made saying, "Who'da thunk?".  Brian Dunn brought in colorful and decorative wall hangings depicting jukeboxes, Elvis and Rock & Roll.  A VCR and monitor continuously ran a tape all evening of our 30th Reunion coordinated by the late Joe Cimmina.  Marion also sprinkled blue sequin balloons, Bazooka Bubble Gum and Tootsie Roll Pops on the tables, which were covered with cream-colored damask tableclothes festooned all around over long burgundy skirts.  Huge terracotta pots filled with Begonias and Impatientias graced the table as centerpieces.

    A Rock & Roll group named "Express". . .oh, that group, was absolutely fantastic! They were set up on a stage covered by a huge arch of blue and gold balloons while they crooned "In the Still of the Night", "Earth Angel", "Rock Around the Clock" and other nostalgic tunes from the 50's and 60's.  Everyone was on the dance floor at one time or another.

    And, the food. . . the food was absolutely delicious!  Antipasto, fresh Mozzerella Cheese w/ Tomatoes, Chicken Marsala, Seafood Newburg, Eggplant Parmagiana, Beef w/Broccoli, Spinach Crepe, Rice Pilaf.   A pasta station with Linguini w/White Clam Sauce, Fileta Di Pomadoro, Rigatoni Ala Vodka.  A carving station with Sliced Steak and Turkey w/Garlic Toast.  And, finally, for dessert. . . Peach Melba.  There was an Open Bar all evening.

    The old "clicks" were reunited.  There were tears of joy for many.  Reconnections long over due.  New relationships blossomed for many who didn't know anyone in high school.  People who casually brushed by each other in the hallways of MHS as they scurried to their classes, became fast friends.  Several men came over to me to thank me with tears in their eyes.  It was all very touching and worth every hour invested.

    So many smiling faces.  Laughter everywhere.  Very upbeat.  Without a doubt, the Reunion was a huge success!  It was absolutely so much more fun than we ever expected.

    Our guest teachers, Ms. Lenker, Ms. Pinto, Ms. Diehl and Mr. Schmal wore flowers on their lapels and garments.  They were all ecstatic and very grateful for the invitation.  They stayed the whole evening and thanked us over and over again.

    As the party ended at 11:30 pm but very few left the room.  No one wanted to leave.  The banquet manager and staff were very frustrated and flickered the lights many times to give us a hint to leave.  We still didn't leave.  They finally turned off the lights.  It took another 15 minutes to get us out of the room.  Some of us struggled to carry out the terracotta centerpieces and balloons taken for a keepsake.  People were still buzzing with laughter and accolades as we all patiently waited for our valets to retrieve our cars.

    The party continued the next day in our garden at our home in Smithtown, Long Island.  Some classmates who did not attend the Reunion because of prior commitments, came to say "hello" and reunite.  We barbequed chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and had pasta salad, mixed salad with baby field greens, homemade baked beans, grilled eggplant, grilled pepers, lots of beer and booze and a lot of laughs well into the night.  We ran the video tape from the 30th Reunion for many who did not attend the Reunion.  Janet Inglis and her husband, John,.stayed with us over the weekend.  They were great company and we look forward to seeing them again.

    I took a video of the evening.  It's not as complete as the one Joe Cimmina did at the 30th Reunion that gave everyone an opportunity to speak, however, it certainly demonstrates the essence of the evening and the upbeat atmosphere.  Hope to eventually copy it and make it available to all who attended. 

    A booklet resembling an album with photos of many who attended will be available to purchase for $20 each.  It is in the process of being coordinated.  May take up to 4 more months to complete.  For those of you who have an interest in purchasing one, please contact the following company:

American School Pictures, Inc.
Reunion Division
4650 Beidler Road
Willoughby, Ohio 44094-4650
(440) 975-4477
(800) 321-1595

    So many of you helped to find missing classmates. Thank you to our MHS Alumni Committee:  Marion Banner, Brian Dunn, Guy Peter, and Pete Sprague. We met every two week in my office for many months making telephone calls all over the country searching for classmates.  They all are wonderful people and we had a fun time.  Every time one of us found some one, it was a victory.  That victory is still taking place.  Since the Reunion, about twelve classmates have resurfaced.  Hopefully this effort will continue. 

On behalf of the Committee, I thank each and every one of you for your support and your assistance in making this wonderful Reunion possible.  Without your cooperation, enthusiasm and high-spirited attitude, this event would not have taken place.  Katherine O'Grady Heaviside and I hope to enlist a few willing classmates to help in coordinating a newsletter and post it on the Internet.  If any one of you is ready and willing to work with us, please email me at zere@li.net or Katherine at heavisidek@aol.com.  In the meantime, please stay in touch and be sure to let us know about any address changes. 

See you again in 2005!

Marie (Ceraulo) Zere
631 467-4300
zere@li.net





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