THE
SCRATCH SHEET Vol.4,
In this Issue:
1. 45th
2. Lost and
Found
3. Oh How the
Mighty Have Fallen
4. “Till Our
Hearts Be Still”
5. The Class of
’60 50th Year Gift
6. Recent
Communications from Al Bullock,
7. Communicating
with The Scratch Sheet
8. Classmates
Who Didn’t Graduate
9. The Class of
’60 Test (16 Brain Teasers)
10.
Corinthian II
The Scratch Sheet is published periodically for members of the Girard College Class of 1960. Publishers, Editors, Distributors and Gofors:
Toby Caplan 412-821-4256h 681-2400w mcaplan@blumcraft.com
Rocco D’Amico: 301-229-0834 Rdamico@ihsm.com
Ed DiRomaldo 215-365-5965 pomodon@comcast.net
Dennis
Gries 941-927-3757; dgries@comcast.net
Ron Saracini 352-237-9690 r.saracini@att.net
Leo Michaluk Publisher Emeritus
1.
45th
On Founder’s Day this year, 21 classmates participated in a
series of events over two days. Attending
were: Joe Alberici, Dennis Bevans,
Beginning Friday morning, a number of classmates played a
very soggy round of golf at the Alumni Association’s annual golfing
outing. The brave ones got in around
nine holes and then retired to the clubhouse for “refreshments.” That evening,
On Saturday the group reconvened at the Hum for more of the
same. Many classmates entered the chapel
to watch the Class of ’55 sing the Farewell Hymn, and then march back down the
aisle. A real tear-jerker, as these “old
guys” all similarly attired in blazers, slacks, and ties wept through the
song. We then retired to the Radisson in
Many regrets were received from those who had other
commitments including Duke Devlin, Pete Shoemaker, Al Bullock, and Don
Ratajczak. We missed you, so mark your
calendars for the Gala 50th in 2010.
A few folks have already asked whether there might be a get together
prior to then. Joe Hagerty plans to take
his family to the 2006 Founder’s Day, and was wondering whether any one else is
planning to be there. Another suggestion
was for a get-together in
2.
Lost and Found
On Saturday morning, Bob Skrobiak called us at the Radisson
and asked if we were getting together this year. He had just returned from a Hawaiian cruise. When told we were, he said he would fly up
from
3.
Oh How the Mighty
Have Fallen
We had become accustomed to Dennis Bevans appearing at these
get togethers with “trophy” girlfriends.
Dennis had remained a bachelor all these years. Well guess what: he appeared this year with a “trophy”
wife. (Please excuse the political
incorrectness.) Congratulations to Dennis, and to Suzanne, the beautiful lady
who captured him. She is an assistant
principal in the
4.
“Till Our Hearts
Be Still”
Since we last communicated we have learned that Jim Rule
passed away. Jim was a decorated Vietnam
war vet, and has been a counselor for the VA in
Joe Diorio – 1942-1997: A Remembrance
Submitted by Al Bullock, ’60-His friend
It’s easy to remember Joe Diorio. From the time he entered the Hum in House C (West End) from his home in Jenkintown, Joe and his brother Tony (’56) shared the same congenial personality, finding humor in practically every circumstance of Hum life.
Band members remember his clarinet in the woodwind section
under the baton of Mr. Morrison.
Wrestling at 133 lbs. under Coaches Bradley and Wolstenholme, Joe could
return from a meet five pounds heavier, having stopped to wolf down a jumbo
cheesesteak at “Mario and Phyl’s” before reporting in. His Allen Hall roomies, Paul Jayne and Tony
Fiore remember his antics in the Talent Show, and on graduation night starting
at
Following graduation he entered
Joe moved his wife (Ruth Ann) and children (Joey, Anthony, and “Teenie”-Ruth Ann Jean) to Atlantic City in the early ‘70s when the casinos were being built, and served as the Director of Transportation for Steve Wynn’s “Golden Nugget” and at “Trump Castle”, bringing in high rollers from all over the world. Despite these achievements, he always felt that his children were his greatest accomplishment. All three are college-educated, married, and have families of their own.
In the 90s, Joe’s high blood pressure caused him to suffer a series of disabling strokes. Recovering from a particularly severe episode, he served as Best Man in his friend’s wedding, and received in appreciation, a Class of ’60 pin made into a ring that he wore, replacing the pin that he lost so many years before.
Joe succumbed to a stroke in 1997, and his family and
friends gatherered to return his ashes to the ocean in
A brick on “Senior Walk” marks the memory of Joe Diorio, fondly remembered by all who were privileged to know him.
Bob Kelly (1943-2000)
Bob Kelly passed away on
Robert John Kelly, 56, of
A graduate of
He served as vice president of the ILGWU, and was a member
of the Mountain Valley Golf Club, and the
5.
Class of ‘60 50th
Year Gift
A Message from
Dear Classmates,
Now is the time for all good Girardians to come to the aid of their CLASS! Sound familiar?
If you have ever reflected on your life, you know that we
are a select and a fortunate few to have been taken under the wing of Stephen
Girard’s benevolent gift of a sound education and preparation for life.
As we look forward to May of 2010 when we will be privileged to walk down the aisle in the Chapel celebrating our 50th year after graduation, we as a class are obligated by tradition to make a monetary gift to our school. Class gifts in the past have ranged from $20,000-30,000. At present the Class of 1959 has about $27,000. Our account holds about $5,000 and just recently 3 classmates have pledged just over $8,000. So we are on our way to being that Specialer Nifty class of 1960! Do we have a goal? No, not yet but in talks with Johnny Myers, we agree that our gift must and will be memorable!
Our gift could fund a project on campus such as windows for Founder’s Hall or help with the new roof and skylights on our main building. By now you should know that Girard has received a grant of over $500,000 from the National Parks Service toward this roof/skylight project but this gift is contingent on receiving an addition $800,000 from other private sources. These are just two ideas. Please communicate any of your thoughts for projects you consider important and lasting.
I, along with Class Gift Committee members Bill Evans,
Checks should be made out to The
As a special group we can make a difference and give a piece of our success back to the school that gave us an opportunity. Let’s be proud that we are Girardians and prouder that we are the CLASS OF 1960!
Hail Girard!
Myron (Toby) Caplan
412-821-4256
6.
Communications
Harold Cohrs sent us a set of photos from the 25th
reunion. They are available for viewing on
the internet at Deveney.net/25. We sent notice of the photos’ availability to
classmates for whom we have email addresses, and we heard from Pete Shoemaker,
and
From Pete Shoemaker: These
are great. Hard to believe it was 20 years ago. This is probably a good time to
give you my perspective of what’s going on at Girard. Since I was living in the
From
Played golf last year with Duke up
here in
One of these days I'll get to a
class reunion at the Hum on Founders day.
Take care, Matt
In addition we received a follow-up
communication from Harold Cohrs:
Hi Guys...Hope everyone had a
chance to see the pictures of the 25th year reunion. I also have a video tape
taken at the 30th year reunion and was wondering if anyone has an interest in
getting a copy. The tape runs about an hour and includes a walk through of what
was left of the
We then went up to the
Then over to the Chapel where we
see Joe Alberici, Bill Evans, John Meyers, Dave Paulson, Ed Hill, Jim Ritchie,
Bob Himmelrich, Myron Caplan, George Keller, Bruce Seaman, Jim Rule, Ed DiRomaldo,
Then we went up the road into the
high school where we run into John Tait. It was then upstairs to the classroom
area. Everything was locked so we couldn't actually get into any classrooms but
there was a lot of memories just walking the halls. Be amazed that after 30
years Bob Culver still remembers some French. Then up to the 3rd floor to the
Science rooms. Remember all those glass cases in the hall with the stuffed
animal, frogs, tape worms.
Next it was off to Founder's Hall.
See some old pics of Hum life. The
If anyone is interested, let me
know. I can only do VHS format for now. Depending on demand I may ask for a
small sum to cover postage.
Thanks....Hap Cohrs
Hap has now upgraded his
video tape to where it includes the material above, along with the 1948 film of
the Hum which covers Harry Truman’s visit in 1948, (obviously preparing for the
‘48 presidential election which he “lost” to Thomas Dewey), scenes about life
in the Hum, Founder’s Day, and the Battalion.
If you are interested in acquiring the VHS tape let Harold know. We recommend you contact him and let him know
that a check for $10 is in the mail, and ask him to send you a copy. We are attempting to find the 1960 film, and
then place all this material on a DVD. (
732-549-3336
Communications About the 44th
& 45th Reunions
It was great seeing the guys, who showed up at Founder's Day. Dennis (bringing his wife) certainly made it that much more enjoyable. Not having my list of the '60 class with me here in Fl., I may have trouble spelling names correctly. Please feel free to make any and all edits and/or corrections. Remember we are only a few years away from Medicare!!
As we all know the Hum is always changing. New buildings,
new teachers and Admin. people, who no longer know us or we them. One thing
that will never change are the guys in our class. Evans is as crazy as
ever, and had us all cracking up at the hotel after Founder's Day. Ed D.(iromaldo) and I sat around reminiscing.
Also, unlike myself, he wasn't drinking; so, I can't remember what he
said about anyone. I'll have to check with him as to what I said. I was
even able to convince Deveney to show up at the hotel. I reminded him of the
time I made one of his get-togethers before Founder's Day and got totally lost
coming down that mountain he lives on. It had to be hard for John Myers with
that bad hip, coming all the way from
Speaking of “Dave at the
Beach” Phillips:
Thanks for your efforts in organizing the 45th. I had not been back to the Hum for 20 years, and I must admit that I had some emotional moments.
Some snapshots, notes, and memories from the weekend:
I was delighted to find that I could stand in the back row
for photos. (I grew 5 inches after graduation.) I am now
taller than Eddie D. and
I was sitting in the
Dennis Gries reminded me of how poor we really were when we entered the Hum. It occurred to me that so many of us have used the Hum to carve out satisfying lives.
Bill Evans was in rare form with his wicked humor.
Charlie Ellis is a lucky man to have found such a wonderful wife.
Though the turnout was a bit disappointing (where was Monk Snyder?), my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company.
It was a bit surreal to be walking around the Hum and have a bunch of little black kids surrounding us old "white heads" and asking for our autographs. A teacher had planned a project for them to collect our names. I thought it was a nice touch; we were like rock stars!
Dennis Bevans has found the Fountain of Youth.
Danny Ferro sent me photos from the Friday gathering, and they are on my refrigerator.
Thanks to Adam Deveney for opening up his house. A
special thanks to
I have to sign off now because it is time for my afternoon nap. See you at the 50th!
Dave Phillips
From Joe
Frigiola:
The highlight of my
Founder's Day Weekend for the past 15 or so years has been the Alumni Golf
Outings on Friday. The reason for this has been to see just how many Class of
'60 members, like myself, have been smitten by this goofy game. Apparently,
sanity has prevailed, as our numbers have been small. The usual suspects have
included Bob Himmelrich, alas no more, with his pro style distance, Toby Caplan
(inconsistent ball striking),
From Dennis
Bevans:
Impression/Reflections:
Too few classmates took the time/trouble to show up. Those who live close seemed especially under-represented. Many of us are passing from work into retirement, and too many are also literally passing away. It seemed a good time (but it went so fast) to reflect back with others who shared “the experience” while we still can.
To quote my wife.. ”All the men (from our class) who did show up were confident, articulate gentleman.” I wholeheartedly agree, and feel that Archie Andrews, and Maggie McGhee along with others deserve a lot of credit for this.
The significantly changed campus is, in some real ways, more attractive than in 1960 but holds far less draw for me now. It’s natural to feel that way, I suppose.
If the leadership and living quarters are any example, then Girard today surely is a much more contemporary environment in which to grow up and learn. There were effective role models, and we would possibly differ on who those were, but I can’t help but wonder who approved and offered employment to some of the men who controlled our daily fate. I believe that we had to make them and their actions humorous because we were so powerless to do anything else.
I enjoyed a rewarding career in Government service, but stumbled into it. Those films of guys on tractors. . .YOUR LIFE’S WORK. . .didn’t do it for me.
I can’t deny that I was a poor kid and that Girard, for any flaws I ascribe to it by adult and contemporary measures, gave me a far better life than I otherwise would have had. I regret though that during the course of 9 years I was unable to ever comfortably adjust. I also wish that I had gotten to know my classmates better.
Regards, Dennis Bevans
And from
Observations about the 44th & 45th.
Very
glad we went to the 44th and got to spend some time with the "gentle
giant", Bob Himmelrich. What a
really great guy he was to be with. He
helped us a few years ago when our oldest was in
One other impression is that in the present student population, the girls seem to be emerging as the student leaders. That's an interesting development.
Rich (Max)
And Finally
from Bill Evans:
Reflections on the 45th
Class of ’60
Flying back home from the 45th class re-union gave me a good chance to reflect and try to connect the dots with why I look forward to linking up with our classmates every five years. The biggest hang-up that I have is overcoming a potentially unhealthy tendency of getting caught up and immersed in the past, but I rationalized the whole affair as being a symbol of remembrance from guys we grew up with and shared countless experiences.
There’s no denying that some days The Hum was not unlike the raw-knuckled reality of regimentation that one would find in a prison. Just picture ‘Boss Jackson’ with his shirt sleeves rolled up standing in the isle of a cell block and you’ll get my drift. But there’s no denying that when we graduated, we were self-reliant, knew the meaning of work, and were low-maintenance individuals.
We may not have always liked everyone all the time or treated one another with compassion, but we still were and are able to sustain that inextricable orphan bastard bond. The reunions have been a tremendous source of friendship renewal as well as getting to know classmates that maybe we didn’t run with at The Hum. At these gatherings, it's a real tribute to the guys who check their egos and successes at the door and enjoy one another's company and laughter.
On to The Hum….that which was and is no more. The core infrastructure is still intact, but one would be hard-pressed to re-capture the mood and feelings as we knew them fifty years ago. Names like Eddie, John, Al, Mike, or Rich have been ebonically morphed into Twandette, Lakeisha, Tyrell, Orangjello (and his twin bro, Lemongjello).
The general mood on campus was very spirited and positive and it was gratifying to see so many youngsters and staff deporting themselves in such a good-natured manner. Someone on the staff deserves high marks for getting the students (I have a block about referring to them as Hummers and Hummerettes) energized to approach the alumni and ask for our autographs. What an ingenious scheme to bond diverse generations; the social engineers would be ecstatic with this break through. I was particularly touched when early in the process, the ever lovable, self-effacing, Charlie Ellis leaned over and said to me, “Hey, Bill, do you think I should sign my name, Chump, Chuckles, or Charlie?” I was at a loss for words. I took the tactic of signing their books with names like, G. Nehrig, B. Joll, J. Fisher, Al Richardson, S. Craig, J. Rothberg, B. O. Jones, F. Newhart, and Harpo Duddlebaum (sic)
I'm thinking of you guys because I am reminded of the haunting ending of the poem, Around the Corner,
"And that's what we get, and deserve in the end,
Around the corner, a vanished friend."
Editors’ Response: Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful comments, (though we missed
the usual searing Evans’ wit.) We too are
concerned not to get hung up on a useless nostalgia trip. It is clearly too late to begin to “know
ourselves”, but we think that has its’ values, and that better communication
between us in our old-age will facilitate that somewhat. We have already passed the point where
“networking” is
of value professionally, but that may an important point to get across to future
generations of Hummers. To our
knowledge, we did a very poor job of that.
Yet, we had a perfect network, already established at the time of our
graduation, and even before the phenomena was singled
out in the culture as a means of success, and achievement. We can think of a few good examples of this: Toby’s comments in the last Scratch Sheet
about hooking up at Blumcraft upon graduation because of Hummers already there,
and
And finally some perspective
on all this. One alum wrote: “Oh, it’s
not the
7. Communicating with the Scratch Sheet
We are sending this Scratch Sheet
to all classmates with an email address.
This is clearly the most efficient mode of getting this info to
you. However, if you don’t let us know
when you change your address the communication bounces back created more work
for everyone involved in the distribution.
Please let
each Scratch Sheet. However, he will discontinue the practice of
sending emails on changes he receives.
If you are trying to reach someone and the List is not working, feel
free to contact John for any updated info he may have.
Finally, a little example of
tracing lost classmates. Following is a
typical example of emails in this area,
where most of us speculate and reminisce, and Dennis Gries produces the hard
facts.
Caplan to D’Amico
Rocco,
I believe I
can locate Rich “Pepsi” Popella through his brother in
Sadly she
told me that Pepsi’s brother whose name now escapes me had just lost his wife
and mother to illnesses. I didn’t pursue him because she said he was very
depressed. I will make the effort now.
It was
really fun reading the old names! (Referring
to the draft list in Section 8 below).
Myron “Tob”
D’Amico to
Caplan & Gries
Tob- Hey how about those names: You can laugh even if you didn’t know the guy: Chisowsky, Babiak, Aldinger, D’Amico. A scrufty crew from the ends of the earth. I suspect the current residents of the Hum are even more bizarre in their naming.
So go for Popella. I
believe his brother’s name was Mike, Class of ’58. Rich was an unusual guy. I remember being intimated by him in the
first grade class with Ms. Ranck. Given
Hap Cohrs communications he was also part of the Gestapo traitors in Section 7,
along with Wes Teasdale. I remember them
both as very orderly guys, so they probably agreed with the Governess, that Hap
and Vite Culver were slobs, and should have to scrub their wash basins into
eternity. In terms of pure athleticism,
he was the man in our class. Clearly the
best soccer player; Hall of Famer Huck Himmelrich, and Joe Hippel were a notch
below. I remember playing with him on
extramural elementary and junior high school teams, along with our Section Team
in
Getting back to Popella.
He was also a great soccer center forward. If Wolstenholme had not been so senior
oriented, I don’t think there is any question that he should have started
before Joe Rocco, on the ’59 championship team.
(The same would have been true of Skrobiak, and Hipple, at Fullback, and
Malumphy in goal.) Unfortunately all
four of them were gone by then, so Wolstenholme never had to confront that
issue. (Though Pete Shoemaker, and
And then the real authority: Dennis Gries to Caplan and D’Amico.
Hmm ---
Girard data: Richard Popella dob
Consider that there is a Richard L. Popella - Jun 1942 on
one of the free search engines. But, there are several locations:
Belchertown (seriously) MA - no phone number, and
Looks like wife, about 3 years younger, is Joanne F.
good luck – dennis
And then Toby gets back to the important stuff: reminiscing:
Rocco,
I will find
Pepsi Popella. I really enjoy reading your remembrances and truly miss
the fact that I entered the Hum when I was 9 and a half and never had the
opportunity to live, eat, and play in the
I remember
sneaking out after lights out and helping the drunken Hum Willy drag laundry
bags into his cart and help push it around from building to building. If
a housemaster or governess approached I would dive under the laundry bags and
hide till the coast was clear. I can’t believe I snuck out alone so if a
classmate remembers these adventures it would be great if he would own up!
I remember
jumping from bed to bed again after lights out and being caught in mid air one
time by Govey Greene. Punishment was holding Bibles (I think…or heavy
books) at arms length till they ached or I became exhausted and dropped.
I remember
entering the Hum thinking that I was the fastest 9 year old on the planet (At
home I was the fastest runner on the block). Someone and it could have been you
said, “Why don’t you race that guy?” I lined up against Carl Sehl and was
left in the dust. I became a more humble boy after that lesson!
I remember
at my first meal telling the governess that I was allergic to milk and couldn’t
drink it. Skeptical she told me to go to the infirmary and get a note
verifying that I was allergic to milk. Stupid me, I traipsed over to the
infirmary and stood in the long line waiting and waiting. As I approached
the front of the line, I began to realize that they were not going to give me
any note! I chickened out and went to the next meal with no note and a
governess standing over me demanding that I drink my milk. Moral of the
story is that I love milk and still do!
I remember
in Mariner swinging a snow shovel over my head and the metal part flew off and
almost killed a housemaster. Another housemaster saw the whole thing and
slipped me in the face. Punishment was “to the Armory and no TV
tonight!” Wow what a punishment…I really liked playing in the
Armory! I’ll try to remember the housemasters’ names.
I remember
every year the class looked forward to watching Johnny Myers and I compete in
the 220 yards dash. This was gym/track class. I don’t remember who
won each year but we sure ran neck and neck!
I remember
my only fight at Girard was with Bill Evans. We shared a sink and the
fight must have been who would wash up first.
I remember
going home via the Pennsylvania Railroad and early on the Hummers had their own
car. Box lunches were everywhere; we were swinging from the coat racks,
and literally trashed the car. We didn’t have our own car long! The
trip across the state took about 8 hours…seemed we stopped every 15
minutes! As an exercise some of us tried to memorize all the stops from
east to west and west to east. Don’t ask me to recite them
today!!!!!!!!! Believe it or not I made 32 rounds trips from
I have to
get to work but I will try to think of some more highlights or lowlights of our
Girard Life.
Tob
WHICH LEADS TO AN
I remember
the Martz buses pulled up to Founder’s Hall to get you guys home for
vacations. (This may have been only for
the NE guys.) Then what happened? Were you organized by location. Where were you picked up, once you got to
your home area? Did the buses go from
town to town:
8. Classmates Who Didn’t Graduate
The Alumni Association provided us with a list of everyone who entered the Hum and was born in the years1941 through 1944. This should have captured anyone who was ever in our class. (Unfortunately these lists have been through a number of “human error-prone” steps, so there is no certainty.) We screened that list and came up with all those who we know were in our class at some time, but did not graduate with us. The list is clearly not comprehensive in that we could think of 3 individuals who were a part of our class, who were not on the list. (1940 births are a possibility, certainly Malumphey.)
Do you remember these guys? We’re really not sure about Michael Siford, Ronald Hitchcock,and William Axt. They may have been in ‘59 or ’61. Do you remember if they were in our class. Can you think of any one else? In effect, about 30 percent of those in our class didn’t make it.
Here’s a question for you. Obviously some of these guys left during the summer. But for those who left during the school year, did they just disappear? Do you remember knowing that someone was about to leave? Did you ever get to say a fond farewell? The Alumni lists are organized by the entrants DOB, which is how it is presented here.
Classmate Date
of Departure Reason
Joseph Hipple 1958 18 year rule
Alex Markauskas 1958 18 year rule*
Leroy Noll 1958 18 year rule*
Robert Whittington 1955 Adjustment
Ronald Hitchcock 1958 Conduct
John Chisowsky 1955 Adjustment
Jesse Bilheimer 1957 ?*
Michael Siford 1956 Conduct
Charles Jackson 1955 Failure to adjust
Matthew Mills 1957 Mother’s request
Russell Lucas 1955 “ “
Walter Sheetz 1958 Conduct
John Babiak Listed as graduated *
Joseph Tully 1954 Mother’s request
Joseph Magistrini 1952 “
James Caine 1959 Failure
Richard Popella 1958 Mother’s request
Daniel Wimer 1953 “ “
Charles VanArsdale 1953 “ “
Atlee Mercer 1959 Conduct
William Fair 1956 Failure
Mario Rullo 1958 Failure*
Edward Fogerty 1957 Aunt’s request
John Few 1957 Mother’s request
Leonard Scott 1960 Conduct
Joseph Grabowski 1957 Failure
Eugene Daub 1953 Mother’s Request
William Axt 1957 Failure
Fred Aldinger 1958 Adjustment
John Carullo Left back. 1961 Grad
Ronald Woolston 1958 Conduct
Andrew Keenan 1957 Failure
Bruce Lambrecht 1958 Failure
Miles Christman 1957 Req of college??
Charles Hensel 1956 Failure
Ronald Heimbach 1958 Failure
John Lynch 1961 Left back, 18yr rule
Richard Crump 1955 Mother’s Request
Not Listed but definitely part of our class
Barkley Malumphey 1958 18 year rule
Clark Houghton 1958?* Conduct
Douglas Judge ? ?
*Markauskas was born on
Noll was born
The listing doesn’t say why Jesse Bilheimer left, instead it notes 5 brothers in the Hum at the same time. Obviously one of them was Bob who graduated with us.
Babiak is listed as graduating with us. He didn’t.
Rullo is listed as failure. He was actually 3 VOed.
Early in 2006,
9. The Class of 60 Test
i. One point for each correct answer. Minus 1 point if you were in the governesses’ section and don’t get the right answer.
6. Who was the Governess from Hell? (No, it was not yours. There was another.)
Answers in the next Scratch Sheet.
10. The Corinthian II
We mentioned in an earlier issue that we hoped to put together a new Corinthian for our 50th anniversary. We’re ready to begin that process. What we hope for is a keepsake document which pushes you into nostalgia fits, but also can be a family treasure which your poor children and others who have been listening to your innumerable stories all these years can go to once you’re long gone. They’ll probably appear on Antiques Roadshow with it.
So we would have a section on each class member, and associates, plus many other things. OK guys start writing. Bonnie ol’ Cas MacGregor will be the editor. Tell us all about your life after the Hum, your fabulous spouse(s), your way above average children, your many accomplishments, or more mundanely how you have lived your life. Reflect on how the Hum experience affected you.
But also feel free to wander far and wide, for example:
1,Your entrance into the Hum; what do you remember about it;
how did you adjust; did anyone have an impact in helping your adjustment. Were you traumatized as
a.“It took me a year to adjust. There was lots to do in
Section B and
b. “The person I most remember as having an impact on my
adjustment was Mr. Sweigert. He got us involved in sports
activities. I also recall he was the one who read to us (answer to trivia
question?) from a set of story books. That was great, because I was an
avid reader (remember “insular”). I seem to recall that on some of these
occasions, we had a fire in the fireplace.”
2.Your passage through the Hum: the high points, the low points. The people you hated, those you loved (classmates, staff, the bullies from ’59).
3.Stories, stories, stories. You may have told them a million times to your wife, children, your peers at work, and to us at reunions, but some of us were not there at the time.
Whatever we get from you we will publish in periodic Scratch Sheets, and then compile them in Corinthian II. C’mon, guys write it down, or will even take dictation. Send them to Rocco.
Here’s one. At the 30th
reunion, Jim Rule showed up for the first time.
He was dressed like an
Another one. You may recall that there was a ledge that went across the outside of the Armory about 30 feet above the outside pit that opened to the basement rooms. It was flat but only about 4 inches wide, and a few lunatics in our class (Malumphy, Seaman) took great pride in inching across it the entire length of the armory. At the 45th reunion we noticed that the first five feet of it, at either end, had had an addition: a 45 degree angle block of wood. Evans immediately named it “the Malumphy barrier”.
So tell us your stories. We would especially like to hear from Victor (Hector) Carlson, and John (Otis) Sosinski about their experiences when they got caught hopping the wall during graduation week to buy beer. Did they ever hear of the revolt they engendered when we heard that they wouldn’t graduate with us, and might not even get their degree? Did Beaky Cunningham cross-examine them under a single light bulb? Were they shepherded out of the Hum in the middle of the night? Was this the first time that Victor had ever done anything wrong in his entire history in the Hum? Doesn’t John feel guilty that he tempted Victor into it? How did Sosinski get over the wall? Certainly 125 lb. Carlson couldn’t help “the behemoth.”
So send your profiles, and stories to Rocco. C’mon guys have you ever read a more boring 20 pages. Send us some stuff!
FINALLY: ANOTHER NOTE FROM RON SARACINI RECEIVED JUST
BEFORE PUBLICATION: I need to say more. I
really felt bad more guys didn't show up at Founder's Day. Let me say this:
Guys that hate Girard for whatever reason, need to remember, it
ain't the school you're visiting, it is the guys. I come back to the
Hum to see the guys I spent 9 years with 24/7 . Some might get offended, but
Girard has really changed. It is no longer the same school I
went to (my opinion; no letters or phone calls please). No matter what happened
to anyone of us either from our classmates or those who had us by the balls, we
were brothers. If you want to laugh and feel young again, or stay old,
you need to come and listen to Evans , D'Romaldo, Tait
and others to remember the great times we had. Every
year that goes by we could lose more guys. If John Myers can
come back from
I have had a couple beers so forgive me.
Editor: Hey Ron pretty good for an S-5er. But when are you awake when you haven’t had a
couple beers?
AND TO ALL OF YOU:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAVE A
GREAT 2006!
AND KEEP IN TOUCH