Reunion Goof

There is some wisdom to the idea that as you get older you shouldn’t trust your memory. During a recent Facebook discussion I announced the date of the reunion as the fourth Saturday in June based on our by-laws. Unfortunately that was a wonderful example of trusting my memory when I shouldn’t have… This came up the last time there were five Saturdays in June and I remembered it exactly backwards. So I am now doing some serious backpedaling.

Fortunately, not everybody believed me and the question reached our secretary, Annette. She had her by-laws handy and looked it up… and I stand corrected. The reunion is set by the by-laws as the last Saturday in June. It doesn’t matter how many there are. I won’t even try to blame in on the fact this is a leap year. I was wrong.

So this year’s reunion is Saturday, June 30th! 

Having made this announcement I apologize to any and all who I gave the wrong information and shall now go wash the egg off my face.

Starting the reunion countdown…

Just a quick reminder/announcement… our by-laws require us to meet the FOURTH Saturday in June and that’s not always the last! Sometimes there are five–like this year. This year’s reunion will be June 30 and we’ll of course be in Chester again!

Class of ’61–Where are you?

Has it really been fifty years? Kennedy was president… you could get a hamburger for fifteen cents… the Yankees won the series… and all these people graduated from Chester High School:

Mary Welch Jones, Doug Besancon, Charles Blanchard, Jan Broga, Duane Buckley, Virginia Voudren Cormier, Dawn Damon Lincoln, Robert Gray, Joan Ferris Clemons, Barbara Miller Henderson, Joan Will Monroe, Jon James, Robert James, Ralph E. Kenyon, Constance Kelly Lafond, Mary Woodis Gleason, Roxanna Whitaker Nowak, Judith Davenport Olson, Agnes Pelkey Mannings*, Robert Podoloski*, Robert Primrose*, James Provost, James Roberts, Loren Scott, Frances Smith Lyon*, Nancy Smith Burrel*, Edith Cooper Whitaker, Paul Libardi*, Philip Monty, Beverly Wilcox Sheehy, Raymond Tufts, and Faith Frisbee Rocke.

*These folks are “missing” — we do not have addresses… if you are on this list, contact the Association soon! Judith Davenport Olson has been trying to keep track of everybody so you can also let her know… we’ll help you get organized for next year’s reunion as much as possible.  I remember Bob Primrose coming a few years ago and it seems like he was out west… in Washington State or perhaps Oregon. We do know that Bob Podolski is in Becket, but do not have a street address…

I can’t help but notice… this class has been and is active in the Association! Judy and Jacki are currently members of the Board and Edith is past secretary. Thanks for your help!

Deceased class members include Bruce Morse, Kathleen Sanders, Wilson Broga, and Marcia Philbrook.

There’s Life Between Reunions!

Well, the Chester High Facebook Page is set up… and while we’re not getting deluged with Blue Devils, a few folks are stopping by! Check it out, post something… maybe we can get some meeting and greeting happening.

Meanwhile, Annette is digging into the “black book” of names and addresses of alumni. This is a huge job…  we’ve talked about a couple of “labor-saving” devices. The best one is trying to identify a class representative for each year; someone who would accept responsibility for helping find and organize a mailing list for that class.

We’re going to start with the classes who will be featured at next year’s reunion, the 50th (1961), 25th (1986) and as time allows we’ll do the other five-year anniversary classes. If you belong to one of those classes, we’ll be happy to help you organize and give you whatever information we have! 

Similarly, if you know anybody who attended Chester Schools or graduated from Gateway as a resident of Chester, encourage them to contact the association and provide their mailing address. We want to build our mailing list and not miss anybody!

Comin’ Home 2010

 Excerpts from a press release…

As over 150 Chester High Alumni and friends gathered in town, one was heard to

These folks are not waiting for a train but this is about "days gone by."

comment “Where is Normal Rockwell when you need him?” The 108th anniversary of Chester High School was indeed a picture of history, nostalgia, and community/school spirit.  The annual reunion and meeting always draws a large number of people associated with the former Chester High School, including Chester Residents who graduated from Gateway after Chester High School closed in the late 1960’s. This year’s meeting was held on June 26 at the restored Chester Train Station.

Special recognition was given to Ralph Kenyon who was present for his 74^th reunion. Additional five year class attendees included William Holmes and Rita Mitchell Phelps, Class of 1945; Muriel Pease Boisseau, Edward Carrington, Rita Tracey Dempsey, Phyllis Salvini Donovan, Elinore Markham. Paul Mitchell, Maurice Pease, Fay Peltier Piergiovanni, Marjorie Morey Pulver, and Barbara Gerrish Thomas, Class of 1950. The “half century” class of 1960 included Gerald Biggs, Robert Goewey, Shirley Libardi Guzzo, Joan Hansbury, George Miller, and Paula Zisk.

What happened to the chocolate covered strawberries??

Association President Walter Boomsma noted that these reunions are “drifting in the direction of becoming as much a town event as a school reunion.” Noting that the Chester Foundation handled most of the meeting arrangements and food, he also pointed out that the Historical Society also supported the occasion by offering special hours for alumni to visit and arranging for a book signing by alumni and author Phyllis Salvini Donovan.

Author Phyllis Donovan is assisted by Fay Piergiovanni autographing "A History of Chester..."

“We had lots of help setting up and people who volunteered to stay and help clean up,” he said. “I think this is proof that small town America is alive and well, at least here in Chester.”

Election of officers was also held. Elected as President for his sixth year was Walter Boomsma. Also returned to office were Vice President, Robert Goewey; and Treasurer, George Morey, Jr. Judith Davenport Olson  and Edith Cooper Whitaker were elected to the Board of Directors. After accepting Secretary Edith Whitaker’s resignation with regret, attendees overwhelmingly elected Annette Fimbel LaMountain as to the office.

The Association has already started planning for the next annual meeting, scheduled for June 25, 2011. Those associated with or in some way connected with Chester and/or Chester High School are encouraged to be certain the Association has current mailing information by contacting Annette LaMountain, Association Secretary, PO Box 206, Chester MA 01011.

Please note new mailing address…

At our most recent meeting, your classmates elected Annette Fimbel LaMountain as secretary. She and Edith will be making the transition over the next few weeks…  All future address changes, etc. should be sent to:

Annette LaMountain

Chester High School Alumni Association

PO Box 206

Chester MA 01011

More information about the festivities will be posted soon… if you were there and took pictures, send me a copy!

Gather ‘Round…

Gather ’round our alma mater! Just thought folks would like a quick update… our reservations for Saturday’s reunion total 140! We know it’s New England, but the weather forecast looks “promising.” There’s no reason to think we’ll have anything but another great reunion!

Able-bodied folks and young whippersnappers will please leave parking near the Station for our older and less mobile ‘mates. The walk will do you good! Just don’t park in town and try to cross the train tracks!

We officially “open” at 3 PM, but it’s okay to show up earlier… in fact if you do, look for Phyliss Salvini Donovan with a stack of books to sign. But before you do that, stop by the “jail” and visit the Chester Historical Society for a trip down memory lane. Make it a day! If you get tired, sit on the church corner for a while! You might even find yourself humming…

Dear old Chester High, we love you,

To you we’ll be true;

There’s no other school above you,

‘Neath the skies of blue.

And when school days have departed

Memories shall cling…

Jobs Available!

We need a secretary! Edith has announced her intention to “really” retire this year.

I know everybody is now trying to look invisible or at least smaller. That’s what happens when officer positions become available, but this is a very important job and we’re really hoping somebody will “step up” and agree to be nominated. I’m sure Edith will help with the transition… some computer skills would certainly be helpful, but what’s more important is a desire to keep the Association alive and healthy! If you are even the tiniest bit interested, feel free to give me a call or email to discuss!

If you know someone who’d be good, bribe or threaten them! And as an added incentive to attend the reunion, consider that you could get elected if you’re not there to decline! Conversely, if you’d like to be elected but can’t make the reunion, please let a board member or officer know and we’ll get you nominated.

We also will have an opening on the Board so you have two chances to help out your Association. Whaddya say?

Comin’ Home in 2010

Chester – Chester High School Alumni will be coming home to Chester this year for their annual reunion and meeting on Saturday June 26, 2010. The meeting draws a large group of people associated with the former Chester High School, including Chester Residents who graduated from Gateway after Chester High School closed in the late 1960’s. This year’s festivities begin with a social hour at 3 PM at the Chester Railroad Depot and continue informally throughout the entire weekend as “Blue Devils” and “Quarriers” wander around town visiting old friends and relatives.

Chester High has traditions dating back well over one hundred years, but the Association has no members from that long ago! Among the many mysteries every year are questions like, “Who will be the oldest member?” and “Who will come from the farthest away?” In the midst of all the reminiscing, prizes are awarded for the first local and first out of state reservation. There is never a lack of laughter, perhaps because the threat of detention is long gone even though former teachers frequently attend.

Association President Walter Boomsma noted that the reunion will be Chester by for the third straight year. “People love being in Chester for a lot of reasons, including the relaxed atmosphere. Small town America is alive and well, at least in Chester.”

“We continue to make this event truly focused on reuniting old friends. Five year classes will be honored, especially the class of 1960. Of course we’re required to have a business meeting, but we’ll keep it short and moving along.”

He also pointed out that using this more informal approach allows ticket prices have to remain low. Association Leadership is also excited that the event will be a bit of an economic stimulus package for Chester. “We’re thrilled to be bringing dollars into Chester instead of Westfield” and they hope local businesses and organizations will make the town “open and welcome” to those who attend.

The Chester Historical Society plans to be open for browsing and reminiscing from 1 pm until 2:30 pm the day of the reunion. In addition, former Chester High Graduate Phyllis Salvini Donovan will be on hand to sign copies of her recently released book, “A History of Chester Massachusetts.” 

Details and invitations will be mailed to Association Members mid to late May. Since maintaining an accurate mailing list is always a real challenge, alumni who have not received an invitation may simply send a check (tickets are $10 per person, payable to Chester High School Alumni Association) to Edith Whitaker, Association Secretary at 324 Russell Road #215 Westfield MA 01085. Edith can also be reached at 564-8124.

Additional officers of the Association include Robert Goewey, Vice President and George A. Morey Treasurer. Board Members include Nancy Allman, Mary Thayer of Russell, Jack Young of Becket, Brenda Budreau and Jackie Conklin of Huntington and Tino Cardarelli, Annette LaMountain, Diane DeMoss,, and Janice Brown, all of Chester. Any one of these people may be contacted for information or to volunteer some help. The Association maintains a “Blog”: at http://chesterhigh.wordpress.com where alumni can gather information and post comments.

The Alumni Association also manages a significant scholarship fund and Gateway Seniors are encouraged to contact their guidance counselors for additional information. Scholarship Custodians include Maurice Pease, Duane C. Pease, and Bruce Cooper.

Preliminary Planning… 2010 Reunion!

If you do buy a calendar from the Historical Society, it will already have the date of next year’s reunion: June 26, 2010. That makes the fifty year class the class of 1960 — and you are featured on the jUne page of the calendar. The calendar lists James Mitchell, Glen Avery, Dennis Welin, Robert Goewey, John Walter Ferris, George Miller Jr., Roger McCaul, Gerald Biggs, Miriam Sternagle, Judith Rice, Joan Handsbury, Dorothy Blanchard, Bradley Black, Caol Pease, Paula Zisk, Richard Wilander, Marshall Black, Richard Carraway and Doreen Kelly as members. If you are one of these people… or have information about one of them, please let our secretary or let me know! If one of you would like to “organize” your class, we’ll help… it’s not to early to start contacting people.

Of course we’ll honor all the five year classes… so do the math! In fact, this is my own class’s 45th… so let’s see if we can “pack the depot” again this year… Any classes or ‘mates needing or wanting help, just let me know! We haven’t worked out the details yet, but don’t expect much change from last year… atttending is affordable, we’ve been at ten dollars per person in the past.

What other information should we list here to help you plan your trip?