Well here we are, 40 years later.
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Our class celebrated with a 40 year reunion June 24th and June 25 in Mahwah.
With lots to do that weekend, our class celebrated like it was 1976 all over again!
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Here is a note from John Dolan:
Classmates,
Sue and I would like to thank all who attended our 40th reunion. Many of
you traveled great lengths to get back to Mahwah and enjoy the activities.
California was represented by Tom Collishaw and Bill Jackson. Mike Dooley,
Jack Lansing and Collette McKeeby came in from Florida. Joe Cuhaj from Alabama.
John Sepp from Michigan and Matt MacDonald from Illinois. Thank you all for
making the extra effort to attend.
Various activities were planned over our reunion weekend and many
classmates participated. It all started Friday morning with golf at Spook Rock
Country Club. After golf we gathered at my house for some burgers and beers and
if that wasn't enough for Friday, we continued our discussions at the M B and G. Each
event was well attended and it gave us an opportunity to reconnect and reflect
on the past 40 years.
Saturday morning started with a hike in the Ramapough mountains (thank you
Joe Cuhaj for organizing) and a tour of Mahwah High School. Both events enjoyed
a beautiful day to explore.
55 classmates attended the main event Saturday night and enjoyed an evening
of fun conversation at The Mason Jar.
We hope you had a great time and we appreciate all who participated.
Thank you again to everyone and we look forward to seeing more classmates
at the 45th!.
--John
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Let's give a big THANK YOU to the following classmates for sharing their photographs:
Bill Jackson
Jeanne Bosehans Schaffer
Debbi Karpowich O'Connor
Diane Jessop Fisher
Collette McKeeby Rana
Shelby Tison Cromwell
Jeff Reisel
Kevin Mariani
There is a good selection of photos from all of the events. Since there are so many I am posting them in random order but they represent the BBQ at John and Kathy Dolan's home, Friday night at the Mahwah Bar and Grill, he Saturday morning hike, some pics of Mahwah High School and the main event at the Mason Jar in Mahwah on Saturday evening.
Ok, here we go!
(Note:last name initials are maiden names for the married ladies)
And ahead of time I will apologize for any errors in names, etc. Also, Google Blogger seems to have a mind of its own when it comes to spacing so I apologize.
Enjoy!
Angel T., Max C. and Collette M.
Cathy H. and Patty M.
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| Angel T. ,Sue H. Gary W., Joe C. |
Diane J., Irene B., Audrey S, Lynn W.
Diane J., Irene B., Audrey S., Lynn W., Angel T.
Gene F.
Jeanne B. and Bill R.
John R. and Bob (Rip) R.
John R. and Jeanne B.
Angel T, Sue C., Scott M., Debbie D., Debbie K., Jan N.. Irene B., Karen B., Mike D., Jim B.
Lynn S. and Gene F.
Paul L, Jeanne B., Angel T., Debbie D., Larry R.
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Sue C. and Scott M.
Sue H., Mike D. Diane J.
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John and Kathy Dolan graciously held a BBQ on the Friday afternoon of the reunion festivities. Here is a group photo- John B., Larry R, Audrey S., Shelby T., Val B,, Lynn W,, Jim G., Jeff R., Diane J.,Todd C., Walt M., John D., Paul H., Mike D., John S., Jack L., Jim S., Donner T., Bill J., Tom C., Matt McD., Ron K., Jim B.
Diane J. and Audrey S.
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Thank you to Debbie Karpowich O'Connor for sharing her memories, read and enjoy! -
I am still smiling over the memories shared and the new memories made during the Class of ‘76 40th Reunion weekend. It was so terrific to have our old “gang” reunited, made especially sweet by having Joe Cuhaj travel all the way up from Alabama, as well as Debbie Page Hooper (Class of ‘77) make the trip from Florida. Joe’s Ramapo Reservation hike was an excellent way to reconnect with old acquaintances. The glorious weather, natural beauty of the Reservation, and pace of Joe’s hike provided optimum conditions for friendly conversations and catching up with our classmates. I am in my element in the woods, so this hike was the highlight of the weekend for me. Walking down from the upper lake along the trail, two of our intrepid hikers almost stepped on a snake. The scream that simultaneously left both of them probably could have been heard a mile away in the parking lot! (LOL---Diane Jessop!).
Since we had opted to hike instead of taking a tour of MHS, our little gang went on our own private tour on Friday morning. We met the principal, who could not have been nicer or more accommodating. He gave us his blessing to tour the school at our leisure, which we did. I think sitting in the cafeteria may have brought back the most memories for our group. A walk outside, trying to visualize the old layout of the school with the few remaining buildings, really strained our brains! For me, viewing the football field brought back memories of so many cold, half-time shows, desperately trying to not drop my metal baton with my frozen fingers. It makes me giggle to think that the stadium, set within the beautiful view of our Mahwah “mountains,” speaks “marching band” to me more than “football.”
The night reunion at The Mason Jar was filled with more smiles and laughter. Being pretty reserved by nature, and being totally aware that I didn’t really KNOW too many of my classmates during high school, had me pretty jittery and anxious when we first entered the event. Within moments, all was good as hellos were exchanged with familiar faces and friends.
It was a great weekend. Thanks to all that planned the different events and made it all happen.
---Debbi Karpowich O'Connor
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What a great morning for a hike!
Love this scenery!
The perfect day for a hike
Another shot of the beautiful scenery
Val B. on the hike
So who all visited Kinchley's while being back home?
Jeanne B. and Angel T.
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Jeanne B., Gayla H., Collette M.
Jeanne B. and Kevin M.
Max C. and Collette M.
Paul L. and Diane J.
Mingling
John D. and Audrey S.
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Enjoying the meal
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Catching up with classmates
Larry R., Kevin C., Audrey S.
Bob (Rip) R. and Collette M.
Lynn S. and Matt McD.
Collette M, Jeanne B., Sue H., Maureen E. and Gayla H. at the hotel
Collette M., Diane J., Mike D.
Collette M., Max C., Angel T.
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Collette M., Todd C., Jeanne B., John R.
John D. and Bob (Rip) R.
Jeanne B. and Angel T.
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The following is a piece I posted on the Facebook group page.
I thought I would share it here also as not everyone is on Facebook. --S.
Today, June 15, 2016 marks 40 years since we collected our diplomas and left Mahwah High School. We've taken a variety of paths since our final days on the unique campus up on the hill.
We classmates have grown older and wiser. Some of us have remained in Mahwah over the years while others have taken up residence miles away. But one thing will forever bind us, we are the Mahwah High School Class of 1976 and we were fortunate to share our graduation year along with the celebration of the United States' Bicentennial. (Does any other class have red, white and blue tassles from their graduation cap?)
When we were teens there was no internet, digital camera, cell phone or compact discs. We also managed to survive without flat screen tvs, self-parking cars, dvd and even vhs players. Social media was accomplished by chatting with friends, reading newspaper letters to the editor and listening to the radio – AM and FM. Who could have imagined we would be able to have a personal computer in our homes? And bank machines and debit cards and selfies, how did we live without those? On the flip side, don't you miss 45 rpm records and 8 track tapes? And Pal's Diner and Weaver's?
Wherever we have been or wherever we may be going, Mahwah will always hold an important place in our memories...that includes the town itself, schools we have attended, and friendships we have cultivated along the way.
As we get ready to celebrate the milestone with our 40-year class reunion please take time to remember the following classmates who sadly are no longer with us:
Barbara Rathsack
Anthony Mann
Sandi Kondrat
Jim Alfandre
Jeff Tolen
Tom Reavely
Dick Bjurstrom
Jimmy Bowens
Dave McDonald
Keith Spreen
Thank you all and cheers and best wishes to the Class of 1976!
Additional note: Sadly, after posting this, we were informed that Robin Halliday had also passed away, I don't know any details but please keep his family in your thoughts.
A little get together aside from the reunion activities including Joe.C,
Gary W. and his wife Linda and others.
Joe C. and Kevin C. at the hike
Hikers Linda W. (wife of Gary W.), Debbie H., Debbi K., Mike C., Gary W., Joe C.
Mike C., Debbie H., Linda W.
Mike C. and Gary W.
MHS
Bob (Rip) R., Scott M., Kevin M.
MHS still has Pride and Spirit
Brian (Debbi K.'s husband), Debbie H., Gary W.
Debbi K. and her husband Brian
Debbie H. and Debbi K.
Debbie H.
Debbie H. and Joe C.
The MHS field
The school grounds
Gary W. and his wife Linda
Gary W., Kevin C., Joe C., Debbie H., Debbi K. visiting MHS
Gary W. and his wife Linda, Debbi K., Debbie H., and Joe C.
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Here are a few words from Audrey S. -
I'd like to personally thank John and Kathy Dolan, Sue Montgomery Lane and
Joe Cuhaj for making our class reunion such a success! I realize it takes a lot
of planning and just time that you could have spent on other 'fun' things in
your lives! So, thanks!!
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What a lovely place for the hike!
Just beautiful!
Jan N., Audrey S., Jim (Jan N.'s husband) and Mike C.
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I hope you are enjoying the photos so far. There are more!
Sue C. and Diane J.
TJ, Diane J., Mike D. Sue C. and Scott M.
Irene B., Mary Claire M., Robin D., Audrey S., Patty M.
Matt McD., Lynn W., Lynn S., Diane J., Mike D., Donner T., John D.
Mike D., Matt McD., Lynn W., Diane J., Donner T., John D.
Scott M., Sue C., Mike D., Diane J.
Audrey S., John D., Lynn S.
Bill J.and Audrey S.
Diane J., Collette M., Audrey S., Kevin M., Jim G., Susie B., John B., Bill J.
Diane J., Mike D., Sue C.
Diane J., Mike D., Jeanne B., Collette M., Jim G.
Sue H., Diane J., Jeanne B. and Maureen E.
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Diane J., Mike D., Lynn S., John D., Jeff R.
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Jeff R. and Lynn S.
John B., Tom C., Lynn S., Jeff R., Shelby T.
Kevin M., Matt McD., Lynn W.
Mike D., Donner T., Lynn S.
Paul H., Mike D., John D., Jeff R.
Here we go a-hiking...
The T-Bird
Debbi K and Debbie H. in the cafeteria
Debbi K., and Debbie H.
Hiking
Kevin C. and Gary W. enjoying the school cafeteria
Mike C. and Gary W.
Beautiful!
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TJ, Val B., Susie B., Donner T., Shelby T.
Mary Claire M., Patty M., Sue C., Matt
McD.
Paul L., Tom C., Mike G.
Bob (Rip) R., John D., Lynn S., Todd C.
Catching up with classmates
Jim B., Jim G., Matt McD., Kevin C.
Jim G., John D., Paul L.
John B., Jan N. and her husband Jim
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Angel T., Lynn S., Gene F.
Audrey S., Shelby T., Jan N.
Debbie H. and Joe C.
Debbi K. and John S.
Gary W. and Mike C.
Gary W. and TJ
Shelby T., Val B, Joe C.
The hike
Front: Jim C. (Jan's husband), Linda W. (Gary's wife), Jan N. ,Shelby T., Val B.,
Middle: Kevin C., Diane J., Audrey S. Debbi K., Debbie H.
Back: Bill J., Gary W., Mike C., Brian O. (Debbi K.'s husband)
Debbie H. and Debbi K., Jan N.
Jan N., Debbie H., Debbi K.
Jeanne B., Mike G., Paul L.
Kevin C.,Joe C., Debbi K., Debbie H., Linda and Gary W.
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Joe C., Diane J., Gary W.,
John R. and John (Jack) L.
Karen B., Debbie D., Mary Claire M.,
Kevin C., Jeanne B.
Larry R., Pete R., Cathy H.
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Lynn W. background, Donner T. and Max C.
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Mike C. and his wife Michaela
Paul L., Jim B., Kevin C., John S., Mike D.
Shelby T., Val B., Diane J.
Steve L,, Paul H.
Tom C.
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Take a look at these, how wonderful that we can see our classmates 30 years ago and today.
1986
Cathy H., Jim B., and Mike D.
2016
Jim B., Cathy H. and Mike D.
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Sue C. and Diane J.
Patty M.
Maureen E. and Sue H.
Lynn W. and Donner T.
Sue C., TJ, Debbi K.
Paul H., Mike G., Bill J., Max C.
Debbie D.
Debbie D., Max C., Lynn W., Donner T., Karen B.
Debbie D. and her hubby TJ
Donner T., Debbie D., Max C.
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Gene F. and his wife Angel T.
Larry R., John D., Cathy H.
John D. and Cathy H.
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John S. and Tom C.
John B. and Steve L.
Mary Claire M. and Audrey S.
Max C.
Patty M, Karen B., Scott M, Irene B.
Bob (Rip) R. and Scott M.
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A little bit of extra news involving our classmates:
On July 11th the annual Carty Golf Outing was held. This year there are 5 MHS scholarship recipients who have benefited from this yearly fundraiser.
Participating from our class were Bill R,, Jeff R., Ron K., Jeff V.,
Lynn S., Mike G., and John B.
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Thank you for reading the blog!
The next edition will be in October 2016 and I will send out a note
requesting submissions beforehand.
Here is the group link for Mahwah High School Class of 76:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/47889678341/
As always, if you want to submit or pass along any news, please send either to
mahwahhighschool1976@yahoo.com
or reply directly to any email I have sent from my personal mail.
Thanks to everyone who shared their photos and memories!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
-Sue M.
