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| click on underlined names to see a classmate's address |
Derek Hepworth
Sadly, Derek died on 18 April 2005.
See Necrology & Obituaries.
Many of you know that Derek was
taken ill on his trip to Europe after the reunion. He's been in hospital in Boston for
treatment (twice) and is now home again. For more details, see his recent news entry by clicking here. He'd be
happy to hear from you: send him an email by clicking here. For
his address and phone number, click
here. (AG updated 4 August
2004)
Derek writes:
that he's been through all the pictures
taken at the tables on the second reunion evening - in order to choose those for the
reunion booklet - and he's never seen more people who were having such an obviously
wonderful time. (AG 10 December 2003)
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Carolyn
Bessom Sjogren writes
I have looked at the webpage
several times and am so excited about the class reunion.
I have such pleasant memories of our school years. It certainly
was a much more innocent time then today. I know people always say that today will be the
good old days for someone years from now, but I hope that is not true....
The class reunion website is wonderful and such a great idea to
get reacquainted and keep in touch. (7 April 2001)
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Gresh Ivey
writes
The Reunion:
I am
honored and thrilled that the class accepted me back into the fold.
I, too throughly enjoyed the reunion and offer my sincere
congratulations to the committee for the hard work which paid off BIG.
I found it very interesting that after all these years I
recognized six people from across the room before I had a chance to see any name tags.
(17 November 2003)
I am very much interested in
joining the 2003 reunion. (20 December 2000)
see Gresh's news and biographical note
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Jim and Jan Bettger
write
We had a great time at the reunion
[in 1998] and are looking forward to the 50th.
(6 April 2002)
see Jim's news and biographical note
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Toni Jaffee writes
The Reunion: wonderful time - great seeing you et all!
(17 November
2003)
i definitely plan on
attending our reunion. (27 March 2002)
see Toni's news and biographical note
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"from Tom Champion's wife Hilde"
I'm looking forward to meeting you
at the reunion. The last one was such a great time - even the spouse from Brooklyn, NY had
a blast and met a lot of great people!! (15 December 2001)
see Tom's news
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Sally Kitfield
Shannon writes
The Reunion: I think everyone had a great time. The food was great both nights and the
conversation exciting.
It was so good to see so many classmates. (2
December 2003)
I am looking forward to the
reunion in Nov. 03. (16 April 2002)
see Sally's news
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Patti Cohen Zimble writes
I hope to make the 2003
reunion. How about toting our senior pictures along with name tags? (15 December 2001)
This was done. [Ed.]
see Patti's biographical note
Glady(s) Coletti Lyden writes
I still get the chance to see a
few friends from Swampscott and those moments are truly cherished We had a great
Class of '53 and we look forward to the next reunion. (15 December 2001)
see Glady's news and biographical note
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Ann Maitland
Whittemore writes
The Reunion: It was wonderful to see so many classmates at the reunion and how great we
all looked!!
We on the committee had a great time planning the event
and were pleased it went off without a hitch.
We all smoked in the 50's
- it was the
thing to do. [But we didn't go outside to do it. Ed.] I've quit more times than I can
count and intend to quit again. My grandchildren give me so much grief about it.
Enough about bad habits.
Looking forward to the 55th. I think a short cruise would
be in order. Then we can really sit and talk.
Derek really deserves a huge thank you bouquet for all the
work he did and Nancy for the marvelous fish chowder.
The book should be out soon and then you can relive it.
(4 December 2003)
I'm looking forward
to seeing as many classmates as possible at the reunion - so be there!!! (17 April 2002)
see Ann's news
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Beverly Cowan Wright sends us a poem (12 December 2003)
CLICK HERE to read it.
Ken
Ferris writes
The Reunion: Sending this to all on committe who have accessible
e-mail addresses on the web site:
Now back in SC, but want
to let you know the committee did a wonderful job arranging all aspects of the reunion.
Annette & I have been on the "put it together" end of these types of
gatherings many times over the years thus we have an appreciation for all the hard work
that goes into creating a successful affair, and of the many things that can go wrong even
when the job is done right.
Everything went right ~ Kudos to all !!!!
Annette & Ken Ferris
(12 November 2003)
Looking forward to reunion in
'03. (4 June 2001)
see Ken's news and biographical note
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Elaine Margaretes
Demetroulakos writes
The Remembrance Book:
What a wonderful remembrance book! I enjoyed it almost as much as the reunion
itself and I am sure I will continue to enjoy it throughout the
years to come. Thank [those responsible] so much for all your hard work and also to
all the committee. I am looking forward to our 55th??
(27 December 2003)
The Reunion: So many to talk to and catch up with and so little time to do so. It truly
was wonderful to see everyone looking so well. I was pleased that I could recognize so
many without looking at the name-tag. Speaks well for the class of '53. It's amazing how
some people haven't changed... Nancy Waldo, Sally Kitfield, Mary Delisio, Babe Keating,
Adrienne Pease, Barbara Pettis, Gladys Coletti, Barbara Singer, Erwin Strogoff... I could
go on and on and NAME EVERYONE THERE...!!!!
The committee did an outstanding job and I hope that we can look
forward to our 55th reunion.
(18 November 2003)
I can't tell you how much I'm
looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. (15 April 2002)
Looking forward to being there
and seeing everyone. (to
DH, 20 April 2001)
see Elaine's news
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Jordan Freedman writes
The Reunion: Fantastic weekend. I've heard about the class reunions that were disasters
and faced this with some trepidation. What a complete surprise that everything was so
great.
Really wish that there was more time to sit and re-connect
with everyone individually. When did we all turn into our parents? [Does
he mean "grandparents". Ed.]
I know that we'll never make another 50th but wouldn't be
great if we could make it an annual or bi-annual event. Some of us have moved far away but
a good number still live within a drive-able distance. I'd be willing to join a committee
to make that happen.
(20 November 2003)
Dick Gilman writes
At present, I would seriously
consider returning for the 50th reunion even though it be in November.
(28 August 2001)
see Dick's news and biographical note
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Adrienne Pease
Guptill writes
The Reunion: I can only echo the comments of so many other people. The committee did a
fantastic job, it was great to see everyone, but not time enough to talk with everyone
that you want to talk to, these reunions should be a whole weekend or a short cruise to
somewhere so we have more time together.
Elaine D mentioned all those who were easily recognizable,
but she did not mention herself, she has not changed. Can we put on the web site the
correct ID of every in the picture taken that night? I have most but not all, and we know
we will forget before long.
(25 November 2003)
I attended Colby Sawyer 45th
reunion in June and both Patti
Cook Cohen and Elaine Margaretes
Demetroulakos were
there. That was the third time I had attended a reunion and had not been there since the
20th reunion, and it was exciting to see every one. So I am excited about the 50th for
SHS! I would be happy to help, just let me know what you need.... (11 December 2000)
see Adrienne's news and biographical note
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Dick Goldberg writes
As far as the reunion is
concerned, we do hope to attend. (17 September 2001, to Ken Ferris)
see Dick's biographical note
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Jackie Peters
Allman writes
Was happy to hear from you and the
info on the reunion. It would be fun to renew old relationships.... (30 November 2001 to Ken Ferris)
looking forward to
going to the reunion and am already looking for a bed and breakfast in the area....
looking forward to seeing everyone in
the near future at the country club.
hugs to all that are working so hard to put this reunion
together. (18 and 19 May 2002)
see Jackie's news and
biographical note
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Harry Goldberg writes
I look forward to seeing you
at the reunion. I'll be there - 50 years is FIFTY YEARS! (18 August 2003)
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Barbara Singer
Freeman writes
Can't believe we're so close to
our 50th! Time flies when you're having fun! (5 April 2001)
I look forward to seeing
everybody at our '03 "Blast from the past" (25 September 2002)
see Barbara's biographical
note
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Arnold Goldman writes
The Remembrance Book:
a good job well done. I'm touched by the memories:
the band (many)
and the drill team - I remember you, too;
the football team's only win, over Methuen - to
its disgrace, the band outvoted me to go to play at BU that Saturday (but I went
along with it: ever only half a rebel);
Pricilla Dudley Hirschy's frappes - a
word I don't suppose I've heard for 43 years;
Nancy Tattle Lev's poodle skirts -
what were they?;
Marshall McStay "looking out to sea from
his junior English classroom" - wonderful understatement for being bored;
Campbell Soutter's fishing business making him
late or miss school - now it would be "work experience" and give him high marks;
Sonia Ryan Walker's rides to school from Mr
Dunn - who'd dare do that today?
(31 December 2003)
The Reunion: What a
crush that first night was, but how well it prepared us for Saturday. We came on time, to
discover most people already there. We thought that Ann
Whittemore was outdoors to welcome everyone, but she was just out for a smoke.
(How un-1950s.)
Very strange, trying to attract the attention of a very
slow bartender, to find oneself cheek-by-jowl with people one hadn't seen for fifty years.
Really most like a dream.
How interesting that some people seemed so instantly recognisable -
nothing to do with seeming "youthful" - but others not. How wrenching that one
only got to say hello to some, if that.
Chowder, of course, what else? Goddess Nancy! (See
Mrs Hussey in Moby-Dick.)
Now listening to the CDs prepared to remind us of
"when". They do, they do.
(19 November 2003)
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Nancy Tattle Lev
writes
Kudos to the Reunion Committee:
To all of you who served on the Reunion Committee, accept my thanks for a fantastic
weekend.
The Remembrance Book: I just received the Remembrance Book and it brought back so many
long-forgotten memories that I feel compelled to share my feelings with you. If not
for the countless hours you all put into the reunion and Ann Whittemore's urging that I
attend, I would have missed something very special. The reunion gave me the
opportunity to remember and re-connect with so many classmates whom I haven't seen in
years and years; and the remembrance book has kind of created new relationships out
of old ones. I can't thank you enough for everything you've all done!
I'm sure that the good feelings I have for the reunion are shared
by everyone, and that we won't need to wait for more than a very short while to get
together again, even in the most casual way.
My very best wishes to you all for a new year of good health and
serenity.
Fondly.
(23 December 2003)
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David Graham writes
The Reunion: On a scale of 1 to 10, the two evenings of our class reunion were a solid
14!!!
I now only wish we had yet a third evening devoted solely
to attempting to talk with those who we missed on the first two. (19
November 2003)
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Sally Smith Cooke
writes
Looking forward to the
reunion. (9 October 2002)
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THE WEBMASTER
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Connie Valpey
Deschenes & Ed Deschenes write
The Reunion: The book should be out soon and should be great fun to see.
We go along with what Derek said: "What a great looking
class. Everyone looks young and strong."
We are looking forward to the 55th Reunion. Won't be that long.
Stay well,
Ed and Connie. (3 December 2003)
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ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THE REUNION BY
EMAILING THE WEBMASTER
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Barbara Young
Feakes writes
Sorry we cannot be at the
reunion, but will send a loud yodel from Switzerland. A great time to all. (18 July 2003)
|
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see also classmates'
news and
classmates' biographical notes
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|
CLASS REUNION
Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.
I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all l ost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least. |
Another was given to the
grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait as they've set the date;
Our sixtieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my old hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty; I'm ready to party,
I'll dance until dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; and I hope at least one
Other person can make it that night.
Author Unknown |
|
go to the Class Reunion page
back to
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see also classmates'
news and
classmates' biographical notes
go to the Class of 1953 homepage
|
The Swampscott High School Class of 1953
website is maintained by a.goldman at cowbeech.f9.co.uk (substitute @ for
at).
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