An Old North Plainfield Photo

The 1968 NPHS Junior Prom ("Midnight in Martinsville," right)? Hardly. Try 1963. And it shows three East End School classmates. From left to right, they are: Karen Von Tish, Nancy Bazaz. and Beverly Gaston. Thanks to Mingione for mailing....I mean emailing....the image to me. She sent me a bunch more so I'll post them when I get the chance....although I've got to start plowing through my income tax forms this weekend. Blogging is more fun, but April 15 waits for no man.

More Images from 2004 NPHS Reunion

Anita Smith (left), Rich Senna and Karen Kretschmer share a few quiet moments at the October 2004 dinner. I'll add more photos from that evening over the course of the next few weeks. Janice Hansen Lake has sent me a few dozen, but if you have any, please send to: hpolskin@gmail.com.

A Shout Out to Janice and Kathy

So much of the heavy lifting for organizing the 40th reunion is being done by Janice Hansen Lake and Kathy Miller Senna. Here they are relaxing at the 35th reunion party in Edison. They deserve so much credit for putting it together.

Class of 1969 Sign-Ups

Here's the latest list of attendees. To date, we have 16 classmates and 6 guests attending the Reunion. The classmates are as follows: David Billman, Dennis Cecchini, Suzanne Dumont Millan, Beverly Gaston Kochard, Marilyn Gross Stillman, Janice Hansen Lake, John Hieb, Leo Kopsaftis, Karen Kretschmer Kochanski, Kathy Miller Senna, Wendy Perslin Trimarche, Howard Polskin, Richard Senna, Andrew Thomson, Frank Vastano, Robyn Waldron Massey.

If you're coming, please send a check for $60 addressed to Janice Lake, 2552 Dark Hollow Road, Jamison, PA 18929. Make check payable to NPHS Class of 1969.

More Details About the Reunion Entertainment

Everyone by now knows the NPHS Reunion is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison. But here's the latest flash: Music will be provided by a live band, The Blue Notes, with drummer Jeff Tuorto from the Class of 1968.

There's a special block of rooms available at the special rate of $79. Be sure to mention the North Plainfield High School Reunion for the Classes of 1968 and 1969 to get this special rate. Phone number: 732/287-3500.

The Word on Ned Fitzgerald

Count Ned Fitzgerald as an attendee to the NPHS Reunion Class of 1968 1969 dinner. Just got a call from him yesterday. Ned lives with his wife Carol on the east coast of Florida. He'll be up north in the spring and he intends to make our reunion a part of his trip. If you know Ned, you know that he doesn't stray from from the sea where he likes to fish. He landed that beast about two years ago. It's good to be friends with Ned for a number of reasons, but one of the top reasons is that you will never go hungry. The man knows how to fish.

More Sign-Ups from Class of 1968

Here are the latest names that will be attending the NPHS reunion from the class of 1968: Angela DellaVentura, Gail Gilbert Spinner and Linda Shebey. Gaby Steiner Gertsch lives in Switzerland, but won’t be able to attend this reunion. She sends her best wishes to everyone.

Ethel Abrams Speaks

Yesterday I came across a note from Nov. 4, 2004, in my desk drawer from our late great English teacher Ethyl Abrams. I think it's appropriate that tonight -- January 20, 2009, on the day that a black man was inaugurated as president of the United States -- that I share this with you.

If you are a fan of our former President Bush, read no further. There are some strong anti-Bush sentiments in it. Here's a portion of what she wrote: I'm still reeling from the election results. Where is the constitutional division of church and state? Because Bush at age 39 switched from Johnnie Walker to Jesus Christ, we're going to have to endure a continuation of mistaken priorities and international scorn....

I think Mrs. Abrams is smiling tonight.

Harari in Hawaii

I continue to get great images from NPHS class of 1969er Joe Harari. The Spokane, Washington, resident vacationed in Hawaii over the Christmas holiday. (As it happened Barack Obama was also there, but since Joe backed McCain, this wasn't a very big deal.) In this picture, Joe is standing outside the Grand Wailea Hotel doing a vertical finger wiggle, which is a traditional Hawaiian surfer greeting, that means: All is cool, man.

If anyone else has some images for me -- any images over the last, say, 35 years, please send them to hpolskin@gmail.com. It would be good to post a lot of pictures before the NPHS reunion. At least we could reference something when we bump into each other at the reunion.

More Sign-ups for NPHS Reunion -- Class of 68

Just got word from Gerry Burns of confirmed (i.e., paid) attendees from the class of 1968 for the NPHS reunion. They are: Bob Dietrick, Gerry Garatino Burns, Roberta Meiser Specht, Bill Thompson (who follows this blog and therefore must very high standards in literature) and David Thompson.

Who's Already Signed Up for the NPHS Reunion

This just in from Janice Hansen Lake. The following people have signed up (i.e., sent in their checks) for the May 2 reunion dinner: Suzanne Dumont Millan, Beverly Gaston Kochard, Marilyn Gross Stillman, Janice Hansen Lake, John Hieb, Kathy Miller Senna, Wendy Perslin Trimarche, Richard Senna and Robyn Waldron Massey.

Seems like the women are a bit more on the ball about early sign ups. In that spirit, I will be sending in my check for $60 this weekend payable to: NPHS CLASS OF 1969. It should be sent to: Janice Hansen Lake, 2552 Dark Hollow Road, Jamison, PA 18929.

Let's hope Janice doesn't go Bernie Madoff on us!

I'm trying to get a list of attendees from the class of 1968. Will keep you posted.

Remembering the Past....

....in this case November 2008! That's how the lawn of school from Greenbrook facing the junior high school looked. It was a warm day in early November; in fact, probably the last warm day we had. The temperatures this week in the Northeast are going to nosedive. And that lush, green lawn from the fall is now probably a frozen, gray block of solid dirt. Or covered in snow.

Iconic New Jersey Image

Ah, the beauty of New Jersey! Who can forget this intersection at Route 22 and Mountain Ave. I shot this from the Watchung Mountain side of the highway. The intersection is still a complete mess; looks like a badly broken elbow. Never quite made sense to me. It's busy, busy, busy and the hum of the cars sounds like a sewing machine in need of oil.

I'll try to populate the NPHS Reunion blog with more photos of us (classmates) and news. I'll especially try to keep everyone posted on who from North Plainfield High School will be attending.

Sorry I haven't posted more but I've been away enjoying the warm weather and beaches of Florida and Savannah. Now it's back to reality.

Happy 2009 to everyone.