About Last Night

The Crowne Plaza rocked last night. There was something in the air that made it all come together for one great evening. Maybe it was a desire to forget the economic turmoil of the world for a few hours. Perhaps it was a denial of the fast approaching signpost of 60 years old. (Hey, 60 is the new 40, right? Right??) Or maybe it was just that in the late afternoon, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and all was right with the world. Let's face it, people came to party and have a good time. You could carve last night into three pieces: the pre-party in the 5-7 range when there was a host of private gatherings in hotel rooms; the dinner dance, which lasted from about 7 to 11:30; and the after-parties, which ran until at least 3 a.m. What made the night especially intriguing was that the reunion was attended by graduates from the classes of 1967 and 1970. Here are some of those who showed up (and forgive me if I misspell your name.....please correct when you get a chance): Vicki Blasucci, Maria Mijares, Mike Spatafora, and Tom Hamway from the NPHS class of 1970. Jim Duffin from the North Plainfield High School class of 1967 also attended.

Top photo: Ned Fitzgerald and Nancy Eddy Hanna share a moment during the pre-party at the bar in the hotel at about 6 p.m. Ned returned to the bar seven and a half hours later and shut it down. (Not the first time that's happened to Ned....not by a long shot.) Just in case you're wondering, Ned did dash up to his room and change out of his shorts.

Middle photo: Janice Hansen Lake and Gerry Garatino Burns, two of the three co-chairs (along with Kathy Miller Senna) of the 2009 reunion. All three did an amazing job. Let's not forget the useful directory that they literally put together by hand. I'm glad Janice and Gerry (and Nancy) all got my memo about wearing black.

Bottom photo: Dave Mills (left) and Tom Hughes reconnect. I told Tom he was LT before there was LT.