Well Jane look at the bright side. You are at least communicating with us again.
Everybody appreciates hearing from you. You will be missed and we will be thinking of you.....

Hi everybody!!!!! I'm sorry I haven't been around on Blogger and email, but my PC is broken. Currently I'm using a very old laptop, which my 13 yr. old daughter figured out. I really feel lost and disconnected without my PC. I've read your notes about the reunion and all of you lucky people getting together again, and I REALLY, REALLY wish I could make it. I'll definitely be thinking of all of you that weekend and hoping sometime I can get to see y'all again!!! Have a drink for me too!!
I really hate living so f***ing far away. You guys are the lucky ones. I'll NEVER feel comfortable here and I'll never fit in with a bunch of Texans. . . . . nor do I want to. When Pat came to visit, I think she figured that one out. So . . . . . . I hope everybody has a great, wonderful time! I'll be thinking of y'all!!!!!!!!!!! I apologize if this sounds negative. I just want you guys to appreciate how lucky you are in life. Adios (sp?) for now ! . ! . ! . ! . ! . ! . ! Jane (Haseltine) Kinney

We have a room there for Friday and Saturday night. I booked it real early, I have always been an over planner. We have to drive to Delaware, and then Maryland the next day, so if hubby gets tired he can go to bed, and I'll be able to stay.

I'm with you, Janette.....I booked a room there 2 weeks ago. It will be easier to have a good time and not have to worry about driving anywhere.........it has been a while for most of us to see each other and I don't want to have to leave early for any reason.........see you there!!

Hey everybody, I have some good news for those looking for rooms. I called the Rockingham Motor Lodge to see if they had any vacancies for June 22nd and they do. She said they are about half booked and have approx. 15 rooms available as of today. I myself am going to rent one, even though I live in Springfield, so I can get a buzz on and not have to drive. What could be more convenient? So if you want a room call 802-463-4536. The rates are $67 + tax, and $6.00 per additional person. Four people could share 2 double beds for approx $40 per couple. Hope this helps.

Let me see. They never paid me enough to teach the world to sing.
I was dangerous while playing wipe out. But I can't forget the Pink Floyd.
With all the chimes and ticking of the clock. That always took me a little Time.
Or a little Jimmy Hendrix. Ok ok then Janis Joplin.... Nope sounds too much like Woodstock.
Nancy has us on the right track with We'd be Jammin....

Hi everyone!
We 're going to play JAMMIN by that hairy dude.....Bob Marley. That'll be cool. I remember disco music. The DUCK INN and waddle out days. When I was younger, much younger than I am today.....(Is that the title of a song?)Whatever!! I remember going to some awesome concerts and and I shouldn't talk about such things on the BLOG. They were the good 'ol days for sure!! Right Jeannette?

I'm a little worried about you Richard.

I think it is refreshing when old dogs know what they like and take time to do these things. Do you guys do these things? I don't and it is really screwing me up.

On the music front, I have to go with Jeannette and Pat. How could all those songs be so unremarkable, so un-jammin? How about "Wipeout"- at least it is a little bit of drivin surf-wave or how about the theme song to The Munsters, . . . Hawaii 5-0????? Can Austin Powers help us out here?

Regarding music I do not want to teach the world to sing. so where do we go from there?

Can I park my pop up at HoJo's pits; I'm not used to sleeping on the ground anymore. I've never had beer on my corn flakes but there's a first time for everything Richard. I've never believed that you can't teah an old dog new tricks!

No problem Pat, glad to help. I love looking at B&B's because I have always wanted to own one, except that I know that the reality is not as much fun as the fantasy. (Isn't that the truth for most things?) What town is your husband's reunion in? I have a sister and a brother in MA As for the camping idea...........I'll take a good party any day but for sleeping, give me a nice warm bed!

Hi everyone, I was wondering if we were going to be playing any music on our float? In looking over the list of hit songs that Pat and Karen (?) sent, I see that 1972 had a lot of sappy songs and not much in the way of cool "jammin' " songs representative of our class. Some of them are great "oldies" (oh my God!) but I can't see us playing Nights in White Satin or I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing. Whatever will we do?? Suggestions?

Now were getting somewhere.
But as my memory cells start to reactivate, I remember now that its HoJo's Pits above HoJos; Fergie's Pits is further up.
I have an 8 person tent. Who's bringing the ox?

It seems to me I camped at Ascutney State Park for the last reunion I went to? I'm definitely there for Fergie's Pits, if I can come. I'll bring my own armload of firewood though! There is nothing like frosted flakes and a Budweiser to start the day. Good Morning, Springfield High!!

We all pitch our tents at Fergie's Pits and cook out in the a.m. It's a bed and breakfast! Great price too!!!

Fergie's Pits is going to be the, um, correctional facility?
We better have one last party.
That takes care of places to sleep, too!
Sweet.

Today was May 18, and it is spring, right? Well, it snowed today in VT and NH. My brother said a half inch accumulated on trees and grassy surfaces in Springfield this morning into the early afternoon, and power lines were taken down by falling branches and trees between Chester and Grafton. I was supposed to take a hike with three other guys today in the middle of NH, but it got rained/snowed out. We still met for breakfast, and when I returned to Nashua in early afternoon, there was snow on my car, on the roof of the house, on patches of grass, and on the rhubarb. Washington, NH got four inches on the ground and Mt. Monadnock three inches. Maybe June 22 will be a different kind of a day. Glad that Horsefeathers worked out for you, Pat. See how teamwork across the miles can work thanks to Karen? The former Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge is a Holiday Inn Express now while the Howard Johnson's restaurant is still there at Exit 7 in Springfield. And the prison (correctional facility) will be going right in the hillside above it.

O.K. It's done! Yahoo! I spoke with the lovely people at the Horsefeather's Inn which it turns out is 5 minutes away from the Rockingham Motor Inn/Lodge which-ever. The web site shows the Inn off very nicely, and we even picked out our room on the net. So thanks Karen for suggesting that one. You're a peach. Now we start working on where to stay in MA the folowing weekend when we travel further south to Dave's 31st reunion.

Hi Karen, I'd already contacted several of these places and given the date of the reunion they go to summer rates and are all over $100 per night. The Hartness House is booked completely and has been for a while now. Lots of different events happening in the area that weekend. Don't want to go to Rockingham Saturday night and then drive north of Spfld to sleep so we're looking in the chester/rockingham area now. (we figure about 9 hours to drive home on Sunday) I spoke to someone at the Hugging Bear the other night and they didn't say anything about $65. Oh yeah that's for a single . The chester Inn is booked. The deals you mentioned are definatley good but not available. thanks for the thoughts. I'll keep looking.

Pat, Rich and my youngest have gone to Spiderman tonight so, having nothing better to do, I looked up some B&B's. Have you considered: Horsefeathers Inn B&B in BF $65 and up, Andrie Rose B&B in Ludlow, $80 and up, Hartness House is $89 and up, Hugging Bear in Chester is $65 and up, and I wanted to find out the rates for the Weathersfield Inn but couldn't get to the website, the phone is 802-263-9217. Then there is always the AAA discount which we use anytime we can. These seem like pretty good deals to me. Hope something works. Have a good weekend. Karen

Still looking for a reasonably priced room. You'd think this was down town Boston not Springfield, VT. when did Howard Johnsons become a Holiday In?

No No No we won't let you off the hook Richard. I don't feel you've explained yourself at all. Were you traveling with a transvestite and turned over your vehicle which became a fireball as you escaped. ( I'm writing a moveie of the week)

No, Jerry, I didn't feel that earthquake. It was farther north. But I've felt plenty other earthquakes living in L.A. Luckily, we missed the really big one in 1994. We were living in Israel at the time. And when Iraq fired the Scuds at Israel, we were living in L.A. So far, we've had good timing. Those earthquakes are scary, though. When you can't even trust the earth you're standing on, it's definitely scary. Okay, Richard, we'll let you off the hook!

I have to go send my check along with the note to Ron Young. Is anyone else doing that tonight? On the second floor of the building where I work there is a sign which reads that the museum is one flight down. Now would that be on United or Delta? And are there frequent flyer miles? Lori, did you feel that recent earthquake in California? The winning ticket in last night's Powerball drawing was purchased at a Texaco station in Weirs Beach, NH. Were any of you gassing up and buying a hotdog there over last weekend? Hey, is the clock off here? My post time is 2:30:18 AM on 5/17, but I'm sitting here at 9:30 PM on the 16th.

Sometimes I say things I just know I'm going to wish I hadn't. I had this feeling when I hit the transvestite post & publish button. It's probably similar to the feeling that Jerry Springer's guests have as they leave the set and head back to ???? where ever his guests come from. My thought at the time was, "What would be harder to explain to the police? The car that you had just narrowly escaped from- burning up in front of your eyes or the presence of the transvestite that had escaped with you." Sure this was strange, Hollyweird, or whatever. For better or worse, you have my full disclosure. Is there a 12 step program to help me fix this sort of thing?

Richard, the transvestite is stirring up a lot of interest. I was going to ask for an explanation, but Patti and John have done it for me!

all right you guys I think Karen was hoping there'd be some sort of document with all these questons answered on it to share at the reunion. She isn't in blogger and is missing all your hilarity.

Now what was that about a transvestite in Wells, Maine?

Sorry John, I was just going with the wildest thing concept and my natural immaturity. So my guess is that the golf courses are pretty green, but really wet and cold. So far here it's like I never saw a winter as cold as this May in Burlington. Hope your doing great- stay warm!

Richard,

What the hell does a transvestite got to do with this?

John, I did that same thing with a transvestite in NYC.

Good Timing Richard, Posted seconds apart.

Robin it could be. Last I knew he was living up that way.

For me the Wildest thing I ever done should read what is NOT the wildest thing you ever done.
Let me see. How about the time 4 of us strapped ourselves into a car and tried to roll it over
just to see what it felt like. Instead lost control at high speed and went over a ledge and landed nose first.
Oh yea the gas tank was inside the back of the station wagaon so we had that to deal with after the landing.
We all got out ok but the car went up in smoke. Who was the driver.....Well lets just say it was a Graham but not Keith.....yup he was in our class. Now that was a ride I won't forget.

Robin, let's send an invitation and see who shows up.

OK..before we begin discussing wildest type things, could all of the alumni currently employed in the general area of law enforcement please raise your hands?....thanks. I passed something called "Wink's Place" near Wells, Maine last weekend. You don't suppose........

Woah, I don't know .......this is getting a little too touchy feely for us not so extrovert types.

So I think that Karen has a great list. It is a little peek-a-boo into each other's lives- like yeah maybe just a little. For this reason, I regret to say that I will not be the first. I also won't be the last. That wildest thing I've ever done question is the tough one. Do I go with the skydiving Elvis episode or the one about swallowing live things whole?

She also sent me a list of music that was popular way back when. I'm sending the attachment to everyone on the list. It's quite a blast. I don't remember all of the music. It certainly brings back some memories though.

this is a note sent to me from Karen (Vatne) Hack. I share it with all of you for your input.


I've composed a list of things I'd like to know about people. Answers
could really stimulate some interesting conversation. And some Qs are
silly but fun. What do you think? Have anything to add/delete?

Name (current photo?)

Address

Telephone #

E-mail address

Places I have lived

Further Education

Employment

Fantasy job

Accomplishments

Spouse

Spouse's occupation

Children (photo?)/year of birth

Favorite SHS memories

Favorite classes/teachers

Favorite memories of Springfield

Regrets?

Secret crushes (if you dare)

Favorite place to party then

Favorite music/song then

Current music/song favorite

Musicians I've seen in concert

Favorite movie then

Current movie favorite

Famous people I've seen or met - when, where

Favorite vacation destination

Places I've been & when

Favorite hobbies or pastimes

Last book read:

Wildest thing I have done

Message I'd like to send to my classmates

(Q could be returned with banquet reservation so copies could be made.
Could charge for copies if need be, payment of which could be made with
reservation. Could provide option of receiving copy at banquet or
paying for postage.)

Boy - once I get started, I can't stop! I just had a wild thought...we
could play "The Weakest Link" and ask Qs gleaned from the
Questionnaires. It could be quite funny (or really stupid!).

Ciao!

Thanks John, I figured that we were to send in the second sheet which is the dinner choice and attendance form. I got the impression he wanted something else, in addition to that. It's the reason I haven't sent mine in yet. So now I will. Just like in school I want to make sure I understand the directions so I don't do something wrong. : - ) some things never change.

My husband's 31st reunion is a couple of weeks after ours. They have been asked to send in a personal history. "Here's what I've been up to for the last 31 years" ----that sort of thing. I thought maybe that's what Ron meant.

The note Ron is talking about is the second paper that has your choice for supper.
Another words don't send just the money send the note which tells us what you would
like to eat.

Jerry thanks for asking, I didn't know who the other Linda was either and hadn't gotten around to asking yet. I recognized Linda Brochu right away.
I don't remember all that much from Elm Hill time. I remember Danny Tribodes (sp) eating the glue right out of the jar. Gross! Wonder what happened to him? I still have a recipe book we all made. Gayle Oberg and Debbie Peck and Janice Hickley and Eileen Hongisto to name a few. I remember ice skating in the parking lot after my grandfather flooded it in from of his Woodruff Motors body shop on Chester Ave.
I remember walking home to Wall Street from Riverside, stopping at Britts for a chocolate ice cream soda and a 1/4 lb bag of malted milk balls, then stopping at the bakery for 3 sugar coated donut holes. My mom could never understand why I wouldn't eat supper! And I still only weighed 79 lbs in 7th grade! Not any more though!

On the RSVP to Ron he asks for a note along with payment. Does anybody know what he's looking for here? ????? Also I'm wondering if we have any more news on how many folks are coming so far and who? Ditto on the Friday night dinner at Hartness House.

Yup no problem Jerry, That is Linda LaBonte and Linda Hays that you saw.
It's definitely got to be the carrots sticks. All I know is John K Wu can tell you
all about China. Yup saw him in a store last year. So he is still around.

Jerry, it is definitely the carrots!

Hey Jerry, look again, that's Linda Labonte and Linda Hays! Hi everyone, I just got back from a trip to KY to pick my daughter up from college. I wish you could see how beautiful the horse farms in Lexington are this time of year. Everything is green here in MI but the temps are still chilly for my KY blood. You all seem to have much better memories than I do about the early years......especially you Jerry.........wow, how do you come up with that stuff? I have enjoyed looking at the pics. I think the shot from the 25th that I was going to send is in the moving van with all our household goods, so if anyone else has that, send it to Brian. Happy Trails.........Karen

OK, the Hurricanes just beat the Canadiens 4-3 in overtime of game 4 in their series (hockey) after trailing 3-0. Too bad the Bruins fell aside so early in the playoffs. At least the Red Sox are continuing their winning streak. Neil, May Rafford kept me after school once in first grade, and I missed the bus because of it. My Mom had to come get me. Imagine being kept after in THE FIRST GRADE! I did have a change of heart and went to her retirement party. And Miss Randall in second, Miss Jones in third, and Mrs. Gomo in fourth. Remember when you played your guitar and together you and I sang "Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore" at recess? We had quite a following. The carrot sticks I eat in my lunch must help with my memory. Maybe my eyesight, too. No glasses yet, but some of the small print does give me a problem. So Ben & Jerry's will be leaving Springfield next year. Do any of you see Ben & Jerry's products for sale in your part of the country? I'll try to send a photo for the gallery soon. John, is the other Linda in some of the photos your wife? What was her last name? Or is that someone else from our class? I'll be embarrassed if I've messed up here, but I'm curious. I'll tune in later.

Warning!
My company just got hit with a virus last night, the W32.Klez.gen@mm worm. It's one of the worst, in that it self launches even if you don't click on an attachment. It will infect your drive if you have the preview pane open and just highlight the mail to see what it is. I think it only works if you are using Microsoft Outlook and are set to view HTML mail. Be leary about any mail you get, because it can come from anyone, even though the person didn't really send it. (It uses addresses it finds in a victim's mail address book and makes an email that seemingly came from one of them) Darn those hackers!
For more info, here is a link that shows how to detect and remove it:

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/tutorial/virusremoval/remove_klez_virus_s.html.

This virus doesn't affect Macs running Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Express, only Windows machines.
If you have Norton Antivirus up to date, you are probably safe. Lesson learned.

Hi Shannon, Welcome! Sorry I didn't tell you about the float, but they did say "secrect". Actually I just forgot to mention it, you know we never finish a subject before moving on to the next. Sorry again, Bye for now.

Let me see. oh yea now I remember, I got in trouble in school for what I don't remember but my punishment was to take typing class. I said to myself then that I don't know why they would do such a thing I will never use this typing stuff after I get out of school. Oh yea her name was Mrs. Armstrong. Holy cow was I glad that I learned how to type or this would be painful to type all the time. Anyway Brian you did an excellent job about getting over the fear of typing on here. Brian paragraph 4 was very nicely put. Ok Brian here have 3 cheers on me. c[_]~~ c[_]```` c[_]

Hi everyone. Every once in a while, I decide to stop "listening in" on all of you and plunge into the blog site. Patti, I think Brian's original explanation of how to use this site was pretty simple and easy to follow. It has to be if I figured it out. And, Brian, after your last comments, I'm sure anyone who's been afraid of saying something stupid will step forward and say what's on their mind, stupid or not! (I hope I'm not just talking for myself!) I like the photos. You're not the 18-year-olds I remember, but you all look good! I'll send mine soon. Just waiting for my husband to find time to show me how to send a photo by computer. What about the rest of you? We're waiting...

Hi There everyone! This is the former Shannon Newport. I got my invite( Yes, Nancy S you did it right.) and after much thought I said What the heck! Sign me up. Nancy Y has been keeping me up on the reunion plans except the secret float. What's with that??? Put me on the e-mail list. my address is slbrickey@hotmail.com.

Nancy, would that be the former Shannon Newport? I wonder if she would like to be listed on the e-mail list?

I just invited Shannon Brickey to blogger. I hope I did it right! We shall see.
Brian I love the picture you posted. I'm so glad you haven't changed.

I really like the secret plan for the float! I can personally relate with feeling pickled and my mother used to make the best grape jam out of wild grapes that grew behind our house. 99% sugar and 1% grape, but hey those grapes had flavor.

Hi Pat and all,
Thanks, I chose that particular web photo route because it requires the least amount of thought, and it works great. Everything is built into iPhoto which is included with every Mac running OS X.

You are right that most of us are leery of getting ourselves embarassed on a worldwide scale with computers that we barely understand.

There is no danger of violating your home or office computer, (like bad things crossing the firewall), you are just working with web pages on your browser, not downloading anything that could have a virus in it.

My advice to those who are hanging back:
1. Just try it out sometime, knowing you can click the "edit" button to change or delete anything you said or misspelled.
2. It helps to trust that we are old enough to respect each other for the essence of what we are trying to say, not how we actually said it.
3. Always give people the credit for figuring out what you mean, if you are not sure you said it right. People are amazingly intelligent and forgiving, every single one of us.
4. Everyone wants to hear you are out there. Even if SHS was not the best time in your life, you are part of our childhood, we are part of yours and it we are all sorry for making your life miserable then. Really.
5. Do things you are afraid to do. There is no greater sense of accomplishment. And the rush is awesome.

See? I am not afraid to act like a pompous raving lunatic : )

Hi Brian, boy the photo section is great! I was talking with someone this morning who indicated that she didn't feel comfortable with trying blooger. There are folks who just figure they won't get it right or are just uncomfortable with computers and assume they can't do it. I wonder if there is some way to set up a corner booth at the reunion and show people just how easy it is. I've had comments about concern for their firewalls and that sort of thing. Maybe there's a way to eliminate some of this worry and get the other have of the"team" to join up!. Maybe a more detailed explanatory e-mail. I don't know Just thinking out loud I guess. Naturally some people will choose not to particpate here but there are others who just don't quite "get it" I see this this natural concern in some of my students. The willingness to just go for it isn't always there. People are afraid to mess things up.

Hiya Nancy.. I like how you put that... Oh yes, I am still "out there" somewhere.. ;-) I've been so busy that I haven't been able to check in here much lately. Life is very good, although I'm looking forward to taking a break and catching my breath soon. Sheila and I just moved her mom, and we moved us in the latter part of February, so we are just getting settled in. My God, it has been a few years, hasn't it? The last reunion I made it to was our 20th. If my memory serves me, I think I recall seeing you there. I must confess, there was some partying going on, so I could have my reunions mixed up. I missed the
25th. Anyway, it will be great to see you, too. I'm hoping we can make it down for the whole weekend...we'll see.



Jerry! Too much! How do you remember all of this stuff? I must have early onset alzheimers. But hey, you and I were classmates from 1st - 12th. I Remember Mrs. Ratford, 1st grade...scary woman! Remember 5th grade when our buddy Mr. Staples knocked down Bob Lavanovich for goofing off during the movie....and chipped his front tooth? Oh yes, some of the memories. I do remember bus 14 and the Duttons. That's all for now.

Okay for everybody that wants to pass it on or didn't get a invitation or lost theirs etc......
I posted the invite at this web page.

http://home.adelphia.net/~jjll/Class72.htm


Send your response to Ron Young, 5561 Rte. 106 Reading, Vt. 05062

We got back a handfull of returns on the invitation. I personally emailed this to everyone on Pattie's email list and now
I am posting this at this site. We have tried very hard to contact everybody and we did not intend to leave anyone out.
So this is the best I can do for the last chance to see the invite.

Thanks Jeannette. Do you know how we can get in touch with Bea Lovell Merrill?Does anyone know?

Hi everyone -for those looking for Steve Lohutko's address it's 38 Olive St., Springfield, VT 05156.

Hey Brian, I love the hat!!!! you have to wear that to the reunion now, so we know who you are. Have a great afternoon everybody.