The sign “Welcome Class of ’54’ Celebrating 65 years” in blue and white decorations greeted arrivals at the Connoquenessing Country Club
for the “Picnic on the Patio” event on Saturday, August 17.
Class members and guests were greeted by Ilene Gardner, Pudue LaCava, Herman D’Amico and James Gillespie at the registration desk. Viewing the picture memorial to the 114 deceased class members was followed by individual pictures taken by Gardner at the wall mural depicting the full frontal of Lincoln High School.
Enjoying visiting and renewing friendships, the group assembled at the white covered tables with centerpieces of glass jar vases displaying bases of blue wrapped candies holding blue and white starred flowers.
A favor of white boxed hand made cookies and candies tied with blue and white ribbon marked each place setting. All signs and decorations were
made and furnished by Gardner, her sons and her daughter, Kim Groom, who assisted in setting up.
John Tino began the social event with a welcoming and noting that everyone wore their name badges that he and his wife Patty provided to aid any “senior” moments. Keeping in the time frame of 1:00 to 4:00 PM he called upon “Ginger” (Di Biagio) Roccapriore who presented her composed spiritual invocation and ending with the invitation to “manga, manga”. The buffet lunch directed by the club staff followed.
The picnic menu of hot dogs, ham and cheeseburgers, baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, and trimmings was well-received by all.
A short pause in the day’s event was followed by a memorial service conducted by John Tino and Gardner. The names of Barbara (Burgin) Molnar and Helen (Rychlicki) Hozik were read by Tino as Gardner lit two votive candles and the blue memorial candle in memory of all the deceased class members.
Gardner invited all to partake of her selection of homemade cookies displayed at the dessert table. The club staff served ice cream sundaes to all at their respective tables. A 50-50 raffle followed conducted by LaCava, D’Amico, Rose (Nocera) Massaro, Gardner and Gillespie. The winner was Nancy (Pietrandrea) Piecuch. Door prizes of gift certificates were awarded to John Tino, Patty Tino, Ted Syphrit, Betty Ann (Beatrice) Brown, Gail (Mc Cormick) Wardman, Ruth (Chima) Risinger, Audrey (Smith) Borison, Eugene Gaul, Edward Tincani and Richard Borison. Recognition was given to Ed and Mary Tincani in honor of their 64th Wedding Anniversary. Audrey and Rich Borison recognized Ilene Gardner for her August 18th Birthday and led the signing of Happy Birthday in her honor.
Concluding the event the committee members expressed their appreciation and support received from all the class members. Gardner and Clemmy Sirimarco recognized Pudue LaCava for handling all the arrangements with the CC Club. An open discussion was held regarding a 2020 year event and resulted in an agreement to have a party. All class members will be advised of time, date and place.
Submitted by
Clemmy Sirimarco
(phone 330-680-4954) Ohio or Cell phone 742-359-8791
So wished I could have joined my 1954 class…love reading the report of the celebration and seeing the names that are so familiar from my high school days.
Sounds like a great time was had by all. So kind of you all to honor those that we’ve lost.
Really hoping to join you next year, God willing. Love to all. Ruth Hughes Rinker
John Prokovich wished that he could of been there also with Ruth Hughes. Will someone send me the Leder article to 1021 Meadow Ln St charles ,Mo 63303. call 636-946-9787.