Tuesday, December 30, 2008

January Birthdays!


Priscilla Annis/January 23
Florence Berodi/January 17
Carol Campbell/January 16
Margaret Crowley/January 18
Brian Curry/ January 25
Robert DeBonis/January 4
Billy DeCarlo/January 24
James Donahue/January 3
Evelyn Elkins/ January 22
Daniel Ferrara/January 30
Arthur Figlaola/January 2
Victor Foresta/January 5
Rose (Franciosa) Sisti/January 3
Jay Gottlieb,January 13
Rosemary Grasso/January 18
Edward Greenberg/January 21
Stanley Hornsby/January 1
William Janis/January 1
John Jones/ January 26 (Deceased)
Judith Kaden/January 19
Frederick LaRosa/January26
Gerard Prew/January 9
Joseph Ross/January 20 (Deceased)
kldStanley Hornsby/January 1
William Janis/January 1
Judith Kaden/January 19
Frederick LaRosa/January26
Gerard Prew/January 9
Karen Reska/January 5 (Deceased)
Joseph Ross/January 20 (Deceased)
Geraldine Sasso/January 16
Gerald Small/January 13
James Trainor/January 10
WE HAVE 35 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS!

The Lantern PhotoShop-Anne (Farrell) & Jack Anderson

Girl photographer


http://picasaweb.google.com/red.roses.are.read/TheLanternPhotoShopAnneFarrellJackAnderson?feat=directlink

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED TO VIEW THEN CLICK ON SLIDESHOW!

Enjoy Bee

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Happy New Year 2009

New Year Old Friends

"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."

Life is a book in volumes three--
The past, the present, and the yet-to-be.
The past is written and laid away,
The present we're writing every day,
And the last and best of volumes three
Is locked from sight -- God keeps the key.
~
Author Unknown

Friday, December 26, 2008

Welcome Richard Bruno!




Welcome


RICHARD BRUNO

So excited to receive an email from Sal Carmosino stating that he found you after a lengthy time searching for a dear friend. Sal also informed me that you would like to be placed on The Lantern's email list and that made me real happy.

We hope you enjoy participating in our RHS Classmate's of 1962 Blog, as much as we do. As a Newbie, however, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the size and scope of this project, as it has grown since I created it in June, 2008. But don't worry, it will become easier and clearer as you go along, and if you have any problems, there will always be me......happy to help.

I created and maintain the site for RHS Class of 1962. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me or Sal at any time. If you have a story you would like to share or photographs of you and your family, or a special trip or have developed and mastered the art of photography like our "Richard Cummings"............send them along to me and I will be happy to post them on The Lantern for you. The only thing you are able to write on your own in the Lantern is a Comment. I have to do the rest for you because I developed and maintain the site for everyone.


Thursday, December 25, 2008

Great Shares from Estella Follett Pohner


JOURNEY TO THE ORIENT

And, so the Journey begins in Hong Kong – a day’s travel from Boston. To be honest though, the Journey began many years earlier – during my junior high school days after reading “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer known for her extensive literary works on her life in the Orient. I was most impressed by her description of the rural family life in the heart of China—where women toiled in the fields from sun-up to sun-down, where giving birth was considered a short break from their labors, only to return to the fields again. In spite of such hardships, I discovered a rich culture between the lines of the novel, a simple life supported by absolute devotion to family and traditions.

Upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, I soon became aware of a balance between size and function. A massive airport connected by an extremely efficient transit system. However, that’s where the efficiency ended – finding myself lost on a rainy night in the bustling square of Causeway Bay. Not all was lost. We found fortune in two hospitable local residents that guided us through Victoria Park to the door of our hotel.

On our second day, we left our hotel and walked thru Victoria Park and everywhere we looked, we could see people exercising. Basketball and soccer, plus people of all ages doing Ti Chi. We proceeded to tour Hong Kong by foot. The streets were full of activity, cars, trucks, double decker buses and people. This city is a city of steps and escalators, always moving upward. We strolled thru the streets in the SO-HO District (South of Houston reference); looking in the windows of shops, jewelry antiques, art galleries showing the old and new art of china, always moving up hill. We then took the tram up to Victoria Peak. What a great view of the city. The breeze blowing in our faces and the camera clicking. We stayed up there until the lights came on in all the sky scrapers watching all the traffic in the harbor.

Then we took a bus down to level ground and proceeded to board a Ferry Boat over to Kowloon where we walked the Walk of Fame. This is their equivalent to Groman’s Chinese Theater. We viewed statues of their famous actors and actresses, hand prints in the concrete. We then went to the night market in Mong Kok. Now this place was OVERWHELMING, especially after having toured all day. So many people and we were all so tired. You could buy anything and everything at this market. Oh so many cameras, electronics and clothing, etc. Did we buy? No…so OVERWHELMED and tired, we walked and gaped at all the people and stores then left to go back to our hotel.

The third day was so exciting because we had a meeting planned at ING of Hong Kong. This meeting came about because the person (Matthew M. Bruce) from our group is a Financial Planner for ING and it was because of him that we were all in Hong Kong. They rolled out the red carpet for us and we had a great meeting informing us of their roll in the Asian Market. Then we all walked over to this private club (The China Club) that they had purchased from the British. We had our own room where we were served a delicious lunch and tea. So much tea, so little time. The art work was fabulous in this club. Very old art work from the time of the Cultural Revolution. This club also had a room for reading with many books in it. This definitely was one of the many highlights of our trip.

Day Four, off to the airport and over to Mainland China. The airports are totally amazing, very large, very clean and efficient. After arriving we were placed on a bus and sent off to Guangzhou (Guangdong Province). We had to change buses at the border. Visited factories in Shen Zen.

Flight to Guangzi Province here we boarded a bus and were taken to the Li Jian (LiRiver) to Guilin. Guilin has only been accessible for the last 15 years to tourist. We took a four hour cruise up the LI River. Definitely a big highlight of this trip. The scenery is so beautiful and the river was calm and the sun shining. At every turn, there was beauty from the small boats which people live on and fish off of to the buffalo swimming in the river to the beautiful scenery and the Snake Wine. YES, I did taste it….very strong. The bottle had snakes curled up on the bottom. Once in Guilin, we got settled in our Hotel and that evening we walked to an open air theater and saw one of the most breathtaking performances I have ever seen. This was called Impressions-Liu Sanjie (Jon Lmo); unique landscapes, the colors, the costumes, the singing all being performed on the lake. Probably a cast of 1,000 people. Sitting in the open air watching this with the beautiful mountains surrounding us. As I said, just breathtaking!

Boarded another bus and after five hours….arrived in Phoenix Town another great highlight! This was my favorite place. This village is beautifully set on the water and the houses are past down from generation to generation. At night when it is all lit up with the red lanterns, it is so beautiful. Here we met people who had never seen Americans before. They were intrigued by with us. We met young teenagers who wanted to take pictures with us. They thought that the men in our group were famous and they took their pictures. I had some women circle around me and they were intrigued with my long dangling earrings. Of course, I stood out , as I am tall, light skinned and blue eyed and they never touched me but they were all talking at once and admiring my silver hair and earrings.

I never felt threatened for they are gentle people. What is that saying? Save the best for last!

On the move again heading up to higher ground and colder climate. We arrived by plane at 13,000 feet. Board a bus to go down to about 11,000 feet to Jziu Jzai Gho their National Park. It is an amazing place with waterfalls, breathtaking scenery and lakes. It is cold sleeting rain and I have all five layers of everything that I own on. Running gear, turtle neck jersey, sweater, light nylon parker and a flannel lined rain slicker. Also, hat, gloves and my trusty hiking boots. I wanted so bad to hike this mountain but became sick from the altitude. Not enough time to adjust. I ended up taking the tram up the mountain and back again. However, several of our group hiked up and the photos were amazing. There was a buddest temple and these beautiful pristine water lakes that the colors are spectacular. Turquoise, green, blue. The oldest person in our group (Allan) of Cape Cod blew by many younger people hiking. Allan is in his seventies and he put us to shame. One of the strangest things that happened to us is to follow:

I hope I explained this so you have a good visual because I still do not know why they (The Chinese) would do this. It was probably twenty degrees and when you entered our hotel, which was very large…the front doors were wide open. So it looked like a ski lodge and inside everyone on the first floor level had their outerwear on and we are in this huge cafeteria eating and shivering. Well, I was sick so I went upstairs to our room and they have a small square heating pad on the bed and one tiny radiator which was located in the ceiling. I was nauseous and had a pounding headache and just wanted to lie down and get warm.

Lucky for me, I was rooming with an American Doctor who was raised in China. She went to the front desk and got a heater for our room. Thank God. Next day when we went down stairs and the doors to the lobby are still open but now we are getting the carbon monoxide of about 300 buses that are parked outside warming up to ferry all these people up to the national Park and it was a Chinese Holiday so there were thousands of people there to visit the park. Still cannot believe this. This was the only negative part of the trip.

Food!!!!!! The food was fabulous. Every thing was so fresh. Always white rice, some form of noodle soup, a chicken with his head looking at you and the whole fish. Besides these dishes there were vegetables and eggs. The wait staff was always smiling while delivering the wine, beer and the food.

I could go on and on regarding this trip of a lifetime but this is much too long already. I only hope I have given you an overview of China that you find interesting.

I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a health New Year. So great to read the stories on the site. I look forward to going to work on Tuesdays to find out what will be on the Lantern as I don’t have a computer at home.

A special thank you to Rose for all that you do for the Class of 62. Thank you to all who wished me a Happy Birthday. I have been celebrating for three weeks and it is fun. The big 65----The years just fly by.

Rose, thank you for spending the time and for your amazing writings.

Estella

Current News! No Titles Necessary!







God Bless Our Troops!


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Message from Roxanne Fisher Aiello


Hi Rose,

Want to wish you and all our classmates a wonderful holiday and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. May the coming New Year be good to all.

Please post my wishes on the Lantern.

Roxanne Fisher Aiello

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The Lantern PhotoShop-Jeanine Erricola White

Photographer



http://picasaweb.google.com/red.roses.are.read/TheLanternPhotoShopJeanineErricolaWhite?feat=directlink

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED TO VIEW JEANINE'S PHOTOS OF THE SNOW STORM IN NEW ENGLAND!

Enjoy Bee!

A message from Diane & Chuckie Beatrice

Hi Rose,

Would you please post this message for me on the Lantern site? I'm having trouble.

Happy Holidays


To All Classmates,

Wishing all a very happy and healthy holiday season. Although we don't e-mail, we truly enjoy reading yours.

A special thank you to Rose who keeps us in touch. Before our fiftieth reunion (2012) we'll take computer lessons.

Love,
Diane and Chucky Beatrice

Friday, December 19, 2008

Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish Classmates!

Hanukkah

Great Shares from Fred Ciampi

Great Shares


Rosie,

Sorry it took so long to get these pictures to you we stayed up north longer then expected and have been on the go getting ready for Christmas since returning home last week.

After reading Sal's account there isn't much to add, the day was fantastic- Jean and I were completely surprised by the turnout of classmates. The camaraderie and conversations were fantastic, it was a day we just didn't want to end.

We wish all our classmates a Merry Christmas.

Fred & Jean Ciampi

(Please view Fred's photos under Lantern PhotoShop-Fred Ciampi located in the month of November on the sidebar) or click here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/red.roses.are.read/LanternPhotoShopFredCiampi#slideshow

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Santa is on his Way!


Hello Everyone!


I suppose most of you already have your Christmas tree up and your front door adorned with a Christmas wreath and busy wrapping presents to place under the tree.

As for me, my calendar is filled with Christmas parties to attend and get togethers with friends before they leave on a jet plane to spend the holidays with their families. I'll miss not being in Boston this Christmas!

The bouncing Snowman I added is a hoot.........The Reindeer will crack you up....look for the cookie the shape as a Xmas Tree and click on it...most times, the Reindeer will stop to eat it. If it doesn't happen the first time, click on the cookie again. Too funny!

Well, Santa is on his Way!
P.S. Sal Carmosino sent two photos from the recent mini reunion with Fred Ciampi. I posted them in Sal's PhotoShop located in the month of October.






Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Welcome Linda, Janet & Vickie!

Welcome Snowman


Let's all give Linda (Spagnola) Lattanzi, Janet (Campello) Meaney and Vicki (Calla) Longo a warm welcome. We are thrilled to have you aboard The Lantern which gives us the opportunity to get reacquainted with our Forever Friends!

If you have photos of your family, vacations, children, grandchildren or would love to share your life accomplishments with us.........please email me and I will be happy to post them online and even create an Album just for you to continue to add to!

Our curious minds want to know what have you been doing since 1962?

Thank you to Diane for informing Linda of the Lantern. And, thank you to Meri for contacting Janet and Vicki.

There are quite a few entries since June, 2008, so I would suggest to look on the sidebar and start reading with the month of June. We love when everyone leaves "Comments" which you will notice in the bottom of each entry. If you have a Google Account, you may use your username and password to leave an account, if not, don't worry.....you can still leave a comment by using the anonymous feature but make sure you put your name inside the text of your comment otherwise we will not know who you are!


Monday, December 8, 2008

A Message from our Class President




I regret to inform you of the passing of another classmate, Michael “Mac” McCormack passed away in Naples, Fla. this past weekend. Michael was married to another of our classmates Linda Lamberti.

Also in Naples,Fla. last week, Ralph Fulchino passed away. Ralph was the son of our late RHS principal Dr. Albert Fulchino. Ralph was also the husband of our late classmate Mitzie Bernazani.


John Henry

Friday, December 5, 2008

Sal Carmosino Reports

Sharing Snowman


Hi Rose,
I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner about our mini reunion with Fred Ciampi. My computer was locked and I couldn't do anything. I had to call Comcast today and they helped me get it running again. This is an old computer and sometimes very slow at responses, so we may be looking at a new one soon, cuz this is very frustrating.

OK our day with Fred.... We arrived at the Continental at about 11:30 am and waited for our friends. We met Joanne Nardone in the parking lot and went inside. Shortly afterward, Peter Zaccone, Meri Mastronardi and Joanne Strazzulla and Robert Scott arrived. Then Fred Ciampi and his wife arrived.

As Fred only expected me and my wife, he was surprised to see all the other classmates again. After some picture taking in the lobby, we went in to a table for 9 people. Since many of us hadn't seen Fred for many years, he brought us up to date on his life. He and his wife have travelled and lived all over the country. They now live in Florida but are now looking to move to Maine.

Fred had some serious health issues recently that now seem to be under control, thankfully. After more picture taking and finishing lunch, Meri invited us back to her beautiful home in Lynnfield to continue our get together that, as in the past, we never want to end.

Meri brought out her famous yellow dishware and we enjoyed coffee, tea and sweets. Of course the conversation centered around past teachers, high school experiences, good and bad and what classmates are doing now. Fred has had some interesting jobs during his career and now he and his wife like to drive all over the country. Hopefully living in Maine, Fred and his wife hope to make our next Reunion 2012.

Robert Scott [Scotty] has a new 2009 Maxima and it has more gadgets than the Bat Mobile! All that is left now is a self propelled, automatic chauffeur driven car, which, if they ever make one, Scotty would be the first person to own one. Scotty knew more about our classmates, their careers, who married who and such than anyone. All this knowledge while living in Maine!

Peter Zaccone was his usual witty self and had us in stitches. We commented on his yearbook ambition of becoming a beachcomber! His reasoning was that he set his goals low and then whatever he accomplished would be a step up....That certainly was a no lose situation, although Peter did admit that he has always loved the beach.

Joanne Nardone had to leave after lunch as she had an afternoon obligation. It was nice of her to make time for this gathering.

Joanne Strazzulla [still has that great smile], talked about our early days at McKinley School and was surprised to learn that Fred, before his family moved to Beachmont, had lived near the Woodlawn line, close to where she had lived. Fred's house was taken when the highway was built when half his street was demolished.

Meri got John Henry on the phone, since he had been invited but couldn't make it. We all said hi to John.

I talked about our high school teacher, Miss Mafera (I'm sure every girl remembers her as the Dean of Girls, whatever that was). I told about her last days when she celebrated her 99th birthday at a rest home and that Joanne Nardone and I were the only students from her Italian class to be there. We also were there for her funeral 3 months later and how she paid in advance for everyone to have a party in her honor at a local restaurant!

Meri Mastronardi was her usual gracious self and shared her beautiful home with us. Meri, as one of our reunion committee people discussed how we have tried to contact classmates and put together a list of peoples addresses. She urged everyone to let her or Diane Screnci Beatrice, who also couldn't make it, know if any classmate is located.

Jeannine Erricola White was also invited but couldn't make it either. Overall, it was a wonderful day as we knew it would be. We all said we do look forward to our next reunion or even before that, another get together. Where some of us hardly knew each other in high school, now we have become friends forever.

Sal

Finding Joy!

http://www.thejoymovie.com/?SRC=NONE

Click on the above underline to view.


Christmas decorations

Thursday, December 4, 2008

A message from our Class President



Another classmate has passed, Martin “Marty” Dillon passed away on December 03 ,2008. Marty attended our 45th Anniversary reunion. At that time, Marty was recovering from a very serious illness which ultimately took his life.

Marty is in a reunion photo from the Revere Journal (bottom right side photo adjacent to Judy Sokolove and Alan Lebowitz.

John Henry

Monday, December 1, 2008

Great Shares!


Hello Classmates!

Per Meri's request, I am sending this notice out that a mini reunion is being held at the Continental Restaurant in Saugus Wednesday, December 3rd at noon time. I know it is last minute but she has been unable to reach most of you. It started with a get together between Fred Ciampi and Sal Carmosino and then they thought it would be great to do the same thing they did for me when I was up there............a few phone calls, a few emails and before you knew it.........the huge round table was full at the Continental Restaurant with our Forever Friends! And, what a wonderful day it was..........I didn't want it to end!

Fred Ciampi is up from Florida visiting and I believe that Peter Zaccone, Sal Carmosino, Meri Mastronardi, Joanne Nardone, Diane Screnci, John Henry and a few others.....Scotty will try to drive down from Maine.

More exciting news! Meri just announced that Joanne Strazzula McCarthy will be there too!


I even checked online for a cheap flight because I would be there in a heartbeat! But no such luck. Sometimes Spirit Airlines has some wild cheap flights but for a day only which would have been fine with me.

So, if any of you are interested in joining our forever friends, please contact Meri at merim6374@yahoo.com or Sal at revere62@hotmail.com or just surprise them and show up at the Continental. I'm sure they could accommodate a few more around the table!

I get so excited each day that I receive a new email address from our friends like today, I got one from Janet Campello Meaney! What a wonderful surprise! Make sure you view her Album and leave a comment!

The suprises just keep getting better. I just got an email from Linda (Spagnolo) Lattanzi. She said she got my personal email address from Diane Screnci Beatrice and she is anxious to view The lantern! Oh my..........feels like Christmas to me!

Have a fabulous time at the Continental! Someone please take digital pictures to send to me so I can post them on The Lantern!

The Lantern PhotoShop-Janet (Campello) Meaney

Girl photographer



http://picasaweb.google.com/red.roses.are.read/TheLanternPhotoShopJanetCampelloMeaney#slideshow



Enjoy Bee