Sal Carmosino Reports

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