The Lantern's January Birthdays!

1. Priscilla Annis/January 23

2. Florence Berodi/January 17

3. Carol Campbell/January 16

4. Margaret Crowley/January 18

5. Brian Curry/ January 25

6. Robert DeBonis/January 4

7. Billy DeCarlo/January 24

8. Evelyn Elkins/ January 22

9. Daniel Ferrara/January 30

10. Arthur Figlaola/January 2

11. Victor Foresta/January 5

12. Rose Franciosa/January 3

13. Jay Gottlieb,January 13

14. Rosemary Grasso/January 18

15. Edward Greenberg/January 21

16. Stanley Hornsby/January 1

17. William Janis/January 1

18. Judith Kaden/January 19

19. Frederick LaRosa/January26

20. Gerard Prew/January 9

21. Karen Reska/January 5

22. Geraldine Sasso/January 16

23. Gerald Small/January 13

24. James Trainor/January 10

 

Great Shares! Janice Scandone

Below is a photo of Janice Scandone and her dear friend, Midge

taken on Christmas Eve.  The other lovely girls are Midge's daugthers.

Janice hates to have her picture taken but I snagged this one on

Facebook, as one of Midge's daughter posted it there.

I love the photo and did ask for Janice's permission before inserting

it on the Lantern.

Happy New Year my dear friends!

I'm not going to bother making any new resolutions in 2010.  I never keep them anyway!  My intentions were always good though.  Are you planning on making any new resolutions for the new year?

Hugs, Rose

Great Send from Paula Taylor

The dance stars:  My daughter Andrea, my grandaughter Alyssa, my grandson Samuel and myself

Greetings!  Paula Taylor Steverson

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/htbTiz5ZRrn3Wznu5T47

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED TO VIEW "ELFYOURSELF"

A Different Christmas Poem - Great Send by Janice Scandone!

Peter Zaccone & Diane! Utube SSC 2009

Thought you might enjoy seeing Peter and Diane ("the love of his life") dancing at Salem Country Club the other night. Isn't he terrific?

This was taken by one of our dance class members after our ballroom dance lesson. (He threatens to put all of us on "youTube" in the near future!)

Meanwhile, tonight I'm joining Peter and Diane and another couple from our class at the Park Plaza in Boston for The Winter Ball, a formal affair (Scott's wearing a tux) with a great orchestra, where we will have our "recital". . . well, not really, but we will be practicing our moves on the dance floor. Wish I could send pictures!

I wonder if you could somehow post the youTube video of Peter's dancing on the Lantern??

Merry Christmas,
Meri

Great Shares by the paint brush of Ruthie Arvanian Bowler! Great Job

OMG! Five more days left!

Wow, five more days until Christmas!  And, according to the News, I hear you, my dear friends are shoveling snow and plowing away up north.  We are also having a cold spell here in Florida...it is 61 degrees today!  It will be back up in the 80s by next week.  I actually enjoy the cool weather for a change.  I heard you guys had 11 degrees the other day.......I don't quite miss that too much!  LOL

Just thought I'd bring to your attention the cute little Reindeer walking around the blog....look out for the Christmas cookie shaped like a Christmas Tree........CLICK ON IT and the Reindeer will jump around to find it and then he stops to eat it.  It is hilarious!

And of course, I had to add the bouncing Snowman again this year.

Love to all of you..............Miss you!  Thank you for your cards and best wishes for the holidays!  Thank you to all that participate in the Lantern and allowing us back into your lives again, as we are the best of friends that anyone could ever have.

Sal, loved your email so much that I just had to post it on the Lantern....thanks.

Diane....thanks for your recent phone call and the box of chocolates from Russo's!  I ate the whole top layer already.........Oh am I bad.

Jeanine, thanks for your email today, I was getting worried, looking forward to seeing you soon here in Florida.

Janice and Dora, thank you for your emails everyday....makes me have a feel good day!

Richard, where have you been?

Great Shares by Sal Carmosino - HANDBOOK 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in positive         present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past.
That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 and  under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Share this with everyone!

Great Shares......Anyone interested in a $500 Discount? Read an email from my daughter.

The following is an email from my daughter:

OMG! LASIK is a miracle. It is absolutely amazing! I had LASIK on Friday 12/4, a follow-up the next day and then another follow-up after 5 days.

I didn't tell too many people I was having it done because I didn't want to hear all the horror stories of the rare LASIK cases gone wrong. I grilled everyone I know who's had it and researched the best doctors around for the past decade, and finally decided to take the risk and just do it. I freaked out a little reading about the VERY RARE cases of people who lost their peripheral vision, suffered complications or infection, corneal swelling or thinning, appearance of "floaters" and retinal detachment, hemorrhage, blockage in the veins and arteries of the eye, cataract formation, or the worst possible result, loss of an eye or total blindness. As you know, I didn't even want to tell you, my mother, about it until it was over because you are a worry wort with insomnia and I didn't want you to lose any sleep over it. Everyone I talked to said it was the best thing they've ever done for themselves.

It was totally painless and took less than 15 minutes. The waiting was the worst part but once they gave me a Valium I was a little bit more relaxed. I had Intralase LASIK/Monovision Myopia (one eye for distance and one eye for reading) which reduces the need for reading glasses as I get older. After I got my Valium and had numbing drops put in my eyes I was brought into the surgery room and took off my glasses for the last time.

The doctor had me lie down, made sure my eye was positioned directly under the laser and placed a retainer over my eye to keep my eyelids open. This retainer had a suction ring that kept my eye pressurized so the laser could make a corneal flap. It was a little uncomfortable but not painful. The surgeon used a big sophisticated computer to adjust the laser for my particular eye prescriptions. I had to look at a red dot light for a short time while the doctor watched through a microscope while the laser sent pulses of light to my cornea.

The laser light pulses then painlessly reshaped my corneas. The laser made a steady clicking sound while it was doing its magic and there was a mild burning odor when the tissue was being removed which was weird because they were actually burning my eyes. Ewwww.

I was so afraid I was going to sneeze or move while they were doing it. I think I held my breath almost the whole time. The doctor held my head steady while the machine did its thing. I had to look directly at these bright lights on the machine which felt like I was looking into three suns. My eyes were watering like crazy in addition to the stuff they were squirting in my eyes to keep them flushed out. As the doctor was telling me to look at the light everything went totally white and I couldn't see anything which was a little scary but then it was over in the blink of an eye and I could see.

They sat me up and took me out to a waiting room where they taped these clear round disks over each eye. After sitting with my eyes closed for about a half hour they quickly looked at my eyes through a machine and sent me on my way with various eye drops and an appointment to go back the next day for a follow up.

I had to keep my eyes shut for the first four hours after surgery and then start putting in anti-inflammatory eye drops every hour and antibiotic drops every four hours. I looked like Jeff Goldbloom in The Fly with the bubble disks over my eyes all night. I had a hard time getting the glue from the tape they used off my face the next morning but I had absolutely no pain and crystal clear vision. My eyes didn't hurt, they just felt like I spent a few hours at the beach without sunglasses.

I have some red blotches on the whites of my eyes which was caused by broken blood vessels from the suction but that will go away in about a week or two. My eyes have always been extremely sensitive to light and they are and will be even more sensitive to bright light for about a month. I had to put eye drops in for five days and I have to wear these funny looking goggles to sleep so I don't rub or scratch my eyes for another week or so.

The surgery was not cheap and insurance wouldn't pay a penny for it because they consider it cosmetic. I know a few people who traveled to Canada and had it done for a 1/3 of the price but I didn't want to bargain shop with my sight at risk.

It's so exciting to be able to wake up and see everything so clearly without having to fumble around looking for my glasses. I can't wait to go skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling and not have to bring my contacts or worry about my glasses fogging up.

I now have 20/20 vision! I'm kicking myself for not doing it ten years ago but hindsight is 20/20, right?

I'm so happy I got over my fear and did it. If you or anyone you know ever considers having it done, I have a $500 discount to give to anyone I refer so let me know.

The link for the Boston Eye Group/Boston Laser is  http://www.bostonlaser.com/

I'd be happy to talk to anyone who may have questions, just email my MOM, Rose and request my email address and/or cell number.

Michelle Barnes

Season Greetings to Everyone in The Lantern from Ruthie Bowler

Hi Rose, Didn't know how to post this on the Lantern, but I figure you would. Aren't you happy you don't have to snow blow this mess?

From our home to yours........

Season's Greetings to everyone

at The Lantern.

 

May your walls know joy,

May every room hold laughter,

 And every window open to great possibilities.

Ruthie Bowler

Merry Christmas my Friends!

http://www.oldjoeblack.0nyx.com/winter.htm

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED TO VIEW

MY CHRISTMAS WISHES TO YOU!

Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukkah, Hanuka is approaching!

I'm a bit confused as to the correct spelling of Hanukkah, as I found many different ways to spell it??????  Don't know the reason why so I chose to use Lucy the Latke's way!  LOL

Holidays preserve the memory of significant events, and traditions continue the practice of cherished values. Hanukkah is a time for family, celebration and joy -- and also a time for remembering the reasons for celebrating. The light of the Hanukkah candles is a reminder of past miracles, and of the continuing pursuit of peaceful Jewish ideals.

My Jewish girlfriend told me years ago that the menorah itself has given rise over the centuries to several Hanukkah customs -- and like the menorah, their origins are not commonly known. For instance, I knew families traditionally eat potato pancakes ("latkes") but I never knew about the (jelly doughnuts) during Hanukkah. I also did not know that the fried food is a reminder of the oil that provided the Miracle of Lights. And while Jews exchange gifts on Hanukkah, it is a misconception that Hanukkah is the "Jewish Christmas."

So, to our Jewish Classmates, enjoy your holiday, however, you choose to spell it.

Lantern Luncheon Photos 12/1/2009

CLICK ON THE ARROW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SMILEBOX
WHERE IS SAYS:  "PLAY" TO OPEN THE ALBUM.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Lantern Luncheon-December 1, 2009

Rose,

Here is a summary of our day yesterday with our classmates for the Lantern.

Members of the RHS class of 62 again met at the Continental on Rte 1 in Saugus at 1pm for yet, another mini reunion.

Those in attendance were:

Meri Mastronardi Yankapoulos

Peter Zaccone

Roger Keith

Joanne Nardone

Joanne Strazzulla McCarthy

Billy Melchionno

Dotty Brennan Russo

Estelle Follet Pohner

Robert Scott [Scotty]

Roseanne Bellofatto

Sal Carmosino

Carolyn Carmosino

John Henry

The Continental Restaurant seems to be our new meeting place for the class of 62 as we have been there several times since our last big reunion in August of 2007.

After we exchanged our usual warm greetings in the restaurant foyer we were seated at a long banquet type table. Noticeable absentees were Jeanine Erricolo White, who originally planned this gathering but had to fly to Florida on a family matter and Diane Screnci Beatrice, who had to tend to her ailing mother.  Therefore,

organizing the event fell to Meri Mastronardi again as she made the reservations for the group.

Introductions weren't necessary as everyone broke out into individual conversations which ranged from divorces to grandchildren to teachers from the past to retirements. Of course as most of us are now at the Medicare age, health issues came up as well. Cameras were flashing all over and hopefully some of these will reach Rose for the Lantern blog.

Peter Zaccone still has the same dry wit he has had for years.  He now judges Ballroom Dance contests. Perhaps we'll see Peter as a judge on 'Dancing with the Stars' someday.

Some questions came up that no one seemed to be able to answer...like who was the captain of the football team and the basketball team. The yearbook says that Ronnie Lanza was the basketball captain but no captain was listed for the football team. Some thought it might have been Paul Lavargna and Billy Cataldo as co-captains.

Another question was what were the other classes that were in the McKinley School auditorium in the 5th grade. Some thought it was only one class, that of Miss Pritchard. A late arrival was John Henry, not the Red Sox owner, but our class president who confirmed that it was indeed only one class.

In any event the luncheon lasted well over 3 hours as none of us wanted to leave. At the end of the day, Peter Zaccone graciously paid the entire bill much to everyone's surprise! Everyone offered to pay Peter back but he wouldn't hear of it and even left a generous tip as well. Peter....you will be our guest the next time...leave your wallet at home. But a hearty thank you from all of us for your generosity. Investment person, Roger Keith wanted to know if Peter had a hidden source of wealth somewhere!

Everyone seemed eager for our next gathering and hoped that Rose Franciosa Sisti would make her annual Boston visit next May so we could meet again. Even though several people could not make the luncheon, its good that everyone knows that we have these get togethers, via the blog, email or word of mouth.  Hopefully, it will encourage others to come the next time. There was even some discussion about having it a weekend day the next time as perhaps more would attend if the luncheon is held on a weekend instead.  Let us know your thoughts.

I mentioned to the group, after a toast to ourselves, that these gathering never get old....and its great if we can keep them going. Who would ever have thought in 1962 that we would be 'friends forever'...which indeed we have become.

Welcome Rose Martino! Meri found another classmate today!

Rose Martino

(Message from Meri)

Dear Rose (Franciosa) Sisti,

It is so exciting. . . I love when things like this happen.

I'm in a little shop here in Lynnfield, madly looking for a formal dress, and I hear a voice saying, questioningly, "Merilyn. . .? Well, when I looked to the person who had spoken, the owner of the boutique, in fact, although she looked vaguely familiar, I couldn't quite place her.

After we chatted a bit, I realized she is our classmate, Rose Martino! Do you remember her? I do. . .

Seems that she is back in this area after many years, has a second husband, has lived in various places all over the country, etc., etc., . . . and it was so much fun to see her again and reminisce. I invited her to stop by the Continental tomorrow and she said she would try to. . . but would you kindly send her some info re the Lantern and welcome her "home"?

Meri,

I always get excited to hear that we found another classmate.  I hope you provided her with the Lantern's email address because without her email address, I can't contact her.  I do hope she stops by the Continental tomorrow to see the gang.  Get me more information please.  Did both of you exchange telephone numbers?

Well, Rose Martino, if you are online and if Meri provided you with the Lantern's Blog address, we are thrilled to have you on board with us and we want to hear what has Rose Martino been doing since 1962?  We are all looking forward to hearing back from you.

Hello Everyone!
Just received another email from Meri to explain all the emails I have been receiving that no one can find "Rose Martino" in our yearbook but we do have a Mary Martino and here is a copy of Meri's response:

Hi Rose,

I'm looking at the yearbook and I see Mary Martino, but not Rose. . . and the reason is that Rose moved. After attending the Shurtleff and Lincoln Schools, she did go to the high school but only for two years. She left after sophomore year and went to East Boston High, so that's why she's not in our yearbook. I thought I was losing it, because I did remember her but couldn't figure out why she wasn't in the Lantern. Anyway, I'm glad I met her again.

Well, we still Welcome Rose Martino to our group! And, hope to hear from you soon.

Hugs, Rose (Franciosa) Sisti

The Lantern December Birthdays!

Frances Anderson/ December 01

Saverio Caruso/ December 08

Ellen Crowley / December 11

Dale Curtis/ December 15

Eileen Desmond/ December 19

Ann DiGregorio/ December 24

Frances Doherty/ December 22

Jeanine Erricola/ December 23

Paul Ferris/ December 09

Louis Fitzmeyer/ December 31

Estella Follett/ December 10

Richard Gavin / December 28

Mary Giannino/ December 02

Pamela Guy/ December 12

Carole Hayes/ December 25

Ronald Lanza/ December 30

Janice Manuele/ December 01

Joanne Nardone/ December 25

Paul Odierno/ December 25

Ronald Ostrowski/ December 16

Robert Pate/ December 04

Ronald Reed/ December 17

Diane Vigliotta/ December 29

Robert Zelandi/ December 16

Great Share from Dora DiBartolomeo Vickery!

Every year for at leat 25 years, we have been filling laundry baskets with all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. We do about 6 of them. We do the Turkey, veggies, salad, stuffing, and everything else you need. We donate them to St Vincent DePaul. Last year we were in Arizona for Thanksgiving, so we did baskets out there and donated them to the St Vincent de Paul at our church out there. We even helped with the distribution.

Dora

Great Share from Joanne Strazzula McCarthy

This has been around in the past, but I thought I’d send it on to moms, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and aunts…just in case you missed it! We all hold the most important jobs!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Joanne Straz

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license,

Was asked by the woman at Registry to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the woman at Registry,

'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a MOM.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,

O 'housewife' covers it,'

Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

In the same situation.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,

Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,

'Official Interrogator' or 'City Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

'I'm a Research Associate in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and

Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,

In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,

'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,

I heard myself reply,

'I have a continuing program of research,

(what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field,

(normally I would have said indoors and out)

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)

and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,

(any mother care to disagree?)

And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she

Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,

I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,

(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,

Testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more

Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another MOM.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers

'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'

And great grandmothers

'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts '

Associate Research Assistants.'

Please send this to another

MOM,

Grandmother,

Aunt,

and other friends you know.

May your troubles be less,

Your blessing be more,

And nothing but happiness come through your door!

Message from Meri/please respond back to her ASAP!. Thanks

Call it what you will, a few of us are getting together at the Continental Restaurant on Route 1, Saugus (where else?) for lunch around 1:00on Tuesday, December 1. If you are around and able to make it, please join us. . . it should be fun.

Please let me know if you think you can be there so we'll have an idea of the number of "kids" to expect. And spread the word to other classmates, if possible.

Jeanine has been called away to Florida and will not be back in time.

Rose, will you help spread the word?

My pleasure Meri.  All that wish to attend, please email Meri at  merim6374@yahoo.com

ASAP.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

http://www.history.com/video.do?name=Thanksgiving&bcpid=46875634001&bclid=1672079702&bctid=1586348651

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED TO VIEW THE HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING!

AND FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT PLEASURE, A CUTE POEM SENT TO ME FROM JANICE SCANDONE:

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize.

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs.

~All Gave Some--Some Gave All~

We remember those today who served our Country in any capacity. We also take time out for a moment of prayer for our Nation, our President, lawmakers, and all in active duty or reserves, across this land, as well as their families. May we always remember our soldiers in prayer.

November 11th is the Day set aside as a very important holiday to observe Veteran's Day in this country.

http://www.ladyszoo.com/GodBless.html

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED LINK, IT IS BEAUTIFUL!

Fort Hood, Texas...November 10, 2009

One by one, President Barack Obama said the names and told the stories of the thirteen people slain in the Fort Hood shooting rampage, honoring their memories as he denounced the "twisted logic" that led to their deaths.

"No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor," Obama told the crowd on a steamy Texas afternoon. "And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world and the next."

Skip over this content

President Barack Obama leaves the stage after addressing the Fort Hood community today.

Obama said no faith could justify the killings, and saluted "the dignity, the strength, [and] the decency" of the fallen.

The President did not name Maj. Nidal Hasan, the military psychiatrist accused of the killings. I was happy he did not mention the name of this monster! I cried throughout the entire Memorial. What is happening to our country? We are living among disgusting monsters and they go unnoticed in such high positions?

Great Shares from Leatrice Cardone!

Hi Rose,

I have been meaning to drop you a little note for awhile now. I have been very busy, and continue to love retirement. For what it is worth here is a little update. My health in improving, I found a holistic MD who happens to like me--always nice to have a doctor as a friend. Time will tell, but I am getting off the grid as far as traditional medicine is concerned.

I also have been working some for a registry to pick up additional $. I am so thankful for my profession which allows me to do this.

Also I have decided to market my art and am in the process of R&D as far as that goes. Plus all the social commitments, etc. How did we have find time to work.

I hope you are well, sorry to hear about all the Internet difficulties you have been experiencing. The double edged sword of technology. If you find the time, let me know how you are.

Leatrice Cardone

Another Great Send from Anon!

Italian Restaurant in Helsinki

Great Share from Anon!

Anon sends a postcard from Helsinki, Finland-the Uspensky Russian Orthodox Cathedral

http://www.helsinki.fi/aleksanteri/conference2009/abstracts/cummings.htm

The above site is where one, if interested, could find the abstract of Anon's conference presentation at the academic conference in Helsinki. Continued best regards to all.

Don't forget to set your clock back Sunday!