At the gracious invitation of RHS classmate, Fred Ciampi and his wife Jean, a BBQ was held at their lovely home in Tampa on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The function was held primarily for any RHS 62 classmates that could make it either in Florida or anywhere else.
Attending were Sal Carmosino and his wife Carolyn flying in from Hartford Conn. who stayed with Fred for 5 enjoyable days. Fred picked up Janice Scandone from her house in St Petersburg, as she has difficulty driving. Joyce Matthews Giberti and her husband Dick living in Florida, also attended.
All of the food was prepared by Fred, himself and his wife Jean, which was all homemade.....starting off with freshly made Salsa and chips, a big pan of Chili with huge chunks of sumptuous beef, followed by marinated barbecued London Broil steaks, cooked to everyone's taste.
Side dishes included great tasting potato salad and marinated carrots which were quite different and very tasty. As we all sat around the large dining room table, Carolyn Carmosino gave a Grace that included gratitude to Fred and his wife, to the guests that made the effort to come and a hope of continued good health for all.
The meal was savored with the addition wine, soda, Margheritas and great conversation. Then, after we all thought we couldn't eat another bite, out came a variety of cookies, Lemon cake and several other sweet delicacies. Janice Scandone added some Italian cookies, always a favorite. All was topped off by freshly brewed Gevalia coffee.
Conversations included high school memories, things that classmates are doing presently and a host of health issues which apparently is common for people of our 'tender age'. It was fun discussing some of the teachers we liked and disliked....and wondered how some even got the teaching job!!
Reminisces about Revere and where we lived, people we dated and jobs we have had were another main focus. Dick Giberti [RHS '60] knew more about our class than we did! We enjoyed hearing his stories especially of things we never knew!
Sal and Carolyn brought Fred a pictorial book about Massachusetts, Janice brought the Italian Cookies and Joyce and her husband brought an array of flowers. Although Fred has a beautiful pool, we opted to just enjoy our conversations first outside under a large covered patio and then afterwards, inside after the BBQ.
Originally, Fred expected more people, as he easily could have accommodated 12-14 seated guests outside. For some reason or another several classmates couldnt make it and we, who did attend felt that they missed out on a grand day and yet, another mini reunion.
Fred generously would like to have more of these gatherings at his home, however, it may be difficult to attract more people before our 50th RHS reunion coming up in 2012, especially if another such BBQ would include air travel for many. A better solution could be that any classmates living in Florida that cannot make it to the next reunion, coud join Fred in Tampa for their own mini reunion.
In any event, a great time was had by all and we again give thanks to Fred Ciampi and his lovely wife, Jean for a wonderful afternoon of great food and comraderie.
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