The Endless Reunion, Day 5

The camera wasn't good enough to capture the entire banner. But you get the idea.

After two nights of a rock music festival, a calm afternoon filled with conversation seemed like a good way to end the reunion. Close to two dozen people, including some new faces, turned up for at least part of the relaxed proceedings at the (old) Clarence Town Park. They even made a couple of non-attending graduates feel part of the weekend, as they played "pass the phone" when calls were made to Kris McClellan and Deb Milbrand. Almost like being there, they said.

We'll be doing a recap of the proceedings down the road. But in the meantime, here are some photos for your enjoyment. If you have any other shots you'd like to share, please send them along when you get the chance. (Help on identifying people is always appreciated.)

This is hardly the end of the story. The Endless Reunion continues in a sense immediately following the old one. Classmates Mike Siracuse and Tom Ferrari are coming to Buffalo this week. They'll probably drive by their old house and the high school, and/or see old friends. Perhaps those who didn't make the formal reunion will pick up the phone and call a participant, or they'll be inspired to talk to someone else in the class who remains a good friend. And so it goes.

In the meantime, Budd Bailey wrote this essay five years ago after the last reunion. He says you can change the numbers involved and a few facts, but the emotions remain the same. You might like it. 

Cindy Lauer scored big points for hanging on to her girls gym outfit all these years. None of the boys present apparently kept those short, short gym shorts used in the early 1970s.

That looks like Paul Jacobs and wife Belle, Tim and Julie Porter, and Sharon Lowry.

Ron Blackmore, an old-timer from an ancient class, dropped in to tell stories about his days as a cross-country runner. Steve Kies was a willing listener.

Either John O'Hare is telling a great story to Cheryl Suess, or he is calling her for pass interference. She seems OK with it either way.

John Salzyn can deliver a big smile on cue, can't he?

Bill Irr, sporting a spiffy Buffalo football t-shirt, discusses the state of the Bills - or some other serious topic - with John O'Hare.

It's nice to know the Clarence Town Park on Main Street is still a pretty place to spend a summer afternoon.

Looks like Greg Hartwig, Julie Porter, Kathy Ernst and John O'Hare remain good friends after 45 years. 

Bill Irr and Peggy Whitman relax while Steve Kies tells a story. Cheryl Suess enjoys it too. Nice shirt, Steve.

John O'Hare's short concert had Kathy and Belle reaching for their lighters (or at least their cell phones) to demand an encore.

Budd Bailey is always flattered to pose for a photo with people like Peggy Whitman and Cheryl Suess. Something about making him look as tall as Mark Hovind and Don Smith.

Paul Jacobs unsuccessfully tries to suppress a giggle while talking to Tim Porter.

Bill Irr, you don't have to sneak around to get a hot dog. There was plenty for everyone.

 Norm Schueckler was the last of our class to show up. Therefore, he gets the last photo - here with Kathy Ernst, Julie Porter and Sharon Lowry. Norm looks like he could rip off a few laps in the pool right now.

The Endless Reunion, Day 4

A big crowd turned out at the second night for "Rock the Barn," even thought few of the reunion participants even noticed that bands were playing at both ends of the "midway." Here are some photos taken along the way (photos can be blown up in size by clicking on them); yours are welcome as well (Facebook or email it directly to the class site). And feel free to leave comments!

Well, at least people could find us at Rock the Barn. We were near the beer tent.

I can't add a caption in the usual way, but Steve Kies and Tim Cashmore catch up
 on 25 years of stories from the last time they saw each other.

Bob Schoenthal (left) made a rare personal appearance this year, and even brought his wife. Tim and Julie Porter caught up with them. Meanwhile, Steve Kies hangs on every word while Tim Cashmore doesn't.

A better angle of Julie Porter and Bob Schoenthal's wife.

Let's see - there's Tim Porter, Yvonne Massey, and Pat Tunkey talking, and Steve Kies (close to camera listening).

Marshall and Dian Andrews, with Eileen and Greg Wolmering. Greg is the one with a beer in his hand; that's not a rare sight.

Bill Conway was a little blurry on Saturday night ... or maybe the photo simply came out that way. But Cindy Lauer remains picture perfect, as usual.

Pat Tunkey won the award for most colorful outfit, female division. The winner of the male prize is coming up next.

See?

John O'Hare says the Grateful Dead ought to be on stage any minute, and he's ready for it.

The Endless Reunion, Day 3, Part Two

We will yield the floor now to the photographers of The Buffalo News, who took some photos on Friday and posted them there. Hopefully they won't yell at us for "borrowing" them. You can see the whole site by going here.

We'll put up more photos if/when we get them:

As you'll see, the photographer really like Sue Rosenthal's glasses.

Debbie Wijnberg (Class of '74, and a very nice person despite some immaturity in hanging out with older and wiser classmates from '73) and Sharon Lowry made the Buffalo News gallery.

And so did Marlena Bonosky, with Sue Rosenthal (again).

Barb Cutt, who moved out of Clarence in high school, will always be one of us. She's shown here with Dale Hughes and Julie Porter.

Bad planning by your webmaster made him miss out on the Friday night appearances of two favorites - Colleen Modaffara and Cathy Lofgren. Drat. Nice to see them here, though.

The reunion committee was always willing to accept help when offered. Karen Roth and Kathy Herle were the last to join and helped plan the Endless Reunion.

Tom Herberger poses with Donna Kothen, who unselfishly hosted many of the reunion planning committee meetings. She deserves a gold star as well as money to replenish her supply of alcoholic beverages that we consumed along the way.

Joe Kody talks high finance with Lee Abell, the husband of Sally Danna of the Class of '74.

Sue Rosenthal and Joanne Bosard take a bow.

Scott Roth and Dale Hughes seemed really happy to see each other. And we were happy to see them.

The Endless Reunion, Day 3, Part One

John O'Hare led a dozen people around the streets of Buffalo for a tour of the city's rich architectural heritage. John did a wonderful job of giving the details, that left everyone quite fascinated. There was no demand, however, for Budd Bailey to review the history of Buffalo's baseball stadiums. Some of those on the tour were Pat Tunkey, Steve Kies, Yvonne Massey, Jim Jozwiak, Sharon Lowry and Michelle Mangano. You can see them in the photos below.

 Ellicott Square Building often hosts political rallies, if only so that the candidates can make a grand entrance. A couple of scenes from "The Natural" (by the elevators) were shot there.

By a church on Church St. in Buffalo. Always pays to look around and take in the sights.

City Hall is one of the great places in Buffalo. If you ever get a chance, take a tour.

Visitors gawk at Niagara Square, which features a tribute to President McKinley in the middle. We're still sorry about your trip here in 1901, Mr. President.

Never knew that the front of the Genesee building was preserved and made part of the Hyatt when the new hotel was constructed.

The Electric Tower is based on the tower from the Pan-An Exposition of 1903, which celebrated electric power and light.


















Now that we've seen who was on the trip, let's take a closer look at the architecture. Thanks to Yvonne for these photos:

The Endless Reunion - Day 2

It's an Endless Reunion, of course, because you probably stay in contact with high school friends for life. These are from Thursday night at Brennan's. The name tags really are spiffy, but tough to read here.

They are still together - Kim Patterson and John Fassel.

Tim Porter and John Salzyn are still together too, but in a different way.

Tim McNally and Joanne Bosard compare patterned shirts.