Class of '63 holds its 40th Reunion Weekend Oct. 10-12, 2003

MHS Alma Mater as recorded by the Choresters

The reunion weekend started on Friday evening, October 10. Many of us met at the Long Island Marriott, where many of our out-of- town classmates were staying. That evening we began to catch up each others' lives. It was the start of what would be an incredible journey back to our youth. This was a weekend for 'time-travelers' only.

The Friday evening gathering established the pattern of sleep deprevation for the remainder of the weekend.

Saturday brought us together early to visit Anthony Shiralli, who is under care at a local nursing home, then to lunch and later to a tour of Mineola High School. The high school seemed smaller than what I remembered.

Later Saturday afternoon, we attented a wonderful reception at Tom Mohrman's home where more classmates joined us. We socialized, socialized and socialized some more. Later, we rehearsed the Alma Mater which we would reintroduce at the Reunion dinner. With the change in the school colors, the Alma Mater had been lost for many years. It was good to see that Rich Ottaviano knew what to do with the baton though unorthodox at times, still,. Mr. Davis would be proud.

The Reunion was held at the New Hyde Park Inn Saturday evening. Again more classmates joined us for the evening of dinner, and dancing, and more socializing. The girls of our class can dance! And, also, some of the lads still try.

At last it was time to sing the Alma Mater. It was just like being back in Choristers again. I don't think there was a dry eye afterward.

Still we could not get enough of each other, so we retired to The Cobblestone (old Colonial Inn) and, again, we did not get bed early this night either.

Sunday brought us back in numbers to the Long Island Marriott for a final goodbye. The brunch ran till late in the afternoon and the weekend ended as if I had returned back from another planet...the end of a fantastic trip for 'time-travelers'.

Pam Harrison and I exchanged emails afterward and I think Pam articulated our feeling best:

"Monday after the reunion was depressing. The joy of reconnecting with friends from our childhood was priceless. This was a group of people who were unique in our lives. We saw each other through childhood, teenage growing pains and now 'Middle Age'. For those of us who left the area, very few people exist with that much history in our lives.

The reunion gave some of us a chance to go back to when we were unscarred by life. We were reminded how good it feels to:

be carefree
throw back our head and laugh
take time to remember
honor who we were when we were young

I think it was a great way to get ready for our next 10 years. I don't know about you, but I am making sure that joy is embedded in my old age."

Message from President Otto...

Firstly, and I speak for the entire class, I want to thank the Reunion Committee for a fantastic job.

Thank you Marianne Schiralli, Barbara Larson Damon, and Tom Mohrman. The turnout for our Reunion was outstanding! How do we describe the fantastic time we all had? I had no idea that when I was elected Class President 40 years earlier I would have the privilege of leading this class in singing our Alma Mater at the Reunion for all the other Reunion classes. It was just great. I was very proud.

This reunion has generated two forth-coming projects. The first is the class web site...Oh it's here! Secondly is a special event for our 60th birthday year.

This event might be a cruise or something in that realm. I understand more information on that is going to be communicated by the Reunion Committee through the web site.

Plans and communication are in the works and should prove to be very exciting, not just for the destination, but for the chance to get together all over again.

Mahalo, Rich

 

Now, Please Visit the 40th Reunion Photo Album... or Select Image below