John Cassese:
Hi,
I contacted Tom Paranelli...long talk. he can get insurance for one event but it will cost about $400. I spoke with Stan from (A world class band; name withheld) He gets $1500 for this kind of event but would do it for $1000. I think we can get him for a little less...say $900. If we get 100 attendees, it would add less than $10 per person. That makes it about $50 or less per person...still a good deal, in my opinion. Sounds like it's time to start focusing in on a specific date in August 2010.
What do you think?

John Cassese:
I see that many feel that a Sunday in August would work. With a band like (name withheld- a world class band) , $100 per couple sounds like a fair figure. I'd be happy to help set up an account and manage an attendees site. Let's talk about the logistics. I'll call. Amazing what you have accomplished so far with your Blog!

(Name withheld because this post contains prices. The name of the Band will be forwarded via email.)

Judi:

Hi,

I just finished reading about the possibility of an August 2010 reunion. Sounds great! to me.

Judi ;)

Tony Perna:
As I was reading what William Monteverde said it seemed to me that he made a great suggestion. It is a hard thing to have any meaningful conversation at a one evening Reunion
why not make it a Reunion weekend, culminating with the dinner at Mamma Lombardi's? Friday evening/night, folks could meet at either Bruno's in the village of Lake Ronkonkoma ( a pizza, bar, restaurant) we hung out at as young folk. Or, is the flaming Hearth still there in Farmingville? We could meet there. Then lets do something for Saturday afternoon,, A picnic at South haven Park,,, or Smiths Point....Or anything else you might think interesting? Then Finish on Sunday afternoon with a reunion Dinner at Mamma's?
Any Thoughts? Looking for suggestions. or Not.

Tony Perna

Betty (Schloeh) Bonicioli

Hi Ben,
Met you at the Port Jeff reunion last year and worked at Sachem H. S. for ten years from 1957 to 1967.
Would love to come to the Sachem H. S. reunion next year. Please note that I am still working at the H.S. in Orlando and would need to be here
for the start of school around Aug 17th.
July or early August date would be best for me.
Are there any teachers/staff coming from the early days?

Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
Good luck and God Bless.

Betty (Schloeh) Bonicioli

Ellen Gardner Sheppard Profile:














HI
I WORKED FOR THE NEW YORK TELEPHONE CO. FOR 12 1/2 YEARS. IN 1962 I GOT MARRIED. MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE AIR FORCE AT THAT TIME. WHEN HE GOT OUT HE WENT TO WORK FOR THE L.I.LCO. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE ON WASHINGTON AVE, HOLTSVILLE. WE LIVED THERE FOR FIVE YEARS AND SOLD IT, HAD A HOUSE BUILT IN RIVERHEAD, NY. I WORKED IN MASSAPEQUA AND IT WAS TO FAR TO TRAVEL SO I LEFT THE PHONE CO., WORKED AT W.T. GRANT IN THE OFFICE UNTIL THEY CLOSED. WE TOOK A FOSTER BOY FROM LITTLE FLOWER. SOON AFTER THAT WE ADOPTED A BABY GIRL FROM KOREA. THE FOSTER BOY WENT HOME WITH HIS FAMILY AND THEN IN 3 1/2 YEARS WE ADOPTED ANOTHER BABY GIRL FROM KOREA WHEN THE GIRLS WENT TO SCHOOL I OPENED A DAY CARE IN MY HOUSE. I DID THAT FOR 19 YEARS. IN 2000 WE SOLD OUR HOUSE AND MOVED TO FLORIDA. LIVED HERE A YEAR BEFORE WE BOUGHT OUR HOUSE HERE IN ST. CLOUD. MY HUSBAND AND I ENJOY KARAOKE EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER WENT TO COLLEGE IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS. SHE HAS 1 DAUGHTER WHO IS 4 YEARS OLD.OUR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER STILL LIVES WITH US. WE WOULD LIKE TO SELL OUR HOUSE HERE IN FLORIDA AND MOVE TO GA. GA. HAS FOUR SEASONS NOT LIKE FLORIDA WHICH ONLY HAS TWO - HOT AND HOTTER. WILL TRY TO GET TO THE REUNION. CAN YOU PUT THIS INFO ON THE SACHEM REUNION SITE? THANK YOU

ELLEN GARDNER - SHEPPARD.

George LaCorte:

Truthfully, I would like to be with Everyone, but would Vote to have it in the Summer Months, and Not Your Winter Time. That is one of the main reasons we moved out of Long Island, back in 1979.

George LaCorte

Angela Cocozza:

I'm looking over the Sachem Blog ittle at a time. It's huge!!!! Didn't know all this was going on. I haven't told Bob yet, but he will be happy to see all the photos and stories. I'm not one to go on the computer often, so I can't do much with pictures yet. Bob NEVER goes on the computer. My son, Bill, put me on Facebook. I ,honestly , don't know what I'm doing. If you hear from me again, it's because I've gotten help from the kids and grandkids!! Thank you again for the link. Angie Cocozza"

Chris(Parderlikes)Nunziato:

Like I said before I will go -any time - any place -as long as its in NYS-Long Island

Chris(Parderlikes)Nunziato

Gail Tierney Griffith :

Just a quick response regarding the proposed reunion for either December or August 2010. I'm sorry that neither works for me. We travel to Richmond, VA, for the holidays and to spend time with family. I have promised to be on Long Island in early September. Two trips in such a short time span just doesn't work. I'm thinking of letting you know when I'll be on the island and maybe some of us can meet for coffee at a convenient spot.

Gail Tierney Griffith '59

Bob Kemmler:
I'm also interested in the August reunion on Long Island.

Tony Perna:
Fellow Sachem Classes,

I just got off the phone with Mandy of Mama Lombardi's in Holbrook. The good news is, as of right now we can book any Sunday next August from 1pm to 5pm for 35.00
per person with a cash bar. If we want music,,,,we can have a top DJ for about 38.00 to 40.00 per person depending on the number of folks who attend? Mama's wants a guarantee of 150 people.

I also asked about a Friday night or a Saturday night affair...now the price pp went to 110-125 per person same thing with Sunday night . thats without music.

It seems to me ,, the task now is to have something set up to get the word out to the different classes..(1959 to 1965)? then some kind of way to collect monies . and Someone to coordinate with Mamas?
OK, Let's get the word out and see what happens? Get back with suggestions,,volunteers up on the Island,, Good Ideas?

Here is hoping we can get something done,

Tony Perna

Ben Vitale:
I favor an August reunion.

Bill Monteverde:

Dear Classmates,

Please consider the following suggestions when planning this special reunion.

Let me state that it is very difficult to have a meaningful conversation with everyone in just "One Evening".

The following were some of the positive elements that Arlene and I tried to incorporate into the 2005 reunion. Our actions were based on the successful events sponsored by Pat Prince Rath (2001) and Joan Whitty Stawicki and Joe Singler (2003)

• Everyone stayed in the same hotel.
• Time duration varied between 3 and 7 days
• Daily breakfast was special because you could intermingle at your own pace.
• Planned side trips brought everyone closer together. I have a special recollection for the hay ride in Phoenix and the joint suv rental in St. Thomas. I could go on and on but it's only of value for the classmates that shared their time with one another.

My best to the host.

Bill Monteverde

Tony Perna:
Please,

It has been decided overwelmingly that the reunion , should it take place, will be in August of 2010. So please there should be no more discussion about any winter month.

Tony Perna

Angela and Bob Cocozza:
(Left click Angie and Bob's photo to make it larger)

Hi,
I spent some time on the computer trying to teach myself!! I'm sending you a photo ( I think) of us on a cruise doing what we enjoy best----eatiing. We cruise quite often from Florida. Many cheap trips available.Where have all the years gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!After high school we left L.I .for awhile .

Bob spent 3 years in the Army, stationed in France. We lived there, off post, until I got prego and had to return to US. After the Army, we moved to Lake Grove for a few years; till we moved to Florida. Now, we live on the gulf side - Indian Rocks Beach Florida, on the water. We've been here for 35 years. So far, hurricances haven't scared us off. Our four children all live here too, with our 6 grandchildren. Bob retired from Verizon in 1992 and I retired from teaching the year after. We had an antique business for several years which took up all our time. Now we try to travel as much as we can, have fun with the grandkids, gamble at the casino , grow orchids and grow old! That's our story. Hope you all stay well and happy. Maybe someday we can go on a cruise reunion. Be talkin to ya, ANGIE ps----let me know if I actually sent a picture.

Mary Ann Castiglione Bissett:

Hi, I've been reading about the reunion and my husband and I would love to attend. I still live on Long Island and either month is ok with me but I do sympathize with all the "out of towners," that August would be a better choice. Sorry to say I haven't been to Villa Lombardi but my husband has gone to PBA dinners there and said the food is great. As far as the cost, I wouldn't mind spending a few extra bucks since this is a once in a lifetime event. I'm a graduate of 1960 so the "Big Five OOOH" would be quite an occasion. Sincerely, Mary Ann Castiglione Bissett

Priscilla:

Ben, Pat Prince Rath and I have spoken about traveling to LI together, sharing traveling and hotel expenses. She said that she can drive the van, "which we can squeeze 8 or 4 very comfortably". Could you post on the blog that we are looking for women in central Florida who want to share a ride to LI for the reunion?

Thanks,

Priscilla Kolb-Pierce

Judi:
Hi,

I just finished reading about the possibility of an August 2010 reunion. Sounds great! to me.

Judi ;)

HOME PAGE: reunion98.blogspot.com
email: davis.park@yahoo.com

Our Thanks to Google For Hosting Our Site
Also! Our Thanks to the "Gang," at Blogger for designing this program!

Carol Nelson:

Flash!

Ellen (Gardner) Sheppard, class of 59, just contacted me via Facebook. More to come as soon as she sends an email to me.

Reunion Discussion - Tony Perna:

I am sure some folks have discussed this already in some kind of communication. Some years back, I forget the date, I went to a reunion of Five Classes at the Bavarian Inn.
It was a very successful event. That can be repeated again. Although the Bavarian Inn is under some water now and closed. There is a very nice place in Holbrook called Mama Lombardi's Catering. I was thinking the classes from 1959 through 1963 would make for a nice party as we knew people up a year and down a year. This can be done around a December date or an August date. I realize it would need to be booked at least a year in advance. For about 50.00 per person we can have a nice night of dinner and dance and reunion with classmates.
I would like to know in this blog, what people think, and any other ideas along those lines?

Best regards,

Tony Perna

From Gwen Bissett Wilson:

Hi there-

Enjoy reading the blog.

My vote is for an August reunion. For those of us who live out of state, N.Y. weather is too iffy in December. The worst we will have to deal with in August is the humidity.

Regards to all,

Gwen Bissett Wilson

From Marylin Giove Chion

Tony,

Thank you so much for starting to put a reunion together.

My husband, Don and I would love to attend.

From Mary Trapani Hynes:
I would love to come. August would be a better time. Thanks for starting to put this together.
Mary Trapani Hynes

Brenda Sichenzia:
Sounds good - could probably make it with enough forewarning

Deanna Giardina Mauch:
MaMa Lombardi's is a nice place. I have been to the restaurant and remember when they were building the catering hall. The August date seems preferable to December for travel. Either date falls several months before or after husband Bob's reunion in 2010.

Chris Parderlikes Nunziato:

YES-YES-YES----- Hi this Chris (Parderlikes) Nunziato I am open for this any time--this is Great..

Rosalie Terrano Piccione:
I would love to attend a reunion at either time. Please let me know.

Fern Spies:
I agree. It should be August instead of December. December weather can be a problem but for those "southerners" out there who used to be New Yorkers - December weather has been great. However, it is too close to the holidays and with our eceonomy the way it is, december date may turn people off because of the expense.

I have booked a lot of events at Villa Lombardi's for the organizations events that I belong to. Villa does a great job with every party. I arranged for the Sachem @ 50 party there. We all had a good time and the food was great. I have not arranged anything in the last year so I don't know what kind of price we would get. The last event I arranged was a fashion show and chinese auction for May of 2008 and the rate was $31.95 per person including tax and tip. That was a salad, choice of entree, dessert and coffee or tea as well as use of the ballroom naturally. This was a great rate.

George Walker:

I saw on blog that Tony Perna mentioned possibility of reunion,classes 59-63,last time we had 59-64 at the Bavarian Inn in 1989. It would be great if class of 64 was included again.July of 2008 there was a reunion for classes 64-69 and it sucked,I don't think it was very organized. It was held at Lombardi's on the Sound in Port Jeff. Thanks, George Welker

Fern Coste Spies:
I spoke Villa Lombardi's just to see what the cost is now. They would do it for $35.00 inclusive of tax and gratuities per person. We would have to get music or if we wanted to use their band it would be more and this price is with a cash bar. If we got our own band, they would have to submit a certificate of insurance holding Villa's harmless which is normal.

Fern

Jerry Brandt:
I would do my best to be there. I was in LI last week end, always good to go home.

Richard Williams:
A reunion in AUG or DEC 2010 would be great. I have four weddings, one each in SEP09,OCT09,NOV09, and DEC09 in Virginia. A DEC 09 reunion would be out. Let's do it! An old Holbrookite like me would love to see a reunion in Holbrook. Richard Williams, Class of 59

Pat (Prince) Rath:
I too vote for August.

Who ever is organizing may want to look at some nearby hotels for a group rate.

Such an event would make for a nice mini vacation for us Floridians.

Thanks for being there for us Ben, great job !

Pat (Prince) Rath

Carol Nelson:

Tony,

A Sachem reunion sounds great. Count me in.
love,
Carol Nelson

(Carol - Please send an email to
davis.park@yahoo.com
I do not have contact information.)

From Tina Hansen Hyland

I would love to see everyone again and July or August would be fine with me. My husband and I are still in Lake Ronkonkoma and may be moving next year, but will absolutely come back for a reunion.

Joan Lalla Gerson: I was beginning to give up on the reunion but so glad to hear that some organization may be happening! It wouldn't have happened without you, Ben. I was on the Island last weekend and it felt so great to be among people like me again. The best thing is Long Island diners. There are no good diners in Pennsylvania or Florida. Looking forward to seeing some of the old gang again.
Joan Lalla Gerson

Tony Perna:
Thank you Fern for getting a price from Mama Lombardi's. 35.00 pp is a reasonable price. Do we need a band? Why not a Good DJ? costs less. AS for a date, it looks like an August Date is what is in. As for a hotel , there is a good Marriot Courtyard,, right up on the service rd of LIE exit 60. not 2 miles from the catering hall. We can block out some rooms there? I am thinking for about 45.00 pp we can have a great night with an August Date.
Let's talk this up among our classmates. call or email your old friends ( Young ones also) and get them involved in this blog,,let's see if there is enough interest to get this off the ground? we need more than the 10 or fifteen who commented here. I also agree with a person who said we should include the class of 1964, So it would be the Classes of 1959 to 1964

Tony Perna

Ken Muzzonigro: I would be interested in attending a reunion Ken Muzzonigro

Bob Kemmler:
Thank you Tony. Looking forward to a class reunion again. August sounds like a good month for me too.

Tony Perna:
Please, no thanks needed . I am only putting out suggestions and trying to build interest. We actually need a committee to handle a job like this, Nes Pas? I would be willing to do any work I can from North Carolina. I think folks that are up on Long Island in the Holbrook area might be better suited to handle a reunion at Mamas?

Tony


Pat (Prince) Rath:

Tony,

When I hosted the Florida reunion I too worked with a hotel/catering manager and it sure made the event go smoothly and less work/stress for me. I was then able to concentrate with the help of other classmates to bring the Sachem specialty items to the event. Good thinking and I am a supporter if there is anything I can do from Florida to assist you.

Below is several ways to contact me.

Pat (Prince) Rath

Fern Coste Spies:

For that $35.00 per person rate at Villa Lombardi's, we would have the assistance of the manager of the villa as well as alll of its employees. It would be a cash bar and I can find out what it would cost to include music. If that is what you would like.

Barbara Whitty:
Good to see reuion talk. I noticed you had it for the classes up to '64. I'm from the class of 65 and have attended two reuions already, one in Fla and one in AZ. There were also other classmates from 65' there. How about adding 65? I would also go along with August. Having lived in Az for 20+ years, don't think I could handle Dec in NY. Barbara Whitty

Sorry Barbara, I changed the year 1965 in the introduction, by accident. Ben