CLASS OF 1959
Hi Fellow Classmates,
On the weekend of May 3-
I first refer you to the Committee tab above so you can read the names of the worker bees who made this reunion happen and in particular Angela "Angie" Corino Macrina (Chair), and Janice Gill Gordillo and Carol Henley Bales (Co-
And speaking of the website, I invite you to visit all the tabs that our creative webmaster, Lou Katchis, has created for your viewing pleasure, especially the photos tab. Thanks to all who submitted photos to Lou for the website.
Although the reunion was scheduled to begin on Friday, May 3rd, many folks actually arrived at Shula's on Thursday where preparations were already underway blowing up helium balloons, preparing decorations, and organizing some already purchased Hospitality Suite supplies, drinks, and food (including homemade delicacies by Angie, Ann Danford Fee, Janice, Carol, and Margaret Grieshaber).
Friday morning began with Shula's complimentary breakfast for the early arrivals. During the late morning and early afternoon more and more of our classmates began to flow into Shula's, get their rooms, and check-
All registrants were provided a packet which contained a welcome letter from the Reunion Committee, a name badge, a list of attendees, a congratulatory letter from the President of the Miami High Alumni Association, an application for the MHS Alumni Association, an Agenda for the weekend, and the all-
As folks arrived and got settled in their rooms, they then migrated to the spacious Hospitality Suite located in the Davis Cup room on the 2nd floor where they were greeted by the Hospitality Committee (again on rotating shifts over both days but nobody left -
Also in the Hospitality Suite were eight large memory collages prepared with love by Norma Rabinowitz Greenstein. The collages contained hundreds of pictures of our classmates over the years from high school time up to the present and including pictures taken at previous reunions and mini gatherings. Near the end of the reunion these collages were offered for auction with the proceeds going to the scholarship fund.
Speaking of the scholarship fund, we are proud to announce that due to the generosity of our classmates, both during and prior to the reunion, our class raised $3,079. A check in that amount has been given to the Miami High School Alumni Association to provide scholarship money to deserving Miami High seniors in the name of the Class of 1959. Nice going classmates!!
Additionally, donations, some very substantial, were made by classmates toward the reunion expenses and the Reunion Committee expresses their appreciation.
Doors to the grand ballroom opened Friday evening at 5:45PM and as folks arrived they were greeted by awesome decorations of table center pieces, blue and gold balloons everywhere (and available for photo shoots), 50's music from Vision DJs, and the socializing began anew. At about 6:15PM, an opening welcome was delivered by reasonably-
After dinner and some socializing time, MC Ed thanked and recognized the Terrific Trio of Angie, Janice, and Carol, who were loudly thanked for all their efforts in planning our reunion. Angie then thanked all those who had helped chair the various committees as well as all the helpers. Bill Hold was thanked and acknowledged as his company, The National Alliance, designed, edited, printed and published our reunion directory at a significant savings to us.
Ed then made a few remarks in which he specifically mentioned the recent passing of Robert Mandel and Jimmy Carter. Jimmy had provided entertainment for our last two reunions as well as recording a song he wrote titled "Remember Then" describing the times, and his time, while attending Miami High. Jimmy's nostalgic recording is played at all Miami High events. Ed also advised that Jimmy's widow, Beverly, had sent Jimmy's funeral service memory card and it was available for viewing in the Hospitality Suite. Mentioned also were recent passings, so recent they are were not yet in the "In Memoriam" section of the reunion directory, namely Richard Pierce and Dixie Lou Chastain Lemons. The recent passing of Larry Gold's wife, Paula, was also noted, as Larry himself is recovering from the effects of a stroke.
Also in the Hospital Suite were "thinking of you" cards available for signing for our Class President Iggy Gomez and Barbara Hostetler Cameron, who both have serious health issues. Additionally, Judi Nelson Avant had Miami High T-
The evening was then turned over to Vision DJs who played an array of 50's songs for everyone's dancing pleasure.
Saturday morning began again with the complimentary breakfast and later in the day as the Hospitality Suite reopened, the chatter, laughter, snacking, and sipping resumed for most of the afternoon until it was time to get ready for dinner.
The grand ballroom again opened at 5:45 Saturday evening. At the check-
It took a while but Ed was finally able to quell the crowd to their seats and again welcomed everyone. Classmates attending this reunion who had never attended one of our reunions before were asked to stand for applause. They were Eddie Acosta, Al Briguera, Barbara Browning Detrio, Nancy McIntosh Moody, Aileen Holley Tobias, David and Ellen Swain Hamilton, and Charles Weisinger. We are so pleased to have them reconnected with our classmates.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Master Sgt. Chuck Ross, US Air Force -
Jimmy Carter's song was played and you could hear a pin drop as everyone listened intently to the Miami High memories that Jimmy put into lyrics.
Ed also advised that all the club logos appearing throughout our Miahi and the character sketches following the Senior photos were done by Jim Vaughan, a well-
We then thanked and asked all the veterans present to stand so they could be recognized and applauded, including our only woman veteran, Aileen Holley Tobias. Paul Saluk, a veteran unable to be with us due to health reasons, asked Ed if he would stand in his stead and Ed was honored to do so. You can read all the names of our veterans in the reunion directory and on the website.
At this point our meal was served and it consisted of a choice of roasted chicken, grilled mahi-
Following dinner the program resumed. Because there were 33 "new" people Saturday night than Friday night, some repetition was necessary as Angie again thanked and introduced the many classmates who volunteered to staff the Welcome/Registration table, the Hospitality Suite, handle the decorations, the website, the database (Joyce Powers Collins and Milly), Bill Hold, and Norma, as well as her husband, Don, for his unwavering support and assistance during the LONG planning of the reunion. Ed sincerely expressed the same to Milly.
Ed Fleck then made some remarks. Ed, who fashions himself as one of the funniest men on earth, once again proved that not to be the case (but he had fun, anyway).
On Saturday following dinner, we were pleased to have three classmates from the class of 1960 stop by and visit with their old friends from our class. It was great to see Carlos Suarez, George Nowicki, and Carl Fanaro.
The remainder of the evening was again turned over to Vision DJs who played many more of the songs of our time and everyone again enjoyed dancing, after which most people again returned to the Hospitality Suite where the fun and socializing continued. Norma had brought the video from our 50-
The reunion concluded the next morning at the buffet breakfast as good-
As a nice aside, because our classmate Paul Saluk, previously mentioned as unable to attend the reunion, the reunion went to him -
Thanks to all who attended, and we extend our sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time, talents, treasure, and expertise to made this reunion possible.
If I have overlooked mentioning anything or anyone, please know that it was not intentional.
In conclusion (finally), I received much heartwarming email feedback following the reunion. I will leave you with one comment in particular: "My heart was full when I left."
Stingarees for Life,
Ed "Eddie", aka Curly (you had to be there -
(PS: put Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 on your calendar for a reunion dinner in Sebring -
