Here is a note from Chris Bray ’72:

September 22, 2008

There were twenty one of us at our annual gathering Saturday.

Graduation years ranged from 1939 to 2006, and we welcomed guests from Virginia and Maine! It should be noted, that the class of 1958 was celebrating a 50th reunion later that night. The weather was perfect, and as usual, the accommodations at Casey Park were excellent. The only thing that could have made it better for me would have been to have even more alumni present for roll call.

We began by looking at some old yearbooks, and scrap books. What a hoot it is to get that “blast from the past”. Our lives have gotten so busy that most of us haven’t taken the time to just sit and reflect on those “dear old golden rule days” in way too long! I can tell you, it’s way more fun when there are others along to giggle with you.

Later, we settled down to our pot luck meal. What a wonderful array! Again, the only thing that could improve that would be an even larger selection of treats provided by more attendees. Of course, there were plenty of conversations taking place during the meal. It was impossible to stay at one table. It took table hopping to glean answers to all those questions we came up with. It seems our memories have suffered some with time. Jim Switzer was dearly missed! I’ve said all along, he’s a walking encyclopedia of Ontario/Wayne history.

It was announced that the cash gift we make each year to a graduating senior is being handled by DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS instead of individually. Shirley Boris made our contribution of $100 last spring. As our ongoing treasurer, Shirley reported (via e-mail) that prior to our get together we had a balance of $735. Things are starting to look up! Unfortunately, Shirley wasn’t able to join us this year due to another commitment. She’s rather like the “Eveready bunny”; she just keeps going and going and going!

On a sadder note, it was reported that we had lost Stanley Frederes during the past year. Mr. F (class of ’41) and his daughter Ann (class of ’72) had joined us last year and he had been looking forward to coming again to share more of his recollections. I’m so grateful Ann was able to bring him for that short visit. Our condolences go out to his family.

Also missed was Lorenzo (Tink) Palmer, who passed away just this month. Tink was from the class of ’28 and attended every year. His recollections of early Ontario kept us all in stitches at our annual gatherings. There will be a huge void left in our Association. Condolences go to his family also.

As you’ll recall, the class with the largest showing at the annual meeting gets to take the brown derby as a trophy for the year. Well, this year the class of 1973 won with 3 members present. However… it seems that the class of ’61 won the derby in 2005. Bob Biviano took custody of it. As you may recall, plans for ’06 fell through and our meeting was cancelled. Bob didn’t attend in ’07 or ’08; soooo there was no brown derby to pass on! The class of ’73 was making plans to rescue that derby. If I were Mr. B, I would watch my house carefully this Halloween.

We now have 27 life members, and our data base is growing. Below, I will list those who attended this year. I sincerely hope you’ll join us in ’09, and encourage others from your school years to come as well. We can never have too much time to just reminisce. Remember to keep in touch. Let me know if you have any changes to your contact info, or can provide information about other classmates. The best way to reach me is via e-mail at collinsgrama@rochester.rr.com. Or leave a message at 315-524-8829. Also, remember to check out the alumni web page run by Brian Donovan. (www.waynealumni.org)

Until next year,

Chris Wacenske Bray, ’72

Attendees

Chris Wacenske Bray ’72

Judy Wacenske Wooster ’67

Bonnie Bradshaw Campbell ’58

Christopher Martin ’94

Heather Bray Zonneville ’91

Ed Zonneville ’84

Becca Zonneville 2006

Aaron Gardner 2006

Mabel Lewis Risley ’61

Duke Risley ’57

Dolly Costenoble ’45

George Rueger ’39

Brian Donovan ’74

Anne Wacenske Prevost ’61

Dolores Costenoble ’45

Linda Bell ’80