Here is the latest information about our 2012 55th Year Reunion.
Here is the latest from Alice about arrangements for the Reunion which was discussed at the 4/5/2011 Committee Meeting at Alice's house in Tarentum. HAR-BRACK 55th CLASS REUNION SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2012 HERITAGE MUSEUM - 3 P.M. 7th AVENUE, TARENTUM SPEAKER - SKIP CULLIETON 4:30 PM - All to meet in front of "Old" Har-Brack High, Broadview Boulevard. Group picture to be taken by Raymond's Studio of Tarentum in front of the building. (Wear your Har-Brack T-Shirt if you have one.) Price of Class Reunion Photo is $15.00 each. 5:00 P.M. - We will tour the school under the supervision of a custodian. Principal - Mr. Mort. (724) 226-0600. After the tour we will meet at the Anchor Inn on Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. The room downstairs has been reserved for us (food and drink at your expense). Ray recommends their chicken wings - they are more like turkey wings. :) Raymond's Studio will deliver the photos to the Anchor Inn between 7-8 P.M. If you do not wish to attend the function at the Anchor Inn, your photo will be taken to the dinner the next evening. SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 2012 WILLOWBROOK COUNTRY CLUB 181 GROSSHEIM ROAD APOLLO, PA 15613 5:00 - 7:00 PM - Social Hour and Dinner 7:00 - 7:45 PM - Mr. Bob Barrage to speak on Birdville, question and answer session to follow. 8:00 - til ??? DJ and Dancing (approximately 3 hours) Ron Getz $60/hour. COST of this event is $37.50 per person for dinner payable by check in advance to "Har-Brack 1957" Buffet Menu ~ Baked Ham Roast Beef Stuffed Chicken Breast Tossed Salad Grilled Asparagus Roasted Red Potatoes Baked Lasagna Rolls/Butter Coffee, Tea, Iced Tea Cookies donated and baked by Alice Smith Gordon & Barbara Swartz Romeo Cash Bar from 5:00 to 11:00 P.M. Donations:
Attendees:
Announcements:
Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society Activities: If you are a history buff and would like to read more about the valley's history, go to the akvhs.org website. There are a number of publications that have been authored by local historians. These books provide fascinating information about the area and are available for purchase through the Historical Society's website. If you are in town, be sure to visit the museum in Tarentum. It is well worth the visit as it has lots of interesting information and wonderful displays of our past on exhibit there. If you have any historical information about our home town or your families history that you would like to share with the Historical Society, you can contact Ray Olszewski for posting here or send directly to the museum in Tarentum.
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First Row: Bernice Meso, Sylvia Napierkowski, Charles Smith, Val Jean Cywinski, Alice Smith, Jean Herbulock, Barbara Swartz.
Second Row: Geraldine Rzeczkowski, Alice Sydlik, Barbara Anuszek, Patricia Caugherty, Janice Betush, Ray Olszewski
Third Row: Nancy Stivers, Barbara McCormack, Geraldine Sowinski, Carol Sowinski, Richard Aretz, William Novak, Gerald Johns
Last Row: Robert Hild, Donald Vrotney, LeRoy Redin, Michael Bobeck, Richard Black, Judith Logue, Ishmael Johnson, Raymond Dombroski, Ronald "Wings" Wolfe
It was a blast! For those who did not make it or chose not to attend, too bad! You missed a GREAT 55th Year Reunion of the 1957 Class. Thank you Alice Smith Gordon for all the work you did to make it the success that it was.
On Saturday, 25 August 2012, there were about 40 former class
members who attended the excellent presentation given by Skip Cullietin,
who happens to be married to classmate Anne Marie Zagst. Skip is very
active in the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society and has written and
published several books about the area’s history to include the
following:
The above books can be purchased from the History Museum in Tarentum or by mail. Go to their website which is: www.akvhs.org. I have purchased all of them and have found reading them to be very rewarding. Also, Skip mentioned that donations to the Museum are most welcome! Should you want to become a member or make a financial donation or a materials donation, contact Dolly Mistrik as follows:
Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society
224 East Seventh Avenue Tarentum, PA 15084 (724) 224-7666 akvhs@salsgiver.com Skip explained the history of the Museum and its mission
which is to receive, preserve and display the area’s wonderful history.
He recognized a number of individuals who were former class members of
Har-Brack 1957 class who have contributed to the museum. They are:
After Skip’s talk, he invited everyone to tour the museum’s
two floors where much of the area’s history is on display. There is
quite a display of Har-Brack memorabilia as well to include sports,
band, and cheerleader equipment and uniforms. In the last few years
under the direction and guidance of Dolly Mistrik, the museum has
expanded and improved the new acquisitions, considerably. Dolly is
assisted by a volunteer who is charged with adding and maintaining the
many displays in the Museum and has done a magnificent job.
After the tour, everyone met at the front of the former
Har-Brack High School where the class reunion photo was taken by Raymond
Photography Studio of Tarentum. A number of classmates that were not
on the museum tour met us there to include Lee Redin and Dick Aretz.
Dick drove up in a tri-bike wearing long hair and no one recognized him
until he took his hat off which then came with the long hair. The
gesture brought a lot of laughs. Click here to see the photos.
After the "official" photograph was taken and is shown on the Har-Brack website,
Mr. Charles Mort the school’s principal then joined us and took us on
an hour long tour of the building. The school did change somewhat since
we've been there. The tower clock had been removed, and the school now
accommodates elementary students attending 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. We entered the building on the side where we enjoyed looking
through the school’s administrative offices where once our beloved Mr.
Bazard et al resided. Metal detectors were visible but were turned off
for our tour entrance. Mr. Mort guided us through the first floor
hallways, then we went up and down stairs, before he made us sit in the
auditorium, which was previously our Study Hall and Auditorium. Remember all those marbles that rolled down the slanted floor? During a gathering in the auditorum, he told us that there are no
longer “study halls.” Mr. Mort indicated that the students are kept
very busy with full learning schedules. After that we went up to the
second floor and saw more of the building. We toured also a Science
Class Room, the library, and a very modern work out room.
After the tour, we went to the Anchor Inn in Birdville for
drinks, eats, and reminiscing. There were about 40 of us there.
Pictures taken by Ray Olszewski are posted on the website.
On Sunday, everyone who signed up for the dinner and evening event began to file into the Willowbrook Country Club at 5:00 pm in Apollo. Badges that had each attendee's class photograph and individual descriptions on them and the state where they were currently living were handed out along with a ticket for a donated door prize. Pictures were taken there also and some are posted on the website. Each received a copy of the brochure for the event, a copy of
which can be found on the website. Alice Smith Gordon, the Reunion’s
Coordinator and her pal and classmate, Barbara Swartz Romeo of Ohio
baked a ton of wonderful cookies. The tables were all decorated with
beautifully handmade center pieces that had green 1957 with a large
green candle surrounded by a hurricane lamp. The center pieces were
then given away as door prizes.
Louie Pisani was our Master of Ceremonies who did an excellent
job telling jokes keeping the classmates entertained. Ray Olszewski
said a few words about the new Class of 1957 website and summarized the
number of classmates who had graduated, and the states they were living
in or had lived in. Ray reported that we had approximately 223 who
graduated in 1957. Of those, 72 or 31 percent have passed away over the
years. The website has posted 51 obituaries. There are currently 13
individuals who are missing. Sixty-Eight of us attended the 2012
Reunion of which 41 were classmates who graduated. There are 64
classmates that are known to have email addresses which this letter will
be sent electronically.
Also recognized were four Har-Brack classmates from other
years who attended to include: Paul McConnville (1955) who is married
to 1957 classmate Patty Grabigel, Nancy Burns (1958) who was with Ray
Olszewski, and Joan Sini (1958) who is married to 1957 classmate Eddie
Schmidt. There were also other class members who went to Har-Brack and
would have graduated but were transferred to another school system. One
in particular was Ron Wolfe who we used to call “Wings.” It was great
seeing him at this reunion.
Bob Barrage who is a former Har-Bracker as well was our guest
speaker for the evening. Bob is on a very honorable quest to document
the history of Birdville School. He gave an excellent presentation
about what he has found to date. In doing so, he has opened up quite a
bit of information about the school system and other related topics of
interest. His research found that Birdville School began in the late
1800s. His research has produced a significant amount of historical
reference information obtained from various corporations and the homes
of former students. His presentation was most enjoyable. If you happen
to have any class pictures or information about Birdville School,
please send them to Bob. He will greatly appreciate it and include it
in a book he plans to publish in the future.
The class’ roster is now available and if you want a copy, let
Ray know and he will send you a copy. Once you receive it and if there
are any changes that need to be made, please send them to Ray at his
email address which is: ROlszewski@aol.com or send him a note to his
address: 4031 Diamond Point, Eagan, MN 55122-2838. You are welcome to
call him at: (703) 244-5678 (cell). The roster contains the entire list
of classmates and points out those who are missing and who have passed
away. Who knows, some of them may even be your neighbors and you
didn't know it. Ray found Tom Phillips to live a mile and a half away
in Minnesota. The roster will be used only for communications with
classmates.
Donations were made and greatly appreciated from Roger Buffett
$100.00 and Geraldine Sowinski Pinkus ($50.00). Thank you very much!
Anyone wishing to donate $$, please send to our Reunion Coordinator,
Alice Smith Gordon. Make the checks out to: Har-Brack Class of 1957
and send to Alice at: 306 E. 8th Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084-1536.
If there are any comments about the reunion, please send them to Ray and they will get posted.
To those who came, Thank You! I hope to see all of you again at the next reunion.
Har-Brack 1957
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Barbara Mc Cormack Signs Guest Book while a Museum Volunteer enjoys the visitors. |
Charles "Skip" Cullieton welcomes the Har-Brack Class of 1957 |
Har-Brack Class of 1957 listens
to Welcome message |
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Dick Aretz arrives in style! |
Dick Aretz and Dick Black enjoy meeting again! | Classmates Bill Novak and Mickey Bobeck enjoy reuniting chat. |
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Janice Betush carries "mascot" up stair case during tour of school building. |
That's Alice Sydlik and Jean Herbulock leading the tour up the stairs. |
That's Geri Rzezkowski and Patti Caugherty and a part of Barbara Anuszek making their way up the stairs. |
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That's Charles Mort, Principal of the School addressing the group in the auditorium. |
That's Sylvia Napierkowski and Judith Logue with Ishmael Johnson and Ray Dombroski behind. |
Dick Black, Dick Aretz, and Mickey Bobeck enjoying themselves at the Anchor Inn. Dick Aretz retired after 49 years (yes, 49 years) working for Bouchet Buick. |
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Taking a tour of the Science Room. |
"Wings" Wolfe and Bill Novak enjoying themselves at the 2012 Har-Brack Reunion. |
That's Louie Pisani and his main squeeze, Judith Pisani enjoying the evening at the Anchor Inn. |
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That's Alice Sydlik and Sylvia Napierkowski at the Anchor Inn. |
None other than Ray Dombrowski who attended the Anchor Inn Bash. |
Wow, another shot of "Wings" Wolfe but with Don Vrotney this time at the School Cafeteria. |
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Doris Malcolm and Janice Betush at the Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo. |
That's Bernice Meso with her main squeeze, Andrew. |
Barbara McCormack and her main squeeze George |
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These two handsome dudes are non other than the husbands of Geri Rzeczkowski and Barbara Anuszek. Good show, and thanks for coming! |
Ann Marie Zagst and Phyllis Valek. |
Alice Sydlik and Skip Cullieton |
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Gerald Rusnak, Dorothy Rusnak, and Geri Rzeczkowski |
Jim Murdock |
"Wings" Wolfe |
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Sylvia Napierkowski and Nancy Mechling enjoying a chat with Nancy's squeeze, Red. |
Bob Hild and Jean Murray |
Henry Glogowski and friend. |
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Barbara Swartz and her S.O. Eugene Romeo |
Louis Pisani doing the Master of Cermony Job. |
Don "Diz" Vrotney taking home a prize. |
These lovely ladies are 1958 grads Joan Sini Schmidt and Nancy Burns. |
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Charles Smith, daughter, and Jean Herbulock |
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Gail Baechtel and her significant other, John Mc Cluer |
That's Ray Olszewski and his significant other, Nancy Burns |
The special sweet table decoration. |
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The front of the old Har-Brack High School Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
That's Charles Smith! Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
Paul McConnville and Jim Murdock Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
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Alice Smith, Ray Olszewski, Wing's Wolfe, and Don Vrotney Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
Skip Cullieton, Don Vrotney, Not Sure, Not Sure, Not Sure, Anne Marie Zagst Cullieton Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
In the old auditorium! I'm not going to name everyone! :) Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
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At the Anchor Inn! Bill Novack, Rose Marie Black, Dick Black, Dick Aretz, Mickey Bobeck, and Ray Dombrowski. Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
At the Anchor Inn! Judith Pisani, Bernice Meso, Nancy Stivers Rodgers, Unknown, Don Vrotney, Unknown. Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe
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At the Anchor Inn! That's the Mc Cluer's who traveled from Florida, Mary Kay Haugh Sedlacek, and a 1958 graduate, Donna DeMichele (Mary Lou's sister). Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
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At the Anchor Inn! Geraldine Rzeczkowski Nowicki, Anne Marie Zagst Cullieton, Barbara Anuszek, Skip Cullieton, Barbara McCormack Eisenhart, Louise Pisani, George Eisenhart, Pisani, unknown. Picture is Courtesy of Ron Wolfe |
