The event organized by Christine Weber Livingston and Jason Feinman drew approximately 25 former classmates. The two posted the event on Facebook in hopes of an informal, inexpensive and cozy event, and Kathy Kane Rowland made it possible by offering her photo gallery as the venue.
Old friends from the local area as well as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida gathered that night to catch up and take a stroll down memory lane. The reunion kicked off at 6:00 p.m. with plenty of hugs and warm hellos as people arrived. Chris Lynch and Jill Rossi were enthusiastically greeted everywhere they turned the second they entered the party. The two who met at an alumni happy hour three years ago became engaged a few months ago and everyone was looking forward to congratulating them.
Being in
the village reminded Lorraine Gryniewich and Mary McCormick Ippolito of younger
days when they would drive around Port Jefferson. David Juan remembered Jason
taking care of a bully during their school years. One day Jason, who was a
little guy, had enough of being picked on and swung his book bag at a fellow
classmate slamming the guy into the lockers. It was definitely an incident that
many remember to this day!
Nicole
DeDominicis McBride traveled from Florida for the reunion and like many
couldn’t believe 25 years had passed already. She had a great time catching up with everyone that
showed up, but said as a nostalgic and sentimental person there were countless of
others she would have loved to have seen.
And
while many weren’t able to make the trip, others were there virtually for a
short time thanks to Skype. People at the reunion got a chance to chat with
Mimi Wright and John Taylor thanks to Kathy having a computer at the gallery.
Jason
thought everyone looked great and loved hearing about the accomplishments of
the mostly female attendees. He was impressed by Tracey Donehower’s volunteer
work, and the mothers who juggle their children’s schedules, as well as their
own interests and careers. He loved hearing about the wide range of professions
from Colleen’s artistic career to Christine’s stint as a police officer.
Christine,
who traveled from North Carolina, was blown away by her classmates. She posted
on one of the Hauppauge alumni Facebook walls, "so current kids take a
look at what you can accomplish by taking a good look at us." She's
grateful for Facebook that not only made this reunion possible, but the 40th
birthday party bash that was held a couple of years ago as well as the alumni
happy hours that many from this class have attended over the past few years.
Everyone
had so much fun that after 9:00 they headed over to the bar at Ruvo's, while
others lingered over good-byes at the gallery. These former classmates
definitely needed more than three hours to share their memories and lives.
I graduated
a year before everyone, but always had friends from the Class of 1987. There
are those like Denise and David Juan who I have remained friends with through
the years and others who I reconnected with on Facebook. Many will agree that
Hauppauge people are good people, and I have to say this group is an
exceptionally great group. The Class of ’87 has always held a special place in
my heart with my own class, and I am happy to say that many of them are still
part of my life.
It’s
nights like this one that remind us where we came from, and the good, solid
foundation it provided in our lives. Here’s to more wonderful reunions in the
decades to come!
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