As the holidays draw to a close we, the officers of the association, hope that you and your families have had a wonderful holiday season and have shared the joy of the season with all your loved ones.

We are constantly striving to make our association as energetic and helpful an organization as possible, and look forward to your continued support, energy, participation and, sometimes, even indulgence. By the time our 50th reunion rolls around in 2006, we hope to be prepared for a gala event. Keep in mind that there will be many volunteer committee opportunities for association members at the reunion so “pick your poison”. There will be more information later regarding committees.

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The Prez’ Corner

As I look back over 2002, we have had some chuckles, some sadness and some successes.

Going into 2003 we will probably endure a conflict in Iraq which hopefully will sort that mess out (finally) and the remainder of the middle east issues could well be positively impacted from this action. North Korea is a separate issue but must also be ultimately addressed in the long term. Accordingly, the world right now is a scary place in some areas, but I certainly believe that we will prevail and the world will be better off for the leadership of the USA to promote democracy and freedom regardless of religious affiliation.

Having said that, our Alumni Association membership is at an all time high with well over 50% of the class participating. I look to increasing that % even further in 2003 and out, such that all classmates ultimately contribute to the overall class good and support of our 50th reunion.

While that is a way off-still-serious planning must begin mid-05 to ensure that this gala will be memorable for all. I look to all of you for suggestions and ideas. Prior emails on that subject apply.

Finally, I wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season and a great New Year. Stay healthy, happy and warm. As Dicken's Tiny Tim said "God Bless us, everyone "Best Regards to the entire class.

NOTE: With the diversity of activities tentatively being planned for R2006, there will be plenty of work to go around in order to make our 50th "party" a success. Dick Lynch has volunteered (as a Skaneateles resident) to work local (Skaneateles) arrangements after 2005; however Dick should not have to do it all

Accordingly, I feel that ONE of the reunion committees involved should be "Local Host"(or some such title) to assist in coordinating activities if someone runs into difficulties in accomplishing what we decide to do in CNY. I anticipate 2-3 MEMBERS should be adequate for this since a lot of work can be accomplished by phone, even from VA.

I already have a contact at the Skaneateles CofC which should be very helpful. Any volunteers to help Dick in this endeavor would be appreciated. Suggest one from the F'ville area and one from the Manlius area. Let me know if you’d like to be involved.

Vic Albanese

As most of you know, on November 26th Vic Albanese passed away. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September and was gone in November. His wife Debbie contacted Stew with a picture and some information on Vic and, surprisingly, they lived in Kingman, AZ (where Stew now lives). They were there in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Stew and Debbie exchanged some memories and updated information regarding the Kingman area. Stew hopes that this brief relationship between them somehow eased her grief.

Vic and Debbie lived in Tennessee and he retired as a manger in the telecommunications field. In Kingman, he was a Manager of Operations for Citizen’s Utilities (comparable to Niagra Mohawk). “Here’s to you Vic!”

The VP’s Niche

So far, it’s been a real challenge being the VP of this distinguished and fun-loving group of aging classmates. You all mean the world to me and there isn’t a day that has gone by since ’56 that I haven’t thought of someone or some event that occurred during our high school days. I think we all realize how much those days shaped and influenced our lives in so many ways, whether it was as members of an athletic team, cheerleading, plays, working in the shop, dances, studying, etc., it all has it’s effect. I think the effect has been outstanding and I am proud to be a member of OUR class. I hope you all enjoy this newsletter, although there wasn’t much news submitted for inclusion. As Bev was busy, I made the attempt myself and encourage you to add as much information as possible during the upcoming months so that the next newsletter might be more informational. If you want to just chat with me from time to time, I’m at the computer a good bit of the day. I always welcome notes from my friends, and there aren’t any friends that I cherish more than you all. Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted and you are all in good health. For you animal lovers, here’s my three boys (Flame-points)

Class Reunion...
(Author Unknown)

Every ten years, as summertime nears, an announcement arrives in the mail; "A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand; make plans to attend without fail”.

I'll never forget the first time we met;we tried so hard to impress. We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars, and wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there. It was held at a fancy hotel. We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined, and everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first to achieve great fortune and fame. Meanwhile, their spouses de-scribed their fine houses and how beautiful their children became.

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean, now weighed in at one-ninety-six. The jocks who were there had all lost their hair, and the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon; or poor little Jane, who's always been plain; she married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed" was serving ten years in the pen, while the one voted "least" now was a priest; just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys who seemed to have aged the least. Another was given to the grad who had driven the farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties. Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini; you never saw so many thighs.

At our next get-together, no one cared whether they impressed their class-mates or not. The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;by this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake-shore; we ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans. Then most of us lay around in the shade, in our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear, we were definitely over the hill. Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed, and be home in time for their pill.

And now I can't wait; they've set the date; our fiftieth is coming, I'm told. It should be a ball, they've rented a hall at the Shady Rest Home for the Old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid; my pacemaker's been turned up on high. My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled; and I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party. I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light. It'll be lots of fun; I just hope that there's one other person who can make it that night.