ABRHS Class of 1978 25 Year Reunion

If you attended the Reunion, we'd love to read your comments about the party. Classmates wrote about the 20th reunion -- read these as an example and send us yours!

Photo from Susan Goodall Morgan

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I will tell you right now I hope to never miss a reunion. Everyone was a friend -- there were no clicks. We all spoke to each other easily and were so supportive of each other. From beginning to end it was all just so awesome.

-- Linda Hancock Creamer

...and then it was over. So quickly, too! Too quickly, actually. As a committee member, I arrived a little early to help prepare, but the girls -- Linda, Sandy and Maryann -- had arrived much earlier and had completed decorating. What a great job, too. I heard from a few different people about how nice the "small and subtle" touches brought the area together quite nicely. Classmates finally started to arrive and I was finally able to lend a hand by working the registration table for awhile, getting assistance from other members of the committee, plus future committee member, Scott Harris. Working the table allowed me the opportunity to talk with a number of classmates I may not have spoken to otherwise. First trickling in, then coming in spurts and waves, until finally, trickling down again to the last few arrivals -- ending with Ted Nelson's (with guest "Nelson") memorable arrival at mid-evening -- long after the registration table was still being attended. Talking with Debbie Nordstrom, Cindy Oliver, Kathy Ellis (pardon me for leaving out married names -- the "girls" from AB Class of '78 will always be known by their maiden names to me especially after the scolding I received from Sue Portyrata for calling her "Mrs. Baker"), John Flannery and Sam Phillips (to name just a few) while upfront were among the more memorable. Not to be outdone, Nancy Guidoboni felt compelled to knock over my beer when she came up for her nametag. Some of the best scenes to me were the various encounters between classmates where any two might be circling each other, as if sizing each other up before a fight, before ending with smiles and hugs. The ultimate was the spotting, pursuit and embrace from the across-the-tent as Linda Hancock greeted Geoff Roberts upon his arrival. Other memorable moments include catching up with former bus "neighbors" Debbie Quadri and Gail Shuttle; talking to a retired 20 year Army veteran, Brian Selling, and later realizing that, perhaps, he had changed the least over the years; talking to the 1-2-3 of the class -- Ray Paquet, David Trumpoldt and Jim Tiernan -- almost as if they were required to come and hang out together; Steve Malizia (he of the last name that can be pronounced three different ways) remembering details about our high school and college years I would only remember under hypnosis. I would be remiss if I didn't give special recognition to all of the Class of '78 spouses who were the ultimate troopers -- whether they had an even better time than their other halves, or patiently bided their time in casual conversation, allowing their 40-something year old husbands and wives to relive their youth for a few hours. Finally, to those who got the award for the "last to leave" -- 3:00 am! What? You think you're still in high school or something?!!?

-- David Straub

What a great evening! Thanks to all the committee members who made it happen. Even though I had not graduated from ABRHS but had only attended through 9th grade, I felt welcomed and included. The choice of Kimballs was perfect, relaxing and nonthreatening -- which is very important for those of us who have neglected keeping in contact. Even my husband, who knew no one, had a good time. The people of the class of ABRHS 78 are certainly a special bunch.

-- Melanie Richards McCracken

I don't know what's more amazing to me -- that 25 years has gone by since we graduated from AB, or that another fabulous reunion has come and gone so quickly. I do know that we all seem to be getting better with age! I had a great time working with the "Committee" - Maryann, Alison, Dave & Linda - and I'm grateful to have had the chance to not only help plan the reunion, but to get to know each of them better. The reunion itself was fantastic -- what I love most about these things is talking to people that I didn't know at all back in high school -- and some have now become friends -- what could be better than that!?! There were definitely people who I wish had been able to join us at this reunion, and I hope to see them in the near future -- so to all those who didn't make it this year -- we missed you & please plan to come the next time -- whenever that might be! Special thanks to my husband, Seth (an Acton native, but not in our class) who has a great time whenever he comes to an AB'78 reunion, but also worked hard helping out, as did Joan Straub, Steve Creamer, and Kurt Conlon - thanks so much! Maryann -- you did it again, thanks for letting me play a part!

-- Sandy Macaulay Campbell

First of all I would like to extend my personal thanks to Maryann Morse, Linda Hancock Creamer, Sandy Macaulay Campbell, Alison Preston Conlon and Dave Straub. (I apologize for anyone I left out) These folks were hard at work in the reception area at the reunion when my wife Joan and I arrived and they continued their efforts throughout the night. We received a warm and enthusiastic welcome which immediately put us both at ease.

The whole evening proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I was able to catch up with old hockey teammates, Mike Sweeney and John Hoover. I had to apologize to Debbie Quadri (sorry again about that Deb), who grew up down the street from me, for not recognizing her. One of the more pleasant surprises was hooking up with my old college roomie, Mike Megan, who I hadn't seen in 20 years.

I really enjoyed the chats with Mike Bachrach, Kathy Ellis Companion, Peter Von Jess, Duane Gavin, Pete Megan and Ellen Huebsch Anderson. I also got to catch up with a couple of guys I grew up with, have known since the 3rd grade and were in my wedding party, Dave Straub and Kevin Page.

The whole experience was a great time and it made me regret not attending the previous reunions. Only the attendance of those who were among the missing (Mike Blankinship, Bill Delzell, Rich Grace where were you?) could have made it any better. I look forward to attending future reunion functions. My many thanks and congratulations go out to all of the reunion committee members for their hard work.

-- Mike Ring