A special thank you to all my classmates that submitted pictures before & after the reunion. Since we have received no further pictures for the past several days & have what I believe a nice selection of 50th reunion pictures from several individuals on our web site, we have decided to close the picture acceptance today rather than the 22 October. Presently, our plans are to leave the site up & active through mid January 2008. After that date, the 50th reunion site will become history. Our final post on this blog site in early January 2008 will be a ten day announcement providing the site removal date. As mentioned in an earlier posting, classmates that would like to share their pictures &/or comments between now & the site removal date, may post a comment on the blog. For information on how to post, please review our pior blog post in September.

Again, thank you for all your support and making the 50th NPHS reunion a great success. A special thanks to all on the reunion committee that put so much effort into making the weekend of 5,6 October 2007 a very meaningful event. May the future bring you much happiness, good health, & hopefully are paths may cross again someday in the future.

Your friend & classmate
Nancy.

For classmates that have a reunion picture(s) that they would like to have published on the website, the last day to submit the picture(s) is 22 October 2007. You may email the picture(s) to Nancy at nwbemis@bemis.us.

For the classmates that have contributed to the website, we thank you & we are sure that both the individuals that were able to attend the reunion as well as the classmates unable to attend he reunion appreciate your contribution. Again, thank you.

For classmates that note an error in the 50th reunion booklet for email, phone or address, you may correct this information on this blog which will remain active until mid January 2008 &/or send the information to Robie for future reunions. Information on how to post a comment is available on our September section. Please note that this blog & web page will be discontinued after mid January & no longer be available on this web site.

Since we have had only one request for an email section for the website, we have decided not to produce at this time a separate web page listing email addresses. We encourage you to check the NPHS 50th Reunion booklet for email addresses & let your classmates know your email address. In a future class of 1957 reunion, the webmaster at that time may be able to consider publishing emails if enough individuals have an interest.

If you have an interest in having a web page & blog for the class of 57, you may wish to let Robie know & what you would like to have on the website. You may also let us know & if there is enough interest, we will assist as much as possible.

A great thank you goes out to all those individuals on the reunion committee for all the work they did to make this reunion a great success. I am sure that all who came will agree this was one of the best reunions, if not the best reunion, that not only the NPHS class of 57 had but likely the best reunion that you have ever been too. Again, a GREAT thank you to the whole committee.

We will publish some reunion pictures on the NPHS 50th reunion web site that we took as well as any pictures that we receive by 22 October. Due to other commitments after 22 October, we will not be able to add additional pictures to the site. For those who miss this date, you can still publish your pictures on this blog site by posting a comment. Remember that you will have to sign into the blog. For complete details on how to sign in, please check the September comments.

Presently, we plan to leave the site up & running until we note no more individuals are visiting the site or through mid January 2008. A blog comment will be posted two weeks before the site removal. A final thank you to all my classmates that sent all the wonderful pictures & comments for this reunion site.

We wish each one of you peace, good health, & happiness in the future & trust that our paths may cross again someday.

We would like to express our thanks to all the members of the NPHS Class of 1957 who sent pictures for the website. From the many comments by class members, the website has brought back memories of the many good times that our high school years provided us.

For the members of the class that cannot be present at the reunion, we hope that the website has rekindled good memories of your NPHS years and we will miss you at the reunion.

For the classmates that will be at the reunion, we look forward to being with you and enjoying the weekend together. For those traveling, we wish you a safe & pleasant trip.

One last time, remember the dates October 5,6, 2007

22 September 2007 will be the last day that we will accept pictures for the website prior to the reunion. Any photos received after 22 September 07 will not be posted until after mid October. We look forward to seeing you at the reunion. For those individuals traveling, have a safe & pleasant trip.

REMEMBER THE DATES OCTOBER 5th & 6th. ONCE THESE DAYS PASS SO WILL YOUR REUNION! THE 50th ONLY COMES ONE TIME.

We have had a request to place email addresses on the website for classmates to contact each other. Since the website may be viewed by the general public, we will only post addresses of individuals that make this request. Initially, we will post the email under the classmate picture & if enough interest develops, we will develop a separate page for just email addresses. Remember, your email address will only be posted at your request.


October 5, & 6, 2007 is fast approaching!

The last day for receiving pictures for the website before the reunion is 22 September. Please email to nwbemis@bemis.us your pictures if you wish us to include them on the site. We look forward to seeing you at the reunion and hope that you have made your reservations.

Remember October 5, 6, 2007.

Charles Schultz Philosophy



The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.



Easier?

If you have problems with the questions, you need to come for a refresher course at the reunion October 5, 6, 2007.

It is now less than a month until the reunion. If you have any pictures or comments that you would like to share with your classmates, please post the comments to the blog & send the pictures to Nancy @ nwbemis@bemis.us. Pictures received after 22 September may not make it to the website.
Does anyone have a group picture from our eighth grade graduation from Stony Brook School in North Plainfield? Also needed is a group picture for the 1957 NPHS graduation. I'm not certain if there was ever a picture taken of either event, but if anyone has one to share it would make a nice addition to our website.
I hope to see some comments from my classmates even if it just to say you are coming & we will see you at the reunion.

Remember October 5,6, 2007 is our reunion dates. Please do not let these day pass you bye!

In order to leave a comment, you will have to sign into the blog. If you do not have a Google account with an user name & password, you will have to create one the first time that you try to leave a comment. It really is very easy. There is no charge & you can use either a name, nickname, or initials for your user name. The password is private & only you will know it unless you give the password to another person. Once you have a Google account you can use it for any Google activity such as having a Google gmail account or Google calendar. These are just a few options that you have from Google. Check out the Google website @ http://www.google.com/support/accounts. You can access this site directly by clicking your mouse over the prior underlined letters. Again, very easy! Finally to access this blog you will need to type the letters printed above the sign in. The reason for adding this requirement to the blog is to keep anonymous comments off the site. Should you have any questions, email me at nwbemis@bemis.us or phone. Robie has the number.

Look forward to having some more classmate leave comments on the blog. The more the better & the blog will be much more interesting. Try using the blog & let others know your thoughts. I need more input from my fellow classmates!

Remember that reunion date October 5, 6, 2007 is approaching. The more of us that attend the better the reunion will be for all!

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I
was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my
reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an
interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.
Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have
always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body,
the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken
aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my
mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving
family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become
more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own
friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making
my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks
so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be
extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer
until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's,
and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a
bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to,
despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is
just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart
not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when
somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give
us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is
pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning
gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on
my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their
hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about
what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even
earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while
I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or
worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If
I feel like it)
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!
MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN
YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!
Author Unknown

Please remember October 5, 6, 2007 as the reunion dates. We look forward to seeing you.

Your are past the draft age so the selective service will forgive you if you do not register for the twenty first century. The NPHS50th reunion will not! Required is a photo for our pictorial web page. Send to Robie or email to nwbemis@bemis.us.

The men (boys) of NPHS class of 1957, your female classmates are far ahead of you in sending pictures for the website. Let's have your pictures for the reunion web page. Gals, keep the pictures coming!

Please remember the reunion is fast approaching on October 5, 6, 2007. Please plan to come.

Let's see who can remember the answer to these questions? A correct answer to all ten assures that your mind is still intact & requires your presence at the reunion to assist your less fortunate classmates! Answer less than all correct requires a trip to your reunion for a refresher course.
Please mark your calendar for the reunion October 5 & 6, 2007.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND
THINKING,"SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD?"
WELL.. YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE!
I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW
DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME.
SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED THAT A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE
SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 40-ODD YEARS AGO.
COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN??
UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT. THIS
BALDING,GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO
HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE. hmmm ......OR COULD HE ??? (Are you thinking of
about three or four of the guys at your last class reunion??)
AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK
HIGH SCHOOL.
"YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG," HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.<> "WHEN DID
YOU GRADUATE?" I ASKED.
HE ANSWERED, "IN 1959. WHY DO YOU ASK?"
"YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!" I EXCLAIMED.
HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY. THEN, THAT UGLY, OLD, WRINKLED, BALD, FAT,
GRAY, DECREPIT SON-OF-A-****** ASKED,"WHAT DID YOU TEACH?"
Submitted by Robie

I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."
"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2000 will only buy a used one."
"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."
"Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"
"If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."
"When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."
"Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."
"I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn' in 'Gone With The Wind,' it seems every new movie has either "hell" or "damn" in it.
"I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas."
"Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the president."
"I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."
"It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."
"It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."
"Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more; those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat."
"I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."
"Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress."
"The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."
"There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."
"No one can afford to be sick any more; $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."
"If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it."

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
"This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package."
He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
"She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on, was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it. He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothings he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died. He turned to me and said:
"Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".
I still think those words changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less.
I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
I spend more time with my family, and less at work.
I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything. I use crystal glasses every day.. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.
I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to. The words "Someday..." and "One Day..." are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favorite food. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.
I would regret it, because I would no longer see the friends I would meet, letters... that I wanted to write
"One of these days".
I would regret and feel sad, because I didn't say to my brother and sisters, son and daughters, not times enough at least, how much
I love them.
Now, I try not to delay, postpone or keep anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives..
And, on each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day..
Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
Don't let this NPHS 50th reunion pass you by. It's an opportunity to reconnect with friends.
Anonymous author

Welcome to the NPHS 50th Reunion Blog site. Remember the dates October 5, & 6, 2007. This is a weekend that you will not want to miss! Our 50th will only come once! If you have not already made your reservations, please do. Remember to also make your lodging reservations. For reservation details check Robie's 50th reunion letter.

For classmates that have a picture or pictures that they would like to share on the NPHS50th Reunion web site, please email Nancy Wicks Bemis or contact Robie for further details. All recent and old pictures are welcome. Even if the picture has aged, we will do our best to repair and place it on the memory site.

We hope that you will enjoy using this blog site and leave comments, information, or messages for any member or members of our class. This is your site. Please use the NPHS50th Blog so that all may enjoy it. We look forward to seeing you this October.

George & Nancy Wicks Bemis