September 16, 2010, Bellmore Life
Mepham all-class reunion: A triumph through the years
Mepham alumni host multi-year reunion.
THROUGH THE YEARS: A CLASS ACT: Mepham High School’s all-class reunion included from left, in front row, Jerry Worthing, Class of '41; Maggie Hennessy, '45; Elaine Sanders, '41; Doris Johnson, '48; Doris Christmann, '65; and Clare Eatwood Worthing, '46. In back row are Frank Sette, '70; Jane Randall, '64; Vinny Proto, '70; Lynn Setteducati Bible, '65; Kevin Gallagher, '79; and Carol Farina Kilgannin, '72.
Mepham High School’s all-class reunion picnic last Saturday at Wantagh Park brought people from just down the street and as far away as Florida and Hawaii to meet and mingle with classmates many haven’t seen in years, if not decades. And all were delighted at the opportunity to see one another again.
Bobbi (Schleider) Beswick, Class of 1956, said she was “boggled over this reunion. I was up from Florida and heard about this reunion. I’ve never been to a reunion before.” Ed Paige, Class of 1957, sat with Lillian (Donnelly) Witte, also Class of 1957, and spoke about coming from Hawaii for the reunion. “This is the best weather we’ve had while traveling this summer,” he said.
“We?” asked Bellmore Life.
“Yes,” said Lillian, “Ed and I met at the 50th class reunion in 2007 and have been together ever since.”
Well! Mace Greenfield of Bellmore, Class of 1978, said it’s “really nice to see all the generations. It’s a big community that reaches far back.”
For Alan Hiller, Class of 1942, the picnic seemed like a trip back to yesterday. “It’s great to see all the classmates from yesterday. It makes me feel so young again.”
Viola Young, Class of 1956, told Bellmore Life that “I love this senior reunion picnic. I come every year because I recognize a few of those who I came to school with.”
Jerry Worthing, Class of 1941, reflected Ms. Young’s sentiment. “I still see some of the people I went to grammer school with,” he said. Mr. Worthing grew up in the 1940s to have an illustrious career in...computers! “My first contact with computers was in 1940,” he told Bellmore Life, “and I worked in a class for the college professor in anticipation of his development of the first-ever commercial computer, called Univac.”
“He was my first boss after graduating high school,” remarked Ms. Young, referring to Mr. Worthing. He didn’t comment on the latest iPad, however.
Samantha Mulligan of West Babylon, Class of 1984, felt a bit young, as her class was the youngest class at the reunion. “There’s a lot of history here. It’s nice to see all these faces through the years,” but said she would work harder in the years ahead to bring more of her classmates from 1984.
Frank Sette of Bridgehampton, Class of 1970, and of the Sette plumbing family of Bellmore, also commented that “we’d like to see more from the young classes, for sure,” but expected that the younger classes would “step up to the plate” to follow in the footsteps of those who have developed the alumni group into the association it has become, he said.
Added Keith Stokes, Class of 1976: “I think this reunion is fantastic, and its my first time. I think I can get more people around from my class in the future.” Frank Cornell, Class of 1941, spoke more realistically. “People are so spread out around the country,” saying it could be hard for some to know of the reunion.
Mary Ellen O’Connor, Class of 1965, said: “I think the reunion is spectacular. It’s a beautiful day, and it’s so nice to see everybody.” Bill Sandy, Class of 1955, along with John Hingher of Merrick, Class of 1954, both agreed it was nice to see so many people. “I love it, but someone was complaining about not being able to bring alcohol,” he joked.
Both played for the Mepham Pirates football in the 1950s, with Mr. Hingher adding, “Mepham football was the best during those years.” And, while Georgia (Ledes) Morgan, Class of 1964, joked with other girls, including Ms. O’Connor, that what keeps the spirit of Mepham alive, even during the picnic, is the “anti-Calhoun” spirit, Bob Bury of Bellmore, Class of 1949 and installed in Calhoun’s Hall of Fame for his brilliant coaching career at Calhoun, didn’t buy the argument. “It’s great to see all the old-timers here,” and he’s sure many feel the same about seeing him.
Doris Christmann, an officer for the Mepham Alumni association, told Bellmore Life that the picnic was an offshoot of the alumni association’s 25-year history. “We just decided to get classmates together from all the years and thought about a picnic. We found this place, and we know most going to Mepham know of Wantagh Park.” Now the picnic is held the first Saturday after Labor Day. “This is why it’s held this year on September 11?”
Bellmore Life asked. “Everyone of us here likely knew someone who was lost on 9-11,” she continued, “so why not celebrate their memories in this setting as well,” she concluded. All Mepham graduates: Get in line for next year’s picnic. It will be here before you know it.
