Sunday, December 21, 2008

What ever happened to Walt Adams?

Does anyone have any idea of the whereabouts of our classmate Walt Adams?

If you don't have his exact address, we'd be delighted to get any info that can help us in our quest to find every member of the Gateway Class of '67.

Have you seen Walt in the last 41 years? Where? What were the circumstances?

In what part of Monroeville did he live while in high school?

What were his parents' names? Did he live with someone other than his parents?

Did he have brothers or sisters? Do you recall their names?

Do you recall hearing about the deaths of any members of his immediate family? If so, perhaps we can find an obituary that would indicate whether Walt is alive or dead or where he might have been at that time.

I really did not know Walt in high school. I'm sure some of you could tell stories that you think all of us have already heard. Some of us have not heard them. Please share them. Those stories may offer clues as to where to search to find him.

You can leave a comment on this blog item or write to me at alana.miltak.baranick@gmail.com.

Thanks for your help.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Artie Trunzo's story about the Victory Bell

Before you read Artie's story, check out this preliminary online report from Sept. 18, 2008, which Phil Harris shared: Conference rivals battle for Victory Bell.

What's missing from that report is the story of how the legendary Victory Bell made its way back to where it belonged. They say alumni helped save the Victory Bell tradition, but give no details.

Not surprisingly, Artie is one of those alumni.

Here's his story:

I still get my hair cut, what's left, at Frank's Barber Shop in Pitcairn. I always go there on Saturday. The same crew is there every week - - the older guys from Pitcairn High School.

I always heard talk about this Victory Bell. The Bell, which was kept on some sort of cart, was from a locomotive from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Pitcairn teams were called the "Railroaders."

The Bell Game was between Pitcairn High School and Trafford High. The last time they played, Pitcairn won and kept the Bell.

As we know, Pitcairn High became Gateway High, and the Bell was forgotten.

When they where cleaning out Pitcairn High, they were going to junk the Bell. A man by the name of Walker, who worked at the school, saw it in the junk pile and took it home. It remained at Mr. Walker's home for some time in his garage.

His wife was our kindergarten teacher. His son went to Thiel College and belonged to a fraternity. He took the Bell to Thiel.

During Thiel's football games, the pledges would run up and down the sidelines ringing the Bell when Thiel scored.

Pitcairn had its Centennial Celebration, and the High School Alumni wanted to bring the Bell back. But no one knew where it was.

During one of those Saturday haircuts, I was listening to them wishing to find the Bell. I told them the story I heard. They asked if I would help them.

I called Mrs. Walker's daughter. I got her number from Frank the Barber. She verified my Bell story, and gave me the Fraternity name.

I called the Fraternity, and they agreed to let the Alumni use the Bell for the Centennial. I agreed to return the Bell to them after the Centential Celebration.

The Alumni agreed. They sent a delegation to Thiel to return the prized Bell.

The Bell spent its life in the front yard of the Fraternity. Snow, rain, etc. The Alumni brought it back, cleaned it up and made a new cart for it.

This is without a doubt the most cherised artifact from Pitcairn High School.

As a Pitcairner, it was an honor for me to be involved with the High School Alumni. These were people who went to school with our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts.

But even better, it was great to bring the Class of '67 into contact with them. They always asked if I graduated from Pitcairn High. I said, "No. Gateway Class of '67!"

They took the Bell back as promised. A few years later Rullo Vecchio, a former Pitcairn Council member and Democratic Chairman, made arrangements to bring the Bell back permanently.

If you go to the Gateway Gators Web site, there are pictures of the "Bell Game."

fyi: Gateway kept the Victory Bell, as the Gators defeated the Penn-Trafford Warriors 44-8. It was basically over at the half with the score 41-0.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Donald Powers, 1949-2007

Donald Powers' tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Donald's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

The only photos from the yearbooks that I was sure were him were his class pictures. If you know of any other images of him from the Portavians or if you have any other pictures of him, please send copies to me. Instructions are at the end of his tribute page.

I haven't contacted his family yet. I took the obit info from the obit that was published in his local newspaper. It appears that he was married more than once, but I have nothing on that yet.

What can you add?

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Alan Bennett, 1948-1996

Alan Bennett's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.

Then click Alan's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. I'm hoping to get more snapshots of Alan and more biographical information to fill the page out more.

Please send along your comments and stories about Alan by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of his tribute page.

Thanks, Gators!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Rosemary Ciufo Brown, 1949-2006

Rosemary Ciufo's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.

Then click Rose's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

I wasn't able to identify her in any Portavian photos, other than class pictures. Please tell me if you know of any yearbook pictures in which Rose appears.

I'm waiting for her son to send some family photos to add to the page.

Please send along your comments and stories about Rose by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Our Gators are #3 in the country!

Yes, fellow classmates, it's true. Go to the USA Today web site and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and check it out....

Go Gators !

Friday, August 22, 2008

Gary Zummo, 1949-1968

Get your hankies ready. Gary Zummo's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Gary's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Doubly tragic, Gary's brother Vince (Gateway Class of '66) died in a helicopter crash in 1981. Details about his death are included on Gary's page.

Chuck Crosby, if you happen to read this, please stop and see Mrs. Zummo the next time you visit your sister. She regrets her reaction to you when she saw you shortly after Gary's death. It would mean a lot to her if you'd stop and say, "Hi."

Gators, please send along your comments and stories about Gary and Vince by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of Gary's tribute page. Other pictures would be nice too.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Patricia Frohn Balash, 1949-2004

Patty Frohn's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Pat's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

This time we lacked photos of Pat from the Portavian with the exception of her senior portrait (and underclass portraits that I didn't use). So I filled out the page with a couple of family photos provided by her daughter.

I was surprised to learn about Pat's taste in music. On her page, you'll find a link to a YouTube video of her favorite song. Be sure to check it out.

Please send along your comments and stories about Pat by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Janet Stamm Dal Lago, 1949-1996

Janet Stamm's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Janet's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Please send along your comments and stories about Janet by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.

Notice the picture of Janet dancing with her date at the Coronation Ball. Who is that guy?

Monday, August 11, 2008

Jim Butler, 1949-2008

Jim Butler's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Jim's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

At this time, the page includes the obituary that ran in Jim's local newspaper, several yearbook pictues and a comment from Jay Lehman.

Please share your memories of Jim with us by adding a comment to this blog item or by sending it to me. We'll keep adding comments, information and photos - from classmates, family and friends - as we get them.

Thanks for your help.
Be good.
-Alana.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Keeping in touch

OK I'm new at this, though I can email and do facebook with my grandchildren just fine! :) I don't have any info on anyone deceased, but I do want to keep up with news of our class. Had to miss the picnic due to a family event. I had the same conflict last year with the reunion. Anyway, I love technology that keeps us informed. God bless all,

Donna Kuhn Anderson in Virginia

Monday, August 4, 2008

I CAN EVEN DO THIS BLOGGING!!!

HEY EVERYONE!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I CAN DO THIS BLOGGING OR BLOBBING!! BOY CAN YOU TELL I AM GETTING UP THERE...I THINK IT IS BLOG...OH WELL..I HAVE ARRIVED AND NOW I HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT!!
THANKS SO MUCH TO ALANA FOR ALL THE HARD WORK IN GETTING THIS WORKED OUT! I MUST ADMIT I HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN IN A CHAT ROOM!!
IT LOOKS LIKE THE NYC TRIP MAY BE GETTING READY TO GO BUT WE DO HAVE SOME THINGS TO WORK OUT! WE WILL SEE IF IT WORKS OUT THIS YEAR!

SPECIAL WORDS TO RORY (MY SON) HE IS 1 DAY YOUNGER THAN ME!!
DEAR SON.....NINE MONTHS FROM THIS THURS AUG 7....I WILL BE THE BIG NUMBER AND YOU WILL BE NINE MONTHS FROM THIS FRIDAY AUG 8!! MISERY LOVES COMPANY!!! HA HA HA

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL SMILING!!! MAY YOU ALL HAVE YOUR HEARTS DESIRES!
HUGS TO ALL!
PEGGY (lOUGHNER) FISHER

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Ron Stephenson, 1948-1971

Ron Stephenson's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

It's the same deal as with Earl Bittner's page. Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Ron's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Again, credit goes to Bonnie Gardner Hillier for providing the newspaper clippings about Ron's death and the Portavians of 1967 and 1966 for the additional pictures.

Thanks to several of Ron's friends, including Artie Trunzo, Dottie Dinzeo, Bob Beck and Judy Gibson Brumfield, for verifying that the picture of Ron working on an art project is indeed Ron. And thanks to Kathie Mason Bolton and Phil Harris for echoing my belief that is Ron in the picture.

The information about Ron's name on the Vietnam Veterans Wall was found on a military Web site.

Please share your recollections and other thoughts and information by posting a comment at the end of this blog item or sending me an e-mail or letter. Ditto for photos, newspaper clips, etc. My contact info is at the bottom of Ron's page.

We can add your comments, stories and pictures to Ron's page. That's the wondrous thing about Internet publications. We're not stuck with what we print. We can revise things.

I more or less lived next door to Ron on Beechwood in high school. I couldn't see his house from mine because of all the woods between our lots.

Repeating what I wrote in the previous blog item about Earl Bittner, I'd love to add pictures and stories from all aspects of Ron's life, including school, military, church and family.

Are any of you in touch with Ron's family? We should let them know we're doing this.

Thanks for all your help.-Alana.

Earl Bittner, 1949-1972

To see Earl Bittner's tribute page, click the link under "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Earl's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Bonnie Gardner Hillier provided a newspaper clipping about Earl's death. We also found two pictures of Earl from the 1967 Portavian.

But we've got lots of questions.

First of all, I don't know Earl's date of birth.

And I'm not sure about his date of death.

Tom Gallo recalled that Earl died on Mother's Day 1972, but I'm guessing at the date. There were no dates in the newspaper clip.

Also, Earl's middle name was listed as "Paul" in our yearbook. But it's "Patrick" in the newspaper story. Which is correct?

If Earl had died yesterday, his obit would probably have appeared on a local newspaper's Web site. We'd be able to leave our condolences, fond recollections and other thoughts and information in an online guestbook.

This blog item and Earl's tribute page allow us to do that now.

We can revise Earl's page as we collect more information and photographs.

Maybe you've got a picture of Earl playing with his brother, Al, and the kids from his Pitcairn neighborhood. I'd love to add pictures and stories from all aspects of his life, including school, military, church and family.

Are any of you in touch with Al or other members of Earl's family? Whatever happened to Marsha Dorfman?

You can post a comment on this blog or send comments, stories and photos to me via e-mail at Alana.Miltak.Baranick@gmail.com or by snail-mail at Alana Miltak Baranick, 6603 Northcliff Ave., Brooklyn, OH 44144.

Thanks for your help.
-Alana.

Deceased classmates

Look at the sidebar to your right. Find "Gators: Gone but not forgotten." Under it is the link to our new Web pages dedicated to the memory of our classmates who are no longer with us.

This is a work in progress. I hope to add tribute pages for at least one of our departed classmates every week or two until we're caught up.

I'm depending on you and anyone who sees this site to help us fill in the blanks on departed Gators.

As you can see, I've started a page for Earl Bittner. Ron Stephenson is next on my list. I'll post a new blog item for each of our late classmates as their Web pages are unveiled. Earl's will appear in the next blog post.

Please don't wait for me to start a page. Go ahead and send us obits that you've saved or something special you want to share about our late classmates that will help us put their tribute page together.

Thanks for your help.

-Alana.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Picnic

I attended the Class of 67 summer picnic last weekend. What a great time. The food and facilities were excellent. Sugar Camp in Pitcairn was a great venue for the event. The weather being near perfect just added to the day. I have come to know and learn about some classmates whose names I barely recognized from the yearbooks.
Peggy, Paula, Bonnie, Kathy, Marti and Diane do so much to make the events come off so well. Mike Cima also does so much work and puts such effort into these events, I'm just glad I went to high school with some many diligent, hard working but fun loving folks.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Fine feathered frenzy

This story - Chickens run wild in Philly high school - is a few months old, but shows that feathered fowls are still being released in public schools. (For those of you who may not know, you can read the story by clicking the "Chickens run wild" title.)

Would you believe that members of the Gateway Class of '67 are still talking about the turkey-in-the-library prank?

Tim Billings recounted the event and its aftermath for Gators at the informal Friday-night picnic-eve gathering at the Rivertown Pourhouse in Monroeville. His description of the mess created by the crazed turkey is similar to the Philadelphia incident as described in this news video.



What do you remember about the turkey incident?

I originally asked that you please click "comment" at the end of this item and tell us all about it. But the comment button didn't appear. So leave your comments on the next post. Thanks.

-Alana

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Pitt-Nickers

So, who's going to the picnic Saturday?

I figure Peggy and Mike Cima will be there because they are the leaders of our pack.

I've heard directly from Janet George Knight. She'll be there.

I know I'm going.

That makes four classmates and probably a couple of spouses.

I've heard rumors about who else will be there. But it's all unofficial.

I won't feel satisfied until I see the list of attendees posted on the official Gateway Senior High School Class of 1967 Web site, until the alleged attendees come forward and add their names to this tiny list or until I see them with my own eyes on Saturday.

So let me ask again. Who will be at the picnic?

Monday, July 21, 2008

Let the blogging begin

Greetings, Gators.

You should have received an e-mail from the blogger gods, inviting you to join our group blog. Follow the instructions and blog along with us.

It doesn't cost anything, and the technology is not difficult to master.

If you have any difficulties, please contact me. I'll be glad to walk you through it.

We intend for this blog to allow us to share new information and old memories. We hope we can use it to find our missing classmates.

In case you're new to this, somebody will post a new blog item with a headline. To respond to the blog posting and continue the discussion, click the "comment" line at the bottom of the item. Write your comment, save it and "publish" it.

Once you get the hang of it, there'll be no stopping you.