Did you ever meet up with a former classmate during a year when he or she figures your class should be celebrating some multiple of five or ten years since you all marched under the trellis in the Oval and heard speeches about making the most of your future and/or being proud that you went to Nutley High School? The usual question is, “So, is anybody planning a reunion?” Notice this person never says, “I noticed it should be a reunion year for us, so I’ve taken the liberty of initiating the event.” The usual course of action is no action at all, but to gripe if “someone” hasn’t taken the lead to make plans for a fun-filled affair. Luckily, I graduated with a bunch of go-getters, who gather to reminisce with each other about ten times a year—not once every ten years. Most of the credit goes to fellow grad, Bob Penett, a very good athlete from my class, who is also a great motivator. He and his wife, Linda, have mobilized many of us to get together for everything from informal barbeques to trips. In fact, if you caught this column last week about the Cowtown Rodeo in southwestern New Jersey, that was part of a weekend Bob organized that included a visit to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, and a stop in Delaware to see our former Student Council President, Jim Bimbi, preach in an Episcopal Church where he is the pastor. Bob and a core of a dozen or so 1969 NHS grads decided to celebrate with an even broader base of former Nutley students: those who graduated 8th grade from either St. Mary’s, Holy Family, or Franklin School in 1965 or thereabouts. We sort of missed the 35th anniversary of departing Nutley High, but who says we can’t celebrate 40 years since leaving 8th grade? So, if you graduated from one of the above-mentioned schools within a few years of 1965, please join us at the Fairfield Executive Hotel on Rt. 46 East on October 22, 2005. That will be the main event, but there are other activities scheduled, including a walking tour of Nutley (and hopefully some of its schools) that day, and a golf tournament the day before. There is a special room rate if you want to stay over at the hotel so you can party without worrying about driving home safely that night. Cost for the dinner is $75 per person. To reserve your place, contact Patty Carlucci Pucci at PatPucci56@hotmail.com, and she can give you the details. Or check out our website: www.nutleyhalfcenturyclub.org. If you’re not going to plan the event, the least you can do is attend it. Until next time…