It’s been 50 years! How did that happen? And yet, we are still here. Saying times have changed is an understatement. But la, la, la, life goes on. We share news and secrets on a phone, though the i has replaced the princess. Paul and Ringo and their countless tuneful descendants draw energetic crowds to fill stadiums and parks, but the joyful masses are suddenly vulnerable to terror we never foresaw and can’t understand. And, yet, we are an optimistic crowd.
What’s occupied and impressed us on the long and winding road?
“Some see things the way they are and ask why. I dream things that never were and ask why not.” — RFK
I have spent my life educating the children living in Kensington. Math is what I taught for 45 years as a Sister of St. Joseph -> I have watched miracles happen and the young dreaming dreams.
— Jane Field
Got out in June of ’67. In the Army August ’67. Vietnam February 1968. Two tours — the rest of my life is a piece of cake.
— Joe DeAugustine
I think one of the greatest experiences of my life was my move to Manhattan where I worked and resided for 9 years. “Small town girl in the Big Apple.” It was certainly a growing up experience and one I’ll never forget. And if I had it to do over again in my 20’s, I would.
Then the big move I made to Miami in ’78 where I live now.
— Pam Weaver
I graduated with an elementary education degree and taught in several school districts through the years. I taught grades 1-3. I got married in 1973 and had two daughters. I am now blessed to have two grandchildren who we babysit 4 days a week. They are keeping us busy but we love it.
— Mary Beth (Eisenlohr) Spiegel
I haven’t really done anything out of the ordinary. Went to ACC, got married, had 2 children of whom I am very proud. They are my life and what keeps me sane.
— Ann Marie (Warren) Smith
I survived breast cancer!!!
— Wendy (Climie) Housand
Traveling coast to coast on a motorcycle three times (starting in Alaska each time).
— Marjory (Witmer) Garcia
Decorated Heavyweight Larry Holmes’ home in Easton, PA. The Champ was kind and generous and gave me total “hands-on” with the project.
— Colleen (Costello) Forte-Loadenthal
Growing up in a small South Jersey community like OC was a wonderful experience for the first 17 years of my life. Nonetheless, prior to graduation, I had never traveled further than Florida. The foundational education that I received at OCHS, however, followed by college and grad school has given me opportunities to live and work throughout Latin America and to travel in Europe and Asia with my wife and family. As I grow older, I appreciate those experiences even more.
— Jim Hogan
I became a flight attendant after college, and traveled the world. I have lived in 10 states, still sell real estate to: the “rich & famous”, celebrities, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and SOLD over$1,000,000,000-ONE BILLION of real estate!A thrill was being quoted in the Wall Street Journal. But, you can never forget where you came from.
— Janet (Kruk) Milligan
Nothing has been as important to me over the years as my two children and family. My daughter Magda married Max and Ashley married Andrew, so we have M&M and A&A in the family..
— Frannie (Simms) Kelly
Shortly after moving to Florida, I obtained a job with Goodwill. It involved working with people with disabilities and tracking parolee’s community service hours. It was an eye opener for me and a time of personal growth.
— Marie (Schmidt) Brooks
Hopefully my work in special education for over 30 years had a positive impact on some children’s lives.
I am embarrassed to admit that I did not discover National Parks until I turned 50- but thankfully have been able to explore quite a few since. Never a camper but love a good day hike! Swimming with sea lions and sitting in a dib surrounded by whales, remembering gives me chills of excitement.
— Marie (DeFranco) Taylor
Over the next 50 years I experienced plenty of things, the most important being the birth and growth of my two extraordinary sons. I married twice and the second one seems to be taking (32 years and counting).
— Jerri (Eggly) Simon
Dancing on the tables during finals week in my bell bottoms from Tommy Gill.
Performing in Community Theatre.
— Cathy (Johnson) Auten
Back when I was involved with building restaurants, I made a friend who invited me to Mexico, and I decided to take it seriously. I have been visiting there once or twice a year for three weeks at a time. One of the ways I learned to speak Spanish was by memorizing Mariachi songs. That first year I had memorized “El Rey” (The King). My Mexican friend’s brother had a big block party — and they invited me, the only gringo there, to get up and sing El Rey. The crowd went crazy, and I went on to sing it multiple times that day. There was even a Facebook page about it. Everybody started calling me El Rey after that.
— Chris Danser
I joined the U. S. Army on the Buddy Plan with Chic Cossaboone right out of High School. After being discharged I became a Union Iron Worker and worked in the field for 20 years before becoming the Executive Director for Safety and Health for the I.A.B.S.O.R.I.W’s, for the next 20 years and 7 months for all of the United States and Canada. I married my wife, Janice, and we took our two daughters, their husbands and all four of our Grandchildren on a 7-day cruise to Mexico. I have been retired for 6 years and coached my one Grandson Dylan’s Baseball Team for three years of which we went undefeated for two of those years.
— Frank Migliaccio
In 1977 I graduated with a Master’s in Special Education and then joined the Peace Corps and served in El Salvador as an S.E.advisor. As a result of this experience and Spanish language acquisition I was able to work in NJ Public Education as a Learning Disabilities Teacher & Consultant, specializing with Spanish-speaking students, ages 3 to 18. Thanks to this career I was able to retire 13 years ago and I have been able to travel to all 50 US states and many countries of the world.
— Audrey Farrell
I have been blessed with a loving husband, three wonderful sons & their wives, 7 grandchildren, many special friends, and I had a rewarding career as a first-second grade teacher. To have this much in my life I feel is unique in today’s world.
— Jeannie (Lewis) Sheninger
Becoming an RN and taking care of patients with compassion. The birth of my children. My trip to Israel!
— Susan (Sommer) Golleher
Graduated University of Kentucky in 1971
Masters Degree in Adult and Organizational Learning from Suffolk University Boston in 2006
Worked for Halliburton Corporation 1973-1999
IHRDC Boston 1999-Present
Married Deborah Harris in 1977 2 daughters Jessica and Sindia with 4 granddaughters
— Rob Taylor
During my Navy Air Reserve time I spent a few weeks on an aircraft carrier, Wasp, followed by a short period at Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Met Debra, the love of my life, and together raised 5 children.
Established a successful career in Banking as a Commercial Lender for 48 years and recently retired to pursue a golfing interest
–– George J. Morgan
Taking up ballroom dancing, and deciding to compete a bit. It opened a new world to me and gave me a measure of confidence to “be out there”!! Also, traveling by myself to Europe. I met some interesting people, and had a wonderful time. For me, this was a great adventure!
— Linda Raiser
My degrees are in English, and every job I’ve had has been connected to writing — from teaching to editing to marketing to managing writers. My passions have always been the written and spoken word and live music. (And I’ve never been afraid to make a spectacle of myself.) So, it was a particular thrill to stand next to Robert Smith (of The Cure) on the stage at a large outdoor music festival, both of us rocking out to the powerful performance of my (lyricist, singer, front-man extraordinaire) son Geoff & his band Thursday.
— Pat (Lytle) Rickly
My first job out of college was with Continental Airlines, I was their first male flight attendant, the notoriety of that included news paper and TV interviews in Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Kansas City, plus a Wall Street Journal article. It was an easy decision, me and 2600 women and it paid more than being a teacher, 5 days in a row off every month and I got to fly for free! After a year of that I became a Supervisor on the jumbo jets spending two nights a week in Honolulu. I eventually became Manager of Flight Attendant Training, another “first male in the job situation”.
I Had Glenn Campbell on a flight to Hawaii when he was running away with his best friend’s (Mac Davis) wife. The Flight attendants were all upset at him and “accidentally” spilled red wine on her white dress! Obviously I had to issue a cleaning voucher.
I Had Dolly Parton on another flight to Hawaii. Got to sit and talk with her for a couple of hours and yes she does carry her make-up in a three tier tackle box.
— David Ganary
Traveling cross country 7 times. Camping in campers and motor homes. Fishing great trout streams.
— Jim Becotte
Involved in politics and Corporate life at the Board level and blessed to have a wonderful mom and dad, supportive brother and sister, and great friends who enriched my life
— Dennis Carey
So many interesting things. However, the BEST part of my life was raising my three wonderful children and enjoying my four grandchildren. I am so proud and crazy in love with all of them!
Oh yes! Not to be forgotten….my feline litter of four brothers….Butch, Sunny, Brody & Cody! They speak to me in one language and communicate with each other in another language that I am not privy to understanding! Quite interesting to watch and interact with them. Great companions! Does that qualify me as a “cat lady”? LOL!!!!
— Carol (Bringhurst) Oaks
Air Force, living in Menorca, Spain.
Owning my own remodeling company for 25 years.
— Wayne Dubiel
35 years of teaching and living in Pennsylvania, marriage and 2 great children, finally becoming a grandmother of 2, divorce and a move to the Delaware shore (much more affordable than NJ!) and reinventing my life there enjoying retirement.
— Janet (Stoltzfus) Brownback
Completed and undergraduate degree in landscape architecture at University of Massachusetts and masters in city planning at the University of Virginia. Was a Washington Sdc intern at Department of Housing and Urban Development, worked in the New York City area for 5 years and then moved to Montgomery County, Maryland ( suburban Washington DC ) where I was involved in downtown revitalization for 20 years. Had the opportunity to travel the world with my husband and take early retirement at age 50. Have been living in the Beaufort, SC area for almost 20 years. My husband and I operate a retail store on the main street of town, visit with our 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild whenever we can. Life is good!
— Suzanne (Sheldon) Yopp
Taught high school English and theatre for 36 years. I have directed over 50 plays and musicals.
— Jacquie (Bolling) Hasko
I have two wonderful sons that graduated from OC High that I am so proud of. One son is named after my cousin William Godfrey that went to Ocean City High School class of 1967. Bill lost his life in Vietnam Oct. 10, 1969. I have always been proud of my cousin for having served our Country. His loss has been heavy in our hearts. I am also proud to have three wonderful Granddaughters that did not get to go to OC High. (DARN!) I worked for 37 years with the State of NJ. I started as in the Business Office, then to Employee Relations then onto Human Resources. Over the years I have been fortunate to travel by motorhome to Mexico, Canada, Alaska 2 times and just about every State in the USA. I have visited most of the Lighthouses on my list and seen most of the National Parks. Our favorite being Yosemite. I love to photograph our travels and have our favorite pics blown up to 20×30 and hang the in our home & rather large barn.
— Margaret (Peggy) (Sharp) Pittenger
Have travelled around the world and realize the country we live in is truly the only place I would like to live. There are some beautiful places but not the USA.
— Wayne Adamson