FESS MEMORIES & AFTERTHOUGHTS

Madden - Paul - 1974: Some of my favourite memories are of being with my friends, Ron Sostomi, Jim Hindle, Linda Marchand (now Mrs. Jim Hindle), Steve Guest (Skin), & Debbie Klisowsky (Kazoo).

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Stouffer - Dorothy Burns - 1972: Some of my favourite memories were the dances we used to go to. The YMCA, the arena, and the school dances in the cafeteria, especially the Halloween dances and Sadie Hawkins dance, when the girls had to ask the boys. It was always hot and crowded and the music was loud, but I didn't care as long as I could dance. Disco fever! I loved Friday nights at the arena, skating to the music, on the arm of a cute guy too.

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Patrick - Philip - 1972: Some of my favourite memories are of swimming in the river, being in love, going to high school dances, parties and listening to music.

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Walker - Donna Colbert - 1972: Some of my favourite memories are of the last day of each school year and anticipating the next year.

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Wassman - Paulette Taylor - 197?: Some of my favourite memories are of the summers.

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Taylor - Debby Sunkenberg - 1970: Some of my favourite memories are of: The Good – How innocent everything was back then. The Bad - Scoring booze at "Fish Thompson’s" – 40 Lavinia Street –50 cent bottles of beer and two dollar bottles of homemade yellow wine which tasted like crap. The Naughty – Lorna and Linda Gordon getting sent home for wearing mini-skirts!!

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Stouffer - Dorothy Burns - 1972: To Mr.Yasko.... He was one of my favourite teachers. He was very patient with me. I had started in the general program in grade 9 and at the end of grade 10 decided being a secretary was not my thing. I hated typing (still can't keep the right fingers on the right keys) and book keeping, so I decided to switch to the science program. They put me back a year and I started grade ten over. That meant I missed grade 9 French. Mr. Yasko used to help me after class and after school. He was such a sweetheart and he recognized that I was really struggling, and just wasn't getting it. He taught me more than just French. He taught me that if you tried your best and wanted to learn bad enough, you could do just about anything. He was a wonderful teacher, and I was so upset when I heard he died a few years later. Thankyou Mr.Yasko... where ever you are. *HUGS*

I remember Friday nights when Mallory Billings' parents were working at their drugstore down town, and Mallory and a few close friends (me included), would sneak to her house and party like crazy from about 5PM until 9PM, when the store closed. Then we'd do a quick clean up, and stash the beer bottles at the construction sight down the street, where the guys would take back our empties for us, and I think Mallory talked them into getting our beer for us too. She could talk anybody into anything in those days. We had so much fun at those mini parties.

May 2001
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Madden - Chris - 1971: I guess that my favourite memory from high school would be that the whole class from grade nine thru grade 12 were all together and were friends.

August 2001
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Clemens - Pete - 1971: Some of my favourite memories are of the Kappa Formal in Buffalo, eh Dot?, Sneaking into the Drive-in Theatre, "Y" dances.

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Green - Virginia Rudynski - 1971: I remember all those parties at Anne's and how we became friends with the Crescent Park Gang.

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Green - Virginia Rudynski - 1971: Thanks to Mr. D.J. McKenzie who sent me for an interview to Bank of Montreal, and arranged for me to skip the last three weeks of senior year to take the job.

September 2001
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Flynn - Frank - 1968: Some of my favourite memories are of going to a British ModBeats concert, and accidentally meeting and dancing with Mrs. McKee at a wedding reception in Toronto.

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Grimmell - Gary - 1971: Each Christmas Eve the Yasko's, Bruno and Jacki (if I remember right?), would have an "open house" at Christmas Eve following mass. I wasn't Catholic put would usually end up at St Michaels Church with my friends, then off to Yasko's. One year Bruno was serving up rum & eggnog and I drank more than my share. In fact, I think I was the only one drinking them! The next year after Christmas Mr. Yasko stopped me and asked where I was Christmas Eve. He had rum & eggnogs waiting for me and I was a no-show. With all of the other friends, family and others who used to make a Christmas Eve stop at Yasko's a must, he remembered how much (too much) I had liked them. That was the way he was, and that says it all. A great teacher, a great guy.

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Flynn - Frank - 1968: I always wanted to go out with Barb Ferdinandi. She was in a couple of my classes, but I don't think she knew I was there. Oh well...

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Grimmell - Gary - 1971: I remember a dance at the Y when I was 15 or 16 that JC and I were hanging out at, as usual. The last dance of the night was a slow one that I was lucky enough to be asked to dance by someone I had a crush on for some time (but it was the 'friend" thing getting in the way). After the dance I walked her home. It was one of those quiet winter nights, not too cold, with big snow flakes falling... very romantic. We talked until about 2 in the morning. I never followed up to ask her out ... something I regretted. That was a moment I wish I could have back... Oh well, we were all young and I guess that was all part of growing up.

There was another Y dance, and again a slow song... probably one of my first. I was dancing with a girl with very long straight hair. I was chewing gum at the time so when the song ended and she backed away, my gum shot out of my mouth like a bullet out of a gun. My gum had got tangled in her hair! I was so embarrassed I just walked away and don't remember ever telling her. That wasn't very nice of me but boy was I embarrassed! One of those memories you wished you had on video! Still laugh at that one.....

October 2001
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Girdlestone - John - 1968: Some of my favourite memories are of shooting pool, and playing hockey and golf.

Thursday, November 01, 2001

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I thought I would share a small portion of a letter received by me from David Yasko.

Hi Dorothy,
I just want to thank-you for what you wrote about my Dad, I was very touched by it, as was my mother. They would have been married 50 years October 26th, 2001. It is hard to believe my Dad is gone sometimes and it has been 25 years , I am really glad he has been remembered so fondly. To those of you out there who still have both your parents, make sure you let them know how much you love and appreciate them because it is such a hard lesson to learn when they are gone. I loved my Dad more than I realized and sure wish I would have told him more often. Thanks again Dorothy for your kind words, he was a great teacher and a good man.
Just a short note about me. I finally stopped partying when I met my lovely wife Marlene, (a Dutch woman who puts up with no B.S. from me), I was 35 when we met, married five years later and had our first child Tatyana Rae Oct. 17th 1995, it turned a sad day into a happy one because Oct. 17th was the day my Dad died, I think he was trying to tell me something. My son was born June 9th, 1998, his name is Bruno Jacob in honour of my Dad.
I am really glad that I was told about the FESS website and I am looking forward to more info about old times and old friends.
Thanks Again,
David

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Harper - Lezlie - 1972: When it gets right down to it, for me, high school was probably the most confusing time of my life. I didn't get it at all. I loved the fun stuff and I was pretty good at understanding that but as far as getting a real grasp of what education was about - I just wasn't there. To me, high school was for social contact. What a dummy I was. Have since been a student at the University of Toronto. Would have completed my degree but I moved back to the Niagara area, so hopefully I will complete it at Brock.

April 2002
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Harper - Lezlie Wells - 1972: My favourite memories are so many I could write a book. A good memory was the high school dances. The one that stands outs most is when the Bo Street Runners came to our school. Victor Dimitroff played the organ. His mom and sister, Ellen were at the school that night which rekindled my friendship with Ellen which has lasted all these years.

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Another memory: I was a good runner in high school. One year some were going to a track meet in New York so I trained to possibly go. (got sick with the flu so it was a no go for me). During one of my timed runs indoors, I broke 10 seconds for 100 yards. That was so thrilling but of course the Olympic scouts were looking for competitors near the first floor washroom hall that day.

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The first time I felt real conviction for a cause was the school strike. I guess it would have been my first clumsy attempt at being involved in the democratic process. Remember the slogan: "We aren't asses, we want smaller classes." In later years, I went on to get involved with politics.

February 2003
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Stapleton - Stacey - 1972: Favourite Memories: *Asking John Moore to the Sadie Hawkins dance in grade 9 and he actually said yes!

*George Fairgrieve's speech (in Mr. McKenzie's English class) on "The Screaming Tunnels" in Niagara Falls that had everyone spooked!...he got a well deserved A+ on that one!

*All the cute guys in the Tech wing!
*Pep Rallies
*Sr. Falcon Football Sossa Championship Game1970
*Friday nite skating...great tunes!
*Walking 3k in a blizzard to watch a Junior B Hockey game

March 2003
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Teacher: Reichert - Ralph: Here are my two musical memories: I was taking classes at UB in 1969 and there was much turmoil with the Vietnam War protests. I went to a concert given by Judy Collins at UB. She sang "Amazing Grace" backed by a choir. It was so moving. It has always been important to me and I still play her rendition of the song.
I am not sure what year, perhaps 1970, but I went to Kleinhans Music Hall to hear some piano player from England. He played the piano and was backed by only a guy on drums. His "hit" was "Your Song" and the artist was Elton John.

Grade 10 Typing classes (10A4 and 10A5) in room 155: We all used those old Olympia typewriters, try and find one now. The Office Practice students in room 159 were sometimes a handful, but my most memorable students were in a senior typing class and there used to be a break before the class. I think that some of those students smoked more than just a cigarette during the break.

Typing and Office Practice: I have two Christmas booklets that were produced by the students in 10A4 and 10A5 and 9C1 (1968). They are a collection of poems etc. One particular poem is very "cruel" as it speaks about "Scrooge Reichert". All of the students in the classes autographed the books. You should look for these booklets at one of the memorabilia tables at the reunion.

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Mars - Piet - 1973: Favourite Memories: GOOD: As a grade 13 class we decided to go to the Quebec Winter Carnival without the school's permission. When (I think it was) Jarvis or Pring found out they phoned our parents and only Stan could not go. We had a great time, I could go into more detail...... however , the rest is sworn to secrecy.

NOT SO BAD: The only year I volunteered to be on the Football team, we had a great blow out with (I believe it was) Ridgeway (correct me if I am wrong)), we did not finish the game and Mr. Fell got quite animated. Then for the rest of the year we had to play Beamsville and Niagara Falls??? We may have gotten into some scraps there too but it wasn't our fault.

NAUGHTY: If my memory serves me correctly, I do remember that the Submarine races were quite exciting.

You know when you're sitting in class in the 1970s learning how to type, Why???
Well , bless that little lady that had to deal with all those snot-nose little guys and gals who thought that they were not going to end up being a "secretary" and that there were bigger and better things out there than typing.
I thank my lucky stars now that we had to take typing. If I had my year book here I could tell you what her name was. Bless you ms Typing Teacher!

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Gilmour - Joy Ott - 1968: Favorite Memories: The night we (Linda, Arlene & I ) went to see To Sir with Love, then went to Marco's Pizza and ordered out and went for a drive. We ate what we could then we took the pizza that was left over and wrote To Sir with Love on the box and left it on Mr. Nastasiuk's front porch!! With Linda screaming all the way!! When we walked into class the next day, Mr. Nastasiuk said thanks for the pizza girls, make sure next time it's hot!!

Another thing that stays in my mind is when Janet Geddes was blindfolded and was to take commands. She was trying out for a club. They told her to run, then they told her to stop and she didn't hear and she ran into the back of the school wall..... She broke her jaw, ending up with her mouth wired shut for 6 weeks!!

April 2003
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Daly - Margaret Jane Chambers - 1957: Some of my favourite memories are of Friday night dances, scoring for sports games and travelling on the bus with the football and basketball teams, smoking in the woods with the guys, decorating for proms and concerts. Being in the concerts and plays, and on school council.

When our French teacher Mrs. Glenny travelled to Paris for a holiday, she confessed to our class that after she tried ordering her meal in French, the waiter said to her that he "was sorry, but didn't speak English" We had a good laugh at her expense. She was a good sport.

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Minor - Dolores Dempsey - l958: I attended from 1954 to 1958. I would like to add my memories of Mrs. Schuller's sloppy joes and butter tarts. MMMMMMMM! Cheerleading, and getting to go to games out of town, on the bus, with all the BOYS and the thrill of being able to legally get out of school early, for the journey.

Favourite after dances eateries - The Caribou, Skippy's, The Parkview, or being really daring, and crossing the bridge, to Ted's hot dog stand.

Parking at Frenchman's Creek, and checking out who else was there - driving to Niagara Falls, on a Sunday afternoon.

Learning folk dances from around the world, in gym class - combining lunch periods with playing volleyball, or basketball, (good thing we had strong stomachs) At that point, we wore one piece button down the front, blue gym suits, with bloomer bottoms.

School dances, with the girls at one end, and the boys at the other, in the gym. Boys would converge on us, whenever there was a slow dance, and of course, all the girls would dance with each other, for the fast ones. Then if a boy took me home, my mother was right there, flashing that front door light on and off, till I came into the house.

I got on the school council, so I could go to Buffalo, and get all the latest and greatest dance music, like The Platters, Fats Domino, Bill Haley & the Comets (Rock around the Clock), Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everley Brothers, just to name a few. Then, American Bandstand had to be watched, after school. Elvis Presley! The big hoopla with only being able to see him from the waist up on T.V.!

The big crush I had on Mr. (Bill) Smith. The great emotional turmoil when hormones kicked in, with emotional highs so high, and lows, sooo low.

Teen Town dances at the north end, and having to make the decision once in a while when the school dance was on Friday, and the Teen Town dance, on Saturday, as to which one of the two I could go to. Tough choice....and whatever teacher was chaperoning the dances, sure got a lot of information on who was going with who.

In cheerleading, we begged and cajoled, and finally got permission to go from bloomer type outfits, to purple sweaters, with yellow pleated skirts, and saddleshoes. Boy we were something! At least, we thought so.

And hair styles - DA's, dress styles - 'The Sack', furry, or lacey or beaded collars to add to a sweater, gumdrops or buck shoes, where you had to use a little bag filled with powder to whomp the shoe and add powder to clean them, when they got dirty.

Those were the days, my friend - we thought they'd never end. I look forward to revisiting in May.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Dolores! I remember teenage angst well! Hugs Dot

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Marino, Dina Jones - l974: Hi class of '74 grads! Do you remember Mr. Murphy's BAND? We were fantastic! He loved the band to play "The Stripper" at almost every band function so I could play my drum solo. Yep, I was the drummer...THE ONLY FEMALE drummer that is....Dina Jones (nee Marino). I was also in the Operetta for all the years I was at FESS. I would love to hear from any of my classmates, and or other students that knew me through those years.

I owe a Thank You to Frank Flynn. I knew him quite well in high school because the band (The Crowns Of England) had their practises at my parents' home almost every weekend and I loved to hear the music. One of my favourite songs they always played was " Gimme Some Lovin' by Spencer Davis. Every time I hear it on the radio my mind goes back to 1967 when The Crowns Of England won 2nd prize in the Battle of the Bands competition in Welland Ontario for the Centennial Festival. I was so PROUD of them all and for a small town band they were EXCELLENT! Which comes to my little secret that I always wanted to be a part of a singing group but never got the opportunity to do so. I also loved the drums and I wished to God that I could play as well as Frank did. One day I sneaked onto his drums and began to play. I was in Heaven.....no one was home....just me and the drums. When I joined the school band at FESS, I was determined to play the drums. When Mr. Murphy heard me play he was quite surprised to hear a female play the drums like I did. So, I thank you Frank, for giving me the inspiration of learning to play and the confidence to fulfill one of my dreams.

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Daly - Margaret Jane Chambers - 1957: All the girls in 1955 were crazy for Bill Yovetich, the cutie on the trumpet in the school jazz band. I only admired him from afar, but in the prepartions for the Wrinkly Reunion Dinner, his name came up so I e-mailed him. We met, over some real estate doings, early in April, this year and he's still got it. Still a hottie, but very married, as am I.

April 2004
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D'Amelio, Maria McKim - l977: I remember Mr. Murphy braving it through all our band classes and rehearsals.

Miss Garreri, thank you for all the kindness and caring you showed me throughout high school. You were the only one who I honestly felt had any idea of what life was like for me and the only one who I thought truly cared. Thank You.  

August 2004
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Kent, Carol Sateren - l977: I remember the band going to Buffalo and helping to clean the Shea’s Theatre. We played on the stage and that was such a neat experience. Then that night we attended the opening night with George Burns. We went back stage to get his autograph! What a treat!!

In our senior year, Jack Reynolds and I played “Sonny and Cher” at a Christmas – all school assembly. We lip-sinced to “I Got You, Babe”.

Mr. McMahon made me love history and I really enjoyed his classes. I was scared to death of Mrs. Boyd, but I know that I would never have done as well in college if it weren’t for her. I never did get the hang of French and all I really remember from Mr. Yasko was that he was jovial but had a ruler that hurt when he slapped my legs with it when I sat sideways in my desk!!

I remember disco dancing with Brian Fuller – he was much better at it than me, but he was a good teacher.

I moved to Virginia in 1978 to attend college and never came back to Canada. I met my husband in college and the only down thing about making that move is that I have totally lost touch with friends and acquaintances in Fort Erie. I feel so bad that I can’t even remember last names anymore. So when my dad told me this website was up, I knew it was a great chance to find out about some of you.

August 2005
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Gow, Will - l970: One of my best memories is when Tom Hebbourn (now deceased) and I backpacked around Europe just after graduation in 1970. We went to England, Scotland, Wales, France and Germany. Great trip ... hard to believe it was on 10 dollars a day. The experience of meeting relatives in Scotland, travelling by moped in France, hiking through Wales and Scotland (mostly the pubs) will always stay with me.

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September 2008
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Stouffer, Dorothy Burns - l972: Ms. Mathers was my first Home Economics teacher at FESS. She was quite strict, but taught me a great deal about sewing, which came in handy when I got my first job at Yeo's as a clerk. Ross and Bette Yeo (both gone now) were wonderful people and treated me like family. I worked at their material shop during high school until they closed. I ended up making most of my clothes during my teen years and early married life. When I look back at pictures from those days now there are very few outfits I didn't make and a lot of them were made out of crimpoline. I still have almost all the formal dresses I made including my going away outfit for my wedding. Thanks Ms. Mathers where ever you are! You saved my Dad a lot of money back in those days.

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