50 Plus reunion weekend a success
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Sandy
Olson sits at the main table, welcoming people to the RSCS 1955-1965
reunion. (Photo by Janine Giordano) |
It was four days of celebration that took two long years of meticulous organization. And it was over in the blink of an eye.
The sun shone brightly, the lines flowed smoothly, everyone ate and drank their fill and danced all night. Then all too soon, the much anticipated first event of the Richfield Springs High School weekend long reunion was over.
Before midnight more than 230 alumni and guests from the classes of 1955-1965 slipped into their cars and drove away, clutching close their commemorative goody bags and purple Tee-shirts, contact information of long lost friends, and enough memories to last a lifetime.
Or at least until the next reunion, which for four classes of alumni was the very next day.
For two years Reunion Committee Members Sandy Olson, John Houghtaling, Mary Hanagan, Cindy Couchman Hoffman and Darlene Oram planned the four day reunion weekend that began with a ten year span of classmates celebrating at the Meadowlinks Golf Course, and ended with a boat ride down the Erie Canal in Herkimer on Monday afternoon.
Saturday offered tours of their old alma mater, the new museum, and reunions for the classes of ?59, ?60, ?62 and ?63. Sunday the former classmates gathered at the Tally-ho from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for a reunion brunch and Monday completed the schedule with a ride aboard the Lil Diamond II.
By Janine Giordano
To our loyal readers
and business partners,
We regret to inform you that Richfield Springs Mercury is no longer being
published, therefore we are no longer accepting editorial content and advertising
requests. It was our pleasure to serve you from 2003-2009, and we hope you
still find this website useful for searching archived issues of the paper
during our publishing period. In order to do so, please navigate to the
left-hand column and find the box titled, “Search News.” Be
sure to click the archive button in order to search our full catalog of
archived material.
If you have any trouble navigating the site and would like assistance, please
contact former Associate Publisher Jason Bernhardt at jason@jgbproperties.com.
Thank you for the years of positive support you have shown us while reporting
news and events in and around Richfield Springs, NY. We miss serving you!
All the best,
The Richfield Springs Mercury Staff
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Home as found - Familiar Memories Unfold
Recently eleven Richfield Springs High School classes from 1955 to 1965 met together for a joint reunion, the first of its kind for Richfield. Some came as far away as the west coast to meet with old classmates and acquaintances.
By Don Urtz - more... |
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Museum finds a Home on Main Street
Remember when you could get a filet mignon dinner or twin lobster tails at the Lake House for only $6.95? According to a menu on display at the Richfield Springs Historic Association’s and Museum, those were two of the most expensive meals offered at the time.
By Janine Giordano - more... |
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A Night At Harry’s - Relivin’ the Memories
It’s hard to believe when passing by Frank Callahan’s insurance office on Route 28 that it was once the sight of the hottest nightspot in town. In its heyday, after the war and through the late 50s and early 60s, Harry’s was owned and operated by Harry and Sera Kliche.
By Terry Berkson - more... |
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RSCS School Tour
Richfield Springs Central School opened its doors in a warm welcome, embracing alumni from years past as part of the Reunion Weekend held at the end of August.
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Reunion of Different Kind at Richfield Springs High School
There was one special visitor at Richfield Springs High School during the recent reunion weekend who was not celebrating a 45th, 50th or even 55th reunion. The heyday being commemorated with this visit occurred well over 100 years ago, and the years have not been kind to the visitor, who lay sprawled out on the old gym floor for much of Friday and Saturday, August 20 and 21.
By Janine Giordano - more... |
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For Bernhardt, Carpe Diem means “seize the fish”
For most people, Carpe Diem is Latin for “Seize the Day.” But in Jason Bernhardt’s world that phrase is synonymous with “Carpe Piscis,” which is Latin for “Seize the fish.” By combining his love of business with his love of fishing, that is just what Bernhardt has done, seize the day and the fish.
By Janine Giordano - more... |
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A reunion all of our own
Putting together this special edition of the Richfield Springs Mercury in honor of the Richfield Springs Central Schools graduating classes of 1955-1965 has been an amazing experience for all involved.
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HCCC features Local Artists
Two local artists joined together for a showing at Herkimer County Community College Cogar Gallery last month, with their opening reception held on Friday, August 27.
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Eerie Canal Cruise
Approximately 25 classmates hopped aboard the Lil Diamond II on Monday afternoon to take a cruize down the Eerie Canal
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A Great Coaching Legacy Got its Start Here
"Joe Moore was one of a kind. He was an old-fashioned coach who loved the game and loved his players," Coach Lou Holtz told the Mercury. Moore was on Holtz's Notre Dame coaching staff from 1988-96.
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Mini reunions held Saturday
Four individual class reunions were held for the Richfield Springs High School graduating classes of ‘59, ‘60, ‘62 and ‘63 on Saturday, August 21
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Timeless replica honors RSV Clock
Local photographer Alan Lincourt has combines his passion for photography and his love for his home town with the creation of a 12-inch tall working replica of the Richfield Springs village clock.
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Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Pigula!
Richfield Springs residents Jay and Kathleen Bernhardt (also of Liverpool) would like to announce the wedding of their daughter, Erica Bernhardt, of Liverpool, to Daniel Pigula, of Camillus, son of Celia and Mark Pigula, of Camillus.
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Calling all RSCS Alumni!
Plans for an alumni website are underway! Some of your fellow classmates are currently in the process of creating an interactive site for all of your correspondence. Details are still being worked out at this time.
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Cookbookin’ with Sandy
My love of cooking started early; it’s hard to avoid food when you grow up in a restaurant! My cookbook collecting started in 1959, with the Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book.
By Sandy Olson - more... |
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Sharing stories and memories with Orville Eckler
There were certain things I knew right off the bat with Orville Eckler from the minute tour guide Tom Shypski reprimanded us in the back to quit dawdling. First, Orville always wore a smile and had a funny story or kind word to say. Second, he was the sentimental kind. Third, his glass is probably always half full. And, last, I bet he got in trouble a lot in school.
By Janine Giordano - more... |
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Bittersweet Sentiments
The coordinators of this special event cannot be praised enough for their dedication, flawless organization, and countless hours of hard work.
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Unbelievable Experience!
“Overwhelmed” is the word that comes to mind from the outset of the 11-year reunion plan headed by Sandy O and her group.
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Giving Thanks
At a recent August reunion gathering of former Richfield Springs Central School students from the years 1955 - 1965, I found myself standing in the middle of a group of 250 people, not recognizing many and knowing by the puzzled look on their faces, they didn’t recognize me either!!!
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Time of Their Lives
We want to personally thank you for the tremendous job you did. It was an event we will remember all our lives ... and so much fun.
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Keeping in Touch
On behalf of the Class of 1957, we were so pleased to be part of the 11-year reunion of the 1955 to 1965 classes.
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Memories Made and Shared
What a wonderful experience it was to tour our beloved RSCS facilities!!! I could not get over how beautiful this expanded school is!!!!
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Reunion Revisited
As it had been 21 years since I was last in Richfield, “going home” was very special for me. Seeing my classmates after such a long time was an emotional thing.
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Special Times
Attending my own class reunion over the years has always been loads of fun for my wife and I, but this multiple class reunion was truly special.
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Reunions give second chances
Newfield High School’s Graduating Class of 1980 celebrated its 30th Reunion this past summer, but I did not attend. In fact, even though this is my class, my school, my reunion, I have not attended any of the reunions arranged since I graduated in 1980.
By Janine Giordano - more... |
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