William Fiske

[This is a detour from the recently suggestions. Sorry.] 

Just an observation which I can reasonably base on my experience with a few other schools and numerous student groups(I taught for 18 years -1972-1990 and was both a class advisor and yearbook advisor for many of those years). Because of a number of YOU. the class of ’65 New Bedford High receives a notable amount of ongoing support to make it easy for graduates to keep in contact.  In an age where Facebook and commercial interests (Classmate) make it easy to bring alumni together, it rarely succeeds. At least nto tlike NewBedford65 has. Sure, there’s random individual connections. but they are either over-managed (Classmate) and frustrating or simply ignored (Facebook Groups). You may not see it from your perspective, but I don’t see the same connections to this extent elsewhere. This site is a success.

It certainly is a tribute to those who do the heavy lifting. 

It may also be about the time and place we all came together. New Bedford. Early 1960s. Strange disruptive times. A President assasinated. Strange shared experiences. A brewing war we barely understood. Many opportunities for unique experiences. There was stress but that wasn’t acknowledged back then. An interesting mix of people. So many were children of 1st/2nd generation immigrants. New Bedford was a beautiful place in its own way. The ugly stuff was well hidden. I can’t say I know why it worked out for me, but I’m glad it happened where it did. I grew and flew from a 3rd floor tenement, and eventually to our home in Austin. I found my lifelong sweetheart by random good luck and we’re now in our 54th year. Kids and grandkids are a treat. I can’t imagine a better life. And I do like to look back.

Jack (John) Nunes

I just wanted to thank William Fisk for a nice post. 
Here's hoping many of us can make the 60th Reunion, Hint, Hint...  ;')

Kathleen Conway (Hickman)

Joseph Augustyn

It's been a while since I posted, but I thought some of you might be interested in a little spy stuff. This is a link to an article that appeared in The Economist in March. Tells you something about my career, and mentions New Bedford. Fairly long, but good for bedtime reading instead of Ambien.  Look forward to seeing many of you at our next reunion. 
 

https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/03/24/inside-the-cias-bureau-for-hiding-defectors

James Casey

Great to hear from you, Joe. Great article...hope you and the family are doing well. Look forward to seeing you in the near future. All the very best! Jim

Judith Aguiar (Rebello)

Hi Dave and All

I haven't gone on this site for ages but feeling nostalgic today I did.  Decided to let anyone who remembers me know what's up.

Responding to the challenge

Living in Fort Myers Fl permanately for the last seven years and love it.  Anyway, finally got the new knee last August after 12+ years of pain.  My surgery went very well and was dancing at a friends 50th anniversary three weeks later.  Then came hurricane Ian in September.  We were lucky when Irma hit and had done alot of outside work (new roof, windows, etc).  I think that's what saved us with Ian.  We were smack dab in the center and watched the full force hit us at a hotel about a mile from home.  I still remember the hurricanes up north in the fifties but I have never seen anything like Ian.  Again we were blessed with little damage while so many in our community were destroyed.  Even now, nine months later, there are so many homes still waiting for roofs and siding repairs.  After it was over, we could see and hear the constant noise of military helicopters right over the house, going back and forth to Sanibel and Fort Myers beach to rescue people.

Other than that and the fact that it's the start of another hurricane season, life is very good and my husband and I are blessed.

Judy

Maria de Melo (Gulla)

To my NBHS'65 classmates
June 17, 1965

Fifty-eight years ago today we graduated from High School.  I can still visualize our walk down the hill to the Olympia Theater.  So many changes in the world.  
So glad so many of us have reconnected.

Peter Pappas

I found this going through a pile of old stuff.  I think this is Normandin in 1962.  I'm sure most of you will recognize some of the faces here, even if they're 50 pounds lighter.

Dave Medeiros

I think I see Don Lyonnais, Jim Casey, Marty McDonald, a Pimental, 

Kathleen Conway (Hickman)

Kathleen Conway (Hickman)

James Casey

Bob and Billy Girouard, Jimmy Safiolias, Tom Chrzanowski, Gene Zimon, Paul Sylvia, Billy McKnight, Roger Goyette, and Billy Medeiros, who we lost in Vietnam. I see Mark Lefever, John and Tony Capitao, and others. Joe Rocha and Larry Gibbs' Felton St. Forlorns. There are a few more that I still know and have contact with. Great guys... Ron Soares, Baptista, Mario Castro, Tony Castro, Nadeau, etc.  

Joseph Ribeiro

Trying to find the names of the guys who where i Company A  n R O T C in ou junior van senior yers  and in ton my winning drill team our junior year winning drill team inncimoanybA our junior year would like to know when they are and how their doing.  Yonucsn E Mail me Y joedpro2m @aol.com just curious thanks 

Dave Medeiros

They call us ”The Elderly”

We were born in the 40’s.

We grew up in the 50-60's.

We studied in the 60-70's.

We were dating in the 60's.

We got married and discovered the world in the 70-80-90's.

We venture into the 80-90’s.

We stabilize in the 2000’s.

We got wiser in the 2010’s.

And we are going firmly through and beyond 2020.

Turns out we've lived through EIGHT different decades...

TWO different centuries...

TWO different millennia...

We have gone from the telephone with an operator for long-distance calls to video calls to anywhere in the world.

We have gone from slides to YouTube, from vinyl records to online music, from handwritten letters to email and Whats App.

From live matches on the radio, to black and white TV, colour TV and then to 3D HD TV.

We went to the Video store and now we watch Netflix.

We got to know the first computers, punch cards, floppy disks and now we have gigabytes and megabytes on our smartphones.

We wore shorts throughout our childhood and then long trousers, Oxfords, flares, shell suits & blue jeans.

We dodged infantile paralysis, meningitis, polio, tuberculosis, swine flu and now COVID-19.

We rode skates, tricycles, bicycles, mopeds, petrol or diesel cars and now we drive hybrids or electric.

Yes, we've been through a lot but what a great life we've had!

They could describe us as “exennials”; people who were born in that world of the fifties, who had an analog childhood and a digital adulthood.

We've kind of “Seen-It-All”!

Our generation has literally lived through and witnessed more than any other in every dimension of life.

It is our generation that has literally adapted to “CHANGE”.

A big round of applause to all the members of a very special generation, which will be UNIQUE.

-Author unknown

Ray Ferreira

Dave

Thanks for sharing this.  We did see it all, including the sad news (JFK, MLK, RFK, Vietnam, 9-11, World Terrorism, etc.).   We prevailed and moved on.  We saw the first men go to the Moon and return.   As kids, we had it made - We were Blessed and did not know it, at the time. Our generation saw it all, did it all, and lived thru it all.   As the old 1960s song said " we will never pass this way again".  We have seen war, political  problems  and world problems.  Let us all Pray for World Peace for future generations.

Dave Medeiros

OK, classmates, let's try this again .....

here's a challenge for you .... share something fun, exciting, or interesting that has happened to you in the past year or something that happened "back in the day" at NBHS that you are willing to 'fess up' to ...

Eric Michelsen

Responding to Dave's request for something exciting ... imn the last year or so.  I bought a 1997 Corvette - with only 9450 miles on it.  I still have the trusty Honda CRV BUT - an old age extravagence. ...I can't upload a photo of the car and me.  It needs a UTRL - its in my pictures in my computer BUT .....

Robert Grossman

Since Eric mentioned his Corvette, I thought it would be okay to mention that last March I traded in my 370Z for a 2020 Jaguar F-Type R with 12,300 miles I found in Chicago. It's better than I imagined.

James Yuille

My recent addition (November)although a bit old is a precious '39 Ford Barrel, flat 8 pickup, 74k miles.

Dave Medeiros

Anyone know anything about the status of the resoration of the auditorium at the old school?

Or, has that project passed?

?

Joseph Ribeiro

We were on a recruitment drive for the hour to see Dan Rochester regional high group after your finish instead of coming back to school. We decide to go bowling at Haven bowling alleys and got the counter look at it that says what school are you missing a beat I put into the patch of my sleeves. Norman Brown high school guy goes never heard that's a private school because OK have a nice time and we did meantime we're bowling out our vehicles we had rifles Rifle machine gun mortar can you imagine that nobody ever knew we got away with it 

Louis Robillard

it is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of James Schweidenback in Florida in March of this year. Jim died of cancer. This is all the info I could get. Jim was my dentist for 30 years before retiring and moving to Florida. Louie Robillard,

Nancy Breton (Barrett)

Please keep in your prayers our fellow classmate Patricia Dragon (Rodriques) She was in her 20's when she was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy..and was raising a family at that time.. She spent many many years in a wheel chair yet never felt sorry for herself. She just accepted what God sent her way.. Her husband passed away many years ago and Trish managed to live independently with home care.until now. .She has given up her home and is in a nuring home in Natick and requires 24 hours care.Her condition has worsened and she is bedridden and can not answer the phone.. I will always remember her as the beautiful red headed girl walking down the halls of the Old New Bedfor High School.. She and I remined friends all these years and for several years I worked as her personal care attendant.. Love you always Trish, Nancy Breton (Barrett)

Nancy Otis (Cusson)

So sorry, she had the most beautiful red hair

Barbara Fernandes (Lanagan)

Omg.  I have been tryiing to get in touch with Pat for some time.  I have an old number for her I guess.  I wish i had known sooner of her failing condition.  I know she suffered for many years of mitochrondrial disease.  Last we spoke she was living in Sol e mar.  Oh, Nancy.  I know you are a faithful friend to her and thank you for all you have done for her.  She is a sweet lady .  God bless her.  Please call me at 508 7286327.  Id love to talk to you.  Id like to even visiit her  if possible.  She was a very dear friend of mine for many years.  She is at Eliot center for health and rehab 168 W central st Natick ma  01760  floor 3 rm 322A.  Although she may not be aware of a friendly card or note, but at least she would be  surounded by our prayers ans well wishes.  Thank you.