Saturday Night

On Saturday night, we gathered at The Roselawn in New York Mills for dinner and dancing. Harold Haggarty and his wife (above) were there. The next photo shows the handcrafted candy boxes Natalie Krohn made as table favors. Next to the candy box with the UFA picture are key chains from the UFA Alum Assoc. It was festive and fun with a casual feel. We had a prime rib buffet and Italian pasteries for dessert. Dennis Thompson from the Alum Assoc. spoke briefly. Click on the video to hear his remarks. Red, Hot and Wild provided the music but, truthfully, classmates were awfully busy trying to talk to old friends to dance much. Jacqueline Glinecki brought 2 of her paintings to display along with memorabilia from the Alum Assoc.

Give Back to Utica

Steve Oram is ramping up a project called Give Back to Utica. It involves all of us who have fond memories of growing up in Utica "giving back" to help the city and its residents. Here's his letter to the edit dated Sept. 27, 2007.

http://www.uticaod.com/viewpoints/x775332839

You can reach Steve at: soram@oramlaw.com

Nostalgic Reading

Three Uticans have written books that may be of interest to classmates. They are available through Amazon and at the Oneida County Historical Society (buying through the historical society helps support their activities).

Wasn't It Only Yesterday? by Mario Fumarola is a series of stories about growing up in East Utica, portraying life in the Italian community.

The Olive Tree by Arlene Stein is a book about growing up in the Auburn Ave. area and portrays life in the Jewish community. I enjoyed descriptions of streets and businesses I remember from my childhood in South Utica.

The Courtship of Julian and Frieda by Krista Perry Dunn is the story of Julian Noga and his wife, Frieda. You'll remember that Julian Noga is the MC for the Polish language radio program we hear on Sundays. It's the longest running Polish language show in the US. The book isn't about Utica but how Julian and Frieda met during WWII in Austria.

The Rockettes

I couldn't resist posting this photo taken at UFA on tour day. About 30 of us gathered on Saturday morning. . .a loyal band, to be sure! We were really impressed to see the NYS historic site placque on Elm St. declaring UFA an historic site!

The interior, used for Loretto Nursing Facility, has been renovated to look light and contemporary. You saw the photo of the entrance to the former auditorium. The shop area in the basement is now the dining room. Some classrooms upstairs are being made into apartments. We suggested a Titan wing!

We got to see the gym that looks just the same and is used for a youth program, choir room where Mrs. Williams reigned, and the little theater near the choir room.

This photo was taken in one of the corridors and features Laurey Jones from FL, Annette Pelewski from CA, Camille Claeys and Polly Nolan. "Still crazy after all these years. . ."

Saturday Night

Here's a quick glimpse of the dinner dance at the Roselawn. You've seen some of the UFA tour photos

UFA Reunion photos - Utica, NY

Sandy Hurley and Dyana Stovall at Vista Lanes - Yorkville, NY
Mr & Mrs Frank Marotta

This is what the entrance looks like now in the UFA building

Remember this view ?

The building is now on the register of historic places

and the facade can never be altered.

Alan Nathan and Bluestreak on Friday Night

Al Nathan and his band Bluestreak played Friday night at Mel Allen's Vista Lanes Lounge for about 60 classmates. Very relaxed and informal and, best of all, free to classmates! It was fun to see some reunion first timers: Larry Wolhandler, Stu Bernstein, Paul Levinson, Gail Meyers, Robbie Segal and Ange Tomaselli. Frank Marrotta sat in at drums for a set with Bluestreak.

Utica Free Academy Class of 1967 Reunion Committee

The 2007 Reunion story - to mark 40 years since graduation - starts with recruiting Larry Schecter to be chairman. Not a job for the faint of heart due to the work involved!!!! But Larry dove in and, as you know, did a tremendous job.

Our first committee meeting was on a February night amidst a blizzard that blew in from the Tug Hill plateau. Our loyal band included Frank Marrotta and his wife Roberta, Fred Carncross, Sandy Hoerle, Betty Hartz, Dyana Stovall, and Karen Knott. Distance members were Natalie Krohn, Annette Pelowski and Sandy Zimmerman. Over the months, we became good friends. . .all over again! We orginally booked a venue called Kitty's on the Canal. In true Utica form, local politics intervened and the restaurant fell into multiple legal issues with the city and closed! So it was back to square one as we scrambled to find a suitable location for the dinner dance.

The picture shows one of our meetings as we hashed out the logistics and details. . .although we were long past snow season!

Ray and Joe Kulik with Polly - UFA Class of '67

It was great to see Ray and Joe Kulik when they passed through Utica in September.

1967 - 2007

Vista lanes - Jackie Glinecki,Candy Meyers,Karlene Bulchinski, Elaine Ciccone,Fred Carncross

From the 40th Reunion held in August 2007. Photo at Utica Free Academy

GRADUATION DAY - UTICA FREE ACADEMY CLASS OF 1967

Graduation Day June 25, 1967
Utica Memorial Auditorium
Utica, New York