50 years later, alum looks forward to class reunion
By Bob Bong
It seems like only yesterday I was one of the Meteors donning a purple cap and gown and preparing for commencement as a member of the T.F. North High School Class of 1972 in Calumet City.
Ours was to be the first outdoor graduation. We practiced a few times. On graduation day, howling winds and pouring rain forced us inside. Of course, we hadn’t practiced for that.
Then there were the graduation parties. Lots of graduation parties. But that’s a different subject.
Fast forward half a century, and several classmates are planning our 50th reunion, which will be our last. After 50 years, we get lumped in with the TFN and TFS Golden Alumni group.
The affair will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 23, at the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland, Ind. So far, 103 alumni and significant others have paid up to attend. Some who stay over till Saturday may take a tour of our alma mater. How much could it have changed in five decades?
Alumni are coming in from across the country. Three are coming from California, including my childhood best friend, Carl Rosenbaum. One is from Maine. Four are from Florida. A few others are coming in from South Carolina, Texas and Arizona.
Many of us have reconnected on Facebook where we reminisce, argue politics, and talk about our grandkids.
Carl has endeared himself to our class in particular, and a couple of others, for keeping a list of our classmates who have passed away over the years. The list is up to 82.
One classmate who unfortunately made the list was John Sherrer. Everyone had a group of close friends in high school and John was in mine. It helped that John had three sisters.
John joined the Army after high school and was sent to Germany. He married his longtime girlfriend Fran and they had kids.
We lost touch for a while but reconnected thanks to Facebook and his daughter Tiffany. John had lost his sight, in part because of his military service. But he and Fran had a business teaching blind veterans how to use computers and such.
John had a great service dog and we’d get together when he was in town, usually during trips to the VA related to his blindness.
I miss him and our reunion will be little less fun without him.
Planners for the milestone shindig include former classmates Jeff and Deb Lundy, Paula Senek and Patti Judnick-Zurawski. I’m sure there are others I have missed.
They have an interesting night planned. 1970s music. Dancing (maybe, but we’re not as spry as we used to be). Memorabilia. Photos. Contact Paula if you have items to display. Her email address is paulaswan@aol.com
A photographer will be on hand to take a class photo (I have class photos from our 40th and 45th reunions). The photographer will also offer photos of smaller groups, couples, and individuals. There will also be photo props for use by alumni who want to take their own photos.
Tickets are $55 per person and include a family-style dinner and one-hour open bar before dinner. The deadline to purchase tickets is August 1.
Deb Lundy keeps the list of attendees updated on our class Facebook page. Some of them I haven’t seen since we graduated. Some of them I have known since we were kids and played baseball together or were in Cub Scouts together.
Any alumni out there who haven’t signed up can find details on how to sign up at the TFN Class of 1972 Facebook page or email tfnclassof72@gmail.com
All together now, “Stay on the North side of Fractional and never cross that line …”
Bob Bong is editor of the Desplaines Valley News, The Regional News and The Reporter newspapers.
4 Comments
Local News
Chicago Catholic League greats headed to Hall of Fame
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A handful of area stars will be inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The list features Kevin Bracken (St. Laurence, wrestling), Kevin Carberry (St. Rita, football), Matt Macievic (De La Salle, cross county and track), Mike McGrew (Mount Carmel, football), Dan Nicholson (Brother Rice,…
Fire II tops Chicago City, advances to to second round of Hunt Open Cup
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Fire II picked up a late invitation to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and beat Chicago City, 6-0, on March 20 in front of an announced crowd of 810 at SeatGeek Stadium. Defender Giovanni Granda and midfielder Vitaliy Hlyut each made their professional debut and scored…
Red Stars top Seattle, open season with two wins for first time in franchise history
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Last year’s last-place finish notwithstanding, the Chicago Red Stars have had a pretty rich history of success. The franchise has seven NWSL playoff appearances and has finished runner-up twice (2019, 2021), and prior to 2022 had finished no lower than fourth in the league ‘s regular season standings for…
College Football | Marian (Indiana) and St. Francis highlight Saint Xavier 2024 home slate
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Saint Xavier has released its 2024 football schedule, which has the Cougars opening the season in Michigan. SXU will travel to the Detroit suburb of Southfield to play Lawrence Tech on Sept. 7 in a Mid-States Football Association crossover. The Cougars’ home opener kicks off at noon on Sept.…
Morton College women’s hoops takes fifth in nation
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent For the second year in a row, the Morton College women’s basketball team finished fifth in the country. The Panthers closed out the 2023-24 campaign in Joplin, Missouri, with a 75-67 victory over Iowa Western on March 23 in the consolation championship game at the NJCAA Division II National…
Boys Volleyball | Marist tops Lockport for Gold at RedHawks Invite
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Marist enjoys getting its season going by hosting a tournament that is now in its 20th year. They had a good time again this season, going unbeaten over five matches in two days to win the Marist RedHawks Invitational for the sixth consecutive time. The RedHawks ended the tournament…
City wants to buy armory at MDW
Spread the love. Has been vacant since 2017 . By Tim Hadac For decades, it served military purposes, as well as Chicago’s gateway for Presidents stopping off in the city. But the Army National Guard Midway Armory, 5400 W. 63rd St., has been mostly vacant since 2017, when the Illinois Army National Guard ceased operations…
2 charged in Summit junkyard burglary
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two men have been charged in connection with a break-in last month at the Pick-n-Pull used auto parts store and junkyard in Summit. George Ainalakis, 39, of Carol Stream, was arrested February 26 at the business, while Chad Wickert, 40, of Brookfield, was arrested March 13 by Hodgkins police. Police…
A successful career serving thousands
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound (708)-496-0265 . Most folks work for years at their jobs, expecting and receiving little fanfare, then retire quietly. Garfield Ridge resident Mary Ellen Fox planned to retire from her 30-year job in the City Clerk’s Office quietly; and she did, earlier this year. But…
Casten secures $11M for district; invites Bridge Teen founder to State of Union
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Congressman Sean Casten is bringing some big bucks home. Casten (D-6th) announced that he helped secure more than $11 million in federal funding for local community projects. Included in that bounty is: $1.28 million to Evergreen Park for water main replacement. $500,000 to La Grange for storm and sanitary sewer…
Neighbors
Boys Volleyball | Stagg ends Marist Invite with win over Riverside-Brookfield
Spread the loveBy Jason Maholy Sports Editor Stagg outlasted Riverside-Brookfield in a marathon first set, winning 36-34, then followed that with a 25-20 clincher on March 23 to finish seventh in the Silver divison at the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational. The Chargers went 2-3 in the tournament. They opened pool play on March 22 at…
Boys Volleyball | Shepard finishes 4th in Bronze at Marist Invite
Spread the loveShepard served as one of three host sites for the 20th Marist RedHawks Invitational, and kicked off play in Palos Heights by facing Lincoln-Way East on March 22. The Griffins defeated the Astros, 25-10, 25-15. Marian Catholic beat Shepard, 25-23, 25-9, in the Astros’ second match of the day. The Astros fell to…
Obbie’s Pizza to stay ‘unique and delicious’
Spread the love. New owner vows to serve same popular menu . By Tim Hadac Archer Avenue’s long-time king of pizzerias will continue to rule. Same recipes at Obbie’s Pizza, 6654 W. Archer. Same pizza and ingredients. Same pasta, broasted chicken, shrimp, perch, Italian beef/sausage/meatball sandwiches, sides and pop. Same seasoned, Middleby Marshall pizza oven…
Countryside City Council tackles long list of items
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Water leaks, a new truck and abandoned vehicles were among a laundry list of items tackled by the Countryside City Council at its latest meeting. They were all from the infrastructure committee chaired by Ald. Mark Benson (3rd). All of the following were approved by a unanimous 6-0 vote on…
Argo High School holds Iftar Dinner for community
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan More than 100 people gathered at Argo Community High School last week for a now annual Ramadan Iftar dinner organized by Argo teacher Nadia Elkhatib. Elkhatib was happy with the turnout for those coming Thursday night to break bread with the school’s Muslim students and their families. “I will continue…
Pool improvements advance in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights aldermen last week approved contracts advancing improvements at the municipal pool. Alderman Jefry Key motioned for approval of a letter of agreement with the American Institute of Architects between Williams Architect and the City of Palos Heights for the pool improvement project. Since first proposing pool improvements in…
Teens enjoy Green Hills karaoke party
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Hills tweens and teens sang their hearts out for karaoke night at a neighborhood coffee house. Green Hills Library invited all tweens and teens for a karaoke night at Strange Brew Cafe on West 103rd Street and 87th Street on Feb. 22. Organized by Green Hill Library Youth Program…
Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant opens in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White When choosing a location for his second business location, Luis Garcia knew he wanted it to be Palos Heights. “I absolutely love it here,” Luis Garcia, of Oak Forest and the owner and chef of Cervantinos Authentic Mexican Restaurant #2, said. “It’s a great area, nice clientele and I’m happy…
Worth Polar Plunge raises record amount
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The FOP Worth Polar Plunge has been deemed a major success and local officials said the amount raised has set a new record. The annual event, sponsored by the Worth Police Department, took place in a large swimming pool that was put up in the parking lot of the Marrs-Meyer…
Green Hills Public Library hosts Eid Clothing Drive
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The Islamic calendar has two major holidays each year: Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and celebrates an entire month of fasting, and Eid al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice that occurs during the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage season. It takes place two lunar months after Ramadan.…
You all will not be lumped into the Golden Alumni. You WILL be invited to join us and we would love to have you. We are a continuing celebration of high school along with providing scholarships thru donations to BOTH North and South deserving students. To get your invite to our annual banquet please provide your.mailing address to sllewis6664@aol.com or on our web page
TF Golden Alumni. Have a great reunion
Thanks for the great recap, Bob! We appreciate your help in getting the word out for us because as hard as we tried we could not locate many classmates.
We hope to see you there! It will be a great time and we currently have 112 paid attendees and we are expecting more before the deadline.
See you in September!
Not sure if Phil Weisner knows about this. I can give you his contact info if you’d like.
Not sure if Phil Weisner knows about this. I can give you his contact info if you’d like.