Jul 23, 2025
The Fredonia High School Class of 1975 held its 50th reunion from July 11 to 23. The organizing committee for the reunion was: JoAnne Brown, Carol Kaminski Gotowka, Nancy Urban Napieralski, Joe Coughlin, Ross Sorci, Janet Brown Harmon, Jim DeGolyer, Mary Beth Luczkowiak Dolce, Tina Malcolm Reilly, John Siskar and Ray and Cindy Coniglio. Classmates attended from 11 states, including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Washington.
On the morning of July 11, the event began the weekend with a golf scramble that had 26 participants at Shorewood CC. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 3 teams. The winning team consisted of Jim DeGolyer, Tom Harmon, Joe Muscarella and his son Carlo at 9 under par. In second place was the threesome of Carol and Wally Gotowka along with Charlie Hannum. Coming in third was the team of Ross Conti, John Siskar and Steve and Susan Castle. It was a beautiful day with plenty of laughs on the course.
Once again, the activities on that night were held at Coughlan’s Pub. Classmate Joe Coughlin was the evening’s host. Local fare was provided by the Pub’s Kitchen and included pizza, chicken wings and beef on weck. Some 95 people attended, including 65 classmates along with teachers Joan Caruso and Joe Calarco and his wife, Carol. The highlight of the evening, and possibly the whole weekend, was the reunion of the rock band Pegasus who had not played together in some 48 years.
Classmates Steve Castle and Sandy Rotunda and his brother Chaz Butcher subbing for Chris Poland, along with FHS Class of ’76 members Mike and Todd McClenathan. They did two great sets and really had the place rockin’! A life size Hillbilly was present for photos and a vote to determine his name between Billy Bob and Cletus McGraw was conducted.
On the morning of July 12 some 20 classmates and their spouses toured Fredonia High School. The new High School Principal, Ron Tonelli conducted the tour and did an excellent job answering questions. Many of these classmates had not been to the school in 50 years.
On Saturday night, a dinner was held at Shorewood Country Club. The club’s excellent staff put together a wonderful evening. There was a hors d’oeuvres table and some were passed including shrimp cocktail, clams casino and pierogies. Then for dinner was salad, beef loin along with pasta that included 4 different sauce options. Dessert of cake, cookies, brownies and cupcakes in Orange and Black provided by cookies by Lisa. Eighty people attended the dinner including 51 classmates along with our English teacher Joe Calarco with his wife Carol. Our Hillbilly was again present and named Billy Bob in a very close vote! The decorations by Carol Gotowka, Nancy Napieralski and Mary Beth Dolce were excellent. Especially touching was the Memorial Tree with 29 deceased classmates.
We were not done.
A goodbye brunch was held the morning of July 13 at The White Inn on a new patio along White Street. We had 40 people attend and The White Inn staff took care of us in grand fashion!! Lots of photos and laughs recounting this memorable weekend.
It was a great weekend that was enjoyed by all who attended. We are looking forward to our 55th in 2030 but there may be a 70th birthday party in the offing for the summer 2027!
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