Hi..I now have been married 36 years and still have 2 sons.Best of all we have a beautiful daughter-in-law, Sara, who gave us a wonderful 8lb.7 ounce baby boy in July 2008. We retired in Ocala, Florida - Horse Capital of the US. I am retired and just found one of my friends...please email me. I am looking for information on Linda Pierce. I know that she got married I believe." Penny - email (Feb 22, 2009)

"Right now I'm working a contract with the US Air Force in the country of Qatar. It's one of the sandy little spots on the Arabian peninsula. Just finished a contract in Saudi Arabia leaving there after 3.5 years. An experience to tell at the reunion." (Jan 24, 2002)

Former major league outfielder Charles "Boots" Day returns for his second season as the Redbirds hitting instructor and first base coach for the Memphis Redbirds. (June 10, 2001)

"Great site! I found it while at my daughter's in Erie, PA. (E-mail address is only for a few more days.) I have been here since school got out in June, helping my daughter as she had an accident and broke both legs. Best part is seeing Becky and spending time with my one year old granddaughter. I had time to really enjoy and read all of this site, as both are now napping!" - Sharon

Found your website in a rather round about fashion -- it's great! My Husband is in Holland working as a consultant for Lucent Technologies. He happened to be surfing the net and came across the site and immediately e-mailed me. Hasn't the world gotten MUCH smaller since we left our "glorious Ilion High School?"

Sadly, the last time I was in town for any length of time, was when my Mom passed away. I stayed with her from August to December 1996, except for driving back to Virginia once a month to take care of our personal business. I had been writing marketing training for Xerox on a consultant basis, so I decided I needed to take this time off to be with her. Very glad I made that decision -- it was valuable time for both of us. At the time, my Husband was consulting for Lucent in Canada. So in January 1997, I decided to become semi-retired and obtain house sitters. For a year, we lived in Toronto, Montreal and then Vancouver. When my Husband was sent from Montreal to Vancouver, I made the decision to take the train rather than flying with him. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I would highly recommend it.

We were home for part of 1998 until he went to Holland. I've made a trip over every three months or so -- love those new cheap fares! He comes home every three months in between. My husband loves what he is doing and will probably be there until the early part of next year and then, on to Australia or New Zealand. Since the kids are grown, we've made the decision to put the house on the market right after the first of the year, put our things in storage, and "traipse" (as my Grandmother used to say) around the world for another year or two.

It's a good time to get out of this area -- it was a great place to raise the kids, but Loudoun County, Virginia is the third fastest growing county in the country. The little country lane we've enjoyed for over 20 years is being swallowed up by "city folk" -- just kidding all you fellow classmates out there who are city folk!

Speaking kids, we have two -- Melissa is a second grade teacher, married and the mother of two, and Christopher is a psychiatric social worker working on his masters.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I'll come visit the site for memories every now and again. Hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Elaine - email email (December 4, 1999)

Joseph Collea will begin his appointment, as Principal of Ilion Junior-Senior High School, on November 1, 1999. He will be filling the position vacated by the retirement of George DeLuco. Joe began his teaching career in the Ilion District, 30 years ago, as a Junior-High, Social Studies teacher. He taught in the District for 15 years and later served as Vice-Principal, until 1993. He was principal at Middle-High School, principal of Mohoseon High School, near Schenectady, and most recently, principal of 330 students at Oxford Academy and High School.

The new principal was chosen from 15 applicants. Each applicant was screened by the superintendent and finalists were interviewed by the department chairmen, site-based team, the superintendent and the Board of Education. Mr. Gary Tutty, Superintendent said the Joe Collea was chosen based on his skills as " ...a leader and manager."

Joe Collea also was mayor of Ilion, from 1987 to 1993, and still maintains a home in Ilion, as well as a home in Afton.

Commenting on his appointment, Joe said, "Since the 1950s, I've known Ilion principals and its kind of nice being part of that line. I'm big on tradition and history. Ilion has always been a school where tradition is important." (September 25, 1999)

I saw so many names I remembered, Carol Flathers, Jack Jewell, Chuck and Lester Stephens, Harold Stone, Bronnie Hamilton, Sue Metz, Nancy Parker, Annette Rota, Joanne Urtz, Bob Moody, and Ronnie Bluet.

Ronnie Bluet is a person I've talked about many times. I can remember those terrorizing Thursday afternoons at the Annunciation Catechism class, when Ronnie was told to recite his lessons. He was stumbling through them,looking at the ceiling, when suddenly, "Sister Mary Terrorizer" would yell, "It's not written on the ceiling MR. BLUET!!" He had my sympathy.

A little about myself: I currently reside in Edinboro, PA, and am the manager of a sales office for Morton Buildings. We specialize in the general construction of light industrial and commercial buildings. I am married to my wife of 28 yrs., Regina Kirley of Oriskany Falls, NY. We have 2 sons, Donald, 26, and Brian, 23.

It has been fun going over Memory Lane. If anyone wants to reminisce, email.

Again, Many Thanks. (August 16, 1999)