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Long-term
memory is supposed to be the part that persists even after you can't remember
where you put the remote control five minutes ago. So here's a chance to
test some really l-o-o-o-n-ng-term memories of things that a classmate
has remembered or asked about.
TEST
YOUR MEMORY OF . . .
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This
question was prompted by a note from Pete Johnson with a query about our
graduation—sort of. It seems he found himself in full deja-vu of
one piece of our June 1959 graduation night, but without a clear recollection
of the whole to confirm the 'vu.' Pete writes:
I was listening on the radio to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March
#1. Suddenly that evening in June 1959 came back to me —all of our
class strolling from the building out onto the athletic field for graduation.
I can remember how we were all fearful our moment of glory would be ruined
by a rain storm. And then it happened —I think we all made it to
our seats on the field, however —but then the heavens broke loose, we raced
for cover and continued the ceremony in the auditorium. Do I have
that right or is my memory failing me? —PJ
Tell
us what you remember, using e-mail or the "Comments" form above. Or propose
a different topic to test our long-term memories.
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RESPONSES TO DATE -
I thought I had no recall whatever of the event, then
I seemed to recall sitting outside, at least briefly, looking at a long,
low platform or runway that was set up for the ceremony on the field or
track below. But all that comes back is being a spectator, as if it was
all happening to somebody else. An even vaguer memory trace: looking for
a party later that night, driving in the rain, though that memory may belong
with a different but similar occasion.
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Weak memories at best, but then I found this in the back of my yearbook,
signed by my friend Connie Frazier in the junior class: "Good luck in the
rain. I've heard that no one in your family has graduated unless it rains.
I hope it doesn't, though." So maybe the curse of the Prindles was at work.—DP
I have absolutely no memory of graduation night but
I do associate with a feeling of disconnectedness. One memory I do have
is that we had a church service before graduation on the same night as
a heralded "Maverick" episode where they parodied Gunsmoke. I didn't want
to go to the service and miss that episode. Another reason I love VCR's
today. —Mitzi (Single) Nelsen
I confess to not having thought about graduation for
many years but instinctively felt that Pete's recollection was correct.
I called the one person who would remember, my 87-year-old mother, and
she confirmed that indeed there was a storm and we did graduate inside.
—Judy
Kross
I only remember the first part of our graduation.
As I recall we did not all make it to the field. I remember running
for the auditorium and the faculty trying to fit all of us on the stage.
The rest of the evening is a blank. Of course, this was before the
days of the Weather Channel and local radar. What a help it would
have been! —Diana (Heath) DeGroat
I do remember some of the events of our graduation
night. I arrived at my seat out on the athletic field and I recall wondering
if the rain would hold off. Well, it didn't---and we all made a mad dash
for the auditorium. Naturally the auditorium couldn't handle all of the
guests so some were left outside— actually, they probably went home. I
remember feeling very hot and sticky in our gowns.
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I know I went to some parties, but can't remember whose. Some of
us stayed up all night and went to Jones Beach the next day. Oh to be young
again and party all night. The rest of the memories are long gone. —Jim
Hungerford
Surprised you can't recollect past information; it's
usually recent memory recall that's the first to go in our age group. Yes,
I recall the heavens opening, and retreating to the auditorium. My
memory is green because I have many unattractive photos of the event. Also
of a party, in which everyone looks wet both inside and outside.They include
Rob, Pete and Mitzi. I assume we were all having a good time. I'll
Email Pete and trigger his memory.
—Sandy (Kolb) Smith
Mary Anne remembers our graduation in some
detail (she seemingly remembers everything that ever happened to us since
we started dating in 1957). Our class first stood on the steps in
front of the high school for the class picture. The sky was filled
with dark clouds and threatened a downpour. When the processional
to the stadium seats started (as Pete remembers) the rain held off for
a while. Mary Anne made it to her stadium seat (we marched in alphabetical
order and Cacciamani was near the front). Apparently so did Pete
Johnson. However, somewhere after the J's the rains let loose and
we all ran to the auditorium where the ceremony resumed. I vaguely
remember not making it to the stadium seats, so my guess is that the rains
came between the J's and S's.
Mary Anne remembers that many guests were not
able to squeeze into the auditorium. Due to limited space, immediate
family only could get seats. Her grandparents, among others, missed
the ceremony.
—Mary Anne (Cacciamani) and Clint
Seward
Re: graduation......my memories are very selective
and limited, too. I have no memory of rain or moving inside. I do remember
singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" with the chorus (I thought, outside....but
if everyone else is right, maybe that was another year!). I remember my
dress (:O)) and I remember going to a party afterwards somewhere in Upper
Nyack with my (then) steady, Jimmy Day. Think I remember that Sally Collins
was there, too. Also remember going to Jones Beach the next day. If I remember
more, I'll let you know!
—Ginny (Hoffman) Morthland
I thought Mitzi would remember, since she was the last person to
walk out onto the track. The rain started at the S's. The rest of the alphabet
never made one step onto the field but retreated into the auditorium. It
was so crowded that the people in the back couldn't even get on the stage.
I remember going to parties that night but not
where they were. Also remember trip to Jones Beach next day with Jim Hungerford
and "Butter" Santamauro. Can't remember who our dates were, though.
—Bob Writer
I didn't recall how many people actually made it onto the field
before the rain came, but do remember that when we got inside there weren't
enough seats on stage for the end of the alphabet. Ruth remembers that
it was very hot on stage. Eddie Zanato and I spent at least part of the
ceremony out in the hall (a bit cooler out there), and neither Ruth nor
I recall anything any of the graduation speakers said. I do remember that
Michael Foley got a really big round of applause when his name was read
off. And I remember driving home from NYC in pea soup fog with Ruth,
Bonnie McKenzie and Hallie Welles very early the next morning -- no idea
where we were returning from though!
—Bob Zehner
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