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08/17/21 09:35 AM

James C. Minor

According to the collection of Batavians (going up through 1965):

Class of 1957: Steve Jenks
Class of 1959: Al Jenks
Class of 1964: Bill Jenks

08/21/21 12:08 PM

Thomas Hoitink

Hi Class Mates, I will not be able to attend because my daughter Kelly is getting married the day of the reunion. Remember Cathy and I were in our 40's when she was borned.

08/22/21 09:46 PM

Arthur J Torcello

Hello all!

This message is in response to Jeanne Johnson-Boldt's reflection on the passing of Conway McGee

Interesting...as I remember Conway McGee too.

He was an Art Teacher at the Ross Street School when it served as the Junior High (7, 8 and 9th grades were housed there) back in the sexy sixties. :-)

I was a Freshman and his class room was near my locker so I used to talk to him daily. 

He was a good-looking, kind man, mild mannered and very intelligent - a bit on the stocky side with black horn-rimmed glasses (which I thought were pretty cool as far as glasses went.)

Across the Hall from his classroom was the Music Room and Joyce Shannon was the music teacher.

Ninth grade had me well into puberty and I remember my thundering hormones raging whenever Ms. Shannon walked by me.

She was beautiful (long black hair, toned body, beautiful violet-blue eyes...methinks an "Elizabethan - Taylor" type beauty.) She would always smile at me and say hello in a sweet, friendly tone of voice. The scent of her Estee Lauder remained in the air long after she walked away.

No finer a lady existed back then...at least in the eyes of a horny fourteen year old chubby boy with a bad case of pimples - who was grateful for her kindness.

Anyways...

both Joyce and Conway were in their early twenties, both unmarried, often seen walking together...and the scuttle-butt of the students was.. surely - they were vodeodoh-ing after school (Thank you Laverne and Shirley for helping me keep my verbiage G-rated)

But, alas, Jeanne... this memory of moi does not help in your specific quest for answers from your days of milk, cookies and warm blankies. :-)

However, your thoughts ... provoked fond memories of Mr. McGee from my "Wonder Years." 
Thank you for being the catalyst in opening the memory bank.

God bless him... and may he rest in peace.

08/23/21 02:57 PM

Paul Minor

Actually Art, it was me that posted the memory of a Mr. Magee at Washington School; the same one? I don't know, but you certainly sparked my memory of Miss Shannon! I was in the chorus, and in the middle of the year switched from one side of the aisle to the other as my voice changed from tenor to bass (deep base, Johnny Cash range) - must have been those raging hormones! Drop dead gorgeous as I remember, the long black hair. The thing I remember the most was listening to the World Series during Chorus practice because her home-town team, the Baltimore Orioles, were playing. Windows wide open on a georgeous September day.

Thanks for the Memory......

08/23/21 03:05 PM

#10

Allen B Chatt

Gail and I are commemorating our 50th ANNIVERSARY hunkered down under the threat of power outages, flooding and wind damage from CAT1-HENRI here on Long Island Sound in Connecticut. Happily, should we survive this, we have long-awaited plans for a micro-celebration at LAKE OF ISLES @ FOXWOODS for the coming week with our adopted Tallahassee family and, with regrets, find ourselves wishing the truly GREAT *BHS CLASS of 1965* a thoroughly enjoyable REUNION.

08/23/21 03:50 PM

#11

Arthur J Torcello

Well, Paul, it just goes to show you, (in the immortal words of Roseanne Roseannadanna – SNL circa 1979) it's always something - if it ain’t one thing, it’s another! If it’s not your voice changing while singing “Ring of Fire" during the World Series on a sunny September day...then it’s having Junior get excited while you are standing in the hall and talking to your SMOKIN' HOT music teacher! Those dang raging hormones got us into trouble when we least expected it. :-)

Thanks, my friend, for the morning chuckle! God bless!

08/23/21 05:20 PM

#12

Susan Monaghan (Katz)

Even after reading your messages, I could NOT remember either a Mr. Magee or a Miss Shannon. HOWEVER, my older sister recently returned to me all my Batavians from our junior high years (long story), so I looked them up. These are their photos from the 1960 yearbook (can't seem to rotate the first one. . .sorry)! Enjoy your walk down memory lane. . .I still don't remember them!

08/24/21 06:01 PM

#13

Arthur J Torcello

Hey Susan! Thank you for posting the yearbook photos!

Yup... there is that handsome Mr. McGee and that forever vixen - Ms. Shannon!

It's always fun to open those aging boxes in strorage. And, to dust off those memory books from our foundation years... smiling - as we look back at our magical black and white world. "It's Yesterday Once More..."

And...Happy belated birthday! Hope it was a fun one!

08/25/21 12:01 PM

#14

Susan Monaghan (Katz)

Thanks, Art. I had a great birthday. . .and I'm continuing to celebrate for several days! Susan

11/18/21 02:27 PM

#15

Arthur J Torcello

Hello BHS'65 classmates.

For those of us who spent our early years growing up on the south side of Batavia...we remember Lincoln School on Williams Street.as our Kindergarten thru Fifth Grade Alma Mater.

Sharon Wetzel was one of the Lincoln group. She was a friendly, sweet, person with a lot of maternal makeup-potential... as she was always a shoulder for us to cry on, a confidant for both genders to tell secrets to...and NOW - to remember for her beautiful human qualities after her recent passing.

There are many awesome memories of Sharon, for me...but I want to tell you about a very silly one...LOL:

Back in the Mid Fifties...ELVIS was King! Unless, you were an adult in which case he was Satan personified. All those sexy gyrations...Hypnotic voice and ROCK AND ROLL!

WHAT A GUY!!!!!!

But who cared what parents and teachers thought...to young people around the world...he was the best thing since sliced bread!

Well...I do so declare that Sharon Wetzel was his absolute biggest fan...at least in Batavia! She had Elvis scrapbooks, Elvis 45s, Elvis vinyl albums and even an Elvis Lunchbox (Lincoln School did not have a cafeteria...so you had to brown bag lunch unless you had wealthy parents who would buy you a metal lunchbox :-) in which case you were envied by your poorer classmates)

OK, NOW BACK TO MY STORY...The Year was 1957...Elvis was hotter than Hell (What else...he was Satan, wasn't he?) And Miss Gertrude Maher, the Fifth grade teacher was allowing all the good kiddies to bring in their favorite Christmas Record to play during our holiday party the day before Christmas Vacation started.

Well, Sharon's mom had bought her the Elvis Christmas album as an early gift. Naturally, that was her record choice to bring for the party and we were all looking at the album cover and photos inside sleeve...and wishing that Santa would bring us the same gift...

Soooooooooo after our share of Percy Faith,, Johnny Mathis, Harry Simeon Chorale ... Sharon raised her hand and Miss Maher nodded for her to put her record on the turntable...

Gotta tell ya...as soon as old Elvis started....that honky tonk version of (I'll have a) Blue Christmas.. munchkin sized and soft spoken Gertie Maher's face twisted in a buffet of emotions as she growled WHAT IS THAT TRASH???????!!!!!! She leaped up out of her teacher chair and with incredible hulk strength grabbed the record off the player and the album cover along with Sharon's arm and marched Ms. Wetzel off to Principal Mary Strollo's office for "the sermon on the mount" - it must have been a loooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggggg session 'cause no one saw Sharon anymore that day. However, the next day we (the friends of Sharon) all convened and went ice skating at the Otis/Osterhout Avenue frozen swamp..And, where we had a good laugh with Sharon over her Elvis-Pelvis Christmas escapade.

She was always a good sport with a positive/happy disposition. Time marched on and our circles of friends grew...and some got lost in the process of our lives.

It is a shame that we loose contact with the folks who were our youth...

but, on second thought...we never really loose them as they are always alive and well in our hearts and memories.

God bless you Sharon...

thank you for the memories...and to you I wish eternal peace and harmony in the fields of our LORD.

Ms. Sharon K. Wetzel Armstrong

posted by Joshua Smith.

East Pembroke - Sharon K. Wetzel Armstrong, 73 of East Pembroke passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

She was born Wednesday, November 26th, 1947 in Batavia, a daughter of the late Kenneth Wetzel and Annamae Carpenter Wetzel.

A 1965 graduate of Batavia High School, Sharon worked for 30 years at the New York State School for the Blind and served for 27 years as the president of the CSEA, Local 200.

Surviving are her sons, Jamie (Michelle) Armstrong of Sarasota, Florida and Jason Armstrong; her sister, Judith Wetzel of East Pembroke; eight grandchildren, Jasmine Armstrong, Rachel Armstrong, Jason Armstrong, Jr., Joshua Armstrong, Anthony (AJ) Armstrong, Peyton Armstrong, Grayson Armstrong and Jase Armstrong; her great-granddaughter, Amelia Armstrong; her beloved dog, Romeo and nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brothers, James Wetzel and Robert Wetzel.

12/30/21 01:08 PM

#16

Arthur J Torcello

Dear Paul...

Now that I am journeying down the mountain of life, from it's pinnacle...I have to admit that I wish there was some method or way that we could, forever - remain secured somewhere between the beginning and middle of our lives...and somehow, some way... skip the reality of it's end.

I am so very sorry for your loss of Jim.

Knowing that you treasure the wealth of beautiful memories you carry in your heart...I believe that the Lord will ensure that Jim is forever close thru your instant recall of those happy times together.

Additionally, I am confident that God is walking close and providing peace and comfort to both you and your loved ones as you celebrate Jim's amazing life.

You are in my thoughts during this challenging time.

Art Torcello

12/31/21 01:39 PM

#17

Paul Minor

Art - those are beautiful words, thank you.

Paul

03/14/22 03:43 AM

#18

Arthur J Torcello

05/14/22 05:16 AM

#19

Arthur J Torcello

May be an image of food and indoor

May Greetings fellow BHS classmates - Class of '65!

This month is extra special to me ... as I turn 75! OMG...when did I get old???!!!

At some point in the aging process we realize thru great revelations just how fickle life can be...Ya know...it's like ...one day I am cruising the main in my 1965 Grand Prix with "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" blaring...and seemilngly the next day BAM! - I am perusing the online obituaries to ensure that my name is not listed for the day!

As the great comedian George Burns once said: “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” Ok. Soooooo, with those words in mind I woke up this morning and decided that it is time to Jumpstart life AGAIN. And, I will share my action plan with you.

YOU (and me):

Drop the processed sugar from our diet...

Renew our health club membership and...USE IT!

Limit our caffein drinks...

Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day...

Remember the alphabet vitamin supplements to pick up the slack in nutrition...

Smile a lot as it is good for you and takes less muscles to use than the unhappy frown.

When we are about to complain...
STOP and refocus on the goodness in your life and say something nice to the next person you see. PAY IT FORWARD.

Let your body tell you how much sleep it needs and do not cheat on providing it.

Each day is a gift from God ...remember to thank him for his love.

JUNK FOOD is fast and easy but MURDER on your vital organs.

Think ahead ...remember to buy veggies, lean meat and fruit...
and enjoy listening to your favorite music as you prepare your meal.

PICTURED above: Dinner tonite ...
steamed veggies (Italian squash, carrots, yam, golden cauliflower, broccoli - all lightly seasoned) and supporting the baked lemon chicken.

BON APPETIT AND GOD BLESS.

06/08/22 10:16 PM

#20

Arthur J Torcello

TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE...NOT ANOTHER ONE FROM OUR YOUTH - GONE!

Long live the Seventies and the Icons who tamed it!

Seals and Crofts was at the top of my list of pop artists back then.
Sooooooo smooth a blend of voice.
Gotta love em and what they did for our baby boomer generation.

Sadly today...we say good bye to Jim Seals as the "summer breeze" carries him off into the sunset of life.

Thank you for the music that still rules my mind.

Jim - God bless you for your talent shared ... and may you rest in eternal Peace.

09/18/22 02:03 PM

#21

Arthur J Torcello

Heard this song while on the road today and made me think of the sixties... I was a big folk music fan back then and the Kingston Trio was at the top of my favorites list of musicians. I had family in town a few days ago and went to the wax museum for some fun on the Las Vegas Strip. Took this photo while there and ... the current pic and the song from the past just seemed to have some magical connection in the windows of my mind that made me smile. We have so much sadness and stress in our world today...it felt good to smile - so thought I would share the photo with anyone else who has happy memories from the sexy sixties and our time in the sun. God bless.

09/19/22 11:52 AM

#22

Paul Minor

I love it Art! Thanks for sharing, the words, and your thoughts. I may have it on a CD I have.

09/20/22 03:07 PM

#23

John A Birchler

Art and Paul, I was probably the biggest Kingston Trio fan in the class of '65. I saw them in concert numerous times over the years (Bob Shane eventually hired several replacement musicians after the group's break-up in 1967). I still perform in coffee shops and open mics, and I often sing their songs, including "Scotch and Soda," and lots of people remember and like these songs. The Trio were almost singlehandedly the impetus for what many people to this day call "the Great Folk Scare." Of course, in high school I was a fledgling singer and instrumentalist, but I've worked diligently on both aspects of this music for the last (gasp!) 57 years. I spoke to Mark Cherniack a few years ago and asked if he still played guitar, but apparently he accidentally cut off one of his fingertips at some point in his life. Playing and singing with him and the girls who sang with us is my favorite memory of BHS days.

01/04/23 02:01 PM

#24

Mark J Cherniack

John: Still alive and still missing that goddamn finger tip!

01/05/23 03:15 PM

#25

John A Birchler

So the missing fingertip doesn't grow back, eh, Mark? Sorry to hear that. Hope your new year is full of good stuff for you. John

01/05/23 10:44 PM

#26

Arthur J Torcello

Ohhhhhhhhhhh...Myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy,,,Goddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark...So Sorry to hear the finger tip is still missing...

This is the 21st Century! The age of lifelike sexdolls; The miracles of 76 year olds Cher, Dolly and Madonna finding the simply amazing Cosmetic Surgeon to take the ladies back physically to some time in their mid-forties; ...and also the age of "pump up the volume" penile prosthesis for the guys who can't get up and out anymore!

It seems to me that there should be some miracle worker somewhere who can provide a finger-facsimile to Mark so that he can once again strum his acoustic guitar!!!!!!!!!!!

After all ... for those of us who remember "Boogie Nights" (circa 1997) if Marky Mark was able to slip on a realistic man-made appendage and pay homage to porn godfather, John Holmes...most assuredly there must be a tip out there somewhere to make Mark's finger come alive again!!!!!! (Brit milah...perhaps?) :-)

Happy 2023 gentlemen!

01/21/23 09:46 AM

#27

Gloria Jean Johnson (Boldt)

January 20, 2023 - 4:49pm

Robert L. Baiocco "Bob"

posted by Ronald Konieczny.

Robert L. Baiocco “Bob”, 75, of Batavia, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the Buffalo V.A. Medical Center.

He was born November 15, 1947 in Buffalo, NY, son of the late Louis and Jeanette Santelli Baiocco.

Bob, also fondly known as “Bobby” to his family and numerous life-long friends, was a talented individual known for his skill and success as a self-taught drummer, a master in Isshin-Ryu Karate, and a pizzeria owner. His world revolved around his children, and he thoroughly enjoyed the endless road trips they made between Batavia and West Palm Beach. Bobby was well known for his humor and storytelling. When not driving around town with Yuki (his cockatoo sidekick), he treasured time with his friends on the golf course and around the poker table. Bobby nurtured his faith in God by attending Mass with his fellow veterans at the Batavia VA Chapel for many years.

Survivors include his son, Robert J. Baiocco of Florida and daughter, Nicole M. (Alden) Goodwin of Oregon. Also survived by his former wife and friend, Kathleen Tyrholm; sister-in-law, Serena Baiocco, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Robert was predeceased by his brother, John Baiocco.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Saturday (January 28th) from 9:30am – 11:15am at the J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, where prayers will be recited at 11:15am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 12:00pm at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia.

Entombment with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family for distribution to select charities or to “Parrots for Patriots”, 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Bldg C-8 Unit 101, Vancouver, Washington 98684 Phone: 503 247-3626 Email: info@parrotsforpatriots.org

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

01/22/23 03:15 PM

#28

Arthur J Torcello

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'When the power of love overcomes the love of power... then the world will finally-know κnow and understand peace, love and harmony. David Crosby 1941- 2023'

01/23/23 05:04 PM

#29

Mark J Cherniack

Huge memories of CSN&Y

"Go, take your 'love' then, by the hand
Lead her away from this foreign land
Far away, where we might laugh again
We are leaving, you don't need us

And it's a fair wind blowin' warm
Out of the south over my shoulder
I guess I'll set a course and go"

and he went...

04/25/23 12:58 AM

#30

Arthur J Torcello

Dion & The Belmonts I Wonder Why - Remaster 2012 - YouTube

Doo Wop!

If you know the definition of those words ... then you either lived during the 1950s/60s or you just love the music from that era!
Any one who can relate to Doo Wop...remembers American Bandstand and the Pope of the Rock and Roll religion - Dick Clark.

For young people today...it is a crazy world in which we live...
But for young people back then the music was fun, happy and made you want to fall in love with the girl/guy that sat next to you in Study Hall!...those were also great years to grow up within...as the leaders were strong, TV and movies were gentle., the media was honest...and love of school, family and church were the foundation from which we grew...

Today I heard a blast from the DOO WOP past...made me think of my sister Rosie ... who was much older than me  LOL and, as I remember that she would turn on American Bandstand as soon as she got home from school and listen to the hits as she watched Kenny and Arlene, Justine and Bob and the rest of the AB celebrity family slow dance to the ladies choice...

Ok soooooooooooooooooo
now back to that memory provoking doo wop tune...
It was Dion and the Belmonts - "I Wonder Why!"

This attached snippet is for us baby boomers who loved to sing along with those wonderful golden hits from long ago.

Bet you can't sit still while listening to it! 

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