50th Anniversary of Freehold Intermediate School

[stffgpr2003]

On Friday night, Betsy and I attended the 50th Anniversary event at the Park Avenue Schools. Councilmen, Schnurr and Sims also attended with their families and Jaye was inducted into our school's Hall of Fame along with many other fine present and past residents of our town.

Keith Brown, VP of the Black Entertainment Network also was inducted and made the trip in from Manhattan to attend. Rev and Mrs Steele were honored, as were former Mayor Frank Gibson (now 89) and Jimmy Higgins. These latter two men were on the Board of Ed when the school first opened its doors back in 1957. Other new Hall of Famers included Bunny Hammer, Janet Kalafat, Leslie Daily, etc.

At the event, a great documentary film about our town and our schools, created by several current Park Avenue students, premiered. It was excellent. In fact, I hope they post it on Youtube for all to see.

About 150 people showed up for the ceremony and dinner. Few left before 10 pm. On the way out, Betsy remarked to me that it was wonderful to be in the room with so many great people, responsible for so much in our town, over the years. It was great being able to reconnect with the early history of the school that is largely responsible for our own two son's intellectual and social growth and development.

If you missed this terrific evening, the next one is scheduled for 2057. Put it on your calendars!

Marc

[adefonzo]

I can answer your question...at least a third of it...I was not able to attend the event...I won't address the other part of your comment on this thread...this thread is about the event and what a wonderful success it was.

Regrettably, I was not able to attend. Between work obligations and a need for a good night's sleep before the Tour de Cure early Saturday morning (had to check-in in Princeton at 6:30am), it was just not possible for me to be there.

I look forward to hearing from others who were able to attend. I am glad to hear the movie went over well...I know the students put a lot of time and effort into making it, along with the "decade tables" that were set up as well.

And yes...even though the next event for the Park Ave school may be 50 years away...perhaps we can do the same type of event for the Freehold Learning Center when it reaches that anniversary mark!!

[lisas84]

Perhaps Brian can get ahold of the video or the link and place that on the homepage?

[stffgpr2003]

along with the "decade tables" that were set up as well.

Thanks, Andrew. I should have mentioned, these, too. They were well thought out and helped us remember something about the decades in which people graduated. They offered yearbook photos surrounded by pop cultural themes of the times. The multipurpose room was really decked out on Friday night. Kudos to those responsible for creating what looked like a "time portal" back through five decades, out of the school gym.

By the way, there was a classic photo taken of the school as it neared completion back in 1956 or 57. Peering into the school from the front door were three boys that looked as if they couldn't wait to go inside. This photo was included in the video documentary and looked just like a Norman Rockwell illustration. It would be neat if we could find out who these three boys were. In fact, I wouldn't mind a print of this photo to frame for the house, it is that classic looking a photo.

Marc

[novillero]

Any word if the taxpayer footed any of this bill?

[adefonzo]

Hablo un poco español, pero inglés es la lengua de mi país, de modo que sea lo que hablo naturalmente

[bergsteiger]

[balthyman]

Anybody know whether Coach Porter - beloved boys' gym teacher at the Intermediate School in the 1960s and 70s - is still living in the area? Or living?

[admin]

Jan 27, 2009 20:28:43 GMT -5 balthyman said:

Anybody know whether Coach Porter - beloved boys' gym teacher at the Intermediate School in the 1960s and 70s - is still living in the area? Or living?

Good to see you posting, Bathyman. It will be interesting to see if anybody can answer this. Readers?