Editor Diana Robertson Beaumont

And so it comes together, our first issue of the Mt. Carmel Class of ‘64 Newsletter! When I propositioned everyone - so to speak - about interest in a Class of ‘64 Newsletter, the response was resounding! Following on the heels of our successful 40th Class Reunion, it will provide a way for us to come together, to reminisce, and to update ourselves. But unlike one of those dreary family newsletters sent at Holiday time, our newsletter has a “Who’d Have Thunk It” quality to the tidbits we’ve all contributed!

The Editor would love to be able to post a copy of this newsletter off to all our classmates by “snail mail,” but fears the cost of postage would be prohibitive. So instead, for those who do not have email, she has made arrangements with Jeff Kanezo, Webmaster of the Mt. Carmel website, to post our newsletter there. If you know of any classmates who don’t have email, let them know that they can go to their local library and access the site at: http://www.kanezo.com

Before compiling our newsletter, the Editor sent out a series of icebreaker questions to get the process started and to help us get current.

(1) What happened to you after you left Mt Carmel High School?

(2) What did you hope to accomplish, or plan to be?

(3) And then how did that change, or not?

(4) From where you are today, did you ever think this is what or where you’d be 40 years later?

The notes and tidbits you sent not only answered some of these questions, but provided some true confessions as well! The list of astounding accomplishments and humorous milestones has been amazing. Remember our “teasers?” As you read through our newsletter, how many answers to the teasers can you find?

Can you guess who among us is both a witch and a firefighter?

Whose mother made the best sticky buns?

Who works at a maximum-security prison?

Who is the proud recipient of a blown gizzard?

Who graduated in the top ten of our class and then got 2 D’s second semester senior year of college and just barely got a degree?

Who was “Miss Prim” in high school, and then in later years took off her clothes to appear in a “Calendar Girls” style calendar?

Who went to McCann Business School and can now file index cards with the best of them, although now a bank VP?

Who use to crawl through the broken windowpane of our lunch room after wrestling practice and drink all the chocolate milk (without removing the containers from the coin operated machine)?

And lastly, what do you know about Boilo? Someone asked, “Does it contain Jello?”

Among the first to respond was Tom Beierschmitt, who said about the newsletter: “Great idea. It’s nice to know who came up with all those witty captions in the yearbook. Perhaps the snail mail crowd could be mailed an instruction sheet along with a recommendation on how to get a library card so they too could access the class website. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!”

Tom was followed by another classmate - a real surprise! - who had a lot to tell: “So you want to have some fun? OK Diana, 40 years in short. After graduation I had 3 weeks to get ready to start school for X-Ray technician (took 2 years). After that I was an X-ray tech, then became a head tech and ran both the X-ray and EKG departments. Somewhere in between I got married. I have also worked in the central supply department of a hospital and did EKG’s there, worked as a waitress, short order cook, reeler in a silk mill (among other things), nursing assistant in a nursing home, worked with mentally challenged people in home settings, worked in a chicken plant, drove tractor-trailer, and delivered motor homes. In my spare time I was a volunteer firefighter, ran ambulance and taught first aid and CPR for the Red Cross (among many other fields). Still work with them, also ran ambulance as an EMT and was both mother and father to 2 children.

WHAT HAPPENED after 40 years? JUST LOOK!!! The good-looking wizard in my arms is Merlin. NOW, just how many people will remember who I was/am???? I wish I could have made the reunion but I had a firefighters convention to go to, as I am still a delegate for the Central District Firefighters.

“As for putting all of that into 40 years, heck that wasn’t even everything. If I knew then what I know now I would have bought the horse and showed it rather then marry. I did get two children, a son in the Air Force now in Germany and a daughter who lives downstairs with MD. We are both with the Red Cross; actually she is my boss, with disaster services. HOWEVER if she messes up the paperwork I have to sign it off after she makes any corrections (different levels of training).

“My life could be a best seller/soap opera and would take much to long to even start. What I have learned is that life is to darn short to dwell on the past and I am going to stay around to make people miserable or happy which ever comes first. I tell everyone I am 500 years old, that is young for a Witch, and if you talk to any of the Fire Chiefs in lower Northumberland County they will all tell you that I am a bitchy witch or a witchy bitch as I run a rehab unit for them at fires, etc.

“Good Luck with the newspaper and if I can help let me know. In school it was band, homework, accordion lessons, church choir and Luther league (not to mention household chores) that kept me busy. Now it is Red Cross, family, a fire rehab unit and my ferret that keep me going.” [signed] “The Ole Hag and Merlin THE GREAT” [aka Rachel Tucker Scholvin]

Speaking of memories, Gloria Unger wrote:

“I forwarded your email to Donna (Barrett) Yodis...and this is her response. I am horrified...and plead the Fifth Amendment...no recollection of doing such a horrid thing! Ha ha...!”

[Donna Barrett Yodis had sent to Gloria]:

“Do you remember when we first tried our first cigarette? You twisted my arm to try one of your Dad’s non-filtered cigarettes. We thought we were cool. And the brainstorm of using rubbing alcohol to open the pores on our face to make our skin look better and to get rid of blemishes. If I can recall, we were lucky to have no or hardly any blemishes. Donna”

Just before Thanks Giving, Michael Sarisky informed us:

“We will travel ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ to Jill’s brother’s in Virginia for Turkey Day. The six of us will ride up in my van. There will be 15 for Turkey Dinner, and Sheryl, my sister-in-law, always cooks the gizzard just for me. It should be fun.”

Later, he recounted this story:

“We did the turkey thing at my sister-in-law’s. My job is to carve the turkey. I cheat, though; I use an electric knife. The gizzard was a hit! Sheryl cooked it early and then had to reheat it in the microwave. It exploded with a loud bang. I got a lot of mileage out of complaining about blowing up my gizzard.”

Anne Condron, Forti, Walters, Howerteris a woman after my own heart because she is way organized. She wrote, “Hi Diana - I don’t know how much info you wanted but I attached your questionnaire with my answers.”

1.WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AFTER YOU LEFT MT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL?

Well, I went to Dover, N.J. to work. I was born here in Mt. Carmel but my family moved to N.J. when I was in 2nd grade. So, in a way I went back to where I grew up before my parents died. I went to work for Sears for about two years and came back to Mt. Carmel on weekends to my sister’s house that had been raising me. I then met my first husband here and moved back, found a job, got married and lived in Atlas for 16 years.

2.WHAT DID YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH, OR PLAN TO BE?

I didn’t quite know then and I don’t think I ever figured that one out. I always enjoyed the challenge of working in a clerical position, so for most of the time I was employed doing that.

I was always a little sorry that I didn’t pursue an education to learn more about writing. I do seem to enjoy that.

3.AND THEN, HOW DID THAT CHANGE, OR NOT?

My life has taken a few twists and turns along the way, some for the good and some not so good. But somehow you learn to live through them and try and reason why they happened. I am a firm believer that there is a reason for everything. Sometimes it just takes a little while to figure it out.

4.FROM WHERE YOU ARE TODAY, DID YOU EVER THINK THIS IS WHAT OR WHERE YOU’D BE 40 YEARS LATER?

In 1964, I never thought that I would be married three times (let alone widowed twice!) For a time I didn’t think I would be married at all. And NEVER did I think I would end up waiting to retire from working in a maximum security PRISON!!!!

[Someone speculated: “I don’t think I want to guess who is a witch, but maybe Jimo works at the maximum security prison?”]

Jeannie Horan Lewis said modestly of her life:

“My life has not been too exciting. I worked for Thrift Drug for 17 years, 12 in the Shamokin store and then I transferred to the Danville store because my husband got on the police force there. After I left Thrift I got a job at a bank. I now have 19 years at the bank. I have worked in the same building but I have worked for 5 different banks with all the mergers. No, thank goodness, I have never been in a stick up or a robbery. I am on the main street of town so I don’t think we are really in a good area for a quick get away.

I have one son who is 28 and he just got married. He is going to classes at night to get his masters degree. I am hoping then he will make me a grandmother. Thanks for doing this! It sounds like it is going to be fun to read.”

[About the blown gizzard, someone responded: “Now the blown gizzard is very interesting. That seems to be worse than being a Tech. Sgt. in Civil Air Patrol.”]

A classmate who prefers to remainanonymous wrote:

“Here’s something in confidence for the newsletter. No name please!

I believe I could be considered in the running for being the youngest classmate to be officially retired (for years served), for having been officially retired since age 39! No, I did not win a lottery, nor collect on someone’s million-dollar life insurance policy, and I did not work for big bucks on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Nor was I a hit man! (Well, depends on how you look at it at times). I did however retire from our Armed Forces after having served over 20 years, thus becoming a full time beneficiary of our hard earned tax dollars at the young age of 39. (No names please as this may offend some folk). I say ‘our’ tax dollars because Service members pay taxes also, however ironic.”

Claire Wirt Andrewshad planned to attend our 40th Reunion in August. Sadly, the day of (or was it the day before?), her mother passed away. But Claire is off to have some fun now! She writes:

“I can’t seem to take credit for being the best cook, best nurse, or anything like that, & I can’t imagine being a grandmother...oh my! However...I do LOVE to eat & manage to keep my weight down by trying to get my swim in every day for a half hour. It keeps me sane!!!!!

“Seriously, doing continuing ed for nurses was exciting...what I’m doing now, substitute school nursing, is boring as hell!!!!! I think next yr....I’m going to examine other options. See I still haven’t figured out what I want to do when I grow up!!!! Is that pathetic or what?????

“I’m still missing my mother and Thanksgiving was hard. So we are packing our bags (all 4 of us...including John’s buddy from college…he’s an engineering student as well & an only child ...& the mother approves & is elated)…and heading to Warsaw, Poland, to celebrate Christmas. The boys are excited!!! I’ve never been to Eastern Europe before so it should be interesting. I’m doing it in memory of my mother...both sets of grandparents were from Poland. I’m doing a lot of research, reading articles, books, etc. Hope it works out. You know who will get blamed if it’s a bummer!!!!!!...But I think it should be an exciting experience for all of us. It has kept me busy...which is a good thing.... it’s only been a few months...it’s lousy!!!!!

“Anyway, that is so nice of you to do what you are doing. It sounds like the reunion was very meaningful. Thank you!”

Carol Cleaver avoided being blown away in the Florida hurricanes, so that she was able to send us:

“After graduation, I was going to enlist in the Air Force and went so far as all the tests. They had me assigned to be an airplane mechanic. Just before taking the final step, I realized that I’m not good at taking orders, so I backed out.

“I then went to McCann’s School of Business in Mahanoy City for a year. Got through that! Now I can file index cards with the best of them!

“As luck would have it, I got my first real job at First National Bank, corner of 2nd and Oak streets. I started as a bookkeeper filing checks. My McCann’s training came in handy! After several years of that position I moved to the loan department, which is where I stayed until October of 1972.

“In October 1972, I moved lock, stock and barrel to Ft Lauderdale Florida. I arrived on Friday, October 13th and had a job that day, starting the following Monday. I have worked in a few banks after that until this job where I have been for 27 years. My position has always been in Loan Operations where I am now as the manager of the department and a Vice President of the Bank.

“Within the last year, I was asked if I would like to be backup for the person in Data Security. I said yes, so I now wear two hats every day.

“I have a life partner, 4 cats and 2 dogs. God has treated me well and I feel very fortunate for what I’ve got. However, I still play the lottery every week!”

Michael Sarisky, proud owner of the blown gizzard, contributed his part:

“OK, I owe you a blurb for the newsletter: Here goes.

“Did things go as planned after high school? Basically yes! After high school went like this.

“Got a BS, and then an MS in Comp Sci. Avoided Vietnam via ROTC despite a draft number of 13. Went to work for a big company, IBM, found a wife, bought a house, sired 2 boys, moved to Raleigh, survived two teenagers (it was close), retired from IBM, both sons are now married, am working part time. Other than a tornado hitting our house in 87, no real disaster/tragedies. Am enjoying partial retirement.

“Perhaps the most surprising thing is just how blessed we have been. I really have nothing to complain about. How is that for a summary of 40 years?”

Mike also provided us with this teaser, but he didn’t give us the answer! Maybe he knows who?

“Who graduated in the top ten of our class and then got 2 D’s second semester senior year of collage and just barely got a degree?”

Rachel Tucker Solvinwrote again:

“It is strange that we go to school together and then graduate and wait so long in between to meet again. Once every 10 years is never really enough to keep track of everyone and to see what life deals out to us all. It is amazing what all can happen in 40 years and what some of us ‘wallflowers’ can get ourselves into.”

It was Michael Hutko who finally ‘fessed up:

“Chocolate milk lovers may have had a problem with this! Who use to crawl through the broken window pane of our lunch room after wrestling practice and drink all the chocolate milk (without removing the containers from the coin operated machine)? We used a knife and straw! This went on for several days before Lester and George (our janitors) replaced the window.”

Now, how did they do that???

Frank Ferrari’swife Suzie gave me their home email address to use instead of the office address, saying:

“As for the office email address, I believe it is the only one Michael had. Although they grew up next to each other, I’m sorry to say they really have not kept in touch. Especially since both of Michael’s parents have passed.

“I read the emails Frank J brought home. I wondered if you knew George McFee passed away a few years ago? I know when we were out of the area we never got caught up.

“As for our personal side … we are expecting grandchild #5 in February. We have also purchased Ruth Evans Sebastian’s home here in MC.

“Frank J would like to retire here in about six years. And if you saw the house you would see we have that many years of work ahead of us.

“So, to you and your from ALL of our FERRARI CREW we sincerely wish you a BLESSED HOLIDAY! GOD BLESS.”

Gloria Ungermust have recovered from taking the Fifth Amendment about her cigarette story long enough to write:

“After graduation, Rosemary Dallago and I became permanent fixtures in the pool at Knoebel’s until she left me for a job! How dare she. Anyway, with no one to entertain me, I tried working in the dress factory. Sewing on scraps for hours did me in … I lasted one-half day! Finally, in October I began working for the state in Harrisburg … and lived with Sandy Allen for three years. Zimmie Varano and Pat Juskiewicz lived nearby and we all partied heartily together during our “single” years.

Miss Carrollwith her high ideals taught me well ... and for that I am forever grateful. Most of the positions I’ve held were in the executive branch. My most interesting position was working in the Governor’s Office during the Casey Administration. Just working in the Capitol, being part of the team, and seeing how the political machine works was amazing.

My husband (who is from Elysburg) and I own a small farm near Hershey, we have one daughter, two grandchildren, two donkeys and six cats! The years have gone so fast … I can’t believe it is 40 years later. Cheers!

Gloria”

Claire Wirt Andrews, took time from packing her bags for the Poland trip to say:

“I don’t have anything juicy for you … do I? No … but I can tell you this … transferring from Catholic H.S. was a huge learning experience. My dad sat in the car while I went in to tell the nun I was leaving. You’d have thought I was in the convent or something. I remember crying because she gave me such a huge guilt trip leaving Catholic High. But I knew what I wanted.”

Jeannie Horan Lewis thought of something else to share with us:

Hi! I have been thinking about my life since high school and I thought of some things from my past couple of years that you might want to know. My son was on TV when he proposed to his girlfriend. He knew someone that worked for a television show called ‘Ambush Makeovers’ and he told him he was going to propose to Heather and he said, ‘Why not do it on TV?’ And he did! I did two cruises in the last couple of years and one was to France and Italy and Spain, and on the other we saw Russia and Estonia and Denmark and they are all beautiful. Thank you for doing all this. It is fun to read and I can’t wait to see who did all this stuff.

Barbara Backus Bogerhas been looking for her Mom’s Sticky Bun recipe, and she finally surfaced long enough to write:

“Hi Diana … finally got a few minutes to write. Just found 2 sticky bun recipes in my Mom’s recipe box. Will have to find out which one she used or perhaps they are the same.

“After high school I went to nursing school in Bethlehem for a year but got married instead of finishing (I found out that I can’t stand bleeding! Still can’t!), had a baby boy, got separated, moved to Allentown where I (who couldn’t type and had no practical experience) landed a job as a portrait photographer with on the job training in a ritzy department store.

“After a few years, I met and married my husband Dick who adopted my son soon after we were married. I moved to Lebanon and we settled in lovely small Cleona. Had another son and a daughter. I held all kinds of part time and full time jobs over the years (from salesclerk at Sears to calling Bingo). I was heavily involved in a community women’s organization) for over 20 years, where I made good friends and helped our communities as well as serving on the state level. We went from Mrs. Jaycees to Jaycee-ettes to Jaycettes to Women of Today.

“Today I am a domestic goddess with all the comforts at home … in pool in summer and spa in the winter too. I go to auctions and estates sales dragging Dick along (we also work at an auction) and sell on eBay. The kids are married, except Denni just got divorced and he and 15 year old grandson Phalen lived with us for over a year (I was in Heaven ‘cause they lived 4 hours away ‘til they came here). He bought a house nearby - the Bachelor’s Pad as the guys call it! My Brandon and his wife gave us a granddaughter, Emily, who is now 9 months old and my aim in life is to spoil that child as rotten as I did Phalen (my favorite hockey goalie) as much as I could when he spent vacations and school breaks here.

“Took on a major project at the wrong time of year … redecorating the living and dining rooms plus Denni is remodeling the fireplace … also moving the boys in between Christmas shopping, picking carpeting, etc.

“Hope this gives you some fodder of the MCHS newsletter...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

Rose Ann Stabinski Viozzi, who we missed at the 40th Reunion, sent a one-liner:

“Thanks for sharing!”

Then, Barbara Backus Boger got us started on the Boilo business when she wrote back to say:

“… By the way … do you remember my Mom’s Christmas cookies called Butterhorns? They are a pastry filled with peach preserves. We still make them along with the Lithuanian drink called Boilo. We also observe the traditional Lithuanian Christmas Eve Dinner.”

“Boilo is a hot (temperature) whiskey concoction with secret ingredients that you sip from a shot glass. Once our friends developed a taste for it, they use much larger glasses!!”

That got Ray Stankiewicz’s attention! He chimed in:

“Strange how things work! I go away every year to play golf with a group before Thanksgiving, and this year I had the pleasure of again sipping a little of the old Boilo that you have mentioned. P.S. Product supplied by Andy Megosh from Mt. Carmel. Thanks for keeping me online. Have a great Christmas!”

Janie Betz Matthewshas been busy with her new house and worried about her mom’s health:

“I was very glad to hear from you, and I have read your e-mails regarding the various classmates’ blurbs. Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back to you; my life is pretty stressful at the moment. My mother’s breast cancer has reoccurred and the prognosis is grave. She has accepted her diagnosis with grace and dignity. She lives with my brother in Mt. Carmel. I work full time and try to visit as often as I can.

“We are enjoying the house - in the spring we plan to do some redecorating. Both children will be home for Christmas.

I guess my blurb can be ‘became a registered nurse in my early forties.’ I’ll sign off for now. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.”

A few days later, Janie added this P.S.:

“Thanks for your concern and prayers; I think Mom is handling this illness better than I. Sometimes it’s hard being a daughter who is also a nurse. You have my permission to let our classmates know about Mom’s cancer and use the blurb I sent.

Fondly,

Janie”

The Editor had tried repeatedly to contact Ruthie Lindner Swatski, whose email kept bouncing, and after a round of phone-tag was finally able to catch up to her. Ruthie lives in Ashland with her husband, not far from Pioneer Park, and still works as a nurse. She hopes to get her computer fixed soon, but for now she has other things to keep her busy. Like a first grandchild on the way, thanks to one daughter, and a wedding in September, thanks to the other!! Ruthie said she was very sorry to have missed the Reunion, but was at a baby shower for her daughter that day, and hopes to make our next reunion!

The Boilo discussion seemed to awaken quite a few old memories. Gloria Unger sent:

“Oh my gosh! I had my first “shot,” which was Boilo … New Year’s Eve … at the corner bar … when I was 20 … I remember saying ‘My first shot …,’and immediately went down. I was out for the rest of the evening. My husband (fiancé then) had to carry me home. I was so sick! I have never been drunk since. One time was enough. In fact, the next day (New Years Day) is my birthday. I spent it in bed while everyone else ate pork and sauerkraut and cake!

“Shenandoah has a Boilo contest every year … got about 37 entries. I took the article home for my husband to read … I can laugh about it now.”

As our Mt. Carmel Class of ‘64 Newsletter goes to press, Andy Breslin squeaked in under the deadline! He, too, had comments about Boilo and said:

“First of all I want to thank you for pulling this site together. Secondly, I would like to wish you both a very Merry Christmas and a fun, adventure-filled New Year.

“Regarding Boilo, my only experience with it was a Christmas Eve when it was offered at Mully’s Bar in Mt. Carmel. It was on 6th Street and ? There are a few in the class who maybe have had an occasional pre-21 drink there. We are in the midst of a torrential rain - wish it were snow. Stay well and please know we always have room if you are ever in the New England area. Fondly, Andy Breslin.”

Since I started this whole newsletter project, I’d better finish it by adding my own blurb. So, Diana Robertson Beaumont ends by saying:

“When I left high school that summer of ‘64, my dad, a geologist, put me to work cataloguing his rock collection. I soon graduated to a ‘real’ job, however, as an office girl in Joe Bradley’s Insurance Agency at the end of Oak Street. My first assignment was to refill the staplers, and I quickly managed to staple my two index fingers together. Extricating myself rather painfully, I mopped up the blood and vowed never to do that dumb thing again! After all, I was a high school graduate. So I turned the stapler over and promptly stapled my thumbs together!

“It got better from there. I went to Dickinson College and finished up at University of Colorado with a degree in French. One week after graduation I got married and moved with my schoolteacher husband to Monterey, California. Later we came to Seattle, which is where I was born.

“I worked in a travel agency, then in a dental office, before going back to school for a dental hygiene degree. After a divorce, I remarried to an old friend and former boss, ‘Mr. Beaumont.’ I continued in dental hygiene for a while, but when we bought our own travel agency I stopped ‘picking teeth’ to take up our agency’s accounting.

“We’ve had the good fortune to be able to retire at a relatively young age when we sold our agency, but we both continued working part time until I got breast cancer 8 years ago. Now I work as a volunteer with several breast cancer organizations to help women who have just been diagnosed or who are treatment. Who was ‘Miss Prim’ in high school, and then in later years took off her clothes to appear in a ‘Calendar Girls’ style calendar to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer? Probably the same girl who played her Brazilian guitar at a high school assembly in a Chiquita Banana costume!”

At our 40th Reunion, we learned that classmate Vincent Politis has joined the “In Memoriam” list of those who have passed away. I see that in November 2004, a memorial in his name was presented to the Mt. Carmel Public Library by Richard & Eleanor DiRienzo, Leon & Mary Politis and Ann Tanney & Family. For more information, go to:

Several people contacted me to say that they were disappointed in the fuzziness or lack of clarity in our “official” 40th Reunion class photo. If anyone wishes, I can send (online) a fairly decent one taken by my husband. At 1.3 megabytes I’ve been told it does not take long to download for those who have high-speed Internet connection. For those with “dial-up” service, it would take about 4 to 5 minutes.

Also, there is an amazing photo of “The Old Hag” and Merlin that I’ve not included with this newsletter precisely because of the possible long download time for those who don’t have high-speed connection. But anyone who is curious is invited to contact me and I have Merlin’s permission to send the photo!

“You know you’re from Pennsylvania if ….”

Gloria Ungerand Carole Sabol Blair both sent the following quiz. How many of us can say we’re true Pennsylvanians despite the years that we’ve been away?

You know you’re from Pennsylvania if:

You’ve never referred to Philadelphia as anything but “Philly” and New Jersey has always been “Jersey”

You refer to Pennsylvania as “PA” (pronounced Pee-ay). How many other states do that?

“Youse guys” is a perfectly acceptable reference to a group of men & women

You know how to respond to the question “Djeetyet?” (Didyoueatyet?)

You learned to pronounce Bryn Mawr, Wilkes-Barre, Schuylkill, Bala Cynwyd, Duquesne & Monongahela.

You know what a “Mummer” is, and are disappointed if you can’t catch at least highlights of the parade.

You know what “Punxsutawney Phil” is, and what it means if he sees his shadow.

The first day of buck & the first day of doe season are school holidays.

You know how to get ‘rid’ of things and how to read up.

You can use the phrase “fire hall wedding reception” & not even bat an eye.

You can’t go to a wedding without hearing the “Chicken Dance,” at least one polka & either an Italian song (sung in Italian,) or “Hava Nagila.”

At least 5 people on your block have electric “candles” in all or most their windows all year long.

You know what a “Hex sign” is.

You know what a “State Store” is, and your out-of-state friends find it incredible that you can’t purchase liquor at the mini-mart.

You own only 3 condiments: salt, pepper & ketchup.

Words like “hoagie,” “crick,” “chipped ham,” “sticky buns,” “shoo-fly pie,” “pierogies” & “pocketbook” actually mean something to you.

You can eat cold pizza (even for breakfast) and know others who do the same. (Those from NY find this “barbaric.”)

You not only have heard of Birch Beer, but you know it comes in several colors: Red, White, Brown, Gold.

You know several places to purchase or that serve Scrapple, Summer Sausage (Lebanon Bologna), and Hot Bacon Dressing

You can eat a cold soft pretzel from a street vendor without fear & enjoy it. It almost always comes with mustard.

You know the difference between a cheese steak & a pizza steak sandwich, and know that you can’t get a really good one outside PA. Except Atlantic City on the boardwalk.

You live for summer, when street & county fairs signal the beginning of funnel cake season.

Customers ask the waitress for “dippy eggs” for breakfast.

You know that Blue Ball, Intercourse, Paradise, Climax, Bird-in-Hand, Beaver, Moon, Virginville, Mars, and Slippery Rock are PA towns. (and the first 3 were consecutive stops on the Reading RR)

You know what a township, borough, and commonwealth is. (At least you vaguely remember.)

You can identify drivers from New York, New Jersey, or other neighboring states by their unique & irritating driving habits.

A traffic jam is 10 cars waiting to pass a horse-drawn carriage on the highway in Lancaster County.

You know several people who have hit deer more than once.

You carry jumper cables in your car & your female passengers know how to use them.

You still keep kitty litter, starting fluid, de-icer, or a snowbrush in your trunk, even if you live in the south.

Driving is always better in winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

As a kid you built snow forts and leaf piles that were taller than you were.

Your graduating class consisted of mostly Polish, German, & Italian names.

You actually understand all this & send it on to other Pennsylvanians or former Pennsylvanians!

You know beer doesn’t grow in a garden but you know where to find a beer garden.

You also know someone who lives “down the line”

YEH!! THAT’S “PA” AND WE LOVE IT!

In conclusion …

In conclusion, the Newsletter Editor will post this first issue of our Mt. Carmel Class of ‘64 Newsletter to Jeff Kanezo’s Mt. Carmel website. It’s a great site and a forum/bulletin board of sorts to leave messages for those long lost friends you’ve been trying to contact. Jeff has an awesome “Mt. Carmel in Winter” snow scene playing as this newsletter goes to press. You may wish to check it out!

For Boilo and other coal region recipes, may I suggest you have a look at:

In reading back over this newsletter, I find it has the delicious quality of reading someone else’s mail! It’s been fun to put it together, and I’ve loved the correspondence exchanged with everyone. As Rachel Tucker put it so well, “It is strange that we go to school together and then graduate and wait so long in between to meet again. Once every 10 years is never really enough to keep track of everyone and to see what life deals out to us all.”

If there is enough interest, I’d be happy to put another Newsletter together this time next year! What do you think?

Meanwhile, I wish everyone a blessed Christmas, and a bright New Year. Stay in touch!

Hugs,

Diana Robertson Beaumont