Fifty years ago, my wife and I were among the 235 members of the Lower Cape May Regional Class of 1976.
Last weekend’s reunion brought hugs and tears as we gathered to remember what was a special time in our lives.
We all wore name tags with our yearbook photos attached, but most weren’t necessary. Sure, some of us have lost hair and added a few pounds. A few classmates were sporting new knees and hips.
But if we looked hard enough, through the wrinkles and the gray hair, once we saw the smiles and heard the laughs, the 18-year-old versions of ourselves came through clearer than any yearbook photo.
Classmates came from all over to celebrate.
Mike McCarty got the award for traveling the farthest, having moved to Thailand about a year ago.
Harry Tillotson got the award for traveling the least. He rode his bike to the Friday get-together at the Rusty Nail and the Saturday official reunion at the La Mer Resort.
Bill Andrews and Debbie (Miller) Cooper came up from Florida. Sharon (Hand) Maloney made the trip from North Carolina. Annarie (Arnold) Van Coesant drove down from New Hampshire.
But everyone’s journey was interesting. Whether it was thousands of miles or three blocks, it took 50 years to get there.
I’m guessing most of you either weren’t born or were toddlers when we were strolling the halls of Lower Cape May in the mid-70’s.
Our hair was long and our pants had bells on the bottoms. We went to school dances almost every Friday night and did “The Bump” to Earth, Wind and Fire, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and the Jackson Five.
Football games were played on Saturday afternoons. “The Wilderness Family” cheering section filled the bleachers for basketball games. The auditorium was packed to see the school play, “Brigadoon.”
Girls bought their prom dresses from the Deb Shop in the Rio Mall while guys traveled to the Shore Mall in Pleasantville to rent matching tux’s from Small’s Formal Wear.
“Precious and Few” was the theme for the junior prom at the Holiday Inn Wildwood Crest. A year later, someone got the bright idea to use “Feelings” as the theme for the dance at the Top of the Marq in Cape May.
There was no senior trip to Disney World. For us, it was a few days in the Poconos, though few of us knew how to ski.
Along the way, there have been marriages and divorces, births and deaths, promotions and retirements, children and grandchildren.
Sadly, too many of our journeys have ended.
Amidst the pictures, programs and articles of our high school days on display Saturday night were the photos of the 47 classmates we have lost.
All were special in their own ways. They were athletes and artists, fishermen and firemen, teachers and homemakers. Fathers and mothers, Pop-Pops and Nanas.
But they all were our sisters and brothers, if not by blood, but through the strong bond created during those years at Lower Cape May.
We’ve been having reunions every 10 years, but shortened it to five and are now contemplating having one every three years or so.
Whenever we have another one, we’ll be sure to bring the name tags.
Although we won’t need them.
Alma Mater by Helen Porter
“All glory to our high school, down by the blue, Atlantic Shore…
“Her fame we’ll tell no matter where we go, the Blue and Black, we’ll cherish forevermore. …
“Ever we’ll praise her, never forget her. Proudly her colors, we’ll raise on high…
“And so with our hearts staunch and true, we’ll all be loyal to Lower Cape High!!!”
Local NFL update
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (Vineland High School) will be forced to miss most of the season due to a back injury suffered during the preseason.
According to NFL.com, Pacheco will miss at least 12 weeks after undergoing surgery.
“It’s gonna be a while,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told Detroit media. “(Pacheco’s recovery) will be a significant amount of time.”
Pacheco, 27, signed a one-year contract worth $1.810 million with Detroit during the offseason after winning two Super Bowls while playing four seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 2018 Vineland graduate has rushed for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career while catching 88 passes for 554 yards and three TDs.
Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen (Millville) was limited to one offensive snap due to a hip injury in last Sunday’s 34-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Cowboys safety Marquese Bell (Bridgeton) registered one tackle in a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants.
Packers wide receiver/kick returner Bo Melton (Cedar Creek) broke loose for a 59-yard kickoff return and also caught one pass for 10 yards in a 39-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s younger brother, had one tackle and two pass defenses in a 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
