2009 World Series Champions

JUST IN CASE ANYONE FORGOT!!!!

"If I can make it there ... i'll make it anywhere; it's up to you New York, New York.....

Ball game over, Series over, the Yankees win;

Thhhhhhhheeeeeee YANKEESSSSSS WIN.............

One nation, under GOD

Snopes Verified: This speech was delivered by Roane County High School Principal Jody McLoud on September 1, 2000, also read into the Congressional Record on September 20, 2000 by Rep. Zach Wamp of Tennessee.

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee , by school Principal, Jody McLeod

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country." Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex...." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated..

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst , diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical...

I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the s tands.. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten.

We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."

More Pictures of our 1990 Class Reunion

Greetings from Russells

Class Reunion 1990

1990 Class reunion at the Surf & Turf..Russells Steak house in Endicott, New York.

Family gathering as my classmates reunited.

My horns were very visible during this particular day.

Just wanted to share a moment in time with you guys.

Wife Debra Lynn of 28 years, Son Michael Edward of 25 years (US Air Force), grandson Jayden Michael of 1 year and my dear Ashley Michelle of 21 years.

38 years and counting...

We traveled home for the afternoon to enjoy the warm and gracious hospitality that Rob and Mary Beth Salamida extended to us all. A day which was forecasted to be cloudy and rainy proved to be just the opposite, and provided us sunshine, beautiful skies, and cool breezes at Rob's mountaintop retreat.

We laughed much, and remembered all of you who were not present, as we looked through the yearbook, recounted stories of years gone-by, considered grade school rivalries, who had the best high school parties, and took a few moments to raise our glasses to honor the memory of our deceased classmates.

We'll be planning another reunion. Stay tuned. Be well.



Bob Vitkus and Dick Alter.

Donna Vojtisek Orasin, Jeanne Lavo Brehl and Dick Brehl.

Barbara and Dan O'Day, Rob Salamida.

Charlie Orasin (behind) Candy Kane Minchella, Pam Peters and Dan Smialek.

Mary Beth Salamida (background) and Bill and Diane Fries.

Bob Vitkus, Ann and Mike Dougherty, Pam Peters, Terry Materese, Diane and Bill Fries, Charlie Orasin, Veronica Schofield, Rob and Mary Beth Salamida, Donna Vojtisek Orasin

Reunion Picnic: Saturday July 5th, 2008

The picnic is on, and will be held at Rob’s mountaintop retreat, next Saturday, July 5^th.

We will begin gathering at 3 pm for festivities. Rob graciously has offered to provide food for sustenance, but suggests that all are welcome to bring beverages, if you so wish, or some other foodstuffs that you may wish to share with classmates.

His place is located at 700 Glenwood Avenue, Binghamton:

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-26,GGLD:en&q=700+Glenwood+Rd,+Binghamton,+NY+13905+&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title

On Glenwood Avenue, you will pass the BOCES center, then look for a chain link fence (on right), and follow road to gate opening.

The plan is to picnic in the afternoon into the evening, and Rob promises to build a great bonfire for the evening.

Thus far, we are expecting the presence of…

Rob Salamida, Pam Peters, Jeanne Lavo Brehl, Charlie and Donna Vojtisek Orasin, Mike Dougherty, John Gallagher, Dick Alter, Bill Fries, Jeanne Orrange, Tom Carter, Diane Wahila Guley, Denise Wahila Sbarra, Bob Vitkus, Dan O’Day, Candy Kane Minchella.

Vicki Cannone Rose, John Picciano, Judy Allen Mumma, Carol Gould Weldon are maybes.

The following classmates have responded that they are unable to attend:

Mary Lynn Kukelka Brown, Ed Carmine, Dan Dowd, Robin Reese Hoyt, Kathie Sculley Scott, Denise Dorko Selbo, Doris McKiever Biga, Ann Walker Griffin, Elaine Monaco deLaurentis, Nina Haidinger Ciak, Chris Jackson George, Anita Gabriel Mahoney, Jim Vichich, Debbie Stulir Wozniak

If anyone receiving this has not yet responded about coming, especially those classmates who still live in the Endicott area, please drop me a note. It’s never too late! Spouses and significant others are welcome.

I look forward to seeing all of you. And for those of you who cannot attend, we will honor you and hold you with us.

Be well.

Former Sister Vera (Smyth) dies

Vera Jean Goetz Smyth, 63, of Charleston died 11/29 at her residence. Mrs. Smyth was born on Monday, February 21, 1944, in Buffalo, NY, a daughter of John Wilson Goetz and Vera Naughton Goetz. She was a graduate of Bishop England High School, received her Bachelors from Winthrop College and her Masters from Catholic University. Mrs. Smyth taught at Middleton High School, Thomas Nelson Community College, Charleston County School of the Arts and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. She was a Math Coordinator with Berkeley County Schools, member of the Charleston Clean City Commission, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and a former Treasurer of the S.C. Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She was the Director of Religious Education, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, a lector and Eucharist minister at Blessed Sacrament Church. Surviving are her former husband: Peter Ogden Smyth; a daughter: Rebecca Naughton Smyth both of Charleston; a son, Matthew Vincent Smyth of Charlottesville, VA; a granddaughter (pictured), Grace Lillian Smyth; an aunt, Joan Svenningsen; her cousins, Karen Rapchick and Jimmy Svenningsen, all of Charleston. The family request that memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Blessed Sacrament Church, 5 St. Teresa Dr., Charleston, SC 29407. Visit the guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.

Binghamton reigns as U.S. pierogy king

From the Press & Sun Bulletin:

The Parlor City, carousel capital of the country, is now also the Capital of the Pierogy Pocket of America.

Mrs. T's, the Shenandoah, Pa., purveyor of pierogies, Wednesday named Binghamton the premier pierogy city, above competition from Buffalo, Lancaster, N.Y., Clifton, N.J., and Whiting, Ind. The city prevailed in the nationwide contest, which garnered more than 60,000 online votes, inspired a far-reaching campaign.

"I guess this means we have the best," said the Rev. Stephen Dutko of St. Michael's Greek Orthodox Church in the city's First Ward. St. Michael's led the local effort and designated the Broome County Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) as the sole benefactor of a $10,000 prize from Mrs. T's.

Dutko was christened the "Pirohi King" locally for his decades of work at St. Michael's to make the stuffed pasta a Lenten treat since 1964. That's when he started the church's pirohi project to raise funds for renovations. The event now uses 6,300 pounds of flour, along with 7,600 pounds of potatoes and 5,040 eggs to make thousands of the ethnic delicacies each Lent.

"For 43 years, we've been building this," Dutko said. "This is a labor of love."

Binghamton's nomination was largely the work Dutko and his son, the Rev. James Dutko, who secured 1,000 signatures on a nominating petition submitted to Mrs. T's -- along with a mayoral proclamation and other documents -- in support of Binghamton's application. Online votes came from Dutko's friends and family still in Eastern Europe, and even last year's winning city of Buffalo, where Dutko on a recent trip distributed church bulletins pushing for Binghamton's designation.

The "Pierogy Pocket" is the geographical area of the country that has the highest pierogy consumption based on the national average.

The "pocket" includes New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, southern New England and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The company's varieties -- including potato and cheddar, potato and onion, sauerkraut, and potato, cheddar and jalapeño -- are sold at most groceries in the Southern Tier.

Pierogy eating in the "pocket" accounts for 68 percent of all U.S. consumption. The cities with the highest consumption include New York, Syracuse and Buffalo, last year's champion.

"I was really touched by the idea that (St. Michael's) church was so involved," said company President Tom Twardzik, whose father started the company that now makes 11.4 million pierogies a week in its 200-employee plant in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania, near Pottsville. Twardzik said his father founded the company in 1952 after witnessing the success of pierogy sales at his church.

"This is a great moment for us," CHOW Director Ed Blaine said. "Someone said to me, 'How can you compete against communities that are that big?' I said you have to understand that if people in Broome County get a hold of something, it goes through the roof."

Familiar Faces: A continuing series...

Rob Salamida and Bob Vitkus, Summer 2006