West Haven High School Class of 1974 Celebrated 50 Years in Style

The West Haven High School Class of 1974 wishes to thank all reunion committee members, organizers, venue operators, and, most importantly, all the AMAZING ATTENDEES of our 50-year class reunion!

Westie Pride and Spirit was alive and well in West Haven throughout Labor Day Weekend. Nearly ninety attendees for the weekend came from near and far, from Walnut Creek, California; San Antonio, Texas; Venice, Florida; Spring Hill, Florida; Port Charlotte, Florida; Charleston, Rhode Island; New York, New York; and Simpsonville, South Carolina. Other attendees were from various parts of Connecticut, while there were at least 8 attendees who are still die-hard Westies, still living in the beautiful city of West Haven!

Our graduating class's first event was Friday night, August 30th, at the West Haven Elks Club for a casual Meet & Greet, where Jim Sonet, who oversees BPOE #1537 on Main Street welcomed our group with open arms. We listened to the sounds of the 70's courtesy of Neko Productions, who also prepared a video homage to classmates, faculty, and staff who have passed in the 50 years since our graduation. We munched on some chips, dips, local pizza, charcuterie, and snacks, while getting reacquainted with old friends and/or making new friends from our graduating class!

Saturday night, August 31st, our group met at Lorenzo's Ristorante on Elm Street for a delicious feast of stuffed bread, Chicken Florentine, Stuffed Sole, Eggplant Parmesan, with potatoes, green beans, and salads, followed by coffee, cannolis, and cake! Our gracious hosts for the evening were Luciano Coletta and Lorenzo Coletta, co-owners of Lorenzo's Ristorante, and also alums of West Haven High School, although not members of our 50-year class! It was through a twist of fate that our reunion ended up at Lorenzo's and every attendee raved about the food and venue! We couldn't have been happier! After dinner, oldies music was featured for dancing and nostalgic memories, by Greg Ventura of Big Boy Productions, and a rare sighting of a West Haven Blue Devil!

Our final event was a Picnic in the Park, Painter Park on Kelsey Avenue, on Sunday, September 1st, where many members of the Class of 1974 reminisced about the last time our classmates gathered there together, the night of our high school graduation, 50 years ago in June of '74! This time we devoured delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers, and attendees arrived with homemade side salads like three-bean salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, broccoli salad, quiche, and more, more, more! Attendees also arrived with a multitude of sweet treats and desserts! We needed almost as many tables for food as we did for guests!

All-in-all it was a wonderful weekend of celebrating a well-lived life, while mourning the loss of class members who have passed before us. I would be remiss if I didn't mention a group of attendees who visited local Stowe's eatery to pay tribute to Wayne Capone, another class of '74 member gone way too soon.

On behalf of the West Haven High School Class of 1974, we thank the many people who contributed to the success of the weekend, but most of all, we thank the Board of Education, teachers, counselors, coaches, neighbors, and citizens of West Haven, who gave us the wonderful experience of growing up and making memories in the beautiful City of West Haven!