Catching up, Calling All High School Bands and Filmmakers, Reunions

It’s been a few days since we’ve last chatted so let’s fill you in on what we’ve been up to. Tuesday evening About Town went to the Fort Lee Historical Society’s monthly meeting to hear guest speaker and local artist Bill Camal give a presentation demonstration of his art.

Many of you might know Bill as a master Tae Kwon Do instructor or as an art teacher at the Recreation Center. During his presentation at the Fort Lee Museum on Tuesday evening he demonstrated how easy it is to create a pastel painting. As he talked about his life as an artist, art in Fort Lee and the importance of taking time out to appreciate art, he took a blank canvas and in the span of 30 minutes finished an entire seascape that he then raffled off to the members of the audience. The lucky winner was our own V.F.W. Commander, Jim Viola. Congratulations Jim!

After the Historical Society meeting, About Town followed some of the group over to In Napoli, where we feasted on a variety of Sammy’s appetizers. What a great place to meet your friends for appetizers and drinks! The talk was of the upcoming 40th anniversary of the burning of Palisades Amusement Park. Stay tuned because the Historical Society is planning a terrific retrospective.

Behind the bar was our favorite barkeeper, raconteur and Coytesvillian, Jamie Di Nardo. Let’s just say that About Town and friends had such a great time reminiscing with Jamie about all the saloons that lined Main St. in the 70s and all the people we grew up with that we lost all track of time and before we knew it, it was 2:30 a.m. It was awfully hard getting up for that 6 a.m. alarm, but we have to sacrifice for our art—finding material to write about, right?

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS: FORT LEE BATTLE OF THE BANDS IS JUNE 10TH

The Annual Fort Lee Battle of the High School Bands will be on June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center - admission is free. This event is sponsored by the Fort Lee Film Commission and is open to all high school garage bands in Bergen County. The top prize is $500. To register call the Fort Lee Film Commission 201-592-3663.

ATTENTION BERGEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FILMMAKERS

The Fort Lee Film Commission is also proud to present the Sixth Annual Jersey Filmmakers of Tomorrow Bergen County High School Film Festival. This county-wide film festival is dedicated to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers. The festival will introduce high school-aged filmmakers in Bergen County to leading members of the film community. Application deadline is September 30. Visit Jersey Film Makers of Tomorrow to download the application

REMINDER OF CLASS REUNIONS

Holy Trinity Grammar School All Classes: Last call to send your money in if you’re going to the reunion on Saturday, April 30. There will be an alumni mass at the church celebrated by Fr. Dominick Lenoci, class of ‘78, at 7 p.m. followed by the reunion at the school. Tickets are $50. Please send checks payable to “Holy Trinity Church—Reunion” and mail to JoAnn Moltisanti Francolino, 1054 Fairview Lane, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Please include your name (maiden), which years you attended HT and your e-mail address along with your check. Visit the reunion’s Facebook page “HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL REUNION - ALL YEARS - FORT LEE” for more information. Direct any questions to JoAnn at francojo@hotmail.com or call her at 201-873-6332.

Fort Lee High School Class of 1991: 20th Year Reunion, Saturday September 17 at Le Jardin from 6 -11 p.m. The price is $85 per person, and includes a buffet dinner and soft drinks, with a cash bar.  Please RSVP by September 1 and send checks to: Sorina Goldstein Bard, 4 Sequoia Lane, Dix Hills, NY 11746. Questions? Call 516-695-5000.

Fort Lee High School Class of 1971: 40th year reunion on Saturday October 15, at the Crown Plaza. Price is approximately $100 per person. Contact Joanne Train Maider @ flhsreunion71@hotmail.com.

Fort Lee High School Class of 1966 : 45th Year Reunion, Saturday October 29 from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 2117 Route 4 East, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. There will be a hospitality room at the hotel, which will be open from 3 -5 p.m. prior to the party and will reopen for coffee after the party. Tickets are $100 per person. To make a reservation for the reunion call Gladys at 973-927-4136 or Mary Bea at 973-906-1861.  Friends of '66 are also welcome.  Reservations for hotel rooms directly with the Doubletree - Please mention Class of '66 reunion for a special rate of $139 per room.

Have a great weekend! We’ll see you back here on Monday.