Lindy HS Reunion Set for August

Though the name indicates it's a reunion for just the Class of 1975, all LHS alumni are invited to attend.

That's according to Jim Barbarino, the organizer of this year's LHS Class of 75 (or Any Year) Reunion, which is set for Saturday, , at the , from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

"I'm calling it a 70s reunion, but it's open to everyone. The last two years we had a group from 1968 and 1969," Barbarino recently told Lindenhurst Patch.

Casual Gathering
Barbarino organized this reunion two years ago, and through the power of Facebook and word of mouth, he said it turned out to be a fabulous time - especially since it was casual and no-cost, and not held in a hall or hotel setting for a lot more money.

"Two years ago was the class of 1975's 35th reunion. I knew the organizers had difficulty getting people to come to the 30th 'fancy' reunion. I think maybe 90 out a class of 800 showed up," he explained.

"So, instead, two years ago I thought the 'just show up' approach would work, not to mention 'I don't want any of your money' approach" he continued. "People were really happy with my approach to organizing a 'casual' reunion, [as opposed to a] $150-per-person, Huntington Hilton-type of reunion."

So, with that in mind, Barbarino put together the first reunion at the Beach Hut back in the Summer of 2010.

"Two years ago we had perfect weather, and approximately 250 people showed up. It was fabulous. Last year, not so many, because of the weather," he said, noting there's a Plan B this year in case of inclement weather.

If the weather is bad, then it'll be held at in Lindy, he said.

But that's only if the weather doesn't hold out. The idea is to keep the reunion - this year marks the third consecutive one - at the primary location of the beach, even though an after-party will be held at Duffy's, Barbarino said.

On the Beach
He said unlike other reunions, no money has been collected in years past. And no money will be collected this year either.

"You could bring a cooler with your own food and drinks, or purchase anything you like at the Beach Hut," Barbarino said, noting in the past two years Billy Mayes also negotiated an "all you can drink" deal with the Beach Hut management. There's no word about that for this year.

"[However], the beauty of it is that people can bring their own food and beverages and sit on the beach, or they can buy anything from a hot dog to lobster at the Beach Hut. There's always a that starts at around 5:30 p.m.," he said.

Barbarino did make it clear this isn't a catered, sanctioned event with the Beach Hut.

"The beach is where we're meeting, and the fact the Beach Hut is there makes it better," he said.

More details
To help spread the word and get alumni to interact with each other, Barbarino has also once again set up a Facebook event page with details about the reunion.

"No RSVP is required, but it would be fun if they went to the event page and clicked on 'Attending,'" he said. That way fellow alumni could interact and catch up prior to the reunion, and see who else might be attending.

The reunion is also family-oriented, Barbarino added, noting he brings his own teenage daughters to the event.

For more information click , and visit the Facebook event page here.

There's also a YouTube video of the first year's event; to access it click here or on the video embedded in this article.

Interested alumni could also e-mail Barbarino at jbarbarino@optonline.net with any questions.