This is Steph's talk from the Reunion Party for those of you who missed it or just want to enjoy it again...
Welcome, Class of ’88! I’m Stephanie Egan, a Grade 12 grad from that year, and I’m speaking on behalf of the committee of people who put this reunion together. Joanne Thom – now Kopetoske – asked if I could help the committee book someone to do the music. From there, I’ve had a chance to go to some of the planning meetings, which always start with the logistics and always ended in telling stories of our years at ADHS.
Here we are, 20 years later. I could wax philosophical, talk about academic, athletic or scholastic achievements, but I have no familiarity with those things. For me and most of my friends, education was merely the backdrop for the microcosm that existed within those walls - first love, heartbreak, the creation of friendships that have stood the test of time. Lessons learned, not just in the books, but through our interactions with others. Things we said or did that we look back on fondly - or maybe aren't proud of - and chose to learn from and hopefully become better people for it. Funny how it seems both like yesterday and and 100 years ago that we were thriving in the drama of our teenage angst!
What was going on that weekend? Who was going? Who wasn't? Who had asked who to go out? Would the object of your desire from Geography/Math/Physics/English class be there? At 3:10 we'd race to BIBA or Maxwell's to buy an even tighter pair of acid wash Jordaches for the "Big Dance". I recall ‘friends helping friends’ zip up those jeans by hooking a coat hanger into the zipper tab and with a foot on the shoulder, and through some miracle of physics, managing to get them done up. If it wasn't jeans, it was harem or stirrup pants, and shaker knit sweaters with shoulder pads that would rival those worn by our fierce Redmen!
The guys: Preps decked out in pastel polo shirts, collar up, of course, and some really cool rugby pants and top siders. Regular dudes in their Vuarnet t-shirts, tapered Levis and high tops, and the rockers with their concert jerseys... white sleeves and Motley Crue or Ozzy on the front, ripped jeans and leather jackets!
If it was PROM, substitute pouffy taffeta dresses for the ladies, gnarly wrist corsages and your mom's evening bag. Guys with their skinny ties, double breasted waiter suits. Oh, and you had to have dinner at The Beef N’ Brand because they'd never ask for ID. Grooming was also important! Dep Gel for the guys – working on that spiky look for the front, while working magic with those waves of hockey hair down your neck. Yep, The Mullet! Ladies, we would mousse, blow dry, curl, and back comb before that final shellacking of "Va Voom" Super Extra-Strength Hurricane- Proof Hold hairspray. Bangs that reached for the sky! Man we were HOT! But we’re even hotter now.
High school dance? Probably a Beach Party – since there were several every year! Stag? Hockey Dance? Civic Centre, Braeside, Carp, or Fitzroy? Of course, if it was Boxing Day, Pakenham. There was always a mad dash to find a ticket at the last minute because if you didn't get in you would ‘absolutely, totally just want to die’! Long weekend Sunday nights at Gavan's in Quyon, or on any given night, if you hadn't had quite enough fun by one – you'd head over to Portage. You know, for years, I had no idea how to get to the Lakeside, because I'd never driven there. I just looked for the Storyland Bunny from the car window – knowing the party was just 10 more minutes away! Those of us looking to keep our parents in the dark about our extra-curricular activities would go to Finnegan's in Renfrew – or over to Hull for a night of dancing at Zap or Chez Henri!
Of course, our sophistication was truly reflected in the beverages we chose for our big nights out! For those who didn't want to drink EX, except by the quart at Gavan's, there were options. Here are some of the concoctions I remember: Lemon Gin (a few stomach pumps at the Arnprior hospital with that stuff), and the "Cooler Revolution" - WildBerry, Elquila and 2L bottles of Barbarian that left your tongue purple and tasted only slightly better than Dimetapp cough syrup. My personal favourite: Smirnoff Vodka and any flavour of Jungle Joose from Becker's! You know if Joose is spelled with a two O’s that it's going to be a truly magical night!
Things took a strange turn when we'd start going out to Brannigan's on a Thursday night. There's something really bizarre about standing at the bar, with "Pour Some Sugar On Me" playing in the background, looking over and seeing your Man In Society teacher standing there next to you. I always felt obligated to reassure him that “Yep, I’ll be in class tomorrow, Mr. McNally, honest!” That brings us to school. The Monday to Friday annoyance that punctuated our weekend adventures. Every day drama set in the hallowed halls of our beloved ADHS. The cast of characters - too many to mention - but there are some standouts:
Rat Moore's Bunsen Burner experiments - Osmosis, growing fur on copper wire, and dissecting frogs so old they crumbled in the tray. Ms. Langhammer - who had the interesting nick name of LangBanger – I’m sure there’s a story there, but I’ll leave that one to your dirty little minds and the rumours you might have heard. It'll probably be more interesting than the truth.
Jim Agar - and his interesting collection of "plants" in the greenhouse.
Mr. Koot's mailbox ending up in the cafeteria.
Monsieur Dodge, who would walk us through the same "Je suis, tu es," verb conjugation exercises over and over and over, then take us on a field trip to his house for Parisian crepes.
Mr. Graham and his intricate combover that just would take on a life of its own when he hit his groove conducting the band.
Mr. Von Fintel's unique (?) teaching style.
Mr. Borden's inimitable walk.
Mr. Smith's ghost stories.
Mrs. Camacho's fear of fluorescent lights and tales of reincarnation from her previous life as a squirrel.
Mrs. Rutherford's impromptu "Girl Talk" sessions on the importance of proper hygiene.
Mr. Schefter's Perfect Circle technique involving a piece of chalk and a length of string.
In addition to the teachers... there are certain things about ADHS we'll never forget: Going to Gord's. Chips n' a Coke, smokes and snowball gum - 5 cents for the small ones – 10 cents for the big ones. He still sells enough to take the summer off.
The Caf. Lunchtimes filled with Pogos, Fries & Gravy and Pizza Subs. Spares filled with impromptu Eurchre and Asshole tournaments. Football Fridays! I never understood football - but certainly did enjoy the special "Nature Walks" we'd take in The Grove with a pack of smokes from Gord's and a bottle of whatever from wherever. It sure made standing outside in the freezing cold in October much more bearable. Once I honed my technique, I would spend quality time with my fellow smokers in "The Cave". Neil Farmer took us on a tour of the school earlier today - and the exit to The Cave is bricked over with a bank machine in front of it now. Good thing I quit.
So, I'm sure there are things that I haven't talked about here, but that's what tonight is all about. It’s a chance to become reacquainted with the people in this room that we grew up with during some of the most pivotal years in our lives. It’s also a chance to become reacquainted with the people we once were. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the people who brought us all together tonight. It's a big undertaking. There have been countless hours spent on emails and phone calls to just try and track you guys down. Many more hours of planning meetings. I'll introduce the core members of the committee who have done all the hard work - and I'm going by the names you were known by in high school – Joanne Thom, Brenda Drysdale, Lori Lynn Miller, Jennifer Ingram, Andrea McKay, and Craig Barrie. Skid – you've been wanting to do this since our 10 year. This is your night, buddy, enjoy! Thank you as well to Chantelle Kelly and her crew for decorating. They did a phenomenal job here tonight – on a tight budget. The place looks fantastic! If you’d like to book Chantelle for an event check out calabogierun.com. Thanks to the 'Prior and Sandy's Beauty Studio for selling tickets, Danny Mac's pub for being a ticket outlet and providing some of the food as well as Valley Roots. Leigh-Ann Fraser – who put together the most amazing multi -media display. There are more than 100 slides in the slide show . If you haven't had a chance to see them yet, please take a few minutes check that out.
Kick it up and enjoy! Gregg is our DJ tonight. He loves a good party and will take requests. The bar is open - in case you haven't been there yet. No Barbarian cooler, but I'm sure there's something that'll work for you! Remember if you do partake - make sure you've got a DD or take a cab - 5 bucks flat rate in town! That's a sweet deal!
I'll leave you now and let you continue getting caught up and get the party underway. It's great to see you all here. There's no doubt - The Class of '88 ROCKS, so let's GIV'ER!
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