PERPETUAL VACATION: Trip Down Memory Lane Chambersburg PA

This past weekend, I attended my 1970 CASHS (Chambersburg Area Senior High School) reunion. I mistakenly thought the last reunion I attended was in 1980 but NO!! An astute classmate reminded me that I was at the 30th in 2000. She was right. I was no longer married, so my partner and I, along with the girls, had moved to Chambersburg to live closer to my dad in 1999. We had spent a week in NYC for The Millennium, staying at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square, partly comped by one of his friends who still worked as a suit for his former employer, Marriott. Friends in high places! I'll take it.

Anyways, I digress. Friday evening was an informal gathering of about 100 former classmates, with the main event held on Saturday. I didn't take any pictures Friday. I was too busy chatting it up with old friends and new acquaintances.

I booked a room at, where else? Marriott Spring Hill Suites for 2 nights, but no comp.

Saturday was an amazing evening, although after an afternoon driving around and taking pictures, I was an hour late, but I got there in time for food! My friends knew I was coming eventually, so they saved me a seat. After some reunion entertainment, we were free to mingle, dance or drink. I chose to mingle and have a glass or 2 of wine. I didn't have time to chat with everyone I wanted, but managed to fit in quite a few. I was a band nerd so my circle of friends was either the band, orchestra or home room. I was surprised that I was recognized since I think I look like homemade soap.

An interesting story: I am friends with Margie, a classmate and noticed she was friends with one of Carla's best friend's (Tim's) mother. No connection there I thought, so I wrote her and found out they've been best friends forever. Carla sang at Tim's wedding, but Margie didn't know at the time I was her mother until later so we had a lot of shits and giggles when we finally met!

I didn't take many reunion pictures because they all look alike and are meaningless to non-participants. On Saturday I roamed around and visited previous homes where I'd lived in my younger and not-so-young days.

We moved to this townhouse when I was in 8th grade when my dad was transferred to Letterkenny Army Depot. He moved into an apartment years later. I don't know why there's an air conditioner in the window in the whole house was air conditioned.

In 1999 we bought this unfinished raised ranch to live closer to my dad who passed on Christmas day 2000. With no longer a reason to stay, I forked over the money and we (well, he) finished the downstairs, adding 2 bedrooms, a family room and we hired out for a full bathroom. We put it up for sale on Valentine's day and it sold in 4 days.

This house has 4 apartments! We didn't expect to sell the house so quickly, so four of us crammed into this 2 room (bed and living room) for 4 months until Nina graduated and we could finally move to NY. Our landlord was awesome when he heard our plight and let us sign a short term lease.