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Dear Fellow Nutleyite:

Are you a "child of the 50's," finding you've fast become a (gulp) "child in your 50's??!" Never fear, you're in good company with the Nutley NJ Half Century Club. Yes, we knew you in your prime, and our pledge is to remember you that way! Share in the spirit of celebrating our mid-years and beyond - as proud graduates (elementary, junior high, high school - who's counting?) of the town that produced the coolest bunch of 50-plus relics today!

Our Purpose:

The purpose of the Nutley, NJ Half Century Club is to celebrate turning 50 and beyond, with frequent social events to reminisce, laugh...celebrate bald spots, weight gain…decry how our net worth got dot-conned…pray that Martha Stewart DOESN'T remember us…but most of all, to celebrate "what we should'a known then, but thank God we know now!" See Nutley Sun feature about us, (written by our pal Vicky Chalk)

Another purpose of the club is to connect with as many as 600+ Nutleyites you grew up with. We are tracking down graduates of Nutley High, Franklin, Lincoln, Radcliffe, Yanticaw, Spring Garden, Washington, Holy Family, and St. Mary's schools.

Our Events:

Our inaugural event, subsequently dubbed "The Snow Bowl," on January 20, 2001 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Piscataway, NJ was a tremendous success. Despite freezing, icy, blizzardy conditions, more than 30 former classmates and their guests showed up and a good time was had by all. (See who was there)

Our premier summer event for the year 2001 was the "Cape May Lost Weekend," September 7 through 9 at the Grand Hotel in Cape May. See photos and details! We had so much fun we decided to do it again in 2002...and it has now become an annual event, so far blessed with fabulous weather and fabulous fun. See details and photos from our various past events, and check the Calendar for what's coming up NEXT!

Our History

Bob & Linda Penett
Bob Penett, founder, and wife Linda

1992 – After 27 years the Class of St. Mary's School 1965 has its first reunion in the school gym. The school had just closed and combined with Holy Family to form the Good Shepherd Academy, which will use Holy Family’s building. This is an incredibly interesting and fun evening.

Holy Family Class of 1965 successfully organizes two reunions.

1999 – Last minute reunion is put together for Nutley High Class of 1969 at Rock Spring Country Club in West Orange, another great evening. Suggestion is made we not wait another five years to see each other.

2000 – Bob Penett arranges a meeting at the Nutley Park Pub to discuss a weekend party to include everyone who went to any school in Nutley and turning 50 in 2001. The Nutley Half Century Club is born. Paula Brown proposes setting up our own web site. Within a couple of weeks the web site is up and running with the help of Art Fau. Bruce McDougall expands and improves our site starting in the spring of 2005.

2001–2006
N.H.C.C. committee* and members enjoy numerous parties and trips. Membership exceeds 130. (Check out our
past events for photos and details).


What's the secret of the Nutley Half Century Club?

Ralph Cardinale

You know, I must tell you, when I first decided to go to one of these events I was looking forward to it. As the time drew nearer, the excitement started changing to anxiety. While getting dressed for the event I was wondering, what the heck am I doing? I haven't seen or spoken to some of these people ever, or on a very limited basis.

Well, throughout life, most events are like this, so I finished dressing and just went. I found out it was not a concern. I had a great time! The crowd consisted of mature grownups with open minds, opinions, and discussions.

They were the people we went to high school with, only 30 years later -- with more wisdom than when we were kids. I did not feel uncomfortable at any time about who I am now, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Nobody cared how much you possess, what physical characteristics have changed (my God, we are all experiencing that!) nor any judgment of lifestyles. We are all at the same time in our lives and are just enjoying each other, bringing each unique personality to the table. So come and take part in this community, and add some "new" friends to your life. We will be happy to have you! But listen: If you just want to drop by for free food and drink, that's cool, too! See you at our next event.

- Ralph Cardinale, Nutley High School Class of '69

 

Paula Brown, you will always be our web mistress and be credited for creating the foundation of our web site.

Folks, this lady is not a professional computer person – she figured the whole thing out along the way while selling real estate, acting and singing…. Thank you Paula!

The committee:

  • Paula Brown
  • Tom Pucci
  • Ralph Cardinale
  • Vicky Chalk
  • Tom Falduto
  • Shirlee Freudeman-Smith
  • Alice Hansen White
  • Lynda Lettieri Novak
  • Juliet Madeo Turano
  • Mike Maffucci
  • Bruce McDougall
  • Marilyn Pedalino Milano
  • Don Milano
  • Linda Penett
  • Bob Penett
  • Diana Salisbury Spangenberg
  • Pattie Voigt Markley
  • Allan Zarcone


     
Copyright © 2001-2007 Nutley Half Century Club. All rights reserved.
Revised: 10/05/08