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Class of '75 turns 50

By Catherine Buday

Thu Nov 29, 2007, 04:19 AM EST

HUDSON - The year 1975 brought convictions in the Watergate cover-up, an attempt on former President Gerald Ford’s life, and the ascendancy of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Pittsburgh played Minnesota in the Superbowl, and the Red Sox lost to Cincinnati in the World Series. Saturday Night Live premiered on television, and “Jaws” forged a new genre in blockbuster movies.

And in early June, a group of earnest young adults from Hudson High School graduated and faced their futures.

The Class of 1975 reunited last weekend at Hudson’s Riverview Gun Club to reminisce about the past and to celebrate their 50th birthdays. And about a dozen agreed to share their thoughts via email about how they’ve changed and how the world has changed.

Some say they haven’t changed much. Valedictorian Nancy Plante (now Toll), who was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” at Hudson High, has gone on to other achievements.

“I live in lovely area of the country with an honest and loving husband with whom I have raised three healthy, intelligent, compassionate, attractive, and engaging children and whom I am currently supporting as he launches his own private equity fund,” wrote Toll, now in Connecticut. Besides being very involved in her children’s lives, Toll rows crew three days a week from March to November, captains a platform tennis league during the winter months, and works with her church's Habitat for Humanity effort and soup kitchen Sundays.

Turning 50, for Toll, has been a signal to accomplish more. “If I want to continue to make a positive impact on the world, I should focus on what I can most productively accomplish with my increasingly achy “old” bones!” she said.

Like Toll, Tom Jacobs continued to live up to everyone’s expectations. Voted “most athletic” and “most popular,” Jacobs played hockey and baseball at the University of Lowell and won the top athletic award twice. Now happily married with four children, Jacobs lives in Hudson and said his only changes over the years are “just 20 pounds and some wrinkles.”

Yet when asked about how he feels about turning 50, he answered, “sick.”

Others in the class say they’ve gained new strengths as they’ve aged. “I've learned to use my voice,” said Kathi (Lampinen) McNamara. “I was very quiet back then; I'm more talkative now. I don't worry as much about things. I don't worry about what people think. I don't have to prove myself to anyone…I'm very comfortable in my skin.”

Diana (Poole) Peterson said “I have taken more time to embrace the moment.”

Others say they are more careful. “I don't think I've changed very much,” said Steve Phaneuf, who was voted “best natured” at Hudson High. “A few extra pounds of course, but classmates still recognize me when they see me. I'm not as trusting, and much more aware of where I am and those around me, but I think that just comes with the times more than anything else.”

Jon Ross, now a widower raising his three sons in Franklin, said that 50 is comfortable yet challenging.

“Job, kids, finances all are much better than at 30,” said Ross, who tinkered with cars as a high schooler but ended up successful in the high-tech world. Unfortunately, he adds, “dating at 50 isn't like it was at 25. At 50 we are kind of set in our ways and trying to start new relationships is very difficult.

“When we were younger we had all the time in the world, but no money to enjoy it,” said Ross. “Now at 50 I have the money, but no time to do it.”

Kathy (Shaughnessy) Villanueva, who also settled in Hudson, also laments the swiftness of time. “I'd love to say 50 is just a number, but truth be told ... it's not,” said Villanueva, a former cheerleader who helped organize last weekend’s reunion. “When I think about how fast these 50 years have flown, I'm afraid to blink! It's not really about getting ‘old,’it's about getting ‘over.’ I don't want to go backwards, or be younger, I just want to slow down the next 50 years.”

Paula (Kittredge) Brazier, of Hudson, NH, also wants to slow down the clock. “Most of us couldn't wait to grow up',” she said. “Now most of us prefer to slow it down and have our children stay younger and smaller for a while longer. I cherish every day with family and friends. Life is too fleeting.”

While the class has gained faith in themselves, they still worry about changes in the world. “It’s become a very dangerous and materialistic world since we graduated,” Phaneuf said. “I don't know how we would have adjusted to some of the things our kids have had to adjust to, and I have many fears for their kids as they enter the world.”

Others worry that the younger generation lacks resilience. “Younger people do not have the standards or discipline that we were raised with,” said

Janet (Lamacchia) Cassidy. “Many do not have any respect for older people and they are lazy. We stand at check outs waiting while the cashier and bag person are having a conversation about what they did last night. We were always told to hustle and not to waste time.”

“I’m not sure times have changed for the better,” said Jayne (Adams) Bassett, of Lowell. “The world was much less complicated 32 years ago. There have been times when I wish my son could have lived in that world instead of the one we have to deal with today.

I think it was much easier to live in the moment back then.” “I think we have become a throw-away society,” said Donna (Comeau) Wenners, who now lives in Franklin. “We expect instant gratification and when something breaks, we're too quick to just throw it out and buy a new one. We don't give a whole lot of thought to our resources.”

While Deb (Gentili) Dando said she hasn’t changed much – she still is a nature-lover and lives on a farm -- she too worries about the future. “I just hope Social Security is there when I need it,” said Dando, who turned 50 last summer and has two grandchildren.

Others take a more cautiously optimistic view. Said Toll: “I believe that history is cyclic and that human nature does not truly change. What we are experiencing in the world today is not new, but simply magnified by the immediacy of global communications and the power of modern weaponry.”

Class of '75 talks about their world

By Catherine Buday

Wed Nov 28, 2007, 02:16 PM EST

Tom Jacobs

Hudson Football, hockey, baseball, and spirit committee. Voted most athletic and most popular. Since high school: I attended The University of Lowell and played hockey and baseball. I was a two-time winner of the Lester H. Cushing Award for the Universities Top athlete. I won a national title in ice hockey and was elected into the Universities Athletic Hall of Fame and met my beautiful wife Dawn. Kids/grandkids: I am married and have four children, Jared-19 and a freshmen at Franklin Pierce University playing baseball, Matt-17 a senior at Hudson High and committed to UMass Lowell for baseball, Corey is my only girl and she is a sophomore at Hudson High, and Alexander is in eighth grade. On turning 50: I feel SICK turning 50 How the world has changed: The world has come full circle! We have another war to worry about and the economy is bad! How I’ve changed: I haven't changed much -- just 20 pounds and some wrinkles!

Kathy (Shaughnessy) Villanueva

Hudson Pep club member, freshman and sophomore year; cheerleader junior and senior year. Kids/grandkids: My husband and I weren't blessed with any children of our own, but we've been blessed with lots of children to love .... nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors ... we love them all. On turning 50: I'd love to say it's just a number, but truth be told ... it's not. When I think about how fast these 50 years have flown, I'm afraid to blink! It's not really about getting "old", it's about getting "over". I don't want to go backwards, or be younger, I just want to slow down the next 50 years. How the world has changed: Well, the obvious is technology. computers, ipods, cd's, cell phones. My mom always made sure I had at least a dime on me to call home from a payphone. Try asking a kid what a payphone is ... ha! They have no idea! Forty Fives? Ha! I sound like my parents used to! Funny how that happens! How I’ve changed: Short and Sweet: Physically, I'm much heavier; Mentally, I'm much lighter; Emotionally, I'm stable. I think that sums it up pretty much.

Kathi (Lampinen) McNamara

Worcester. Pep club member Kids/grandkids: I have 10 year old twins, Brian and Katie. They'll keep me young. On turning 50: The anticipation was worse than actually turning 50. It's not so bad once you get there. It's kind of scary when you think about it being the beginning of your senior years ... especially when you start to receive AARP stuff in the mail. How the world has changed: Technology comes to mind … more than anything. We didn't have cell phones and ipods and computers. How I’ve changed: I've learned to use my voice. I was very quiet back then; I'm more talkative now. I don't worry as much about things. I don't worry about what people think. I don't have to prove myself to anyone. Priorities are altogether different; what was important then isn't now. I'm very comfortable in my skin.

Dianna (Poole) Peterson

West Boylston Pep Club, Dance Committee, Concession Stand, Track, Field Hockey, Junior candy sale winner, Senior Musical. Voted the girl with the nicest smile. Kids/grandkids: I have three boys; Brian 19, Kyle 16 and Jared 15 On turning 50: I have mixed feelings about turning 50. How the world has changed: The world has changed since I graduated due to the increased technology and medical improvements. How I’ve changed: I have taken more time to embrace the moment.

Steve Phaneuf

Memories: In hindsight I wish I ran for office and did more, but I guess I was a typical jock and had a sport for every season. I also acted once in the Senior Musical and enjoyed helping out the class during the snow festivals. I remember our turtle beating the senior's big blue toilet! I was voted “best natured” with Debbie Glynn and I believe I've continued to live up to that prophecy since. I suppose you'd have to ask those who still associate with me though... Kids/grandkids: I don't have any grandkids yet, but my son is 23 and just out of college and my daughter is 20 and still in college. I'm very proud of both of them. On turning 50: I'm actually almost 51 now, but turning 50 was just another day for me because I started feeling old years before that. First the knees and feet went, then the eyes (reading glasses).......and I'll stop there !!! How the world has changed: This could be a long answer but I won't let it be. Let's just say that it's become a very dangerous and materialistic world since we graduated. I don't know how we would have adjusted to some of the things our kids have had to adjust to and I have many fears for their kids as they enter the world. How I’ve changed : I don't think I've changed very much. A few extra pounds of course but classmates still recognize me when they see me. I'm not as trusting and much more aware of where I am and those around me but I think that just comes with the times more than anything else.

Debra (Gentili) Dando

Payson, Arizona National Honor Society Kids/grandkids: I have one son; his name is Thomas he is 26 years old. I have 2 grandchildren. Dustin Adam is 3 years old and he is my best buddy; also a granddaughter, her name is Sydney Lynn and she is 6 months old cute as a button. On turning 50: I turned 50 last year in August 2006. It is ok, just hope social security is there when I need it. How the world has changed: Cars cost more, housing is very high, styles have changed -- from our hair styles to our clothes, shoes and the eye glasses we wear. How I’ve changed: Well I haven't really changed to much since high school . I still love nature and I still live on a farm and love animals, I have 22 ducks, seven outside cats and 2 dogs. Two years ago I went to work for the town florist and now I work with flowers every day.

Jayne (Adams) Bassett

Lowell Looking back, I regret not participating in any high school activities! I attended football games and dances, but never joined a club or played a team sport. Now, 32 years later, I encourage my 13 year old son participate in EVERYTHING. In high school my was focus was my part-time job. I saved a lot of money during those years, but now I wish that I had created more memories instead. Voted: My high school boyfriend and I came in a close second for “class couple.” I bet more than half the class wouldn’t even remember my name! I flew under the radar for the most part in high school. I didn’t have a prophecy to live up to, but I feel great about what I have accomplished since high school. Kids/grandkids: I have a beautiful son, Keenan, who is 13 years old. On turning 50: AWESOME! It is such a gift to be healthy and happy at 50. I will never take it for granted. I don’t necessarily appreciate the effects of time (and gravity), but if there was no mirror to convince me otherwise, I still feel 25! How the world has changed: I think we all know the answer to this one! I’m not sure times have changed for the better. The world was much less complicated 32 years ago. There have been times when I wish my son could have lived in that world instead of the one we have to deal with today. I think it was much easier to live in the moment back then. How I’ve changed: In many ways I’m the opposite of who I was in high school. Time is a great equalizer isn’t it? The perceived differences that kept us from getting to know one another in high school simply don’t exist anymore. We all need the gift of time and wisdom to see that. Now that we all have a few gray hairs (or no hair) a few wrinkles, families, and 401(k)’s, it’s pretty plain to see that we aren’t so very different after all. I’m excited to reacquaint myself with my new “old” friends.

Donna (Comeau) Wenners

Franklin Pep Club, student council, dance committee, competitive plays and the yearbook. Kids/grandkids: I have one son, Matthew, who is 22, and no grandchildren yet. On turning 50: Nothing you can print in the newspaper (laughing). I haven't turned 50 yet. I'm grateful to get up in the morning How the world has changed: I think we have become a throw-away society. We expect instant gratification and when something breaks, we're too quick to just throw it out and buy a new one. We don't give a whole lot of thought to our resources. How I’ve changed : I really don't think I've changed that much. My personality traits haven't changed. I think we can all say that we're a little older and a little wiser.

Janet (Lamacchia) Cassidy

I was very boring in high school…I transferred from Roslindale to Hudson in the middle of ninth grade. Going into a new school I didn't know anyone. I didn't make friends easily. Thanks to Deb (Gentili) Dando who befriended me and introduced me to her friends, I made it through. We are still best friends. We e-mail every day to each other. Kids/grandkids: I have one son who is 21, thank goodness no grandkids yet! On turning 50: 50 really wasn't a big deal. How the world has changed: Technology has taken over. Younger people do not have the standards or discipline that we were raised with. Many do not have any respect for older people and they are lazy. We stand at check outs waiting while the cashier and bag person are having a conversation about what they did last night. We were always told to hustle and not to waste time. How I’ve changed: I have matured, gain a little weight and lazy, but I am still the same person I was back then. Still a little shy but not as naive.

Paula (Kittredge) Brazier

Hudson, NH Girls Track Team,2, 4..there were a few of us that started the Girls Team. Year Book Committee, Pep Club 4, Ski Club 2, 4, Senior Musical, Winter Carnival 2, 3,...worked. Voted: Most gullible,...Debbie Cox beat me! Some say I still am gullible...I tend to think not. On turning 50: Well,.it wasn't so bad,.. I surpassed 50 by now! Kids/grandkids: One child,....Emily (17 yrs old),..she is my life. How the world has changed: Life seemed so much easier back then didn't it? It was a slower pace even though most of us couldn't wait to graduate and start our lives. Gas was cheaper,...a tank would last for weeks and weeks and countless trips bombing the MAIN! Internet, computers, DVD's, IPOD's (I still don't know what that thing does!), Drive Ins are becoming a thing of the 'past', gray hairs,....Highlights work wonders! How I’ve changed: Older, wiser,..time passes too quickly the older you get. Most of us couldn't wait to 'grow up',...now most of us prefer to slow it down and have our children stay younger and smaller for a while longer. I cherish every day with family and friends. Life is too fleeting.

Jon Ross

Franklin I didn’t do much in high school; helped out with some dances, that was about it. I did the work/study program, which meant I had a couple of jobs after school and weekends. Went into the job market right out of high school with very little college experience early in my career. During school I was into working on cars, but luckily never pursued that as a career. Ended up getting into computers. My goal was to see the world, and I have done that. Been to more places then I can list and have seem more than most. On turning 50: I think 30 was harder. At 50 I feel very comfortable where I am in life. Job, kids, finances all are much better then at 30. Unfortunately I am a widower , raising three boys. Dating at 50 isn't like it was at 25. At 50 we are kind of set in our ways and trying to start new relationships is very difficult. When we were younger we had all the time in the world, but no money to enjoy it. Now at 50 I have the money, but no time to do it. Kids/grandkids: I have three boys, a 19 year old who is attending Saint Anselm college as a freshman, a 17 year old who is a junior at Franklin High school and an 11 year old (5th grader) with Downs Syndrome. No grandkids in the near future, I hope! How the world has changed: I entered into the computer field, after high school, back when there was just a trs-80 from radio shack. The mini computer companies such as Digital, Prime and Data General were keeping everyone employed in Massachusetts. Now we all have computers in our homes. The Internet is now apart of everyone's life. Everyday appliances include computers for emailing, cellular phones, text messaging, PDA to keep us organized and running at 100 miles an hour. I remember years ago passing out my business card at a family get-together and everyone asking what was an email address! How I’ve changed: Like everyone else, I have gained a few pounds. Still have hair, not as long. Having kids was the most eye opening experience. Your life is now focused around them. For example, I never liked sports before having kids. Now I have 3 boys and I am involved in there sports. I help coached their teams as well as become a big Red Sox's fan. I attend at least 12-15 games a year including going to other stadiums such as New York, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Recently went to game 2 of the world series. I have also learned to hold back my negative opinions and make only give positive feedback.

Nancy (Plante) Toll

Wilton, CT Class valedictorian, captain of the field hockey and girls' track teams and manager of the girls basketball team (I broke my foot the day of tryouts and could not play), in the chorus of the senior musical, member of the Pep Club and the Math League, and VP of National Honor Society my senior year. I was voted (along with Stephen Smith) "Most Likely to Succeed" - which I feel I have done. I live in lovely area of the country with an honest and loving husband with whom I have raised three healthy, intelligent, compassionate,attractive, and engaging children and whom I am currently supporting as he launches his own private equity fund. Our oldest daughter is a senior at WHS (where I am President of the PTSA), our second daughter is in 8th grade (where I belay students on the ropes course in gym classes), and our son is in 5th grade (whose class I teach Art to in a volunteer program). I stay physically active by rowing crew three days a week from March to November and captaining a platform tennis league during the winter months of the year. I am involved in our church's Habitat for Humanity workdays, soup kitchen Sundays, Stewardship Board and annual weeklong Mission trip. I have also taught CPR for 21 years. I am fortunate to have my husband's brother and his family living in Wilton so their three girls see their cousins in and out of school.

I also see longtime friends often from high school and college (Wellesley Class of 1979) - such as Sarah Reynard Epifano HHS 1975 who lives in Fairfield, CT. On turning 50: Turning 50 gives me pause only in that it is now realistic that I have lived half my life or more. If I want to continue to make a positive impact on the world, I should focus on what I can most productively accomplish with my increasingly achy “old” bones! How the world has changed: I believe that history is cyclic and that human nature does not truly change. What we are experiencing in the world today is not new, but simply magnified by the immediacy of global communications and the power of modern weaponry. How I’ve changed: I have changed since HS in that I am more worldly, possibly more cynical, and more conscious of others' feelings as I make decisions - which I believe is defined as maturity -- finally!