Toll Gate High School Class of '85

It's the Final Countdown!

2010-07-23T20:53:00.003-04:00

Hi, all!

Our 25-year reunion is coming up in just over a week! The reunion team has been working hard to make this a fun and memorable weekend for everyone.

As a reminder, we need to provide an accurate headcount to the venue by Wednesday, July 28 - so if you haven't mailed your RSVP, now's the time! Checks ($25 per person/$50 per couple) should be made payable to "TGHS Class of 1985" and mailed to the following address:

TGHS '85 Reunion
c/o Bill Hall
1053 Tiogue Avenue
Coventry, RI 02816

Please feel free to e-mail Bill (BillHall37@aol.com) with any last-minute payment questions.

Until next weekend....

All the best,

Your TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Reunion Announcement - Watch Your Mail!

2010-04-28T07:13:00.003-04:00

Hi all,

Announcements are in the mail for our 25th reunion weekend! The reunion itself will be held on Saturday, July 31 at Ivy Garden in West Warwick beginning at 7:00 PM. We have also added a family event: Bill Hall will be hosting a cookout on Sunday, August 1! Details are included in your reunion package.

Bill will be updating the list of "lost" classmates within the next few weeks. Any help we can get with keeping our contact list current would be much appreciated.

Don;t forget to look for us on Facebook (Toll Gate High School Class of 1985).

Hope to see you in July!

- The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

We're on Facebook!

2009-01-10T20:43:00.003-05:00

Hi all!

Since there are so many TGHS '85 alumni on Facebook, we've created a group there! If you're a Facebook member and haven't received an invitation to join the group yet, you can search for "Toll Gate High School Class of 1985" and submit your request!

Thanks for listening, and Happy New Year!

- Laurie :)

School Closures...

2008-08-13T23:53:00.002-04:00

Hi all!

For those who aren't already aware, I wanted to share the sad news that two of the Toll Gate "feeder" elementary schools - Drum Rock and Potowomut - closed at the end of the 2007-08 school year. Budgetary constraints and declining enrollment (in Potowomut's case, less than 100 students) prompted the closures, which obviously were not well received by students, parents, faculty and alumni. A third elementary school, Christopher Rhodes, was also closed. Rhodes was a "feeder" school for Pilgrim and had also experienced a sharp drop in enrollment over the past several years.

Students who would have attended Potowomut will now attend Cedar Hill, while Drum Rock students will be redistricted among Greenwood, Scott, and Robertson Schools.

The Drum Rock building is slated for use as an early childhood learning center - possibly a Pre-K or Head Start facility. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to convert Potowomut to a charter school; however, this process is expected to take years.

Feel free to share your Drum Rock/Potowomut/Rhodes memories here!

Take care!

- Laurie :)

ProJo Article about Mr. Shapiro

2007-06-10T13:33:00.000-04:00

Hi all!

In today's (6/10/2007) Providence Sunday Journal, there's a nice article about Toll Gate's first principal and current Warwick schools superintendent, Mr. Robert Shapiro. As many people already know, Mr. Shapiro is preparing to retire at the end of the school year after serving the city of Warwick and its students for over 50 years.

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Shapiro - and enjoy your retirement!

Goodbye, Mickey D's...

2006-05-05T10:59:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Just thought you'd want to know that one of our class' most popular hangouts (and places to get an after-school job!) back in the day -the McDonald's on Post Road in Greenwood - has closed. Rumor has it that business was too slow for the location to continue operations. The store has been winding down its run over the past month or so, but when I drove by this morning I noticed that the "Golden Arches" sign has been removed and the windows are covered with plywood.

I haven't heard any information about what (if anything) will take its place at that site.

I know a lot of TGHS alumni - including me! - spent some time behind the counter at McD's, so feel free to share your memories of working the grill, counter, drive-thru, etc.!

- Laurie :)

New Additions to the Titan Family!

2005-12-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Congratulations are in order for two of our alumni who have recently welcomed new additions to their families! Cindy Cichoski-Burrier delivered a daughter in Las Vegas last month; mom and baby are both doing well! Also, Bill Hall and his wife Tracy welcomed Sarah Eleanor Hall on December 4!

Best wishes to the new parents...and don't forget - nap when the baby naps (trust me on that one!)

Thanks for listening,

- Laurie :)

More TGHS News!

2005-10-14T22:29:00.000-04:00

Hi again everyone!

For those who haven't already heard, I thought you'd like to know that Toll Gate's current acting principal is none other than the former Assistant Principal during our days at Winman...Mr. Anthony Carcieri! He graciously agreed to come out of retirement to lead Toll Gate while a search for a new principal continues.

The Warwick Beacon published a photo of some folks from TG including Mr. Carcieri, and he looks very much the same as he did way back in the late '70s/early '80s!

Speaking of blasts from the past, those of us TG alumni who went to Drum Rock may remember our science teacher, Mr. Richard Maresca. Mr. Maresca served as principal of Holliman Elementary School (where my son goes to school) until 2003, and is currently acting principal at Hoxsie Elementary (like Mr. Carcieri, Mr. Maresca came out of retirement to lend a hand). I saw Mr. Maresca at several events while he was still principal at Holliman, and I think it was a little weird for him to see a former student with a child the same age that I was when he was our teacher! :)

If you still live in Warwick and your kids are being taught by any of our old teachers, feel free to add your comments to this post!

Thanks,

- Laurie :)

Titans' Football Field Named...

2005-10-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd pass along the word that the Toll Gate football field was officially named in honor of former Titans' football coach Amelio "Emo" DiNitto this past weekend! There is now a plaque at the field citing Coach DiNitto's accomplishments during his many years as a coach and administrator in the Warwick school system. Sadly, Coach DiNitto's daughter Nancy, who initiated the campaign to name the field for her father, was unable to see her dream come true because she passed away earlier this year.

There was a very nice article in the Warwick Beacon about the field dedication...even if you live out of state you may be able to find the article online by visiting warwickonline.com!

Take care,

- Laurie :)

Reunion weekend...it's over!!

2005-08-15T23:04:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

This past weekend went by so fast - it's hard to believe that our 20th reunion weekend has come and gone! A good time was had by all, and thanks to our classmates spreading the word we had a better turnout than expected! The whole batch of pictures will be posted soon, but for now here's a classic photo that couldn't wait...

"Bill Hall: Ladies' Man" :)

Many thanks to the following good sports in the photo:
top row, L-R: Julie Sandin, Jill Hoffer LePage, Karen Greco Hitte, Wendy Hadfield Feinstein, Kristi Jacob Castore, Gina Lombardi Oatley
bottom row, L-R: Laurie Smith Seubert, Mary Lee Taylor, Jennifer Peservich Munroe

And thanks to John Seubert for taking the picture (and being a good sport too)!

More pictures to come soon...stay tuned!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Great news for late arrivals on Saturday...

2005-08-08T14:53:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

We've had several people ask if they can stop by Evelyn's Villa after dinner on Saturday night because of prior commitments earlier in the evening (weddings, etc.)

The good news is that we do still have some room under the occupancy restrictions at Evelyn's and are able to welcome latecomers to the party! Because we have some fixed costs that need to be paid regardless of the number of dinners sold (room rental, decorations, DJ, etc.), we have set a reduced admission of $10 for people who are unable to make it to the dinner but would still like to join us for cocktails and dancing after 9:00 - 9:15 PM. Space is limited, so if you would like to RSVP as a "late arrival", please contact Bill Hall ASAP at BillHall37@aol.com to make the necessary arrangements!

Hope to see you on Saturday!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Last chance to RSVP...spread the word!

2005-08-05T22:09:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

This is it - the last week before we all get together for our twentieth reunion! It's hard to believe so much time has passed since 1985! We've had a good response for the dinner/dance and picnic, but we want to make sure that as many people as possible from our class are on hand to enjoy the reunion with us (the more the merrier!)...and that's where we need a little help! If you know anyone (including yourself!) who's been "on the fence" about coming or plans to come but just hasn't sent in a response yet, please call or e-mail them and let them now that now's the time to act! Bill Hall is the go-to guy for RSVPs, so anyone who wants to attend (especially for dinner on Saturday) should e-mail Bill at BilHall37@aol.com and let him know ASAP!

Thanks for helping to make our reunion the best one yet! See you next Saturday...

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

In memoriam: John Hadfield

2005-08-02T12:56:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Some sad news to report...our classmate John Hadfield passed away on Sunday. The information from today's Providence Journal is listed below:

**********************************************************************************

HADFIELD, JOHN CHARLES, 38, of Lillian Court, died Sunday at Miriam Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Christine A. (Harrington) Hadfield.

Born in Warwick, a son of Richard C. and Grace M. (Vander Linde) Hadfield, he had been a life long Warwick resident.

John was employed as a sales representative for Walter Morris Company, Foxboro, MA for the past three years. He was formerly employed as a manager for Portland Group, Providence Division for nine years and a manager for United Supply, Uxbridge, MA for six years.

He was a graduate of Toll Gate High School and CCRI. John was a member of the New England Wholesale Association, the New England Fuel Institute, the RI Oil Institute and the North Kingstown Sandbaggers Golf League. His passions were golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He attended the Ocean State Baptist Church in Smithfield.

Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by two children, Shannon T. and Kyle E. Hadfield, one brother, William E. Hadfield, two sisters, Deborah L. Barnes and Tamara L. Quagan and six nieces and nephews all of Warwick.

Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service Thurday at 10 AM in the Ocean State Baptist Church, 600 Douglas Pike, Exit 8-A off Route 295 followed by burial in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, Post Road, North Kingstown. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 PM in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Shannon and Kyle Hadfield Education Fund, 42 Lillian Court, Warwick, RI 02886 will be appreciated.

Published in The Providence Journal on 8/2/2005.

A special request from Arizona...

2005-08-02T07:26:00.000-04:00

We have a request from one of our classmates. Terriann Brown, in her move to Arizona, lost her yearbook. She is looking to borrow one from someone to show to her children. If anyone can help Terri, please email her at: ricknterrig@cox.net

Even if you can't help her out with a yearbook, please send her an email to say Hi. Unfortunately she cannot make it to the reunion, but she says Hi to everyone and wishes us a good time. Thanks. -Bill

Reminder to RSVP...

2005-07-29T21:49:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

It's hard to believe, but August is almost here - which means our reunion is about two weeks from now! If you are planning to attend the dinner at Evelyn's Villa on August 13, please make sure you RSVP and send your check to Bill Hall ASAP! We need to give Evelyn's a final headcount for the meal by August 6, and we need payment in advance from everyone who is attending. Because of occupancy restrictions at Evelyn's, attendance must be capped at 175 people, and payments cannot be taken at the door.

If you are just attending the picnic on the 14th at Goddard Park, no payment is required as this is a free, bring-your-own-BBQ-and-picnic-fixins event.

Thanks for understanding!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Even more lost classmates...

2005-07-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

I'm beginning to think I should just post a list of people we can find - it'd be shorter! ;)

Here's the latest batch of returned mail...if you're on this list or know someone who is, please e-mail Bill Hall at BillHall37@aol.com right away...August is coming up very soon!

Thanks as always!
*****************************************
Dennis Mullen
Michael Jackman
Christine Patenaude
John O'Kleasky
David Andrade
Christopher Chapron
Donald Lemay
John Trudell
Pamela Paolo
David Fewster
James Armstrong

More "lost" alumni - can you help us find them?

2005-07-27T12:41:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Here's the latest list of "lost" alumni...again, any updates should be sent to Bill Hall at BillHall37@aol.com right away!

John Ferranti
Pamela Martin
Carolyn Archer
Steven Mutton
Monica Cassity
Kevin Kennedy
Kimberly Crossley
Christine Young
Robert Kmon
Joe Jolls
Marc Chapron
Tracey Gallagher
Cho Pham
Dawn O'Hara
Alan Potter
Patricia Piscopio
Susan White
John Lesieur
Robin Maciel
Andrea Bolvin
Sandra Davis
Roger Coutcher
Julie Jackson
David Hartley

Thanks as always!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Latest update of "lost" alumni!

2005-07-24T12:21:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Bill Hall just sent me the latest list of folks whose invitations were returned. If you are on this list (or know anyone who is), please forward any contact information to Bill at BillHall37@aol.com as soon as possible - time's running short! Thanks as always!

Robert Munroe
William Whalan
Thomas McGovern
Hans Franzen (FOUND!)
Kristen Allen
Lori Benson
Steven Calise
Kerri Robinson
Diane Anderson
Michael Duane (FOUND!)
Marsha Hang
Kimberly DeFusco
Lynn Underhill
Peter Hatch
Cheryl Williams

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

More "lost souls"...

2005-07-21T13:38:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Here's another list of people whose invitations were returned...please send any contact information you have to Bill Hall at BillHall37@aol.com or to the reunion mailbox at tghs85reunion@hotmail.com so we can include these folks in the fun next month!

Lori Barnes
John Antonucci
Steven Bianco
David Auger
David Angilly

Thanks as always,

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

More "lost" alumni...please help!

2005-07-19T23:21:00.000-04:00

Hi all! Now that Bill Hall's starting to get responses back for the reunion, he's also getting invitations back that were undeliverable by the USPS...so if you know where any of these people are, please e-mail us at tghs85reunion@hotmail.com :

Stephanie Sears
Scott Schoen (FOUND!)
Lyn Peloquin Ryan (FOUND!)
John Duffy
Michael Shakespeare
Peter Eastwood
Joy Chatowsky
Daniel Conley
Matt Lang
Dawn Bodkin Wallitsch
Richard Fischer
Jay and Terri Brown LaPlante (FOUND!)
Peter Ashworth
Philip Green
John Groff
Russell Kibbe
Sherri Talacko

Thanks as always!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Who's coming to the reunion?

2005-07-18T22:05:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Well, the responses are starting to come in for the reunion...no official numbers yet but it looks like a lot of people are interested in coming to the dinner, the picnic, or both! Let your long-lost friends and classmates know you'll be there by posting here!

See you next month!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Last batch of "lost" alumni - Q to Z

2005-07-07T22:08:00.000-04:00

This is the last list for now...we promise...please help us find addresses for our "lost" classmates:

Christina Ramsey (FOUND!)
Patricia Richmond
Kristin Ruhlman
Gina Saccoccio
Richard Santilli
Staci Sawyer
Louis Sciarra
Michael Siravo
Kirsten Staley
Jill Streeter
John Streeter
Johna Taber
Ralph Tedeschi
Michele Thompson
Robyn Torrisi
Melanie Wheat (FOUND!)
Ken Wilmarth
Sheri Winthrop
Suzanne Wiseman
Alison Woodbine
Nobi Yamaki

Our e-mail address is tghs85reunion@hotmail.com - thanks for your help in getting as many of our classmates to the reunion as possible!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Even more "lost" alumni - M to P

2005-07-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

Just when you thought it was safe - here are some more alumni whose addresses we can't find! Can you help?

Christina Maguire
Terrie Mantia
Jay Marchant
Tom Martorano
Suzanne Maynard
Michele McGovern
Chris Mills
David Meghreblian
Jim Mixner (FOUND!)
Deborah Netcoh
Anthony Nofi
Paula Northup
Jean Olson
Patricia O'Malley
Christopher Padula
John Parente
Christopher Pedorella (FOUND!)
Dana Peterson
Jeff Picchione
Dayna Piccoli
Michelle Picker
Eric Pride

Again, if you know where any of these folks are, please ask them to e-mail us with their new contact information (tghs85reunion@hotmail.com)!

Thanks as always from the TGHS '85 Reunion Team!

More "lost" alumni - D to L

2005-07-07T21:51:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

Here are some more "lost" alumni whose whereabouts are unknown. Can you help us find them?

Jeff D'Abrosca
Janice D'Amico
Tom Davey
Nancy Evans (FOUND!)
Crystal Gallina
Doug Garceau
Dawn Grady (FOUND!)
Katey Hinch (FOUND!)
Tim Hughes (FOUND!)
Cheryl Hrisko
Michelle Joly
Penny-Ann Judd (FOUND!)
Holly Kane (FOUND!)
Brian Kelly
Kristen Knudson
Norman Laflamme
John Larkin
Justin Law
Kim Lawrence
Robert Lescarbeau
David Lowenthal
Christopher Lumpkins

If you are in touch with any of these alumni, please ask them to e-mail us (tghs85reunion@hotmail.com) with their contact information so we can invite them to the reunion!

Thanks again...

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

"Lost" Alumni - A to C

2005-07-06T20:04:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! We're putting together the mailing labels for the reunion, and there are a lot of people for whom we have either old addresses or no addresses at all! If you know where any of the following people are (whose last names start with A, B or C), could you please let them know that we're looking for them and that they should contact us right away so we can invite them to the reunion? Any updates should be sent to us at tghs85reunion@hotmail.com - thanks! Here's the list:

Kristine Allstrom (FOUND!)

Michael Arlia

Steven Barbato

Alyssa Baribault

Tamara Behar

David Bell (FOUND!)

Peter Bianco

Jon Bogosian

Lisa Bolan

Bryan Bolton (FOUND!)

Don Brooks

Sara Brooks (FOUND!)

Bill Brown

Dorothy Brown

Steve Burns

Cynthia Capraro

Sandra Capraro

Guy Castriotta

Dennene Chamberlin

Manuel Chij

Kim Cipriano (FOUND!)

Michelle Ciunci

Brian Cobb

David Cole

Dane Coleman

Keith Colwell

Andrea Conti

Jim Covell

Amy Crowder

Thanks again from the TGHS '85 Reunion Team!!

Information, please...

2005-06-03T08:56:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

In preparation for our 20th reunion celebration in August, we'll be sending informational flyers and registration information for the reunion out to all alumni within the next two weeks! So...if your address has changed since the last reunion and you haven't let us know your new contact information already, now's the time to tell us!!

Don't miss out on the fun becuase we can't find you! Please send any and all updates to our reunion e-mail address: tghs85reunion@hotmail.com.

Thanks and have a great day! Hope to see you in August!

The TGHS '85 Reunion Team

Save the Date!

2005-05-19T13:07:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! It's official - our 20th class reunion weekend has been set for August 13 and 14, 2005! Saturday night's event will be at Evelyn's Villa in West Warwick, and Sunday we'll be having a family-friendly picnic at Goddard Park, fields C & D, grills 12-27. Invites will be in the mail shortly! Please send any address (e-mail or snail mail) updates to the reunion e-mailbox at tghs85reunion@hotmail.com - thanks!

Who we are, where we've been...

2005-04-16T17:22:00.000-04:00

So...what's everyone been up to since the last reunion? Add your comments here!

Welcome to the TGHS '85 Blog!

2005-04-16T17:13:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Welcome to our blog - due to "technical difficulties" and outdated web publishing software, this is the new web home for Toll Gate's Class of '85! We'll be posting updates here on a fairly regular basis with information about our upcoming 20th (yikes! Has it been 20 years already?) reunion. Feel free to e-mail us at tghs85reunion@hotmail.com with any questions, comments, etc. - hope to see you in August!