Pugwash District High School
Pugwash District High School Website
http://shillelaghsheilasinn.com/
"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
We stayed at the Shillelagh B&B in Pugwash and the first pic of my sister Grace and the owners, Sheila & Bobby, was taken on our last morning at the B&B. We were finishing with breakfast and doing a little singing at the table. As we were leaving, the ladies at the next table asked us to sing something before we left. Well my dear shy :) sister decides it would be a good idea and encourages me to join her in "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." We were having a little trouble with the words so she calls Bobby who is working in the kitchen, to join us. It was one of those moments one does not forget. As we were singing together, I start singing a harmony part. Then Bobby changes his tune to another harmony part. Then Grace adjust her singing to join us in her harmony part. The ending was spectacular and we finished in perfect three part harmony and to the enjoyment of those in the dining room. We then plan to return next year and sing together at the B&B.
Reflections on the Weekend
I got to play John for the weekend even though I didn't remember much of my school days or faces although others had no trouble identifying me. This is how the weekend went.
There was a meet and greet at the Pugwash High School with a tour of the old/new school on Friday night. Then on Saturday, there was a BBQ/Picnic gathering at the Gulf Shore Picnic Park. Finally, on Saturday evening we attended the dinner and dance at the Legion.
My dear sister, the Reverend Grace had a great time with her friends from high school and we could tell that they had a great time with her also. Eleanor and I enjoyed meeting them, having their company and friendship. The food could have been on the better side but the company made up for it. We chatted and danced and enjoyed the evening and left rather late. Then sis and I sat up and chatted until 3:30 in the morning, or was that Friday night? Anyway, I am glad that Grace had invited us to attend.
A Shared Personal Moment
There were greetings and meetings, hugs and hand shakes throughout the weekend. However one particular hug I remember more than the others. On Friday night a lady attending the meet and greet came up to me and gave me a hug even before I could see her name sticker. Then she stood back and asked me if I remembered her. Somehow I knew that I should because there was something personal about the hug and the name had some remembrance with it. It felt important to remember something about this lady so I went through my library of information/memories looking for something that would help me understand this hug. Then I remembered the giving of a locket. I immediately went back and found the lady speaking with some other ladies. I asked her if she had received a locket as a gift from me/John way back when? The answer was immediately relayed by the expression on her face and then she responded "yes". She told me we had a thing together. Then I went back to the group I was with.
I was happy for me and her that I could tell her that I had remembered something about our relationship. By following the trail I discovered that there was a connection to the hug which had to do with a special gift of a locket which had to do with a loving relationship however short it may have been.
I was hoping she would attend the dinner and dance so I could speak with her again, and discover more about this relationship. Young love is very precious and I wanted to share in this remembrance of it. I was a little sad that many of my earlier memories were no longer with me. What most people at the reunion didn't know was that I had a bad car accident a short time after I left school in 1965 and many of my emotional and intellectual memories from that earlier time were no longer with me.
P.S. Old love is not so bad either :)
PICTURES & VIDEO
Here are a few pictures taken from my camera at the reunion. Grace still has her pics on her camera but it might be a while before I am able to retrieve them. My picture is absent as usual. I forgot to get any of me as it is difficult to be at two places at once, both in front and behind the camera. If you are new to viewing blogs and would like to see any of the pics enlarged, just click on the picture. Then click on the return icon when finished. Enjoy.
John Charles
In this pic Grace is reading through her yearbook and discovers her signature is missing. She is captured signing the book 45 years later.
These next two pics were taken at the Scottish Pines Cottages on the Gulf Shore. The property used to be a lobster fishing camp where we spent some summers living at the camp.
This video was suppose to be my sister Grace saying hello to our brother Gary who did not make the reunion. Grace did a little editing in my plans and this is what the finished product looks like.
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