Westport, Connecticut: Long Lots Junior High/Middle School

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SPECIAL NOTICE

This notice is for one of our own Billy Palladino, Staples H.S. graduate, class of 1968. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in November of 2009 and has been hospitalized since Feb. 6, when complications from throat cancer surgery in November robbed him of his ability to speak. He had an operation where they removed his epiglottis, the flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs. He had a Tracheotomy and now is unable to speak. He is presently in Danbury Hospital and is receiving Chemotherapy and Radiation and hoping to go home soon.

With all this going on for Bill, another tragedy struck his family. His wife, Janice Ann McClenathan Palladino, age 45, passed away from a massive heart attack on February 11, 2010 at her home in Sandy Hook, CT. She was also a Staples High School Graduate, class of 1983. Not only did his wife meticulously prepare meals that were injected through the feeding tube Bill had implanted after his surgery and monitor his medications, her full-time job at a small manufacturing company in Oxford provided the health insurance that covered the bulk of his medical bills.

Now there is no income for family and they don't know how long the insurance from Janice's job will cover Billy's medical bills. They have 2 daughters, Michelle and Sarah Palladino who are both in college.

We want to let you know that a trust fund has been set up for Billy and his family at:

Newtown Savings Bank
30 Main Street
Danbury CT 06810
Phone: (203) 205-0080

For those of you that want to contact him or send get well cards to, his home contact information is:

Bill Palladino
7 Overlook Knoll
Sandy Hook CT 06482
(203) 426-8960

Here are some links for more information:

Article on Billy in the Danbury News Times, Feb. 21, 2010.

Obituary from the Westport News on Janice Ann McClenathan Palladino.

Please help out where you can. Collectively we can all make a difference for Billy and his family, no matter what the $ amount is. Words of support are also needed if you can't make a donation during these hard times.

Thank you, Shelby Goodlett Pike

Long Lots Junior High/Middle School Bulletin Board To add an entry on this board, please log in or sign up.
I remember fondly being sent to "Koeller's cooler" for my many indiscretions!	Don Torrey 1969 view posts Tuesday, 05/18/2010 08:26:55
For those of you who remember fondly as I do, sadly Joe Koeller, Vice Principal at Long Lots Junior High School passed away over the weekend. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome: Wake Wednesday May 19, 2010 4 PM - 8 PM Harding Funeral Home 210 post Road East Funeral Services Thursday May 20, 2010 10 AM St. Lukes Church 84 Long Lots Rd.	Lynn Backalenick 1970 view posts Monday, 05/17/2010 14:59:55
What fun this is to read memories shared by classmates from Long Lots. There were of course the predictable moments of angst that accompany junior high experience , but mostly I have lots of wonderful memories from those days. Dan Woog, I remember your notebook; you wrote the names of every musician or group that you liked on the cover of it. I particularly remember one day when you were talking about Diana Ross and how good she was. Bill Gordon, I have great memories of adventures when we were really little, building rafts to float down the creek near Tomahawk Lane. We had amazing teachers in those days; I still think they were among the best teachers I ever had. I'm chuckling about the memory of Mr. Stableford's first day and his nervousness. Mr. Sullivan was a fabulous teacher; I remember that he'd give prizes if we could find mistakes in the book or if we could think of a geometry proof that he hadn't thought of. Mademoiselle Delgado ("Ciel!" was her favorite saying)must have made a huge impression for me since I majored in French in college (later to change to psychology in grad school). She was so funny. Two great memories from her class: One day, Carter Combe (may he rest in peace) was asked by Mlle. Delgado to define a word; Carter, with his unforgettable photographic memory, stood up and recited the book's definition saying "Well, I'll be blown!."..and I actually remember the words and melody of Evan Harriman's performace of his own original french advertisement about aspirin. I've lost touch with most of my classmates from Long Lots, but I've been fortunate to maintain my friendship with Linny Martinek, whom I met in Mlle. Delgado's class. Thanks for the memories!	Martha Coulter 1971 view posts Tuesday, 05/26/2009 04:06:55
Yes Mr. Topp taught Spanish, if you could call it that. "I need you like I need another hole in my head and I don't need that" was one of his famous quotes and then he would remind everyone that he had Crohn's disease. Mr. Adams of course was never happy with the sound of the band.	James Morsut 1984 view posts Thursday, 05/21/2009 22:31:48
For those who are interested, I have visited Mr. Day in recent years. He was one of the shop teachers. He lives in Green Valley, AZ just south of Tucson. He looks exactly the same as he did back in the 60s. He is very active in woodworking projects, is a docent at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, and is in very good health. Still comes to Maine every summer to be with family and get away from the AZ summer heat.	Nancy Powers Conklin 1969 view posts Wednesday, 05/20/2009 11:33:52
Does anyone have any pictures of the chearleaders for Long Lots in 1968?	Jeanne Conley 1975 view posts Thursday, 05/07/2009 19:40:33
I passed thru Long Lots during the mid-60s. Someone mentioned Jack Adams. I "JUST" saw him at Sally's Music in Westport last Summer while visiting the USA. Can't get away from Westport. It's in my bones. Family still there. Great to see Mr. Adams was doing well and still had a fine ear for good jazz music. By the way, Sally's shop is exceptional. If you have not been there, do stop by. Tell her I "sent you" and give my regards. Back to Mr. Adams,...I remember being in his band, sitting in the back with all the drummers (Terry Holmes, George Walker and Scott Simpson come to mind). Worst memory of Long Lots (does anyone else have their own?): After all these years, I still have one bad memory of flubbing a tambourine part in a Christmas pageant and Mr. Adams frantically eyeing anyone to jump up. Thankfully, Terry did. I have been a better drummer since then but have avoided tambourines! Also, fond memories of Thomas Marshall. He later served as my practicum sponsor when I was preparing to be a teacher at Southern Connecticut. Names and faces rushing by now...Mr. Koeller (Vice Principal), Mr. Yovan (gym), Mr. Bleemer (principal), Mr. Day and the other older shop teacher, Mr. Paranya...My sister, Ann, was two years ahead of me. I remember some of her friends well. Alicia Zloe and Marilyn Briggs, for example. The girls were all totally hooked on Mr. Stableford ("Stabie-baby," as they called him). I remember them rushing off to his house for Halloween the year they had him at Long Lots. Friends at Long Lots whose names come to mind right off the bat included Jeff Van Gelder, Paul Marceau Jack Holmes, Cheryl Davis, Lynn Griebel, as well as David Milberg and Jon Wiener (I am still in close ontact with both of the latter after 40 years!). Ok, I'll stop. If these memories unleashed any of yours, please don't hesitate to share on the message board.	Richard Craig 1972 view posts Thursday, 05/07/2009 15:13:51
Dianne Carriera was, and still is I understand, one of the best teachers I ever had. I keep a mental top five of my educational years in Westport and she, Pat Bonardi and Frank Wiener all share 1-3. All three allowed you to be an individual. I hope she and her family are doing well.	Britt Anderson 1979 view posts Sunday, 04/19/2009 03:57:57
The mention of Mr. Day brought back memories of shop class. The first mandatory project was tombstone salt and pepper shakers stenciled with "Here Lies Salt" and "Here Lies Pepper." I wonder how many years he did that?	Martin Goodale 1973 view posts Thursday, 04/09/2009 19:53:34
My mentor from Long Lots was my guidance counselor, Vickie Petro. She took a personal interest in me and was also a good friend. She really went above and beyond her job description and helped me through some of those awkward, rough times we all go through at that age. She stayed in touch with me long after I graduated from Long Lots and I guess when she felt I no longer needed her, we drifted out of touch. I wonder what ever happened to her? You never stop needing good friends.	Annie Cohen 1981 view posts Saturday, 02/21/2009 16:44:06
I, too, had some marvelous teachers at Long Lots during the years 1963-1965. Carmen Delgado was the French teacher who selected me to play Cat Woman in her Batman play in 9th grade. Ruskin Kerr helped me so much with writing skills that, to this day, I sometimes remember comments he made in the margins of my papers. Tom Celestino made civics interesting and comprehensible. Jack Adams and Mr. Roth made band, orchestra, and chorus my favorite parts of the school day. Science was my favorite in eighth grade--the year I had Allen (Alan?) Tucker. Joan B. and I stayed after school whenever we could doing extra credit work in genetics. I, too, remember Mrs. Petitjean for social studies and English, I believe. Did we not read The Bluebird of Happiness in her class? The move from Illinois in October of 1962 was extremely rough for me, but by the time I finished ninth grade at Long Lots, I wouldn't have traded my years there for anything! What a wonderful school system Westport was--and still is, I am certain. Beth Wilson Matteson 1969 Staples graduate	Beth Wilson Matteson 1969 view posts Saturday, 01/10/2009 09:18:19
Bob, sorry to hear that bob passed away. He was a good man.	Bill Shaner 1976 view posts Sunday, 11/16/2008 16:59:46
Miss Joiner- Sorry to report Bob Malin died several years ago while on vacation in Italy. He was a very close friend of mine and is dearly missed. He was one of the most talented people I knew....I was on the football and wrestling teams with him throughout Long Lots and Staples.....he went on to play football at Princeton.....very athletic, very smart, musically talented, great sense of humor,very down to earth.....more important, he was a great father and husband.	Robert Stalling 1978 view posts Sunday, 07/13/2008 10:07:20
My family loves to ski and snowboard and some of the credit definitely goes to my introduction through the Long Lots Ski Club! Mr. Yovan and Mr. Benedetti spearheaded the club, as I recall. Fun times...	Debra Sucksdorf Kreitter 1973 view posts Wednesday, 05/21/2008 04:05:12
The person who was the best influence in growing up in Westport was the legendary Bob Yovan.He treated everyone like he was your best friend and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I remember that in the middle of the day,he'd be out with his power mower cutting the "yard markers" in the football field wearing the shortest of shorts and high tube socks. You could see his love for football and his students when we were practicing. When I broke my leg playing football in the 9th grade, He called my parents that night and showed the he was truly concerned. We were all very fortunate to know a guy like him and I always smile when I think aboout asking him "what time is it", giving him a chance to flex his biceps.	Glenn Keith 1980 view posts Tuesday, 05/20/2008 03:05:14
Miss Joiner! I remember you! I bet you don't remember me. I was at Long Lots from 75-77, so you must have been the teacher when I was a mere 7th grader. Mrs. Lipson (who is now at Staples and still has that same long, long, long hair) came to replace you. I can't remember if it was you who was pregnant or her who was pregnant at the time (maybe both of you?). I also can't remember which of you had us sing a song called "Jesse Come Home" in chorus, but I remember thinking it was so cool that we were singing a contemporary song instead of typical choral music. I remember your pretty face and short blond hair. Glad to hear you are doing well. I have many fond memories of Long Lots (and not so fond ones!). I don't have anything particularly descriptive of myself to jog your memory from back then. I was a piano player but probably too shy to ever admit that in class. Loved to sing, and studied music all my life. I now lead a double life as a soccer mom by day and rock and roll singer by night. Having lots of fun. Take care! - Kim Crowther	Kim Crowther 1980 view posts Monday, 05/19/2008 08:05:19
I was the choral music teacher at Long Lots for the 1974-1975 school year. My principal was Joe Koeller, who was a wonderful administrator. I had an incredible class of 8th graders, and in particular, I formed a barbershop octet, which produced a pretty amazing sound for such young voices. The boys' names I do remember are: Bob Malin (he also was a timpanist), Steve Rintoul, Jim Rossi, and Peter Velardi. I am sure if one of the boys sees this message, that they will recall the other 4 names. I hope to hear from someone!!! Thank you, Jj (Joiner) Ebelhar	J Joiner faculty view posts Thursday, 02/07/2008 05:02:31
I did not attend staples but i went to long lots for 2 years. i remember so many of the places I have read about on this site, all over 30 years ago....so many memories. What happened to Mrs. Doenges, an english teacher at Long Lots? She went out of her way to help me, god knows I needed it back then. I remember assistant principal Sullivan, I'm sure he reluctantly remembers me also! My apologies go out to him for all the grief I caused him. Many years later I would become a teacher, the irony in that is almost too much to take! I had a tough beginning but it all worked out well in the end.	Anita Dallar 1981 view posts Friday, 12/28/2007 06:58:54
Anyone know where Bob Derwallis is now? He kept me out of trouble more times than I can count. Last I heard he had been diagnosed with Luekemia. He was a wonderful man who did a lot for my brother Chuck and me. Would love to hear any news you might have.	Eileen Alexander Kidder 1978 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 10:26:40
Remember the boys' gym teachers, Benedetti and Yovan?! Bob Y. really liked to wear those form-fitting shirts and flex his biceps! Mr. Benedetti was always trying to be a hardass, making us all do laps around the field... I have a memory of someone putting Canoe aftershave in the chalk tray of one of my teachers, knowing that he was somehow alergic to it, and having him run from the room sneezing... the culprit may have been Pam Martin who was quite the prankster... I remember the "Lions" football games and the cheerleaders, especially Martha Coulter and Peggy Jacobsmeyer...wasn't Fran Taylor also on that squad?	Will Gordon 1971 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 22:17:04
Hey Marilyn, I remember you. Do you remember Miranda Haydn? No one seems to know what happened to her. I believe that she left Long Lots after 8th grade never to be heard from again. She lived on Wake Robin Road I think off of Greens Farms Road and was friends with Sarah Marks. Randy had two older brothers one who's name was John and he was about 2-3 years older than Randy. You and I were on the gymnastics team together and you made cheerleading when I was moving on to Staples. Those years were so much fun and so innocent. We had a great time and what a great time to grow up. It was good to hear how you are doing.	Nancy Powers Conklin 1969 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 03:30:52
It sure has been a treat reading all the memories of Long Lots past ghosts! I too have fond memories of Miss Delgado and her Puerto Rican tinged French. She made it soo much fun to learn. And who could forget Benji Lord, and Mr. Kohler? Mr. Kohler let me slide sometimes cause I was friends with his daughter Joanne. Can't remember Ella's last name but she was like the wicked witch who really got off on busting us girls smoking in the bathroom. Remember Mrs. Slez, the office secretary? I loved being a cheerleader, and still have a picture of myself and Dave Rudhyzen in his football uniform and me in my Cheerleadering garb. Boy those were the good old days,Huh? No worries..Just good old fun.. Great memories.. I'm sure I'll think of more!! My Staples 30th reunion is this June! Wow how time flies by!	Marilyn Briggs 1970 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 01:26:57
I've just read the memories here, and remember the day that Mr. Lord became a dad - hard to believe he has past away! I remember Mrs. Delgado - what a hoot! Mr. Koller scared me to death, as did Mrs. D (can't remember her name - was the tough English teacher). I remember Mrs. McFarland (gym teacher - wish we had more soccer than field hockey), Mr. Douglas, Mr. Tafel, another hoot, Mr. Schulz, Mrs. Parker and home ec and that horrible tomato aspic! There was Mrs. Gott and her daughter Mrs. Anderson. I was in Algebra II when we heard that Kennedy had been shot - when I was student teaching, I asked the kids what they were doing when the news came out about his death - imagine my surprise when they informed me that they weren't born yet! I had a great time being a cheerleader - wearing our uniforms on game days, trying to learn football from Coach Yovan...fun times!	Becki Miles Whittington 1967 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 06:23:49
Mr. Bleemer was the principal when I was there and he was as kind and respected as Mr. Koeller, the assistant principal, was feared. Mr. Koeller was the disciplinarian at the time but I found out later that when he became principal he was viewed as the benevolent one and his assistant principal, Mr. Sullivan, played the heavy. Interesting. Kathy Rothermel refers to a kindly janitor whose name might be Tom Smith. He's the only janitor I remember. I remember Tom Owen fighting John Lewis on the hill behind the school. Tom won which was good because John Lewis was a major league jerk. I remember Tony Amato puking during Math Class with Miss Williams (Ella as we called her behind her back). We had to wait until the janitor came to clean up the pewk. Pretty Gross. Miss Williams taught math and I remember sometimes she used equations where W might be the answer only she pronounced it "DubYuh". I remember the school toughs like Card Murray ("Got a quarter."), Joe Manzi or Corky Manzi. I remember Jim Alworth's band playing at our dance in the school Gym. I remember Mr. Lux had coke bottle glasses and you would think he couldn't see you doing something but he would always see you somehow. Great teacher. I remember Mrs. Owen, Tom Owen's Mom, was the AV person. I remember Mrs. Carriera was pregnant when I was there and she was radiantly beautiful. Our soccer team was pretty good but we could never beat Coleytown. Mr. Day was our coach. He used to tell our fullbacks to "boom it out of there". Teachers names that I recall include Mrs. Burack (formerly Gott), Mr. Stableford, Mr. Hawe, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Teitelbaum, Mr. Yovan, Mr. Benedetti, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Day, Mr. Adams, Mr. Bachrach, and Mr. Taffel. I am still in touch with Jim Johnson, Mark Bryant, Jon Doniger, Ron Kaufman, and Jim Garvin from our class.	Tom Croarkin 1974 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 19:27:35
I remember a math teacher, Miss Williams, who I had in 8th grade. She used to monitor the halls. Girls were not allowed to wear pants when I first arrived at Long Lots and then it was a big deal when we could wear them in the winter. Hot pants were popular when I was in 9th grade. There was the rock out near the parking lot where kids used to smoke. Not me of course. Basketball games were fun. Cheerleaders were cool, especially when they were older than you. Field hockey with Miss Silva and Miss Miller. Gymnastic routines we had to do before the whole gym class. I practiced my floor routine in my front yard until it was perfect(got an A+). Earth Science with Mr. Lux. English with Mr. Dobbs. He was new, had quite the southern accent. Both art teachers were very nice guys (Mr. Conti and Mr. Douglas). We made jewelry and pottery. Ron Kaufman handing out Nixon buttons! We got a day off from school to join the peace march.	Andrea Lewis 1974 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 20:33:47
All those teachers names...just hearing them again brought back memories. I can't remember his name right now, but we had the nicest janitor that greeted us all as we walked in the front door (Calvin?). My memory is about an event. I don't remember the specifics, but I had a "greaser girl" mad at me because I said she had a "bouffont hairdo". She went to Bedford Junior High. Rumor had it she was going to be waiting for me as I walked home from school at "the rock" that was at the corner of the driveway into the school. She was to be wearing gloves that had pins coming out of the fingertips...I guess to scratch me with! I was advised by the guidance counselor to get right on the bus and I remember saying in fear, "but I'm a walker!" So I was told to go home with a friend on their bus, which I did. I don't think she ever showed up but I sure was afraid she would. Now it sounds so absurd but at the time this was seriuos stuff! All fond memories and thankful to be a part of the Long Lots alumni.	Kathy Rothermel 1973 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 14:29:04
I remember how big and scary those 9TH graders were. I remember wondering how my bike got to the top of the tree out front. I remember the actual day that girls were almost as interesting to look at as a cool car. I remember thinking that Mr.Beamer (sp?) and Mr. Kellogg (sp?) actually wanted to see me die. I remember wanting to see the tubby shop teacher's tie get stuck in the lathe. I remember the substitute math teacher (Miss Hondurus (sp?), she was old (probably 22 or so) but those short skirts sure were... I remember the best teacher that I ever had (including all 3 colleges)Mr. Martin Tafel...he changed my life and opened my eyes.	Bruce Fernie 1970 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 08:37:35
Well having just finished remembering Greens Farms I might as well add a few Long Lots memories. I remember the summer before 7'th grade, someone burned down a third of the school so we had the last two classes of the day at Saint Lukes. I remember Mr. Day the wood shop teacher and Mr. Adams the Metal shop teacher. "Um, um, don't kiss the hammers." Coach (Biceps Bob) Yovan and Pete (no nickname that I can remember) Benedetie. Joe Koler (Uncle Joe) and Mr. Sulivan (Carrot Hole). Trying to run a mile (7.5 laps) around the parking lot and failing. Mrs. Joyner the music teacher (We had joy we had fun we had Joyner on the run...) Anyone remember singing that? Mr. Lord the science teacher. Someone throwing a beaker of acid into the boys bathroom. Mr. Douglas the art teacher. Some class where we got credit for dropping an egg of the roof and having it not break. Playing the drums in band with Steve Felia, Jill Bergman and Gabby Rolf. Marching in the Memorial Day parade while Mr. Adams screamed at us to get back on tempo. The day two ninth graders ran from the little area outside the cafeteria (where we used to stand around after lunch) up and over Mr. Topp's Cadillac. Mr. Topp (Wasn't that his name?) trying to teach me Spanish and failing. Donde esta Pablo? I guess that's about it.	Dana Long 1980 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 04:31:52
Diane Carreira is still teaching, now at Bedford Middle School. I had her her first year, when she was Miss Scognamiglio (I can't believe I remember that). She and Dan Sullivan, who taught math down the hall in the 200 ("tin") wing, used to pretend they had a thing go on with each other. They would pop into each other's rooms, and flirt -- quite funny, and we didn't know what to make of it. She replaced Carmen Delgado, one of the most wonderful teachers I have ever had. Who can forget her French lessons, tinged with her native Puerto Rican accent (such as the day she said that Louis Pasteur invented a cure for "rabbis," or her question: "What are you looking at, the moon of Valencia?"). I also had Mr. Stableford in his first year of teaching. He was so nervous the first day, he broke the chalk on the board. He is now at Coleytown Middle School -- and his son, Dylan, is a substitute teacher at Staples! Among the faculty members who have passed away: Tom Marshall, Ben Lord and Bob Yovan.	Dan Woog 1971 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 06:58:18
Any of you Long Lots Jr. High people know whatever happened to Mrs. Carrera? What a great person. How about Lloyd Stableford (Drofelbats)? Did he donate his wardrobe to Austin Powers?	Michael Kopko 1976 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 22:55:36
I too, vividly remember the day President Kennedy was shot. We were all released from school early and told to go home and watch the tv to get updated news. I also remember the great Blackout along the east coast. We all complained to Miss Pond that we couldn't do our English homework because there were no lights and that wasn't good enough for her. She expected us to have it done anyway. Remember how crowded the school was during those years? Classes in the Library, cafeteria, and study halls in the gym sitting on the floor!	Nancy Powers Conklin 1969 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 00:04:06
My most vivid memory of Long Lots is coming out of school and hearing that John F. Kennedy had been shot.	Kathy Lanning 1969 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 21:07:32
Luckily I only spent close to two years at Long Lots. My grades were decent. When I moved to California in '79, I thought "wow, I'm out of here for good, I don't have to see these idiots like Matt Snow anymore." I recall various girls like Jill Snadecki chasing after me all of the time, and also Phil Dalmage begging me for money left and right. My paper route on Bauer Place was a rewarding experience; I also did that in college for the LA Times. When I made my return trip in '97 only one of the businesses I delivered was still there-the car dealer at Old Road and the Post Road. All of the others were gone-Allen Carpet and Paris Package Liquor (we still have an old bottle of liquor from there).	Larry Smith 1983 view posts Tuesday, 08/29/2000 20:23:56

Long Lots Junior High/Middle School Image Gallery

Please send any images you'd like added to the gallery to admin@westporters.com. Include as much information about the picture as you can: Who is in it, when and where it was taken. Thanks!

1968 Basketball Team [405k]
Sent in by Ed Bensey, Staples '72

1968 Football Team [77k]
Sent in by Ed Bensey, Staples '72