The annual WHS Alumni party dubbed “A Banner Night” was held on Saturday, November 5, at the VFW Hall in Walpole. This year’s fundraiser was earmarked to assist the WHS Athletic Department in replacing the old championship team flags that hung in the gym.
The event was well attended and included live music, raffles and a buffet catered by Finnegan’s Wake. The new venue at the VFW proved to be a great place to hold the party because the hall was big enough to accommodate the large crowd which also had a large dance floor and plenty of off-street parking. Four bands provided plenty of dance music and memories: The Joey Eldracher Trio, “1973 TH”, Myron Zajac Band, and WIKI 3.
The event was kicked off by Joey Eldracher, a 2013 graduate of WHS, who plays lead guitar and sings. He was backed up by Bob Sturtevant on bass guitar (Class of1973), Robert Keating on drums (1973) and guest vocalist Paul Arvidson of Wrentham. The Alumni Board was delighted to have young and upcoming talent, Joey, open the evening.
The band “1973 TH” included: Robert Keating on drums, Al Mullen (1973) on guitar, Jimi Coyne (1973) on guitar, Jeff Smith (1975) on bass guitar, John Anastasi from Foxborough on harmonica, Rainy Langlais from Taunton on cornet, June Burke (1972) on keyboard, Jim Brady (1972) on guitar and vocals, and guest sax player, Ken Gable, music director from WHS.
New to the party this year was guitarist Myron Zajac (1970). Many in attendance remembered Myron from Junior High School when he played in the band Lost Generation, and in high school when he played in Back Street Journal. Playing with Myron was Bob Sturtevant, Joe Donnelly on drums (1975) and Larry Boyd on guitar from Milford. Myron brought back many wonderful memories from the “Youth Center” dances at Blackburn Hall.
The evening concluded with WIKI 3, a band that is very popular in the Walpole and Boston area music scene. Dave Cournoyer (1975) on guitar, Joe Donnelly and Wolf Ganandes from Framingham on bass guitar have been playing professionally for many years and “rocked the house.”
Michael Monte from ACP Productions performed the sound engineering and Gerry Earabino of Silver-E-Studio recorded the bands.
Sponsorships from local businesses and individual sponsors topped all previous years. There were plenty of exciting raffle items donated by local businesses and individuals which helped to boost the total money raised.
Thanks to all of the volunteers and participants, the WHS Alumni Association will be donating a significant contribution to the Athletic Department to assist with the purchase of the new championship flags. Athletic Director, Ron Dowd, was on hand at the Alumni Board meeting on November 28, to offer his sincere appreciation.
The mission of the Walpole High School Alumni Association, Inc., is to enable its members to work together for the good of the graduates and students of Walpole High School. The Association is dedicated to ensuring that current and future students of Walpole High School enjoy the same opportunities and experiences graduates enjoyed, instilling a sense of pride in being a graduate of Walpole High School and acting as a network among its alumni.
To achieve these goals, the Association was created to, among other endeavors, develop mentoring, enrichment, enhancement, speaker and education programs; provide service projects; help to coordinate reunions; and to engage in fundraising activities for identified needs.
The WHS Alumni Association is always looking for new members. If you are interested in becoming part of this group, please contact Executive Director, Dick Koffinke, at 410-937-3382 or go to http://WalpoleHighAlumni.com.