The Staples High School Class of 1976 reunion is in the books.
The weather last weekend was not great. But that was about the only bummer, for the 150 men and women who attended at least one of many events.
Each reunion is special. But the 50th deserves a shout-out. And — because organizers planned and documented it so well — it might serve as an inspiration for other classes.
And inspire any alum — of any class at any school, anywhere — who is on the fence about his or her own reunion, to put aside preconceptions and concerns, and go!
At least a dozen grads had never been to a previous Staples reunion. Many had not come to one for decades. This time, they traveled from as far as London.
In addition to the usual reunion activities like gatherings at the Black Duck and Compo Beach, they enjoyed a tour of the “new” Staples High School (they graduated just before the first “modernization,” and remember 9 separate buildings), as well as kayaking on the Saugatuck River.
Feedback was great. One alum said they felt like an outcast in high school, and never attended a reunion. But they came this year. After 50 years, they said, they felt totally welcome, and part of the class.
The money quote came from Chris Frey. He said:
Back then we were jocks, freaks, greasers and nerds. Today we are senior citizens, grandparents and (mostly) solid citizens….
Last night [at Compo Beach] we all identified as classmates who lived through our turbulent youths, sharing adventures, heartbreaks, learnings and successes together….
Old wounds were forgiven, or in most cases, forgotten. Silly, fun, uplifting stories were shared, and the chasm of 50 years seemed to almost be erased…
The rain didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the moment, and I think I can speak for everyone present that a good time was shared by all.
PS: The class is donating to 3 local organizations, to “keep a small bit of the Class of ’76 alive in Westport”: Staples Tuition Grants, the Westport Country Playhouse, and (thank you!) “06880.”
Hanging out at the Duck …
… and Compo Beach.
BONUS REUNION NEWS: Staples Class of 1981 is celebrating their 45th reunion this weekend.
Among the festivities; a celebration last night at VFW Post 399.
From left: Class of 1981 alums Andre Lambros, Dave Arnow, Tony Eason, Patty Kondub, Sue Champagne. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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A reminder: The annual Soundview Summer Stroll takes place tomorrow!
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, the Compo Beach exit road comes alive with music, food, face painting, other kids’ activities, and much more.
Four musical acts — Westport favorites Drew Angus and Ethan Walmark, Weston’s Owen Daniel and the legendary DNR band — will set up halfway down Soundview.
On one side, Earthplace will run the kids’ zone. On the other, Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci offers food.
All around, nearly 2 dozen non-profit groups will have tables. They’ll run games and contests, and offer giveaways.
The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, with great help from the Parks & Recreation Department.
See you tomorrow, on the beach exit road!
One way to stroll, on Soundview Drive. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
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What’s ahead for the Levitt Pavilion?
Plenty of free shows.
- Tonight (Saturday): Desert Highway: A Tribute to the Eagles (7:30 p.m.)
- Sunday, July 26: Lulada Club: New York City’s All-women Salsa Orchestra (7 p.m.).
- Tuesday, July 28: Amelia Day (7 p.m.)
- Wednesday, July 29: Hopalong Andrew: Children’s Series (7 p.m.)
- Thursday, July 30: Jessie Altman (7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, July 31: Residual Groove (7:30 p.m.)
Click here for details for all events.
Desert Highway, last year at the Levitt. (Photo copyright/DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Everyone had a great time at Thursday’s “06880” blog party Thursday,
But someone left without their glasses.
One of our guests scooped up the specs, while cleaning off her table. She found them yesterday morning in her purse.
If you lost yours — they’re tortoise shell, with slightly hexagonal frames — email 06880blog@gmail.com. We’ll help you see clearly again!
Did you lose your glasses at our blog party? (Photo/Carm Roda)
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the other day, Rozanne Gates interviewed State Senator Ceci Maher, for The Legacy Project USA.
Afterward, the retiring legislator received a Distinguished Service proclamation from the town of Weston.
Town of Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor, State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representative Dominique Johnson
State Senator Ceci Maher, with her proclamation. She is flanked by Weston 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor (left) and State Representative Dominique Johnson.
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Westport resident Robert Aldrich died peacefully at home on July 19. He was 91, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
The New Rochelle, New York native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at Princeton University, while starring in football and playing goalie for the varsity hockey team.
He, his wife Sandra and young son Bobby moved to San Rafael where he began his career at Standard Oil of California. Their daughter Nancy was born shortly before Bob joinedUnion Carbide in New York, where he spent nine years in project development.
The family moved to Rowayton, where they lived for the next 50 years. Sons Ted and John were soon born.
In 1970, Chase Manhattan Bank CEO David Rockefeller recruited Bob to lead the first environmental banking initiative undertaken by a major financial institution. As a pioneering executive, he helped integrate environmental stewardship into banking practices decades before sustainability became part of the financial mainstream. He spent the remainder of his Wall Street career working for Chase and other financial institutions, helping finance companies and projects that delivered environmental benefits.
At 66, Bob embarked on a second career doing something he always loved: teaching. Through Teach for America, he taught science for 5 years in the South Bronx, which he called his most rewarding role.
After moving to Westport in 2005, he became a substitute in the Westport Public Schools. He often surprised his grandchildren and their friends as their teacher for the day. He did this into his late 80s. He also worked as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Norwalk Community College.
Bob and Sandra’s 70-year marriage was celebrated in June of 2026, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bob served as Chairman of the Norwalk Board of Education during the turbulent, teacher-strike-filled 1970s. and was twice elected to the Norwalk Common Council.
After moving to Westport he served on the Flood and Erosion Control Board. He participate in meetings just days before he died.
Bob loved tennis and pond hockey. He was happiest when he was outdoors and in motion.
He is survived by his wife Sandra; children Robert, Nancy (Brien), Edward (Susan) and John (Margee); grandchildren Farley, Jack (Astrid), Ben (Greer), Tommy, Seixas, and Farrell Aldrich, Will Haskell (Katie) and Annie Kenworthy (Tristram); and great-grandchildren Gaël and Mathieu Aldrich-Parenty.
A service will be held on August 8 (11 a.m., United Church of Rowayton). Memorial donations may be made to the Norwalk Education Fund, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk CT 06851.
Bob Aldrich
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John Maloney is well known for his Compo Beach scenes: benches, jetties, the pavilion and the like.
But he’s no slouch when it come to photographing flowers, either. Check out today’s “Westport … Naturally” image. Sweeeeet!
(Photo/John Maloney)
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The Staples Classes of 1976 and ’81 graduated a couple of decades after the Class of ’57. (The second to last, interestingly, to go through all 3 years at the Riverside Avenue high school.)
There were no songs written about those 2 “recent” classes. And though the Statler Brothers’ tune is about a generic class — not Staples’ — it’s still the best reunion song ever.
(If “06880” helps you stay in touch with your time at Staples, please click here to support our work. And if you never went to Staples, but still enjoy this blog — you can click on the link too. Thanks to all!)
I thought the last class to graduate from the old staples was the class of ’58. I was in that class;
Correct! It’s been fixed. Apologies!
Staples Class off ‘66 will be celebrating our 60th the weekend of September 18th, 19th & 20th. Look for our Facebook page for more information. Of course, 06880 is always invited!