Long After the Retirement Party, Friendship Glows

Back when she was teaching at the Satz School, Kathy Logan was the one who often organized the retirement parties and the secret Santa exchange.

"We truly enjoyed working together, and knowing about one another's lives outside of school," said the retired social studies teacher.

Three years ago she decided to call together a reunion of people once connected to Holmdel schools in her home in Holmdel. "Halfway through it everyone said 'You are going to do this next year, aren't you?' She said she'd be delighted to oblige. 

On December 2, more than 30 old friends -- many retired and some still employed -- stopped by Logan's lavishly Christmas-decorated townhouse in Holmdel to catch up with old friends and enjoy hors d'oeuvres. There was lots of real laughter, plenty of inside jokes, updates about grandchildren, and great story telling. People learned about friends who were not well, and those who were getting better. Some paused to remember former Indian Hill School principal Paul Judson Evans of Middletown, who passed away in September.

In addition to those captured in the photos, some of the following retired Holmdel schools employees also came to the event: Chris Blejwas, retired Village School Principal; John Nolan, Satz School Principal; Evelyn Cote, kindergarten teacher; Tom Reilly, science and special education teacher; Rick Laird, woodshop and technology teacher; Kathy Hodecker of the Village School, Pam Batista of Village School, Phyllis Rogers, Satz English teacher, Carol Brady, Secretary for Special Services; Mary Shelton, Kindergarten teacher; and Pat Fowler, math teacher Indian Hill School.

As the guests came and went during the six-hour long open house, a small mountain of children's toys grew at the front door -- all donations from the guests for local foster children and Kathy Logan's favorite charity, BRIDGES at the Shore, which provides necessities to people in the local area.

There were warm hugs and handshakes among the longtime friends who had first come to know each other more than 35 years ago. (Even for me, one of the thousands of former Holmdel schools student they guided.) The longtime friends promised to meet again at Logan's house, next year, on the first Friday in December.

Kathy Logan would love to hear from more members of the Holmdel schools community. Contact her at this email address: lathy0731@comcast.net.