The November breakfast featured some out-of-town guests.

Comments from Rich Mileo: We were a feisty group this morning as we welcomed back to Rochester Bob Case, Michael Critelli and Tony/Sharon Mangione, all visiting for the weekend. Bob was sporting more gold than Mr. T and looks great for someone his age. I like the new color of his hair. Michael has been married 45 years. He credits their longevity to the many vacations they take. For example, while he’s in Rochester, his wife is in Germany! Tony is hosting an Italian movie on Sunday at Nazareth University (subtitles) at 4 pm. Rita Lotti Johnson will provide commentary for those who can’t read fast enough.

Gloria Esposito Mercury was just returning from California so that was a nice surprise, and Anne Marie Schneggenburger Maranda wandered in from NYC. 

 Bill Vallee was our lone Vietnam veteran at the table while Michael C and Pat Goonan served in the Reserves. Thank you for your service!

Ann Hawkins Grimm reminded us that most of the family members on her husbands side died before the age of 60! And many of those while they slept! Prayers for her son who’s 49! Btw, Ann doesn’t take any prescription meds and Wegmans is investigating as to why!

Barbara Gramlich Mosakowski is recovering from pneumonia which is more frightening with Covid in the air. Not that she was a difficult patient but RGH nurses went on strike while she was there, prompting her to run home! 

I complemented Georgia Schulte Knapp on the nice article and photoshopped picture of her in the latest BKHS Pioneer Class newsletter.

Peter Elliott is preparing for his roll in The Man Who Came To Dinner (no, it isn’t a biopic about Ward Wilson) opening in December, and an opera that will hopefully be staged at Kilbourn Hall in January!

John Conheady drove in from Lockport and provided his usual thumbs up for the picture. He’ll be a regular during the lull in the golf season, weather permitting. 

Skip Minisce sat at the head of the table and pontificated about the advantages of marrying a younger woman (Armand Miale and Louie Joy would have been proud). He said goodbye to his 2021 corvette until next May. Ugh. Mike Holowka is one of many at today’s breakfast that’s attending the Gala tomorrow night. I hope he brings a lot of money!

Lynda Campanaro Robinson stopped by to say hi and is doing as well as can be expected for someone who lost their spouse of 51 years, in July! 

Blessings to you, Lynda. In total, we were 18, with Sharon Mangione as the 1966 BKHS wannabe!

Don Zientara witnesses the end of Inner Ear Studios

"If Memphis rock-and-roll had Sun Studio, and the Beatles had London’s Abbey Road, D.C. punk had Inner Ear." And the father of Inner Ear was Bishop Kearney '66 graduate Don Zientara.

The funky old Inner Ear studio was cleared out last year, ironically to make room for a new arts district, although Don's studio was a DC landmark and a true source of authentic and successful art. So it goes. The ending of that era was covered by several articles in major media outlets, including the Washington Post:

Once the ‘Abbey Road’ of D.C.’s punk scene, it’s being bulldozed for a government-sanctioned arts district

Don Zientara sounds ready for life after Inner Ear

Engaging the outer eye at Arlington’s famed Inner Ear Recording Studios

The Essential Punk Legacy of Inner Ear Studio

New page added to the site

Thanks to Jim Trott, we now have several pages and articles from the school newspaper.

Don Zientara in concert in Rochester

He's a legend in the punk rock scene, having produced many of the greats of the genre, and he's our '66 classmate.

Now Don Zientara is coming back to the Flower City for a night in which he promises "songs, stories and answers," which he can't fully realize unless you bring the damned questions!

Mark your calendars for 8 PM on April 24th for a night to remember at the Ugly Duck, 89 Charlotte Street!

Don's contact info:

• zdz801@aol.com
• (703) 820-8923
• (703) 521-7781

Breakfast Series at the East Ridge Diner and Steakhouse

We have been holding a series of Class of '66 alumni breakfasts.  The next two already scheduled will be held on Friday, October 12th, and Monday, November 19th, both at 9 AM.  We meet at the East Ridge Diner and Steakhouse, 765 E. Ridge Rd. 14621.  We hope to see you all there.

The Pioneer Class offers its first scholarship

First Scholarship

The Pioneer Class of ’66 Alumni Fund Initiative

As many of you heard at our 50th Reunion in September, there are some wonderful things happening at Bishop Kearney High School these days. Enrollment is up, the middle school is flourishing, a work study program is in place and the 3rd floor has been renovated to house an elite women’s hockey team that adds additional revenue to the bottom line. Bishop Kearney continues to educate, graduate and prepare students for their future in a very positive manner. The mission of the school - to empower young men and women to reach their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially in an education based on Catholic values - still resonates today.

Even with all the positive happenings there are certainly challenges facing all private schools and BK is no exception. At the reunion many people expressed a desire to help our alma mater. Many felt that as the Pioneer Class we should set an example for giving.

The Premiere of From the Rough

From The Rough

Class salutatorian Mike Critelli worked his way up the corporate ladder to become the CEO and Chairman of Pitney-Bowes. From there he took a sharp turn into the movie production business to create From the Rough, a sports drama film based upon the true story of Dr. Catana Starks, the first woman of color to coach a men's golf team at a major college, a challenge made even more difficult because she did so at a historically black college which had never previously fielded a golf team! She eventually developed the Tennessee State team into a feared national powerhouse.

The film was written by Mike's son, also named Mike, and starred several prominent actors including Oscar nominee Taraji Henson, Oscar nominee Michael Clarke Duncan, and Tom Felton, who had previously achieved international prominence as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Mike, in co-operation with classmate Tony Mangione, arranged for a Rochester premiere in April of 2014. Many Class of 1966 classmates were in attendance, as seen in the pictures on the linked page.