Newsletter March 10, 2026
Dear CCS Alumni and Friends:
Looking for childhood friend request from Vivian (Portwine) Rieben-Class of 1985– Hi Kathy- I was just listening to some music and came across a song Dana Burdikin and I used to sing on her porch. I wonder if there’s a way to ask if anyone has her contact info. I know her name changed to Chelsea Taylor but I wonder. – Viv
If anyone has information please email me here- Kathy
Class reunions: I am hearing for specific classes about their reunions which is great. Some people have issues with attachments and not being able to open them so I will include specific class info at the end of the newsletter. And don’t forget the ALL Class Reunion. The dates are July 17, 18 & 19th.
Have you heard of MudU?
From their website, Mud U of Cambridge, New York exists to help our community members make it through the muddiest, miserable-est days of winter, while engaging in a new skill, learning about a new topic, or taking part in a community conversation. Mud U offers free classes BY the community, FOR the community on a wide variety of topics. The classes are March 1 – March 21 (Next year I will send the info earlier) But here is the link to sign up for this year. There are still plenty of classes for the month. https://www.muducambridge.org
If you have attended any of the MudU sessions in the past please let us know how it was.
Regarding the Pine trees.
I have heard from a few people with stories about what might have happened to the pine trees. Some wild tales. But then I also heard from Janis (Kent) Wakeley- Class of 1972- living in Glens Falls, NY- Hi, Kathy, After reading the recent newsletter, I went on a search for information about the vandalism to the two CCS pine trees. Attached you will find the two articles I was able to locate. Thank you for taking on the newsletter!
See attachments of articles below.
Ken Gottry has also added some info on his website about the trees. You can follow the link here to read about it and see more pictures.
https://gottry.net/twin-tragedy-ccs-pine-trees/
(sources Wash Cnty Post 22-Nov-1973 and 4-Nov-1976; school newspaper 18-Nov-1976 and 23-Dec-1976)
(photos Johnny Woodruff)
Ken’s Corner
John McCarty’s Oasis Restaurant and Log Cabin Restaurant, 1960s
Oasis was on the southwest corner of Rt22 and Rt61 (O’Donnell Hill Rd). Across Rt22 on the east side was the Log Cabin Restaurant and Motel
People remember seeing John sitting outside the Oasis peeling potatoes for that night’s homemade french fries. One story has some CCS seniors stopping at Oasis, ordering a basket of fries. While John was peeling and cooking them, the guys hopped in their car, drove to the Fiesta in Eagle Bridge (corner of Rt22and Rt67 – Benson’s today). Ordered fries there, ate them as they drove back to Hedges Lake, by which time John’s homemade fries were ready for them.
True? Folklore? Either way I love the image of life in the 1960s that it elicits.
The Log Cabin restaurant across the road had a great open-face steak sandwich (with fries of course). The meal was topped off with a hot fudge sundae. I love this photo because it shows the stools out front where you could sit at the counter, eat ice cream, and talk to your friends. Looking back, I bet it was just John’s way of keeping us and our wet bathing suits out of the main dining room.
CLASS REUNION:
Hello to everyone from the Class of 1966
Can you believe it is time for our 60th Class Reunion.
Date: July 17, 18, 19 2026
Cannot wait to see everyone
Updated February 28, 2026
Events that we have been working on. It would be great if you could attend all of the events but you choose individually.
Our focus was to have events stay local.
Friday -The Depot including a reception and light dinner. The cost has not been determined yet. This will depend on the number of people coming. This money will be sent to me prior to the event attending.
Saturday – Late breakfast at Susan Thurber Sardis house (Food Donations)
Saturday – Chicken Barbeque at the Legion. This will be paid to the Alumni Association. The form will be sent out probably in June.
Sunday – Breakfast at the Legion. This is paid to the American Legion.
We need a head count if you will be attending which or all events that we have currently scheduled.
More details as we finalize. Call or email either of us for questions/concerns
Possible Place to stay…
Christ The King Center
575 Burton Road
Greenwich, NY
518.692.9550
Thanks Susan Thurber Sardi 518.926.8738
Janet Tully Kuzman 518.505.3838
Thank you to all who have contacted me with comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming!
Kathy
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