Preschool says goodbye to two retiring teachers

June 11, 2008
St. John’s Preschool held a thank you dinner for Sue Richards and Melissa Kleva who are retiring at the end of the school year. For the past 20 years Sue and Melissa have shaped and taught 3- to 5-year-olds at the Lutheran Church and parents of these students hosted a dinner to thank these two wonderful women. Karen Mahar and Susan Sheppard-Faverzani greeted guests when they arrived while excited children gathered in the dining room awaiting the arrival of their beloved teachers. Paul Stryker from Arlene’s and Dave Cates from Piccini’s were in the kitchen coordinating the food for the buffet dinner. I caught up with Arlene Stryker and Lynne Cates making sure everything was ready in the dining room. Jennifer Bowman made the cake featuring a sandcastle and seashells and there were lots of cupcakes for the youngsters. As if Jennifer didn’t have enough to do, she is the new president of the PTA and when Donna Oves missed a meeting she was appointed vice president for the primary school. Pictures and notes of thanks were on the walls all around the dining room that everyone enjoyed while reminiscing and sharing memories. I knew one of the honorees had arrived when the children shouted and cheered as Sue Richards walked in the dining room and was immediately surrounded by her loving students. Tim Richards admitted while his wife is retiring he’ll still be selling real estate. Lillian Richards looks great and at 93 this lady still drives, swims everyday, plays bridge and belongs to two book clubs. Tim says he can never reach his mom as she’s so busy.
Kelley and Dave Faust had their hands full as they filled platters for the two sets of twin daughters, Christie, Annie, Kerry and Maggie while Colleen Dice only had to take care of daughter, Joni, who passed on dinner and went right to dessert. Charlie Bowman was on his cell phone as he checked out the buffet. Melissa Wilson got her exercise running after daughter, Julia, all evening. I enjoyed meeting Lori DiVernier who has lived in Ocean City for two years and loves reading my column. Husband, Rich, who is an orthopedic surgeon arrived later when he got home from the office. I enjoyed dinner chatting with Donna Moore, Liz Ulmer and Cathy and John Flood who all had children that were in the first or second years at St. John’s Preschool. After attending her daughter’s softball game Melissa Kleva arrived just in time for the program presented by the students. Kelley Faust served as emcee and the children opened the program with a rousing rendition of their “Good Morning Song.” Preschool alumni Thomas Mahar who is in the fourth grade at St. Augustine’s offered the prayer followed by intermediate school student Frankie Faverzani, also a preschool alumni, leading the flag salute. Michael and Lisa Allegretto’s son, Gavin, stepped up to the microphone several times, but never said a word, however he did enjoy folding up the American flag. Paul Stryker, Jr. told his teachers to “enjoy their vacation.” A 1995 preschool alumni, Kristen Jones, now a junior at OCHS and president of the student council thanked Sue and Melissa for the starting her on the road to learning in her formative years in preschool. The Faust twins read a poem and presented Sue and Melissa with bouquets of flowers. Another preschool alumni Caroline Bowman presented gifts to the retiring teachers and her sister, Katie Bowman, with a band aid on the booboo on her forehead was front and center with current preschool students singing the “Goodbye Song” loud and clear. Sue Richards spoke on behalf of herself and Melissa and thanked everyone for the dinner and the establishment of the St. John’s Preschool Alumni Scholarship Fund. I enjoyed chatting with Rick Adamson and his wife, Wanda, who used to teach at the preschool. Jim Mahar arrived after work and Tony Wilson told me Keith Leonard was going to upset I didn’t take Tony’s picture for my column. Frank Faverzani was loaded down with lace tablecloths and headed for John Flood’s laundromat to wash beauties and return to St. Peter’s.
What to do on a Sunday afternoon when it rains? Maribeth Neall solved the dilemma for her friends when she hosted a Lia Sophia Jewelry party at her home. Lori Childs, OCHS 1993 alum, had a large selection of beautiful necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings displayed on the dining room table while Maribeth was putting out light refreshments when Carol Heenan and I arrived for the show. Jack Neall said a quick “hello” to the ladies then was off with the grandchildren for the afternoon. Almost didn’t recognize Peggy Momyer when she arrived as I usually see her behind the counter at Ocean Pharmacy. Peggy enjoyed the party with her sister who is her best friend, Kelly Oliver. Maribeth’s daughters, Leslie Jamison, Pam Pacifico and Courtney Watson, and her sister, JoAnn Wolicki, helped with the refreshments. Evelyn Reed and Meredith Harvey enjoyed trying necklaces on this columnist to see which ones they liked best. Kathy Allegretto sported a pink jogging suit as she just walked down the street to the party. Joanne Budnick rushed in late as she was busy making French onion soup and baking desserts at home all afternoon. Peggy Doyle books lots of vacations for clients and friends, but this time she was looking forward to a vacation at Disney World with her grandchildren. Carol Heenan and I enjoyed checking out the Neall family photos especially the one of Maribeth and Jack at their OCHS senior prom. It was still raining when the gals left the party, but we had our umbrellas to keep us dry.
Members of Colony Club were treated to a Tai Chi and yoga demonstration with Melissa from the fitness center. After the meeting the ladies shed their shoes, then took off sweaters and jackets and lined up in the lobby at the arts center and Melissa put the ladies through their paces and by the end of the session we were all very relaxed and feeling great. Phyllis Bonner, Pat Smith, Carol Evans and Karen Morelli were in the front row while Marie Barry and Gini Trotman sat on a bench and watched the action. After this mini workout members threw caution to the wind as they enjoyed an ice cream social with all the fixings including chocolate and butterscotch syrups, wet nuts, jimmies, plain and peanut M&Ms, chocolate chips and whip cream along with cookies and pretzels. Linda Gronert and I helped Marion McCaughey dish up the ice cream while Nicollette Mirra and Elaine Novello poured ice tea. Diane Rossi collected dues and Gerri Cusato look reservations for the Installation Luncheon to be held at the Tuckahoe Inn in June.