This is a place to post comments, photos, whatever...about growing up in the Hialeah Area...or anything else that is on your mind. In the past, we've been using our individual webpages for this purpose, but now we have a dedicated forum on our website. Please note that this forum is "not secure" and that comments you make are available to anyone that visits this website.   Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

On my mind…is trying to figure out how we can notify more classmates that we have a no cost to join website dedicated to the HHS Class of 1964. Currently, of our approximately 1200 classmates (those who walked the halls of HHS with us between the first day of our 10^th grade year and the last day of our 12^th grade year), we have 286 classmates that have joined our website; 95 for which we have a good email address and send to them all of our general emails; 84 for which we have a good snail mailing addresses and have informed them of our website; and lastly, 103 classmates who have passed away. So of our 1200 classmates, we have found 568…or almost 50 percent! Not bad, but I don’t think that is good enough!

How do we locate and notify the other 50% of our classmates? Who are they? Look on the top header of our website and click on “Missing Classmates?” If you are in contact with anyone on this list, please let them know about our website and encourage them to join. If they are reluctant to join, please provide me their email address (if they agree) and I will simply add it to our master list and they will then receive all of the general emails I send out. If you see a name and know where they might have lived in the last 30 years of so, let me know: that makes it easier to find them on the searches available on the internet  If a classmate has changed their name, through marriage or otherwise, again let me know: this also makes it easier to find them.

I realize that some classmates, for personal reasons, do not wish to reconnect with their high school classmates: that is totally up to them.  I would just like to make sure every one of our classmates is made aware that we have a website and they can join, if they ever wish to do so. And to accomplish this goal, I need your help.

Thank you,

Vince (Vinny) Rusinak (vince@rusinak.com)

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Thanks to all of you who provided information on the classmates with whom you correspond. After contacting these folks, maybe we'll see a few more classmates joining us soon. Let me know if anyone else has "any" information on the whereabouts of the 500 or so classmates that are still missing. I'll do my best to find them and let them know about our website. Vince (Vinny) Rusinak (vince@rusinak.com)

Ray Valdez

I finaly have a publisher and my story should be avaible by the end of the month, it been a long time coming!

Margaret Meister

Congratulations, Ray! Getting a publisher isn't easy. Now the real work begins. :-)

Brenda Becker (Egles)

Thats wonderful Ray,  I'm really proud for you.  Looking forward in reading it.

Toni Canonico (Nasco)

Ray, wishing you much success with your story...and the story of all who served. So proud of you and your hard work!!...and, of course, for your service to all of us and our country!! Thank you! Toni

Richard "Tr" Anderson

Congratulations Ray. Hope your hard work brings forth the fruits of your labor.

Nancy Lundblom (Blizzard)

That's wonderful, Ray!  Congratulations!

Barbara Clanton (Anis)

Fantastic !  Congratulations on getting to the end of that road.  It will continue to be a journey and I'm sure you will walk it well.

Christopher "Chris" Smith

Ray, that's awesome! Congratulations, my friend. Persistence will out. Look forward to reading it. Enjoyed so much seeing you in Destin and getting to hear some of your stories.

A fellow Vietnam Vet and Classmate,

Christopher Cameron Smith

Ray Valdez

I want to thank all of you for your support and I will keep you up dated on the progress of the book.  Ray

Sonia Carus (Kaiser)

Congratulations Ray!  It is an honor to have a book published.

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

My wife Bonnie Porth Coffeen is now in Hospice Care at our home on the Gulf Coast ... she does not read text on this site ... but if you want to wish her well ... send a card to the follow ... we have been married 50 years tomorrow ... would be 55 except I went to college and she was a stewardess until we married my senior year in college ... I would not have been able to achieve this milestone without her. 

Bonnie Coffeen

322 Springhill Woods Drive West

Mobile Al  36608

Ray Valdez

Bill I don't know what to say, Stay strong for Bonnie and God must need another angel.With a heavy heart you are in my prayers.

Richard "Tr" Anderson

Ref Posting #67: Bill, Please pass to Bonnie our thoughts and prayers at this trying time. We feel sure that as more members of the HHS Class of 1964 web site read this your mail box will fill with wishes and prayers during this most difficult time. Eileen and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Richard (TR) Anderson

Barbara Grey (Fry)

Please keep us posted, I want to share this time with you and will look forward to reading it.

Barbara (Grey) Fry

Steve Jenkins

Regarding Post # 67

Dear Bill and Bonnie,

So sorry to hear of Bonnies illness, thoughts and prayers for both of you.

Steve and Lynda Jenkins

Steve Jenkins

Ray,

Congratulations on your book. Can't wait to get a copy. If the book is half as good as you are as a human being it will be a totally excellent read.

Steve and Lynda

Toni Canonico (Nasco)

Bill, please give Bonnie a gentle hug and kiss from me! My heart aches for you and your family! I will pray fervently for her. “...with God, all things are possible!!” With love, Toni

Alice Lacedonia (Pace)

Congratulation Ray on having your book published.  Please keep us posted on the status and how to obtain a copy.  

Alice Lacedonia (Pace)

Bill so sorry to hear about Bonnie.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bonnie, you and your family. Alice

Christopher "Chris" Smith

Bill, you and Bonnie are in our (my wife, Jan and I) are surely in our prayers. We so much enjoyed getting reacquainted with you in Destin - good memories, but we remember you talking about your wife's health. Stay strong and we're right behind you. God Bless.

Jan and Chris Smith

Janet Phillips (Davis)

Regarding post #67,

Dear Bonnie and Bill,

It's hard to know what to say when someone is going through such a difficult time.  Having been there myself, I know that the support of your friends and relatives somehow help you deal with the everyday emotions.  We just never think about our spouses being seriously ill when we are young and living life.  I will be thinking of you both and praying that our Lord will keep you both and your family is His loving care.

Janet

Philip Fried

Bill,

So very sorry to hear this about Bonnie.  I always thought you and Bonnie made the greatest of couples and your longevety of marriage proves just that.  No words will change anything but perhaps they will help you

get through this test of faith.  It has been fifty five years since high school but we all remember our classmates.  I pray for God to give you the strength to persevere and take good care of Bonnie.  If God calls her to heaven she will be with her brother and so many other angels we knew. Be safe, you stay strong, well, and know that your friends are with you during this struggle.  God Bless you and Bonnie.

Nancy Lundblom (Blizzard)

Bill, I am so sorry to hear of Bonnie’s illness, and pray that you have the strength to handle whatever the outcome is.  I hope that she does not suffer, and that the two of you will find peace in God’s love.