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.  

If you post a comment about a deceased classmate in this section, please also post one on the classmate's "In Memory" page. Your comments here get lost in the many other comments over time while whatever you post on a classmate's "In Memory" page can easily be found by our classmates and family members of the deceased. 

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Ray Valdez

Bill we as a group who wants you  to know that you are not Alone that we are here for you,  know this to be true.

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

Thanks everyone for the posts on this site ... phone calls ... emails ... cards ... you guys are wonderful ... she is now out of her medical bed and siting in her chair until bed time ... nurse has told her she will not get better ... I’m not having any of that ... I am working with her ... and paying for physical therapist to come to the house as much as Bonnie wants. Nurse comes at least 2 times per week ... aid comes 3 times a week ... one of my grandsons is here to help ... we never leave Bonnie by herself ...

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

Note ... these posts about Bonnie are from me ... Bill Coffeen ... Bonnie’s not able to text ... she can talk on her phone ... Bill Coffeen

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

Ray Valdez

Bill great photos, You keep doing the right thing no one knows her better than you...Your both in my prayers .

Ted Mack

Bill, I don't know what Bonnie's condition is but you are right to keep up the positive attitude, it will help her a lot. And don't forget to take care of yourself - such difficult times can take a toll on the caregivers as well. Wishing you both well, Ted.

Patricia Spivey (Zgodzinski)

Ref post #67. Bill, I just read your post. I am very sorry to hear about Bonnie. I know you are devastated but doing all you can to help her. Please let her know she is in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself, too! 🙏🏻❤️

Bill Coffeen

I am learning every day about our various healthcare systems ... picked up refill prescriptions for Bonnie this morning ... noticed there was only 15 pills in each of the pill holders ??? called the pharmacist and asked what was going on since we usally get 3-months (90) pills.

well she said ... insurance will only pay for 15 pills when a person is in hospice care... ??? !!! ... so if a person lives for another year ... the insurance company does not want to pay for 15 pills or less that a person can’t use ...

Sad ..,

Bill Coffeen

Lorraine Rindone (Brady)

Dear Bill,  Just to let you know that I, too, am thinking about you.  We recently moved to Georgia.  There's a candle burning for Bonnie in Good Shepherd Church, Cumming, Ga. 

Ray Valdez

 Bill; Sad indeed,that's something that the VA would do.Stay strong she needs you more then ever.You both are in my prayers.

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Bill Coffeen mentioned that Bonnie was on the Hialeah Hiways (yearbook) staff.  Without that yearbook, our last year at Hialeah High School would be as memorable to us as our first year on this earth…zip, zero, nada, zilch! However, as we turn the pages of that yearbook, tidal waves of memories come back reminding us of the good, the bad and the ugly. After all of the years since we left Hialeah High School, I would submit that we all probably remember all the good...and not so much of what we might think of as the bad and ugly.

I went into our yearbook and found the names of our classmates that made our yearbook happen:

Steve Bensemen

X Pat Brown

Toni Brown-Chairman (Deceased)

X Joe Dexter

X Marcia Farr

Sonja Gunderson (Deceased)

Dottie Hughes (Deceased)

Carolyn Jay

Sandie Hinley

Steve Kinne

Ronnie Loheide (Deceased)

Bruce MacBeth (Deceased)

Susan Mathews

Dorthie McLoed

Sandy Mc Gee

X Candy McGregor

X Barbara McWilliams

X Bill Miller

X Linda Miller

Barbara Nickoloff

Sue Parsons

X Bonnie Porth

X Sharon Shapland

X Frank Tricoli

X Mike Westbrook

Bob Woehr

I put an “X” to the left of those who worked on the yearbook and have joined our website. So, those of you that have joined our website, please let us know how in the world you were able to put together a book that was printed before we graduated…so we had the time to get fellow classmates to sign our yearbooks and say nice things about us…well most of the comments were nice! How did you get all of the activities and photos connected to each name in the Index without EXCEL or WORD? How did you connect the legal name of Alfonso K. Smith to the person we all knew as Bubba Smith? How did you sell those yearbooks that would cost $150 today for $5? Who took the photos that are included in the yearbook besides Vince Carassa? Was there a yearbook class where you got class credits, or was it a club? However you did it, YOUR CLASSMATES THANK YOU!

Toni Canonico (Nasco)

Vince, where is the “LIKE” button for your post??? I think we would ALL agree that the HHS Yearbook staff was very deserving of your “shout out” to them!! A long overdue thank you to each of you!!!!

Ray Valdez

Thank You the Staff for all the hard work that it took to get the Hiway finished.

Bonnie Porth (Coffeen)

This is Bill Coffeen .... learning about our health care system every day ... went to drug store to refill Bonnie’s medications ... noticed they only refilled with 15 pills ? ...we normally get a 3 month refill with 90 pills ... I asked the Pharmacist why ?  She said the insurance company will only pay for 15 pills at a time for Hospice patients ??? !!!      So, if a patient may live one more year the insurance company is afraid to pay for 15 or less pills that may not be used by the patient that has passed ... Sad

Margaret Meister

Regarding post #98.

Vince, I believe Alfreda Miller was the teacher who guided the yearbook. She was responsible for the very professional look of our school paper, The Hialeah High Record. I was in one of her journalism classes although not on the Hiways staff. I came to value her guidance and expertise in later years and appreciate her so much in retrospect. Thank you for posting the list of Hiways veterans.

Ray Valdez

I want to wish all the Mothers of the class of 64' a Happy Mother's Day

Penny Coyne (Vardas)

I remember Bonnie. We use to go to 10's Bandstand back in the day. We would go to Bayfront park after. I remember Bonnie's beautiful blue eyes. I too have had my problems with united health care. Insurance companys are horrible. So sorry you are going through this when you need it most. My best to you and Bonnie.

Penny Coyne Vardas

Ray Valdez

Today May 8th I drove down to Pembrook Pines in Broward County. I first met with Tony McCoullgh at his home. Then we went to meet two Lovely Ladies (Kathy and Cathy) at a charming restaurant (Broccolini) for lunch.The food and service was excellent. We had been talking about the event for a few weeks, And today we managed to close the deal. We had a good time sharing stories of growing up in Hialeah. We had such a good time, we plan to do it again. (Our Mini Reunion class of 63' 63' 63' 64' ). It dosen't take a lot of friends to have a good time. Take the time to call a friend......with love Ray

Ray Valdez

Mini Reunion Luncheon at DiPiazzia in Hialeah west on 49th street, Cathy, Kathy, Tony and a few new classmates. Join us at the next Mini Reuion Luncheon on (19th June) we will put you on the list. It's all about having a good times with classmates, join us. Call Ray 772 284 9231

Ray Valdez

       Come join us at the Mini Reunion Luncheon In Hialeah at  DiPiazzia's west on 49th street June 19th Call Ray at 772 284 9231 All Classes of the 60ties.This is a monthly thing plan to join when you can.

Ray Valdez

After Vietnam

How did I manage to survive after Vietnam? My inner self knows what to do, and I feel connected to my own spirit. I am aligned with my higher purpose and at peace with myself. I have no need to change myself or others. I can let go of the past and move onward to a more joyful present. I trust that my life is unfolding as it should. All is well; Love, Peace and Wellbeing.

There was a time that meant more to me than life itself. Every day that passes by memories seem to fade slowly away, memories that time slowly keep washing away. Most of those memories were good times filled with love and happiness. It was only the bad days filled with deep dark hateful words which we can’t take back. Words of regret, words that were meant to hurt one another. I still feel the pains of separation, loneliness, and hopeless days ahead, before it become just another memory. Then every breath I take will bring me more tranquility.

Ray Valdez

To all  the Veterans of all the classes Memorial Day is the time that we think about those who gave there all.Those Heros that sacrified everthing they had so that we could come home.

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

                  Happy 55th Anniversary

Melvin "Jack" Krouskroup

55 years............where did they go, I look back and think about decisions I've made because of teachers and friends in these formative years, all made a profound impact on my life...........Thank you!   Jack