Reunion Warm-Up June 20, 2025

Our 55th Reunion is scheduled for next September, but the members of our reunion team are planning a little informal get-together for classmates to reconnect, share stories, and catch up before the big event. We’re calling it a little “Reunion Warm-Up.”

It’s a day at the races at Monmouth Park Racetrack (175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757). Some of the reunion team will be there on Friday, June 20th, 2025. That’s the summer solstice, so let’s kick off our summer together.

The gates open at 11:00AM, and the First Race is at 2 PM. Races usually conclude around 5:30 PM. You don’t have to place a bet, but who knows, maybe you’ll leave richer than when you came in!

The event is Rain-or-Shine as there are indoor viewing areas. Have lunch. Have a drink.

This is a “very casual” gathering. No RSVP or registration needed, but we have an event in our Facebook group where you can let us know if you plan to attend, or you can send us an email – or surprise us and just show up.

Look for the old people wearing blue and white. Come as you are, bring a smile, and enjoy a relaxed time with old friends. Wear blue and white clothes if you have them, and we’ll take a group photo.

When the date is closer, we’ll update you with a meeting place at the track.

We hope to see some of your smiling and familiar faces there!

IHS Class of ’71 Reunion Team: Michael Emanuele, Manny Fernandes, Rhonda Goldberger,
John Manning, Terry Masucci, Laura Krampetz Mueller,
Ken Ronkowitz, Vita Venturi Stohler, Karen Mericle Suter, and Tom Trokan.

Reunion 55 in 2026 – Spring Update

a little bit slower – and mellower

We hope this spring message finds you well and that you are looking forward to a healthy and happy summer! As promised, we’re following up with more details about our 55th Class Reunion on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, NJ.

We’re thrilled to let you know that the celebration will take place in the beautiful Venetian Ballroom, which offers a great view and direct access to a lovely terrace (weather permitting) overlooking the club’s picturesque grounds. Plus, the room has a separate bar area and, based on your feedback, we’ll have a cash bar for everyone to enjoy. With its elegant setting, the Venetian Ballroom will provide the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of reminiscing, reconnecting, and celebrating all of the memories we’ve shared.

The cost for the Reunion is expected to be around $80 per person, but we won’t be collecting payments until January 2026. (Start a Christmas Club at the bank! Remember those?) When that time comes, we’ll send out another update with all the details on how to sign up and submit payment.

More details will follow about directions, nearby hotels, after the Reunion get-togethers etc. If you have questions, contact us from this site, on Facebook, or directly to our class email.

We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you in September 2026!
Here’s a little slideshow of the venue – arrow forward & back

  • entrance
  • Venetian Room
  • Venetian Room
  • adjoining bar area
  • terrace
  • terrace view
  • Most of the team checking out the place (lobby)
  • set up for an event

Teachers: Henry Skirbst

Our classmate, Paul Stahl, stayed in touch with several Irvington faculty members and sent us some information about a history teacher some of us had at Myrtle Ave. Junior High. I had him in 7th grade. The course was about New Jersey history. Mr. Skirbst was a dynamic teacher who made history come alive. I remember he would often complain that just learning names and dates meant you were learning about “dry bones,” and he wanted to flesh out the story of our past.

Myrtle Ave. Junior High Faculty 1968 Yearbook – Skirbst is first row, far left

Mr. Skirbst was an Irvington kid and an IHS graduate. He was even a town councilman.

Paul was in touch with Mrs. Skirbst, and she gave him five books he had written. His expertise was in NJ history, especially the Revolutionary War. One of those books is Tales of a Battleground: New Jersey’s Role in the Era of the American Revolution, which examines the important, yet often overlooked, role New Jersey played in the War.

His wife also sent Paul a copy of the Celebration of Life held for him.

Mr. Skirbst was involved in more than just teaching, as this bio shows. (He was also a Mason, like Paul.)

Some books by Mr. Skirbst

Tales of a Battleground: New Jersey’s Role in the Era of the American Revolution
Tales of a Frontier Land
Tales and Trails: New Jersey’s Places, People, and Past