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I remember winning the daily dance contest quite a few times; however, the Saturday contest with the prize of a new record player always eluded my dance partner, Julie Padilla, and I. It was nice for me because the boy daily winner got some good prizes, but the girl always got the same thing, a bag of Spoolie hair curlers. Well, poor Julie ended up with so many of the Spoolies that her nickname became "Spoolie Julie." By the way, Julie if you read this, I had a crush on you. I remember dancing to the Johnny Mathis Song "Misty" with you almost every time that it was played, and feeling all tingly when I smelled your freshly washed hair. Remember how the camera would move in and show your face on my shoulder? - Manny
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I vividly remember watching Archie and Asa dancing to Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk" while I sat one out on the side. Archie caught me watching them and just looked back. It was at that moment that I knew that the "King" was in love. Later when I asked what their song was, he told me that it was "Til I Kissed You" by the Eberly Brothers. Then I remember the fight between Archie and Asa's father on her home's front lawn. I remember Asa crying and begging her father to please stop yelling at Archie. I remember Archie trying to plead his case while realizing that he didn't have a snowball's chance in Hell. He had tears in his eyes as he begged her father to let him and Asa continue to see each other. Her father had his hands folded into fists, and was menacingly moving toward Archie as Asa cried and tried to hold him back. I can still see Archie coming back to his car and saying, "Come on Manuel, lets get the hell out of here" as he drove away. It was the last time that Art, or anyone else, ever saw Asa, and it was the beginning of his trip down hill. What was it all about? Archie was of mixed Spanish, French, and American Indian heritage, Asa (pronounced "Osa") was of pure Nordic extraction. - Manny
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I remember being stopped on Market Street by the mother of a fan and she asked me for my autograph for her daughter. It was so nice to be recognized, and liked, by strangers who felt as if they knew you because they watched you on television. As I mention in my web page, there were other people who felt that they knew you from watching you on television, but wanted to punch your "lights" out. My time came in the first summer that I was on the show. I had gone to a dance at the Mission YWCA and had a fun time with a few of the other Regulars. After the dance, I ended up at a soda fountain on Geneva Avenue, near Mission Street; I think that it was called "Harringtons." This big husky guy walked up to me and said, "I hear that you have been saying all sorts of things about my sister." At first I denied saying anything about any girl, and I asked who his sister was, but he continued pushing me and asking me to step outside. I was not a fighter, I didn't like fighting and thought that it was the most stupid thing to involve one's self in; however, I could see that there was no way this guy was going to let me go without taking a piece of me. So, I finally said, "OK, lets go outside." Naturally everyone followed us out, and by that time I was mostly alone except for Regulars Leo Bacquero, and George Galan. The guy immediately started to try taking me down to the ground (he must have been a wrestler) but I was stronger than he had thought. He couldn't get me down; instead, I got his head with my left arm (half nelson?) and started to punch him in the nose, and face, with my right hand. In the mean time he could not get out of my firm grip, and some of his friends started to help him by trying to kick my legs out from under me. That is when Regular George Galan jumped in (I'll never forget you for that old buddy) and started fighting with one of the guys who was trying to trip me. Then a police siren was heard and everybody took off saying, "its the cops." I let the guy go, and he offered his hand and asked me, "do you want to shake hands and be friends?" Like I said, I was no fighter, and like a dumb fool, I extended my right hand to him. That is when he let me have it square on the chin. What a dummy I was to fall for that. I found out later that he was a former lineman on the Saint Ignatius Varsity Football Team. To add insult to injury, as Leo Bacquero was leading me away in a big daze, due to the punch to my chin, a couple of girls, obviously not fans, said, "how do you feel now Dance Party." So you see, it was not all fan mail, and adoring fans. - Manny
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| Date: | May 31, 2004 9:05 AM | ||
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Hi....I wasn't a regular, but I
did attend one show in 1960. I was just telling my husband about the show
when the Richie Valens story was shown on TV. I remember seeing him and
the Big Bopper as guests on the show. Shortly after that they died in the
plane crash. The Big Bopper sang "Chantilly Lace". Wow, what a show. My
girlfriend and I went together and the dance floor was smaller than it
looked. We waited in line outside on Van Ness Avenue. We went to a local
Catholic school. There were bleachers to sit on at the side of the dance
floor. I was so excited about being on TV. My father was a teacher at
Galileo.....anyway....lots of memories just watching the show. Thank you
for the website and allowing me to remember those wonderful years growing
up in San Francisco.
Nancy
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Hi, Manny
I was wondering about one of the KPIX Dance Party directors. I think
he was a
director ... yes, he was tall, with reddish hair, and I think his name might
have been Dave. The
only reason I remember him is that one day, when I arrived at the studio, I
noticed that he was
talking to someone, standing with his back to me. Feeling just a tad impish, I
clapped him on
the back and said, 'Hi, Red'. Imagine my horror when the guest star, Red
Skelton, turned
around to face me. I had mistaken Mr. Skelton for Dave. I wanted to die on the
spot, but Mr.
Skelton was very kind. He grabbed my hand, and shook it. He nearly crushed it as
I remember.
I always wanted to tell Dave (?) about that, but it took years for the
embarrassment to go
away.
Elaine Boyle
Elaine refers to the first director of our show, Dave Parker. And, Dave, I hope
that this brings
a smile to your face.
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I remember vividly how I used to do a funny impression of Marilyn
Monroe ... just for friends. It was an impression of the toothpaste commercial
that she did in the movie "The Seven Year Itch."
Well, one day Dick Stewart caught me at it and asked me to do it for the show. So, I got a blonde wig and started the bit during the show. As some of you know, Marilyn had this funny way of talking with an exaggerated lip movement. With Dick holding the mike for me, the camera came in for a close-up, and while I did the bit, Dick was subconsciously working his mouth the same way I was working mine.
This nearly blew the whole thing, as it was nearly impossible for me to get through it watching his whole face twist around while I spoke. I barely managed to complete the impression without exploding into laughter.
Do you remember that Dick?
Elaine Boyle
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Hi Manny,
Thanks so much for the website, and yep, I agree, they did tape the Saturday Shows, but they didn't keep them.
I think I was in the 4th and last group of Regulars. Cherry, Sonia , and I, along with Tiger, and the hispanic lover Julio, (whom I just remembered ) were the folks who got the most fan letters. That's how they introduced us while doing the dedication of songs, with Dick at the podium.
Johnny Boracco, Frank Pisa, Joe Piazza , along with Joey and Joanna.Panganiban also got a lot of fan mail. There was also, Sandy, and her boyfriend Ernie, who got married while regulars on the show. There was also Cheryl Capitally, who's dad owned Cap's corner, and Rosie who had the biggest you know what's. Dick used to stare at them when she was talking to him.
I remember dancing and winning the daily dance contest with a girl named Cheryl Stoehr, a school mate, and the love of my life. We danced to Mack the Knife and we did the swing. At the time, we received free shoes from a shoe chain called Kinney’s.
I went for the candy apple red shoes and Cheryl got a pair of pumps.
Later that same week, on Saturday, we went downtown and danced on Market St for the white "Levis" promotion, We wore white levis and we all got a free Pendleton shirt, which was a very hot item at the time. That was probably the last time I wore a size 15 shirt.
Memories also include the last live show at the Fox Theater on Market; we saw the new group called the Beach Boys, and Tony Bennett introduced San Francisco that night. The Fox gave way to a parking lot later on. What a shame!
Anyhow, thanks for the reunion Manny, it was good to talk to you. I don't think I'll ever come back to SF even though it's in my blood. I am just too old, I live in a smalll community called Medford, Ore, and it's fine for me. However you never know what could happen; let me know if we have another reunion., and thanks, for the site.
God Bless all, and keep on rocking!
Take care buddy,
Mike Hinkes
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December 1, 2005
Hi Manny,
I lived in San Francisco from 1947 (year I was born) to 1964....I loved Dance Party...I would take the bus down to KPIX and stand in line without a ticket...If there was room I would be let in after the show had started...going from the damp evening air into the studio was a thrill...I was 12 the first time I was let in...a young twelve with a ponytail...I spent my thirteenth birthday at the show...Dick mentioned it on the air...I still get a thrill thinking about it...I averaged about 3x a week...I would not get in all the time but stand outside watching the stars of the show walking by was what I lived for...not a regular...just a young girl addicted to tv...
Of the times I got in I remember Annette Funicello's auburn hair...she sang "Pineapple Princess"....I remember when James Brown was on...red painted fingernails...cape...a charismatic character....then there were the regulars....Sandy Lee looked like Bridget Bardot...Tiger was so very cool....I loved it all....
The first time I saw "Him" in person my heart fluttered...Dick Stewart was so handsome...his smile so warm....I ran to the record store when his version of "He" came out...I was in heaven...
Then we moved to Santa Rosa....Dick would bring the show and the regulars there to appear at the Vets Memorial building... I could not wait ....but it was not the same....you needed the cut outs of sodas on the wall and the cafe set to make it work....
Manny this walk down memory lane has brought tears to my eyes....seeing the reunion photos...knowing Dick and Barbara are looking wonderful and happy.....your site is so awesome it transported me to a happier time
Thank you from the bottom of my heart...I miss The city....I miss seeing things with a teenager's point of view...those were great days....thanks for the memories...
Hi Manny you are going to love this....not only did I spend every single summer from 1960 to 1966 up Russian River I danced at Rio Nido at the club ....My grandfather was a member of the Odd Fellows so we owned a cabin at Odd Fellows Park right down the road from Rio Nido...I graduated from Montegomery High School in Santa Rosa in 1965....my happiest memories were the summers I spent there.....Rio Nido was a magical place....the last time I was there was Oct. of 2000...I went to my high school reunion and a friend of mine took me up the river....I could barely speak I had not been back for 35 years....we drove through Rio Nido....it looked the same....maybe a little worse for wear because of the annual flooding seeing the lodge and the artisan enclave was wonderful....Odd Fellows looked exactly the same....scary....our cabin had been renovated and I took loads of pictures....
Speaking of pictures we have recently moved I will go through everything and find a picture of me when I was doing "Dance Party"....I lied about my age....when I told Dick that it was my 13th birthday he said "14th" and winked....I totally got it....I was a skinny little girl in a pony tail but I felt special as I would wait in line to be let in....
I was 15 when we moved from the city to Santa Rosa....I was devastated but my mom remarried...we were closer to the river...but not to the city....at 17 we moved to Southern California were I have resided ever since...I now live in Westminster in the O.C. ....I tried years ago to find any Dance Party info but none was available on the net...then I was futzing around last week and googled "KPIX Dance Party Dick Stewart" .....up popped your wonderful site....I cried.....I was shaking when I went through all the pictures....this site means so much to me....you have done an awesome job....I LOVED the photo you sent...you are so handsome Carol and Shari are so lovely you are all so special.......as a matter of fact do you notice that all the DPer's look like we are in a time warp....maybe it's the time machine of memories that keep us looking younger than everyone else....or better yet it's the music....
Manny feel free to use anything I write on the site....I love sharing my Dance Party thoughts with everyone.....how lucky we are that the Internet has kept this going...I am thrilled and excited....
I have loads of Russian River memories as well as Dance Party memories....btw...I went to Edison Elementary School and James Lick Jr. High...I would have attended Mission High but we moved....
Lynda....still dancing after all these years....formerly Lynda Mcdowell now Lynda Labine....
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Rosie Linquist during the last year of Dance Party
A caricature of Rosie during her Dance Party days
Rosie and her partner being interviewed by Dick Stewart
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In May of 2006, a small group of us got together at the home of Gary and Robin Savin. They hosted Dick Stewart, his wife Barbara, me, and Shari Langlois for dinner at their home in Tucson. Gary, Barbara, Shari, and I were all Regulars on Dance Party while Dick was, of course, the MC. Robin watched the show, but didn't notice her future husband at all. LOL
Beginning with Dick on the far left of the photo, there is Shari, Barbara, Gary, and his wife Robin. I took the photo.
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Between 10/28/2007 and 10/30/2007, I communicated back and forth with Anne Stevens who's father was a KPIX TV camera operator during the Dance Party. I though that rather than paraphrasing our conversation, I would just copy our emails here for you to read.
10/28/2007 Thought you might a kick out of these pictures, circa 1960 or so. My dad was a cameraman at KPIX, we got to sit on the sideslines of the shows, interviewed once on camera by Dick Stewart, horribly embarrassing at ten years old (and terribly hot in black corduroy pedal pusher jumpsuits under those lights!) When the 45 records/songs became obsolete, we got them!
10/29/2007 Hi Anne,
It is always good to hear from anyone who remembers the DP Show, especially from someone who's dad worked at the station.
We are always trying to update our with photos, remembrances, and anything else that relates to the show.
I have two questions for you: Is your dad still alive, I would love to chat with him about his remembrances? Also, do you know, by any chance, a former camera man named Tony Bamba? The really big quest for us is trying to find any copies of the of the tapes that were done for holiday shows. According to sources at KPIX they were just thrown out in the garbage, but we all live in the hope that maybe one of the camera operators might have just kept a copy for memories sake. I mentioned Tony Bamba up above because he had a really good relationship with some of the kids, and I can almost visualize him taking a tape from the garbage and taking it home.
I'll tell you what, it was so gracious of you to take the time to contact us that I am sending you a few photos taken back in May of 2006. They were taken at the home of Gary Savin and his wife Robin. They hosted Dick Stewart, his wife Barbara, me, and Shari Langlois for dinner at their home in Tucson. Gary, Barbara, Shari, and I were all Regulars, so it was like a mini-reunion.
Take care, and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Manny Interiano
10/29/2007 Oh, Tony. Oh my. Tony and my dad were the best of friends. Oh, did you ring up some memories. Hal ( I will remember his last name, he attended the funeral), Tony and my dad hung out all the time at our house in San Mateo, if you can call socializing in the 50's 'hanging out'. I am sorry to report my dad was killed in 1986. Digging out the photos made my wonder what happened to all his negatives, and I can only pray my older sister has them.
I am afraid that if Dad had any of the old tapes, and chances are he did, they are gone. He had one of the first recordings of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas before the words were completed, Bing punted during those verses by swearing! I will contact the two people who might know if they were thrown out or not.
Please do use the pictures for your website and it was WONDERFUL to see the pics you sent.
Hal MacIntyre!!! I thought he was dreamy looking, lol!!
May you have warm winds on all your journeys,
10/29/2007
Just for laughs, Dad filming something from that time era, when cameramen wore suits and ties, and Dad with his current wife Jean, also same era. I will keep digging for other DP pictures.
10/29/2007 I found the large pictures, they are 8 x 11 and 11 x 14, a bit of damage to them which I tried to repair as best as I could. I can send these all attached in their original size if you would like. There is a picture of Ray Bolger but I do not recognize the background, perhaps not DP? Would guess both pictures of Dick were taken the same day, July 4th, 1962. These were quickly taken pics of the larger photo, can take them again with better lighting if you like.
10/29/2007 Manny, I have a girlfriend here who has agreed once I find the KPIX reunion party VCR tape that Dad filmed at his ranch, Stony Acres, she will put it on a DVD for you. It is around here somewhere, keep your fingers crossed I can find it soon!
Anne
10/30/2007 Hi Anne,
It was really something to hear that your dad and Tony were buddies. I really didn't remember your dad at first, but the minute that I saw the photo of him with Jean it was instant flash back and I remembered him vividly. He was friendly but quiet and pretty much the professional doing his job at all times. Tony interacted with the kids a bit more and he always seemed to banter a lot with my buddy Archie.
I vaguely recall the name Hal; some of the others were a guy named Don Lincoln, another one was Scotty. I also well remember the director Dave Parker who was always up in the booth.
I am really sorry to hear that your dad was killed; I would have really loved to have chatted with him.
Thank you for the many good photos that you have sent me; they are really going to add to our website. They appear to be of good quality so don't worry about sending the larger size photos, okay.
I really appreciate your efforts to find additional photos; it is so very gracious of you. And, if your girlfriend does put the VCR tape onto a DVD, that will be the frosting on the cake. Let me know if she does and I will send you my address so that you may send it to me.
Take care Anne; having you find our website was real serendipity for me and the DP Gang.
Manny
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4/24/2008
Hi,
My dad used to be a regular on this show during 1961-63. His name is Louis Aguayo. Do you happen to know if they have any archive footage available from this time. I would love to to get a hold of some type of video recording. I know he'd get a real kick out of it.
Best Regards,
Carissa Aguayo
4/24/2008
Hi Carrisa,
You just asked the number one question that we get all of the time; I am sorry to have to tell you that we have not been able to find any archives of film for the Dance Party. We know that they made at least 3 or 4 films, per year, of the show (video tape wasn't around yet) but no one seems to know what happened to them.
A few people who worked at the station say that they were probably just thrown out in the dumpster, but we don't really know. My best guess is that someone ... maybe one of the camera men ... took the films home and they are just still there in some attic waiting to be discovered. Only time will tell, I guess.
I don't remember your dad's name, but then we didn't all know each other either. Tell him hello from me anyway. If he has any photos of himself back then, tell him that I would be happy to do a web page on him on our site but he would need to provide me with his details..
Take care,
Manny
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Wow...what are the chances Dance Party would actually have a website, after all these decades!
June 10, 2008
Hi Sandra,
I have found that you never know what you'll find online until you look. I have found whole yearbooks posted, and other things. In fact, I ran across a Balboa Yearbook quite by accident. An old friend name Elise did a Google search for Dance Party during a few minutes of down time while at work, and not only found us, but found her old high school photo as well. Was she ever shocked; she hadn't seen or heard from me in over forty years. Whoa ... wait ... how can that be ... I'm only 29. LOL
The commute was almost as long for me; I had to commute from Visitation Valley, where I lived. No one, however, could beat Lois Dallal as she commuted in from San Carlos on the peninsula. We also had kids from Marin, and Alameda Counties.
Every girl fell for Bob Parks, he was by far the most popular guy, until "Tiger" came along. I have learned definitively from speaking to some of his classmates in the last few years that he was killed in a traffic accident while driving down to Hollywood for a screen test.
Carole Cherry, and I, probably knew Bob best of everyone, and we hardly knew him at all. He was very secretive about his home life and covered that up by carrying a big chip on his shoulder. He literally drove people away and made many enemies with his mouth. He also broke many hearts. Btw, you must have been very good looking to catch Bob's eye because he only flirted with the "lookers."
I don't know what Candy died from but I am sure that she didn't want anyone to know that she was dying. She was still alive as we had our 1997 Reunion and I was in touch with her. The thing is that she only communicated with me through her attorney and he would not divulge anything to me. At the reunion, everyone was asking me about two people, Candy Petrikis, and Bob Parks. After the reunion, I wrote her a letter telling her how much she had been missed. I never heard from her again; it was only when I took it upon myself to go to her home in Pittsburgh that I found out from a neighbor that she had died.
Boy, you are really dredging up some memories for me by bringing up Joe Piazza and the Continentals. I was close friends with all of the Continentals and used to hang around with them. I still remember that Johnny Johnson lived on Huron off of Alemany Blvd. Joe lived in South San Francisco. His daughter wrote to me recently. I didn't even know that he had any children. He would have been proud of her. She was very nice.
I never really knew Barbara Gutscher - Bouchet, but my friend Shari told me in recent years that she really was a nice person. I always thought that she was a bit conceited and vain. It could be that was her reaction to us (the guys) for not asking her to dance, but that was only because she was taller than most of us. I notice that there are plenty of sites online that sell photos of her. We tried to contact her for both of our reunions but we could not get hold of her address in Europe.
Regarding Aasa, I do remember Archie telling me that her family pronounced her name "Osa." They were madly in love, but then I do remember how quickly we all fell in and out of love as teenagers. Archie went on to a girl named Bev Goddard and that lasted maybe a year or more. Whereas Archie was not as popular as Bob Parks, he was a real "lover" and very smooth with the ladies. All the girls liked him because he even pretended to flirt with the less pretty girls. He was kind of a guy's guy too, all of the guys liked him. I remember though, Archie still occasionally spoke of Aasa years later.
So, you switched to American Bandstand after moving up to Santa Rosa eh? You traitor you! LOL You just hit on another big … very big … memory. We used to go up to Rio Nido on the Russian River, close to Santa Rosa, every summer and go to the dances there. Even Bob Parks turned up there one night, and the ladies mobbed him.
Sandra, we were all lucky to be kids during the very best of times in America's History. I am glad that I helped you, in a small way, to relive those days of magic when all of life's possibilities lay before us like sparkling diamonds on a blue velvet cloth. I enjoyed your letter and it makes me glad that I did the web site.
You are very welcome and I hope that I hear from you again … especially, if you have any questions. If you have any photos from high school, I would be happy to add them. If you would like to write up a page or two about your times on the show, I would be glad to add those as well.
Manny Interiano
Sandra and her husband
Sandra Sweeney
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June 21, 2008
Subject: Dance Party Website
Dear Manny:
My name is Stephanie Fox (AKA Stevie) and I am an old fan of Dance Party. I was reading my local newspaper today (West County Times) and there was a letter to one of the columnists requesting Dance Party videos or info. I read about your website and was thrilled. I have been looking at the photos for about an hour and found myself totally reliving my dance party days. I was never on the show, but some of my friends were on a few times, as well as some old acquaintances.
I was sorry to hear about Joe Piazza. He was one of my favorites. Seeing the faces of the regulars brought back some great memories. Shari Langlois was another favorite of mine, as well as Candy. Rosemary Lundquist was on the show, later, and I knew her in Junior High. (Downer Jr. High in San Pablo) She was attending Richmond High at the time, I believe.
I, too, was a regular at Russian River, so it was great to see some of the photos of the kids up there. Yes, that place has changed, as does everything.
Thanks so much for the great website. Keep it up!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Fox
June 21, 2008
Hi Stephanie,
It is always good to hear from anyone from the same point in time and space.
And yes, those were certainly the good old days. When ever I get together with any of the old Dance Party crowd, we always talk about how fortunate we were to grow up during that time. And it is always amazing how anyone of us gets the glint in the eyes whenever someone mentions, Russian River, Rio Nido, Maribel Park, Guerneville, and Stump Town Days. The other thing that gets my antenna up is, of course, when ever any of The City's high schools, or Dance Party, is mentioned.
I consider myself so fortunate to have made all of those friendships back then that still survive to this day. Just this last Thursday evening, my old friend "Lynn Facciola" came up to my area of Northern California, with her husband, and met me for dinner in Chico. It was great, we talked and talked for hours of the old days, and of the many people whom we met and knew. Lynn was a very attractive girl, and consequently, she went steady for varying times with Joe Piazza, Bob Parks, and Frank Pisa.
I knew a Mary Fox who lived in South San Francisco; where you related by any chance?
If you have any further questions, or just specific memories that you would like to share, please feel free to do so. I would enjoy hearing from you.
Manny
Hi Manny: Wow, thanks for your reply. I can’t believe it is really you. How lucky you all were to be on such a popular show and right in our backyards. Lynn was one of my favorites, also. I do remember her dancing with Joe Piazza many times.
I do not know Mary Fox. Did she go up to Russian River, too? I met several people down at the "Center" (in Rio Nido) one night from Dance Party and there was a Mary there.
My brother was Richard Fox and he used to go to all of the dances in Rio Nido. (We had a cabin in Canyon One.)
Anyway, I told some of my old friends about your website, so they will enjoy it, too. Some of my junior high friends were on the show a few times and they remember you and someone named "Larry". Was he a friend of yours?
Thanks, again, for all of the memories….
Sincerely,
Stephanie
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I received this photo from Joe Panganiban a short time ago. It was taken on "Prom" night and he is with Geri.
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Links to the different web
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by M. Interiano
Copyright © 2004. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 4,200408/29/08 13:41:20 -0700.