Hoodlums and Hippies (article)

Oct 20th, 2009

Janna Odenthal, Post Tribune correspondent

Neil Armstrong and Martin Luther King, Jr were shaping history. Feminism was on the rise. Muhammad Ali boxed his way to stardom and the Vietnam War was in full swing. It was the sixties.

Hoodlums and hippies, political activists and entrepreneurs went their separate ways. Recently, however, they all gathered to celebrate a common bond. These sixties teens are turning 60 years old this year.

Tony Gengo, classmate and owner of Tony’s Place Italian Restaurant and Lounge, hosted an alumni birthday bash for the Valparaiso high school class of 1967. He provided lasagnas, pizzas, a large birthday cake and school color balloons of green and white.

“It’s my birthday present to the class. It’s just great to get everybody together again,” said Gengo. “I was a hoodlum in high school – motorcycles, fast cars. I am absolutely one of the last guys that people in high school think would’ve done this. It’s like the Fonz doing a reunion.”

Gengo encourages his classmates to keep in touch with one another. He said he now appreciates the diversity of people and enjoys getting to know them better.

“At 16, your buddies are your buddies, and that’s it. You can’t see beyond that,” said Gengo. “But because you didn’t like someone 20 years ago doesn’t mean you’re not going to like them today. We’re such a throw away society. But friendships you should never throw away.”

Tammie Charnas compiled high school photos of each graduate. Clean shaven teen boys donned suits and ties. Girls in dark rimmed cat-eye glasses curled their shoulder length hair upward and outward.

More than 40 years later, these individuals laughed and hugged as they reconnected, reminisced and received updates on each other’s lives.

Ken Hudgins of Valparaiso reacquainted himself with classmate Keith Hardesty of Winamac. Although living in close proximity, it was the first time they’d seen each other since graduation. They discussed high school pranks, favorite teachers, sports, garage bands and more.

“The dances, senior prom, all the study that went along with high school, I liked it all,” said Hudgins. “I remember starting my first jobs – mowing, shoveling snow, doing a paper route. It’s been a great experience.”

During the era, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead had become household names. Peace symbols, bell-bottoms, tie-dye and fringe were original fashions during New York’s Woodstock Festival and San Francisco’s Summer of Love.

Jack Meece said he attended both events during his teen years. He talked about his hippie experience with his friends that evening.

“I loved high school. I looked forward to it. But one day I came to school with an earring in my ear, and the principal made me go home. It was a big deal back then,” said Meece. “The 60’s were great. It would be nice if it could stay that way forever.”