I thought that would get your attention, particularly the guys.
Maybe you remember a photo of Pam McCarthy, Cathy Strong and Cathy's daughter, Penelope, purloined from Facebook and posted on the BJ Alums blog Feb. 6, 2010. It showed the trio in snowy, chilling Salem, Massachusetts in January.
I had asked for a report from Pam, like Cathy a former Beacon Journal State Desk reporter in the 1970s, on the reunion. You may notice that this is April. You kind of missed the deadline by a bit, Pam.
But she had good reasons: "It's been one thing after another -- taking care of my mom two days a week, a trip to Florida, (a family medical diagnosis), a business trip to Arbonne's National Training Conference in Vegas, and working on my new business" as independent consultant, district manager for Arbonne International.
As for the reunion, let the two "chicks," Pam and Cathy, tell it:
When two former Akron Beacon Journal reporters get together after a gap of nearly 35 years, the atmosphere is vociferous laughter .... non-stop. Cathy Strong and Pam McCarthy worked on the State Desk in the 1970s, at one time working every morning together with Doug Oplinger and the late Ray Redmond. During those early years, they were inseparable and got involved in each other’s personal lives, as well as morning journalism debates.
They lost touch, however, when Cathy moved to New Zealand to be a journalist for three decades, and Pam worked in public relations before becoming an award-winning journalism educator at North Canton Hoover High School. During that time Pam had daughter Beth and twins Kate and Michael, while Cathy had three daughters: Rebecca, Penelope and Amanda.
When Cathy made a trip to Salem, Massachusetts, to visit her daughter Penelope in January, Pam jumped on a plane for a two-day reunion.
Salem was cold, freezing, and opposite to what Cathy is used to in her new home in the Middle East desert, but the wine, hot tub and dynamic dialogue warmed the atmosphere.
A lot happens in 30+ years, so there was plenty to catch up on.
“Pam was always so insightful and a wonderful wordsmith. She used to be such a caring person, so it is understandable that she was so successful at teaching,” said Cathy. “I was so amazed that she looks exactly the same – smooth skin, twinkly eyes, warm personality.”
Pam confessed she was a little nervous about whether the two would have much in common once they rehashed the past, but was delighted to find that, while Cathy looked different (she’s blonde now!) and sounded different (Kiwi accent), she’s the same fun-loving, intelligent and articulate woman who emigrated to New Zealand years ago.
And while they did reminisce about their Beacon Journal years, they spent most of their time talking about where their lives had taken them. They discussed their careers, the joys of raising their children, and the hotly contested election of a new Senator to replace the legendary Ted Kennedy. (They were in disagreement on that issue.)
Oh, and they went to a “hot yoga” class, which nearly did Pam in, despite her regular workouts at the North Canton YMCA. (Who does yoga for an hour in a 95-degree room?) Cathy and her beautiful daughter Penelope did and handled the workout with ease. Cathy has since found a yoga class in Dubai.
Pictures to share with other BJ retirees were difficult to select. All showed the two laughing, which they did the entire reunion. When Cathy next visits the U.S., she has an invitation to Pam’s house in North Canton. Pam says Cathy needs to go see the new convergence journalism building at Kent State University, where Cathy was the first student to receive a Master’s Degree in Journalism. And there will be a grand reunion, to which anyone who wants to see Cathy will be invited. Stay tuned.
Oh, yeah, the two "chicks" in a hot tub? Click on the headline and you'll see that and more.
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