50-Year-Reunion

Cynthia “ Cindy Jo ” Freeman Romano McGraw 1924 Cherrywood Lane, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701 cindyjomcgraw@gmail.com June 5

Cynthia “ Cindy Jo ” Freeman Romano McGraw -- That is a long name! Here is a long bio for me.

I arrived in Bluefield at the end of July, 1969. We lived directly behind Fairview Junior High. By the time we moved here, I had lived in eight other houses in five other counties. That was a lot for a girl who had just turned 12! I am now in house #13 ! On the first day of seventh grade Carole Yost and Terri Mills, who had come to visit a few weeks earlier, were the only people I knew. This was the first year the schools were integrated here. My previous school had integrated two years earlier. We were part of a melting pot. I learned about the previous school year that Fairview moved everyone out, bolted the building back together for the 1969 reopening. I think the original design and structure were magnificent. Lots of natural daylight, big gym and not far to walk to in winter, as schools were never closed! The Superintendent (Mr. Pete Cook?) had decided doors would open for anyone who could get there. Mom sent us and a few other mothers did the same. I was mischievous and seemed to get into a lot of trouble, either from my loud and frequent mouth or simply misbehaving, The Fall of1972 was again a melting pot with the merger of Fairview and Central. Soon we were making new friendships that would carry us all through high school and beyond. By the time I was a Senior, I had enough credits so only went for half a day. Honestly, I don ’ t remember much about our senior year. Somethings are best forgotten, too? Graduation day was also my 18th Birthday! I went to Bluefield State for a year and hated it every day. I really wanted to be a forest ranger. A neighbor asked if I was interested in working for Citizens Insurance, I was there for almost 7 years, before going into sales. I have continued to do some commercial insurance work on the side for past 17 years as an LLC, but “ retired ” three years ago from a full - time job with Hershey. I had a $7million sales route and was often in top sales nationally. I married Mike Romano in 1977, and we are parents of Emilee and Louis. After we divorced, I was in a long relationship with Buck Collins, and adopted a daughter, Leia. My children have all turned out very well and I am so proud of them all. They are great parents, too. We have a son - in - law, Christopher. Emilee and Louis have each given us a grandson, Liam and Chris. Teresa (Spoloric) Eckman has been my best friend for over 40 years. Bob and I have been together for 20 plus years now, married since 2011. Hootenanny is a Scottish word for celebration of food, music and dancing. Sounds like our home. Bob ’ s grandfather immigrated from Scotland as did my own great grandfather. The grandsons call us Hoot and Nanny. Bob is a wonderful stepfather, and the grandsons think he hung the moon. I do agree!

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