For more than 20 years, a small group of Westminster High School graduates has marked the calendar each month with “GNO.”

As young girls, the 10 friends giggled about boys in high school, and, together, celebrated such rites of passages as Sweet 16, first kisses, the prom, parties and curfews. Now they cherish “GNO,” which is short for Girls Night Out.

The friends are all members of the Class of 1976. And when they gathered for the first time to plan the class’ fifth year reunion, the meeting became the seeds for monthly gatherings for years to come.

“Tearing yourself away from home and family or work can get complicated,” said Morrisann Wilson (formerly Morrisann Martin). “Sometimes many of us think ÔI should stay home.’ But my husband always encourages me to go, and if there is doubt I usually say ÔNope – I’m going.’”

Other GNO attendees include Kathy Carnegie (maiden name, Kelbaugh), Robin Baum (Glick), Karen Feroli (Kappes), Donna Shimoda (Sutphin), Dawn Kibler, Laurie Penn (McIntyre), Linda Haugh (Jones), Gale Salter (Koontz) and Kassie Sipes (Jenness).

Many of the women are turning 50, which makes them even more appreciative of their monthly gatherings.
“We have certainly teased each other and enjoyed celebrating a lot of 50th birthdays recently,” said Karen Feroli. “We have been through everything together: weddings, births, anniversaries, deaths, divorces. I love having close friends that I’ve known most of my life.”

Each month, with a few exceptions, the women gather at local restaurants for dinner or enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers at the new wine bar. Occasionally they take road trips to places like New York City – and almost annually they attend the wine festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum.

“It’s the camaraderie that keeps us together,” said Wilson. “We try to avoid talking about things that are too deep, unless someone needs support. It’s supposed to be a fun night to walk away from the family, to share highlights and celebrate life. And oh, we laugh a lot.”

“Our friendships have been down a long road,” said Feroli. “For me – and I think for most of the women – GNO offers some normalcy when life seems nuts.”