Update 11-27-01


Hi,

Lots of news.

Three notes from Paul DeMartino:

1.    Today is the day for the New York gathering.  I dug out some South football and basketball posters, old South buttons, and I still have the Senior Hat.  Do you remember it?  It's red felt, shaped like a derby, with a grey and red ribbon around it, and a large red button that proclaims SENIOR.  One of my daughters reminded me last night that the word "senior" takes on a new meaning now.

2.    The New York gathering was terrific and a good time was had by all.  The attendees included Terri Donahue, Dennis Shapiro, Mark Yetman, Bob Fiveson, Ira Levy, Michele Cohen, Robin Feit, Barbara Brill, David Licht, Barbara Endy, Rick Glickman Wall, Joan Aries, Bob Grandt, Larry Rugen, Ray Staley and, of course, me.  It was really amazing how easily we all became reacquainted after all these years.  What was especially interesting was the dynamic of "hanging out" with some former classmates who probably never spoke to each other during our time at South and who now seemed like old friends.  A few people had expressed reservations about seeing people they didn't really know, but that soon disappeared.  Another interesting point was how some people appeared not to have changed at all, while others needed introductions.  The party broke up about 7:30 and afterward, Terri, Ira, Bob Fiveson, Dave Licht, Robin and I went out to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant in Rockville Centre, and our party went on till about midnight.  I have Polaroids taken by Terri, 35mm from my camera, and I think Bob Fiveson took a few photos. I will send mine to you as soon as I have the roll developed.  A couple of points came up (naturally):  May 18th & 19th turns out to be a conflict for some folks.  I let them know that we will attempt to accommodate everyone, but as we all know that is virtually impossible.  I urged all with ideas for the reunion to e-mail you and help us with the decision.  Terri suggested the Marriott Windwatch which is close to the Islip MacArthur Airport, and has a shuttle.  However, for those coming in from out of state, connections may be a problem, which I explained to Terri.  The default is JFK or LaGuardia.  Of course, if people were able to treat the reunion as part of a vacation, this is less likely to be an issue.  Another point is that weekends in May and June are quite popular for graduation parties and weddings and we may have a tough time finding a suitable locale if we wait too long.  Anyway, I mainly wanted to say it went very well and everyone was glad it happened.  And several people suggested doing another New York gathering during the winter, which would be great.
 00020000093800000A73 932,
3.    Almost forgot: some people expressed an interest in acquiring a copy of the yearbook.  It seems they cannot locate theirs or know it has been lost.  I will check with a printer or two to see what the price to reproduce the yearbook might be, probably without the covers.  Is there a classmate in publishing, who works with printers a lot, who can be of assistance?

From Robert Fiveson:  I leave, literally in hours, for Europe, but just wanted to say that I will do some touch up on the digital photos I took and e-mail them from Paris in two to three days.  Then you can post them.  The event, by the way, was a BLAST.  I'll provide some level of commentary from the skies as I travel.

From Michele Cohen Collins:  We did have a good time---I left early (5:00 PM) so don't know how long it lasted.  As suggested, I will start calling places.  Terri mentioned a place out in Happauge.  And I will investigate a number of alternate weekends

From David Licht:  Sorry you couldn't make the gathering.  It was fun and great to see those familiar faces.  Here are some recent photos.

Some late arriving regrets:

From Zelda White Nichols: I, too, would love to come, but circumstances make it beyond my control.  My sister and two cousins will be spending Thanksgiving with Dave and me here in Alpine, California.  Please say a special hello to Robin Feit -- we used to be friends from 3rd to 9th grade.
          Also, I do have some information to pass on which might affect the Spring reunion:  We had to go to Long Island last May for my dad's funeral and stayed at the Holiday Inn on Sunrise Highway in Hempstead (right on the Lynbrook line).  I do not recommend it.  If you are used to staying at nicer hotels, this folks is not it. There is a major parking problem.  We were there for three nights and each night the motel was hosting some sort of function.  Each night we, as well as other guests, would come back from dinner only to find no parking spaces.  Upon going to the front desk, we would be told "The party upstairs will be breaking up in half an hour, and there will be parking available then."  But this was not acceptable.  The rooms were very poor quality, too. My recommendation is, stay near the airport.  It may be a few more dollars, but I guarantee it will be worth it.  The Holiday Inn restaurant was pretty poor, too.
 00020000064D000013A5 647,       Again, have a great time.  Sure would love to see everyone.  But I'll be warmer here, picking oranges, lemons, and limes, than freezing my butt off in New York.

From Richard Meis:  I wish I could make it!  I would enjoy seeing everyone.  I have lived in the San Francisco bay area since Sony transferred me here in December 1974.  My plan was to live here for a year or two and then move back to Long Island.  Here I am -- still here.  I've had an industrial broadcast video business since 1979, and have also been involved in the real estate business since 1978.  I do get back to Long Island at least once a year to visit my brother and family, and my Mom in Huntington.  Hopefully, I can coordinate my next trip with our Reunion!  Meanwhile, I'm spending the holiday week in warm Palm Springs.

From Marc Fishman:  I wish I could make next week's reunion.  But our son is coming home from college tonight, and it will be nice to have a full house again, if only for a few days.  I will be at the next one. 

From Marc Jonas:  My daughter Susan is traveling from Long Island to complete our Brady Bunch group in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving.  But I found an old 8mm home movie of two South football games.  The only recognizable face was of Terri Donohue.  How did she do that?

From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Not that I am the least bit jealous that you are having a mini-reunion and I'm stuck here in Miami, but anyone who's in South Florida and nearby, and wants to do something, too, please e-mail me.  I will coordinate our own little party, maybe in the Las Olas area.  Best regards to all.
 000200000738000019EC 732,
Other News: 

From Toni Rea:
       Hello, Class of '65!  Thanks for the e-mail with news that the Class is staying in touch after all these years.  If I lived closer to Rockville Centre than East Hampton I might just drop in to see if I could recognize any of you as former English students!
       Had a very welcome call from Barnet Kellman in L.A. saying many members of the class have been corresponding more regularly since Sept. 11 and are talking about a reunion sometime in May.  Are any other South High teachers of our era still staying in touch?  I e-mail with Kay Stevens pretty regularly but see her about once a year out here in the Hamptons.  And I have heard from more South people: a very welcome e-mail from Judy Hartstone and another from Stu Borman.
       Anyway I'm pleased to be on your mailing list and happy to hear that so many of you are keeping in touch.  If anyone remembers Old Ms. Rea and would like to say hello, my e-mail is trln79@aol.com.  I try to check my e-mail everyday, but can't always respond right away.  Believe it or not, I stay pretty busy for an old bird!
       Warm regards to all.

From Steve Zuckerman:
      Sorry for the long delay.  I'm slowing down as I inch closer to retirement next year.  Still not completely decided, but it only takes a phone call.  What I need is an injection, a chance to connect with old friends once again.  I missed the first reunion in '75 and the one that followed that.
       Also, does anyone from our class remember Harry Gribon?  I think I spelled his name correctly.  I believe he graduated a year before us.  He joined the navy right away, and, as I recall, volunteered for a survival experiment in a raft alone at sea.  He was given a medal, and came back to South one day to visit.  All the girls went crazy over him like he was Paul McCartney.
 000200000DC00000211E DBA,       Keep in touch.

From Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer:  I'm glad to hear that the date in May is set and plans are underway. I remember where our prom was (some restaurant in Great Neck) because we got terribly lost and ended up in Brooklyn.  None of us had been driving for very long in those days, especially on the highways, and I'm still not sure how we finally found our way without a cell phone at hand to call for directions.

A follow-up from Linda Iaquinto O'Hara:  My husband Dennis and Carlo Lucarelli are presently working together at Syosset High School.  Carlo has his own general contracting business and Dennis has his own business -- he oversees all construction work at the school.  Den and Carlo had worked together before at other schools, so when I originally saw Carlo's name on the deceased list I assumed it was true.  At that time Den wasn't working with Carlo.  In October, they met again, at work, and we were so happy to find out that Carlo was fine.  Carlo lives in the Islip area, and he requested that I give his business number -- 631-491-6464.  Also, I have no idea who the woman on the phone in Florida was.  I'll have Dennis ask Carlo if he has any relatives, past or present, there.  Meanwhile, please don't feel badly about the misunderstanding.  Carlo laughed about it, after a minute or two of shock. I guess the mystery is close to being solved.                                                       
                                  
From Lynn Nudelman Villagran, to Anonymous:  Cute idea.  The entire class of '65 is invited to our "family reunion," actually, just getting together for the holidays -- all, that is, except the shy "Anonymous."  Just kidding.
       Actually, with three Nudelmans, one Rich Lobell, and one Steve Davidson our family get-togethers always include about 1% of the class of '65.  In any case, after today's plane crash, I am very freaked, and trying to convince my East Coast family to reconsider flying so soon after 9/11, especially out of JFK during the very hectic and crowded Christmas holiday.  I'm not suggesting that they stop "getting back to normal" or stop flying forever, just not at this time with too many questions left unanswered, and the war going on in Afghanistan.  We'll see what happens.  Hopefully I will be able to get on a plane for the May reunion.  Meanwhile, happy, peaceful Thanksgiving to all.

From Alan Finder:  I noticed that Jerry Gold has not been located. I used to keep up with him a little, in New Haven, and think he finally graduated in the early '70's.  Last I knew, he was living in Oakland and working as an accountant.  This would have been in the mid-80's.  I know he got married and I'd bet he's still in the Bay area.
       (Rich:  Actually, we've traced Jerry to Oakland through several leads, and I left a message on what's possibly his answering machine this summer.  But, as with a number of people, I think it's all a matter of who makes the contact.  As we get closer to the Spring party, and try to let everyone in our class know about it, we may be asking people to phone folks they were once close to.  Meanwhile, if anyone knew Jerry well, and wants his possible number, please ask.)

Finally, before next week, I hope to have posted some pictures from the New York gathering.  Until then, check out David Licht.

Fast Address Link: http://hometown.aol.com/reunionclass65/myhomepage/profile.html

Home Page Link: http://hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a/myhomepageprofile.html


Rich