Update 10-28-03


Hi,

Yes, Southern California is burning. Thanks for your concern. But we'll be all right again eventually. Meanwhile:

To Whom It May Concern: Regretfully, your e-mail promise of "No more tests," came too late. Mr. Robert Fiveson expired trying to determine the salary in Arithmetic problem 2 of the 1914 Kern County test. He died a peaceful death, the only evidence of discomfort being a dull popping sound and some leaking from his left ear. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to A.S.S. (The Arithmetic Savant Society).
           
From Robin Feit: This is very important. I contacted Diane Fruzzetti after receiving a blind e-mail with her name -- dfruzzetti. This has occurred several times, the most recent being October 12th. Diane explained that this has happened before, and she asked that I advise you so that if others have a similar experience they will know it isn't due to her. See her note below.

From Diane Fruzzetti: I remembered last night that about a year ago someone used my e-mail address, dfruzzetti, to send spam e-mails with a virus attached to lots of people. I was able to connect the problem to our classmates.com, and I had to close that e-mail address. Twice, I have had problems with this, and that is why no one has heard from me. Everyone is big on forwarding mail, but I hate that. And even though I've asked many times that people not do that, they do anyway. So I gave up.
I do not want my e-mail address out there, so I am afraid to e-mail Rich. Please alert everyone about the possibility that they could receive what looks like an e-mail from me, and it is not.

[Rich: Thanks, Diane, and I hope you're well. Without risking your e-mail address, you can also read the updates on the home page. I try to post them weekly.]

From Nancy Garfield: Hi, and happy birthday this week to Judy Schulman (on the 31st). Judy, every year at this time, I think about you and wonder how you are doing. I've finally decided that if you want to be a week older than I am, rather than me being a week older than you, it would be great. Isn't it interesting that when we were young (in elementary school) that week was so important and now most of us are more interested in simply celebrating another year of life!

Speaking of which, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber: Unfortunately, another classmate of mine, Mary Jane McGrath, has succumbed to cancer. Mr. O'Brien said I should tell everyone to STOP SMOKING. It's a killer of a habit, which usually begins during those carefree high school years.

Also from Emily: The Class of '61 had a very busy weekend! Some of us started our celebration at the Forest Road School 50th Anniversary Party We were excited to see each other and to spend some time with our 6th grade teacher, Mr. Larry Cid. When I figure out how to get my digital images into an attachment, I'll send the photo of us with Mr. Cid.
Next, it was on to the Knights of Columbus in Oceanside, where we partied from 1:00 -- 6:00 PM. Two years ago, at the end of our 40-year reunion, many of us decided that we didn't want to wait another five years to see each other again, so the idea of a Big Birthday Bash was born. We were happy to celebrate our 60th birthdays with our former classmates -- even the AARP magazine had a headline that read: 60 is the New 30. Yes, I agree! We were lindying and twisting as if we were still kids -- some of us even think we are. Sixty people attended -- an appropriate number, don't you think?
Irv Saffrin, Booker Gibson, Bernie O'Brien, and Joe Caruso were happy to be with us. I even brought my Biology books with me to show Irv Saffrin that I still cherish them. He motivated us to go beyond. There were many '61ers who had never been to any of our other reunions, and I do believe they were happy they decided to attend.
I mustn't forget: our famous Al Raitano -- America's Most Talented Senior -- sang his winning song, "Keep Your Hat On," and the "girls" threw assorted items of clothing at his feet. (Thank goodness for layers!) I promise I'll send more details soon, as well as some pictures. Fortunately, my class is letting me rest three years before our 45th comes around. Be well, all.

[Rich: Meanwhile, Peggy Cooper Schwartz forwarded a message from her sister which was originally sent by Tommy Holecek (Jim's younger brother.) It included some pictures of the Forest Road party. Featured in the ones I'm trying to squeeze onto the homepage are Mr. Cid, Mr. Kaufman, Ms. Clark, Ms. Bendin, and Mrs. Staub. I won't have them on the home page by the time you read this, but maybe by Tuesday night.]

From Roz Minsky Bobrow: Hi. Please change my e-mail address to: rm.bobrow@comcast.net Thanks.

From Lynn Nudelman Villigran: I wanted to let you know that I will be in the City of Industry at Pacific Palms Resort for a conference on November 18th, 19th, and 20th. I won't have transportation, but if it's feasible to meet there for dinner, let me know (and please tell anyone else nearby who might be interested). Hope all is well.

[Rich: I will get together with Lynn, and anyone else interested in having dinner with us -- or just with Lynn -- please contact her or me.]

From Barbara Blitfield Pech: The Race for the Cure went well over 8,000 runners, along with spirit runners and tireless volunteers. It had tremendous community, national, and corporate support, and was a very moving, validating, survivor processional. I was deeply touched and honored to be chosen to carry The Baptist Hospital's Marching Banner. They were the host for our Breast Cancer Support / Resource Group, "Bosom Buddies." I couldn't very well run the length of the 5K, but I did complete the walk in less than 40 minutes, carrying the banner to the very end. I'm OK with the competitive edge, though, of course, I'll likely hear, or read, that some immobilized 89-year-old great-grandmother timed better than I did. Still, we were all there for the same reason, so it's all good! I had my mom's, friends', sister's, and dad's names on my back tags and in my heart as I walked in their honors and in their memories. Lots of press and TV coverage, with photographers and TV video folks at every turn. I signed all the release forms, of course, for my full 15 minutes of fame, so eventual press and photos will follow. And, YES, that is a press-on tattoo pink ribbon I'm wearing today in a most unlikely, but prominent, place.

Finally, from Tom Calise: I wonder if anyone out there remembers Terry Kownack? He lived at 52 Forest Road all during our elementary and high school years, and moved when he married. Then, he bought that house from his parents and raised his children there. They went to Forest Road and South, too, and Terry even became the PTA president there for a while.
Terry was my best friend (Ken Nolan gets honorable mention) all during South, until he dropped out and joined the Navy. Later, he joined up with Northwest Airlines and has been with them since 1966. As for me, I was attending RCA Institute in Manhattan when I was about to get drafted for Viet Nam. Well, at 18, things started to change for me rather fast. I married my high school sweetheart, Linda Vicinanza, and we had our son, Tommy. Terry's Mom had an "in" at Eastern Airlines, and she encouraged me to go down to JFK, where she would see what she could do. While I was there, all dressed up, I wandered over to American Airlines and filled out their application. Well, folks, I never heard from Eastern (thank God) but I've been with American going on 38 years.
My point is... let's see... my point... oh, yes... my great friend Terry has also been with Northwest 38 years, and has hurt his neck. He is into a forced retirement, and his wife tells me he's pretty "down." (His wife is Ronni Lindner -- I think that's how it's spelled -- of Valley Stream. Perhaps some of you may know her, because her parents owned a store on Rockaway Avenue. "The Lantern," or something like that --it was a yarn and sewing materials sort of joint.)
So, if anyone out there remembers them, and wants to say "Hi," their e-mail address is: ronniterry@aol.com They live in Jacksonville, Florida.
Also, Ann Ciliberti sends her regards.

The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a

Rich