Update 12-02-03


Hi,

Some news from folks, some reactions to Jim Lorey's piece, and the promised class notes after Vince Tampio's death. First, mail:

From Lyne Nudelman Villagran: I wanted to thank Rich and Tom Romano for taking the time to contend with L.A. traffic to come have dinner with me last week. It was so much fun, laughing and reminiscing about Valley Stream, who lived where, the teachers at South, our classmates, whose classroom we were in on November 22nd, 1963, who had crushes on whom, and also hearing about each other's present lives and families.

From Terri Donohue Calamari: After a successful five-year run in my beloved Charleston, I am relocating to Naples, Florida for year-round warmth and tropical splendor. As of December 1st, I can be reached at: 239-793-1329 -- P.O. Box 684, Naples, Florida 34102. Love and kisses.

From Jerry Bittman: My sides are hurting so much from laughing. I received in the mail today from Barney Zinger 2 pictures that were taken 44 years ago. There are 9 of us in the picture, but I can only truly identify 7. Besides myself and Barney, the other 5 I recognize are: Andy Dolich, Peter Rosen, Richie Lobell, Steven Spector, and Alan Feldman. The common denominator for all 7 of us: we had the biggest earlobes; they stuck out a mile.
There are 4 adult men in the picture, and our lobes were bigger than theirs. I think that Spector and I shared the silver medal for the biggest lobes. Thank God for Dolich: he won the gold medal hands down -- excuse me, ears up.
Barney also sent me a current picture of himself and his fiancee. He is getting married April 4th, and I'm going to try to attend the wedding in Florida. His future wife looks as if she could be his daughter. I think he is robbing the cradle.
Zing -- thanks for the pictures man. I will really cherish these. I am also curious to see if I can blackmail Dolich into giving me season tickets if I promise not to send these shots to the Grizzly players.

From Mark Perlman: Did anyone get any e-mail addresses for the teachers at the Forest Road reunion? I would like Ms. Clark's and Mr. Cid's.

From Zelda White Nichols: Just wanted to let you know I finally got to have a reunion with Ellen Epstein Silver and met her husband Alan yesterday. It took three visits on her part to L.A. before we could connect, and I was more than happy to drive up to the zoo at Griffith Park to meet up with them. We arrived early, so played tourist, wandering around Forest Lawn Cemetary and saying hello to Liberace and Bette Davis while we got to know each other again. Once the zoo opened, we opted for a more active atmosphere.
Ellen is the same wonderfully warm person I had remembered, and we still have a lot in common; I wish we lived closer to each other. Alan was charming and full of fun, with a great sense of humor. A lot of ears must have been ringing as, yes, we talked about everyone. It was fun playing catch up and "remember when;" it is even better to talk about now and the future. I hope we can get together again soon.

From Emily Kleinman Schreiber: I was at a dinner the other night and met the new principal of South. He looked like a boy! I told him that mine was the first class to go from 7th to 12th at the school, and that the bridge wasn't even there when we first started. He said he'd like to "burn down that bridge." I guess a lot of "stuff" goes on in the tall weeds during and after school.
I also told him that Bernie O'Brien had mentioned wanting to see a South High Alumni Association, and he told me that some Harris Company was working on creating a database/directory of sorts. I have a feeling it's a reunion company pretending to be doing something noble. I have to call him on Monday to get the phone number of Harris and find out more about what they're up to. I'll keep you posted.

From Paul DeMartino: My wife and I just returned form a relaxing trip to Switzerland and France, the last week on a barge, cruising canals in Alsace-Loraine. It was one of the best trips we have taken, and it's small boats from now on.

[Rich -- I had breakfast with Linda Cohen Greenseid a week-or-so before Thanksgiving. She was in L.A. for the birth of her second grandchild, Kyle Griffin Kelman -- Rob Kelman's grandson, too. Unfortunately, the celebration of Kyle's birth was interrupted by the sudden death of Linda's father. I sent our best to her, and to her brothers Steve and Bram.]

Next, about Jim Lorey's Veteran's Day piece:

From Mike Floyd: Wow, that letter Jim wrote just blew me away. I can't think of enough superlatives to describe the feelings I had after reading all the fine points as to why our vets should always be remembered. As an Army vet of the Viet Nam era and an American Legion Past Vice Commander, I know firsthand the ups-and-downs we have had over the years as we tried to educate the public, and our young people, about the sacrifices their fathers, grandfathers, and brothers made. Whether it was wartime, peace times, or during hot or cold wars, these vets were willing to serve, and they asked for no special recognition other than what they were entitled to for being wounded physically or mentally. Thanks for driving these points home once again to an audience that may have unintentionally forgotten the meaning of Veterans Day or Memorial Day.

From Cathy Wilson's husband Jim Reynolds: I enjoyed Jim Lorey's contribution about Veterans Day in the latest version of the newsletter. I thought it was extremely well-written and thought out. I would like ask Jim's permission to use it in my local American Legion newsletter. Would you please forward this message to Jim and ask him to reply to me? Thanks.

From Larry Rugen: Thanks for printing that, Rich.

From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: Jim Lorey's tribute to Veterans Day was right on target. My husband Les is a psychiatrist at The West Palm Beach VA Hospital -- Les is also a Navy Veteran -- so I know how under-appreciated, and under-served, our veterans are. No matter if we are Democrats or Republicans, I think we can all agree that more has to be done for our veteran population. In Les's department alone, there are over 700 Veterans waiting for appointments.

And from Jim himself: Thanks for the compliments. Not bad writing for someone who was a member of the "Mechanics Club." Ha Ha.

Finally, about Vince Tampio:

I just wanted to let you know that that was a very beautiful eulogy you gave. I never really knew Mr. Tampio, but it seems as if he really touched some people's lives -- which is a great accomplishment. I'm sure that everybody would like to have a eulogy delivered for them as you did for Mr. Tampio. Jerry Bittman

What a beautiful obit you wrote for Vince Tampio. I knew him well and had the greatest respect for him and his wonderful talents. You seem to have highlighted all of his fine points. His leaving South was a great loss to both the faculty and students. We (Vince and I) were making plans to put on a faculty adaptation of The Fantasticks the year he left. I was supposed to have a lead part in it. But I guess it was not meant to be. Hy Rosov

Just a quick question about Vince Tampio. Where did he die and was there any notice in the newspapers? He was a nice person and a very dedicated person in his field. I know those who are in the entertainment field will miss him. Thank you. Janet Hernandez

The tribute to Vince was beautiful. I've read it several times. All of you, that he helped, were his legacy -- and that's not bad! Peggy Cooper Schwartz

It is certainly with mixed emotions that I read your wonderfully warm and deeply moving remembrance of Mr. Tampio: sadness at hearing about the loss of an individual whom I respected and learned from in high school, and sheer delight at a tumble of memories of him that came rolling out of my head as I read your e-mail. Ah yes...the famous "Tampio Temper!" Indeed, I was the target of one high-volume barrage. As I remember correctly, we were in dress rehearsal for Midsummer Night's Dream and as Peter Quince, the crusty head of a traveling theatrical troupe, I was to introduce the story of "Pryamus and Thisbe" and their romance through a chink in the wall. I believe Fiveson and Guberman were the "starcrossed lovers" and I remember Guberman bringing the house down at our several performances while wailing his lines in a super-high falsetto. My speech was fairly lengthy and, for the life of me, I could not remember the middle part and kept skipping the mid-section and barreling on through to the third part. No matter what I tried to do, I just COULD NOT keep that bridge part in my head. Vince became more and more enraged, not understanding why I was forgetting the lines. Of course, as he got more and more enraged, I got more and more intimidated and embarrassed!
It was not a very happy "Kodak moment" for me. I also remember his amazing "airborne chair" incident, although I am not sure what precipitated the feat. I only remember being glad it wasn't directed at me! During one of his tirades, he took one of those crappy old gray aluminum folding chairs that we sat on during lunch and literally flung it across the room accompanied by the clearly enunciated "f-word." I think he was as amazed as we all were because there was DEAD silence. Looking back, I can see that those tantrums and aggravation were because, I believe, Mr. Tampio has such a clear vision in his head on how he wanted us to play scenes and how the movements and dialogue needed to flow JUST SO on stage. This was all part of the wonderful talent and creativity he possessed, which surely helped me and others to have the best possible stage experiences while at South.
Others memories are his wonderful "15 minutes of fame" on the South High stage when Linda Sheldon's leading man in "Annie Get Your Gun" came down with a 24-hour virus. To the surprise and delight of the audience and all our cast, out of the shadows of stage left came Frank Butler aka Vince Tampio in chaps and boots. He sang the duet with Linda and did the scenes as we knew he knew them...backwards and forwards! I also remember the wonderful times in his dramatics class, that felt more like a daily reunion for all the cast members of the various plays he directed! Lots and lots of laughs, and, for me at least, a real "opening up" to understanding a little bit more about myself. On balance of those famed temper tantrums was his quick recognition of our small and large theatrical contributions. In that same production of Midsummer's Nights Dream, I was supposed to end a scene by hobbling onstage and kicking one of my shiftless troupe members (Greg Kaplan?) in the butt and hobbling back off. I can't remember now, but I improvised a line that brought a huge belly laugh from Vince. He immediately said, "Moss, that was great! Leave it in!" Ah...sweet redemption was mine for my Alzheimer's moments in the other part of the play.
So...thank you, Mr. Tampio, for filling my head with some wonderful memories that I have recalled and enjoyed, and which will now always be in my consciousness. Allen Moss

What a beautiful tribute you wrote to a very fine teacher and human being. It's wonderful that he was able to touch so many lives so profoundly. Barbara Zingman Braunstein

Your commentary/tribute to Vince is absolutely artful and deeply touching. Thanks for putting that together. Reading it along with watching news stories about the Beatles re-release today made this quite an emotionally nostalgic day. Peter Rosen

I forwarded this news to a few faculty people who had worked with Vince. Of course, I was privileged to work every musical with Vince, from The Boy Friend to Once Upon A Mattress, Damn Yankees, and whatever else. (Don't forget Annie Get Your Gun, where he played
the lead one night, book in hand, because the leading boy had a high fever. I learned a lot from observing Vince working in such limited conditions and helping students to deliver fine performances.
      You graduates got to now Vinnie better than I did, but I really enjoyed knowing him. The year of your big Long Island reunion, I did get his number and called. It was a great conversation that I'll always remember. Booker Gibson

This is beautiful. Would you consider writing up a short obit that we could try to get in The Reporter and Variety? Barnet Kellman

Your tribute to Vince was wonderful. I was in a few drama classes with him, and of course, school plays. I would like to post your tribute on our website for the Class of '70. Vince meant a lot to all of us... some of us just had less time with him than others. Steve Cahn

Wow! That's quite a tribute. Thanks for sharing. Emily Kleinman Schreiber, Class of '61

As you did not mention, nor am not aware of, an immediate family Mr. Tampio left behind, my I extend my condolences to you, Barnet, Paul, Robert, and the dear circle of close friends who were blessed by his teaching, guidance, leadership, and friendship. Thank you for sharing the real person we never got to meet in the classroom. I feel a great sadness at the loss of such a valued person, who touched so many of our lives. He was one of my very few teachers that I truly liked, and had he been in today's classrooms, where teachers are able to also be more the real people they are, his loss would be devastating to so many more of us. He will be sadly missed. Barbara Blitfield Pech
Thanks for sharing your beautiful eulogy. I didn't know Mr. Tampio, but I'm grateful that his spirit and contributions live on in the accomplishments and also contributions of my talented classmates. Irene Saunders Goldstein

I was very touched by your update dedicated to Vince Tampio. Even though I did not know him very well, since I spent most of my time in the gym end of the school, I can relate to that situation. After graduating from the University of Miami, I stayed in South Florida and taught health and physical education at the high school level and was the head wrestling coach for four years. I was very close to all my wrestling teams. The fact I was only four years older than some of the seniors, seemed to make us even closer. It was a labor of love; I would have done it for no pay. Though in the late sixties early seventies what they paid us was almost no pay. When I got married, I had to leave teaching in order to put myself in a position to better support my family. Twenty-five years later, I received a phone call from one of my wrestlers. He hired an Internet company to find me. He just wanted to say "thank you" for all my effort, for caring, and the life lessons learned by being part of a wrestling team. I was stunned, humbled, and maybe even a little embarrassed at the telephone call. I was teaching for me; I wanted to give back for what wrestling meant to me during my years at South. I never thought how “I” could affect my students. I think maybe Vince felt the same way. “A teacher affects eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops” (author unknown to me). Jay Kinder

I'm so sorry to hear that Vince Tampio died suddenly. Naturally, I'll pass on the information. Has a memorial fund of any type been created? Barbara Peres Napolitano

What a lovely, moving eulogy you wrote about Vince Tampio, Rich. I remember him, of course, but I hardly knew him at South. Not my area of expertise. But after reading your wonderfully written piece about him, I feel like I know him now. I'm sorry for your loss. Alan Finder
Your tribute to Vince Tampio was very touching, and it gave me an understanding of him that I had never had while at South or afterwards. Although I really did not know him, I can see how influential he has been to so many of our classmates. Paul DeMartino

Feeling the need to voice my feelings in regards to Mr. Tampio's passing: as a South High "actor," I was lucky enough to get to know Mr. T. His encouragement, sense of humor, patience, and professionalism allowed me to be involved with some of the greatest and fun-filled experiences of my life. Although I'm not directly involved in the field, my "abilities" to work with people, to speak publicly with confidence, and even to "perform" on stage with my band all are rooted in Mr. T's teaching and directing. He will always have a special place in my memories. Thanks, Mr. T.! Neil Guberman

I was away last week without e-mail, so I just read your eulogy for Mr. Tampio (I never did get used to calling him Vince). I am extremely moved. I also am very sad. After you and I had lunch, you gave me his phone number, and I just stalled. Increasingly, I learn (the hard way) -- dont stall. We'll all meet again. Robert Fiveson

Through tears streaming down my cheeks, I must write to tell you what a moving tribute you wrote for a terrific teacher, mentor, and friend. Though not all of us knew him other than to be mesmerized by the wonderful productions of plays in our South High auditorium, we knew he was the face behind the scenes to motivate and guide our talented classmates to give such performances and excel at their craft. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary man. Ellen Epstein Silver

I can't imagine how you, our classmates, and Vince's friends and family made it through the funeral without laughing -- which would have been a tribute to vVnce. His laughter and his ability to see the absurd in the little and large things, like his funeral, were something I really enjoyed. Nancy Garfield
I just read and re-read your recounting of Mr. Tampio's funeral. While I am sure it seemed beyond belief and outrageous to those of you who attended, I must admit, it did bring a smile to my face in the retelling. When I first read about his passing, I felt so sad. The tall, dark and handsome drama teacher I remembered so fondly died way too young. While I wasn't one of those who had a close personal relationship with Mr. Tampio, I always felt he was a man with a certain "energy" that left an impression on all of us who were lucky enough to have worked with him. You're relaying the details of his funeral has shifted things for me. Now, when I think about Mr. Tampio, I will go past the sadness and remember Father Vince and the mariachi band. Thank you. Judy Peters Sylvan

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

Rich