Update 12-09-03


Hi,

A mess of catch-up mail that's been lost under other things for the past few weeks.

First, a report on the most recent New York mini-reunion from Paul DeMartino: A very nice time was had by all those who gathered on Saturday, November 29th to celebrate our reunion friendships. Although it is disappointing that more of our classmates do not participate, especially those residing on Long Island, those who do attend really enjoy these semi-regular gatherings among friends. Afterwards, we reconvened at Dennis Shapiro's home in Baldwin, and the party continued late into the evening. Dennis and his wife Julie were gracious hosts, and the warmth of the fireplace added to the glow from the beverages being consumed while we listened to Dennis' extensive collection of "oldies." We are likely to get together again over the holidays when Ellen Epstein Silver will be coming in from Texas with her husband Alan. As I write this, however, I must let you know that it is snowing heavily, and 6 to 9 inches are expected. Oh, well, winter in New York -- it could be a lot worse.

Next, some news from Allen Moss: For any of the gang out there who are interested, my friend from Chicago, and my Africa-traveling companion, just finished putting together a spectacular website of our trip in February-March of last year (can't believe it has been almost a year!). He is the Director of Information Services at a very large Chicago company, and he is an expert webmaster. But I was totally blown away by what he did with the pictures, travel information, and safari journal notes that we kept. I told him he needs to think about doing some part-time website consulting on the side -- I think his clients would be pleased! If interested, go to: http://www.dalesingleton.com/ and enjoy. Also, best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy holiday season.

A public service spot from Zelda White Nichols: OK, I admit it -- I have no shame and am e-mailing for dollars. As you all must know by now, so many homes here in Alpine, as well as in the surrounding communities of Crest, Dehesa, Cuyamaca, and Julian, have burned to the ground that the mind literally boggles. Hundreds upon hundreds of families in these East County communities have lost everything, never mind all those further west in Scripps Ranch, Tierra Santa, Ramona, and north.
I am now working with the Alpine Sheriff's Department's Paula Dickenson (sheriff for crime prevention) to get the word out about the Adopt-A-Family program. Paula is in charge of this little-known program and has a list of all those without homes at this time. As you know, literally hundreds of families in East County alone lost their homes in the Cedar Fire last month. The devastation here is unbelievable; people on the radio have described it as "a nuclear winter," "WWIII," and "something out of a Sci-fi movie." To me, it looks like Mt. St. Helens after it blew -- nothing but black everywhere.
Two weeks ago, my husband Dave said he would like to contribute our Xmas this year to one-or-two fire victims. I fell in love with him all over again for that, as it was what I was thinking, too. We know two families here in Alpine and one in Julian who lost homes and, there but for God, go we. Positions could have been reversed and, driving by burned out properties on a daily basis, we will forever be changed.
We did choose one family in Alpine who we have bought gift certificates (and already gave them to them so they can be used for Xmas presents for their kids), and I am donating my old bike, that I crashed ten years ago, to the sheriff's department. They will fix it up and give it to another family.
Actually, I am not asking for money. If, however, you are thinking of making some sort of charitable contribution before the end of the year and would like to adopt a family, this is a really good cause. You can mail a check for any denomination to: Sheriff Paula Dickenson, Alpine Sheriff Substation, 1347 Tavern Road, Suite #2, Alpine, CA 9190. You don't even have to let me know if you do this or not.
Happy Holiday everyone.

A social note: Because of the mention of Amy Lieberman in Vince Tampio's obituary, Carol Bunim's sister Cathy got back in touch with Amy. They'd met and been friends since they were six, but lost track of each other after high school.

Religious commentary from Sister Terri Donohue Calamari: You are my first e-mail from my new digs. The Vince Tampio funeral was fabulous. The joys of Catholicism you all missed. Every third funeral is like Vince's. At my sister Mary Anne's funeral, the priest kept calling her Mary Jane until I walked up to the podium to correct him. My favorite Mary Tyler Moore episode was Peanuts the Clown's funeral. Vince would have loved it -- leave the audience laughing when you go.
Emily Kleinman Schreiber sent a note urging New York residents to call their senators and encourage the filibuster of the Medicare Reform Bill. But since it was signed yesterday, I guess it's a little late to pass that note along. Friar Rich strikes again.

Ray Staley forwarded one of those long, nostalgic pieces about how things have changed, that included memory questions about Mimeographs and wash tub wringers. Fortunately, I never had any personal contact with the latter.

Barbara Blitfield Pech forwarded a poem about early television that I may have mentioned a while back when I thought I might pass it on. It included the line, "Life was better in black and white." Nah.
Barbara also mailed me a photocopy of one of Mr. Reilly's Senior English tests, that included questions about Hamlet, Arrowsmith, and The Return of the Native. But I'd have to type the whole thing over to put it in an update, and, besides, I promised Mr. Fiveson, "No more tests." And who gives a damn about Eustacia Vye anyhow?
Reilly did point out that, "If either question is determined to be graphically sub-standard in the basic fundamentals of expository writing, it shall be judged as an automatically failing composition." Guess that was clear writing, back then.

Something also forwarded -- from Tom McPartland, Class of '64 -- if you can't wait for our 40th Reunion in 2005 and want to be part of theirs, next year: Started working on the 40th Reunion of South's Class of '64 with some of the group in New York. Looking at the weekend of September 10th, 11th, and 12th, 2004.
God, it cannot be 40 years! We are all too young! If you know of anyone who is not on Classmates.com, please pass the word.
The Windham in Hauppauge, near MacArthur Airport will work. Details will fall out as I get more and more feedback and commitments. I need to lock in that date ASAP, and it really depends on commitment. Have a lot of interest up here.
Keep these dates open. Thinking of opening the party to the years up to the classes of '62 and '66 once we get the ball rolling. What do you guys think? A bonfire party Friday, football game at Firemen's Field Saturday, oops, got a little carried away -- we could just think about it instead, and watch it on TV. Or even better, a touch game and a little massage afterwards. Dinner, Saturday, and Sunday open for socializing. I am getting some ideas for events. Any suggestions?
I can be reached via e-mail at: thomas.mcpartland2@verizon.net Or by phone: office -- 212-525-2854; home -- 570-223-2577.

Finally, a thought from Marc Fishman: I was very moved by Jim Lorey's comments on Veterans Day. Especially so, since I know that Jim's father, a fighter pilot, was the most heroic person I ever met. Jim's father performed a deed of self-sacrifice that few could even contemplate, let alone carry out.

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

Rich