Update 3-30-04


Hi,

To start, from Lynn Nudelman Villagran: The following is a correspondence between Booker Gibson and me. He has given me permission to send you the first letter for use in the newsletter. He originally sent it to me 2 years ago, following our reunion. I also think his response to me on his return to South would be interesting to share. And, of course, I think a scholarship in honor of Booker is an excellent idea.

Booker's first letter: 

Hello, again, Lynn,
     This morning my wife gave me a hard time when I showed her a copy of your letter. I never should have given you a "D." My wife taught elementary music at Forest Road School in Green Acres from about 1964 till 1990. So, I'll always apologize for those rough little Friday tests I gave. Classes like yours were so bright, I loved to try to teach them about music.
     Lynn, the other subject is Long Island. It's been described by many people as one of the most segregated suburbs, starting especially with the postwar period. It was before that, too. Generally, black families lived in a few "chosen" areas. My folks broke that when we moved out from the city in 1938 and settled in Merrick. There were five other black families in that little village, and there are less than that now. Later, I moved to North Merrick where there about five, also. My older sister and brother and I did well in school and got to feel comfortable. After that, I finished college, up in Potsdam, New York (Music Ed). In 1952, after finishing four years in the Air Force, I thought it would be easy to get a job teaching on Long Island. At that time, they were building schools all over and advertising for "any" young teachers. All of my classmates had jobs, but I didn't. Even my home district, where I'd been an honor student, wouldn't interview me. Two or three black ladies had jobs, but no men. Some Nassau County music teachers started taking me around (while I was still in uniform) to different schools. All of the Valley Steam schools quietly refused me. I nearly got the band director position at Malvern, after a long interview one night by the entire Board of Ed. On the next day, the school principal introduced me to the secretaries as the band director and showed me my office. That was about August 28th, 1956. I felt nervous when I didn't hear anything else. Finally, I called the principal. He told me that he had just hired a "more experienced" man from New Jersey.
      Lynn, that was the lowest point of my life -- starting my first teaching year with no job. Then, a few weeks later, on October 10th, Mr. Bergen called me from South and said a music teacher had just been drafted, and he needed someone (he remembered meeting me on my one visit to South). Of course, I rushed over in October, 1956 and stayed until 1986. Mr. Bergen was always stubborn and kind of brave. After that, each building in Valley Stream hired "one." I still think I might have been the first male black teacher hired in Nassau or Suffolk. I don't know of another. I'm not exactly proud of that. Even the house we purchased here in North Merrick was due to racial stuff. A fella originally from South High (I believe it was Doug Solomon) sold to a black family. I heard about it and accidentally saw this cul de sac with all the "for sale" signs. I imagine Valley Stream reacts about the same. Enough of this negative stuff, Lynn. It just makes me think that parts of California are a really different world.
Love, Booker

Lynn's recent letter: 

Hi, Booker - how are you doing? Hope all is well. After reading today's Reunion Update of the Class of 1965, where Rich mentioned the idea of a Booker Gibson scholarship, I remembered the e-mail you had sent to me after our class reunion 2 years ago. I thought it was so interesting and revealing, and I wonder what you would think about me sharing it with Rich Eisbrouch to include in the Reunion newsletter. I think it would be of interest to other classmates. Let me know what you think. As always, best to you and your wife. Fondly, Lynn

Booker's response: 

Hello, Lynn,
     Thanks for your "surprise" note. I think and talk about your class of '65 very, very often. Whenever I mention the weekly newsletter, people's jaws drop! Maybe yesterday our minds were communicating. Due to the newsletter, I was checking for the "triplets" upcoming birthday. I had it entered in my PALM as April 9th ... so 56 this time? In October, I hope to be 74.
     Rich's scholarship idea stunned me, and, of course, flattered me. Last April, I did visit South to see the new additions to the building, particularly to the music area (all are on the first level, extending out towards the football field, and have so much equipment than we ever had). Lynn, the other reason I wanted to visit was the "diversity" I had heard about. There were so many, many Black, Latino, and Dominican students that I couldn't count them all. It seemed fairly peaceful. On my way home, I drove by Memorial and Central during their lunchtime, and it was about the same. It had to happen, sooner or later.
     Yes, Lynn, you could let Rich use any letter of mine, anytime. By the way, one of my grown sons taught me how to use this "spell check" so maybe this letter will be better. This son, Brooke, graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, and we wanted him to teach, but he just doesn't want to. He works on brand new cars in the daytime and plays bass in 2 different rock bands at night.
     Thanks, again, Lynn, for your wonderful letter. Is your daughter over 21 now?
Booker

From Fran Bellucci: About the scholarship honoring Booker Gibson -- It's a great idea! I learned to enjoy good music in his junior high classes, even if I only drew the operas while listening. I never could identify them on tests.

From Nancy Garfield: Absolutely. Let's do it now, with a plan to also honor him at our 40th.

[Rich -- Also, the full text of Booker's answer to me, when I asked if a scholarship in his honor existed at South.]

Rich, you really flabbergasted me! No, I don't know of any present scholarship in my name at South. This is stunning! I wish I could present something to ALL the many people like your classmates who helped make it such a mutual learning experience. I don't know if many others are interested or particularly the school board, since they may only favor "memorials."
     Still, if there ever is such an award, I know it will go to a deserving student. Things changed as far as music is no longer compulsory, but I always was in contact with the Dramatics club, choruses, and band people. Last April, I visited South and Forest Road's 50th anniversary party with my wife (formerly, Miss Butler) who taught music there. Now, there is much "diversity" in all the Valley Stream schools. They seemed like good people. We hope too many people don't "run."
     Thanks so much for your thoughts. Whatever happens, I'm flattered.

On a totally different subject, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: Few and too far between, I sometimes do have a valid business chat with formidable people. This came out of one of them, and I thought I'd pass on this eye opener just for the shock value. The account is opening a veddy, veddy, upscale trendy shop in Jersey City. HUH? Joiseycity ... blue collar ... old blue eyes ... blue cement shoes ... Jersey City? Well, it seems that while we've been away, the new hots spots / real estate / restaurants / urban renewal / cool places to be and to be seen are ... Astoria ... Williamsburg ... and South Brooklyn. Yikes! What's next? Cappuccino in Canarsie? Pilates on Pitkin? Day spas off the Deegan? By the way, I have some waterfront land in the Bronx that may be an investment ... anyone want in, before it's too late? You know where to find me ... at the bank.

Also from Fran Bellucci: Just a thought, and not to slam all the ethical business people -- maybe all these business schools and universities should start requiring philosophy courses again. My dictionary defines philosophy as "the study of truth or principles of knowledge -- including morality." Wasn't it the business majors who insisted that philosophy isn't relevent?

A travel note, from Robert Fiveson: I'll be in Peru from April 1st to 9th.

And, in response to my writing Marc Jonas that "I hope all's well in Philadelphia, and that it's finally warming up," Marc replied: "Let me say this -- *#*$&@(*#@)@( -- if you get my drift."

A fast note from Terri Donohue Calamari's daughter Trish: I regret to make this my latest correspondence and to start the morning on this note, but as you may have heard by now, there was a bombing in Tashkent this morning at the Chorzu bazaar. I just wanted to let everybody know that I was 30 km away from the site (en route to class) at the time and that I am safe. Both the US Embassy and Peace Corps Security are keeping an eye on the situation, and Uzbek authorities are following all leads. But for now, all trainees / volunteers are forbidden to go to Tashkent until further notice. I will write again within the next few days.

Part of The New York Times story on the same subject: March 29 -- Nineteen people were killed and at least 26 were wounded in a series of terrorist incidents in the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan, the prosecutor general Rashid Kadyrov said today. He also told reporters that the deaths involved two bombings, two attacks on police officers, and an explosion that killed 10 people at a building where bombs were being assembled. Kadyrov blamed Islamic militants, who have been the target of strong crackdowns in Uzbekistan, where the United States has a key military base near the border with Afghanistan. "These were terrorist acts," he said. "There is reason to believe they were prepared over a long period and coordinated from a center, possibly abroad." The United States Embassy cautioned Americans in Uzbekistan to be on "highest alert" and said, "Other terrorists are believed still at large and may be attempting additional attacks." Uzbekistan has been a strategic ally of the United States as it pursues terror groups since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
A note on my reading habits, from the erudite Donald Faber: If you're reading New York and the New Yorker regularly, you may as well add the New York Observer to your list. If you're unfamiliar with it, it's a weekly newspaper, largely media gossip, with trenchant filler on politics, real estate, society, etc. It's been around since the 80's, and here's a link: http://www.observer.com/index_go.html. It's published every Wednesday, so if you're intrigued, there's a new issue available tomorrow. Res Ipsa Loquitar.

[Rich -- I'll check it out, though I have no idea what Res Ipsa Loquitar means. I'm guessing it's Latin and hoping I haven't insulted anyone.]

Finally, a couple of fast obituaries you may not have seen, also from the Times:

March 28 -- Jan Berry, a member of the duo Jan & Dean, which had the 1960's surf music hits "Dead Man's Curve," "Surf City," and "The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)," died on Friday. He was 62. Mr. Berry had a seizure and stopped breathing at his home, and was pronounced dead Friday evening at a hospital here, said his wife. He had been in poor health recently from the lingering effects of brain damage from a 1966 car crash. Jan & Dean had a string of hits and 10 gold records in the 1960's. Mr. Berry was considered the creative force behind Jan & Dean and pioneered, along with his friend and Beach Boys member, Brian Wilson, the surf music sound of driving drums and guitar and falsetto harmonies. Mr. Berry wrote the lyrics to "Surf City" and "Dead Man's Curve" with Mr. Wilson. William Jan Berry was born on April 3, 1941, in the wealthy Bel Air area of Los Angeles to a large family. His father, William, was an engineer who helped build Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose airplane. Mr. Berry's hitmaking career with Dean Torrence, a friend whom he met while playing high school football in West Los Angeles, was cut short in 1966 when his speeding Corvette hit a parked truck and he suffered brain damage that left him partly paralyzed and unable to talk. Mr. Berry's recovery was slow, but eventually he was able to resume singing and writing songs.

March 29 -- Peter Ustinov, the British actor-writer, died today, at 82. When he was knighted by the Queen of England in 1990, his main worry was how to reply to the invitation from Buckingham Palace. Recounting his concern, he said: "The invitation said, "Delete whichever is inapplicable: I can kneel; I cannot kneel." But there was nothing for those who can kneel but not get up."

The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich