Update 5-27-03


Hi,

Holiday weekend, with everyone busy.  But here are some letters:

From Paul DeMartino:  My wife and I just returned from five days in Austria, and we had a great time.  We stayed in Vienna and took in a few classical music concerts
in the same concert halls where Mozart performed.  We also took a day trip to Salzburg, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, then had a great dinner opposite
Mozart's house (one of them anyway).  All in all, it was very enjoyable and
worth the visit.
      Also, my youngest daughter just graduated from SUNY Binghamton this past Sunday and starts teaching in New York City in June.  She's in the New York City Fellowship program for non-Education majors, where teacher training is done in the summer, and New York City picks up the cost of the Master's degree and certification.  It's a two-year commitment, and she's looking forward to it.
      And just to let you know:  the pool party at Mark Yetman's has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 26th.  This should make it easier for those traveling any distance.  It begins at 12 noon, and goes until...  Of course, all members of South's Class of '65 (and guests) are invited to attend.  Last year's party was a big success, and we all had a wonderful time.  Mark has a perfect setting for a party with an in-ground pool.  All interested should contact me for details and directions.

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  "thanks" for new food memories from peg cooper...must remember to NOT read the reunion updates before breakfast..i can't get to the kitchen fast enough...but alas..i have never again had a hamburger even half as great as the len's flame broiled & ohhh.. those onion rings.....was that [really]  olive oil that made the golden crust pizza..golden..."go know"....somehow kashi lean just doesn't "do it" this morning!

From Hy Rosov:  Thought you would be interested in the fact that I have entered the Jewish Museum's national competition for Jewish artifacts the past two years.  Last year, I created an original Seder Plate for the Passover holiday and won first prize and $1800.  This year, I wasn't so lucky and only took second prize for a charity box and $1000.  I afraid if I enter next year, all I can possibly win is third place and $500.  But I think I'll give it a shot.
      Also, I am working with the Class of '73 and their upcoming reunion on July 26th at the Coral House in Baldwin.  It will be great to see my eighteen-year-old former students, who are now approaching fifty.

From Booker Gibson:  I goofed again.  (Senior  moment.)  I should have written "Where Al Raitano was on that September 11th date in 2001."

From Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  Lucille Sayre and Vicky Colman did some detective work and came up with these links for Al Raitano and Second Chance.
      http://www.nbcmv.com/photography.nbc?section=&show=&type=&keyword=Al+Raitano  (for a picture of Al)
      http://www.nbcmv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20030521000000-peacocknetworkaddssilv.html  (for a press release about the show)
      To save you time, here's the press release:
      BURBANK, Calif. -- May 21, 2003 -- Never has network TV seen a 69 Year Old Grandma rapping to Fifty Cent or an 80- year old Grandma playing the electric guitar. Senior citizens are finally being given their second chance with its new competitive special “Second Chance: America’s Most Talented Senior,” as celebrity judges Shirley Jones (“The Partridge Family”), Barry Williams (“The Brady Bunch”) and Estelle Harris (“Seinfeld”) will determine which competitor will win $25,000 which will be awarded on Sunday, June 1 (8-9 p.m. ET).
      The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, Executive Vice President, Alternative Series, Longform and Program Strategy, NBC Entertainment.
      As in NBC’s related series, “America’s Most Talented Kid,” Mario Lopez (“The Other Half”) will serve as host.
      “Second Chance: America’s Most Talented Senior” will feature older Americans from across the country who will compete head-to-head in an overall talent contest. The categories will range from song and dance to the most exceptional and unusual acts.
      Featured contestants include Vivian Smallwood, 69 (Mission Hills, California; Cordell Jackson, 80 (Memphis, Tennessee); Larry Scott, 60 (Monkton, Maryland); Jelsa Palao, 58 (Valley Village, California); Lambus Dean, 54 (Las Vegas, Nevada); Nian Cadman Dake, 60 (Phoenix, Arizona); Christine Gentry, 82 (Florence, Alabama); Al Raitano, 60 (Cave Creek, Arizona); Mary Allen, 77 (Carrollton, Texas), and Jerome Robinson, 53 (Las Vegas, Nevada).
      The one-hour special will highlight the individual talent of the seniors, who will be scored by Oscar winner Jones (“Elmer Gantry”), Williams and Harris as the celebrity panel of judges. The judges will pick the winner who will receive a $25,000 cash prize.
      The special will also include behind-the-scenes footage of the audition process.
      “Second Chance: America’s Most Talented Senior” is a production of NBC Studios. Stuart Krasnow (“Dog Eat Dog,” “Weakest Link”) serves as the executive producer, and Peter Johansen (“The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” “The Martin Short Show”) co-executive produces.

A short Public Service Announcement, if you're looking for a place to send your money or spend your time.  From The New York Times, May 25th:  "Food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters have rarely seen such demand. "I am not aware of any food bank in the country that's saying they are seeing fewer people," said Douglas O'Brien, vice president for public policy and research at America's Second Harvest in Chicago ...  In the face of the demand, some pantries are rationing food by putting less in the bags they distribute, asking clients to wait longer for bags or setting limits on the number of clients they serve ...  Pantry staffs are almost entirely volunteers, mostly retirees. About 100 volunteers take turns at Lamb's Basket [in Richmond, Virginia] ferrying in food from stores and the food bank, interviewing clients and packing bags and boxes.  The pantries are cheerful, trusting, fast-moving places with little of the delay and paper-shuffling scrutiny of the welfare office."
      http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/25/national/25PANT.html?ex=1054835249&ei=1&en=76f9b5b1f5e77078  (for the whole article)

Finally, as if they're not already isolated enough:
      BIG SPRINGS, Neb. (AP) -- A bridge over Interstate 80 collapsed when a semi-trailer slammed into it ... Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Doug Miller said early Saturday morning that the patrol knew of three eastbound semitrailers that were damaged by the falling debris.  He said none were trapped under rubble.  Both eastbound and westbound traffic was being rerouted around the Big Springs interchange, the Nebraska State Patrol said.
      "We're completely packed right now,'' said Stanley Crandell, assistant manager at the Bosselman Travel Center in Big Springs.  "Just a lot of people wanting to know how to get around and keep going to Denver.''
      ... Chris Peterson, an aide to Gov. Mike Johanns, initially estimated the interstate would be cleared by Saturday morning, but revised that after officials arrived on scene and saw the damage.  "The bridge fell in such a way that it won't be easily cleared,'' Peterson said.  "It's too early to determine how early the interstate will reopen, the assessment is under way.''
      A nearby portion of the interstate was closed during the busy July Fourth weekend last year when approaches to two interstate bridges in Ogallala washed out in flash flooding.  Interstate 80, the nation's busiest highway, was closed for a week while repairs were made.  Just west of Big Springs is the Interstate 80-Interstate 76 interchange.  Interstate 76 is the main route to Denver from Nebraska.

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


Rich