Update 7-1-03


Hi,

Oh, heck, let's just start with the trivia:

From Allen Moss:  It's the baby boomer "vidiot" from Maine here.  I will put in another confirmation that Jackie Gleason was the original Riley when it went to television.  William Bendix took back over his radio role after one season.  I think he had some movie commitments for that one year.  By the way, Broderick Crawford was also on television at that time in Highway Patrol, as Officer Dan Matthews.  "10-4"

From Jerry Bittman:  I just heard from Stuie Kandel, and he knew the answer to the Simon and Garfunkel trivia question.  I should have not been surprised that Stuie knew this, since he is a lot older than the rest of us.  Most people don't know this, but Stu was the best student in 5th grade for 3 consecutive years.

From Ray Staley:  The first recording by Simon and Garfunkel was "Hey, Schoolgirl"  in 1957, and they called themselves Tom & Jerry.

From Peggy Cooper Schwartz:  I believe Simon and Garfunkel first recorded under the names of Tom & Jerry, but I forget the name of their album.  My goodness --"album" -- there's an archaic word.  Speaking of folk music, I hope you get to see the current film, A Mighty Wind.  It's about a group of aging Baby Boomer Folkies coming together for one last reunion at Town Hall in New York City.  It's a marvelous spoof of the 60's Folk Music scene, complete with the most fabulous music composed by Eugene Levy and Christopher Guest.  Songs are reminiscent of those by The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary, The New Christie Minstrels, Ian & Sylvia, etc.

From Steve Gootzeit:  Jackie Gleason starred in the Life of Riley in the 1949-1950 season.

From Donald Faber:  I've seen many references submitted about various nostalgia websites over the last year, but never, if memory serves, have I seen this one posted before.  I do a lot of research on the web for work, and ran across a link to this website.  It will certainly provide hours of mindless diversion for anyone interested in perusing, but mind you, it's addictive.  This website touches on every aspect of our lives, from every bit of trivial pop culture to myriad links that will connect you to all aspects of Americana, though it's much more likely to trigger off deeply warm feelings of nostalgia for those of us born during the 50s.  So, for what it's worth, I'll pass this dangerous link along:  http://www.americanclassics.homestead.com   Enjoy, all!

From Cathryn Wilson (or her husband Jim Reynolds ):  OK, for you nostalgia buffs, check this out:  http://musicradio.computer.net/airchecks.html

Another letter from Jerry Bittman:  Sad State of Affairs!  Now if you are really curious to know why I am so lonely, I just read in the Omaha newspaper that there are 1.7 million people in Nebraska ---- and 6.4 head of cattle.
      Guberman was 100% correct.  We went our separate ways.  He moved to France and became the King of Comedy.  As you know, he is best known for the telethon he runs every Labor Day, raising money for the unspecified amount of people who have the Plaque.  I, on the other hand, with my never-before-heard singing voice became an alcoholic, moved to Las Vegas, and was part of the Brat Pack along with such other famous entertainers like Mr. Rogers, Mr. Cleaver, Tonto, Bobby Vinton, and Arnold Stang.
      P.S.  To Paul Zegler -- of course, you sent in a quickie last week.  That's what you are best known for.

Another, another letter from Jerry Bittman:  So sorry, but my mind is turned on today.  I like to try and figure out how people come up with their computer ID's.  I just figured out the answer to a person who is the best definition of the word gentleman.  And that individual is Mr. O'Brien.  The ob11 is in reference I believe to the 11 wonderful children Mr. O'Brien had with his wife and all of his mistresses.  And Mr. O'B, I am so sorry, because every time I think back about 9/11, I feel your loss.

A quick exchange of letters between Jerry and me:

From conservative me:  Do you mind my leaving out the part about Mr. O'Brien's mistresses?  Since he just started reading the updates last week, he doesn't know your sense of humor yet, and he might take offense at that line.

From progressive Jerry:  Thanks for asking -- I really appreciate that.  Mr. O'B and I were very close during our years at South.  He does know my humor, and the other day when I got his e-mail address, I sent him a letter.  It stated how I thought he was one of the classiest gentleman that I have come across in my life.  If you remember, I asked you  months ago if you could somehow find an e-mail address for him.  Also, in the e-mail that I sent him the other day (I also sent a copy of the letter to Peter Rosen and Andy Dolich) I included the part about his mistresses -- so he has already seen it.
      Mr. O'B was at the reunion for only approximately 30 minutes, and he and I were together the full time.

Some reminders:

From Paul DeMartino:  Just a quick reminder that July 26th is the Class Pool Party at Mark Yetman's house (the one with the great pool).  All interested ex-Falcons are welcome to attend.  For more information, directions, what to bring, etc., please e-mail me at:  PINA_1@msn.com, and I'll get right back to you.  Now that summer has finally arrived on the East coast, we can all use a dip in the pool.

From Emily Kleinman Schrieber:  Although I don't know your classmates, I do remember many of their older siblings.  I wonder if you could let your "kids" know about the Class of '61's BBB (Big Birthday Bash) which will take place on October. 18th at the Knights of Columbus in Oceanside.  Hitting sssssiiixxxxxxtttyy (eek!) has been very traumatic for many of us, and so we decided to celebrate instead of crying and whining about it.  Those of us who return to all the reunions also needed a reason to get together more than just every five years.  Sooooo, if your Class of '65ers know where any '61ers are, please have them get in touch with me at: cre8em@aol.com.

Some business:

From Emily Ferber Sondheimer:  My e-mail address has changed to: esondheimer@sbcglobal.net   Thanks

From Ellen Epstein Silver:  Please note our change of email address to:
alan.silver@comcast.net   Thanks.

A new clue to an ongoing mystery, from Linda Passaro Feeney:  Hi everyone!  It's always wonderful to read the notes from all of you.  I've just become a grandmother.  My daughter Lisa had our first grandson in May.  She is now living in Los Angeles with her hubby and is a librarian.  Last Sunday,  I attended a wedding seated at the same table as Julia Bonlarron, at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.  So, where is  brother Eddie, I inquired?  He and Paula are living in San Juan Capistrano -- he owns a beauty salon, and has a computer, but never uses it.  Those "other" Eddies living on Long Island may very well be his son and grandson.  I let her know our classmates were looking for him (gee, Eddie -- hope you don't owe these guys any money), and hopefully she will pass the message along.  All my best, and if you're ever in the Raleigh-Durham area, ya'll give me a call!    

Clarification of a non-mystery, from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  to some of you [fortunates] who were dragged monday and wednesday afternoons to temple gates of zion hebrew school...the name sandy moonves might sound familiar to [our] age group and classmates...he is the "older" brother of les....

An Oops, from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  maybe those fleeting senior moments are giving way to full out senility...i mistakenly named les moonves' older brother sandy...when it is indeed alan...of course anyone who is close to me understands how i could easily forget that name... [or just want to.....]

A stand-up clarification, from Jane Ruzow Tiell:  When I was in Israel, we went to the Wailing Wall.  So many people there were talking on the phone.  When I asked the tour guide "Why?" he replied, "From here, it's a local call."  So I guess it's an old joke.

Next week's trivia question -- actually, a pair:

From Jerry Bittman:  What famous movie star was the only contestant to gong himself off The Gong Show?

From Steve Gootzeit:  What event in 1962 caused the late evening newscasts to expand from 15 to 30 minutes?

And there's an e-mail joke from Ray Staley that's gonna have to wait till there's space.

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


Rich