Update 8-20-02


Okay,

This is an experiment.  I'm sending this from a strange machine---a Mac, with a rollerball mouse---in a strange city,  using the AOL Anywhere link.  Even worse, I don't have Spell Check.  If this doesn't work, I may have to switch the updates to another night, when I'm comfortably home.

Straight to letters:

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:   Just a quick note to validate a point that Jerry Bittman has been trying to make these last months.  While channel surfing, I stopped to listen to an update on a news bulletin from 9/11, talking about where the President was hidden immediately after the World Trade Center attacks.  "The President was flown to an undisclosed underground location in Nebraska."  Hmmm, maybe Jerry does have a point about location considerations for our next reunion.   (Oh Good God -- just how long have I been basking in the South Beach sun?  Has my brain really fried?  Did I really say that?  Quick, bring me another mohito, and let me rethink this!)
           
(Um, Barbara, what's a mohito?)

From Jerry Bittman:   Finally, Barbara Pech has seen the light.  She saw on TV the other night that on 9/11 they flew the President to Nebraska and hid him in an undisclosed location.  Now, does everybody agree that Nebraska should be our country's capital?  Besides, the terrorists have never even heard of Nebraska.  They  probably think it's a game, like Canasta.  Still, I must advise any single men not to plan to move to Nebraska.  If anybody wants to
become a trizillionaire, bring some women out to Nebraska and open up a matchmaking business.
          Also, it was great hearing from Paul Zegler the other  night, though he asked me if I would be interested in marrying a 23 year-old Russian girl for the next two years -- I would receive $5,000 the day of the wedding.  Does Ziggy think that I am crazy enough to do that?  I told him that she was too old.

From Jane Ruzzo Tiell:  I love to read the news from everyone.  Speaking of which, my youngest son, Howie, got married to Madeline on Sunday.  It was a wonderful affair.  Now, I have to look forward to becoming a grandmother in November.  No, not Howie and Madeline, but Noel and Lisa in Florida.  Write you all soon again

From Judy Hartstone:  Although I didn't think I'd get another dog quite so soon, I did scan petfinders.com last week, and there she was, a black miniature poodle.  Because she's 7-9 years old, she didn't have much chance of getting adopted, but she's perfect for me.  Two months ago, she was found wandering the streets of Corvallis, Oregon, and was never claimed by her owner while she was held at the shelter.  So I don't know anything about her background, except it's clear she's happiest being an only dog, and that she was very well trained and is in very good health.  She was with a foster home in Vancouver, Washington before I picked her up on Sunday.  She is now named Sadie, and I told her this is the last stop on her adventure -- she doesn't have to worry anymore.   Awwww......

From Barnet Kellman:   Due to the permanent retirement of my much missed publicists, Verona and George Kellman, I'm forced to tout my own shows myself.  So here goes:
          TV TALES:  MURPHY BROWN -- E! Entertainment cable channel.   Interviews with the participants (including me), clips etc.   On AUGUST 26th, 8-10 PM
          FAMILY AFFAIR -- the hour-long premiere of the pilot for the new (remake of old) series
FAMILY AFFAIR.  Directed by me.  Starring Tim Curry and Gary Cole.   WB NETWORK.  On SEPTEMBER 12th, to be repeated SEPTEMBER 13th, 8-9 PM.   To be followed each Thursday at 8 pm (WB Network)  by half-hour episodes of FAMILY AFFAIR, produced by me -- many directed by me.  Check your local listings for channel numbers in your area.
          Also, I highly recommend Bob Fiveson's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Documentary.   Very interesting, informative -- well done!   And thanks to Jerry Bittman and Rich for hilarious commentary on, well, everything.
          Finally, on August 23rd, 2002, Nancy Mette, along with her followers -- Barnet, Kate, Eliza and Michael Kellman -- are moving.  Just a few blocks away, and still in Los Angeles.  Write me for the exact address.

From Robert Fiveson:  In a news article recently, I read, "'Investigators also found 4,000 pounds of explosives at High Energy Access Tools, an anti-terrorism and police training company that was conducting classes for students from the United Arab Emirates and Yemen,' said Tom Mangan, a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent."
         Didn't we go to school with a Tom Mangan?  Put out an All Points Bulletin, and find out if this is the same guy.

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  My Summer Vacation
          The first annual Summer Reunion of the Jerry Bittman No Show Contingency was called to [dis]order at 1 AM in the hot tub of the UCF Holiday Inn in beautiful East Orlando, Florida. Sleepless and in various stages of attendence were:
Barbara Blitfield Pech / Lucy... understudy to Ethel Robin Feit Baker / Ethel... understudy to Lucy Gayle Ulrich Ramish / Thelma... understudy to all of above Eric Hilton / Louise... understudy to Abbott, Costello, Laurel, Moe, Groucho & Alan King Rachael Robinson Rizzo / too young and lovely to be anyone other than herself.
And an occassional appearance by Chef Evan --  "When is, and what's for, lunch... I'll have the waitress" -- Pech
          Planned, and unplanned, activities included:
*Shopping -- inclusive of midnight Walmart emergancy search  (Who'd ever believe this purchase?)
*55 and over menu selections (dealing with the menu title) *hot tubbing 101 *wine tasting 202, 303, 404, etc.
*power walking, even in flip flops
*poetry readings by Robin
*fine dining and plate purchases with ou -- I can get you there at any speed *car door handle popping -- breaking into my own car.  (Don't ask  -- okay ask, but someone else must explain) *the photo shoot *cell phone cola orders -- from the NEXT chaise (thanks Eric, for the roaming charges) *"IT IS WHAT IT IS"
*redefined "all nighters"
*an extended stay by Gayle  --  "I'm not leaving yet... ever."
*lessons in "class of 65 reality" -- who's 55? -- to my own gen x 24 child of constant amazement and bewilderment and acceptance that mom and her friends are COOL"
          But seriously, as Gayle so beautifully summed up the weekend:  dear friends were together; dear friendships were deepened; we had lots of new experiences, and obviously lots of laughs, which created memories and special places in our hearts, for each other, and for  all who were not with us in person, but in name and spirit.  We came together to celebrate ourselves and each other.  Thanks to all who shared and for those who will "next time."  Photos to follow, even the X-rated ones from the water girls.

From Eric Hilton:  An Orlando Bonding (sorry, not bondage) Session:
          After a long day at work and the 2.5 hour, tiring drive from Sarasota to Orlando, nothing feels better than sitting in a hot tub for about 62 hrs, turning into Prune-People (except for Robin, whose skin is like porcelain) with some very special friends!  At about 1:30, 2:00  -- or, as Robin had said --14 o'clock -- still on an emotional high, Gayle, Barbara, Robin, and I, decided to find an all-night Cheese & Cracker shop, to help us consume the Bottle of BLUE FISH WINE that I transported all the way from Sarasota.  Unable to fulfill our quest, we decided that Milkshakes and French fries at an all-night Steak & Shake (as served at the Tulsa Diner on Sunrise Highway) would hit the spot.   After a couple of hours of some great reminiscing and loud laughing, it was back to the Holiday Inn, to drink wine and look at my 1966 Legend (Yes, I was stupid, and had to repeat a year).
          With the alcohol level rising within us, and our inhibitions at a low, we all got into one, bed, snuggled closely (!) and proceeded to tear apart the students and teachers that we had hated all those years ago.  (GOD that felt good -- what a rush!)  Deciding that sleep was an option, (some rested for a couple of hours) we resumed our bonding activities, which included a nice walk on a trail, and choosing breakfast from the Over 55 (or food for the almost dead) menu.  Preparing for the afternoon's rigorous activities we had planned (which was lying around the pool, drinking, and waiting for Rachael to arrive) Barbara graciously gave us a tour of her son's UCF campus, where all 4 of us exited the car, placed Robin's camera on my tripod and proceeded to take numerous self-portraits of ourselves, while students stared in amazement, wondering if they too would be acting this strange in 35 years!   
          Having only one day off, I had to start my long night's journey back to Sarasota, leaving my newly reacquainted best friends, while driving in the worst rain and thunderstorm I have ever seen.  Fatigued, and fearing for my life as tractor-trailers flew by me doing 75 mph, cars spun out of control, and head-on collisions appeared in my head, I wanted to pray to God that I would make it back alive (or at least not spill coke, fries, or ketchup on my new Goofy shirt that I just bought in Orlando).  But all I could think of was the wonderful, relaxing time I had just spent with the very special people I had not known well in South, but just became wonderful friends with.  How lucky am I?  
          I can't thank Barbara enough for getting us together again and am looking forward to our next encounter.  (How about next week?)   Robin will be sending us some of the photos when she has them processed.

Finally, a fast reminder of the next New York Barbecue coming up.  Contact Paul DeMartino for details, by e-mail or phone.

Home page address:  hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a


Rich