Update 7-27-04
Hi,
Let's start with someone we very rarely hear from, Dennis Pizzimenti: Dear Friends, It would be fascinating to hear from more of our classmates. I'm throwing out a topic for starters. Who was the teacher you wished you got to know better? Fiveson and his ilk are disqualified from this exercise.
Or how about reciting some cloudy memories from the adolescent years celebrating positive group experiences. In Miss Rinaldi's seventh grade English class, we did a radio play. It was a teenage Walter Mitty-type fantasy. Donald Lobdell played the lead. Dickie Gordon came up with the greatest sound effect of an airplane taking off. Beyond that, I cannot remember the rest. Is there any help out there?
[Rich -- I hope someone can remember. It sounds neat. Meanwhile, Dennis, thanks. I've always wanted to be ilk.]
Something political, from Jerry Bittman, which is bound to get at least one person upset -- brace yourself, Larry: First, I just want to say "thank you" to everybody who e-mailed and called me. I'm doing fine, except I believe they pinched a nerve.
I would also like to pose a question to Larry Rugen. If you believe that politicians do not lie, then I have some beautiful beach front property here in Nebraska that I would like to sell you. But anyway, here's the question -- Which vice-president from the state of Nebraska said on national TV that neither he nor the White House pulled any strings in order for Halliburton to receive that lucrative contract in Iraq? When, in fact, in the past month, it was revealed, via interoffice memos and e-mail, that he was influential. Larry, the percentage of politicians who lie is probably equal to the percent of all living people who breathe.
Speaking of lying, has anybody seen the trailer that Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, is driving around the country? On the front of the trailer, he has a ticker tape machine which prints out the many lies that George W. Bush has told.
Finally, Larry -- and everyone else -- I am not a Democrat. I have voted for candidates from both parties. I believe in voting for the individual.
From Zelda White Nichols: Just back from a week in North and South Carolina, where it took a while to get used to all that green and rain. Coming from an area that has had only four inches of rain this year, anything that isn't brown is not natural. I think the state color of California is brown. If it isn't, it should be.
[Rich -- Actually, they fudge and call us The Golden State.]
More from Zelda: Barbara, is that Crispy Kreme bread pudding recipe Atkins compliant?
Also, a long time ago, I learned what the secret of life is, for me anyway. It's making a difference. I learned that I can't change the whole world, but once in a while, I can do something that has a positive impact on another person's life, whether asked for or not. Usually not. I am very proud to be a part of the Class of '65. This year, we have all made a difference to several lives of a younger generation. We have also had the privilege of honoring and thanking those teachers we cherished for all these years. How very lucky we are to be in this time and place on the Internet together. Also, a BIG thank you to Rich, for all his efforts every week. Look at what he has accomplished. WOW!
[Rich -- as I've been taught by Allen Moss, lest he whack me in the head: "You're welcome, Zelda."]
A "head's up" from Barbara Blitfield Pech: Friday 7/23 -- and, no doubt, repeated -- Travel Channel, 10:00 PM -- TONY DANZA'S BROOKLYN. Need I say more? Hugs, youze guys!
Another, from both RoseMarie Cassillo and Donald Faber: If you haven't already seen Bush and Kerry -- or Kerry and Bush -- singing "This Land Is My Land," and if waiting for the website to load hasn't already made your computer crash, log on to: http://www.jibjab.com/
An informal report from Paul DeMartino, who's been traveling around the world -- China, last month, Sicily and Malta in September: This has been a busy summer for all, but have no fear, plans for the reunion will get back on track, and we will report as soon as we can all get together.
Finally, Steve Cahn, Class of '70, wrote: Can someone send me the lyrics to "Valiant Falcons?"
[Rich -- I did, largely from memory, which is just scary. For others who need reminding:
Like valiant falcons winging,
Our dreams will skyward soar,
To bear the light of truth and right
To stand four-square in life.
When from our hallowed halls,
Our sons will soon depart,
Fond memories will e'er remain,
We will rally 'round our standard
And give tribute to South High.]
Steve wrote back: I'm embarrassed that I don't think I ever learned the lyrics! My class was a bunch of hippies! I don't think I ever heard the song sung -- a shame. Thanks. I'll post the words on our class website.
[Rich -- And I wrote back: We were tested on it, in both 7th and 8th grade music classes. Many of us also know "The Star-Spangled Banner," for the same reason.]
Steve again: It's amazing how much the culture of the nation changed in those five years of the late 60s. You were tested on "The Star-Spangled Banner," and, in my year -- but not at South -- kids were burning it!
[Rich again -- What I didn't tell Steve is, of course, there's an alternate version of "Valiant Falcons" -- probably many after all these years. Now, I realize, Dennis, that this isn't a positive group experience. But it was passed on to me by an upperclassman -- maybe Ted Topol, from Buddy McMullen or Hal Hoine -- when I was an impressionable ninth grader. And it always stuck. Too much Tom Leher, I suppose; thank you, Don Fagen, wherever you are:
Like poisoned falcons dying,
Our dreams will downward thud,
To block the light of all that's right,
And wind up in the mud.
When from these pea-green halls,
We finally escape,
Bad memories will always haunt,
Ever lowering our standards,
While we blame goddam South High.]
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Update 7-20-04
Hi,
To begin with, a fast note from Jerry Bittman, about his health: With today's medical technology I was released the day after my surgery. Am in pain, but the pills do help. The doctors told me this will add years and years onto my life. So I will be around to bother you a while longer. HA-HA.
Then, a note from Booker Gibson: It really looks like the Booker T. Gibson Music Scholarship got off to a great start! I believe Vanessa has some great qualities (even though the competition is huge). If I hear of her in a local production, I'll be there. Perhaps before your 2005 reunion, another former student of mine, Sherry Finkel, Class of about '77, will record the Tampio/Gibson song "Even In A Crowd." She said she'd be glad to. She and a few other good singers loved it, though they'd never known Vince. Sherry lived near the flagpole of South High, right across from the dentist Dr. Atlas and his daughters. I guess they all attended Carbonaro Grade School.
Did any of you pick up on the odd spelling of the band director Bob Liest's name in the 2004 graduation program? He said he and his family changed it to "Leist" because of the heavy anti-German feelings in both world wars. I don't remember for sure how Ann Clark might have altered her name. She was Italian Catholic and might have been a "first" in 1935.
By the way, I did take the online political quiz Jerry Bittman mentioned. I'm very worried about the hot feelings there are. We are a very divided country.
P.S. I also phoned Bob Leist in Sarasota, Florida, to tell him about the scholarship. He's about 85 now. I try to call him every year since he meant a lot to me also.
A couple of short political comments, first from Larry Rugen about Jerry Bittman's remark about Dick Cheney: Jerry, ya'll Never change! You just have to muck up a good thing with your political views.
And from Robert Fiveson about last week's forward from RoseMarie Cassillo: Please replace "Koran" with "Bill of Rights" and see if the spin changes at all -- "What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good and pure and true, when some of your leaders are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?"
The promised "thank you note" from Paul Ianniello: Dear Class of '65 -- my name is Paul Ianniello, and I was the recipient of the first Annual Vince Tampio Award this past June 9th, 2004. First, before I discuss my efforts on South's stage, I would just like to whole-heartedly thank the Class of '65 for acknowledging theater and the performing arts, and providing it with a scholarship to give it the recognition it deserves and has been somewhat deprived of throughout the years.
My passion for performing came about when I was Daddy Warbucks in Annie in my fourth grade play. I realized then how much I loved being onstage and that performing was what I wanted to do in my life. My efforts in achieving this reward have varied. I was a constant participant in the musicals at South. My first ever musical at South was in 7th grade when I received the part of Bob Cratchet in Scrooge. Then, in 8th grade, I was Bill in School House Rock. In those shows, I learned how satisfying performing was, not only as a hobby for me, but as a possible future profession. Further shows included: Once on This Island (Daniel), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and my last musical, Hello Dolly! (Cornelius). I also took part in numerous one-act plays and drama productions, the most recent being The Crucible (John Proctor). Performing also helped me strive to be the best student I could be in the classroom. The determination, hard work, and skill I developed on stage were the same attributes I used in the classroom and were what helped me to finish in the top ten percent of my graduating class.
Each time I step foot on the stage, I fall in love with the art of performing all over again. I get a feeling on stage that is unmatchable by anything else I have ever experienced in my life. I love touching people through my interpretations of characters, and the audience is the reason why I plan on pursuing performing as a career. After having to make a tough choice between Wagner College on Staten Island and Nazareth College in Rochester, both having accepted me into their Musical Theater programs, I plan to attend Nazareth College this coming fall. It was hard to turn down a well-known, established program like Wagner's; however, what appealed to me about Nazareth is this is the first year they will be having Musical Theater as a major. It is exciting to know that I can play a role in building Nazareth's program, to help it become a strong one in the future, and one that other students can turn to in order to succeed in the business. In the future, not only will I attend Nazareth College, but I will try to acquire new skills, from dancing to acting, in order to achieve my goal of performing on Broadway.
This scholarship has helped me to advance further in achieving my goal, and, for that alone, I thank the Class of '65 for its acknowledgment of the Theater Arts at South High School. Your unbreakable bonds and constant communication over the years are truly inspiring for future graduation classes to stay in touch with those they grew up with. Thank you again for this honor. It is one I shall never forget.
P.S. Your guidance and advice for the future would be much appreciated. If you have any words of wisdom to share, my e-mail address is: Mrlaugh7@aol.com
Paul's awards and scholarships, as listed in South's graduation program: Marist College Music Merit Scholarship and Marist Academic Scholarship, Wagner College Dean's Scholarship and Theater Arts Scholarship, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music Adirondack Scholarship, Nazareth College Scholarships -- Founders, Regional, and Theater Arts, C.W. Post Academic Excellence Scholarship, Pappas Award -- Scholar/Athlete NCHSBCA, All-County Bowling, All-County NYSSMA, National Honor Roll, Student Council Service award, Excellence in American Sign Language Award, The Vince Tampio Theater Award, South High Faculty Award, The Robert W. Carbonaro Student Council Scholarship Award, Athletic Honor Society, Tri-M National Music Honor Society, National Second Language Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
Also, the lyrics for "Valiant Falcons," slightly misprinted in the program, still have "our sons" departing from them hallowed halls, I guess leaving the poor women behind for the last forty-seven years.
Finally, a recipe -- we haven't had one of those for a while. From Barbara Blitfield Pech: While the reunion page has evolved into many things..the least expected s/b a swap meet for heart stopping calorie laden gosh darn good sweets. The reference Jerry noted, and again NOT the reason he is in [heart] surgery as we speak...is just too good [and easy] to not include..your choice..btw if you don't have Krispy Kreme nearby...MOVE!
Bill Nicholson's Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Rum Sauce recipe, courtesy of The Paula Deen Show.
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Yield: about 12 servings -- 2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2 (4.5-ounce) cans fruit cocktail (undrained)
2 eggs, beaten
1 (9-ounce) box raisins
1 pinch salt
1 or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Butter Rum Sauce, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cube donuts into a large bowl. Pour other ingredients on top of donuts and let soak
for a few minutes. Mix all ingredients together until donuts have soaked up the
liquid as much as possible.
Bake for about 1 hour until center has jelled. Top with Butter Rum Sauce.
Butter Rum Sauce:
1 stick butter
1 pound box confectioners' sugar
Rum, to taste
Melt butter and slowly stir in confectioners' sugar. Add rum and heat until bubbly.
Pour over each serving of Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hi,
To begin with, a fast note from Jerry Bittman, about his health: With today's medical technology I was released the day after my surgery. Am in pain, but the pills do help. The doctors told me this will add years and years onto my life. So I will be around to bother you a while longer. HA-HA.
Then, a note from Booker Gibson: It really looks like the Booker T. Gibson Music Scholarship got off to a great start! I believe Vanessa has some great qualities (even though the competition is huge). If I hear of her in a local production, I'll be there. Perhaps before your 2005 reunion, another former student of mine, Sherry Finkel, Class of about '77, will record the Tampio/Gibson song "Even In A Crowd." She said she'd be glad to. She and a few other good singers loved it, though they'd never known Vince. Sherry lived near the flagpole of South High, right across from the dentist Dr. Atlas and his daughters. I guess they all attended Carbonaro Grade School.
Did any of you pick up on the odd spelling of the band director Bob Liest's name in the 2004 graduation program? He said he and his family changed it to "Leist" because of the heavy anti-German feelings in both world wars. I don't remember for sure how Ann Clark might have altered her name. She was Italian Catholic and might have been a "first" in 1935.
By the way, I did take the online political quiz Jerry Bittman mentioned. I'm very worried about the hot feelings there are. We are a very divided country.
P.S. I also phoned Bob Leist in Sarasota, Florida, to tell him about the scholarship. He's about 85 now. I try to call him every year since he meant a lot to me also.
A couple of short political comments, first from Larry Rugen about Jerry Bittman's remark about Dick Cheney: Jerry, ya'll Never change! You just have to muck up a good thing with your political views.
And from Robert Fiveson about last week's forward from RoseMarie Cassillo: Please replace "Koran" with "Bill of Rights" and see if the spin changes at all -- "What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good and pure and true, when some of your leaders are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?"
The promised "thank you note" from Paul Ianniello: Dear Class of '65 -- my name is Paul Ianniello, and I was the recipient of the first Annual Vince Tampio Award this past June 9th, 2004. First, before I discuss my efforts on South's stage, I would just like to whole-heartedly thank the Class of '65 for acknowledging theater and the performing arts, and providing it with a scholarship to give it the recognition it deserves and has been somewhat deprived of throughout the years.
My passion for performing came about when I was Daddy Warbucks in Annie in my fourth grade play. I realized then how much I loved being onstage and that performing was what I wanted to do in my life. My efforts in achieving this reward have varied. I was a constant participant in the musicals at South. My first ever musical at South was in 7th grade when I received the part of Bob Cratchet in Scrooge. Then, in 8th grade, I was Bill in School House Rock. In those shows, I learned how satisfying performing was, not only as a hobby for me, but as a possible future profession. Further shows included: Once on This Island (Daniel), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and my last musical, Hello Dolly! (Cornelius). I also took part in numerous one-act plays and drama productions, the most recent being The Crucible (John Proctor). Performing also helped me strive to be the best student I could be in the classroom. The determination, hard work, and skill I developed on stage were the same attributes I used in the classroom and were what helped me to finish in the top ten percent of my graduating class.
Each time I step foot on the stage, I fall in love with the art of performing all over again. I get a feeling on stage that is unmatchable by anything else I have ever experienced in my life. I love touching people through my interpretations of characters, and the audience is the reason why I plan on pursuing performing as a career. After having to make a tough choice between Wagner College on Staten Island and Nazareth College in Rochester, both having accepted me into their Musical Theater programs, I plan to attend Nazareth College this coming fall. It was hard to turn down a well-known, established program like Wagner's; however, what appealed to me about Nazareth is this is the first year they will be having Musical Theater as a major. It is exciting to know that I can play a role in building Nazareth's program, to help it become a strong one in the future, and one that other students can turn to in order to succeed in the business. In the future, not only will I attend Nazareth College, but I will try to acquire new skills, from dancing to acting, in order to achieve my goal of performing on Broadway.
This scholarship has helped me to advance further in achieving my goal, and, for that alone, I thank the Class of '65 for its acknowledgment of the Theater Arts at South High School. Your unbreakable bonds and constant communication over the years are truly inspiring for future graduation classes to stay in touch with those they grew up with. Thank you again for this honor. It is one I shall never forget.
P.S. Your guidance and advice for the future would be much appreciated. If you have any words of wisdom to share, my e-mail address is: Mrlaugh7@aol.com
Paul's awards and scholarships, as listed in South's graduation program: Marist College Music Merit Scholarship and Marist Academic Scholarship, Wagner College Dean's Scholarship and Theater Arts Scholarship, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music Adirondack Scholarship, Nazareth College Scholarships -- Founders, Regional, and Theater Arts, C.W. Post Academic Excellence Scholarship, Pappas Award -- Scholar/Athlete NCHSBCA, All-County Bowling, All-County NYSSMA, National Honor Roll, Student Council Service award, Excellence in American Sign Language Award, The Vince Tampio Theater Award, South High Faculty Award, The Robert W. Carbonaro Student Council Scholarship Award, Athletic Honor Society, Tri-M National Music Honor Society, National Second Language Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
Also, the lyrics for "Valiant Falcons," slightly misprinted in the program, still have "our sons" departing from them hallowed halls, I guess leaving the poor women behind for the last forty-seven years.
Finally, a recipe -- we haven't had one of those for a while. From Barbara Blitfield Pech: While the reunion page has evolved into many things..the least expected s/b a swap meet for heart stopping calorie laden gosh darn good sweets. The reference Jerry noted, and again NOT the reason he is in [heart] surgery as we speak...is just too good [and easy] to not include..your choice..btw if you don't have Krispy Kreme nearby...MOVE!
Bill Nicholson's Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Rum Sauce recipe, courtesy of The Paula Deen Show.
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Yield: about 12 servings -- 2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2 (4.5-ounce) cans fruit cocktail (undrained)
2 eggs, beaten
1 (9-ounce) box raisins
1 pinch salt
1 or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Butter Rum Sauce, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cube donuts into a large bowl. Pour other ingredients on top of donuts and let soak
for a few minutes. Mix all ingredients together until donuts have soaked up the
liquid as much as possible.
Bake for about 1 hour until center has jelled. Top with Butter Rum Sauce.
Butter Rum Sauce:
1 stick butter
1 pound box confectioners' sugar
Rum, to taste
Melt butter and slowly stir in confectioners' sugar. Add rum and heat until bubbly.
Pour over each serving of Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 7-13-04
Hey,
It was a comfortable 100 degrees today in the part of Los Angeles where I live. An uncomfortable 100 would have had high humidity, but that, fortunately, was only 9%. End of weather, start of letters:
From Jerry Bittman: Hello, alum. I am sure that you all saw that Marlon Brando, the greatest actor of our generation, recently passed away. Of course, you all knew he was born and raised in Omaha. As a matter of fact, back in the 1920s Brando's mother and Henry Fonda's mother opened up a theater together in Omaha. Now you may ask yourselves, "What other famous people came from Nebraska?" Of course, the greatest talk show host ever, Johnny Carson, was from Norfolk, Nebraska. Also, the klutziest President, Gerald Ford, was born here. And let us not forget Dawn Wells, who portrayed Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island. As for current famous Nebraskans, we cannot forget that the biggest lying Vice-president of all time, Dick Cheney, is from here.
As of this moment, while you are reading this with your favorite beverage and Barbara Blitfield's famous Krispy Kreme recipe, I am in the operating room having a pacemaker and a defibrillator hooked up. I thought about asking the surgeon to put in two pacemakers -- then I could organize an English rock band and call it "Jerry and The Pacemakers." Anyway, I hope I'm still around next week so I can continue to read these updates.
[Rich -- On behalf of us all, in advance, I've wished Jerry well.]
Also from Jerry: If anyone is undecided on who to vote for in November's election, go to: www.presidentmatch.com Take the test. And be honest.
From Marc Jonas: As Steve Gootzeit pointed out last week, around Philly, SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. http://www.septa.org/. But the only award they usually give is for the most decrepit railroad or subway car.
RoseMarie Cassillo forwarded a long Internet piece that's been going around for several years, and, according to Urban Legends, has a number of possible sources. Among other things, the essay highlighted the difficulty many people are having in sorting out present-day world politics. It also included the thought, "What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good and pure and true, when some of your leaders are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?"
From Liz King Giordano, South's secretary: Vanessa Spica and Paul Ianniello prepared something for you and the class and sent it along with their heartfelt "thank you's." Graduation was on Friday, June 25th, and I thought you might like to see our commencement program. I would send photos, too, but I need to have Vanessa's and Paul's parents sign permission slips first. We take very good care of our children.
From Vanessa Spica: I would like to start off by saying how incredibly honored I am to be the first recipient of the Booker Gibson Music Award. Music has been an essential part of my life throughout my high school career, Ever since the ninth grade, I have been part of basically all musical and theatrical activities that South High had to offer.
In the fall of my freshman year, I began studying with a private vocal instructor. In my freshman year, I played the lead role in the fall Junior High musical. I was also a part of South's music group, The Long Island Connection, NYSSMA, and the All District-Chorus. In the summer of 2001, I attended the musical theater program at the BOCES Cultural Arts Center. In my sophomore year, I was part of the Senior High drama, the Women's Choir, the Senior High one-act plays, the spring Senior High musical, and the All-County Chorus. In addition, I continued with The Long Island Connection, NYSSMA, and the All-District Chorus. I was also inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and I won the award for Best Character Actress in the one-acts plays. I continued these activities -- which soon became a part of who I was -- all through the duration of my junior and senior years.
After my experience with community theater, I knew that musical theater was something that I wanted to pursue for sure. This past fall, I played the role of Bonnie in the Rockville Centre Guild of the Arts production of Anything Goes. I realized that my love and passion for music and theater could also be shared with complete strangers whom I grew to love. Not only did South introduce and welcome me into the wonderful world of music, but I gained so much knowledge from being so involved with the school. I also grew a family within the music community, and that will be one of the hardest things to leave once I begin college next fall. Music is the love of my life, my one true passion, and I have South High to thank for that. I should award them with an award. I only wish there was something I could do to repay them.
After careful consideration and many auditions, I decided to attend Manhattanville College next year. I got accepted into Manhattanville with a $9,000 music scholarship. My major will be theater with a concentration in musical theater, and my minor will be dance. Hopefully, from there, I will successfully pursue a career in the performing arts.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude for receiving this prestigious award. It's a great honor, and I am incredibly grateful. Thank you!
Vanessa's awards and scholarships, as listed in the program for South's forty-seventh commencement: Manhattanville College Music Scholarship, Pace University Incentive Award, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy National Scholarship Award, The Booker Gibson Music Award, Theatrical Troupe Award
Also: BOCES = Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and NYSSMA = New York State School Music Association
Paul Ianniello's note and awards list will be here next week. South's Class of 2004 had approximately 180 graduates. And "Valiant Falcons" was credited in the commencement program to Robert Liest, but not to Anne Clark -- Ann Clarke? Of course, Francis Scott Key didn't get credit for the national anthem, either.
Finally, some topical financial filler, greatly condensed from a piece by Lydia Polgreen in the July 9, 2004 New York Times: A new study, covering New York City and Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties, found that the New York area had an average hourly wage of $23.10. That's 32 percent higher than the national average. New Yorkers doing almost any job made more money than they would anywhere else, with the exception of many factory workers. Predictably, management and legal professions are in the top tier, surgeons are the highest earners, with an annual wage of $186,350, and chief executives, stockbrokers, and internists also made the top five.
Professions that attend to New Yorkers' vanity do relatively well: fitness trainers and aerobic instructors make $50,170, massage therapists $58,260, dental hygienists $64,320, and registered nurses make almost $2,000 more. Though appealing to vanity doesn't always work: manicurists and pedicurists are fifth from the bottom, making just $16,640, or $8 an hour. Hairstylists need your tip, as their mean salary is $22,680, and the person who shampoos your hair makes only $16,370. Better specialize in skin: "skin care specialists," not including dermatologists, make $35,880.
Food service ranks dead last in average wages: fast-food cooks make $14,700, and though chefs make $42,080, that's still well below the city average of $48,050. Bartenders make just a bit more than $10 an hour, and waiters and waitresses $11. Service station attendants make $16,020, cashiers $17,180, and the area's 55,000 home health aides just $18,650. A substance abuse counselor more than doubles that to $41,170, and actors lucky enough to work full time take in an average of $57,190.
Real estate brokers make $90,880, construction managers $71,230, and preschool teachers $31,750. Reporters and correspondents take in $60,500, editors $58,720, and writers and authors $53,620. The 104,000 retail sales clerks in the city make just $23,000, baby sitters $22,030, maids make $14.03 an hour, and child care workers $10.59. Butchers do slightly better than bakers, cobblers make just $21,590, and sewing machine operators $17,940. Finally, it apparently pays more to fix watches, at $43,990, than to install locks, at $34,940.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hey,
It was a comfortable 100 degrees today in the part of Los Angeles where I live. An uncomfortable 100 would have had high humidity, but that, fortunately, was only 9%. End of weather, start of letters:
From Jerry Bittman: Hello, alum. I am sure that you all saw that Marlon Brando, the greatest actor of our generation, recently passed away. Of course, you all knew he was born and raised in Omaha. As a matter of fact, back in the 1920s Brando's mother and Henry Fonda's mother opened up a theater together in Omaha. Now you may ask yourselves, "What other famous people came from Nebraska?" Of course, the greatest talk show host ever, Johnny Carson, was from Norfolk, Nebraska. Also, the klutziest President, Gerald Ford, was born here. And let us not forget Dawn Wells, who portrayed Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island. As for current famous Nebraskans, we cannot forget that the biggest lying Vice-president of all time, Dick Cheney, is from here.
As of this moment, while you are reading this with your favorite beverage and Barbara Blitfield's famous Krispy Kreme recipe, I am in the operating room having a pacemaker and a defibrillator hooked up. I thought about asking the surgeon to put in two pacemakers -- then I could organize an English rock band and call it "Jerry and The Pacemakers." Anyway, I hope I'm still around next week so I can continue to read these updates.
[Rich -- On behalf of us all, in advance, I've wished Jerry well.]
Also from Jerry: If anyone is undecided on who to vote for in November's election, go to: www.presidentmatch.com Take the test. And be honest.
From Marc Jonas: As Steve Gootzeit pointed out last week, around Philly, SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. http://www.septa.org/. But the only award they usually give is for the most decrepit railroad or subway car.
RoseMarie Cassillo forwarded a long Internet piece that's been going around for several years, and, according to Urban Legends, has a number of possible sources. Among other things, the essay highlighted the difficulty many people are having in sorting out present-day world politics. It also included the thought, "What good is it if the teachings in the Koran are good and pure and true, when some of your leaders are teaching fanatical interpretations, terrorism, and intolerance?"
From Liz King Giordano, South's secretary: Vanessa Spica and Paul Ianniello prepared something for you and the class and sent it along with their heartfelt "thank you's." Graduation was on Friday, June 25th, and I thought you might like to see our commencement program. I would send photos, too, but I need to have Vanessa's and Paul's parents sign permission slips first. We take very good care of our children.
From Vanessa Spica: I would like to start off by saying how incredibly honored I am to be the first recipient of the Booker Gibson Music Award. Music has been an essential part of my life throughout my high school career, Ever since the ninth grade, I have been part of basically all musical and theatrical activities that South High had to offer.
In the fall of my freshman year, I began studying with a private vocal instructor. In my freshman year, I played the lead role in the fall Junior High musical. I was also a part of South's music group, The Long Island Connection, NYSSMA, and the All District-Chorus. In the summer of 2001, I attended the musical theater program at the BOCES Cultural Arts Center. In my sophomore year, I was part of the Senior High drama, the Women's Choir, the Senior High one-act plays, the spring Senior High musical, and the All-County Chorus. In addition, I continued with The Long Island Connection, NYSSMA, and the All-District Chorus. I was also inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and I won the award for Best Character Actress in the one-acts plays. I continued these activities -- which soon became a part of who I was -- all through the duration of my junior and senior years.
After my experience with community theater, I knew that musical theater was something that I wanted to pursue for sure. This past fall, I played the role of Bonnie in the Rockville Centre Guild of the Arts production of Anything Goes. I realized that my love and passion for music and theater could also be shared with complete strangers whom I grew to love. Not only did South introduce and welcome me into the wonderful world of music, but I gained so much knowledge from being so involved with the school. I also grew a family within the music community, and that will be one of the hardest things to leave once I begin college next fall. Music is the love of my life, my one true passion, and I have South High to thank for that. I should award them with an award. I only wish there was something I could do to repay them.
After careful consideration and many auditions, I decided to attend Manhattanville College next year. I got accepted into Manhattanville with a $9,000 music scholarship. My major will be theater with a concentration in musical theater, and my minor will be dance. Hopefully, from there, I will successfully pursue a career in the performing arts.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude for receiving this prestigious award. It's a great honor, and I am incredibly grateful. Thank you!
Vanessa's awards and scholarships, as listed in the program for South's forty-seventh commencement: Manhattanville College Music Scholarship, Pace University Incentive Award, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy National Scholarship Award, The Booker Gibson Music Award, Theatrical Troupe Award
Also: BOCES = Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and NYSSMA = New York State School Music Association
Paul Ianniello's note and awards list will be here next week. South's Class of 2004 had approximately 180 graduates. And "Valiant Falcons" was credited in the commencement program to Robert Liest, but not to Anne Clark -- Ann Clarke? Of course, Francis Scott Key didn't get credit for the national anthem, either.
Finally, some topical financial filler, greatly condensed from a piece by Lydia Polgreen in the July 9, 2004 New York Times: A new study, covering New York City and Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties, found that the New York area had an average hourly wage of $23.10. That's 32 percent higher than the national average. New Yorkers doing almost any job made more money than they would anywhere else, with the exception of many factory workers. Predictably, management and legal professions are in the top tier, surgeons are the highest earners, with an annual wage of $186,350, and chief executives, stockbrokers, and internists also made the top five.
Professions that attend to New Yorkers' vanity do relatively well: fitness trainers and aerobic instructors make $50,170, massage therapists $58,260, dental hygienists $64,320, and registered nurses make almost $2,000 more. Though appealing to vanity doesn't always work: manicurists and pedicurists are fifth from the bottom, making just $16,640, or $8 an hour. Hairstylists need your tip, as their mean salary is $22,680, and the person who shampoos your hair makes only $16,370. Better specialize in skin: "skin care specialists," not including dermatologists, make $35,880.
Food service ranks dead last in average wages: fast-food cooks make $14,700, and though chefs make $42,080, that's still well below the city average of $48,050. Bartenders make just a bit more than $10 an hour, and waiters and waitresses $11. Service station attendants make $16,020, cashiers $17,180, and the area's 55,000 home health aides just $18,650. A substance abuse counselor more than doubles that to $41,170, and actors lucky enough to work full time take in an average of $57,190.
Real estate brokers make $90,880, construction managers $71,230, and preschool teachers $31,750. Reporters and correspondents take in $60,500, editors $58,720, and writers and authors $53,620. The 104,000 retail sales clerks in the city make just $23,000, baby sitters $22,030, maids make $14.03 an hour, and child care workers $10.59. Butchers do slightly better than bakers, cobblers make just $21,590, and sewing machine operators $17,940. Finally, it apparently pays more to fix watches, at $43,990, than to install locks, at $34,940.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 7-6-04
Hi,
A handful of notes, then some travel filler:
From Barbara Zingman Braunstein: SEPTA -- Special Education Parent Teachers Association.
From Steve Gootzeit: The only SEPTA I know is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which runs the trains and buses in Philadelphia.
From Ellen Epstein Silver: Attached is a photo of Janice Williams Teeuwe, her motorcycle, and me. Janice was an absolute delight. We caught up, and it was like we'd never been apart. She has a wonderful life in a beautiful setting with (mountain) lions, and no tigers, but bears, oh my. She says you get used to it, and the bears only eat out of the garbage pails when no one is looking. Janice also has a terrific family who enjoys all the pleasures of living in the great state of Colorado. We had a wonderful visit.
[Rich -- the photo's on the home page, under Photos.]
And the topical travel filler, from my trip around the country: Sunday, July 4th, 1999, Carlsbad, New Mexico.
As one of my dumber ideas, I thought we'd take the dog to the Fourth of July celebrations. She'd been alone all day, locked in a strange motel room, and she'd behaved perfectly, not even messing up the bed she'd been forbidden to loaf on while we were gone. Nothing was chewed or wet. What better reward than a night out?
How about a night huddled under a mattress?
Dogs don't like fireworks. I should've read her training book. But even protective Tom didn't know that, or he never would have let me bring her along.
We'd gone to dinner first, without her, there being very few dog-friendly restaurants in Carlsbad or maybe anywhere. This was a different place from the night before, unfortunately with even less interesting food. "Where are the good fireworks?" I asked the waitress as we finished.
Damned if she knew.
Heading out, I asked the desk clerk the same question, the restaurant being conveniently located in our motel lobby. "Down by the river," came the answer -- which sounded Biblical, but made sense. If you're gonna set off sparks in a desert, at least shoot them where they can't burn up the place.
"How do we get there?" I asked. And once the clerk made sure I wasn't joking -- this being a one-river town -- he drew me a map.
Which didn't include parking. Or indicate all the people, from miles around, who'd come to see the show and had been picking out the good spots to sit while Tom and I were chomping mediocre chow.
"Where should I go?" Tom asked, that frequent question even when we both were clearly lost.
"Right," I suggested. Then right again. And again. The river was on our left.
"It's getting dark," he pointed out. And over the river, we could hear popping.
But we found a place to park, then located a spot on the river bank to sit. Then the festivities began:
KA-BOOM!
And the dog was under Tom. Or trying to get under him. Shuddering at his shoulder. Quivering at his knees. I noticed immediately she didn't come to me. She knew instinctively who'd suggested this torment.
KA-BOOM!
KA-BOOM!
KA-BOOM!
"Should we leave?" I asked Tom. But since he didn't understand the relationship between dogs and fireworks, he didn't realize the problem was genetic. And, obviously, there were no other dogs around for comparison.
"She'll be OK," he decided, stroking her ears.
KA-BOOM!
Well, maybe not.
But you gotta say this for the mutt -- she was willing. Whenever the booms stopped for a moment, she'd peek out from under Tom's arm. Only to retreat at the next flash. She quickly caught the connection between light and sound.
The fireworks were only OK. Mainly, it was the City on one bank and the Masons on the other. This was announced by dueling sound systems on boats in the river -- now that was the place to be. But neither side really had anything flashy or understood how to build to a finish -- or even a start. It was all very wham-bang, there were isolated ooohs, then long pauses filled by a distant high school band. Coming late, we'd picked the wrong end of the river. Though had we been at the right end, the dog might have torn out my throat.
Still, I guess this was how small town America spent the Fourth, and it reminded me of a night in Cedar Rapids maybe 25 years earlier. Again, the fireworks weren't much, but the crowd in the park kinda made up for it. They pledged allegiance loudly and sang along with the dissonant band -- even the notes no one could reach or the words everyone had to mumble. The end of the Viet Nam war was still fresh, or sour, depending on how you felt, but for 15 minutes everyone watched the rockets and pretended they weren't bombs. Or maybe they knew they weren't and were just thankful.
The home page: hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hi,
A handful of notes, then some travel filler:
From Barbara Zingman Braunstein: SEPTA -- Special Education Parent Teachers Association.
From Steve Gootzeit: The only SEPTA I know is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which runs the trains and buses in Philadelphia.
From Ellen Epstein Silver: Attached is a photo of Janice Williams Teeuwe, her motorcycle, and me. Janice was an absolute delight. We caught up, and it was like we'd never been apart. She has a wonderful life in a beautiful setting with (mountain) lions, and no tigers, but bears, oh my. She says you get used to it, and the bears only eat out of the garbage pails when no one is looking. Janice also has a terrific family who enjoys all the pleasures of living in the great state of Colorado. We had a wonderful visit.
[Rich -- the photo's on the home page, under Photos.]
And the topical travel filler, from my trip around the country: Sunday, July 4th, 1999, Carlsbad, New Mexico.
As one of my dumber ideas, I thought we'd take the dog to the Fourth of July celebrations. She'd been alone all day, locked in a strange motel room, and she'd behaved perfectly, not even messing up the bed she'd been forbidden to loaf on while we were gone. Nothing was chewed or wet. What better reward than a night out?
How about a night huddled under a mattress?
Dogs don't like fireworks. I should've read her training book. But even protective Tom didn't know that, or he never would have let me bring her along.
We'd gone to dinner first, without her, there being very few dog-friendly restaurants in Carlsbad or maybe anywhere. This was a different place from the night before, unfortunately with even less interesting food. "Where are the good fireworks?" I asked the waitress as we finished.
Damned if she knew.
Heading out, I asked the desk clerk the same question, the restaurant being conveniently located in our motel lobby. "Down by the river," came the answer -- which sounded Biblical, but made sense. If you're gonna set off sparks in a desert, at least shoot them where they can't burn up the place.
"How do we get there?" I asked. And once the clerk made sure I wasn't joking -- this being a one-river town -- he drew me a map.
Which didn't include parking. Or indicate all the people, from miles around, who'd come to see the show and had been picking out the good spots to sit while Tom and I were chomping mediocre chow.
"Where should I go?" Tom asked, that frequent question even when we both were clearly lost.
"Right," I suggested. Then right again. And again. The river was on our left.
"It's getting dark," he pointed out. And over the river, we could hear popping.
But we found a place to park, then located a spot on the river bank to sit. Then the festivities began:
KA-BOOM!
And the dog was under Tom. Or trying to get under him. Shuddering at his shoulder. Quivering at his knees. I noticed immediately she didn't come to me. She knew instinctively who'd suggested this torment.
KA-BOOM!
KA-BOOM!
KA-BOOM!
"Should we leave?" I asked Tom. But since he didn't understand the relationship between dogs and fireworks, he didn't realize the problem was genetic. And, obviously, there were no other dogs around for comparison.
"She'll be OK," he decided, stroking her ears.
KA-BOOM!
Well, maybe not.
But you gotta say this for the mutt -- she was willing. Whenever the booms stopped for a moment, she'd peek out from under Tom's arm. Only to retreat at the next flash. She quickly caught the connection between light and sound.
The fireworks were only OK. Mainly, it was the City on one bank and the Masons on the other. This was announced by dueling sound systems on boats in the river -- now that was the place to be. But neither side really had anything flashy or understood how to build to a finish -- or even a start. It was all very wham-bang, there were isolated ooohs, then long pauses filled by a distant high school band. Coming late, we'd picked the wrong end of the river. Though had we been at the right end, the dog might have torn out my throat.
Still, I guess this was how small town America spent the Fourth, and it reminded me of a night in Cedar Rapids maybe 25 years earlier. Again, the fireworks weren't much, but the crowd in the park kinda made up for it. They pledged allegiance loudly and sang along with the dissonant band -- even the notes no one could reach or the words everyone had to mumble. The end of the Viet Nam war was still fresh, or sour, depending on how you felt, but for 15 minutes everyone watched the rockets and pretended they weren't bombs. Or maybe they knew they weren't and were just thankful.
The home page: hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 6-29-04
Hi,
Some initial letters -- oh, god, I hate puns:
From Jean Cohen Oklan: As far as I know, NEFCU stands for New England Federal Credit Union. I know this because they have the mortgage on our little log home. But it may also stand for something else, because I can't figure out what a New England credit union would be doing sponsoring a program on Long Island!
From Ken Ulric: NEFCU stands for Nassau Educators' Federal Credit Union.
From Jim Lorey: I'd better know this one or my Dear Ole Mom will never forgive me. NEFCU stands for Nassau Educator's Federal Credit Union, located on Merrick Road right by the Valley Stream / Lynbrook border. They are very community-minded, and active in supporting education, the arts, and public television.
[Rich -- Thanks. I put NEFCU into Google to find out where the apostrophe really might be, and it turns out there isn't one. So much for education. I also discovered the initials stand for Nest Egg Federal Credit Union and Nebraska Energy Federal Credit Union. Where is Jerry Bittman when you need him?]
Other mail:
From Larry Rugen: Noted the note From Janice Williams Teeuwe. Do you live any where near Lyons, Colorado / Estes Park? Our United States Air Force reunions will take us to Peaceful Valley Ranch in 2006 ( http://www.peacefulvalley.com/ ). Some of the group was there in 2003 and thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Anyone who loves the great outdoors would love this place.
[Rich -- speaking of Janice and Colorado: Ellen Epstein Silver phoned in a report of her recent visit. She said it was great to see Janice again after almost 40 years, and, yes, she does ride a big motorcycle. But her house in the near-wilderness was wonderful, even if living at 10,000 feet for a couple of days left Ellen slightly short of breath. And there are coyotes, mountain lions, and bears, all of which eat small pets. But not, unfortunately, the pet rats one of Janice's daughter's raises, which also left Ellen slightly short of breath.]
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Nothing like good medical update to help balance the Krispy Kreme artery blockage. So that's one Lipitor taken with a Dove dark -- sounds like plan to me. Article: "A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" -- Trustworthy, Physician-Reviewed Information from WebMD, Tuesday, June 15, 2004. Research proves chocolate is good for you! http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/88/99702?printing=true
Also from Barbara: I have my spam filter set on exclusive, but I do check my junk mail daily. Today, there was a 101kb "urgent message" from dfruzetti, again. So I thought I would just advise people of that. Also, if I'm not mistaken, didn't Robin Feit Baker trace the source of this problem to Classmates.com?
And, again, from Barbara: I came across Barbara De Voe newly signed onto the South page of Classmates.com. If I recall, Janet Hernandez had asked about Claire De Voe, and Barbara may be a sister. You go, girls!
RoseMarie Cassillo forwarded a long e-mail warning, of which this is the main part: My name is Lauren Archer. On October 2, 2002, I took my only son, Kevin, to McDonald's for his 3rd birthday. After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started crying later, I asked him what was wrong. He pointed to his back and said, "Mommy, it hurts." I looked, but couldn't find anything wrong with him at the time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point that I found a welt on his left buttock. Upon investigation, it seemed as if there was a splinter under the welt. I made a doctor's appointment for the next day to have it removed. In the meantime, Kevin started vomiting and shaking. Then, his eyes rolled back in his head. We immediately went to the emergency room! My only son died later that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off in his skin. The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroin overdose.
[Rich -- On the Urban Legends website -- www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/archer.htm -- I found the following: Though the tragedy described in "Lauren Archer's" e-mail is fictional, the danger of a tot coming into contact with a discarded syringe in one of those play nests is surprisingly real. Ball pit play areas aren't always kept in the best condition. Before letting your child loose in one, make sure the play area's maintenance staff spot cleans the pit once a day and washes all the balls every week. Diapers come off in ball pits, and half-eaten candy is routinely found in there. More disturbingly, syringes and knives have turned up in ball pits.]
From Barnet Kellman: I have a phrase of music and a snippet of lyric in my head from a Tampio-Gibson children's show collaboration. The lyric is "happiness is a lovely day." Does this ring a bell?
[Rich -- and I wrote Barnet, Booker, and several other people, looking for information: I know Vince directed a kid show at a community theater in Deepdale, Queens. And I know he directed Streetcar there. The only line I remember from the kid show is "Gooses can't hurt dragons," because Vince used to repeat that a lot. So I'm suspecting there was a goose and a dragon in the play, but, of course, that's not why Vince liked the line. I also remember, in the same play, a guy tap dancing to an instrumental section of a song from Little Me. So I'm suspecting that the line and song you're remembering are from this kid show, but I didn't realize Booker had written the music. Also, the kid show might have had something to do with golden eggs, or else I'm mixing that with the memory of a show Vince did with The Prince Street Players. None of this is to be confused with The Cowboy and the Tiger, which might also have that line. Vince created the part of the Tiger, and Paul O'Keefe, later of Oliver and The Patty Duke Show, created the cowboy. When they made the TV version, Jack Guilford played the Tiger, and Vince was pissed. Though he did name his dog Tiger.]
And Booker wrote back: Yes, Barnet, this song does ring a bell. I remember it as a lively almost a samba-style tune. Vinnie Tampio and I wrote these tunes quickly, to fit a situation or character, but I don't know where any of them might be now. My wife also remembers Vince bringing shows around to the grade schools, probably using such songs.
From Robert Fiveson: We should see if Booker wants to play or sing the song he wrote with Vince, "Even In A Crowd (I Feel All Alone)," at next year's awards ceremony or at our 40th reunion.
Robert also sent his latest questionable entertainment link, and you just might not want to miss it, as he feels this is the future: http://www.eugenemirman.com/
And Alan Bendel offers his own way to look back in time, and he encourages us to turn up the volume: http://www.singingman.us/DYR.htm
Finally, the remainder of the list of people being honored at the June 9th South Awards:
Nassau County Legislative Student Citizenship Award
New York State Comptroller Achievement Award
Nassau County Comptroller Achievement Award
Knights of Pythias Award
New York Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
New York State Office of the Attorney General Triple "C" Awards
New York State Education Department Scholarship Awards
Long Island Blood Service Award
Robert Carbonaro Student Council Scholarship
South High School Alumni Scholarship
The Class of 1971 Scholarship Award
Forest Road PTA Sponsored Anderson Yeh Memorial Scholarship
William Buck PTA Scholarship
Herff Jones 10th Grade Class Award
Ralph Jansen Award
Parents Club Scholarship Awards
SEPTA Personal Achievement Awards
PTSA Scholarship Awards
Vincent Benevento Memorial Scholarship
George Lenchner Award for Excellence in Mathematics
The Vince Tampio Theater Award
The Booker Gibson Music Award
Janice Dickler Memorial Scholarship Award
District Music Festival Award
Fairfield Book Award
Irish Cultural Society Awards
The Valley Stream Herald Journalism Award
Principal's Award for Excellence: Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12
NASSP Principal's Leadership Award Nominee
National Merit Scholarship Award
National Merit Scholarship ADP Award
South High School Faculty Scholarship
Congressman Raymond McGrath Scholarship
J. James Bergen Memorial Scholarship
[Rich -- OK, what are: SEPTA, PTSA, NASSP, and ADP? Also, can I still qualify for the Triple "C" award?]
The home page -- which, yes, indeed, I did list incorrectly in last week's newsletter:
http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hi,
Some initial letters -- oh, god, I hate puns:
From Jean Cohen Oklan: As far as I know, NEFCU stands for New England Federal Credit Union. I know this because they have the mortgage on our little log home. But it may also stand for something else, because I can't figure out what a New England credit union would be doing sponsoring a program on Long Island!
From Ken Ulric: NEFCU stands for Nassau Educators' Federal Credit Union.
From Jim Lorey: I'd better know this one or my Dear Ole Mom will never forgive me. NEFCU stands for Nassau Educator's Federal Credit Union, located on Merrick Road right by the Valley Stream / Lynbrook border. They are very community-minded, and active in supporting education, the arts, and public television.
[Rich -- Thanks. I put NEFCU into Google to find out where the apostrophe really might be, and it turns out there isn't one. So much for education. I also discovered the initials stand for Nest Egg Federal Credit Union and Nebraska Energy Federal Credit Union. Where is Jerry Bittman when you need him?]
Other mail:
From Larry Rugen: Noted the note From Janice Williams Teeuwe. Do you live any where near Lyons, Colorado / Estes Park? Our United States Air Force reunions will take us to Peaceful Valley Ranch in 2006 ( http://www.peacefulvalley.com/ ). Some of the group was there in 2003 and thought it was one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Anyone who loves the great outdoors would love this place.
[Rich -- speaking of Janice and Colorado: Ellen Epstein Silver phoned in a report of her recent visit. She said it was great to see Janice again after almost 40 years, and, yes, she does ride a big motorcycle. But her house in the near-wilderness was wonderful, even if living at 10,000 feet for a couple of days left Ellen slightly short of breath. And there are coyotes, mountain lions, and bears, all of which eat small pets. But not, unfortunately, the pet rats one of Janice's daughter's raises, which also left Ellen slightly short of breath.]
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Nothing like good medical update to help balance the Krispy Kreme artery blockage. So that's one Lipitor taken with a Dove dark -- sounds like plan to me. Article: "A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away" -- Trustworthy, Physician-Reviewed Information from WebMD, Tuesday, June 15, 2004. Research proves chocolate is good for you! http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/88/99702?printing=true
Also from Barbara: I have my spam filter set on exclusive, but I do check my junk mail daily. Today, there was a 101kb "urgent message" from dfruzetti, again. So I thought I would just advise people of that. Also, if I'm not mistaken, didn't Robin Feit Baker trace the source of this problem to Classmates.com?
And, again, from Barbara: I came across Barbara De Voe newly signed onto the South page of Classmates.com. If I recall, Janet Hernandez had asked about Claire De Voe, and Barbara may be a sister. You go, girls!
RoseMarie Cassillo forwarded a long e-mail warning, of which this is the main part: My name is Lauren Archer. On October 2, 2002, I took my only son, Kevin, to McDonald's for his 3rd birthday. After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started crying later, I asked him what was wrong. He pointed to his back and said, "Mommy, it hurts." I looked, but couldn't find anything wrong with him at the time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point that I found a welt on his left buttock. Upon investigation, it seemed as if there was a splinter under the welt. I made a doctor's appointment for the next day to have it removed. In the meantime, Kevin started vomiting and shaking. Then, his eyes rolled back in his head. We immediately went to the emergency room! My only son died later that night. It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off in his skin. The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroin overdose.
[Rich -- On the Urban Legends website -- www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/archer.htm -- I found the following: Though the tragedy described in "Lauren Archer's" e-mail is fictional, the danger of a tot coming into contact with a discarded syringe in one of those play nests is surprisingly real. Ball pit play areas aren't always kept in the best condition. Before letting your child loose in one, make sure the play area's maintenance staff spot cleans the pit once a day and washes all the balls every week. Diapers come off in ball pits, and half-eaten candy is routinely found in there. More disturbingly, syringes and knives have turned up in ball pits.]
From Barnet Kellman: I have a phrase of music and a snippet of lyric in my head from a Tampio-Gibson children's show collaboration. The lyric is "happiness is a lovely day." Does this ring a bell?
[Rich -- and I wrote Barnet, Booker, and several other people, looking for information: I know Vince directed a kid show at a community theater in Deepdale, Queens. And I know he directed Streetcar there. The only line I remember from the kid show is "Gooses can't hurt dragons," because Vince used to repeat that a lot. So I'm suspecting there was a goose and a dragon in the play, but, of course, that's not why Vince liked the line. I also remember, in the same play, a guy tap dancing to an instrumental section of a song from Little Me. So I'm suspecting that the line and song you're remembering are from this kid show, but I didn't realize Booker had written the music. Also, the kid show might have had something to do with golden eggs, or else I'm mixing that with the memory of a show Vince did with The Prince Street Players. None of this is to be confused with The Cowboy and the Tiger, which might also have that line. Vince created the part of the Tiger, and Paul O'Keefe, later of Oliver and The Patty Duke Show, created the cowboy. When they made the TV version, Jack Guilford played the Tiger, and Vince was pissed. Though he did name his dog Tiger.]
And Booker wrote back: Yes, Barnet, this song does ring a bell. I remember it as a lively almost a samba-style tune. Vinnie Tampio and I wrote these tunes quickly, to fit a situation or character, but I don't know where any of them might be now. My wife also remembers Vince bringing shows around to the grade schools, probably using such songs.
From Robert Fiveson: We should see if Booker wants to play or sing the song he wrote with Vince, "Even In A Crowd (I Feel All Alone)," at next year's awards ceremony or at our 40th reunion.
Robert also sent his latest questionable entertainment link, and you just might not want to miss it, as he feels this is the future: http://www.eugenemirman.com/
And Alan Bendel offers his own way to look back in time, and he encourages us to turn up the volume: http://www.singingman.us/DYR.htm
Finally, the remainder of the list of people being honored at the June 9th South Awards:
Nassau County Legislative Student Citizenship Award
New York State Comptroller Achievement Award
Nassau County Comptroller Achievement Award
Knights of Pythias Award
New York Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship
New York State Office of the Attorney General Triple "C" Awards
New York State Education Department Scholarship Awards
Long Island Blood Service Award
Robert Carbonaro Student Council Scholarship
South High School Alumni Scholarship
The Class of 1971 Scholarship Award
Forest Road PTA Sponsored Anderson Yeh Memorial Scholarship
William Buck PTA Scholarship
Herff Jones 10th Grade Class Award
Ralph Jansen Award
Parents Club Scholarship Awards
SEPTA Personal Achievement Awards
PTSA Scholarship Awards
Vincent Benevento Memorial Scholarship
George Lenchner Award for Excellence in Mathematics
The Vince Tampio Theater Award
The Booker Gibson Music Award
Janice Dickler Memorial Scholarship Award
District Music Festival Award
Fairfield Book Award
Irish Cultural Society Awards
The Valley Stream Herald Journalism Award
Principal's Award for Excellence: Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12
NASSP Principal's Leadership Award Nominee
National Merit Scholarship Award
National Merit Scholarship ADP Award
South High School Faculty Scholarship
Congressman Raymond McGrath Scholarship
J. James Bergen Memorial Scholarship
[Rich -- OK, what are: SEPTA, PTSA, NASSP, and ADP? Also, can I still qualify for the Triple "C" award?]
The home page -- which, yes, indeed, I did list incorrectly in last week's newsletter:
http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 6-22-04
OK,
Let's catch up on some back mail before continuing the Vince/Booker awards news.
From Diane Fruzzetti, by way of Robin Feit Baker: Once again, I've heard from someone who got e-mails from a dfruzzetti@earthlink.net with a virus attached! Please alert everyone through Rich about this problem. I have sent a special e-mail to the Earthlink security department to see if they can help me. Meanwhile, please tell everyone not open any e-mails from dfruzzetti@earthlink.net. They are NOT from me!
From Janice Williams Teeuwe: Just a little note that Ellen Epstein Silver and I are getting together on Tuesday 6-15. I am picking her up at Denver International Airport and transporting her up into the mountains of Colorado where I live. I can hardly wait. We have not seen each other since 1965. Oh, boy, I hope that we recognize each other. I will let you all know how it turns out.
PS I have also had big brown bears on my front deck already, and we have a mountain lion roaming around our area. Hope none show while Ellen is up here. Not sure if she would appreciate them, though I am just used to having them around.
[Rich -- Ellen's also due in LA, after Colorado. If she doesn't get eaten by a bear.]
From Ryki Zuckerman, '66: I will be seeing my brother Steve this week in Puerto Rico, at the wedding of his eldest daughter, Lynn, the beautiful, bright, kind-hearted nurse.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, to Lynn and the family.]
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: As always, I trust this note finds you well and enjoying all good things in life. I just wanted to drop you a few lines about my recent visit to Robin's Feit's Hamish Hacienda -- or now more comfortably referred to as "my northern home" -- Robin shares an equal place to hide out here, in South Florida. Needless to add, it is always wonderful going home, and Oceanside is almost as familiar as Valley Stream. We did the best of Seinfeld's nothing -- big plans that resulted in facials, lobsters, and a few vacation ice creams. But, more so, we spent time with ageless best friends, seeing Dennis Shapiro, his delightful wife, Julie, and a too-quick run into a very beautiful June Croton. Her beauty is inside as well as out, and her red hair is as warm as she is. Robin has had the pleasure of reknowing June for a year-or-two, and we were fortunate to be able to surprise her at her business, during one of our cultural shopping tours of the fair city. As the weekend was, as always, too short, we crammed as much as we could into as many waking hours as we tried to keep alert. Still much to do, and rake over, so plans for another quick trip are always on the boards. I will keep you advised as I travel, about who I see along the way!
PS Also received, via e-mail, a photo album from Marilyn Weiner '66, including pictures of her beautiful new granddaughter. And special greetings to all, from the small world section of my life, that is my former Green Acres, and present Miami, neighbor Bob Speath. Again, his e-mail address is: survivor17@hotmail
From Allen Moss: For the newsletter, and you BETTER print this! Sorry, Rich, you are not going to get off that easy. Your interest ... no ... dedication ... to all of us in the class of 1965 is something that needs to be highlighted every so often. So be a "mench" and just graciously accept our need to recognize and thank you for your concern and efforts on our behalf. Best wishes to all for a great summer!
[Rich -- Once again, "You're all welcome," he said graciously.]
Now, back to Booker and Vince. First, a handwritten note from Steven Cohen, '64: Herein enclosed, a couple of programs from South's Award Ceremony. Well, the evening was very, very, very long. My sister Linda and her daughter Jennifer were there to honor Booker, and I was there for Vince and Booker. Also present: Robert Fiveson, Jay Berliner, and Robin Feit. And that was it. Ken Ulric called me to say he had to attend a board meeting at the last minute. So, I guess the Cohen, Kelman, Greenseid clan accounted for 50% of the '64/'65 classes of well wishers, though Booker did have other students offering congratulations.
Just a thought for next year: it seems that someone should have introduced Booker, placing his contribution in some context, and then Booker could make his laudatory comments about the recipient of his award. On Wednesday, Booker said the Class of '65 honored him with this award, then he talked about the student, and presented the award. A few comments about Booker would have been appropriate -- mind you, just a few -- it's a very long evening. The Class of '65 deserves to be commended for honoring the contribution and legacy of these two splendid South High School teachers. I was pleased to be there and proud to be a Class of '64 contributor.
[Rich -- Yes, well, honor or not, I'm not sure Booker wants to sit through this long ceremony again, on those uncomfortable chairs, no matter how glorious an introduction we promise him for next time. One of the joys of seniority is being able to delegate things you previously found pleasurable, that now you don't. If you want to be there, Booker, you know you're welcome. And if you want to let Principal Lando present the award, I don't think anyone in the class of '64 or '65 would fight against you. If you do go, though, we could, at least, rent a comfortable easy chair for you.]
Next, from Nancy Nudelman and Richie Lobell: Mr. Gibson was a special teacher for so many of us!
And from Carole Ganz: I can only echo what my classmates have expressed so well. Mr. Gibson helped expand my horizons beyond rock & roll and create a lifelong love of music. I can still impress my kids by IDing many pieces heard in our 8th grade class, just from their opening measures. It's a joy to be able to thank him and pass this gift along.
The final list of this year's contributors for the Vince Tampio / Booker Gibson Awards: Mary Sipp Green, Nancy Nudelman / Richie Lobell, Carole Ganz, Jay Berliner, Carol Bunim Okin, Terri Donohue Calamari, Judy Hartstone, Barbara Peres Napolitano, Peter Shapiro, Axel and Gloria Norden, Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Dennis and Linda (Iaquinto) O'Hara, Joan Bouza Koster, Denise Frango Baxter, Jay Kinder, Linda Cohen Greenseid, Alan Finder, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric '64, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steven Cohen.
The total raised for Vince: $825. The total for Booker: $1633. As mentioned before, most of Vince's award is being supported by annual pledges totaling $450. With a couple hundred dollars left after this year's award and plaque, that means we won't have to raise money for Vince's award for almost 5 years. Similarly, Booker's award is being supported by about $200 in pledges each year.
With about a thousand dollars left after this year's expenses, that means we have over 3 years assured before we need to raise money in Booker's honor. I'll gently remind people of their pledges next spring, and I'll take additional contributions at the same time. But I'd really like to hold down the actual amount of money I have to hang on to year-to-year. I chose not to become an accountant after high school for a very good reason. Meanwhile, thanks again, everyone, for helping people remember Vince and for letting Booker be able to remind the folks at South that he's still very much full of energy.
Finally, Steve Cohen's sending me a copy of the Awards program let me count up exactly how many people and groups were honored that evening -- 67. Here are the awards from the first page. The other half next week:
David Henner Memorial Scholarship
Gerald L. Meyer Memorial Scholarship for Visual Arts
Gerald L. Meyer Memorial Scholarship for Computer Graphics
Robert Rachoi Memorial Scholarship
Peter Leonard Roller Memorial Scholarship -- Excellence in Music Award
Peter Leonard Roller Memorial Scholarship -- Excellence in Science Award
Paul Grammatico Memorial Scholarship Female Award
Paul Grammatico Memorial Scholarship Male Award
Peter Romano Memorial Scholarship
Valley Stream Knicks Baseball Club
Valley Stream Little League
Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce
Valley Stream Rotary Club
Valley Stream Kawanis
NEFCU Francis A. DeMita Scholarship
Muriel Jespersen Memorial Scholarship
Century 21 Fisher-Friendly Realty Scholarship
Di Re Formal Wear Scholarship
Caryn Luadtke Memorial Writers Award
Veterans of Foreign Wars Valley Stream Post 1790
B'nai B'rith David Hotchberg Citizenship Award
B'nai B'rith John M. Smith Music Award
American Legion Andrew Fatscher Citizenship Award
American Legion Andrew Fatscher Ladies Auxiliary Volunteer Award
Getnick Achievement Award
The Lee Family Community Service Award
Jewish War Veterans Jean Tint Memorial Brotherhood Program
U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athletes
County Executive Certificate of Achievement
Town of Hempstead Community Service Academic Excellence Award
What's NEFCU stand for?
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
OK,
Let's catch up on some back mail before continuing the Vince/Booker awards news.
From Diane Fruzzetti, by way of Robin Feit Baker: Once again, I've heard from someone who got e-mails from a dfruzzetti@earthlink.net with a virus attached! Please alert everyone through Rich about this problem. I have sent a special e-mail to the Earthlink security department to see if they can help me. Meanwhile, please tell everyone not open any e-mails from dfruzzetti@earthlink.net. They are NOT from me!
From Janice Williams Teeuwe: Just a little note that Ellen Epstein Silver and I are getting together on Tuesday 6-15. I am picking her up at Denver International Airport and transporting her up into the mountains of Colorado where I live. I can hardly wait. We have not seen each other since 1965. Oh, boy, I hope that we recognize each other. I will let you all know how it turns out.
PS I have also had big brown bears on my front deck already, and we have a mountain lion roaming around our area. Hope none show while Ellen is up here. Not sure if she would appreciate them, though I am just used to having them around.
[Rich -- Ellen's also due in LA, after Colorado. If she doesn't get eaten by a bear.]
From Ryki Zuckerman, '66: I will be seeing my brother Steve this week in Puerto Rico, at the wedding of his eldest daughter, Lynn, the beautiful, bright, kind-hearted nurse.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, to Lynn and the family.]
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: As always, I trust this note finds you well and enjoying all good things in life. I just wanted to drop you a few lines about my recent visit to Robin's Feit's Hamish Hacienda -- or now more comfortably referred to as "my northern home" -- Robin shares an equal place to hide out here, in South Florida. Needless to add, it is always wonderful going home, and Oceanside is almost as familiar as Valley Stream. We did the best of Seinfeld's nothing -- big plans that resulted in facials, lobsters, and a few vacation ice creams. But, more so, we spent time with ageless best friends, seeing Dennis Shapiro, his delightful wife, Julie, and a too-quick run into a very beautiful June Croton. Her beauty is inside as well as out, and her red hair is as warm as she is. Robin has had the pleasure of reknowing June for a year-or-two, and we were fortunate to be able to surprise her at her business, during one of our cultural shopping tours of the fair city. As the weekend was, as always, too short, we crammed as much as we could into as many waking hours as we tried to keep alert. Still much to do, and rake over, so plans for another quick trip are always on the boards. I will keep you advised as I travel, about who I see along the way!
PS Also received, via e-mail, a photo album from Marilyn Weiner '66, including pictures of her beautiful new granddaughter. And special greetings to all, from the small world section of my life, that is my former Green Acres, and present Miami, neighbor Bob Speath. Again, his e-mail address is: survivor17@hotmail
From Allen Moss: For the newsletter, and you BETTER print this! Sorry, Rich, you are not going to get off that easy. Your interest ... no ... dedication ... to all of us in the class of 1965 is something that needs to be highlighted every so often. So be a "mench" and just graciously accept our need to recognize and thank you for your concern and efforts on our behalf. Best wishes to all for a great summer!
[Rich -- Once again, "You're all welcome," he said graciously.]
Now, back to Booker and Vince. First, a handwritten note from Steven Cohen, '64: Herein enclosed, a couple of programs from South's Award Ceremony. Well, the evening was very, very, very long. My sister Linda and her daughter Jennifer were there to honor Booker, and I was there for Vince and Booker. Also present: Robert Fiveson, Jay Berliner, and Robin Feit. And that was it. Ken Ulric called me to say he had to attend a board meeting at the last minute. So, I guess the Cohen, Kelman, Greenseid clan accounted for 50% of the '64/'65 classes of well wishers, though Booker did have other students offering congratulations.
Just a thought for next year: it seems that someone should have introduced Booker, placing his contribution in some context, and then Booker could make his laudatory comments about the recipient of his award. On Wednesday, Booker said the Class of '65 honored him with this award, then he talked about the student, and presented the award. A few comments about Booker would have been appropriate -- mind you, just a few -- it's a very long evening. The Class of '65 deserves to be commended for honoring the contribution and legacy of these two splendid South High School teachers. I was pleased to be there and proud to be a Class of '64 contributor.
[Rich -- Yes, well, honor or not, I'm not sure Booker wants to sit through this long ceremony again, on those uncomfortable chairs, no matter how glorious an introduction we promise him for next time. One of the joys of seniority is being able to delegate things you previously found pleasurable, that now you don't. If you want to be there, Booker, you know you're welcome. And if you want to let Principal Lando present the award, I don't think anyone in the class of '64 or '65 would fight against you. If you do go, though, we could, at least, rent a comfortable easy chair for you.]
Next, from Nancy Nudelman and Richie Lobell: Mr. Gibson was a special teacher for so many of us!
And from Carole Ganz: I can only echo what my classmates have expressed so well. Mr. Gibson helped expand my horizons beyond rock & roll and create a lifelong love of music. I can still impress my kids by IDing many pieces heard in our 8th grade class, just from their opening measures. It's a joy to be able to thank him and pass this gift along.
The final list of this year's contributors for the Vince Tampio / Booker Gibson Awards: Mary Sipp Green, Nancy Nudelman / Richie Lobell, Carole Ganz, Jay Berliner, Carol Bunim Okin, Terri Donohue Calamari, Judy Hartstone, Barbara Peres Napolitano, Peter Shapiro, Axel and Gloria Norden, Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Dennis and Linda (Iaquinto) O'Hara, Joan Bouza Koster, Denise Frango Baxter, Jay Kinder, Linda Cohen Greenseid, Alan Finder, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric '64, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steven Cohen.
The total raised for Vince: $825. The total for Booker: $1633. As mentioned before, most of Vince's award is being supported by annual pledges totaling $450. With a couple hundred dollars left after this year's award and plaque, that means we won't have to raise money for Vince's award for almost 5 years. Similarly, Booker's award is being supported by about $200 in pledges each year.
With about a thousand dollars left after this year's expenses, that means we have over 3 years assured before we need to raise money in Booker's honor. I'll gently remind people of their pledges next spring, and I'll take additional contributions at the same time. But I'd really like to hold down the actual amount of money I have to hang on to year-to-year. I chose not to become an accountant after high school for a very good reason. Meanwhile, thanks again, everyone, for helping people remember Vince and for letting Booker be able to remind the folks at South that he's still very much full of energy.
Finally, Steve Cohen's sending me a copy of the Awards program let me count up exactly how many people and groups were honored that evening -- 67. Here are the awards from the first page. The other half next week:
David Henner Memorial Scholarship
Gerald L. Meyer Memorial Scholarship for Visual Arts
Gerald L. Meyer Memorial Scholarship for Computer Graphics
Robert Rachoi Memorial Scholarship
Peter Leonard Roller Memorial Scholarship -- Excellence in Music Award
Peter Leonard Roller Memorial Scholarship -- Excellence in Science Award
Paul Grammatico Memorial Scholarship Female Award
Paul Grammatico Memorial Scholarship Male Award
Peter Romano Memorial Scholarship
Valley Stream Knicks Baseball Club
Valley Stream Little League
Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce
Valley Stream Rotary Club
Valley Stream Kawanis
NEFCU Francis A. DeMita Scholarship
Muriel Jespersen Memorial Scholarship
Century 21 Fisher-Friendly Realty Scholarship
Di Re Formal Wear Scholarship
Caryn Luadtke Memorial Writers Award
Veterans of Foreign Wars Valley Stream Post 1790
B'nai B'rith David Hotchberg Citizenship Award
B'nai B'rith John M. Smith Music Award
American Legion Andrew Fatscher Citizenship Award
American Legion Andrew Fatscher Ladies Auxiliary Volunteer Award
Getnick Achievement Award
The Lee Family Community Service Award
Jewish War Veterans Jean Tint Memorial Brotherhood Program
U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athletes
County Executive Certificate of Achievement
Town of Hempstead Community Service Academic Excellence Award
What's NEFCU stand for?
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 6-15-04
Well,
It turns out the Oscars and Tonys have nothing in length to rival South's annual academic fiesta. According to Linda Cohen Greenseid, the only funny thing said in this long haul of an evening was Robert Fiveson cracking, "Even the Geneva Convention insists award shows have bathroom breaks after two hours." Some other reports:
Linda phoned hers in, because, she insists, she's a lousy typist, so this is a paraphrase. But she's one of the few people who has perspective on these ceremonies, having been to two others -- when her daughter and son graduated from South in '88 and '91. "They used to be shorter," Linda reports. "And that was before they divided the awards." (The actual academic awards are given in a school assembly, during the day. Only the special achievement awards are given at night.) "And the kids used to be really excited. Now they smile when their pictures are taken, but maybe five hours of awards in one day beats the energy out of them. Still, it was great to be there, especially with my brother Steve and my daughter Jennifer."
Other people reported similarly. From Jay Berliner: I was able to attend the South High Awards Wednesday night to support Mr. Gibson for the first annual award. I would have thought that someone would have presented the award and would have had Mr. Gibson say a few words. Actually, Mr. Gibson presented the award himself. The good news was that he was smiling all night.
The awards ceremony lasted until about 10 PM, and, truthfully, it was quite boring. I arrived a few minutes after it started and sat alone for two hours on a very uncomfortable chair. It brought back memories of lunch. Still, it was well worth it to watch Mr. Gibson on stage. He really couldn’t stop smiling.
Just a bit of information shared by the current principal: Since the inception of South, there have only been four principals. This one, Stephen Lando, has been at the school for 6 years, I think, and he seemed quite personable. That’s an amazing statement for me to make about a principal. And, yes, he said fights still take place by the bridge. The school looked the same to me, at least, from the portion I saw at night. But not quite as large.
To balance things a bit, from Robin Feit Baker: I enjoyed attending the awards ceremony Wednesday, and naturally a melange of memories took over as we set foot into the building. Remarkably, the changes at South are few, which was comforting. It doesn't seem possible that so many years could have passed since we were a similar age, full of idealism, hopes, and dreams.
The students were an accomplished, well-rounded group of young people -- a tribute to their teachers and supportive parents. Overall, it was very nice indeed!
From one of our presenters, Robert Fiveson, his Report from the Front: The evening was great. Dr. Lando, the current principal, is an extremely well-spoken man who has a huge, obvious, and unreserved pride for South. The school looked essentially the same to me. They have extended the apron of the stage a few critical feet and moved the cafeteria, but otherwise, it looked the same! They had prepared statements for the presenters to read and to a man everyone seemed to, but I didn't. What they had written was inadequate, so I enhanced it.
I was very emotionally moved, being on the stage where I spent so many happy hours 39+ years ago, and I commented about it. Then I used that reminiscence to segue into how Vincent Tampio was so very influential in the lives of so many South High students, well beyond the 12 professionals in stage, television, and film he helped inspire. I also addressed the students directly, telling them to treasure their friends and the time they spent at South, as these would become some of their most precious friendships and memories.
Mr. Gibson was great, and his asides while we sat onstage for two-and-a-half hours -- on a folding chair -- reminded me that his dry and prolific wit has never flagged. There had to have been at least 50 awards, and many of the presenters had very, very sad reasons for being there, mostly involving lives cut short by drunk drivers. I am quite sure that I was not the only parent there to have tears welling more than once.
The presentation was staged very nicely: as each award was being read, a slide was projected on a large screen behind us, showing the name of the award and a photo of the person it was named for when this was applicable. The 'reveal' of the award recipient was timed so that no one knew until the name was actually read, and then the screen switched over, via video, to the recipient's reaction and walk to the podium for a grip and grin. The staging was just like the Academy Awards and very well done.
Of the folks I knew in attendance, Robin Feit was as mystifyingly young and dazzling as ever, Jay Berliner looking hale, hearty, and of good cheer, Linda Cohen was as warm and delicious as we know her to be, her daughter was lovely, and Steve Cohen, Linda's brother, looked dapper and energized by the evening. I can honestly say that while it was long, it was also an extremely moving and nostalgic experience, one that exhibited a heart-warming degree of solid community spirit and obvious love for South High. Oh, one last thing: Dr. Lando told me that after Andy Dolich was honored for being a distinguished alumni, he sent the principal a bobblehead doll of himself, which Mr. Lando has on his desk. At that point, Dr. Lando and I just looked at each other blankly.
Robert later added: Actually, the chairs were murder. I had a back operation two years ago, and I was in spasms, literally, by the end of the night. Your suggestion of sending a "GI Joe" version of me for the principal would be very good, but something with me sitting on the detention bench would be more apt.
Still, I cannot convey to you how moved I was to be on that stage and repping us. I actually did lose it for a moment up there -- I muffed a line -- but I covered. I must be getting old and soft.
Also, my photos suck. Too far away, too dim, and fuzzy. Better ask the school for copies of the ones taken by the professional. He got every award!
From Liz King Giordano, Stephen Lando's secretary and, seemingly, the organizer of the event: Today is the last day of classes, and things are hectic, but I did not want to end this day without dropping you a note about Awards Night. Everything went extremely well! Booker Gibson and his wife came to present the music award. Bob Fiveson came to present the theater award, and class members from Toronto and Long Island were also here. The evening was very long, but two-and-a-half hours is shorter than usual, since we moved the departmental awards to the morning. Bob Fiveson suggested during his speech that we fit in a "bathroom break." The winners, Paul Ianniello and Vanessa Spica, were very excited about their awards. I'll be speaking with them today and will mail the information you need for your home page next week.
Finally, from our honored presenter, Booker: I've been trying to get my thoughts together about the June 9th return to South High. As my wife and I entered the Jedwood Place side of the school, I saw Bob Fiveson and Robin Feit. That made me feel good, to recognize someone. Also, Linda Cohen and Steven Cohen were there, and two young ladies from the class of '81 drove from New Jersey -- amazing! My wife and I were early, so we browsed around South Hall, full of red chairs as usual, but now it's air-conditioned! By the way, there are many, many plaques on the corridor walls, so a lot of history has happened there.
The principal's secretary, Liz, seemed to be in complete control -- highly organized. All of us, about 40 "presenters," were given our material, which mainly was a typewritten statement about the award and the student who was to receive it. With a very long night, I guess that was the best way to move it along.
First, a very fine student singing group called "The Long Island Connection" came on stage and sang a couple of fine selections. I started this group about 1978, based on "The Manhattan Transfer" jazz group. Then they sang the national anthem, perfectly, and all of us "presenters" were walked up on stage to our chairs. Bob and I sat next to each other so we had someone to talk with. Many awards were memorials, so they flashed pictures on a screen, such as Vince Benevento, the math teacher, and Margaret Burak, the business teacher. Most of the memorials seemed to be students killed by drunken drivers. There were also many, many scholarship awards. We had so much time that Bob and I arrived at the same conclusion -- that most of the girls coming up on stage were chewing gum. Times haven't really changed too much.
When it finally got to Vince Tampio's award, near the end, Bob did a good job. Before reading the written statement, he mentioned what Vince had taught, and what he meant to people, both in their student lives and later, when he'd inspired as many as twelve of them to gain professional positions in the movie and TV industry. After Bob gave the award to the boy, I was next, waiting for somebody to introduce me.
I wasn't really introduced, so I wasn't really sure whether the kids knew why I'd been sitting up there on stage all that time. Before reading the brief statement, I felt I had to say something about the Class of '65, what they had done, and "What an honor it was for me to be there." Then I read the statement and posed with the young lady.
It's somewhat ironic that the introduction I needed came from a late arrival, Jay Bergen, James Bergen's son. Jay used to be a lawyer for people such as John Lennon and other rock notables. He saw me and said something like, "I'm glad to see Booker's here! My father used to talk all the time about what a great teacher he was -- and he could play a mean piano!" Suddenly, I received a welcome. Years ago, Jay used to stop in and hear me play piano at a lounge.
I'm still gathering my thoughts. Last night was an overall success, and I'll never be able to thank you all enough. All of my adult friends who've heard about the award are in total awe over what you're doing, and they feel kind of guilty for never having done it themselves. Maybe that 40-year perspective gives the Class of '65 a better look than the other students.
Finally, do any of you remember that Vince and I wrote some songs together? Perhaps you were even in school productions using some of them. The only one I can find is a more mature song called "Even In A Crowd (I Feel All Alone)." Vinnie wrote the lyrics, and I wrote the music. That was about 1968. Girls with good voices always loved the song, and Vince said that when he first got to CBS in Los Angeles, he got the song as far as "The Andy William's Show." But it was never used. Two "girls" recently asked me for a copy of it, one from '68 and the other from about '78. I'm scanning it and sending it to you separately. If you liked Eva Cassidy, you'll like it.
Thanks again, everyone.
[Rich -- There are other letters, about other things, but they'll have to wait till next week. Meanwhile, four of Robert's salvageable photos are on the home page. First, click on Photos, then on June 9, 2004 South High Awards. With luck, better shots will follow. Until then, here are Vince's lyrics. Sorry I can't include Booker's music.]
By Vince Tampio:
Even in a crowd, I feel all alone.
No one knows the feeling I'm feeling inside me.
Still, I try so very hard not to think with my heart.
There's nothing left, not even my pride.
I know for each one, there's someone.
I hope someday they'll come one,
Who'll recognize a love that's never wakened.
So until the day that my love comes to call,
Each new day means nothing at all.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Well,
It turns out the Oscars and Tonys have nothing in length to rival South's annual academic fiesta. According to Linda Cohen Greenseid, the only funny thing said in this long haul of an evening was Robert Fiveson cracking, "Even the Geneva Convention insists award shows have bathroom breaks after two hours." Some other reports:
Linda phoned hers in, because, she insists, she's a lousy typist, so this is a paraphrase. But she's one of the few people who has perspective on these ceremonies, having been to two others -- when her daughter and son graduated from South in '88 and '91. "They used to be shorter," Linda reports. "And that was before they divided the awards." (The actual academic awards are given in a school assembly, during the day. Only the special achievement awards are given at night.) "And the kids used to be really excited. Now they smile when their pictures are taken, but maybe five hours of awards in one day beats the energy out of them. Still, it was great to be there, especially with my brother Steve and my daughter Jennifer."
Other people reported similarly. From Jay Berliner: I was able to attend the South High Awards Wednesday night to support Mr. Gibson for the first annual award. I would have thought that someone would have presented the award and would have had Mr. Gibson say a few words. Actually, Mr. Gibson presented the award himself. The good news was that he was smiling all night.
The awards ceremony lasted until about 10 PM, and, truthfully, it was quite boring. I arrived a few minutes after it started and sat alone for two hours on a very uncomfortable chair. It brought back memories of lunch. Still, it was well worth it to watch Mr. Gibson on stage. He really couldn’t stop smiling.
Just a bit of information shared by the current principal: Since the inception of South, there have only been four principals. This one, Stephen Lando, has been at the school for 6 years, I think, and he seemed quite personable. That’s an amazing statement for me to make about a principal. And, yes, he said fights still take place by the bridge. The school looked the same to me, at least, from the portion I saw at night. But not quite as large.
To balance things a bit, from Robin Feit Baker: I enjoyed attending the awards ceremony Wednesday, and naturally a melange of memories took over as we set foot into the building. Remarkably, the changes at South are few, which was comforting. It doesn't seem possible that so many years could have passed since we were a similar age, full of idealism, hopes, and dreams.
The students were an accomplished, well-rounded group of young people -- a tribute to their teachers and supportive parents. Overall, it was very nice indeed!
From one of our presenters, Robert Fiveson, his Report from the Front: The evening was great. Dr. Lando, the current principal, is an extremely well-spoken man who has a huge, obvious, and unreserved pride for South. The school looked essentially the same to me. They have extended the apron of the stage a few critical feet and moved the cafeteria, but otherwise, it looked the same! They had prepared statements for the presenters to read and to a man everyone seemed to, but I didn't. What they had written was inadequate, so I enhanced it.
I was very emotionally moved, being on the stage where I spent so many happy hours 39+ years ago, and I commented about it. Then I used that reminiscence to segue into how Vincent Tampio was so very influential in the lives of so many South High students, well beyond the 12 professionals in stage, television, and film he helped inspire. I also addressed the students directly, telling them to treasure their friends and the time they spent at South, as these would become some of their most precious friendships and memories.
Mr. Gibson was great, and his asides while we sat onstage for two-and-a-half hours -- on a folding chair -- reminded me that his dry and prolific wit has never flagged. There had to have been at least 50 awards, and many of the presenters had very, very sad reasons for being there, mostly involving lives cut short by drunk drivers. I am quite sure that I was not the only parent there to have tears welling more than once.
The presentation was staged very nicely: as each award was being read, a slide was projected on a large screen behind us, showing the name of the award and a photo of the person it was named for when this was applicable. The 'reveal' of the award recipient was timed so that no one knew until the name was actually read, and then the screen switched over, via video, to the recipient's reaction and walk to the podium for a grip and grin. The staging was just like the Academy Awards and very well done.
Of the folks I knew in attendance, Robin Feit was as mystifyingly young and dazzling as ever, Jay Berliner looking hale, hearty, and of good cheer, Linda Cohen was as warm and delicious as we know her to be, her daughter was lovely, and Steve Cohen, Linda's brother, looked dapper and energized by the evening. I can honestly say that while it was long, it was also an extremely moving and nostalgic experience, one that exhibited a heart-warming degree of solid community spirit and obvious love for South High. Oh, one last thing: Dr. Lando told me that after Andy Dolich was honored for being a distinguished alumni, he sent the principal a bobblehead doll of himself, which Mr. Lando has on his desk. At that point, Dr. Lando and I just looked at each other blankly.
Robert later added: Actually, the chairs were murder. I had a back operation two years ago, and I was in spasms, literally, by the end of the night. Your suggestion of sending a "GI Joe" version of me for the principal would be very good, but something with me sitting on the detention bench would be more apt.
Still, I cannot convey to you how moved I was to be on that stage and repping us. I actually did lose it for a moment up there -- I muffed a line -- but I covered. I must be getting old and soft.
Also, my photos suck. Too far away, too dim, and fuzzy. Better ask the school for copies of the ones taken by the professional. He got every award!
From Liz King Giordano, Stephen Lando's secretary and, seemingly, the organizer of the event: Today is the last day of classes, and things are hectic, but I did not want to end this day without dropping you a note about Awards Night. Everything went extremely well! Booker Gibson and his wife came to present the music award. Bob Fiveson came to present the theater award, and class members from Toronto and Long Island were also here. The evening was very long, but two-and-a-half hours is shorter than usual, since we moved the departmental awards to the morning. Bob Fiveson suggested during his speech that we fit in a "bathroom break." The winners, Paul Ianniello and Vanessa Spica, were very excited about their awards. I'll be speaking with them today and will mail the information you need for your home page next week.
Finally, from our honored presenter, Booker: I've been trying to get my thoughts together about the June 9th return to South High. As my wife and I entered the Jedwood Place side of the school, I saw Bob Fiveson and Robin Feit. That made me feel good, to recognize someone. Also, Linda Cohen and Steven Cohen were there, and two young ladies from the class of '81 drove from New Jersey -- amazing! My wife and I were early, so we browsed around South Hall, full of red chairs as usual, but now it's air-conditioned! By the way, there are many, many plaques on the corridor walls, so a lot of history has happened there.
The principal's secretary, Liz, seemed to be in complete control -- highly organized. All of us, about 40 "presenters," were given our material, which mainly was a typewritten statement about the award and the student who was to receive it. With a very long night, I guess that was the best way to move it along.
First, a very fine student singing group called "The Long Island Connection" came on stage and sang a couple of fine selections. I started this group about 1978, based on "The Manhattan Transfer" jazz group. Then they sang the national anthem, perfectly, and all of us "presenters" were walked up on stage to our chairs. Bob and I sat next to each other so we had someone to talk with. Many awards were memorials, so they flashed pictures on a screen, such as Vince Benevento, the math teacher, and Margaret Burak, the business teacher. Most of the memorials seemed to be students killed by drunken drivers. There were also many, many scholarship awards. We had so much time that Bob and I arrived at the same conclusion -- that most of the girls coming up on stage were chewing gum. Times haven't really changed too much.
When it finally got to Vince Tampio's award, near the end, Bob did a good job. Before reading the written statement, he mentioned what Vince had taught, and what he meant to people, both in their student lives and later, when he'd inspired as many as twelve of them to gain professional positions in the movie and TV industry. After Bob gave the award to the boy, I was next, waiting for somebody to introduce me.
I wasn't really introduced, so I wasn't really sure whether the kids knew why I'd been sitting up there on stage all that time. Before reading the brief statement, I felt I had to say something about the Class of '65, what they had done, and "What an honor it was for me to be there." Then I read the statement and posed with the young lady.
It's somewhat ironic that the introduction I needed came from a late arrival, Jay Bergen, James Bergen's son. Jay used to be a lawyer for people such as John Lennon and other rock notables. He saw me and said something like, "I'm glad to see Booker's here! My father used to talk all the time about what a great teacher he was -- and he could play a mean piano!" Suddenly, I received a welcome. Years ago, Jay used to stop in and hear me play piano at a lounge.
I'm still gathering my thoughts. Last night was an overall success, and I'll never be able to thank you all enough. All of my adult friends who've heard about the award are in total awe over what you're doing, and they feel kind of guilty for never having done it themselves. Maybe that 40-year perspective gives the Class of '65 a better look than the other students.
Finally, do any of you remember that Vince and I wrote some songs together? Perhaps you were even in school productions using some of them. The only one I can find is a more mature song called "Even In A Crowd (I Feel All Alone)." Vinnie wrote the lyrics, and I wrote the music. That was about 1968. Girls with good voices always loved the song, and Vince said that when he first got to CBS in Los Angeles, he got the song as far as "The Andy William's Show." But it was never used. Two "girls" recently asked me for a copy of it, one from '68 and the other from about '78. I'm scanning it and sending it to you separately. If you liked Eva Cassidy, you'll like it.
Thanks again, everyone.
[Rich -- There are other letters, about other things, but they'll have to wait till next week. Meanwhile, four of Robert's salvageable photos are on the home page. First, click on Photos, then on June 9, 2004 South High Awards. With luck, better shots will follow. Until then, here are Vince's lyrics. Sorry I can't include Booker's music.]
By Vince Tampio:
Even in a crowd, I feel all alone.
No one knows the feeling I'm feeling inside me.
Still, I try so very hard not to think with my heart.
There's nothing left, not even my pride.
I know for each one, there's someone.
I hope someday they'll come one,
Who'll recognize a love that's never wakened.
So until the day that my love comes to call,
Each new day means nothing at all.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 6-8-04
All righty,
This would be it: the last reminder that if you want to see Booker Gibson in a neighborhood near where you used to live, you should find you way to South High tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM. As already indicated, Robert Fiveson will be there, along with Linda Cohen Greenseid, her daughter Jennifer -- who went to South -- and her brother Steve, class of '64. Cheer Booker and remember Vince.
Related, this note just arrived: My name is Axel Norden. I was one of Booker Gibson's roommates while we were at the SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music. Both my wife Gloria and I would like to make a contribution to the scholarship fund in Booker's name. We would appreciate it if you would e-mail us an address were we could send our contribution.
Similarly, from Judy Hartstone: This is to commemorate the contribution made by Mr. Gibson to our love and understanding of music. I remember exactly where I sat in his class; I recall the joy and fun of learning about Mimi's dying of consumption in La Boheme! The stories of all the operas, and the beauty of the arias, stay with me to this day. Mr. Gibson infused his subject with a compelling passion that made it a joy to go to class. It was a delight to renew the acquaintance at the reunion, and I hope he can be at the next one, as well. Mr. Gibson deserves every honor bestowed on him.
Further, from Carol Bunim Okin: I hope each year’s winner will appreciate Mr. Gibson and his legacy as much as all of us do. Thanks to him, we are all recipients of the best prize – the love of music.
I wish I could be there to see the actual presentation, but I'll be looking forward to seeing the photos. By the way, to whom do I write the check?
[Rich -- in my best public relations manner, and following Denise Frango Baxter's advice last week, my mailing address is: 23030 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367. The checks get made out to me, and my last name's spelled Eisbrouch.
So far, we have almost $800 raised for each award, including $200 in annual pledges for Booker's, and $400 in annual pledges for Vince's -- the awards, if you remember are $500 each, presently for 10 years. After this week, I'd like to quit taking donations for this year, so I don't have to hold on to other people's money unnecessarily. But I will start quietly reminding everyone about the awards again next May, especially the folks who've pledged annual donations.
Again, thanks to all who've contributed. The list now includes: Carol Bunim Okin, Terri Donohue Calamari, Judy Hartstone, Barbara Peres Napolitano '62, Peter Shapiro '62, Axel and Gloria Norden, Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Dennis and Linda (Iaquinto) O'Hara, Joan Bouza Koster, Denise Frango Baxter, Jay Kinder, Linda Cohen Greenseid, Alan Finder, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric '64, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen '64.]
A couple of notes in our ongoing medical series, first from Zelda White Nichols: I am in business development for a data storage equipment manufacturer in San Diego. San Diego is the third largest biotech center in the country, and much of our equipment is designed for the biotech, genome, and pharmaceutical industries. I spend my days reading websites of these companies, and I also receive daily e-newsletters from a number of biotech sites. These newsletters tell me everything that is going on in that world: who is buying what company; who has received funding for what projects; what products are being developed for which disease; as well as what research is being done for which disease. I currently e-mail any diabetes information I run across to four of my friends, and research on diabetes is extensive. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can handle, but I'm also willing to e-mail my findings to anyone in the class of '65 who has a serious disease or condition. Just let me know privately what you're interested in reading about, and please be assured that what you tell me will stay with me . My e-mail address is: zelda.nichols@cox.net
Next, from Peggy Cooper Schwartz: I was happy to hear that Neil Guberman is doing well and was able to nip his cardiac problems before anything worse happened. Speaking of health concerns, my husband Les just celebrated the one-year anniversary of a successful stem cell transplant for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Les was diagnosed with this illness in November 2000. After several rounds of chemo and other failed treatments, the transplant was his last option. He received his own stem cells, which were harvested and frozen while he was in remission after his first round of chemo. The transplant took place at the University of Miami, and since Les was mighty sick, he stayed there for 5 weeks. But thanks to great medicine and lots of prayer, he recovered and returned to his job as a psychiatrist at the West Palm Beach VA Hospital last September. We are truly grateful, and see each day as a gift.
One of the lessons I learned from all this is the importance of donating blood. Les was transfusion-dependent for several months before his transplant, but thanks to the gifts of donated blood, he was able to stay alive until his operation. So for all you healthy Class of 65'ers, please consider giving the gift of blood.
Also, Les and I celebrate another milestone on June 17th -- our 32nd anniversary.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, to Peg and Les. And not to belittle any medical vigilance, but my brother's father-in-law just died, at 81. He hadn't been to a doctor in over 60 years, since his last Army physical in WW II. He started having stomach problems on Wednesday and died on Friday. I'm not suggesting that avoiding doctors is a good idea, but there is a chance we all take our pulses a little too often. Mine's currently 72, by the way.]
A message about another class's reunion, forwarded by Fran Bellucci: I got this information from my older sister Andrea. The Class of '64 has a 40-year reunion planned for September 10th and 11th at the same place we had our 37th -- the Wyndham Windwatch Hotel and Hamlet Golf Club in Hauppauge. They will have a hospitality suite and a Saturday buffet dinner. If you want to attend, Tom McPartland is the contact person, either by phone at: 516-456-5758, or by e-mail at: tommcp@ptd.net
I thought there might be some people in the area who'd want to join their party to say "hi." I know I'd like to see the yearbook staff and those in 7th hour art class again. In any case, I'll be sending them a note.
Meanwhile, a quick literary plug: Tom Piazza, a man probably none of us know, recently wrote a book called My Cold War, which won the Faulkner Society Award for best novel. It's about growing up on the south shore of Long Island in the 50s, and how that shaped people's lives and thinking. It's out in hard cover now and will be available in paperback in the fall. Piazza also writes about jazz.
A sample from the novel: "In 1961 I knew already that Russia was a place that would send planes or missiles to destroy my elementary school, and the walls would collapse the way they did in Godzilla as my schoolmates and I knelt and put our hands over our heads. But the stuff in my father's books was different. It was more personal. The cover of The Naked Communist, for example -- bloodred, with a menacing, muscled silhouette looming behind the stark title. There were pamphlets lying around, really scary things, about how Communists would get up at their meetings and talk about slitting the throats of priests and children."
A possibly more pleasant view of the same subject, part of a longer Internet piece forwarded by Barbara Blitfield Pech:
"But if I could, I'd rather be
On a TV show in '53.
It felt so good. It felt so right.
Life looked better in black and white."
Finally, Linda Cohen Greenseid gently points out how rude I am, constantly deflecting well-meaning compliments about my continuing these updates, and especially ignoring Steve Spector's recent generous praise. OK. Linda's right. I'm a moron. You're all welcome. Now quit thanking me.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
All righty,
This would be it: the last reminder that if you want to see Booker Gibson in a neighborhood near where you used to live, you should find you way to South High tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7:00 PM. As already indicated, Robert Fiveson will be there, along with Linda Cohen Greenseid, her daughter Jennifer -- who went to South -- and her brother Steve, class of '64. Cheer Booker and remember Vince.
Related, this note just arrived: My name is Axel Norden. I was one of Booker Gibson's roommates while we were at the SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music. Both my wife Gloria and I would like to make a contribution to the scholarship fund in Booker's name. We would appreciate it if you would e-mail us an address were we could send our contribution.
Similarly, from Judy Hartstone: This is to commemorate the contribution made by Mr. Gibson to our love and understanding of music. I remember exactly where I sat in his class; I recall the joy and fun of learning about Mimi's dying of consumption in La Boheme! The stories of all the operas, and the beauty of the arias, stay with me to this day. Mr. Gibson infused his subject with a compelling passion that made it a joy to go to class. It was a delight to renew the acquaintance at the reunion, and I hope he can be at the next one, as well. Mr. Gibson deserves every honor bestowed on him.
Further, from Carol Bunim Okin: I hope each year’s winner will appreciate Mr. Gibson and his legacy as much as all of us do. Thanks to him, we are all recipients of the best prize – the love of music.
I wish I could be there to see the actual presentation, but I'll be looking forward to seeing the photos. By the way, to whom do I write the check?
[Rich -- in my best public relations manner, and following Denise Frango Baxter's advice last week, my mailing address is: 23030 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367. The checks get made out to me, and my last name's spelled Eisbrouch.
So far, we have almost $800 raised for each award, including $200 in annual pledges for Booker's, and $400 in annual pledges for Vince's -- the awards, if you remember are $500 each, presently for 10 years. After this week, I'd like to quit taking donations for this year, so I don't have to hold on to other people's money unnecessarily. But I will start quietly reminding everyone about the awards again next May, especially the folks who've pledged annual donations.
Again, thanks to all who've contributed. The list now includes: Carol Bunim Okin, Terri Donohue Calamari, Judy Hartstone, Barbara Peres Napolitano '62, Peter Shapiro '62, Axel and Gloria Norden, Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Dennis and Linda (Iaquinto) O'Hara, Joan Bouza Koster, Denise Frango Baxter, Jay Kinder, Linda Cohen Greenseid, Alan Finder, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric '64, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen '64.]
A couple of notes in our ongoing medical series, first from Zelda White Nichols: I am in business development for a data storage equipment manufacturer in San Diego. San Diego is the third largest biotech center in the country, and much of our equipment is designed for the biotech, genome, and pharmaceutical industries. I spend my days reading websites of these companies, and I also receive daily e-newsletters from a number of biotech sites. These newsletters tell me everything that is going on in that world: who is buying what company; who has received funding for what projects; what products are being developed for which disease; as well as what research is being done for which disease. I currently e-mail any diabetes information I run across to four of my friends, and research on diabetes is extensive. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can handle, but I'm also willing to e-mail my findings to anyone in the class of '65 who has a serious disease or condition. Just let me know privately what you're interested in reading about, and please be assured that what you tell me will stay with me . My e-mail address is: zelda.nichols@cox.net
Next, from Peggy Cooper Schwartz: I was happy to hear that Neil Guberman is doing well and was able to nip his cardiac problems before anything worse happened. Speaking of health concerns, my husband Les just celebrated the one-year anniversary of a successful stem cell transplant for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Les was diagnosed with this illness in November 2000. After several rounds of chemo and other failed treatments, the transplant was his last option. He received his own stem cells, which were harvested and frozen while he was in remission after his first round of chemo. The transplant took place at the University of Miami, and since Les was mighty sick, he stayed there for 5 weeks. But thanks to great medicine and lots of prayer, he recovered and returned to his job as a psychiatrist at the West Palm Beach VA Hospital last September. We are truly grateful, and see each day as a gift.
One of the lessons I learned from all this is the importance of donating blood. Les was transfusion-dependent for several months before his transplant, but thanks to the gifts of donated blood, he was able to stay alive until his operation. So for all you healthy Class of 65'ers, please consider giving the gift of blood.
Also, Les and I celebrate another milestone on June 17th -- our 32nd anniversary.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, to Peg and Les. And not to belittle any medical vigilance, but my brother's father-in-law just died, at 81. He hadn't been to a doctor in over 60 years, since his last Army physical in WW II. He started having stomach problems on Wednesday and died on Friday. I'm not suggesting that avoiding doctors is a good idea, but there is a chance we all take our pulses a little too often. Mine's currently 72, by the way.]
A message about another class's reunion, forwarded by Fran Bellucci: I got this information from my older sister Andrea. The Class of '64 has a 40-year reunion planned for September 10th and 11th at the same place we had our 37th -- the Wyndham Windwatch Hotel and Hamlet Golf Club in Hauppauge. They will have a hospitality suite and a Saturday buffet dinner. If you want to attend, Tom McPartland is the contact person, either by phone at: 516-456-5758, or by e-mail at: tommcp@ptd.net
I thought there might be some people in the area who'd want to join their party to say "hi." I know I'd like to see the yearbook staff and those in 7th hour art class again. In any case, I'll be sending them a note.
Meanwhile, a quick literary plug: Tom Piazza, a man probably none of us know, recently wrote a book called My Cold War, which won the Faulkner Society Award for best novel. It's about growing up on the south shore of Long Island in the 50s, and how that shaped people's lives and thinking. It's out in hard cover now and will be available in paperback in the fall. Piazza also writes about jazz.
A sample from the novel: "In 1961 I knew already that Russia was a place that would send planes or missiles to destroy my elementary school, and the walls would collapse the way they did in Godzilla as my schoolmates and I knelt and put our hands over our heads. But the stuff in my father's books was different. It was more personal. The cover of The Naked Communist, for example -- bloodred, with a menacing, muscled silhouette looming behind the stark title. There were pamphlets lying around, really scary things, about how Communists would get up at their meetings and talk about slitting the throats of priests and children."
A possibly more pleasant view of the same subject, part of a longer Internet piece forwarded by Barbara Blitfield Pech:
"But if I could, I'd rather be
On a TV show in '53.
It felt so good. It felt so right.
Life looked better in black and white."
Finally, Linda Cohen Greenseid gently points out how rude I am, constantly deflecting well-meaning compliments about my continuing these updates, and especially ignoring Steve Spector's recent generous praise. OK. Linda's right. I'm a moron. You're all welcome. Now quit thanking me.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 6-1-04
Hi,
First, in no particular order, assorted notes that accompanied checks sent for Booker's music award:
From Jay Kinder: I am very happy to contribute. The number of Jeopardy questions I answered over the last twenty years, concerning music, symphonies, and opera, make the contribution alone worth it. I am also contributing because I have seen too many teachers just put in their time and make the same money as dedicated teachers. The good teachers need to be recognized.
From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: I'm enclosing, with pleasure, my check for this year's Booker Gibson Award. What a wonderful idea this is!
From Zelda White Nichols: I wish this could be more. How can you put a value on such wonderful lessons learned?
From Carol Ewig Duran: It's my pleasure to send a little money for such a nice cause.
From Robin Seader Cottmeyer: I certainly concur with our classmates -- this is long overdue! Booker was one of my favorite teachers (except when he made me take the chewing gum out of my mouth and sit with it on my nose for the entire class) and he certainly fostered my ongoing appreciation of music. I still frequent the opera, love Broadway, love classic rock from our era, and, of course, I can't get enough of good jazz. OK, I admit it: I'm a concert junkie and am rapidly going broke -- have you seen the price of tickets lately? Anyway, I'd like to think of the enclosed contribution as my long-overdue payment for a ticket I was fortunate enough to hold back in 1964-65, a ticket to the classroom of Booker Gibson.
From Ken Ulric, '64: I spoke with Booker last week -- after almost 40 years! Why doesn't anyone seem to age, until you see them?
From Denise Frango Baxter: It is so nice to see how excited Booker is. We have made him a happy man.
Also, from Peter Shapiro, '62: You don't know me, but I was in the Class of '62, and I'm a longtime friend of Emily Kleinman from South and Hofstra, where I graduated in '66. Em sent me most of your e-mail about the Booker Gibson Music Award.
Thanks for doing something to recognize one of the good guys. I called to talk with Booker about a year ago, and I like to think that he actually remembered me among the many. I was also a South High band member. As a person who appreciates all sorts of music, especially classical, but not rap, Gibson helped broaden my views at the time to jazz and opera. So I support the effort to help musically-talented kids.
Well, enough about that for the moment; the main reason I contacted you is to let you know that I'd like to contribute a little to the fund. Secondly, the check won't have to travel that far, because I live in Sherman Oaks, having moved here in 1980. I work in Van Nuys, as Vice President of Human Resources for Electro Rent Corp. We rent, among other things, electronic equipment and computers.
Hope someone takes some digital pix on the 9th and sends a few out to interested parties, like me.
[Rich -- I wrote Peter, thanking him and adding: I've asked Robert Fiveson, who's presenting the first Vince Tampio award, to make sure pictures of Booker and the two award winners get to me. Robert's reliable, so they will, and they'll quickly be posted on our home page.]
Next, as long as we're on the subject, a brief awards update: New supporters -- Linda Cohen Greenseid, Jay Kinder, Alan Finder. That's in addition to: Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen.
It's interesting that Vince's award is being supported by a small group who've pledged to contribute annually, and Booker's, mainly by a larger group of one-time donators. I can't give you accurate totals yet, because the checks keep coming in, but the awards are comfortably covered for this year, with enough left to pay for the plaques. The money for each award is kept separately.
Again, the presentation is at South on Wednesday, June 9th, at 7:00 PM. Stop by to see them old hallowed halls.
Related, from Denise Frango Baxter: I think you should remind everyone more, and give them your address each time.
[Rich -- Denise has to be doing volunteer work for public radio. But contributions will always be welcome, and my mailing address is: 23030 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367.]
Third, several medical follow-ups, initially from Allen Moss: Thanks Neil for sharing. The reality is that we are now in the age group where issues like heredity and life style become so much more influential in our health. If I can share the "soapbox" with you for a moment, I'd like to remind our classmates to become informed and aggressive consumers when it comes to picking a doctor who will be responsible for your yearly examinations and potential referrals to specialists. In this age of PPOs and HMOs, there are many doctors who are not as thorough as they should be. Don't be shy about asking your doctors lots of questions, and, as a consumer, subscribing to some great monthly health letters which are out there.
I've been getting the "University of California Wellness Letter" and the "Tufts University Health and Wellness Letter" for about 20 years now. They are excellently researched and informative and carry NO advertising. What's so important about them is that they talk about the latest diagnostic screenings and exams which can be utilized through your Primary Care Physician. Aside from the typical blood tests, they have raised my consciousness about PSA tests and High Stress C-Reactive Protein tests -- both are designed to give you and your doctor potential indications of trouble. Although not foolproof, they have certainly proven to be extremely helpful. More and more information is also appearing in the literature about women and their risk for stroke and heart attack, more so than before. And, of course, the whole issue of diet, not smoking, and regular exercise has pretty much become a no-brainer.
Glad you are back at the top of your form, Neil. Look forward to seeing you in 2005!
Next, from Jerry Bittman: I just got through reading this week's newsletter. It just proves the old slogan is right -- you can't tell a book by its cover. Seeing Neil Guberman at the reunion was great. You looked at him and saw a picture of health. But we never know what is going on in the insides of our body. Here is the advice I want to share with my classmates.
It was 10 years ago today, on June 1st, that I suffered the first of my 7 heart attacks. It was also the last time I smoked a cigarette. For 25 years, I smoked 3 packs a day. Forty-one months ago, the doctors in Florida gave me no more than 24 months to live. At the time, my heart was functioning at 10% of its capabilities. Last June 3rd, I FINALLY decided to try and change my life around. I've lost 55 pounds, and I work out 6 times a week. Two weeks ago, I had a nuclear stress test like Neil had, and my heart is now working at 32% of its capabilities. My doctor says it is a miracle.
I am not sharing this information for a pat on the back, but rather to tell everybody it is NOT too late. Goobs, there are a lot of things I would like to share with you and anybody else who would like to hear from somebody who went through this. I've also done volunteer work in a hospital, talking to heart patients. Goobs, or anybody else, feel free to call me at: 308-236-6966.
From Linda Cohen Greenseid: This is a note to Barbara Blitfield Pech -- Thank you, Barbara, for keeping us updated on women's health issues. I do appreciate it. I don't know why I thought the drive-thru mastectomy medical treatment was already rectified, but your recent e-mail let me know that work still has to be done. I've just logged in regarding the ovarian cancer stamp, and I welcome all other info that you have to pass on.
And from Barbara: Just a quick note. First, I will be at the ever-lovely "Robin's Hamish Hacienda" this coming weekend, and I hope to visit with a few "old" also known as "dear" friends -- details and gossip to follow. Next, I can't thank Neil enough for the very important experience that he shared with us, as we are beginning to reach the age where taking our good health for granted is not always the best way. How many of us have similar family histories and are making every effort not to repeat our parents' problems? The best way, first, is to do a base line stress test, and then do whatever the doctor says. Also, (eek) listen to Jerry Bittman. I had an incident late last year, and called Jerry for his medical opinion. His first and last words to me were, "GET OFF THE PHONE RIGHT NOW AND CALL 911! Don't you know that most people die from their first heart attack because they won't admit that they COULD be having one?" I did call, did go to the hospital, and was admitted. Thankfully, I was released the next day, after extensive tests. I am now under care, and I will continue to monitor myself, via diet, exercise, and necessary medication. It's a small price to pay to stay healthy.
[Rich, again -- There are some other, backlogged Internet forwards, which we'll get to by summer, when people are otherwise distracted and filler is needed. But, this week, I'd like to finish with something from Steve Spector. Steve knows I'm planning to do some writing on my vacation, and he offered a suggestion.]
From Steve: A story line: Once upon a time an individual with a computer and a little time on his hands began a search for his former high school classmates. He began an e-mail report to his classmates as he went along. Three years later, his list was larger, his reports were still going out weekly, and because his voice was stable, calm, and eminently polite, he continued to get responses.
People wrote him with their stories, their hopes, plans, loves, failures, illnesses, and fears. He and his classmates time-traveled, back and forth, with their stories from high school to the present. As they trusted his voice more, they were more forthcoming with the details of their lives, and this actually recreated the class from the disparate lives scattered across the country.
All the stories and plots, of course, will be brought together at an impending reunion. Hell, the damn thing writes itself. Boomers, reunions, and women readers run the publishing business. Love and redemption rules. I'll look for you on Book Chat, before the movie options.
[Rich -- As I just wrote Steve: Thanks, but I think writing about this, even as fiction, would undermine whatever trust people have put in me to edit and pass on these messages. Also, I've kept the newsletters going because it's fun, and it's easy. And I'd hate anyone to think there's any other reason. Still, there are a lot of creative people out there, and if someone needs a TV movie ...]
The home page: hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hi,
First, in no particular order, assorted notes that accompanied checks sent for Booker's music award:
From Jay Kinder: I am very happy to contribute. The number of Jeopardy questions I answered over the last twenty years, concerning music, symphonies, and opera, make the contribution alone worth it. I am also contributing because I have seen too many teachers just put in their time and make the same money as dedicated teachers. The good teachers need to be recognized.
From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: I'm enclosing, with pleasure, my check for this year's Booker Gibson Award. What a wonderful idea this is!
From Zelda White Nichols: I wish this could be more. How can you put a value on such wonderful lessons learned?
From Carol Ewig Duran: It's my pleasure to send a little money for such a nice cause.
From Robin Seader Cottmeyer: I certainly concur with our classmates -- this is long overdue! Booker was one of my favorite teachers (except when he made me take the chewing gum out of my mouth and sit with it on my nose for the entire class) and he certainly fostered my ongoing appreciation of music. I still frequent the opera, love Broadway, love classic rock from our era, and, of course, I can't get enough of good jazz. OK, I admit it: I'm a concert junkie and am rapidly going broke -- have you seen the price of tickets lately? Anyway, I'd like to think of the enclosed contribution as my long-overdue payment for a ticket I was fortunate enough to hold back in 1964-65, a ticket to the classroom of Booker Gibson.
From Ken Ulric, '64: I spoke with Booker last week -- after almost 40 years! Why doesn't anyone seem to age, until you see them?
From Denise Frango Baxter: It is so nice to see how excited Booker is. We have made him a happy man.
Also, from Peter Shapiro, '62: You don't know me, but I was in the Class of '62, and I'm a longtime friend of Emily Kleinman from South and Hofstra, where I graduated in '66. Em sent me most of your e-mail about the Booker Gibson Music Award.
Thanks for doing something to recognize one of the good guys. I called to talk with Booker about a year ago, and I like to think that he actually remembered me among the many. I was also a South High band member. As a person who appreciates all sorts of music, especially classical, but not rap, Gibson helped broaden my views at the time to jazz and opera. So I support the effort to help musically-talented kids.
Well, enough about that for the moment; the main reason I contacted you is to let you know that I'd like to contribute a little to the fund. Secondly, the check won't have to travel that far, because I live in Sherman Oaks, having moved here in 1980. I work in Van Nuys, as Vice President of Human Resources for Electro Rent Corp. We rent, among other things, electronic equipment and computers.
Hope someone takes some digital pix on the 9th and sends a few out to interested parties, like me.
[Rich -- I wrote Peter, thanking him and adding: I've asked Robert Fiveson, who's presenting the first Vince Tampio award, to make sure pictures of Booker and the two award winners get to me. Robert's reliable, so they will, and they'll quickly be posted on our home page.]
Next, as long as we're on the subject, a brief awards update: New supporters -- Linda Cohen Greenseid, Jay Kinder, Alan Finder. That's in addition to: Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen.
It's interesting that Vince's award is being supported by a small group who've pledged to contribute annually, and Booker's, mainly by a larger group of one-time donators. I can't give you accurate totals yet, because the checks keep coming in, but the awards are comfortably covered for this year, with enough left to pay for the plaques. The money for each award is kept separately.
Again, the presentation is at South on Wednesday, June 9th, at 7:00 PM. Stop by to see them old hallowed halls.
Related, from Denise Frango Baxter: I think you should remind everyone more, and give them your address each time.
[Rich -- Denise has to be doing volunteer work for public radio. But contributions will always be welcome, and my mailing address is: 23030 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367.]
Third, several medical follow-ups, initially from Allen Moss: Thanks Neil for sharing. The reality is that we are now in the age group where issues like heredity and life style become so much more influential in our health. If I can share the "soapbox" with you for a moment, I'd like to remind our classmates to become informed and aggressive consumers when it comes to picking a doctor who will be responsible for your yearly examinations and potential referrals to specialists. In this age of PPOs and HMOs, there are many doctors who are not as thorough as they should be. Don't be shy about asking your doctors lots of questions, and, as a consumer, subscribing to some great monthly health letters which are out there.
I've been getting the "University of California Wellness Letter" and the "Tufts University Health and Wellness Letter" for about 20 years now. They are excellently researched and informative and carry NO advertising. What's so important about them is that they talk about the latest diagnostic screenings and exams which can be utilized through your Primary Care Physician. Aside from the typical blood tests, they have raised my consciousness about PSA tests and High Stress C-Reactive Protein tests -- both are designed to give you and your doctor potential indications of trouble. Although not foolproof, they have certainly proven to be extremely helpful. More and more information is also appearing in the literature about women and their risk for stroke and heart attack, more so than before. And, of course, the whole issue of diet, not smoking, and regular exercise has pretty much become a no-brainer.
Glad you are back at the top of your form, Neil. Look forward to seeing you in 2005!
Next, from Jerry Bittman: I just got through reading this week's newsletter. It just proves the old slogan is right -- you can't tell a book by its cover. Seeing Neil Guberman at the reunion was great. You looked at him and saw a picture of health. But we never know what is going on in the insides of our body. Here is the advice I want to share with my classmates.
It was 10 years ago today, on June 1st, that I suffered the first of my 7 heart attacks. It was also the last time I smoked a cigarette. For 25 years, I smoked 3 packs a day. Forty-one months ago, the doctors in Florida gave me no more than 24 months to live. At the time, my heart was functioning at 10% of its capabilities. Last June 3rd, I FINALLY decided to try and change my life around. I've lost 55 pounds, and I work out 6 times a week. Two weeks ago, I had a nuclear stress test like Neil had, and my heart is now working at 32% of its capabilities. My doctor says it is a miracle.
I am not sharing this information for a pat on the back, but rather to tell everybody it is NOT too late. Goobs, there are a lot of things I would like to share with you and anybody else who would like to hear from somebody who went through this. I've also done volunteer work in a hospital, talking to heart patients. Goobs, or anybody else, feel free to call me at: 308-236-6966.
From Linda Cohen Greenseid: This is a note to Barbara Blitfield Pech -- Thank you, Barbara, for keeping us updated on women's health issues. I do appreciate it. I don't know why I thought the drive-thru mastectomy medical treatment was already rectified, but your recent e-mail let me know that work still has to be done. I've just logged in regarding the ovarian cancer stamp, and I welcome all other info that you have to pass on.
And from Barbara: Just a quick note. First, I will be at the ever-lovely "Robin's Hamish Hacienda" this coming weekend, and I hope to visit with a few "old" also known as "dear" friends -- details and gossip to follow. Next, I can't thank Neil enough for the very important experience that he shared with us, as we are beginning to reach the age where taking our good health for granted is not always the best way. How many of us have similar family histories and are making every effort not to repeat our parents' problems? The best way, first, is to do a base line stress test, and then do whatever the doctor says. Also, (eek) listen to Jerry Bittman. I had an incident late last year, and called Jerry for his medical opinion. His first and last words to me were, "GET OFF THE PHONE RIGHT NOW AND CALL 911! Don't you know that most people die from their first heart attack because they won't admit that they COULD be having one?" I did call, did go to the hospital, and was admitted. Thankfully, I was released the next day, after extensive tests. I am now under care, and I will continue to monitor myself, via diet, exercise, and necessary medication. It's a small price to pay to stay healthy.
[Rich, again -- There are some other, backlogged Internet forwards, which we'll get to by summer, when people are otherwise distracted and filler is needed. But, this week, I'd like to finish with something from Steve Spector. Steve knows I'm planning to do some writing on my vacation, and he offered a suggestion.]
From Steve: A story line: Once upon a time an individual with a computer and a little time on his hands began a search for his former high school classmates. He began an e-mail report to his classmates as he went along. Three years later, his list was larger, his reports were still going out weekly, and because his voice was stable, calm, and eminently polite, he continued to get responses.
People wrote him with their stories, their hopes, plans, loves, failures, illnesses, and fears. He and his classmates time-traveled, back and forth, with their stories from high school to the present. As they trusted his voice more, they were more forthcoming with the details of their lives, and this actually recreated the class from the disparate lives scattered across the country.
All the stories and plots, of course, will be brought together at an impending reunion. Hell, the damn thing writes itself. Boomers, reunions, and women readers run the publishing business. Love and redemption rules. I'll look for you on Book Chat, before the movie options.
[Rich -- As I just wrote Steve: Thanks, but I think writing about this, even as fiction, would undermine whatever trust people have put in me to edit and pass on these messages. Also, I've kept the newsletters going because it's fun, and it's easy. And I'd hate anyone to think there's any other reason. Still, there are a lot of creative people out there, and if someone needs a TV movie ...]
The home page: hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Friday, September 9, 2016
Update 5-25-04
Hi,
To begin with, a note from Robert Eichinger's wife Ronnie: Thank you for your kind thoughts. You are correct -- it was way too soon and very sudden. He really enjoyed the Valley Stream reunion and frequently commented on those high school days. Thanks again for taking the time to contact me. I will still read all the great stories on the reunion website.
Gently related, a cautionary note from Neil Guberman: Here's some personal news I've decided to share with everybody, not to solicit feelings for me or to get up on a soap box, but to make us all aware, "This can happen to you." I'm 56 years old, 5'-11", 160 pounds. I work out daily and, year-round, do things like bike, kayak, and cross-country ski. I'm also a semi-vegetarian -- I eat fish and some dairy. I'm very careful about my fat, salt, and sugar intake. I don't smoke. I drink in moderation -- usually. I take 81 mg aspirin daily. I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes. My cholesterol is slightly up at 225. I see my doctor and get yearly physicals that include blood work and prostate screening. Overall, I'm definitely one healthy guy, right?
In February, I had open heart surgery.
I didn't have a heart attack. I never felt any pain in my chest or back. I wasn't tired or short of breath. I didn't have feelings of heartburn or shooting pains in my left arm. I had no classic symptoms of heart disease at all. I simply asked my doctor for a stress test after experiencing, on three consecutive days, what I felt were minor muscular aches in my left elbow area and my left rib cage while doing my regular Nordic track workout. I told him I just wanted to be sure it was nothing serious, because both my parents had heart/artery problems later in life, and the unusual feelings on the left side of my body concerned me.
Both parts of the stress test -- treadmill and nuclear dye photos -- turned up positive. Three days later, I had a heart catherization, which showed a 90% blockage on the main, left descending artery, though there were no other measurable problems anywhere else, and no heart damage. The next day, surgery was done.
I asked how this could have happened, given my lifestyle, and my cardiologist said, "Heredity is the number one contributor to potential heart/artery disease, followed by smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, and diet." He also explained that, had I not been taking care of myself, I most likely would have experienced major heart/artery problems ten-or-more years ago.
Why am I telling everyone all this? Because you don't want to go through this. Know your family history. Know your body. Stop smoking. Watch your diet. Exercise. See your doctor yearly. Get a stress test if you've never had one. Don't take anything for granted. There are people out there who love and care about you, and who you love and care about. Stay healthy. Stay alive.
Anyway, I'm fine now, fully recovered and able to do everything I did before -- except read anything by Fiveson or Bittman. I'm taking a blood thinner and meds for cholesterol -- Lipitor, which works great and has dropped my reading to 164. Sorry for going into all the details, but I felt the story needed to be told.
I hope all is well with all of you, and, please, take care.
Cheerier thoughts from Peter Rosen: My kids are throwing a 35th wedding anniversary party for Phyllis and me on June 5th in Atlanta. In case anyone is visiting Atlanta that evening, they're welcome to stop by. Please write me for details.
Also, I just got a call from Irene Saunders, and Robin (Seader or Singer) will be in town, so Irene is organizing a breakfast for Saturday morning. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The awards update: First, a reminder that the ceremony is at South at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 9th, and everyone is invited. Next, the inscriptions on the plaques that will be permanently installed in the school's main corridor.
The Vince Tampio Theater Award: Vince Tampio was an actor, director, and designer, as well as inspiration and mentor. From 1961 to 1969, he worked in New York theater, while also teaching at South. In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles, where after 30 years, he retired as head of the CBS-TV Scenic Shop. His legacy lives on, both in the number of entertainment industry and teaching professionals he launched from South, and in the hearts of all those whose interest in the arts he awakened.
The Booker Gibson Music Award: Booker T. Gibson taught at South from 1956 to 1986, enthusiastically imbuing in his students a love of, and appreciation for, music of all kinds. From opera to jazz, rock to Broadway, his obvious love for music was contagious, and his rapport with his students was legendary.
The inscription for Vince was a collaborative effort, created by Robert Fiveson, Nancy Garfield, Barnet Kellman, Amy Lieberman, Ken Ulric, and me. We asked Booker to write his own inscription, and he wrote back: My wife and I thought it would be better to turn to a former student who knew me as a classroom teacher and chorus director, and who was a "perceptive" observer. I often exchange e-mail with Alissa Ballot '73 (2nd in Class -- I'm never sure of spelling Salutatorian). She's held a very responsible position in West Palm Beach, Florida for years.
The people presently supporting these awards include, in no particular order: Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen. Further supporters will always be welcome.
A request from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I am sending you the site address to sign a petition for an Ovarian Cancer Awareness stamp. This is the third year we are trying to get a stamp approved by the Postmaster General, and we need 26,000 signatures by July. Last year, we had over 27,000, but they didn't issue a stamp because they felt they had other, more important requests. So we are trying again.
The address is: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ovca2004/petition.html Please pass this on to your family and friends. We need this stamp. This disease has to be brought to the public's attention. Thank you!
Another request, this one from Peggy Galinger Menaker: About the next reunion -- please ask those who are planning it to set dates as early as possible. Thank you.
A note from Paul Zegler: Just to let you know I haven't received any updates for the last two weeks. Have you been sending them? If you have them and can figure out why I'm not getting them, please let me know.
Also, I just got a new job, as special finance manager and Internet manager at Beverly Hills Ford. It's quite exciting. Hope everyone's well.
[Rich -- Yep, the updates have continued weekly, and if anyone's having trouble getting them by e-mail, you might check the settings for your spam filters. Also, Paul was writing in reply to a warning I'd sent around midweek. Just in case you didn't open it, here it is again: Allen Moss just wrote that Terri Donohue Calamari warned him not to open any e-mail from her. Her computer is infected by a virus.]
A warning forwarded from the Internet by RoseMarie Cassillo: It was about 1:00 in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have 4 children (high school and college age) and have always told them never to pull over to the side of the road for an unmarked car, but rather wait until they get to a public place like a gas station. Lauren had listened to her parents' advice, and promptly called #77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her.
The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was, and there weren't, so he told her to keep driving, remain calm, and that he had back-up already on the way.
Ten minutes later, four cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side, and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist, wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the #77 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently, police have to respect your right to keep going to a "safe" place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e., put on your hazard lights) or call #77 like Lauren did.
[Rich -- Before passing this on, I checked Urban Legends for verification and found this: Whether this particular tale is true or not, women driving alone have been sexually assaulted by rapists pretending to be police officers, so the advice it gives (to not pull over in deserted areas when signaled to do so by an unmarked police vehicle) is well worth heeding. Keep driving until you get to a well-lit area where there are others about. Call 911 and tell them what's happening. Although in at least in some U.S. states, #77 on a cell phone will immediately connect you to that state's highway patrol, that code is not universal. Some states use #77, but others use *55, *47, or *HP, and some don't have any special code at all. Rather than frantically trying to figure out which one will work in the area you're in, get around the problem by going straight to 911.]
There are a couple other e-mail forwards I'll include next week, but, finally, this week's Robert Fiveson contribution: And now, my fellow Falcons, I give you what little I have to give of myself. No, not my soul -- I gave that away years ago. And not my manhood -- I also gave that away, though more recently. No, I give you what will be my legacy to the class, the world's most entertaining url: www.chickenhead.com
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hi,
To begin with, a note from Robert Eichinger's wife Ronnie: Thank you for your kind thoughts. You are correct -- it was way too soon and very sudden. He really enjoyed the Valley Stream reunion and frequently commented on those high school days. Thanks again for taking the time to contact me. I will still read all the great stories on the reunion website.
Gently related, a cautionary note from Neil Guberman: Here's some personal news I've decided to share with everybody, not to solicit feelings for me or to get up on a soap box, but to make us all aware, "This can happen to you." I'm 56 years old, 5'-11", 160 pounds. I work out daily and, year-round, do things like bike, kayak, and cross-country ski. I'm also a semi-vegetarian -- I eat fish and some dairy. I'm very careful about my fat, salt, and sugar intake. I don't smoke. I drink in moderation -- usually. I take 81 mg aspirin daily. I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes. My cholesterol is slightly up at 225. I see my doctor and get yearly physicals that include blood work and prostate screening. Overall, I'm definitely one healthy guy, right?
In February, I had open heart surgery.
I didn't have a heart attack. I never felt any pain in my chest or back. I wasn't tired or short of breath. I didn't have feelings of heartburn or shooting pains in my left arm. I had no classic symptoms of heart disease at all. I simply asked my doctor for a stress test after experiencing, on three consecutive days, what I felt were minor muscular aches in my left elbow area and my left rib cage while doing my regular Nordic track workout. I told him I just wanted to be sure it was nothing serious, because both my parents had heart/artery problems later in life, and the unusual feelings on the left side of my body concerned me.
Both parts of the stress test -- treadmill and nuclear dye photos -- turned up positive. Three days later, I had a heart catherization, which showed a 90% blockage on the main, left descending artery, though there were no other measurable problems anywhere else, and no heart damage. The next day, surgery was done.
I asked how this could have happened, given my lifestyle, and my cardiologist said, "Heredity is the number one contributor to potential heart/artery disease, followed by smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, and diet." He also explained that, had I not been taking care of myself, I most likely would have experienced major heart/artery problems ten-or-more years ago.
Why am I telling everyone all this? Because you don't want to go through this. Know your family history. Know your body. Stop smoking. Watch your diet. Exercise. See your doctor yearly. Get a stress test if you've never had one. Don't take anything for granted. There are people out there who love and care about you, and who you love and care about. Stay healthy. Stay alive.
Anyway, I'm fine now, fully recovered and able to do everything I did before -- except read anything by Fiveson or Bittman. I'm taking a blood thinner and meds for cholesterol -- Lipitor, which works great and has dropped my reading to 164. Sorry for going into all the details, but I felt the story needed to be told.
I hope all is well with all of you, and, please, take care.
Cheerier thoughts from Peter Rosen: My kids are throwing a 35th wedding anniversary party for Phyllis and me on June 5th in Atlanta. In case anyone is visiting Atlanta that evening, they're welcome to stop by. Please write me for details.
Also, I just got a call from Irene Saunders, and Robin (Seader or Singer) will be in town, so Irene is organizing a breakfast for Saturday morning. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The awards update: First, a reminder that the ceremony is at South at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, June 9th, and everyone is invited. Next, the inscriptions on the plaques that will be permanently installed in the school's main corridor.
The Vince Tampio Theater Award: Vince Tampio was an actor, director, and designer, as well as inspiration and mentor. From 1961 to 1969, he worked in New York theater, while also teaching at South. In 1970, he moved to Los Angeles, where after 30 years, he retired as head of the CBS-TV Scenic Shop. His legacy lives on, both in the number of entertainment industry and teaching professionals he launched from South, and in the hearts of all those whose interest in the arts he awakened.
The Booker Gibson Music Award: Booker T. Gibson taught at South from 1956 to 1986, enthusiastically imbuing in his students a love of, and appreciation for, music of all kinds. From opera to jazz, rock to Broadway, his obvious love for music was contagious, and his rapport with his students was legendary.
The inscription for Vince was a collaborative effort, created by Robert Fiveson, Nancy Garfield, Barnet Kellman, Amy Lieberman, Ken Ulric, and me. We asked Booker to write his own inscription, and he wrote back: My wife and I thought it would be better to turn to a former student who knew me as a classroom teacher and chorus director, and who was a "perceptive" observer. I often exchange e-mail with Alissa Ballot '73 (2nd in Class -- I'm never sure of spelling Salutatorian). She's held a very responsible position in West Palm Beach, Florida for years.
The people presently supporting these awards include, in no particular order: Robin Seader Cottmeyer, Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, Ellen Epstein Silver, Lynn Nudelman Villagran, Alison Altman, Carol Ewig Duran, Zelda White Nichols, Neil Guberman, Rich Eisbrouch, Peggy Cooper Schwartz, Marc Fishman, Robin Feit Baker, Robert Fiveson, Barnet Kellman, Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric, Nancy Garfield, Booker and Frances Gibson, Amy Lieberman, and Steve Cohen. Further supporters will always be welcome.
A request from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I am sending you the site address to sign a petition for an Ovarian Cancer Awareness stamp. This is the third year we are trying to get a stamp approved by the Postmaster General, and we need 26,000 signatures by July. Last year, we had over 27,000, but they didn't issue a stamp because they felt they had other, more important requests. So we are trying again.
The address is: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ovca2004/petition.html Please pass this on to your family and friends. We need this stamp. This disease has to be brought to the public's attention. Thank you!
Another request, this one from Peggy Galinger Menaker: About the next reunion -- please ask those who are planning it to set dates as early as possible. Thank you.
A note from Paul Zegler: Just to let you know I haven't received any updates for the last two weeks. Have you been sending them? If you have them and can figure out why I'm not getting them, please let me know.
Also, I just got a new job, as special finance manager and Internet manager at Beverly Hills Ford. It's quite exciting. Hope everyone's well.
[Rich -- Yep, the updates have continued weekly, and if anyone's having trouble getting them by e-mail, you might check the settings for your spam filters. Also, Paul was writing in reply to a warning I'd sent around midweek. Just in case you didn't open it, here it is again: Allen Moss just wrote that Terri Donohue Calamari warned him not to open any e-mail from her. Her computer is infected by a virus.]
A warning forwarded from the Internet by RoseMarie Cassillo: It was about 1:00 in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have 4 children (high school and college age) and have always told them never to pull over to the side of the road for an unmarked car, but rather wait until they get to a public place like a gas station. Lauren had listened to her parents' advice, and promptly called #77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her.
The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was, and there weren't, so he told her to keep driving, remain calm, and that he had back-up already on the way.
Ten minutes later, four cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side, and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist, wanted for other crimes.
I never knew about the #77 Cell Phone Feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently, police have to respect your right to keep going to a "safe" place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e., put on your hazard lights) or call #77 like Lauren did.
[Rich -- Before passing this on, I checked Urban Legends for verification and found this: Whether this particular tale is true or not, women driving alone have been sexually assaulted by rapists pretending to be police officers, so the advice it gives (to not pull over in deserted areas when signaled to do so by an unmarked police vehicle) is well worth heeding. Keep driving until you get to a well-lit area where there are others about. Call 911 and tell them what's happening. Although in at least in some U.S. states, #77 on a cell phone will immediately connect you to that state's highway patrol, that code is not universal. Some states use #77, but others use *55, *47, or *HP, and some don't have any special code at all. Rather than frantically trying to figure out which one will work in the area you're in, get around the problem by going straight to 911.]
There are a couple other e-mail forwards I'll include next week, but, finally, this week's Robert Fiveson contribution: And now, my fellow Falcons, I give you what little I have to give of myself. No, not my soul -- I gave that away years ago. And not my manhood -- I also gave that away, though more recently. No, I give you what will be my legacy to the class, the world's most entertaining url: www.chickenhead.com
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Update 5-18-04
Hey,
Sad news and happy news in a week when almost anything's a relief from international news. First, the sad.
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Without further details, other than those in the following notice from the May 11th Miami Herald -- EICHENGER, ROBERT "IKE" 58. Passed away May 8, 2004. Born in Brooklyn, Bob resided in Miami for 35 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alida. A loving husband, father, and friend, Bob is survived by his wife Ronnie, daughter Maureen, son Curtis, daughter-in-law, sister, brother, uncle, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ike was a carpenter with the Miami-Dade school system for 30 years, and was also an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Miami. The family will receive friends from 3:00--5:00 PM Wednesday, with funeral services beginning at 5:00 PM at Stanfill Funeral Home. To visit the guest book online go to: www.herald.com/obituaries
Again, from Barbara: While I didn't know Ike well, we were blocks-apart neighbors in Miami. Our children went to the same elementary, middle, and high schools and the same university. As I never came across their name in any of the school activities, I was unaware of how close we lived to each other, as I certainly would have recognized the family name. Just before our last reunion, Robert and Ronnie invited me to their home. They shared a lovely and warm home with their son, daughter, and a large dog, and offered an equally-large, friendly welcome to all who were part of their circle of friends. I hope to be able to attend the service tomorrow on behalf of our class and friends, and will most certainly convey our shared condolences.
[Rich -- Yes, certainly, our condolences to Ronnie and the family]
From Peter Rosen, on hearing the news: I got the chills reading about Bob. My most vivid memory of him at South, unfortunately, isn't the most pleasant. I still dream about the time, after school, when he got me in a head lock so tight that I thought my head was going to crush. When I saw him at the reunion, he had no recollection of that event whatsoever. Good-bye, Bob, and be careful around those angels.
Some quick, happy news, from Booker Gibson: I'm getting even more excited as the June date arrives. Whenever I've mentioned this, most people stare and act like "How can one class do this?" My wife says that yours is a high-achieving, determined group that we had more of during a limited time period. I was very lucky to be there at the same time. Bye for now.
Which brings up the reminder that the annual awards assembly at South is on Wednesday, June 9th at 7:00 PM. Among other presentations, they'll be the first Booker Gibson Music Award and the first Vince Tampio Theater Award. Booker will present the former and Robert Fiveson the latter. Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric and Steve Cohen, all from the class of '64, said they'll be there to help celebrate, and anyone else is welcome.
Speaking of the awards, Liz King Giordano just sent me the names of the first winners. For music: Vanessa Spica. For theater: Paul Ianniello. We should be hearing from these folks sometime in June, and I hope Robert will take pictures of them that we can post on the home page. In return for the names, I sent Liz the first two checks. So to all those who've contributed and have been wondering when your checks were ever going to clear, they'll be deposited this week.
A suggestion from Ryki Zuckerman, class of '66: If you haven't already, perhaps you could post the information about the awards on the class of '66 section of Classmates.com.
[Rich -- I'm not sure Classmates.com welcomes solicitations, other than advertisements for itself, but I was hoping word of the awards would spread by e-mail to other South alumni who knew Vince and Booker. I'm sure it will in time, and all donations will always be welcome.]
Some quick, informative nostalgia, forwarded by Zelda White Nichols: Who invented the Slinky? Like so many other great inventions, the Slinky, a favorite of both kids and physics teachers, was just a grand accident. Richard James, a naval engineer, "discovered" this enduring toy in 1943.
Working to help the war effort, James was developing an anti-vibration device for ship instruments when he knocked over some springs and was fascinated by the way the springs appeared to "walk" down the shelves. James showed his invention to his wife, Betty, who provided the name. (Tabloid trivia: Betty eventually came to run the company, after Richard left for Bolivia to join an obscure religious group.)
The Jameses took their first batch of 400 Slinkys to Gimbel's department store in Philadelphia during the winter of 1945, right in time for Christmas shopping. They were so desperate to sell the toy, they paid a friend $1 to buy one and start the feeding frenzy. Ninety minutes later, not one Slinky remained.
Some other little known facts: Slinkys were among the first toys to travel into space; a stamp commemorating the 1940s features the beloved toy; during the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers would toss a Slinky into a tree for use as a makeshift radio antenna; and, if stretched end-to-end, the Slinky toys sold since 1945 (about 250 million) would wrap around the world 126 times.
Finally, back to that conflicted international news: Robert Fiveson sent word of a June 5th march in Washington, to support efforts to bring the troops home, and a friend of mine forwarded a long, supposedly goverment-generated analysis of the Iraq situation, which included these paragraphs. If you'd like to read the whole piece, please ask me for it.
The strategic situation, as of March 2004, was rapidly improving for the United States. There was serious, reasonable discussion of a final push into Pakistan to liquidate al Qaeda's leadership. Al Qaeda began a global counterattack -- as in Spain -- that was neither unexpected nor as effective as it might have been. However, the counterattack in Iraq was both unexpected and destabilizing -- causing military and political processes in Iraq to separate out, and forcing the United States into negotiations with the Sunni guerrillas while simultaneously trying to manage a crisis in the Shiite areas. At the same time that the United States was struggling to stabilize its position in Iraq, the prison abuse issue emerged. It was devastating not only in its own right, but also because of the timing. It generated a sense that U.S. operations in Iraq were out of control. From Al Fallujah to An Najaf to Abu Ghraib, the question was whether anyone had the slightest idea what they were trying to achieve in Iraq.
Which brings us back to the razor's edge. If the United States rapidly adjusts its Iraq operations to take realities in that country into account, rather than engaging in ongoing wishful thinking, the situation in Iraq can be saved and with it the gains made in the war on al Qaeda. On the other hand, if the United States continues its unbalanced and ineffective prosecution of the war against the guerrillas and continues to allow its relations with the Shia to deteriorate, the United States will find itself in an untenable position. If it is forced to withdraw from Iraq, or to so limit its operations there as to be effectively withdrawn, the entire dynamic that the United States has worked to create since the September 11 attacks will reverse itself, and the U.S. position in the Muslim world -- which was fairly strong in January 2004 -- will deteriorate, and al Qaeda's influence will increase dramatically.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
Hey,
Sad news and happy news in a week when almost anything's a relief from international news. First, the sad.
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Without further details, other than those in the following notice from the May 11th Miami Herald -- EICHENGER, ROBERT "IKE" 58. Passed away May 8, 2004. Born in Brooklyn, Bob resided in Miami for 35 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alida. A loving husband, father, and friend, Bob is survived by his wife Ronnie, daughter Maureen, son Curtis, daughter-in-law, sister, brother, uncle, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ike was a carpenter with the Miami-Dade school system for 30 years, and was also an avid fisherman who loved the outdoors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Miami. The family will receive friends from 3:00--5:00 PM Wednesday, with funeral services beginning at 5:00 PM at Stanfill Funeral Home. To visit the guest book online go to: www.herald.com/obituaries
Again, from Barbara: While I didn't know Ike well, we were blocks-apart neighbors in Miami. Our children went to the same elementary, middle, and high schools and the same university. As I never came across their name in any of the school activities, I was unaware of how close we lived to each other, as I certainly would have recognized the family name. Just before our last reunion, Robert and Ronnie invited me to their home. They shared a lovely and warm home with their son, daughter, and a large dog, and offered an equally-large, friendly welcome to all who were part of their circle of friends. I hope to be able to attend the service tomorrow on behalf of our class and friends, and will most certainly convey our shared condolences.
[Rich -- Yes, certainly, our condolences to Ronnie and the family]
From Peter Rosen, on hearing the news: I got the chills reading about Bob. My most vivid memory of him at South, unfortunately, isn't the most pleasant. I still dream about the time, after school, when he got me in a head lock so tight that I thought my head was going to crush. When I saw him at the reunion, he had no recollection of that event whatsoever. Good-bye, Bob, and be careful around those angels.
Some quick, happy news, from Booker Gibson: I'm getting even more excited as the June date arrives. Whenever I've mentioned this, most people stare and act like "How can one class do this?" My wife says that yours is a high-achieving, determined group that we had more of during a limited time period. I was very lucky to be there at the same time. Bye for now.
Which brings up the reminder that the annual awards assembly at South is on Wednesday, June 9th at 7:00 PM. Among other presentations, they'll be the first Booker Gibson Music Award and the first Vince Tampio Theater Award. Booker will present the former and Robert Fiveson the latter. Ken and Laura (Waxman) Ulric and Steve Cohen, all from the class of '64, said they'll be there to help celebrate, and anyone else is welcome.
Speaking of the awards, Liz King Giordano just sent me the names of the first winners. For music: Vanessa Spica. For theater: Paul Ianniello. We should be hearing from these folks sometime in June, and I hope Robert will take pictures of them that we can post on the home page. In return for the names, I sent Liz the first two checks. So to all those who've contributed and have been wondering when your checks were ever going to clear, they'll be deposited this week.
A suggestion from Ryki Zuckerman, class of '66: If you haven't already, perhaps you could post the information about the awards on the class of '66 section of Classmates.com.
[Rich -- I'm not sure Classmates.com welcomes solicitations, other than advertisements for itself, but I was hoping word of the awards would spread by e-mail to other South alumni who knew Vince and Booker. I'm sure it will in time, and all donations will always be welcome.]
Some quick, informative nostalgia, forwarded by Zelda White Nichols: Who invented the Slinky? Like so many other great inventions, the Slinky, a favorite of both kids and physics teachers, was just a grand accident. Richard James, a naval engineer, "discovered" this enduring toy in 1943.
Working to help the war effort, James was developing an anti-vibration device for ship instruments when he knocked over some springs and was fascinated by the way the springs appeared to "walk" down the shelves. James showed his invention to his wife, Betty, who provided the name. (Tabloid trivia: Betty eventually came to run the company, after Richard left for Bolivia to join an obscure religious group.)
The Jameses took their first batch of 400 Slinkys to Gimbel's department store in Philadelphia during the winter of 1945, right in time for Christmas shopping. They were so desperate to sell the toy, they paid a friend $1 to buy one and start the feeding frenzy. Ninety minutes later, not one Slinky remained.
Some other little known facts: Slinkys were among the first toys to travel into space; a stamp commemorating the 1940s features the beloved toy; during the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers would toss a Slinky into a tree for use as a makeshift radio antenna; and, if stretched end-to-end, the Slinky toys sold since 1945 (about 250 million) would wrap around the world 126 times.
Finally, back to that conflicted international news: Robert Fiveson sent word of a June 5th march in Washington, to support efforts to bring the troops home, and a friend of mine forwarded a long, supposedly goverment-generated analysis of the Iraq situation, which included these paragraphs. If you'd like to read the whole piece, please ask me for it.
The strategic situation, as of March 2004, was rapidly improving for the United States. There was serious, reasonable discussion of a final push into Pakistan to liquidate al Qaeda's leadership. Al Qaeda began a global counterattack -- as in Spain -- that was neither unexpected nor as effective as it might have been. However, the counterattack in Iraq was both unexpected and destabilizing -- causing military and political processes in Iraq to separate out, and forcing the United States into negotiations with the Sunni guerrillas while simultaneously trying to manage a crisis in the Shiite areas. At the same time that the United States was struggling to stabilize its position in Iraq, the prison abuse issue emerged. It was devastating not only in its own right, but also because of the timing. It generated a sense that U.S. operations in Iraq were out of control. From Al Fallujah to An Najaf to Abu Ghraib, the question was whether anyone had the slightest idea what they were trying to achieve in Iraq.
Which brings us back to the razor's edge. If the United States rapidly adjusts its Iraq operations to take realities in that country into account, rather than engaging in ongoing wishful thinking, the situation in Iraq can be saved and with it the gains made in the war on al Qaeda. On the other hand, if the United States continues its unbalanced and ineffective prosecution of the war against the guerrillas and continues to allow its relations with the Shia to deteriorate, the United States will find itself in an untenable position. If it is forced to withdraw from Iraq, or to so limit its operations there as to be effectively withdrawn, the entire dynamic that the United States has worked to create since the September 11 attacks will reverse itself, and the U.S. position in the Muslim world -- which was fairly strong in January 2004 -- will deteriorate, and al Qaeda's influence will increase dramatically.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65
Rich
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