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