Update 12-28-04
Hi,
Easy stuff first. 1. Happy New Year. 2. Weathergirls. (What?) Yep -- weathergirls. Last week Barnet Kellman asked: "What was the name of the New York television weathergirl who always signed off by saying, 'Have a happy' " Some answers:
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: I could be absolutely wrong, but I recall the name Carol Reed being mentioned as an early weather reporter, and a somewhat sad or tragic story also associated with her name. If this doesn't ring any memory bells, please don't add this to the reunion page. There's already enough bad guidance out there.
From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: I think the New York weathergirl who always signed off saying," Have a Happy" might have been named Carol Reed (not to be confused with the famous British film director).
From the online Weather Notebook, produced for the Mount Washington Observatory: Sex appeal is a time-honored gimmick. Back when TV started, our weathercasters were virtually all male. Then in 1952, a station in New York hired a woman named Carol Reed. Within a couple of years, there were so-called "weathergirls" all across the country. Even Raquel Welch got her start doing weather.
From online Women and Weather: Carol Reed began work at New York's WCBS in 1952 and is credited with being the country's first female weather reporter. Her tenure lasted 12 years. Like most women in the field at the time, Reed was not trained in meteorology. In fact, most of the "weathergirls" came from entertainment backgrounds, such as USO-singer-dancer-comedienne or former name-band singer or "Miss Press Photographer." In 1949, Joanne Simpson became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology, despite the objections of male faculty at the University of Chicago, who were not immune to the belief that women did not belong in science. Even women with science experience had to bear the burden established during television weather's gimmicky early phase: many were forced to play sex object, delivering weather in various states of undress. In Florida, Maxine Barrat did weathercasts clad in bathing suits. On NBC's Jack Paar "Tonight Show," Tedi Thurman appeared behind a shower curtain, giving weather reports laced with double entrendres: "In the morning, rain. In the afternoon, dew. In the evening, don't."
From an online journal of a CBS-TV retiree: Not everybody who has been in meteorology has been well-qualified or even interested in weather, with the most ludicrous being the so-called "weathergirls" back in the 1950s. I guess the television industry thought that weather forecasting was pretty dorky and wanted to spice it up. So with a real (male) meteorologist behind the camera, women scrawled weather maps on Plexiglas, donned hats to match the forecast, or rose yawning from bed in skimpy lingerie to deliver the late night forecast. Nobody gave a hoot what the weathercaster said, so long as she had nice legs and some sort of short-term memory.
Another South story, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber, Class of '61: The guidance counselor memories -- or should I say nightmares? I have two stories. One is about my guidance counselor, Marge Hoelseth, and me. The moment is so vivid in my mind. We were sitting in her office going over the results of my aptitude test, and she said, "Wow, your spatial score surprises me! You're in the 97th percentile! If you were a boy, I'd suggest you'd go into architecture, mechanics, or engineering, but those aren't professions for girls." So, I went off to Kent State University to become a teacher. Now, I love architecture, love looking at homes and buildings, loved teaching about it, and I shouldn't have listened to old Marge. The other story involved my brother, Class of '58. My parents were told that he couldn't get into college because he had majored in comic books and TV and spent every summer in summer school. They didn't listen, sent him to Milford Prep, and now he's an attorney!
A newer, happier story, from Ira Mitzner: I was interviewed by a freelance reporter on my decision to take up boxing at the age of 50. The story aired on AARP radio stations throughout the country in mid-November. The interview can be heard at the following website under "Boxercise." http://www.aarp.org/leisure/radio/ptpostscript/
Some reassurance from Robert Fiveson: The website Donald Faber mentioned last week is very non-offensive and quite funny (in a mean-to-Michael Jackson-way). You might also direct people to: http://www.chrismahanukwanzakah.com/ This is clever and cute, combining Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa into an animated multicultural lark. Very entertaining and embracing, with no offense whatsoever.
Also from Barbara Blitfield Pech: More notes, before I forget. I believe it was last week that there was a reference to Dyslexia. I have just recently become aware of the mathematical equivalent, no pun intended, called Dyscalculia. I have "Googled" it, and while I'm not a doctor or even a special ed. teacher, I have self-diagnosed and feel validated that this might well be the summation of my problem, again no pun! Well worth looking into for many of us who still think al-geb-ra is either a basketball star or a new hip hop lyric. Happy New Year to All. 65 red and grey hugs. This is our year. Valley Stream South '65 rocks!
Two changes of address:
From Al MacLeod: Please change my e-mail address to: amacleod6@msn.com Things run a little faster with dsl.
And from Linda Chanes Abel: My new e-mail address is: lindaabel@optonline.net
Also from Al MacLeod: While roaming through the web site for the class of 65, I noticed a list of people who are missing. One person is Peter Small. He is still living in the same house where he grew up in Valley Stream. His phone number is 516-825-1006. Another person is Erick Wohlgemuth. He has a listing in Queens at 718-961-6142. Maybe someone from Long Island can contact both of them. I also got a hit on Mario Derogatis, age 58, living in Port Saint Lucie, telephone number 772-785-7841. If someone in the class is living in the Port Saint Lucie area, maybe they can call and see if it's him. If I run across any more names, I'll pass them on. I have a few people on my list who live in the Albany area, and if any turn out to be members of the class I'll let you know.
Some photos sent, to be posted [soon] on the home page:
From Judy Hartstone: A Forest Road School 1959 graduation celebration at Jahn's, with Martha Morenstein, Nancy Garfield, and our families.
From Linda Cohen Greenseid: A half-dozen pictures of a breakfast after the recent Class of '64 reunion.
From Al MacLeod: A 1959 sixth grade class from William Buck.
Finally, a forward from RoseMarie Cassillo called People Over 35 Should Actually Be Dead: According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 40s, 50s, and 60s shouldn't have survived. Our baby cribs were covered with lead-based paint. We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, no helmets when we rode our bikes, and no seatbelts or air bags in our parents' cars -- not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking. We drank water from garden hoses, shared one bottle of Coke with four friends, left our homes in the morning and played all day with friends we found outside, and often just walked into friends' homes and talked to them. We fell out of trees, broke bones and teeth, got cut, and ate worms. And though we were told it would happen, the worms did not live inside us forever.
The repeating reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
Rich
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Update 12-21-04
Hi,
Merry Christmas. Of course, everyone's properly busy celebrating, so just a few notes, some travel filler, and then we're out of here.
First, Nancy Garfield and Fran Bellucci Johnson have nicely agreed to coordinate the bios again, as they did for the last reunion. This will eventually allow me to update what's online on the home page, and we'll try to print a booklet out again, too. But that depends on getting the money or gathering the favors. Still, there's no reason even to think about this till spring.
Second, another entry in our guidance counselor series, from a surprising source, Barnet Kellman: When I first saw a beef about a guidance counselor appear in the newsletter, I was tempted to add my story -- but who knew such a floodgate would be opened. Now, I’m a little reluctant to pile on, but let the truth be told I say!
After we took our first standardized test in junior high, my guidance counselor -- whose name I blissfully don’t remember -- told me I had no aptitude for understanding spatial relationships. Therefore, I couldn’t take geometry; therefore, I couldn’t be in the college preparatory program. I’m very grateful that my parents and I paid no attention to this advice, and I've always told my kids this story as an example and lesson of how you can't let yourself be defined by others, including teachers. What were those counselors thinking!?
Third, Barnet also adds: Since we’re always going down memory lane, does anyone remember the New York television weather girl who always signed off by saying, “Have a happy.” What was her name?
Fourth, as Donald Faber put it, "Happy Holidays -- I thought I'd add a little something to brighten them up." The website he suggests you all take a moment to visit is at: http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_content/5367/mjs_fave_things01.swf
[Rich -- To be honest, I didn't play all of this because my dial-up connection is too slow. So I hope what I didn't see is merely cute and not offensive. If so, don't blame Mr. Faber; I should have checked.]
Next to last -- and here's the filler I've kept stashed -- further travel notes from my friends Melody and Ken Eckhart, based in Singapore for a few years. First, from Melody: This past weekend, we planned a trek into Malaysia. The day was terrific, a little overcast and not raining, perfect for a hike in the jungle. This was the jungle where people from Singapore hid from the Japanese during the invasion at the end of WW II. Mid-day, our guide told us we had walked about 10K, and all upmountain! It was extremely strenuous, and at one point so slippery that if it had rained, we never would have been able to attempt the last stretch. But we made it to the top, and what was the view? Nothing. We were trapped in a bowl of trees. Everyone was amazed, and most of us said that we never would have done the climb had we known. Funny, how I never thought of climbing a mountain without being able to see something from the top.
The climb down was almost harder than the climb up. It just didn't take as long. We were all sore, and the only thing that kept me going was that we had invited an older couple to go with us. He was 66 and, most of the time, kept ahead of us.
Dinner was well deserved, at a Chinese restaurant in Koto Tingga, and many bottles of Tiger beer were consumed. The food was good, but, sorry, no matter how hungry I am, I still cannot eat the fish or chicken heads with the eyes staring at me.
Last Thursday night, we were invited to dinner by friends of Ken's. They've rented an old "Black and White," the style of homes built in the 1920s by the British. They're now owned and maintained by the Singapore government, so the houses are still grand -- open, and beautiful, on lush properties. The floor plans ramble on forever, rooms have high ceilings and every doors a transom -- these used to be open before air conditioning. You get a terrific sense of how the upper military lived at that time and understand why they were so reluctant to give up this colony.
We're learning more every day about the culture and about the ex-patriot group. It's eye-opening and, as with other places, you have to consider the source of everything you're told. Also, because we're in such a small, confined society, everything seems magnified and more intense. It's a learning experience, not only about others, but also about ourselves.
Last week was a big holiday, one I suspect none of you have ever celebrated and probably didn't even know existed. It's called Deepavali, which is translated as "Festival of Lights," and it's the celebration of good over evil in the Hindu religion. In a way, it's the Hindu version of Christmas, with lights strung every where, all businesses shut down, and everyone given the day off. This is also the time when young men go into trances and walk on hot coals. Plus, they have large wooden devices that they put over their heads. These hang down over their bodies and pierce nails into their skin. Supposedly, it doesn't hurt, though I've never witnessed this personally, just heard about.
Next time, I will report on my elephant ride.
Ken adds: You can't imagine the old "Black and Whites" until you see them. It's like going back 75 years, to the height of colonialism. Also during Deepavali, a friend of mine took me to the Singapore Island Country Club for golf. There were unbelievable views of the scenery across the lakes, and though most golf courses here are pretty rustic, this one was in good shape.
Finally, the repeating reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
Rich
Hi,
Merry Christmas. Of course, everyone's properly busy celebrating, so just a few notes, some travel filler, and then we're out of here.
First, Nancy Garfield and Fran Bellucci Johnson have nicely agreed to coordinate the bios again, as they did for the last reunion. This will eventually allow me to update what's online on the home page, and we'll try to print a booklet out again, too. But that depends on getting the money or gathering the favors. Still, there's no reason even to think about this till spring.
Second, another entry in our guidance counselor series, from a surprising source, Barnet Kellman: When I first saw a beef about a guidance counselor appear in the newsletter, I was tempted to add my story -- but who knew such a floodgate would be opened. Now, I’m a little reluctant to pile on, but let the truth be told I say!
After we took our first standardized test in junior high, my guidance counselor -- whose name I blissfully don’t remember -- told me I had no aptitude for understanding spatial relationships. Therefore, I couldn’t take geometry; therefore, I couldn’t be in the college preparatory program. I’m very grateful that my parents and I paid no attention to this advice, and I've always told my kids this story as an example and lesson of how you can't let yourself be defined by others, including teachers. What were those counselors thinking!?
Third, Barnet also adds: Since we’re always going down memory lane, does anyone remember the New York television weather girl who always signed off by saying, “Have a happy.” What was her name?
Fourth, as Donald Faber put it, "Happy Holidays -- I thought I'd add a little something to brighten them up." The website he suggests you all take a moment to visit is at: http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_content/5367/mjs_fave_things01.swf
[Rich -- To be honest, I didn't play all of this because my dial-up connection is too slow. So I hope what I didn't see is merely cute and not offensive. If so, don't blame Mr. Faber; I should have checked.]
Next to last -- and here's the filler I've kept stashed -- further travel notes from my friends Melody and Ken Eckhart, based in Singapore for a few years. First, from Melody: This past weekend, we planned a trek into Malaysia. The day was terrific, a little overcast and not raining, perfect for a hike in the jungle. This was the jungle where people from Singapore hid from the Japanese during the invasion at the end of WW II. Mid-day, our guide told us we had walked about 10K, and all upmountain! It was extremely strenuous, and at one point so slippery that if it had rained, we never would have been able to attempt the last stretch. But we made it to the top, and what was the view? Nothing. We were trapped in a bowl of trees. Everyone was amazed, and most of us said that we never would have done the climb had we known. Funny, how I never thought of climbing a mountain without being able to see something from the top.
The climb down was almost harder than the climb up. It just didn't take as long. We were all sore, and the only thing that kept me going was that we had invited an older couple to go with us. He was 66 and, most of the time, kept ahead of us.
Dinner was well deserved, at a Chinese restaurant in Koto Tingga, and many bottles of Tiger beer were consumed. The food was good, but, sorry, no matter how hungry I am, I still cannot eat the fish or chicken heads with the eyes staring at me.
Last Thursday night, we were invited to dinner by friends of Ken's. They've rented an old "Black and White," the style of homes built in the 1920s by the British. They're now owned and maintained by the Singapore government, so the houses are still grand -- open, and beautiful, on lush properties. The floor plans ramble on forever, rooms have high ceilings and every doors a transom -- these used to be open before air conditioning. You get a terrific sense of how the upper military lived at that time and understand why they were so reluctant to give up this colony.
We're learning more every day about the culture and about the ex-patriot group. It's eye-opening and, as with other places, you have to consider the source of everything you're told. Also, because we're in such a small, confined society, everything seems magnified and more intense. It's a learning experience, not only about others, but also about ourselves.
Last week was a big holiday, one I suspect none of you have ever celebrated and probably didn't even know existed. It's called Deepavali, which is translated as "Festival of Lights," and it's the celebration of good over evil in the Hindu religion. In a way, it's the Hindu version of Christmas, with lights strung every where, all businesses shut down, and everyone given the day off. This is also the time when young men go into trances and walk on hot coals. Plus, they have large wooden devices that they put over their heads. These hang down over their bodies and pierce nails into their skin. Supposedly, it doesn't hurt, though I've never witnessed this personally, just heard about.
Next time, I will report on my elephant ride.
Ken adds: You can't imagine the old "Black and Whites" until you see them. It's like going back 75 years, to the height of colonialism. Also during Deepavali, a friend of mine took me to the Singapore Island Country Club for golf. There were unbelievable views of the scenery across the lakes, and though most golf courses here are pretty rustic, this one was in good shape.
Finally, the repeating reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
Rich
Update 12-14-04
Hi,
A couple of suggestions, a bit more guidance commentary, a quick promo, a public service announcement, and some travel notes from China.
First, from Peter Rosen: Quick suggestion -- add the phone number for the Hilton in the reunion information at the end of the newsletter. It will encourage spontaneity in picking up the phone to make reservations.
[Rich -- I would have thought of that eventually. Like in September. Thanks.]
Next, from Ralph Kramer: I would tell Dennis Shapiro that I've made hotel reservations for the reunion, but I have no idea what his e-mail address is or where to find it.
[Rich -- I might have thought to post that, too, but I wouldn't bet on it. Thanks. Also, many class e-mail addresses are on the home page. Click on Contact Information and Quick Biographies.]
From Zelda White Nichols: In response to the guidance counselor issue -- I was not a good student while I attended South, and the guidance counselors, especially Mr. Willard, convinced my parents that I would never amount to anything. Instead of listening to them, my parents enrolled me in a private school for my sophomore year, and I improved tremendously. One of my problems was dyslexia, which was never recognized at South. I have to wonder how many others had problems like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder that were ignored or not even diagnosed at the time.
Also, in conjunction with our moving to North Carolina -- seven weeks to go -- I have left my position as Manager of Business Development and will be doing the same job for my husband's company, MacKay USA. He provides consulting and training worldwide for Information Technology.
Cribbed from a letter from a friend: Billy Crystal is on Broadway in a one-man show entitled 700 Sundays. His father died when he was 15, and the title refers to the 700 Sundays they shared. Crystal grew up in Long Beach, Long Island in an amazing family. His father was involved in the jazz world, so Crystal had a great deal of exposure to the arts. Recently, Crystal's daughter Lindsay directed a documentary called My Uncle Berns, about the man who was her father's mentor. The film won awards at the Sarasota Film Festival and the Phoenix Film Festival, and the New York premiere was at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Cribbed from a letter from a relative: Do not give out any numbers from your Visa or Master cards, even if you get a phone call from the Visa or Master card people saying you've been the victim of a scam. These people are asking for a security code from the back of your card, which will let them charge products on the Internet.
From Robert Fiveson: My trip to China was hugely successful. I turned an English language documentary into a Chinese one (well, actually the people I worked with did. The Chinese even matches the lip movements of the English spoken!) We also shot some wrap- arounds with our host on a virtual set that looks terrific. After 5000 years, the Chinese have figured out cooking! I ate some amazing meals. And also some weird ones. Did you know that sheep eyes put lead in your pencil -- the only problem is they still look like sliced eyes! Of course, I tried one though. Kind of like lamb-flavored slime.
Beijing is a miracle of our modern age. Anywhere you look, there are at least twelve to twenty huge construction cranes. Having traveled extensively (and covertly) behind the Iron Curtain and in Russia in my past, I have to say that the Chinese brand of Communism seems to have a working plan. Yes, there is repression, but there also is huge growth -- people getting educated; no apparent homeless; and a work ethic that is unstoppable. The markets are overflowing with produce and goods. I actually could live there quite easily. The first time I went there, two years ago with my son, I was part of a group of television and film makers. This time I was with locals. It makes a big difference.
Now all that remains is to lock our sponsor for the series. I have a signed deal with Sun TV (70 million households) for an hour a week x 52 with two additional airings. Once that happens, I will be only the second non-Chinese importer of programming into China. Our deal is actually groundbreaking and very promising. The Discovery channel charges .10 per thousand viewers and reaches 4.4 million households. We have something like 15 times that and are asking .01 per 1000. All I need now is some major good fortune.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
Rich
Hi,
A couple of suggestions, a bit more guidance commentary, a quick promo, a public service announcement, and some travel notes from China.
First, from Peter Rosen: Quick suggestion -- add the phone number for the Hilton in the reunion information at the end of the newsletter. It will encourage spontaneity in picking up the phone to make reservations.
[Rich -- I would have thought of that eventually. Like in September. Thanks.]
Next, from Ralph Kramer: I would tell Dennis Shapiro that I've made hotel reservations for the reunion, but I have no idea what his e-mail address is or where to find it.
[Rich -- I might have thought to post that, too, but I wouldn't bet on it. Thanks. Also, many class e-mail addresses are on the home page. Click on Contact Information and Quick Biographies.]
From Zelda White Nichols: In response to the guidance counselor issue -- I was not a good student while I attended South, and the guidance counselors, especially Mr. Willard, convinced my parents that I would never amount to anything. Instead of listening to them, my parents enrolled me in a private school for my sophomore year, and I improved tremendously. One of my problems was dyslexia, which was never recognized at South. I have to wonder how many others had problems like dyslexia or attention deficit disorder that were ignored or not even diagnosed at the time.
Also, in conjunction with our moving to North Carolina -- seven weeks to go -- I have left my position as Manager of Business Development and will be doing the same job for my husband's company, MacKay USA. He provides consulting and training worldwide for Information Technology.
Cribbed from a letter from a friend: Billy Crystal is on Broadway in a one-man show entitled 700 Sundays. His father died when he was 15, and the title refers to the 700 Sundays they shared. Crystal grew up in Long Beach, Long Island in an amazing family. His father was involved in the jazz world, so Crystal had a great deal of exposure to the arts. Recently, Crystal's daughter Lindsay directed a documentary called My Uncle Berns, about the man who was her father's mentor. The film won awards at the Sarasota Film Festival and the Phoenix Film Festival, and the New York premiere was at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Cribbed from a letter from a relative: Do not give out any numbers from your Visa or Master cards, even if you get a phone call from the Visa or Master card people saying you've been the victim of a scam. These people are asking for a security code from the back of your card, which will let them charge products on the Internet.
From Robert Fiveson: My trip to China was hugely successful. I turned an English language documentary into a Chinese one (well, actually the people I worked with did. The Chinese even matches the lip movements of the English spoken!) We also shot some wrap- arounds with our host on a virtual set that looks terrific. After 5000 years, the Chinese have figured out cooking! I ate some amazing meals. And also some weird ones. Did you know that sheep eyes put lead in your pencil -- the only problem is they still look like sliced eyes! Of course, I tried one though. Kind of like lamb-flavored slime.
Beijing is a miracle of our modern age. Anywhere you look, there are at least twelve to twenty huge construction cranes. Having traveled extensively (and covertly) behind the Iron Curtain and in Russia in my past, I have to say that the Chinese brand of Communism seems to have a working plan. Yes, there is repression, but there also is huge growth -- people getting educated; no apparent homeless; and a work ethic that is unstoppable. The markets are overflowing with produce and goods. I actually could live there quite easily. The first time I went there, two years ago with my son, I was part of a group of television and film makers. This time I was with locals. It makes a big difference.
Now all that remains is to lock our sponsor for the series. I have a signed deal with Sun TV (70 million households) for an hour a week x 52 with two additional airings. Once that happens, I will be only the second non-Chinese importer of programming into China. Our deal is actually groundbreaking and very promising. The Discovery channel charges .10 per thousand viewers and reaches 4.4 million households. We have something like 15 times that and are asking .01 per 1000. All I need now is some major good fortune.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Phone Number: 631-845-1000, during daytime business hours. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net
Rich
Update 12-7-04
Hello,
Some memories, some business, and some other notes.
First, from Andy Dolich: "Guidance Counselors" -- now there is an oxymoron for the ages.
From Marc Fishman: I had Mr. Willard for guidance. He assured me that I had no chance of getting into McGill University, and that I should forget about pursuing a career in medicine. I have wondered where they found these people who seemed to have nothing good to say to, or about, their students.
A note from a different "anonymous" from the one who's been contributing for the past two weeks: Very interesting about "Mighty" Pearl Young. I saw her a few years ago at an awards ceremony at South. She insisted on taking a photo with me! She looked the same, very preserved. Pitch black dyed hair, big jewelry. It was very spooky, eerie.
From Barbara Endy Ianniello: I would like to add my two cents about guidance counselors at South. I was a new student, directly from the halls of hell of Holy Name of Mary. In my initial meeting with South's guidance counselors, I expressed a desire to take a foreign language. I was told that I was too far behind the other students, since I did not have prior language classes in Holy Name of Mary -- no foreign language for you, young lady! In 10th grade, I was told I was "not college material and I should focus on my typing skills." Since my parents were still horrified and traumatized that I was in a "public school," I was on my own. A few years later, I took some tests and found out I had a well above average IQ, and I really should have continued my education -- TOO LATE. I often wonder what I could have achieved and what path my life would have taken if I had an education and encouragement -- and maybe a little guidance.
Gee I feel much better -- thanks for letting me vent.
In defense of South's guidance counselors, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I just don't know which word to pick first: "validation" or "compelled." Either one fits. After all the new and recent addressed and confessed updates about guidance or lack-there-of, I have to say I was "fortunate" to have Mr. Willard throughout my tenure at Valley Stream South. It was made very clear that my direction was art, so my choices were limited to where my portfolio would go, grades notwithstanding. As it happens, grades were not the "requirement" over talent. Whew!
Which brings me to my validation of self: while my IQ well outweighed my GPA, it is unfortunate that we were in school long before "teacher motivation" was a consideration for all students, as I have a laundry list of South staff who just about ignored me academically, as I didn't conform to their note-taking robotic students' standards and was somewhat of a thorn in their sides. Ergo: a "no school for you" brand of teaching. Good thing that I had bright sibs and kids from whom I relearned the "importance" of the "Diet of Worms" and other life-essential grunt work for the masses years later. Someone much brighter than I am once asked, "Why did we never learn to balance a check book or change a tire?" Certainly these things were more important than having the essentials of how a pulley works mandated into my frontal lobe -- not to overlook the ever important knowledge of Spanish Language Lab: "Hola, Isabel. Como esta?" (Gracias, Miss Carley.)
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. Thanks for the ear, space, and soapbox.
[Rich -- Miss Bono taught me to balance a checkbook, in 7th or 8th grade. And I've always been grateful.]
And to give guidance counselors a break, a note from a third anonymous: How about a scholarship in the name of Rocco Mango? Remember him? Shop teacher, built like a fireplug. He had a locker in the back of the class. When he opened the door, it was a perfect screen. He would throw you into his locker and work you like a heavy bag. Did me once. Thing is, it was a great teaching technique. I learned fast.
Perhaps we could have an artist make a sculpture for the front of the school -- maybe a slightly tilted locker with just hands and feet sticking out.
A bit more about teachers, from Ryki Zuckerman, Class of '66: If you are going to do another scholarship, I vote for Mr. Donohue. He was so kind to me and supportive of my talent. The guidance department didn't want me to take art! They wanted me to take more science and math. Ugh.
I think I already told you that my brother Steve told me years ago that Mr. Donohue died of cancer. He probably got it from exposure to radiation in the war, from being involved in the transporting of one of the atomic bombs (or flying a plane that dropped one). There was a class action suit filed years ago, after his death, in his name.
Also, does anyone have any news about Mr. Jochnowitz (Joe), another art teacher from South?
And did you know Robby Lieberman from my class? I believe there are two Rob or Robert Liebermans in Hollywood, but I have no idea if either is him. He was slight and blond in high school, and a real sweet guy. Someone from my class was in touch with him, but the e-mail address I have for that person didn't work the last time I tried it.
[Rich -- I don't know about Robert Lieberman, but maybe someone else who reads this does.
Also, I don't really know about the effect of guidance counselors, partly because Willard was OK for me, and partly because I remember being told I was going to college as early as grade school. And, in addition to Vince Tampio steering me towards a career, Nancy Garfield didn't hurt, either. She started working in theater a year ahead of me so was easy to follow. And having Broadway there as a teacher, and Ken Ulric -- a year ahead of us -- to compete with as a designer, and parents who let me go into the city alone on weekends also helped. That said, my parents really didn't want me working in theater, so there was another part of me that was always ignoring their well-meant advice, and that would have extended to any guidance counselors. And all those plays I read: God, you read plays, and you found the world outside Green Acres, and its possibilities.]
On to business, first from Dennis Shapiro: I spoke with the Hilton today and was told that reservations can now be made for the reunion. In fact, I later met with Mark Yetman at the Hilton, and he made his reservations for August 5th and 6th. Please post this information in the next update and urge everyone to book early so we can have more rooms blocked for the 5th. Also, it would be helpful if the classmates who book rooms for the 5th let me know by e-mail. I will keep track of the number of rooms booked and will then call the hotel and have them block more.
And from Paul DeMartino: Just to let you know that all systems are "GO" for the Reunion. I've spoken with Dennis, and our deposit has been processed, and our booking is confirmed.
Even though it is somewhat early to be thinking about the Reunion for most of us, with the holidays in a few weeks, I just want to emphasize the importance of booking early for those who plan to stay at the hotel. Unfortunately, we were only able to secure 15 rooms for Friday night, August 5th, while for Saturday night, August 6th, the hotel agreed to block 35 rooms. If there is a strong response to the Friday booking, the hotel will possibly block an additional 15 rooms. However, this is not guaranteed, and it's why it is suggested that no one wait until next spring to book. As most of us know, there is no charge to your credit card at the time of booking, and there are cancellation privileges prior to the event. (Dennis and I likely will not be staying at the hotel, and we simply are trying to accommodate everyone and make their arrangements as smooth as possible.)
This brings me to item number two: We need classmates to start sending in their $100 payments in order to meet our next deposit obligation of $1,000, due on February 1, 2005.
At this moment, we are in need of about 6 people to send in their checks to Dennis.
Again, I understand it is a timing thing, since most everyone is focused on the holidays, and I expect the bulk of the checks will be sent during spring and early summer. So, can you request that those who can, please send in their checks, so we can breathe a little easier until July, when final payment is due? Thanks.
An address change, indirectly from Robin Feit Baker: I just returned home after having a lovely dinner with Joan Aries and Barbara Brill. I've been given Barbara's new e-mail address, and, with her permission, I'm passing it along to you. Please add it to our weekly updates. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you in August!
Barbara's address is: BFElizbeth@yahoo.com
And Barbara adds: Proud to be Class '65!
A sad note, from Steve Cahn, class of '70: I received news that Tim Brady of our class passed away last Monday morning. He died at home of lung cancer, while in hospice care. His obituary in Newsday asks that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Anne's Cancer Care Center Mercy Hospital, 1000 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, 11570, or to Good Shepherd Hospice, 528 Mineola Avenue, Carle Place, 11514. Also, if anyone who knew him well wants to write a short paragraph or two, I will post it on our website, along with his photograph, so we all can remember him properly. My e-mail address is: Genghisaha@aol.com
A warning, from RoseMarie Cassillo: CBS News reported that this type of identification theft is one of the fastest growing scams today. Keep a watch out for people standing near you in the checkout line at places like retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores, who have a cell phone in hand. The new camera-type cell phones can take a picture of your credit or debit card, which gives the thieves your name, number, and expiration date.
And a motherly advertisement from Emily Kleinman Schreiber: I'm passing along some information from my son, Mike. He's a very talented freelance photographer (if I must say so myself!) and he has had T-shirts, calendars, and notecards manufactured with his wonderful Dog Park photos imprinted on them.
He's selling them throughout the month of December at the Columbus Circle Holiday Fair (59th Street and 8th Avenue). I was there on Thursday, helping him set up his booth, and while walking around, I was impressed by the quality of the merchandise at all the other booths -- as well as Mike's (of course).
So, if you're in Manhattan within the next few weeks, do try to visit him. And tell him (or Ashley) that you know me. The name on his booth is Dog Boy Photos. And his brand-new website is: http://dogboyland.com/
Have a happy holiday season.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Hello,
Some memories, some business, and some other notes.
First, from Andy Dolich: "Guidance Counselors" -- now there is an oxymoron for the ages.
From Marc Fishman: I had Mr. Willard for guidance. He assured me that I had no chance of getting into McGill University, and that I should forget about pursuing a career in medicine. I have wondered where they found these people who seemed to have nothing good to say to, or about, their students.
A note from a different "anonymous" from the one who's been contributing for the past two weeks: Very interesting about "Mighty" Pearl Young. I saw her a few years ago at an awards ceremony at South. She insisted on taking a photo with me! She looked the same, very preserved. Pitch black dyed hair, big jewelry. It was very spooky, eerie.
From Barbara Endy Ianniello: I would like to add my two cents about guidance counselors at South. I was a new student, directly from the halls of hell of Holy Name of Mary. In my initial meeting with South's guidance counselors, I expressed a desire to take a foreign language. I was told that I was too far behind the other students, since I did not have prior language classes in Holy Name of Mary -- no foreign language for you, young lady! In 10th grade, I was told I was "not college material and I should focus on my typing skills." Since my parents were still horrified and traumatized that I was in a "public school," I was on my own. A few years later, I took some tests and found out I had a well above average IQ, and I really should have continued my education -- TOO LATE. I often wonder what I could have achieved and what path my life would have taken if I had an education and encouragement -- and maybe a little guidance.
Gee I feel much better -- thanks for letting me vent.
In defense of South's guidance counselors, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I just don't know which word to pick first: "validation" or "compelled." Either one fits. After all the new and recent addressed and confessed updates about guidance or lack-there-of, I have to say I was "fortunate" to have Mr. Willard throughout my tenure at Valley Stream South. It was made very clear that my direction was art, so my choices were limited to where my portfolio would go, grades notwithstanding. As it happens, grades were not the "requirement" over talent. Whew!
Which brings me to my validation of self: while my IQ well outweighed my GPA, it is unfortunate that we were in school long before "teacher motivation" was a consideration for all students, as I have a laundry list of South staff who just about ignored me academically, as I didn't conform to their note-taking robotic students' standards and was somewhat of a thorn in their sides. Ergo: a "no school for you" brand of teaching. Good thing that I had bright sibs and kids from whom I relearned the "importance" of the "Diet of Worms" and other life-essential grunt work for the masses years later. Someone much brighter than I am once asked, "Why did we never learn to balance a check book or change a tire?" Certainly these things were more important than having the essentials of how a pulley works mandated into my frontal lobe -- not to overlook the ever important knowledge of Spanish Language Lab: "Hola, Isabel. Como esta?" (Gracias, Miss Carley.)
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. Thanks for the ear, space, and soapbox.
[Rich -- Miss Bono taught me to balance a checkbook, in 7th or 8th grade. And I've always been grateful.]
And to give guidance counselors a break, a note from a third anonymous: How about a scholarship in the name of Rocco Mango? Remember him? Shop teacher, built like a fireplug. He had a locker in the back of the class. When he opened the door, it was a perfect screen. He would throw you into his locker and work you like a heavy bag. Did me once. Thing is, it was a great teaching technique. I learned fast.
Perhaps we could have an artist make a sculpture for the front of the school -- maybe a slightly tilted locker with just hands and feet sticking out.
A bit more about teachers, from Ryki Zuckerman, Class of '66: If you are going to do another scholarship, I vote for Mr. Donohue. He was so kind to me and supportive of my talent. The guidance department didn't want me to take art! They wanted me to take more science and math. Ugh.
I think I already told you that my brother Steve told me years ago that Mr. Donohue died of cancer. He probably got it from exposure to radiation in the war, from being involved in the transporting of one of the atomic bombs (or flying a plane that dropped one). There was a class action suit filed years ago, after his death, in his name.
Also, does anyone have any news about Mr. Jochnowitz (Joe), another art teacher from South?
And did you know Robby Lieberman from my class? I believe there are two Rob or Robert Liebermans in Hollywood, but I have no idea if either is him. He was slight and blond in high school, and a real sweet guy. Someone from my class was in touch with him, but the e-mail address I have for that person didn't work the last time I tried it.
[Rich -- I don't know about Robert Lieberman, but maybe someone else who reads this does.
Also, I don't really know about the effect of guidance counselors, partly because Willard was OK for me, and partly because I remember being told I was going to college as early as grade school. And, in addition to Vince Tampio steering me towards a career, Nancy Garfield didn't hurt, either. She started working in theater a year ahead of me so was easy to follow. And having Broadway there as a teacher, and Ken Ulric -- a year ahead of us -- to compete with as a designer, and parents who let me go into the city alone on weekends also helped. That said, my parents really didn't want me working in theater, so there was another part of me that was always ignoring their well-meant advice, and that would have extended to any guidance counselors. And all those plays I read: God, you read plays, and you found the world outside Green Acres, and its possibilities.]
On to business, first from Dennis Shapiro: I spoke with the Hilton today and was told that reservations can now be made for the reunion. In fact, I later met with Mark Yetman at the Hilton, and he made his reservations for August 5th and 6th. Please post this information in the next update and urge everyone to book early so we can have more rooms blocked for the 5th. Also, it would be helpful if the classmates who book rooms for the 5th let me know by e-mail. I will keep track of the number of rooms booked and will then call the hotel and have them block more.
And from Paul DeMartino: Just to let you know that all systems are "GO" for the Reunion. I've spoken with Dennis, and our deposit has been processed, and our booking is confirmed.
Even though it is somewhat early to be thinking about the Reunion for most of us, with the holidays in a few weeks, I just want to emphasize the importance of booking early for those who plan to stay at the hotel. Unfortunately, we were only able to secure 15 rooms for Friday night, August 5th, while for Saturday night, August 6th, the hotel agreed to block 35 rooms. If there is a strong response to the Friday booking, the hotel will possibly block an additional 15 rooms. However, this is not guaranteed, and it's why it is suggested that no one wait until next spring to book. As most of us know, there is no charge to your credit card at the time of booking, and there are cancellation privileges prior to the event. (Dennis and I likely will not be staying at the hotel, and we simply are trying to accommodate everyone and make their arrangements as smooth as possible.)
This brings me to item number two: We need classmates to start sending in their $100 payments in order to meet our next deposit obligation of $1,000, due on February 1, 2005.
At this moment, we are in need of about 6 people to send in their checks to Dennis.
Again, I understand it is a timing thing, since most everyone is focused on the holidays, and I expect the bulk of the checks will be sent during spring and early summer. So, can you request that those who can, please send in their checks, so we can breathe a little easier until July, when final payment is due? Thanks.
An address change, indirectly from Robin Feit Baker: I just returned home after having a lovely dinner with Joan Aries and Barbara Brill. I've been given Barbara's new e-mail address, and, with her permission, I'm passing it along to you. Please add it to our weekly updates. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you in August!
Barbara's address is: BFElizbeth@yahoo.com
And Barbara adds: Proud to be Class '65!
A sad note, from Steve Cahn, class of '70: I received news that Tim Brady of our class passed away last Monday morning. He died at home of lung cancer, while in hospice care. His obituary in Newsday asks that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Anne's Cancer Care Center Mercy Hospital, 1000 North Village Avenue, Rockville Centre, 11570, or to Good Shepherd Hospice, 528 Mineola Avenue, Carle Place, 11514. Also, if anyone who knew him well wants to write a short paragraph or two, I will post it on our website, along with his photograph, so we all can remember him properly. My e-mail address is: Genghisaha@aol.com
A warning, from RoseMarie Cassillo: CBS News reported that this type of identification theft is one of the fastest growing scams today. Keep a watch out for people standing near you in the checkout line at places like retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores, who have a cell phone in hand. The new camera-type cell phones can take a picture of your credit or debit card, which gives the thieves your name, number, and expiration date.
And a motherly advertisement from Emily Kleinman Schreiber: I'm passing along some information from my son, Mike. He's a very talented freelance photographer (if I must say so myself!) and he has had T-shirts, calendars, and notecards manufactured with his wonderful Dog Park photos imprinted on them.
He's selling them throughout the month of December at the Columbus Circle Holiday Fair (59th Street and 8th Avenue). I was there on Thursday, helping him set up his booth, and while walking around, I was impressed by the quality of the merchandise at all the other booths -- as well as Mike's (of course).
So, if you're in Manhattan within the next few weeks, do try to visit him. And tell him (or Ashley) that you know me. The name on his booth is Dog Boy Photos. And his brand-new website is: http://dogboyland.com/
Have a happy holiday season.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Update 11-30-04
Hi,
Just got back from walking the dog. It's presently colder in LA than in New York City. Who'd think I'd now get uncomfortable when the temperature drops to 50?
Also, almost Happy Hanukah. But first, a clarification from last week:
A question, from Judy Hartstone: Was the guidance counselor cautionary tale from you? Because it looked like a continuation of my preceding paragraph. I like it when you indicate a change of "speaker" as it were.
[Rich -- as I just wrote Judy: No, it wasn't me. I was lucky with guidance counselors. It was from someone who wanted to be anonymous, for the obvious reason.]
Judy continues: The guidance counselors at South were notoriously bad, if I remember correctly. The only good thing about leaving South my senior year was having a California guidance counselor. Of course, I knew it all and didn't listen to him, either. I applied to four schools and only got into the one that had to take me -- the University of California. But it worked out okay.
And if I send you some color photos from the Forest Road graduation, can you scan and post them? There are some great shots of us at Jahn's ice cream parlor, where my family, Nancy Garfield's, and Martha Morenstein's all shared a table.
[Rich -- yep, post 'em, I will. But I was late telling Judy that -- like two minutes ago. Kinda got busy with Thanksgiving and guests.]
More from Anonymous: Good job of positioning my words. You made them acceptable, while still retaining the basic vitriol -- and you created a mystery! Excellent.
Same subject, from Paul DeMartino: You struck a long buried chord upon the mention of our former "non-guidance" counselors. I had the misfortune to have been placed under the care of Pearl Young. Now there was a depth of knowledge about the workings of the world, if there ever was one. I had been a chronic underachiever through most of my time at South, but still managed to take some honors classes, and I had decent SAT's without ever preparing or studying. However, by the time Pearl Young came into my life, I was your basic C+ / B- kid, playing football, but with no clear career goals. I assumed, like so many of us, that I'd go to college and figure it out along the way. She was convinced, however, that I wasn't college material and suggested to my mother that I should go into the Army and maybe learn a trade -- and this while the war in Vietnam was building! Somehow, in spite of Pearl's dire prediction, I managed to graduate from college Magna Cum Laude and go on for two Master's degrees. You can count me in on going to the bonfire.
Similarly, from Fran Bellucci: Just a few thoughts -- does anyone remember Pearl Young? I had the unhelpful experience of her expertise. All she talked about was how senior year should be a "bubble year" -- no hard classes, just light undemanding fluff. When I decided that I wanted to go to college, she had me take all these psychological tests to determine what was wrong with me! Well, I "fired" her and went to talk to Mr. Willard. She wasn't happy about that and tried to get him in trouble for talking to someone who wasn't assigned to him. She'd be my nominee for "How not to counsel students."
About the scholarships: I agree that there are many teachers deserving of recognition, and know it isn't possible to give scholarships in everyone's honor. That said, I've always been impressed by the number of arts-related careers our class produced. Since we have theater and music awards, how about one for the visual arts? We had two good teachers, even if we did make fun of Henry Klock's hearing aid and Chas Donohue's Marine recruit approach to discipline. Anybody besides me willing to fund a third scholarship, to round out the arts?
One last comment: Can we have a better selection of wines at the cash bar this time? Since we are paying for our drinks, we should have a choice.
Unrelated, from Donald Faber: Don't know if anyone else noticed the almost peculiar connect-the-dots pattern within Barnet Kellman's posting on Ken Schwartzman the other day. Barnet mentioned that Lester Lanin's obit appeared on same page with Vaughn Meader's. That immediately led me to the most vivid memory I have about Ken, bass playing aside -- his lunchroom performances, circa 1961, featuring impersonations of JFK . These, of course, were directly inspired by Meader's best-selling "The First Family" LP.
And from Steve Cahn, Class of '70: Thanks largely to Booker Gibson, I've been in touch with many faculty members, some of whom are participating in our class website by agreeing to have their e-mails published. Many have even provided some newsy updates. Take a look at this expanded faculty section at: www.geocities.com/vssouth70
Also, for those of you who missed it last month, Rich Eisbrouch, Class of '65, let me reprint a touching piece on the passing of Vince Tampio -- longtime drama teacher at South. Vince was very special to me, although I think I had him as his interest in South was waning. I had a bit of an attitude when I was first in his class, and he took me aside and set me straight. He was brutally honest, but it was clear that he cared about me as a person. After that, I took a drama course every semester until he left. Although he showed no favoritism in doling out parts in the school plays, he always paired me with the prettiest girls in drama class for our exercises. Occasionally, he'd wink. I appreciated it more than he ever knew.
Finally, from Barbara Blitfield Pech, a note included with her $100 for the reunion: Never enjoyed writing a check as much as this one. Can't wait for August!
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Hi,
Just got back from walking the dog. It's presently colder in LA than in New York City. Who'd think I'd now get uncomfortable when the temperature drops to 50?
Also, almost Happy Hanukah. But first, a clarification from last week:
A question, from Judy Hartstone: Was the guidance counselor cautionary tale from you? Because it looked like a continuation of my preceding paragraph. I like it when you indicate a change of "speaker" as it were.
[Rich -- as I just wrote Judy: No, it wasn't me. I was lucky with guidance counselors. It was from someone who wanted to be anonymous, for the obvious reason.]
Judy continues: The guidance counselors at South were notoriously bad, if I remember correctly. The only good thing about leaving South my senior year was having a California guidance counselor. Of course, I knew it all and didn't listen to him, either. I applied to four schools and only got into the one that had to take me -- the University of California. But it worked out okay.
And if I send you some color photos from the Forest Road graduation, can you scan and post them? There are some great shots of us at Jahn's ice cream parlor, where my family, Nancy Garfield's, and Martha Morenstein's all shared a table.
[Rich -- yep, post 'em, I will. But I was late telling Judy that -- like two minutes ago. Kinda got busy with Thanksgiving and guests.]
More from Anonymous: Good job of positioning my words. You made them acceptable, while still retaining the basic vitriol -- and you created a mystery! Excellent.
Same subject, from Paul DeMartino: You struck a long buried chord upon the mention of our former "non-guidance" counselors. I had the misfortune to have been placed under the care of Pearl Young. Now there was a depth of knowledge about the workings of the world, if there ever was one. I had been a chronic underachiever through most of my time at South, but still managed to take some honors classes, and I had decent SAT's without ever preparing or studying. However, by the time Pearl Young came into my life, I was your basic C+ / B- kid, playing football, but with no clear career goals. I assumed, like so many of us, that I'd go to college and figure it out along the way. She was convinced, however, that I wasn't college material and suggested to my mother that I should go into the Army and maybe learn a trade -- and this while the war in Vietnam was building! Somehow, in spite of Pearl's dire prediction, I managed to graduate from college Magna Cum Laude and go on for two Master's degrees. You can count me in on going to the bonfire.
Similarly, from Fran Bellucci: Just a few thoughts -- does anyone remember Pearl Young? I had the unhelpful experience of her expertise. All she talked about was how senior year should be a "bubble year" -- no hard classes, just light undemanding fluff. When I decided that I wanted to go to college, she had me take all these psychological tests to determine what was wrong with me! Well, I "fired" her and went to talk to Mr. Willard. She wasn't happy about that and tried to get him in trouble for talking to someone who wasn't assigned to him. She'd be my nominee for "How not to counsel students."
About the scholarships: I agree that there are many teachers deserving of recognition, and know it isn't possible to give scholarships in everyone's honor. That said, I've always been impressed by the number of arts-related careers our class produced. Since we have theater and music awards, how about one for the visual arts? We had two good teachers, even if we did make fun of Henry Klock's hearing aid and Chas Donohue's Marine recruit approach to discipline. Anybody besides me willing to fund a third scholarship, to round out the arts?
One last comment: Can we have a better selection of wines at the cash bar this time? Since we are paying for our drinks, we should have a choice.
Unrelated, from Donald Faber: Don't know if anyone else noticed the almost peculiar connect-the-dots pattern within Barnet Kellman's posting on Ken Schwartzman the other day. Barnet mentioned that Lester Lanin's obit appeared on same page with Vaughn Meader's. That immediately led me to the most vivid memory I have about Ken, bass playing aside -- his lunchroom performances, circa 1961, featuring impersonations of JFK . These, of course, were directly inspired by Meader's best-selling "The First Family" LP.
And from Steve Cahn, Class of '70: Thanks largely to Booker Gibson, I've been in touch with many faculty members, some of whom are participating in our class website by agreeing to have their e-mails published. Many have even provided some newsy updates. Take a look at this expanded faculty section at: www.geocities.com/vssouth70
Also, for those of you who missed it last month, Rich Eisbrouch, Class of '65, let me reprint a touching piece on the passing of Vince Tampio -- longtime drama teacher at South. Vince was very special to me, although I think I had him as his interest in South was waning. I had a bit of an attitude when I was first in his class, and he took me aside and set me straight. He was brutally honest, but it was clear that he cared about me as a person. After that, I took a drama course every semester until he left. Although he showed no favoritism in doling out parts in the school plays, he always paired me with the prettiest girls in drama class for our exercises. Occasionally, he'd wink. I appreciated it more than he ever knew.
Finally, from Barbara Blitfield Pech, a note included with her $100 for the reunion: Never enjoyed writing a check as much as this one. Can't wait for August!
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Update 11-23-04
Hi,
Happy Thanksgiving. That was easy.
Some mail, first from Booker Gibson: This week, I attended a retired teachers meeting with Emily Kleinman Schreiber, class of '61, who is such a bundle of brains and energy. She remarked on your class again. A very important thing your class had was, of course, Vinnie Tampio, a person who knew something about the stage.
When the scholarship idea was first mentioned and my name was added to the list, didn't I mention that other teachers should be given consideration? I'm glad to hear more possible consideration is being given. At your 37th reunion, you all seemed pleased to see so many faculty members who had had a large impact on your lives. I believe I can even remember Joe Caruso helping build scenery or other projects.
Also, this is for the people like Barnet, Paul, the triplets, and many others who played in the band: Last Saturday evening, I was surprised while watching the annual presentation of the high school bands at Hofstra. (Remember those cold exciting nights?) All of a sudden, there was the South High Band in brand new uniforms (with capes). Naturally, I noticed a few Black kids in the band.
Bye for now.
Next, from Judy Hartstone: Maybe we can auction off stuff to raise money for the reunion, to offset some of the costs. I really can't see making this class a nonprofit organization with an ongoing life, which is what it sounds like it could turn into if we start sponsoring scholarships in various teachers' honor. Yes, we each have memories of teachers, good and bad. People can honor their teachers by sending them letters of appreciation. I'm sure South High could forward them. I know I was able to reach Miss Dillback and tell her how much I appreciated her giving me a solid foundation in the rules of grammar.
A cautionary tale, from someone who fortunately escaped, about some of those lesser teachers: I would like to start a fund to find some of our former "guidance" counselors. If they are dead, I suggest we use the money to dig them up. If they are not dead, perhaps we could start our next reunion with a bonfire. Certainly no more cruel than some of their "guidance," like when they told quite a number of us not even to bother applying to college, "because we were not college material."
Another cautionary note, more benign, from Dennis Shapiro: Until the contract for the 40th Reunion has been signed and returned, the hotel will not accept reservations at our lower room rate. So if you were thinking about making an early reservation, please hold off a couple of weeks. Thanks.
Ongoing advice from Zelda White Nichols: Several people took me up on my offer to e-mail them when I found medical information for their ailments. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to read as many e-newsletters recently, because we are getting our house ready to sell. But I did find this website today, and I would like to pass it on to everyone. Maybe it can be of some help. http://www.ceoexpress.com/html/member/indpharm.asp
Sad news from Barnet Kellman: Did you notice that society bandleader Lester Lanin died? It was mentioned in the Hollywood Reporter alongside Vaughn Meader's obit. It failed to mention that Lanin was Kenny Schwartzman¹s cousin.
A related question from someone we almost never hear from, Jay Gladky: Does anyone know whatever happened to Ms. Jennie Bono, one of our junior high math teachers?
[Rich -- I believe she died, relatively young, but I'd love to be told otherwise. She was my favorite math teacher, and Nancy Garfield occasionally invokes Miss Bono's cry for "a big, juicy eraser."]
Travel notes, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I took a quick ride up to kid visit in Orlando last weekend. Scary and sad. Hurricane damage along I-95 from the Palm Beaches. Orlando devastating. Trees bent into submission. Leaves "scalped." Road signs twisted into "art work." If you ever need to make a quick stockpile of $$$$, invest in any company that manufactures roof tarps or shingles. Winter Park rooftops are all uniform "blue plastic" ... pretty in a Greek isle sort of way. Aye, carumba!
Weather news, lifted, illicitly, from a note from Linda Cohen Greenseid: We had a miserable winter, a crappy spring, a lousy, cold summer up until August, but we have had a gloriously beautiful autumn.
A completely silly link for constant flattery, should you find yourself in need: http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~geoffo/humour/flattery.html
Finally, part of a poem by Daniel Essman, from a recent memorial service:
The water is running out of the boat.
You tell me to bail.
But I tell you:
The water is running out of the boat.
We won't sink, though we are sinking.
I tell you:
I've seen level,
And I know,
The water is running out of the boat.
We will not sink, whether I bail or not.
The water itself is sinking.
Relax. We're safe.
Hear then. Now.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Hi,
Happy Thanksgiving. That was easy.
Some mail, first from Booker Gibson: This week, I attended a retired teachers meeting with Emily Kleinman Schreiber, class of '61, who is such a bundle of brains and energy. She remarked on your class again. A very important thing your class had was, of course, Vinnie Tampio, a person who knew something about the stage.
When the scholarship idea was first mentioned and my name was added to the list, didn't I mention that other teachers should be given consideration? I'm glad to hear more possible consideration is being given. At your 37th reunion, you all seemed pleased to see so many faculty members who had had a large impact on your lives. I believe I can even remember Joe Caruso helping build scenery or other projects.
Also, this is for the people like Barnet, Paul, the triplets, and many others who played in the band: Last Saturday evening, I was surprised while watching the annual presentation of the high school bands at Hofstra. (Remember those cold exciting nights?) All of a sudden, there was the South High Band in brand new uniforms (with capes). Naturally, I noticed a few Black kids in the band.
Bye for now.
Next, from Judy Hartstone: Maybe we can auction off stuff to raise money for the reunion, to offset some of the costs. I really can't see making this class a nonprofit organization with an ongoing life, which is what it sounds like it could turn into if we start sponsoring scholarships in various teachers' honor. Yes, we each have memories of teachers, good and bad. People can honor their teachers by sending them letters of appreciation. I'm sure South High could forward them. I know I was able to reach Miss Dillback and tell her how much I appreciated her giving me a solid foundation in the rules of grammar.
A cautionary tale, from someone who fortunately escaped, about some of those lesser teachers: I would like to start a fund to find some of our former "guidance" counselors. If they are dead, I suggest we use the money to dig them up. If they are not dead, perhaps we could start our next reunion with a bonfire. Certainly no more cruel than some of their "guidance," like when they told quite a number of us not even to bother applying to college, "because we were not college material."
Another cautionary note, more benign, from Dennis Shapiro: Until the contract for the 40th Reunion has been signed and returned, the hotel will not accept reservations at our lower room rate. So if you were thinking about making an early reservation, please hold off a couple of weeks. Thanks.
Ongoing advice from Zelda White Nichols: Several people took me up on my offer to e-mail them when I found medical information for their ailments. Unfortunately, I have not had the time to read as many e-newsletters recently, because we are getting our house ready to sell. But I did find this website today, and I would like to pass it on to everyone. Maybe it can be of some help. http://www.ceoexpress.com/html/member/indpharm.asp
Sad news from Barnet Kellman: Did you notice that society bandleader Lester Lanin died? It was mentioned in the Hollywood Reporter alongside Vaughn Meader's obit. It failed to mention that Lanin was Kenny Schwartzman¹s cousin.
A related question from someone we almost never hear from, Jay Gladky: Does anyone know whatever happened to Ms. Jennie Bono, one of our junior high math teachers?
[Rich -- I believe she died, relatively young, but I'd love to be told otherwise. She was my favorite math teacher, and Nancy Garfield occasionally invokes Miss Bono's cry for "a big, juicy eraser."]
Travel notes, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: I took a quick ride up to kid visit in Orlando last weekend. Scary and sad. Hurricane damage along I-95 from the Palm Beaches. Orlando devastating. Trees bent into submission. Leaves "scalped." Road signs twisted into "art work." If you ever need to make a quick stockpile of $$$$, invest in any company that manufactures roof tarps or shingles. Winter Park rooftops are all uniform "blue plastic" ... pretty in a Greek isle sort of way. Aye, carumba!
Weather news, lifted, illicitly, from a note from Linda Cohen Greenseid: We had a miserable winter, a crappy spring, a lousy, cold summer up until August, but we have had a gloriously beautiful autumn.
A completely silly link for constant flattery, should you find yourself in need: http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~geoffo/humour/flattery.html
Finally, part of a poem by Daniel Essman, from a recent memorial service:
The water is running out of the boat.
You tell me to bail.
But I tell you:
The water is running out of the boat.
We won't sink, though we are sinking.
I tell you:
I've seen level,
And I know,
The water is running out of the boat.
We will not sink, whether I bail or not.
The water itself is sinking.
Relax. We're safe.
Hear then. Now.
The reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Update 11-16-04
Hi,
Guys' week for letter writing. But first:
The photos of Booker and the scholarship plaques are online. Go to the home page (see address below), click on Photos, then on June 9th, 2004 South High Awards. In addition to what's been there, you'll see Booker smiling in one of the halls from which our sons departed.
Also, I've caught up and posted last month's newsletters. And when I said that only one person reads them online, I didn't mean that only one person reads them. I meant that, in addition to everyone who gets them weekly by e-mail, there's one person who prefers to read them directly from the home page.
Next, from Dennis Shapiro: I see that Ken Brown has signed onto Classmates.com. If possible, can you send me his e-mail address?
[Rich -- once again, to remind everyone how Classmates.com works: As a paid member, you can only send e-mail blindly, to anyone on their list. You can't get a person's e-mail address. And Classmates.com can only forward a note to the address that a person used when first signing on. That doesn't mean the address is still working or that the person will open the note. Unfortunately, it doesn't even mean that the person is still alive. But if there's someone on the list that anyone would like me to try and contact, please remind me after the holidays, when I rejoin the site.]
From Donald Faber: Paul DeMartino and I had an idea that I wanted to get some additional feedback on before pursuing.
I'm fairly confident that I can get a comped pair of tickets to Tony 'N Tina's Wedding for the Sunday matinee following our reunion in August (assuming the show is still running by then). Does it make sense to auction these off via the weekly newsletter, with all proceeds being donated to the Vincent Tampio/Booker Gibson scholarships? Since the tickets have a value of about $170, I think we'd need to establish a minimum bid, to make this worthwhile for the scholarships.
Also, my company has plans to open a new off-Broadway version of the very successful Canadian musical Menopause. If we're on track by August, I'm sure I can get at least another pair of tickets to this, and we could auction them off as well. I won't actually pursue this until February-or-so, but I'd like to get some feedback before I do
From me, to Donald and to Paul DeMartino: Actually, the scholarships for Vince and Booker are in reasonably good shape. Vince's has a small block of people who've promised to donate annually, while Booker's has built up more money and will probably continue to take in additional donations, just because more people had him as a teacher. But, as other people in our class have pointed out, there are plenty of other teachers who deserve attention. So if you want to use a theater ticket auction to kick off an additional scholarship in someone's name, that would be great. Anyone come to mind?
From Donald, back to me: No one easily comes to mind for me. I'm also not sure how much money this would raise. I was thinking of it as just a supplemental kind of thing.
From Paul, back to me: I think the auction is a terrific idea, and perhaps there are others in our class who are in the position to make similar offers. Tickets to shows or sporting events are always popular fund raisers. As for the idea that we should consider funding other scholarships, I cannot totally agree. Trying to support additional scholarships might undermine the two we already have going.
On a different subject: we finally received the contract for the reunion hotel, and we will be finalizing everything within a week-or-so.
From me, back to Donald and Paul: I think you're both right, about the limited fundraising possibilities, and about not splitting the focus of our present scholarships. I was just trying to follow up on what Booker and, I think, Dennis Pizzimenti have said -- that there are plenty of other former teachers of ours from South who deserve some recognition.
More from Donald to me -- and for Dennis Pizzimenti's story collection: I liked Ralph Foster and remember quite fondly his stories about going camping with friends to Yellowstone. I also remember your meltdown with Coach, as I was member of the track team until 9th or 10th grade.
From me, back to Donald -- and for Dennis: It's funny, I quit working for Foster after happily managing the junior high soccer and track teams for two years, because of a communication error. Towards the end of my second season, he said, "Go get some sticks." I couldn't imagine what he wanted sticks for, but, unpredictable as he was, I went and picked up a half-dozen. He meant batons. And when he started yelling at me, I quit. If he'd even laughed, I probably never would have gone into theater. The next fall, instead of managing the soccer team again, I followed Nancy Garfield into the drama club and found a career.
Finally, speaking of Nancy -- who I think is still traveling on business -- I have a call in to her to ask if she'd like Hy Rosov to send her a copy of the mini-yearbook he put together for the Class of '64 reunion in 2002. Since Nancy, Fran Bellucci Johnson, and Jane Ruzow Tiell all helped create and assemble the directory we used for the 37th Reunion, I figure they get first shot at deciding what we do this time.
The repeating 40th Reunion information:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Hi,
Guys' week for letter writing. But first:
The photos of Booker and the scholarship plaques are online. Go to the home page (see address below), click on Photos, then on June 9th, 2004 South High Awards. In addition to what's been there, you'll see Booker smiling in one of the halls from which our sons departed.
Also, I've caught up and posted last month's newsletters. And when I said that only one person reads them online, I didn't mean that only one person reads them. I meant that, in addition to everyone who gets them weekly by e-mail, there's one person who prefers to read them directly from the home page.
Next, from Dennis Shapiro: I see that Ken Brown has signed onto Classmates.com. If possible, can you send me his e-mail address?
[Rich -- once again, to remind everyone how Classmates.com works: As a paid member, you can only send e-mail blindly, to anyone on their list. You can't get a person's e-mail address. And Classmates.com can only forward a note to the address that a person used when first signing on. That doesn't mean the address is still working or that the person will open the note. Unfortunately, it doesn't even mean that the person is still alive. But if there's someone on the list that anyone would like me to try and contact, please remind me after the holidays, when I rejoin the site.]
From Donald Faber: Paul DeMartino and I had an idea that I wanted to get some additional feedback on before pursuing.
I'm fairly confident that I can get a comped pair of tickets to Tony 'N Tina's Wedding for the Sunday matinee following our reunion in August (assuming the show is still running by then). Does it make sense to auction these off via the weekly newsletter, with all proceeds being donated to the Vincent Tampio/Booker Gibson scholarships? Since the tickets have a value of about $170, I think we'd need to establish a minimum bid, to make this worthwhile for the scholarships.
Also, my company has plans to open a new off-Broadway version of the very successful Canadian musical Menopause. If we're on track by August, I'm sure I can get at least another pair of tickets to this, and we could auction them off as well. I won't actually pursue this until February-or-so, but I'd like to get some feedback before I do
From me, to Donald and to Paul DeMartino: Actually, the scholarships for Vince and Booker are in reasonably good shape. Vince's has a small block of people who've promised to donate annually, while Booker's has built up more money and will probably continue to take in additional donations, just because more people had him as a teacher. But, as other people in our class have pointed out, there are plenty of other teachers who deserve attention. So if you want to use a theater ticket auction to kick off an additional scholarship in someone's name, that would be great. Anyone come to mind?
From Donald, back to me: No one easily comes to mind for me. I'm also not sure how much money this would raise. I was thinking of it as just a supplemental kind of thing.
From Paul, back to me: I think the auction is a terrific idea, and perhaps there are others in our class who are in the position to make similar offers. Tickets to shows or sporting events are always popular fund raisers. As for the idea that we should consider funding other scholarships, I cannot totally agree. Trying to support additional scholarships might undermine the two we already have going.
On a different subject: we finally received the contract for the reunion hotel, and we will be finalizing everything within a week-or-so.
From me, back to Donald and Paul: I think you're both right, about the limited fundraising possibilities, and about not splitting the focus of our present scholarships. I was just trying to follow up on what Booker and, I think, Dennis Pizzimenti have said -- that there are plenty of other former teachers of ours from South who deserve some recognition.
More from Donald to me -- and for Dennis Pizzimenti's story collection: I liked Ralph Foster and remember quite fondly his stories about going camping with friends to Yellowstone. I also remember your meltdown with Coach, as I was member of the track team until 9th or 10th grade.
From me, back to Donald -- and for Dennis: It's funny, I quit working for Foster after happily managing the junior high soccer and track teams for two years, because of a communication error. Towards the end of my second season, he said, "Go get some sticks." I couldn't imagine what he wanted sticks for, but, unpredictable as he was, I went and picked up a half-dozen. He meant batons. And when he started yelling at me, I quit. If he'd even laughed, I probably never would have gone into theater. The next fall, instead of managing the soccer team again, I followed Nancy Garfield into the drama club and found a career.
Finally, speaking of Nancy -- who I think is still traveling on business -- I have a call in to her to ask if she'd like Hy Rosov to send her a copy of the mini-yearbook he put together for the Class of '64 reunion in 2002. Since Nancy, Fran Bellucci Johnson, and Jane Ruzow Tiell all helped create and assemble the directory we used for the 37th Reunion, I figure they get first shot at deciding what we do this time.
The repeating 40th Reunion information:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Rich
Update 11-9-04
Hi,
Yes, well, three people, thousands of miles from each other, all asked, "I send the Hundred-Dollar-40th-Reunion check to Dennis Who?" That would be Dennis Shapiro, and I will now add that information weekly to the updates.
Also, while I'm housekeeping: yeah, well, I've been travel- and election-fatigued, so I didn't post the last three updates online on the class home page, where at least one person I know of reads them. I will post them, either tonight or tomorrow, along with this one. And I'll post the photos of Smiling Booker Gibson and the Out-of-Focus Plaques, which sounds like a new children's book. Actually, the plaques aren't out-of-focus so much as they have small, unphotographable type. But you can all squint. And I can't post the pink photo of Smiling Barbara Blitfield Pech and The Breast Cancer Rally as I promised, because that's copyrighted, so I couldn't lift it from its site. Imagine that.
I'll also add the same News of the 40th Reunion to the index page of the home page, so anyone wandering onto that can be informed. And I'll rejoin Classmates.com after New Year's, to post the information there and blind e-mail everyone who's not contactable through this mailing list.
Enough.
Other brief news, in the order that it electronically appeared:
From Hy Rosov: Thanks for keeping me up-to-date on the reunion activities. Sorry to learn of Karen Rachoi's passing. If you need any help, drop me a line. I did a mini-yearbook for the Tampa reunion two years ago. If you would like a copy, I'll mail you one. It was a lot of work, but worth it. Sue Howard did a great job.
[Rich -- This sounds interesting. How do other people feel about it?]
From Linda Fenton Goodgold: Please add my name and e-mail address to the mailing list. The address is: lgoodgold@verizon.net
[Rich -- Welcome back, Linda.]
A public service warning from Barbara Blitfield Pech: A directory of cell phone numbers will be published soon. This opens the door to solicitors calling cell phones, annoying you, and using up your minutes. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "Do Not Call" list. You must call FROM the number you wish to register. The number is: 1-888-382-1222. OR you can click on the link below to register your cell phones and house phones online. You can register 3 numbers at a time. https://www.donotcall.gov/register/Reg.aspx
[Rich -- Oh, yikes.]
From Zelda White Nichols: First, Happy Birthday, Booker. Hope it was wonderful.
Also, my husband Dave and I have been knocking ourselves out trying to get our house ready to sell. It goes on the market today, and we hope to move to our new house in Lexington, North Carolina in February. After years of hard work, two years ago, Dave realized his dream of owning his own consulting company. In 2005, my dream will come true of having a lakefront home where I can watch eagles fly and, at the end of the day, watch the sunset with a fishing rod in my hand and maybe another dog by my side.
[Rich -- I'm jealous, even if I don't fish.]
Some possibly useful filler, from -- god help me -- the online AARP newsletter. By Ben Brown: Communes for Grownups. Five years ago, Arthur Okner retired and headed to Boulder, Colorado. Almost immediately, he realized, "I was lonely." He discovered a solution in a "cohousing" development, a concept that has growing appeal.
In cohousing, the residents themselves plan their communities and choose the appearance. They own their own units and divide duties for maintenance, gardening and other chores. And they rotate responsibilities for fixing meals that are shared two or three times a week in a community building.
"People are just jumping on this idea," says Sandra Timmermann, director of MetLife Mature Market Institute. More than 5,000 people reside in nearly 80 completed cohousing communities in more than 30 states, and at least 100 more communities are in various stages of development. The sizes range from half a dozen units on a fraction of an acre in the city of Oakland, California to 22 units on 260 rural acres in Hartland, Vermont. Most are intergenerational communities.
A cohousing community is more condo than commune, but with a twist. The relationships between buyers and developers are reversed. First comes the buy-in by would-be neighbors, then at least two years of building relationships, working out community rules and cooperatively designing the community they'll share. Cohousing is not necessarily cheaper than conventional condos, especially if the community wants custom-design elements and a lavish community house. Land costs are a crucial factor, too. In rural Abingdon, Virginia, where a group of former nuns and their friends are building a 29-unit community known as ElderSpirit, they offered two-bedroom homes under 1,000 square feet for $114,000. But in Boulder, with its soaring housing market, Arthur Okner's 16-unit Silver Sage Village offers its smallest two-bedroom units at $353,000.
The most popular arrangement may turn out to be a cohousing neighborhood in an urban center or adjoining a mixed-use development. Still, cohousing is not for everybody. Prospective residents have to be prepared to talk about community plans for two years or more before buildings start going up. They have to be prepared to make decisions by group consensus rather than through top-down hierarchies and majority-rules votes. And if it's a community for people 50-plus, they should be prepared for frank discussions about aging and death -- including practical matters, such as what to do when residents can no longer take care of themselves -- which may be uncomfortable for those who want to think only of active living.
The -- far more cheerful -- reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Finally, a quick bit of self-promotion. An article on Frederic Remington that I expanded from my U.S. travel journal has just been published as the shared cover story in December's Adirondack Life. The link: http://www.adirondacklife.com/ Then click on Remington Revisited. It'll save you six bucks.
Rich
Hi,
Yes, well, three people, thousands of miles from each other, all asked, "I send the Hundred-Dollar-40th-Reunion check to Dennis Who?" That would be Dennis Shapiro, and I will now add that information weekly to the updates.
Also, while I'm housekeeping: yeah, well, I've been travel- and election-fatigued, so I didn't post the last three updates online on the class home page, where at least one person I know of reads them. I will post them, either tonight or tomorrow, along with this one. And I'll post the photos of Smiling Booker Gibson and the Out-of-Focus Plaques, which sounds like a new children's book. Actually, the plaques aren't out-of-focus so much as they have small, unphotographable type. But you can all squint. And I can't post the pink photo of Smiling Barbara Blitfield Pech and The Breast Cancer Rally as I promised, because that's copyrighted, so I couldn't lift it from its site. Imagine that.
I'll also add the same News of the 40th Reunion to the index page of the home page, so anyone wandering onto that can be informed. And I'll rejoin Classmates.com after New Year's, to post the information there and blind e-mail everyone who's not contactable through this mailing list.
Enough.
Other brief news, in the order that it electronically appeared:
From Hy Rosov: Thanks for keeping me up-to-date on the reunion activities. Sorry to learn of Karen Rachoi's passing. If you need any help, drop me a line. I did a mini-yearbook for the Tampa reunion two years ago. If you would like a copy, I'll mail you one. It was a lot of work, but worth it. Sue Howard did a great job.
[Rich -- This sounds interesting. How do other people feel about it?]
From Linda Fenton Goodgold: Please add my name and e-mail address to the mailing list. The address is: lgoodgold@verizon.net
[Rich -- Welcome back, Linda.]
A public service warning from Barbara Blitfield Pech: A directory of cell phone numbers will be published soon. This opens the door to solicitors calling cell phones, annoying you, and using up your minutes. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "Do Not Call" list. You must call FROM the number you wish to register. The number is: 1-888-382-1222. OR you can click on the link below to register your cell phones and house phones online. You can register 3 numbers at a time. https://www.donotcall.gov/register/Reg.aspx
[Rich -- Oh, yikes.]
From Zelda White Nichols: First, Happy Birthday, Booker. Hope it was wonderful.
Also, my husband Dave and I have been knocking ourselves out trying to get our house ready to sell. It goes on the market today, and we hope to move to our new house in Lexington, North Carolina in February. After years of hard work, two years ago, Dave realized his dream of owning his own consulting company. In 2005, my dream will come true of having a lakefront home where I can watch eagles fly and, at the end of the day, watch the sunset with a fishing rod in my hand and maybe another dog by my side.
[Rich -- I'm jealous, even if I don't fish.]
Some possibly useful filler, from -- god help me -- the online AARP newsletter. By Ben Brown: Communes for Grownups. Five years ago, Arthur Okner retired and headed to Boulder, Colorado. Almost immediately, he realized, "I was lonely." He discovered a solution in a "cohousing" development, a concept that has growing appeal.
In cohousing, the residents themselves plan their communities and choose the appearance. They own their own units and divide duties for maintenance, gardening and other chores. And they rotate responsibilities for fixing meals that are shared two or three times a week in a community building.
"People are just jumping on this idea," says Sandra Timmermann, director of MetLife Mature Market Institute. More than 5,000 people reside in nearly 80 completed cohousing communities in more than 30 states, and at least 100 more communities are in various stages of development. The sizes range from half a dozen units on a fraction of an acre in the city of Oakland, California to 22 units on 260 rural acres in Hartland, Vermont. Most are intergenerational communities.
A cohousing community is more condo than commune, but with a twist. The relationships between buyers and developers are reversed. First comes the buy-in by would-be neighbors, then at least two years of building relationships, working out community rules and cooperatively designing the community they'll share. Cohousing is not necessarily cheaper than conventional condos, especially if the community wants custom-design elements and a lavish community house. Land costs are a crucial factor, too. In rural Abingdon, Virginia, where a group of former nuns and their friends are building a 29-unit community known as ElderSpirit, they offered two-bedroom homes under 1,000 square feet for $114,000. But in Boulder, with its soaring housing market, Arthur Okner's 16-unit Silver Sage Village offers its smallest two-bedroom units at $353,000.
The most popular arrangement may turn out to be a cohousing neighborhood in an urban center or adjoining a mixed-use development. Still, cohousing is not for everybody. Prospective residents have to be prepared to talk about community plans for two years or more before buildings start going up. They have to be prepared to make decisions by group consensus rather than through top-down hierarchies and majority-rules votes. And if it's a community for people 50-plus, they should be prepared for frank discussions about aging and death -- including practical matters, such as what to do when residents can no longer take care of themselves -- which may be uncomfortable for those who want to think only of active living.
The -- far more cheerful -- reunion info:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Finally, a quick bit of self-promotion. An article on Frederic Remington that I expanded from my U.S. travel journal has just been published as the shared cover story in December's Adirondack Life. The link: http://www.adirondacklife.com/ Then click on Remington Revisited. It'll save you six bucks.
Rich
Update 11-2-04
Hi,
It should be an interesting evening. In fact, either way, it should be an interesting four years.
From Jerrie Clamp Rachoi: I just wanted to thank everyone for the condolences on this site. My mailing address is: 145 Canterbury Gate, Lynbrook, New York, 11563, and my e-mail address is: myjrussel@yahoo.com
Robin Feit and Paul DeMartino came to the service for Karen. I was very touched to see them both. My daughter Karen was a beautiful 33-year-old woman, about to be married two weeks after she was diagnosed with leukemia. She put up a courageous battle, but I guess God needed her with him. If anyone is interested in making a donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in her name, it's Karen Rachoi.
Thank you all again, from Mickey and me.
From Paul DeMartino: We've got the ball rolling, set up a reunion checking account, and are awaiting the final contract. I've spoken to the catering director, and it "should be sent to me soon" -- her words. Regardless, the date is firm, and that's what counts.
There is one slight problem though. We are still a bit short on the money required to meet the deposit. So if a couple of people could send a hundred bucks each, it would be appreciated. Also, I'd like to emphasize that in order to meet our other deadlines on time, everyone should be encouraged to send in the $100 as soon as possible. I know that saying that will not result in an avalanche of checks appearing at Dennis' door, but at least the hope is that we will always have an adequate cushion to meet the second and final deadlines. The final push will be in late spring when the balance is due, and that total will likely be around $8,000.
Also, please make the checks out to: VSS 40th Reunion, and send them to Dennis' address -- 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Another thing: if any teachers reading this plan to come to the reunion, please let us know as soon as you can. And if you can contact other teachers, please have them write us, too. Finally, we'll let South know about the reunion, so if any of our classmates or teachers contact them, the information will be available. Thanks. Best to all.
From Gary Davis: When is the $100 due by? Also, please forward a list of people who are going so far. And how about updating that every month if possible?
[Rich -- As Paul just wrote: there's an immediate deadline for the deposit, and two other follow-up deadlines, one on February 1st, and the other on June 15th. If you know you're coming to the reunion and can send the money to Dennis now, it would be appreciated. And I'm sure that if you suddenly discover in mid-July that you can't come to the party, something can be worked out for a refund -- as long as all hundred of you don't do it at once.
Also, as with the 37th reunion, once we get within a month-or-two of the party, we'll start posting the attendance list. No point getting too excited too quickly -- and there are other things to think about in the next 10 months.]
From Booker Gibson: Hello, Class of '65. Last Thursday, October 21st, the day after my 74th birthday, I was invited over to South High to see and pose with the Vince Tampio and Booker T. Gibson plaques. They are very prominently displayed opposite the main office. Liz King had the school's photographer come and record it. Besides taking shots of me next to the plaques, she asked him to do a close-up so the entire scripts can be read. I tried to take a couple of shots with my digital camera, but I'm counting on the photographer's capturing it perfectly and sending it to you. The plaques are really awesome!
A big Black student was standing there observing all of this. I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to talk with him before he left. This was about 4:00 PM, so I was also invited into South Hall to watch some of the rehearsal of the junior high musical. It was a lively version of the show Annie. You may know that these shows can come with a complete recorded swinging orchestra. With the extended stage apron, the kids seem to move right out to you.
Liz King also said plans are already being made for the South High 50th Reunion. I hope to be there, and, meanwhile, at your next reunion, I plan on being there to thank you again and again.
[From all of us: Happy Birthday, Booker!]
From Liz King Giordano: I’m sending you photos of the plaques, and Booker Gibson was kind enough to come in and pose. I hope the photos are clear. Enjoy!
Booker, it is always a pleasure to see you, and you're always wearing a contagious smile. Rich, thanks for the check.
[Rich -- I'll get the photos online as soon as possible.]
Speaking of photos, from Barbara Blitfield Pech, attached to a photo from her recent breast cancer research rally: Thanks to all of you for your continued strength and support. Love and Pink Hugs.
[Rich -- I'll get this photo online as soon as possible, too.]
From Donald Faber: I saw this piece this morning and after reading it, I felt compelled to pass it along. It is one of the more insightful articles I've read about the 1960s. Not THOSE 60s; it focuses instead on the early-to-mid-60s period that we -- at least, I -- tend to routinely dismiss out of hand as being somewhat meaningless whenever my thoughts turn to the past. The author, Bruce Bawer -- author of Room at the Table -- casts a sharp and very insightful light not only upon the genesis of our current political polarization, but he also delves into a fascinating historical overview of the years we all spent at South. After reading the article, it made me feel genuinely lucky to have been able to grow up during the time when we did! Sharp, insightful fun -- a good and worthwhile read, with just enough nostalgia. But if you plan to read it, print it out the pages -- it's far TOO long to read on a computer screen.
The link: http://wwics.si.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=68646
[Rich -- totally unrelated, and probably just 'cause I haven't mentioned photos for at least two minutes: Driving back to LA last week, I saw the lunar eclipse while standing at the edge of the desert just east of El Paso. Clear sky. Great viewing. But too far away for my limited camera, so no online photo. Check Time or Newsweek.]
More from Tom McPartland, Class of '64: It has been a while since I had an opportunity to send out an update to you all. First of all, thank you again for the wonderful get well cards, calls, e-mails, visits, flowers, and the list just goes on. I hope you are all fine and enjoying the fall weather. This is one of my favorite times of the year -- seeing the trees and the leaves as they change colors. It always reminds me of another new year at South, the football games at Firemen’s Field, and being another year closer to getting a driver's license. Even after all these years. But it was good times.
Working on the reunion was a labor of joy and love. Just knowing that all of you had a wonderful time really helped me get through my surgery and recovery. The pictures on the Internet, the group picture, and the many pictures that were sent are just priceless. I have the reunion plague on my wall at home, and I will treasure it always.
As most of you know, I was rushed to Southside Hospital in Bayshore, on Friday, September 10th, with a tremendous headache. It was diagnosed as internal bleeding or a blood clot on the brain. On Tuesday evening, September 14th, I was transferred to North Shore Community Hospital for further tests, and surgery was performed on September 16th. The surgeons opened up my skull in two places to drain the blood clot. North Shore had a terrific team of doctors, and, after I recuperated at home, I returned to work last week on a limited schedule. I'm feeling fine, and the doctors are very optimistic that this condition should not repeat itself.
I also spoke with Mr. “Irv” Saffrin this past week, and sent him a copy of the video that Ken Silver took at the reunion. Mr. Saffrin just returned home from having surgery to relieve the pain and problems from his sciatica, but he sounded great and loved the card and video. I've also spoken several times with Bernie O’Brien, Hy Rosov, Booker Gibson, and a few others. What a great bunch of teachers we had.
If anyone is planning any mini-reunions, please let me know. Meanwhile, my sincere wishes to you all, and please stay healthy and safe. Hoping to see you all again at the 45th Reunion. I promise I will be there.
Related, from Linda Cohen Greenseid: the Rich in the earlier Class of '64 Reunion note was Rich Wyeroski.
And, conveniently, from Rich Wyeroski: Hi, Class of '64 (and others) -- if anyone is interested, we are planning to have a dinner at Tom Lolly's Restaurant in Brightwaters on Long Island. November 6th is good for Ellene and Tom. I know we all cannot go, but if you find yourself on Long Island on that date, come over to Tom's restaurant between 7:30 and 8:00 PM. If you can make it, please e-mail me for more details. My address is: rwyerosk@suffolk.lib.ny.us. Last time we did this, we had about 25 people and a good time. Warmest regards to all.
From Allan and Carol Bendel: Our new e-mail address is ancbendel@isp.com Regards to all.
Finally, from H. G. Wells -- yeah, he came back just to send us this: "Human history," he wrote in 1920, "becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."
Rich
Hi,
It should be an interesting evening. In fact, either way, it should be an interesting four years.
From Jerrie Clamp Rachoi: I just wanted to thank everyone for the condolences on this site. My mailing address is: 145 Canterbury Gate, Lynbrook, New York, 11563, and my e-mail address is: myjrussel@yahoo.com
Robin Feit and Paul DeMartino came to the service for Karen. I was very touched to see them both. My daughter Karen was a beautiful 33-year-old woman, about to be married two weeks after she was diagnosed with leukemia. She put up a courageous battle, but I guess God needed her with him. If anyone is interested in making a donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in her name, it's Karen Rachoi.
Thank you all again, from Mickey and me.
From Paul DeMartino: We've got the ball rolling, set up a reunion checking account, and are awaiting the final contract. I've spoken to the catering director, and it "should be sent to me soon" -- her words. Regardless, the date is firm, and that's what counts.
There is one slight problem though. We are still a bit short on the money required to meet the deposit. So if a couple of people could send a hundred bucks each, it would be appreciated. Also, I'd like to emphasize that in order to meet our other deadlines on time, everyone should be encouraged to send in the $100 as soon as possible. I know that saying that will not result in an avalanche of checks appearing at Dennis' door, but at least the hope is that we will always have an adequate cushion to meet the second and final deadlines. The final push will be in late spring when the balance is due, and that total will likely be around $8,000.
Also, please make the checks out to: VSS 40th Reunion, and send them to Dennis' address -- 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Another thing: if any teachers reading this plan to come to the reunion, please let us know as soon as you can. And if you can contact other teachers, please have them write us, too. Finally, we'll let South know about the reunion, so if any of our classmates or teachers contact them, the information will be available. Thanks. Best to all.
From Gary Davis: When is the $100 due by? Also, please forward a list of people who are going so far. And how about updating that every month if possible?
[Rich -- As Paul just wrote: there's an immediate deadline for the deposit, and two other follow-up deadlines, one on February 1st, and the other on June 15th. If you know you're coming to the reunion and can send the money to Dennis now, it would be appreciated. And I'm sure that if you suddenly discover in mid-July that you can't come to the party, something can be worked out for a refund -- as long as all hundred of you don't do it at once.
Also, as with the 37th reunion, once we get within a month-or-two of the party, we'll start posting the attendance list. No point getting too excited too quickly -- and there are other things to think about in the next 10 months.]
From Booker Gibson: Hello, Class of '65. Last Thursday, October 21st, the day after my 74th birthday, I was invited over to South High to see and pose with the Vince Tampio and Booker T. Gibson plaques. They are very prominently displayed opposite the main office. Liz King had the school's photographer come and record it. Besides taking shots of me next to the plaques, she asked him to do a close-up so the entire scripts can be read. I tried to take a couple of shots with my digital camera, but I'm counting on the photographer's capturing it perfectly and sending it to you. The plaques are really awesome!
A big Black student was standing there observing all of this. I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to talk with him before he left. This was about 4:00 PM, so I was also invited into South Hall to watch some of the rehearsal of the junior high musical. It was a lively version of the show Annie. You may know that these shows can come with a complete recorded swinging orchestra. With the extended stage apron, the kids seem to move right out to you.
Liz King also said plans are already being made for the South High 50th Reunion. I hope to be there, and, meanwhile, at your next reunion, I plan on being there to thank you again and again.
[From all of us: Happy Birthday, Booker!]
From Liz King Giordano: I’m sending you photos of the plaques, and Booker Gibson was kind enough to come in and pose. I hope the photos are clear. Enjoy!
Booker, it is always a pleasure to see you, and you're always wearing a contagious smile. Rich, thanks for the check.
[Rich -- I'll get the photos online as soon as possible.]
Speaking of photos, from Barbara Blitfield Pech, attached to a photo from her recent breast cancer research rally: Thanks to all of you for your continued strength and support. Love and Pink Hugs.
[Rich -- I'll get this photo online as soon as possible, too.]
From Donald Faber: I saw this piece this morning and after reading it, I felt compelled to pass it along. It is one of the more insightful articles I've read about the 1960s. Not THOSE 60s; it focuses instead on the early-to-mid-60s period that we -- at least, I -- tend to routinely dismiss out of hand as being somewhat meaningless whenever my thoughts turn to the past. The author, Bruce Bawer -- author of Room at the Table -- casts a sharp and very insightful light not only upon the genesis of our current political polarization, but he also delves into a fascinating historical overview of the years we all spent at South. After reading the article, it made me feel genuinely lucky to have been able to grow up during the time when we did! Sharp, insightful fun -- a good and worthwhile read, with just enough nostalgia. But if you plan to read it, print it out the pages -- it's far TOO long to read on a computer screen.
The link: http://wwics.si.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=68646
[Rich -- totally unrelated, and probably just 'cause I haven't mentioned photos for at least two minutes: Driving back to LA last week, I saw the lunar eclipse while standing at the edge of the desert just east of El Paso. Clear sky. Great viewing. But too far away for my limited camera, so no online photo. Check Time or Newsweek.]
More from Tom McPartland, Class of '64: It has been a while since I had an opportunity to send out an update to you all. First of all, thank you again for the wonderful get well cards, calls, e-mails, visits, flowers, and the list just goes on. I hope you are all fine and enjoying the fall weather. This is one of my favorite times of the year -- seeing the trees and the leaves as they change colors. It always reminds me of another new year at South, the football games at Firemen’s Field, and being another year closer to getting a driver's license. Even after all these years. But it was good times.
Working on the reunion was a labor of joy and love. Just knowing that all of you had a wonderful time really helped me get through my surgery and recovery. The pictures on the Internet, the group picture, and the many pictures that were sent are just priceless. I have the reunion plague on my wall at home, and I will treasure it always.
As most of you know, I was rushed to Southside Hospital in Bayshore, on Friday, September 10th, with a tremendous headache. It was diagnosed as internal bleeding or a blood clot on the brain. On Tuesday evening, September 14th, I was transferred to North Shore Community Hospital for further tests, and surgery was performed on September 16th. The surgeons opened up my skull in two places to drain the blood clot. North Shore had a terrific team of doctors, and, after I recuperated at home, I returned to work last week on a limited schedule. I'm feeling fine, and the doctors are very optimistic that this condition should not repeat itself.
I also spoke with Mr. “Irv” Saffrin this past week, and sent him a copy of the video that Ken Silver took at the reunion. Mr. Saffrin just returned home from having surgery to relieve the pain and problems from his sciatica, but he sounded great and loved the card and video. I've also spoken several times with Bernie O’Brien, Hy Rosov, Booker Gibson, and a few others. What a great bunch of teachers we had.
If anyone is planning any mini-reunions, please let me know. Meanwhile, my sincere wishes to you all, and please stay healthy and safe. Hoping to see you all again at the 45th Reunion. I promise I will be there.
Related, from Linda Cohen Greenseid: the Rich in the earlier Class of '64 Reunion note was Rich Wyeroski.
And, conveniently, from Rich Wyeroski: Hi, Class of '64 (and others) -- if anyone is interested, we are planning to have a dinner at Tom Lolly's Restaurant in Brightwaters on Long Island. November 6th is good for Ellene and Tom. I know we all cannot go, but if you find yourself on Long Island on that date, come over to Tom's restaurant between 7:30 and 8:00 PM. If you can make it, please e-mail me for more details. My address is: rwyerosk@suffolk.lib.ny.us. Last time we did this, we had about 25 people and a good time. Warmest regards to all.
From Allan and Carol Bendel: Our new e-mail address is ancbendel@isp.com Regards to all.
Finally, from H. G. Wells -- yeah, he came back just to send us this: "Human history," he wrote in 1920, "becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."
Rich
Update 10-26-04
Hi,
What's this? I'm going away for a couple of weeks and purposely not taking my computer. So here's next week's update, just to keep those newsletters regular. I'll be back on the eve of destruction, uh, election.
Some stashed filler:
From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: A great story. Before I moved to Florida two-and-a-half years ago, I was a member of the Women's Israel National Political Action Committee. Several times, in Washington and at a neighbor's home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, I met Lynda Johnson Robb and her husband Chuck Robb. When Lynda Robb spoke at my neighbor's home for a WINPAC meeting, she told how her father went to Europe on business, around 1938, and was able to negotiate the release of about 35 Jewish people. They were able to leave Europe, go to Cuba, and then -- due to arrangements made by LBJ -- enter the United States through Texas. A gentleman named Jim Novy, who was already in Texas before 1938, asked LBJ to do this, and they remained lifelong friends. To hear Lynda Robb tell this story was amazing. I think it's time that the public knew about this.
A quick follow-up, from an article by Daniel Chang in The Miami Herald: "But no one has presented any evidence to support such an allegation," says Claudia Anderson, an archivist with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin. Anderson traces the legend of ''Operation Texas'' to a speech given by a prominent Jewish businessman in Austin, Jim Novy, during a dedication ceremony which Johnson attended, for a synagogue named Congregation Agudas Achim in December 1963.
In his dedication speech, which was recorded, Novy alleged that in 1938 then-congressman Johnson had helped arrange -- through letters and telephone calls to ambassadors and immigration officials -- for 42 Jewish refugees from Germany and Poland to obtain visas to enter America. Novy's speech also claimed that in 1940 Johnson used his political influence to skirt Texas law and help lodge Jewish refugees in state youth camps. But, Anderson says, "There is absolutely no substantiation of that whatsoever.'' Anderson did, however, find evidence that Johnson wrote letters to US embassies in Eastern Europe prior to World War II that helped expedite the immigration of Jewish refugees to America. ''I definitely believe Johnson helped Jewish people come into this country by helping them cut red tape and immigration procedures."
A related forward from Peggy, also from Daniel Chang's article: Claudia Taylor Brod never met her grandfather, Lyndon Baines Johnson. She inherited his legacy through history books, old family photos, and countless stories from her grandmother, Claudia ''Lady Bird'' Johnson, who is 91 and still lives on the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Among the lessons handed down were a sense of compassion and an obligation to give back to her community.
The youngest child of Luci Baines Johnson Turpin -- President Johnson's youngest daughter -- Brod, 28, says those lessons helped her realize, "That I was part of this family, part of this legacy, and with that came a lot of responsibility for what I had been given.'' Now Brod has begun to put those lessons into action at home in Miami Beach, where she has lived since 2000. To celebrate the birth of her first child in February, Brod and her husband Steven donated $10,000 to the Holocaust Survivors Program.
The gift was made on behalf of Brod's obstetrician Dr. Steven Silvers, but her interest in Judaism runs deep. Brod's husband is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, and she herself converted to Judaism in 2003. "It was not easy to renounce Catholicism -- I went to mass every Sunday until I turned 18.'' But she has embraced Judaism's emphasis on family and traditions. "My grandfather," she says, "did some wonderful things as far as civil rights and education, and I feel it's my obligation to carry on the family legacy of civic involvement. The Jewish community is a good place to start.''
Not at all on the subject of Texas, religion, or the Johnsons, a forward from Zelda White Nichols, in appreciation of teachers everywhere: After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits. You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons, and raise their self-esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for their elders and future employers. And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, and a big smile and on a starting salary of $32,000? You want me to do all of this, and you expect me NOT TO PRAY?"
Rich
Hi,
What's this? I'm going away for a couple of weeks and purposely not taking my computer. So here's next week's update, just to keep those newsletters regular. I'll be back on the eve of destruction, uh, election.
Some stashed filler:
From Peggy Cooper Schwartz: A great story. Before I moved to Florida two-and-a-half years ago, I was a member of the Women's Israel National Political Action Committee. Several times, in Washington and at a neighbor's home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, I met Lynda Johnson Robb and her husband Chuck Robb. When Lynda Robb spoke at my neighbor's home for a WINPAC meeting, she told how her father went to Europe on business, around 1938, and was able to negotiate the release of about 35 Jewish people. They were able to leave Europe, go to Cuba, and then -- due to arrangements made by LBJ -- enter the United States through Texas. A gentleman named Jim Novy, who was already in Texas before 1938, asked LBJ to do this, and they remained lifelong friends. To hear Lynda Robb tell this story was amazing. I think it's time that the public knew about this.
A quick follow-up, from an article by Daniel Chang in The Miami Herald: "But no one has presented any evidence to support such an allegation," says Claudia Anderson, an archivist with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin. Anderson traces the legend of ''Operation Texas'' to a speech given by a prominent Jewish businessman in Austin, Jim Novy, during a dedication ceremony which Johnson attended, for a synagogue named Congregation Agudas Achim in December 1963.
In his dedication speech, which was recorded, Novy alleged that in 1938 then-congressman Johnson had helped arrange -- through letters and telephone calls to ambassadors and immigration officials -- for 42 Jewish refugees from Germany and Poland to obtain visas to enter America. Novy's speech also claimed that in 1940 Johnson used his political influence to skirt Texas law and help lodge Jewish refugees in state youth camps. But, Anderson says, "There is absolutely no substantiation of that whatsoever.'' Anderson did, however, find evidence that Johnson wrote letters to US embassies in Eastern Europe prior to World War II that helped expedite the immigration of Jewish refugees to America. ''I definitely believe Johnson helped Jewish people come into this country by helping them cut red tape and immigration procedures."
A related forward from Peggy, also from Daniel Chang's article: Claudia Taylor Brod never met her grandfather, Lyndon Baines Johnson. She inherited his legacy through history books, old family photos, and countless stories from her grandmother, Claudia ''Lady Bird'' Johnson, who is 91 and still lives on the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Among the lessons handed down were a sense of compassion and an obligation to give back to her community.
The youngest child of Luci Baines Johnson Turpin -- President Johnson's youngest daughter -- Brod, 28, says those lessons helped her realize, "That I was part of this family, part of this legacy, and with that came a lot of responsibility for what I had been given.'' Now Brod has begun to put those lessons into action at home in Miami Beach, where she has lived since 2000. To celebrate the birth of her first child in February, Brod and her husband Steven donated $10,000 to the Holocaust Survivors Program.
The gift was made on behalf of Brod's obstetrician Dr. Steven Silvers, but her interest in Judaism runs deep. Brod's husband is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, and she herself converted to Judaism in 2003. "It was not easy to renounce Catholicism -- I went to mass every Sunday until I turned 18.'' But she has embraced Judaism's emphasis on family and traditions. "My grandfather," she says, "did some wonderful things as far as civil rights and education, and I feel it's my obligation to carry on the family legacy of civic involvement. The Jewish community is a good place to start.''
Not at all on the subject of Texas, religion, or the Johnsons, a forward from Zelda White Nichols, in appreciation of teachers everywhere: After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits. You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons, and raise their self-esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for their elders and future employers. And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, and a big smile and on a starting salary of $32,000? You want me to do all of this, and you expect me NOT TO PRAY?"
Rich
Update 10-19-04
Hi,
Various notes that came in along with the 40th reunion votes. In the order they were received:
From Marc Jonas, before we picked a site: How about the Keystone state for the "venue" of the next reunion? It has so much to offer -- if only I could remember exactly what that is and how the heck I landed here.
Lynn Nudelman Villagran, on voting once unless you're triplets: Sounds fine to me. Sounds fine to me. Sounds fine to me.
From Bernie Scheidt: ...now that I live in Atlanta...
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: aw heck..i'll be more than glad to arrive on the 29th and stay through the 7th...assuming that i will enjoy the extended company of "classmates" who also need a long overdue home base touch!
From Ellen Epstein Silver: My sincerest sympathy goes out to Jerrie and Mickey Rachoi and their family. Do you have their current home address? I would like to send a card and note to them.
[Rich -- I don't, unfortunately. Can someone else help?]
From Stuart Kandel: It's a nice hotel with a very large bar in the lobby.
From Michele Cohen Collins (soon to be Stafford): Just some happy news to pass along from me: Sunday, John and I will be married. Some of the folks met John at the last big reunion and at one of the get-togethers at Lilly Flanagans. Also, my youngest daughter and her husband had a beautiful baby girl in March.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, on both accounts, from all of us.]
From Roz Minsky Bobrow: We just had our daughter's wedding, a month ago. Our wonderful new son-in-law works in Melville. AND they live in West Hempstead!
[Rich -- More congratulations, from all.]
From Judy Peters Sylvan: I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, but, "Can it be three years already?" Yikes!
From Moss in Maine: GREAT JOB everyone. Thanks so much!
[Rich -- Thanks for the committee's work was offered by a lot of people.]
From Martha Morenstein: Though I certainly did NOT graduate from high school 40 years ago, I'd be happy to attend a reunion celebrating that auspicious event.
From Zelda White Nichols: I am very excited to announce that the offer we put on a house in North Carolina has been accepted. It's on High Rock Lake in Lexington, North Carolina, and we are looking to close at the end of January. Due to schedules on both our and the current property owners' sides, that is the earliest date we could arrange. We are eagerly anticipating coming home to the East coast.
From Rachael Robinson: Thanks for the wishes for safety in the hurricanes, but I'm no longer in Florida, so I was out of harm's way -- although I still have a son, daughter, and ex-husband there.
Also, I just got a note from Liz King Giordano, Principal Stephen Lando's secretary at South, saying, "The Vince Tampio and Booker Gibson plaques are finally hanging in our main corridor across from the main office. Enclosed is the invoice." The plaques were a bit more expensive than we'd been told -- $350 total, rather than $200 -- but, hey, things work that way. We'll just have to sell some extra cookies on Vince's and Booker's behalf.
Finally, some educational filler, from a friend of mine who spends too much time reading the Farmers' Almanac. Here's what things were like in the United States only 100 years ago, in 1904:
-- The average life expectancy was 47 years, with more than 95 percent of all births taking place at home.
-- Only 14 percent of all homes had a bathtub, so most women only washed their hair once a month, and they used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
-- Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone, and a three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
-- There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
-- Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
-- The average wage was 22 cents an hour. The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year. An accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year; a dentist, $2,500 per year; a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year; and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
-- 2 of 10 adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated high school. Ninety percent of all physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as substandard.
-- The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet. Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California -- with a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populous state. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30,
-- The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
-- 18 percent of all households had at least one full-time servant.
-- There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire country.
-- Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
-- Canned beer hadn't yet been invented.
Rich
Hi,
Various notes that came in along with the 40th reunion votes. In the order they were received:
From Marc Jonas, before we picked a site: How about the Keystone state for the "venue" of the next reunion? It has so much to offer -- if only I could remember exactly what that is and how the heck I landed here.
Lynn Nudelman Villagran, on voting once unless you're triplets: Sounds fine to me. Sounds fine to me. Sounds fine to me.
From Bernie Scheidt: ...now that I live in Atlanta...
From Barbara Blitfield Pech: aw heck..i'll be more than glad to arrive on the 29th and stay through the 7th...assuming that i will enjoy the extended company of "classmates" who also need a long overdue home base touch!
From Ellen Epstein Silver: My sincerest sympathy goes out to Jerrie and Mickey Rachoi and their family. Do you have their current home address? I would like to send a card and note to them.
[Rich -- I don't, unfortunately. Can someone else help?]
From Stuart Kandel: It's a nice hotel with a very large bar in the lobby.
From Michele Cohen Collins (soon to be Stafford): Just some happy news to pass along from me: Sunday, John and I will be married. Some of the folks met John at the last big reunion and at one of the get-togethers at Lilly Flanagans. Also, my youngest daughter and her husband had a beautiful baby girl in March.
[Rich -- Congratulations, of course, on both accounts, from all of us.]
From Roz Minsky Bobrow: We just had our daughter's wedding, a month ago. Our wonderful new son-in-law works in Melville. AND they live in West Hempstead!
[Rich -- More congratulations, from all.]
From Judy Peters Sylvan: I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, but, "Can it be three years already?" Yikes!
From Moss in Maine: GREAT JOB everyone. Thanks so much!
[Rich -- Thanks for the committee's work was offered by a lot of people.]
From Martha Morenstein: Though I certainly did NOT graduate from high school 40 years ago, I'd be happy to attend a reunion celebrating that auspicious event.
From Zelda White Nichols: I am very excited to announce that the offer we put on a house in North Carolina has been accepted. It's on High Rock Lake in Lexington, North Carolina, and we are looking to close at the end of January. Due to schedules on both our and the current property owners' sides, that is the earliest date we could arrange. We are eagerly anticipating coming home to the East coast.
From Rachael Robinson: Thanks for the wishes for safety in the hurricanes, but I'm no longer in Florida, so I was out of harm's way -- although I still have a son, daughter, and ex-husband there.
Also, I just got a note from Liz King Giordano, Principal Stephen Lando's secretary at South, saying, "The Vince Tampio and Booker Gibson plaques are finally hanging in our main corridor across from the main office. Enclosed is the invoice." The plaques were a bit more expensive than we'd been told -- $350 total, rather than $200 -- but, hey, things work that way. We'll just have to sell some extra cookies on Vince's and Booker's behalf.
Finally, some educational filler, from a friend of mine who spends too much time reading the Farmers' Almanac. Here's what things were like in the United States only 100 years ago, in 1904:
-- The average life expectancy was 47 years, with more than 95 percent of all births taking place at home.
-- Only 14 percent of all homes had a bathtub, so most women only washed their hair once a month, and they used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
-- Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone, and a three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
-- There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
-- Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
-- The average wage was 22 cents an hour. The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year. An accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year; a dentist, $2,500 per year; a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year; and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
-- 2 of 10 adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated high school. Ninety percent of all physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as substandard.
-- The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet. Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California -- with a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populous state. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30,
-- The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
-- 18 percent of all households had at least one full-time servant.
-- There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire country.
-- Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
-- Canned beer hadn't yet been invented.
Rich
Update 10-12-04
Hi,
The sad news first.
As Barbara Endy Ianniello already let us know, Jerrie (Clamp) and Mickey Rachoi's daughter Karen died late last week, at 33, after battling leukemia. To repeat what Barbara already wrote: Karen was a beautiful woman who was scheduled to be married weeks after her sudden diagnosis this July. She put up a brave fight.
Robin Feit Baker, Paul DeMartino, and Barbara all passed our best wishes on to Jerrie and Mickey this weekend.
Also, Judy Hartstone wrote to say: Please pass on the sad news that my mother Marcia Hartstone died at age 82 on September 29th, very unexpectedly as she was in pretty good health. I'm glad she moved up here to Bainbridge Island three years ago so we had this time together. I saw her just about every day. Some of my classmates might remember her.
Further, one advantage of living all your life within ten miles of where you were born: At my cousin Stu Gerowitz's memorial service this weekend -- he died way too young, at 56 -- almost 400 people gathered to pay tribute to his life. Some, he'd known since they were all kids.
One disadvantage of technology: my sister Marilyn woke me, in California, by phone way too early this morning. She was sitting on a bench in one of our too-rarely-visited family plots in Rego Park trying to explain to her daughter Hally who all these people had been. So let me take a moment to mention Max & Dora, Sarah & Louis, Rose & Nieman, Murray & Sadie, and Mollie, Lillian, and Ethel. The youngest, my mother, would have been 90 today; the oldest, 140.
On to happier stuff.
Of the 150 classmates who get this newsletter weekly, 43 were able to get word to us quickly enough to help the committee secure reservations for the 40th Reunion. Oddly, 35 were from out of town. Many said either weekend was great, but 13 preferred August, with 6 for July. That, compounded by the hotel's calling to say that they had other parties interested in both weekends, let us grab the August 5th, 6th, & 7th. My intense apologies to Jean Cohen Oklan, whose son is getting married in Vermont that weekend, Sharon Hoenig Barry who will be on her way to a cruise in Alaska, and Mary Sipp Green, who will be setting up an exhibition on Martha's Vineyard. With 10 month's advance notice, we hoped we could accommodate everyone, but, obviously, some people are far more organized than we are.
Tentative 40th Reunion Details:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
Some specifics:
The committee has already advanced the $750 deposit needed to secure the reservations. Since there are only 5 people on the committee, if a few other people want to pay their hundred bucks early, that would help divide the initial cost a bit more evenly.
Dennis Shapiro is this reunion's designated accountant. He was drafted by Paul DeMartino, who did it last time. Paul figured that Dennis just retired so he needs something to do.
Dennis will be setting up a bank account specifically for this party, so all checks can be made out to him and sent to him at: 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please note "Reunion" in the corner.
That said, we don't need a whole mess of money right now. A couple hundred bucks, yes, but our next deadline isn't until February 1st. On that date, we owe the hotel another 1000 bucks. That gives me all of January to nudge at least 10 more of you to mail your checks to Dennis.
Our 3rd deadline is June 15th, when we have to pay at least another $7250. That's based on our commitment of at least 90 people attending at 100 bucks each, for a total of $9000, minus the $1750 we will have already put down (Mr. Fiveson, stay away -- there's math here, and I know it makes you nervous). If we have more than 90 people already committed by June 15th, of course we'll owe the hotel more money.
We'd like to know, as much as possible, who's coming by June 15th, but we can accept people right up to the evening of the Saturday party -- you'll just have to pay cash. The point is that we want to stay as flexible as possible and have as many people attend, but we also have to be aware of expenses. So aim for June 15th. You can probably send checks till mid-July. But at the door -- cash.
A number of people have asked if it will cost them less than 100 bucks a person if they're only coming to the Saturday night party. The truth is: No. The Friday night party is only costing us about 5 bucks a person, largely for the rented bartender. The hotel is giving us the 500 buck room on the grounds that we're giving them 9 grand for Saturday night and committing to 35 rooms in the hotel at $129 per night (I'm not going to do that math, Robert, but it's approximately another 4 1/2 grand). And this is a relatively small party for them. It wouldn't pay for the themed table centerpieces at my nephew's bar mitzvah.
Another part of that 100 bucks -- about 10 bucks per person -- is a pool to comp our former teachers to the party. We're expecting about 10 teachers. (10 x 100 = 1000. Divide that by the at least 100 people we expect at the reunion and you get 10 bucks each, Robert. I think.) It's a real nicety to comp the teachers, and other class's haven't been able to, but we'd like to try. Though their husbands and wives, presently, are on their own. (Sorry.)
June 15th is also the approximate deadline for making hotel reservations at the group rate, subject to availability. That means that if a series of weddings wants to book the rest of the hotel earlier, our group block vanishes. So I'm not saying to make your reservations now, but probably by early spring.
There will be a lot of other things that obviously we can work out by group discussion in the next 10 months. But it's a long time till the party, even with as quickly as time seems to pass. One thing I would like to do though is thank the committee. Alphabetically: Joan Aires Cleven, Paul DeMartino, Robin Feit Baker, Dennis Shapiro, and Danny Stellabotte. We'll be depending a lot on these people, so thanks from all of us, well in advance.
There's also a mess of short notes people sent along with their votes, that I'll pass on next week.
Finally, Barbara Blitfield Pech just sent me this: I just picked up my 2005 calendar and noticed that August 7th, a possible Sunday for the reunion, is National Friendship Day. I don't care if this is a "Hallmark Holiday," it sure got my attention in the "irony" column!
Rich
Hi,
The sad news first.
As Barbara Endy Ianniello already let us know, Jerrie (Clamp) and Mickey Rachoi's daughter Karen died late last week, at 33, after battling leukemia. To repeat what Barbara already wrote: Karen was a beautiful woman who was scheduled to be married weeks after her sudden diagnosis this July. She put up a brave fight.
Robin Feit Baker, Paul DeMartino, and Barbara all passed our best wishes on to Jerrie and Mickey this weekend.
Also, Judy Hartstone wrote to say: Please pass on the sad news that my mother Marcia Hartstone died at age 82 on September 29th, very unexpectedly as she was in pretty good health. I'm glad she moved up here to Bainbridge Island three years ago so we had this time together. I saw her just about every day. Some of my classmates might remember her.
Further, one advantage of living all your life within ten miles of where you were born: At my cousin Stu Gerowitz's memorial service this weekend -- he died way too young, at 56 -- almost 400 people gathered to pay tribute to his life. Some, he'd known since they were all kids.
One disadvantage of technology: my sister Marilyn woke me, in California, by phone way too early this morning. She was sitting on a bench in one of our too-rarely-visited family plots in Rego Park trying to explain to her daughter Hally who all these people had been. So let me take a moment to mention Max & Dora, Sarah & Louis, Rose & Nieman, Murray & Sadie, and Mollie, Lillian, and Ethel. The youngest, my mother, would have been 90 today; the oldest, 140.
On to happier stuff.
Of the 150 classmates who get this newsletter weekly, 43 were able to get word to us quickly enough to help the committee secure reservations for the 40th Reunion. Oddly, 35 were from out of town. Many said either weekend was great, but 13 preferred August, with 6 for July. That, compounded by the hotel's calling to say that they had other parties interested in both weekends, let us grab the August 5th, 6th, & 7th. My intense apologies to Jean Cohen Oklan, whose son is getting married in Vermont that weekend, Sharon Hoenig Barry who will be on her way to a cruise in Alaska, and Mary Sipp Green, who will be setting up an exhibition on Martha's Vineyard. With 10 month's advance notice, we hoped we could accommodate everyone, but, obviously, some people are far more organized than we are.
Tentative 40th Reunion Details:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Teachers comped for both parties
Also: Hotel rooms available at $129/night
Some specifics:
The committee has already advanced the $750 deposit needed to secure the reservations. Since there are only 5 people on the committee, if a few other people want to pay their hundred bucks early, that would help divide the initial cost a bit more evenly.
Dennis Shapiro is this reunion's designated accountant. He was drafted by Paul DeMartino, who did it last time. Paul figured that Dennis just retired so he needs something to do.
Dennis will be setting up a bank account specifically for this party, so all checks can be made out to him and sent to him at: 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please note "Reunion" in the corner.
That said, we don't need a whole mess of money right now. A couple hundred bucks, yes, but our next deadline isn't until February 1st. On that date, we owe the hotel another 1000 bucks. That gives me all of January to nudge at least 10 more of you to mail your checks to Dennis.
Our 3rd deadline is June 15th, when we have to pay at least another $7250. That's based on our commitment of at least 90 people attending at 100 bucks each, for a total of $9000, minus the $1750 we will have already put down (Mr. Fiveson, stay away -- there's math here, and I know it makes you nervous). If we have more than 90 people already committed by June 15th, of course we'll owe the hotel more money.
We'd like to know, as much as possible, who's coming by June 15th, but we can accept people right up to the evening of the Saturday party -- you'll just have to pay cash. The point is that we want to stay as flexible as possible and have as many people attend, but we also have to be aware of expenses. So aim for June 15th. You can probably send checks till mid-July. But at the door -- cash.
A number of people have asked if it will cost them less than 100 bucks a person if they're only coming to the Saturday night party. The truth is: No. The Friday night party is only costing us about 5 bucks a person, largely for the rented bartender. The hotel is giving us the 500 buck room on the grounds that we're giving them 9 grand for Saturday night and committing to 35 rooms in the hotel at $129 per night (I'm not going to do that math, Robert, but it's approximately another 4 1/2 grand). And this is a relatively small party for them. It wouldn't pay for the themed table centerpieces at my nephew's bar mitzvah.
Another part of that 100 bucks -- about 10 bucks per person -- is a pool to comp our former teachers to the party. We're expecting about 10 teachers. (10 x 100 = 1000. Divide that by the at least 100 people we expect at the reunion and you get 10 bucks each, Robert. I think.) It's a real nicety to comp the teachers, and other class's haven't been able to, but we'd like to try. Though their husbands and wives, presently, are on their own. (Sorry.)
June 15th is also the approximate deadline for making hotel reservations at the group rate, subject to availability. That means that if a series of weddings wants to book the rest of the hotel earlier, our group block vanishes. So I'm not saying to make your reservations now, but probably by early spring.
There will be a lot of other things that obviously we can work out by group discussion in the next 10 months. But it's a long time till the party, even with as quickly as time seems to pass. One thing I would like to do though is thank the committee. Alphabetically: Joan Aires Cleven, Paul DeMartino, Robin Feit Baker, Dennis Shapiro, and Danny Stellabotte. We'll be depending a lot on these people, so thanks from all of us, well in advance.
There's also a mess of short notes people sent along with their votes, that I'll pass on next week.
Finally, Barbara Blitfield Pech just sent me this: I just picked up my 2005 calendar and noticed that August 7th, a possible Sunday for the reunion, is National Friendship Day. I don't care if this is a "Hallmark Holiday," it sure got my attention in the "irony" column!
Rich
Update 10-5-04
Hi,
First, some 40th Reunion information we've been waiting for, from Paul DeMartino: We've sent out teams to check out the possible sites, and two out of three have reported back. I expect to hear from the third team later this week. So far, we've had encouraging results and now expect to name the site and date by November 1st. One thing we already do know is that we are likely to try for the same DJ used by the Class of '64. I'll be in touch, with more information, as soon as I have it.
Meanwhile, snooping on other people's parties -- a note from Tom McPartland to the Class of '64 reunion party-goers, as forwarded by Linda Cohen Greenseid: Last night, I was finally able to look at the reunion video. What a party! Where were the old folks, and where the heck was I? Had to be really sick to miss this one. Still, I was able to share some of the moments from the reunion. Ken Silver captured so many people coming in, including Al Livingston talking about 9/11 and our classmates we had lost, Rich’s touching speech, and the reading of Mr. Saffrin’s letter. I was proud of the way Rich got up in front of the crowd, and that he read the letter and gave a special toast to everyone. And, yes, we've known each other since we were six years old. Alice and Sue’s proclamations to our teachers were wonderful. We had great teachers who really cared about their students. I started to get to know many of our teachers again while setting up the reunion. And many of them said that the students they had during the 60’s were the best years at South. I did reach out to about fifteen teachers. And I thank you all for the wonderful plaque that was presented to me for setting up the reunion. This is something that I will treasure always. My wife Eileen started to build the bios, and kept track of what we became. And we did not forget Florida as a state where our class came from. The last two weeks we reread all the updates and made the final corrections. However, in my haste to make all the copies, and while carrying a ton of paper into and out of the city to copy, I did not have a chance to update the pages on the last day, so I apologize. Please forgive me. Also, I need to thank the many people who helped out at the door, and for making the badges, and the list just goes on. The video helped me see what I started, and what I missed. But the success of any reunion is the people. And I applaud each and every one of you. When I saw the circle of classmates for the last song and realized how happy you all were, I knew the reunion had been a hit. We were a terrific Class of 1964. Somehow, I missed out on a great party and a terrific round of golf, too? If you are in my area, please give me a call. Hope to be hitting balls soon. I, again, thank you for all your prayers and concerns. My best regards to all.
[Rich -- I'm guessing Alice is Alice Cintron, and Sue is Susan Raitt. I have no idea who this Rich is -- Rung, Schimmel, and Sternhell all appear on '64's Classmates list.]
More information about Tom McPartland, from Paul DeMartino: I managed to speak with Tom, who is home convalescing after having spent ten days in the hospital. The last five were at North Shore Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a blood clot on the brain. He is resting up and sounded fine, and I let him know that we all wish him a speedy recovery. He said that everyone was wonderful after he had suffered the attack, and the hotel and his classmates filled in admirably. They said that the reunion went along very well.
Recent news from Jerry Bittman: In a space of one hour I received two e-mails. The first was from Barnet Kellman, who just got through directing one of my nieces in a show titled "Listen Up." It is on Monday nights at 8:30 on CBS. Here is what Barnet wrote: "I just got through working with your niece -- I Love Her." Then, about an hour later, I received an e-mail from my niece Robin that read: "Uncle Jerry -- I just had the privilege of working with Barnet Kellman. He directed an episode of Jason Alexander's new show "Listen Up." He was FANTASTIC."
What a small world. Now if only Paul Zegler had a role. How great would that have been?
Less recent news from Jerry Bittman, which got bumped from last week: Some good news regarding Barney Zinger. Zing told me that after not having electricity for seven days because of the hurricanes, he is again living in an air-conditioned world. The other good news about Barney and his beautiful young wife Helen is that I figure after one week without AC, they will probably become parents in June.
Last night, we had a Sunday Night football party at my friends' house. The punter for the Cincinnati Bengals, Kyle Larson, is a rookie, and he was born and raised here in Kearney. My friends' daughter Lindsay married Kyle two months ago.
I spoke with Pete Rosen the other night. Pete jogs four days a week, and he said with the exception of having gray hair, he looks the same as he did in high school -- which means he is still short. Pete and John Kerry have something in common: when they graduated from high school, their parents asked what they wanted for a present, and they both replied. "A lifetime of Botox."
A little bit more about Red Rocks, where my daughter Abby and I saw the Norah Jones concert. I've been there many times -- my favorite concert there was The Moody Blues, performing with the Colorado Symphony -- and every performer who has played there says it is their favorite venue. It is an outdoor site built in the foothills of the Rockies, and the area is surrounded by -- you guessed it -- huge red rocks. The acoustics are unreal. Several times, I've been to Easter morning services there at 5 AM, and looking east toward Denver and seeing the sun come up over the city is a Kodak moment. It is as beautiful as when I had a house on the ocean in Lincoln City, Oregon, and from my balcony -- which was about 90 feet above the ocean -- I could watch the sun sink right into the ocean. What a site, and I enjoyed it every day.
Peace to all, and pray for our troops.
Don't-Leave-Home-for-a-Second advice from Robert Fiveson: I am just back from ten days in Beijing only to read that Mr. Bittman says I idolize Barry Manilow. I was miffed until I realized there must be something good about Barry Manilow. Otherwise, why would the FBI have chosen his music to blare 24/7 at the doomed Branch Davidians when the Feds wanted to deprive them of sleep and make them crazy?
More interclass information, from Steve Cahn, Class of '70: This is the first real update in nearly a year. It is easier to read (new font styles), easier to navigate (better buttons), and has an improved e-mail directory (downloadable and printable), for the class contacts. The address is the same: www.geocities.com/vssouth70 Be sure to "bookmark" it. If you use AOL, save it to your "Favorite Places." Then, click on the class ring to get in. Please help with classmates' and faculty contact information. Enjoy (and send news!)
Nostalgia website from Barnet Kellman: http://www.thestatenislandboys.com/U_thrill_me/
Silly information from one of my friends in Florida who has way too much free time because of the storms: http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/how_to/tricks_of_the_trade.php
Finally, a totally bogus quote from George W. Bush: "The problem with the French is they have no word for 'entrepreneur.' "
Rich
Hi,
First, some 40th Reunion information we've been waiting for, from Paul DeMartino: We've sent out teams to check out the possible sites, and two out of three have reported back. I expect to hear from the third team later this week. So far, we've had encouraging results and now expect to name the site and date by November 1st. One thing we already do know is that we are likely to try for the same DJ used by the Class of '64. I'll be in touch, with more information, as soon as I have it.
Meanwhile, snooping on other people's parties -- a note from Tom McPartland to the Class of '64 reunion party-goers, as forwarded by Linda Cohen Greenseid: Last night, I was finally able to look at the reunion video. What a party! Where were the old folks, and where the heck was I? Had to be really sick to miss this one. Still, I was able to share some of the moments from the reunion. Ken Silver captured so many people coming in, including Al Livingston talking about 9/11 and our classmates we had lost, Rich’s touching speech, and the reading of Mr. Saffrin’s letter. I was proud of the way Rich got up in front of the crowd, and that he read the letter and gave a special toast to everyone. And, yes, we've known each other since we were six years old. Alice and Sue’s proclamations to our teachers were wonderful. We had great teachers who really cared about their students. I started to get to know many of our teachers again while setting up the reunion. And many of them said that the students they had during the 60’s were the best years at South. I did reach out to about fifteen teachers. And I thank you all for the wonderful plaque that was presented to me for setting up the reunion. This is something that I will treasure always. My wife Eileen started to build the bios, and kept track of what we became. And we did not forget Florida as a state where our class came from. The last two weeks we reread all the updates and made the final corrections. However, in my haste to make all the copies, and while carrying a ton of paper into and out of the city to copy, I did not have a chance to update the pages on the last day, so I apologize. Please forgive me. Also, I need to thank the many people who helped out at the door, and for making the badges, and the list just goes on. The video helped me see what I started, and what I missed. But the success of any reunion is the people. And I applaud each and every one of you. When I saw the circle of classmates for the last song and realized how happy you all were, I knew the reunion had been a hit. We were a terrific Class of 1964. Somehow, I missed out on a great party and a terrific round of golf, too? If you are in my area, please give me a call. Hope to be hitting balls soon. I, again, thank you for all your prayers and concerns. My best regards to all.
[Rich -- I'm guessing Alice is Alice Cintron, and Sue is Susan Raitt. I have no idea who this Rich is -- Rung, Schimmel, and Sternhell all appear on '64's Classmates list.]
More information about Tom McPartland, from Paul DeMartino: I managed to speak with Tom, who is home convalescing after having spent ten days in the hospital. The last five were at North Shore Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a blood clot on the brain. He is resting up and sounded fine, and I let him know that we all wish him a speedy recovery. He said that everyone was wonderful after he had suffered the attack, and the hotel and his classmates filled in admirably. They said that the reunion went along very well.
Recent news from Jerry Bittman: In a space of one hour I received two e-mails. The first was from Barnet Kellman, who just got through directing one of my nieces in a show titled "Listen Up." It is on Monday nights at 8:30 on CBS. Here is what Barnet wrote: "I just got through working with your niece -- I Love Her." Then, about an hour later, I received an e-mail from my niece Robin that read: "Uncle Jerry -- I just had the privilege of working with Barnet Kellman. He directed an episode of Jason Alexander's new show "Listen Up." He was FANTASTIC."
What a small world. Now if only Paul Zegler had a role. How great would that have been?
Less recent news from Jerry Bittman, which got bumped from last week: Some good news regarding Barney Zinger. Zing told me that after not having electricity for seven days because of the hurricanes, he is again living in an air-conditioned world. The other good news about Barney and his beautiful young wife Helen is that I figure after one week without AC, they will probably become parents in June.
Last night, we had a Sunday Night football party at my friends' house. The punter for the Cincinnati Bengals, Kyle Larson, is a rookie, and he was born and raised here in Kearney. My friends' daughter Lindsay married Kyle two months ago.
I spoke with Pete Rosen the other night. Pete jogs four days a week, and he said with the exception of having gray hair, he looks the same as he did in high school -- which means he is still short. Pete and John Kerry have something in common: when they graduated from high school, their parents asked what they wanted for a present, and they both replied. "A lifetime of Botox."
A little bit more about Red Rocks, where my daughter Abby and I saw the Norah Jones concert. I've been there many times -- my favorite concert there was The Moody Blues, performing with the Colorado Symphony -- and every performer who has played there says it is their favorite venue. It is an outdoor site built in the foothills of the Rockies, and the area is surrounded by -- you guessed it -- huge red rocks. The acoustics are unreal. Several times, I've been to Easter morning services there at 5 AM, and looking east toward Denver and seeing the sun come up over the city is a Kodak moment. It is as beautiful as when I had a house on the ocean in Lincoln City, Oregon, and from my balcony -- which was about 90 feet above the ocean -- I could watch the sun sink right into the ocean. What a site, and I enjoyed it every day.
Peace to all, and pray for our troops.
Don't-Leave-Home-for-a-Second advice from Robert Fiveson: I am just back from ten days in Beijing only to read that Mr. Bittman says I idolize Barry Manilow. I was miffed until I realized there must be something good about Barry Manilow. Otherwise, why would the FBI have chosen his music to blare 24/7 at the doomed Branch Davidians when the Feds wanted to deprive them of sleep and make them crazy?
More interclass information, from Steve Cahn, Class of '70: This is the first real update in nearly a year. It is easier to read (new font styles), easier to navigate (better buttons), and has an improved e-mail directory (downloadable and printable), for the class contacts. The address is the same: www.geocities.com/vssouth70 Be sure to "bookmark" it. If you use AOL, save it to your "Favorite Places." Then, click on the class ring to get in. Please help with classmates' and faculty contact information. Enjoy (and send news!)
Nostalgia website from Barnet Kellman: http://www.thestatenislandboys.com/U_thrill_me/
Silly information from one of my friends in Florida who has way too much free time because of the storms: http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/how_to/tricks_of_the_trade.php
Finally, a totally bogus quote from George W. Bush: "The problem with the French is they have no word for 'entrepreneur.' "
Rich
Update 9-28-04
Hi,
Happy New Year, of course, to those who celebrate. That thought somehow got lost in the past two newsletters, as we tried to sort out political problems.
A combination hurricane/travel update, from Peggy Cooper Schwartz: Hope you're all well and enjoying autumn. My husband Les and I were vacationing in the Canadian Rockies from August 31st to September 9th. We were so fortunate to have missed Hurricane Frances. We live in Juno Beach, which is in northern Palm Beach County. Luckily our three-year-old townhouse sustained no damage. Juno Beach is a barrier island, so had we been home, we would have been evacuated the day before the hurricane hit. As it is, the whole area has lost a lot of gorgeous trees and beautiful landscaping. Nothing that can't be replaced -- or regrown -- but many people I know did have damage to their homes and businesses. And many were without water and electricity for several days. As for the Canadian Rockies -- they were magnificent. We flew to Calgary and rented a car. From there, we went to Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff. We did lots of hiking, and the views were amazing! I highly recommend this trip.
Another travel tip, from Zelda White Nichols: My husband Dave and I are celebrating our 34th anniversary by going to the Central Coast of California, for some fine wining and dining. Most people don't know about this area, but I highly recommend it. It's like Napa 20 years ago, before it was "discovered." Great wineries, restaurants, and beaches, as well as Hearst Castle and the largest weekly farmers' market on the West coast -- in San Luis Obispo every Thursday. Just a fabulous place.
Strictly hurricane news, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: It's official -- everyone in Florida has lost track both of our minds and of the newest-named hurricane to wreak havoc on yet another weekend. It's bad enough that we've been hit as many times as we have, but, at the very least, ONE of 'em could arrive mid-week and grant us all a day off from office time rather than "our" time! I have gotten this week's round of calls from Bea Massa Brown, encouraging me to "hunker down" in Port Charlotte with her, but -- for now -- I'm hangin' home, off the roads and out of the evacuation traffic. Terri Donahue Calamari has brilliantly suggested that we hurricane survivors get together SOON for brunch. The idea is spectacular, and I hope any members of the Florida contingency will contact either Terri or me, to suggest dates and places. Either coast is convenient to drive to, as it takes about two hours to cross the state from most points. And I certainly wouldn't mind hosting a brunch at my home. As a matter of fact, I am making this an official invitation to "The Pech Palace" for the event. Meanwhile, best wishes to you all -- for a dry and windless weekend -- as well as extended wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe new year.
Separate entirely from news of disagreeable weather or enviable vacations, part of an on-going discussion Donald Faber and I have been having, by e-mail, about technology. From me to Donald: I've ditched newspapers. I'm dumping magazines. I'd happily read books online, or in the equivalent of an I-pod, but the technology isn't there yet. There's also the problem that other people still like printed material, so the business base isn't there, either. My friends keep wondering why I spend so much time in front of the computer, and when I tell them I'm reading that doesn't make sense to them. For one thing, they get a lot of their news from the radio during their long commutes, which I no longer have. For another, they feel we now have access to so much immediate news that they only want the outlines, not the details. So they see my sitting in front of the computer as a waste of time. Something else that's happening is a number of my friends are completely shutting out news, and, instead of even listening to music while they're stuck in their cars, they listen to books-on-CDs. I don't know if the practice of listening to books rather than reading them is presently confined to older people though. I've never checked the statistics.
Finally, some non-political, completely family-oriented fare from Our Man in Kearney, Jerry Bittman: This past Thursday, I experienced the greatest thrill a parent can have. I took my youngest daughter Abby to Denver to see her idol Norah Jones perform at Red Rocks. For those of you who have never seen or heard of Red Rocks, it is an amphitheater in the mountains outside of Denver. The theater is surrounded by huge rocks hundreds of feet high. Most musicians who have played there have said that it is their favorite venue -- the acoustics are just great.
Think of your all-time favorite singer or band. For instance, I know Bob Fiveson idolizes Barry Manilow, and Pete Rosen idolizes Wayne Newton. Well, multiply that, and that is how Abby feels about Norah Jones. Before the concert, in our hotel room, Abby made up a huge sign on foamboard. One side read, "Nebraska Loves Norah Jones," and the other side said, "You Are My 18th Birthday Present." Abby also sent, via a security guard, her ticket to the backstage dressing rooms. On the ticket, she wrote her name and said, "You Are My 18th Birthday Present." Eventually, the security guard returned with the ticket, now inscribed, "Happy 18th, Abby. Much Love, Norah Jones." Abby cried uncontrollably.
Since Abby was sitting center stage, row 2, the sign was easily visible. When the opening act -- a guy from Philly named Otis Lee -- saw the sign, he asked Abby to hold it up. When he saw the first side, he informed Abby that we were in Colorado, not Nebraska, and when he read the second side aloud, he thought the message about her
18th birthday present was for him. He looked at Abby -- who is gorgeous; she has her mom's looks -- and said he wished he were her birthday present. I told the guy sitting next to me that if Amos kept that up, there might be a fight.
When Norah Jones saw the sign, she winked and smiled at Abby. Later on in the show, she asked for the girl up front with the sign to please stand up. When Norah Jones saw the message about her 18th birthday present, she flashed back to the ticket and said, "You must be Abby. Happy 18th, Abby."
To have your child say, "Dad, this is the greatest night of my life, and I don't think it could ever be topped," made it the greatest day of my life.
Rich
Hi,
Happy New Year, of course, to those who celebrate. That thought somehow got lost in the past two newsletters, as we tried to sort out political problems.
A combination hurricane/travel update, from Peggy Cooper Schwartz: Hope you're all well and enjoying autumn. My husband Les and I were vacationing in the Canadian Rockies from August 31st to September 9th. We were so fortunate to have missed Hurricane Frances. We live in Juno Beach, which is in northern Palm Beach County. Luckily our three-year-old townhouse sustained no damage. Juno Beach is a barrier island, so had we been home, we would have been evacuated the day before the hurricane hit. As it is, the whole area has lost a lot of gorgeous trees and beautiful landscaping. Nothing that can't be replaced -- or regrown -- but many people I know did have damage to their homes and businesses. And many were without water and electricity for several days. As for the Canadian Rockies -- they were magnificent. We flew to Calgary and rented a car. From there, we went to Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff. We did lots of hiking, and the views were amazing! I highly recommend this trip.
Another travel tip, from Zelda White Nichols: My husband Dave and I are celebrating our 34th anniversary by going to the Central Coast of California, for some fine wining and dining. Most people don't know about this area, but I highly recommend it. It's like Napa 20 years ago, before it was "discovered." Great wineries, restaurants, and beaches, as well as Hearst Castle and the largest weekly farmers' market on the West coast -- in San Luis Obispo every Thursday. Just a fabulous place.
Strictly hurricane news, from Barbara Blitfield Pech: It's official -- everyone in Florida has lost track both of our minds and of the newest-named hurricane to wreak havoc on yet another weekend. It's bad enough that we've been hit as many times as we have, but, at the very least, ONE of 'em could arrive mid-week and grant us all a day off from office time rather than "our" time! I have gotten this week's round of calls from Bea Massa Brown, encouraging me to "hunker down" in Port Charlotte with her, but -- for now -- I'm hangin' home, off the roads and out of the evacuation traffic. Terri Donahue Calamari has brilliantly suggested that we hurricane survivors get together SOON for brunch. The idea is spectacular, and I hope any members of the Florida contingency will contact either Terri or me, to suggest dates and places. Either coast is convenient to drive to, as it takes about two hours to cross the state from most points. And I certainly wouldn't mind hosting a brunch at my home. As a matter of fact, I am making this an official invitation to "The Pech Palace" for the event. Meanwhile, best wishes to you all -- for a dry and windless weekend -- as well as extended wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe new year.
Separate entirely from news of disagreeable weather or enviable vacations, part of an on-going discussion Donald Faber and I have been having, by e-mail, about technology. From me to Donald: I've ditched newspapers. I'm dumping magazines. I'd happily read books online, or in the equivalent of an I-pod, but the technology isn't there yet. There's also the problem that other people still like printed material, so the business base isn't there, either. My friends keep wondering why I spend so much time in front of the computer, and when I tell them I'm reading that doesn't make sense to them. For one thing, they get a lot of their news from the radio during their long commutes, which I no longer have. For another, they feel we now have access to so much immediate news that they only want the outlines, not the details. So they see my sitting in front of the computer as a waste of time. Something else that's happening is a number of my friends are completely shutting out news, and, instead of even listening to music while they're stuck in their cars, they listen to books-on-CDs. I don't know if the practice of listening to books rather than reading them is presently confined to older people though. I've never checked the statistics.
Finally, some non-political, completely family-oriented fare from Our Man in Kearney, Jerry Bittman: This past Thursday, I experienced the greatest thrill a parent can have. I took my youngest daughter Abby to Denver to see her idol Norah Jones perform at Red Rocks. For those of you who have never seen or heard of Red Rocks, it is an amphitheater in the mountains outside of Denver. The theater is surrounded by huge rocks hundreds of feet high. Most musicians who have played there have said that it is their favorite venue -- the acoustics are just great.
Think of your all-time favorite singer or band. For instance, I know Bob Fiveson idolizes Barry Manilow, and Pete Rosen idolizes Wayne Newton. Well, multiply that, and that is how Abby feels about Norah Jones. Before the concert, in our hotel room, Abby made up a huge sign on foamboard. One side read, "Nebraska Loves Norah Jones," and the other side said, "You Are My 18th Birthday Present." Abby also sent, via a security guard, her ticket to the backstage dressing rooms. On the ticket, she wrote her name and said, "You Are My 18th Birthday Present." Eventually, the security guard returned with the ticket, now inscribed, "Happy 18th, Abby. Much Love, Norah Jones." Abby cried uncontrollably.
Since Abby was sitting center stage, row 2, the sign was easily visible. When the opening act -- a guy from Philly named Otis Lee -- saw the sign, he asked Abby to hold it up. When he saw the first side, he informed Abby that we were in Colorado, not Nebraska, and when he read the second side aloud, he thought the message about her
18th birthday present was for him. He looked at Abby -- who is gorgeous; she has her mom's looks -- and said he wished he were her birthday present. I told the guy sitting next to me that if Amos kept that up, there might be a fight.
When Norah Jones saw the sign, she winked and smiled at Abby. Later on in the show, she asked for the girl up front with the sign to please stand up. When Norah Jones saw the message about her 18th birthday present, she flashed back to the ticket and said, "You must be Abby. Happy 18th, Abby."
To have your child say, "Dad, this is the greatest night of my life, and I don't think it could ever be topped," made it the greatest day of my life.
Rich
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