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