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