Update 8-3-04

All right,

Some answers for Dennis:

From Linda Cohen Greenseid: First, you might want to put out a reminder to our class about the Class of 1964 Reunion, which is in the same place that we had ours, but on the weekend of September 10th, 2004. They are still looking for missing class members, such as Amalia Frango, and I'm sure Denise could help with that. If anyone is interested, the e-mail address for the '64 reunion planners is: thomas.mcpartland2@verizon.net

Next, to answer Dennis Pizzimenti's request about memories: I remember sitting next to Kenny Brown in Mr. Hartman's English class. Kenny wasn't terribly interested in Macbeth, so I helped him with it in exchange for lessons in how to "talk" Donald Duck. My grandchildren thank him for that, as they enjoy it immensely.

From Mary Sipp-Green: Hi. Everyone. Does anyone remember the art teacher Mr. Jocknowitz? I wish I had gotten to know him better and to have spent more time in his art class. A graduate of Cooper Union, he was unusually creative, soft spoken, and very inspiring. I think he taught at South for only one year. I was fortunate to be in his class at that time.
I also have very fond memories of the art teacher Mr. Donohue. I loved the art room at South, even if the period was so terribly short. Now I have my own "art room," where I work most days 4-5 hours or more. My next exhibition opens on Sunday August 8th at the Granary Gallery on Martha's Vineyard. If, by some chance, you're on the island then, stop by. The opening reception is that Sunday from 5-7 PM.
Please let me know if you have any information about Mr. Jocknowitz -- or any of your own recollections about this memorable artist/teacher. Thanks. My best regards to all. I hope you're having a wonderful summer. PS How's that Dennis?

From Steve Gootzeit: I liked Dennis Pizzimenti's suggestion of offering topics that relate to our high school days. Here's my answer to the teacher I would have most liked to know better: Herta Apfel, who, ironically, I had more in-class exposure to than any other teacher at South (five years of German). Our relationship never went beyond the lessons, and that is something I have regretted. She wrote this in my year book: "Lieber Freund, viel Gluck in allem was sie untersuchen." Translation: "Dear Friend, good luck in everything that you undertake." I never forgot that. (To those German speakers: Sorry I could not insert the umlauts.)

[Rich -- I've always told this story about Bill Brady, and I've used it a lot, teaching. But thinking about it now, I've a feeling it's something Richard Sternhell told me, about someone in his class. In any case, we were reading "The Odyssey" out loud in English, going turn-by-turn, and we got up to the Cyclops. Ulysses said his name was "No Man," so after he poked the creature's eye out, he couldn't be identified. So Ulysses poked and ran, and the little cyclops followers hurried up to their leader, shouting, "Who did this?" "Who did this to you?" And Bill the Cyclops, having a little trouble reading, bellowed out, "NORMAN!"]

Some other mail:

From Barbara Blitfield Pech: Two "quick" Zelda responses while online: First, the only Atkins-friendly Krispy Kreme recipe that I can equate (no pun intended) would be: invite Sue Atkins to share it with you (Sorry, it's very early in the morning and sans coffee ... even decaf!) Next, if I can recall the "exact" words, Robert Fiveson punditly referred to his years in California: "Seasons -- there are 2 -- green and brown." 'NUFF SAID ... for now.

From Allen Moss: See, Rich ... it didn't hurt much did it? Just a nice "thank you" in response to Zelda's compliment. Who knows ... in time you may get to actually LIKE hearing those comments! Also, to RoseMarie, Don, and all the rest ... regarding the www.jibjab.com website ... if you surf on it a bit, you will find another hilarious video featuring good ole Gov. "Ahnold."
Well, if any of you remember my little speech several years ago regarding our beloved television icons, namely Roy Rogers, Ramar, Annie Oakley and the like, I am anxiously awaiting the mailperson, who will bring me two full-length movies featuring "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" from 1954! I had been toying with the idea of purchasing a few tapes just to relive those golden moments (and, I am sure, have myself a laughing fit), but the prices were a bit prohibitive. However, I have found a wonderful resource in half.com, an offshoot of e-Bay. They are like a cut-rate Amazon.com, featuring brand new items at discounts of anywhere from 10 to 60%. At $4.00 apiece for brand new videos, I couldn't go wrong, even if they turn out to be awful. And speaking of awful, I just saw the newly-transferred DVD print of Robot Monster, that 1953 sci-fi classic featuring the alien dressed in a diver's helmet on top of a gorilla suit! Does anyone remember seeing that routinely on TV in the mid-fifties? Without a doubt, it is absolutely the WORST sci-fi movie ever made, easily beating out Plan Nine from Outer Space in my humble opinion. My brother-in-law had never seen it, so you can imagine my delight in watching his facial expressions of both awe and disbelief as the movie unfolded. I have to say that even I did not remember how bad it really was. And ... did we enjoy it? You bet we did! A classic stinker in the true sense of the word. And dig that advanced alien technology in the form of a pair of television rabbit ears and a bubble-making machine! It just DOESN'T get any better than this! Hope all of you are well and having a great summer. Looking forward to next April!

Speaking of Denise Frango Baxter -- just a note from her: If you have not seen Fahrenheit 9/11, go! It was an eye-opener.

And from Zelda White Nichols: This site was just sent to me, and I'm sharing it. It's a terrific reference site. Check out http://www.webstrider.com/

Finally, from Hiram Rosov: To those who only remember the alternate wording to "Valiant Falcons," you have my sympathy and condolences. I arrived at South in September 1959 and retired in 1985. In all those years, especially my first twenty, the experiences, friendships, and participation in school activities were most rewarding and a treasured experience. I knew Bud McMullen and Ted Topol and can't believe that either one was responsible for this insulting parody on the original verses. Seeing it in print gave me a feeling of revulsion.

[Rich -- as I just wrote Hy: Jeez, it was only a song, written by an unknown kid more than 40 years ago. I thought it was funny when I was 14, maybe because I liked Mad magazine and Tom Leher, so when we were digging for high school memories, it came up. And knowing Buddy McMullen, he could easily have written it, 'cause some of the stuff he sang pissed off even Vince Tampio, who had a high obscenity tolerance. But don't blame Buddy, or anyone else, because I really have no idea who wrote it. It's just part of something I learned in high school.]


Rich