Update 5-3-05

Hi,

Nothing like accidentally spamming a hundred members of your former high school class. That's why many of you got sometimes multiple e-mail messages from Classmates.com last Friday morning. I got two. Ray Staley got four. All of which means that Classmates.com is useless as a means of contacting people. Instead of sending the reunion invitation I prepared, Classmates sent a message asking people to pay to join the site so they could read the invitation. Many of you probably let your spam filters block the message, which was a good choice.
   While I was on the Classmates site, I also poked around to see if I could post our reunion notice for other former classes. But it seems I can only post one notice, for our own year, and when I tried to post on the shared electronic bulletin board, the site crashed my computer. Twice. Not fun. Not useful.
   So I'm sorry about all the spam, and I clearly won't do that again. But I am grateful to Classmates.com for providing the list that started this reunion four years ago. Though if you remember, my intent was to circulate a free list of our e-mail addresses and bypass Classmates.com completely. Now, the only reason I'll go on that site is to see if someone we've been looking for has checked in.
   But this does put the weight of contacting people on their friends. The best way to meet people at the reunion is to call them and say you're going. And if you're even thinking of going, please let us know.

Meanwhile, from Paul DeMartino: So far, I've sent out about 75 e-mail invitations. Barbara Blitfield Pech is contacting about 25 people. Ellen Epstein Silver is writing another 8 to 10. Terri Donohue Calamari is contacting a large number of South alums from assorted classes. And Dennis Shapiro and Robin Feit Baker are tracking down people and attempting to contact them. I've also reached the class of '67 and my sister will be attending, possibly with some members of her group. Through Barbara Endy, we have 2 people coming from the class of '66, and Tom McPartland from the class of '64 will be there. Some of his other former classmates may join him, and perhaps other classes will be interested in having their own tables at the dinner. I'll keep you posted as we get more responses.
   Also, after speaking with Dennis Shapiro, we both agree that Friday night can have a separate charge for people only coming that night, and $25 seems fair. There will be a cash bar and just a boombox and free snacks, but there should be at least $25 worth of good times from mixing with one's former classmates. I would term the charge a "contribution" to help defray the costs of the reunion, and mention that we'll happily accept all other contributions. People should send their $25 Friday-night checks in advance to Dennis. Note: people who are coming Friday and Saturday nights, don't have to pay a separate fee for Friday night.
   Terri also suggested placing an ad in the local Valley Stream newspaper, and I'll try and do that. I sent out my notice to Newsday last Friday, changing our party from a class of '65 reunion to an all classes from the 60s party. Terri is doing fine, by the way, enjoying Florida and her boat. As usual, she sounded upbeat.

From Dennis Shapiro: Please add Jay Berliner and Peggy Galinger Menaker to the list.

From Jay Berliner: I’m sorry I was delayed in sending my check. I was in China for the last 3 weeks, and it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to prepare for the trip. I travel to China once or twice a year on business, though after 10 years, it's not as enjoyable as it once was.
   Also, some thoughts about fund raising: Have a 50/50 lottery, with half going to the winner and half to the house.

Part of Barbara Blitfield Pech's e-mail to her friends: Greetings to All. On behalf of the class of '65, I offer an open invitation to all people interested in attending our 40th reunion, Aug 5th to 7th, on Long Island. We have arranged to make our 40th a fitting tribute to shared friendships, old and new. This will be even better than our 37th, because we won't get reprimanded for noise. Although, in my warped sense of pseudo-adult outlook, I thought that was tres cool, and I pull out the bragging rights often. With this in mind, we've asked, "Why limit it just to our class?" So we are opening the weekend to everyone who went to South in the 60s, even those who didn't graduate in 1965 (still the best year, and the class that still ROCKS!) You are also encouraged to forward this to friends and family from South. My thought is that with enough of us, from all classes, it will be the biggest flashback to South Hall, the gym. Sen-Jun Hall, the apple machine, pep rallies, football games, Molly's, Wetsons, the bridge, Green Acres Shopping Center, and detention with Mr. Sykes. It will be a whole bunch of fun without needing a hall pass! The South Will Rise Again ... in August!
P.S. Please pass this note, and don't let the teacher see you.

[Rich -- With all that in mind, we need to start compiling a list of the former teachers we want to contact and invite. Of course, Booker Gibson will be there, and the hope is that he'll play the song he and Vince Tampio wrote. Other people who've been mentioned are, in no particular order: Bernie O'Brien, Theresa Margolin Bargeman, Toni Rea, Janet Porter Rylander, Hy Rosov, Mr. Caruso (whose first name I can't get to at the moment), Martin Solomon, Irv Saffrin, Bill Linkner, and the various Mr. Seamen. Who else? Who knows where these people are? Who knows where to find more former teachers? Please send us names, and we'll do what we can. A special reward is out for reuniting Larry Rugen with Herta Apfel.]

Meanwhile the list of class of '65 people coming to the reunion, listed alphabetically by their last names at graduation:
Joan Aries Cleven
Jay Berliner
Barbara Blitfield Pech
Linda Cohen Greenseid
Peggy Cooper Schwartz
Paul DeMartino
Teresa Donahue Calamari
Rich Eisbrouch
Barbara Endy Ianniello Calvacca
Ellen Epstein Silver
Carol Ewig Duran
Robin Feit Baker
Henry Gabbay
Peggy Galinger Menaker
Steve Gootzeit
Art Halprin
Judith Hartstone
Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer
Stuart Kandel
Ralph Kramer
Ira Mitzner
Allen Moss
Lynn Nudelman Villagran
Judy Peters Sylvan
Dennis & Benette Pizzimenti
Rachel Robinson Rizzo
Peter Rosen
Irene Saunders Goldstein
Dennis Shapiro
Danny Stellabotte
Mark Yetman

The repeating 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
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
NOTE: If you just want to come to the Friday night party, a $25 contribution is requested.
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
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich