Update 6-14-05

Hi,

More about the reunion, from Dennis Shapiro: Just to let you know, I've received checks from Robin Singer Taylor and Neil Guberman. Robin also enclosed a note saying she may not be able to attend, but wanted to contribute. And I received checks from Arthur Yngstrom, '69, Elaine DeMartino Maas, '67, Carol D'Angelo Tucci, '67, and Thomas Booth, '66. That brings the total to 41 and leaves 35 to go to the break-even point.

And about South, from Booker Gibson: Please pass this along to the wonderful class of '65. Last night, I attended the entire awards night at South High. It didn't seem to be as uncomfortable as last year because Linda Tobin Kettering, '69, was well prepared. She did the presentation of Vince's award very well and had an introduction prepared for me.
   The reception was rather overwhelming -- and embarrassing. If Vince Tampio had been there, he would have experienced about the same. When I made my short introduction, I had to mention your class. Some South grads were in the audience because their youngsters were there, and, in August, I'm looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. Thanks again.
   P.S. I handed the music award to a young Black fella who's headed for the University of Pennsylvania! How about that?

[Rich -- I wrote both Booker and Linda, to thank them for all of us and to invite them to present these awards for as long as they'd like.]

Linda wrote back: You're welcome. My back is still recovering from the long sit, but I'll do it again next year to honor these two fine teachers (as long as I speak to Liz King Giordano first and find out when I'm presenting. That way, I can come early and present early, or come late and present late!)
More about South, from Linda: I wasn't sure if Jeff Leshansky (this year's recipient of the Vince Tampio Theater Award) had gotten your address, so I thought I'd forward this to you. He was SOOOO excited to receive it. His mother told me that this was the one award he had really wanted. He's a very nice, shy kid who totally comes alive on the stage. In this year' s South High School production of Oklahoma, Jeff stole the show as Judd. Just thought you'd like to know that your class's money is being well spent.

From Jeffrey Leshansky to Linda: Thanks once again for the award. It really means a lot to me. Attached is a copy of the letter I sent to the people who gave me the scholarship. I don't know if they want to know anything else I have been involved in, but besides the various theatrical productions in school, I also take acting lessons in Manhattan from Flo Salant Greenberg. Maybe they know her because she is very good and has taught many actors. I am also now in West Side Story.

From Jeffrey Leshansky to the rest of us: Greetings! My name is Jeffrey Leshansky, and I am the proud recipient of the Vince Tampio Theater Award at Valley Stream South High School. I am just writing to thank you for your generous gift and to let you know how much receiving this award means to me.
   The theater and the performing arts are my passion, and I hope to pursue a professional career one day. Starting in the fall, I will be attending Miami University of Ohio, with a double major in biochemistry and theater. This gift will greatly assist me and give me more motivation to fulfill my aspirations. Thanks once again for this honor!

More from Linda Tobin Kettering: By the way, I attended a meeting with the South High School superintendent, the high school assistant principal, and various politicians from the town, county, and 5th precinct to review the footbridge situation. It has been closed since a second student was attacked walking home for lunch a few weeks ago. The community has mixed feelings about closing the bridge, and the final recommendation will be presented to the school board by the superintendent at their July meeting. In the meantime, the Mill Brook (Green Acres) students are walking home "the long way," or getting their parents to drive them. Very inconvenient, but safer.

From Robin Singer Taylor: How are you? I, myself, am fine. I may or may not come to the reunion (I've sent in money, however). But actually, I just wanted to give you my new e-mail address. It is: rtaylor@restainobunbury.com If you could change that on the home page, as well as on the list for the updates, I would appreciate it. And if I don't see you this summer, I'll look forward to seeing you at the next reunion!

From a useful source outside our class: The following e-mail is for Ed Schmidt and Ginny Ressa Schmidt: GINNYEDWARD@aol.com They live in East Hampton, and their phone number is: 631-324-2123. That may come in handy, as I don't think they check their e-mail that often!

From Robin Seader Cottmeyer: Hi All! The following link will surely bring back some memories. The quality of the music is not the best, but I sure don't know where you can get so many songs from that era at one site. Enjoy both the music and your summer months. The link: http://www.bobforrest.com/JukeBox.htm

From Barbara Blitfield Pech: With all hoopla and planning for the upcoming reunion, has anyone taken notice, or had a passing thought, that this next week, June 19th, is the actual day of our graduation (we all know how many years ago). Am I correct in my senior-moment-weakened memory that we were rained out on the 19th, and that graduation was moved ahead one day to the 20th? Needless to say, it all seems like yesterday to me!

From Robert Fiveson to Barbara Blitfield Pech: I missed graduation because of Mr. Newman and Spanish, which had me yet again in summer school. It's funny: I have a BA and an MFA, and I've still never been to a graduation.

Also from Mr. Fiveson: Someone sent this to me, and I rarely pass these kinds of things on. But I found this one apt to our age group and especially to our sense of unity:
   I grew up in the 50s with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.
   It was a way of life that sometimes made me crazy. All that re-fixing, reheating, and renewing. I wanted to be wasteful, just once. Then my mother died, and in that hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.
   This is true for everything. Some things we keep just because they're worth it. Like a best friend who moved away, or a classmate we grew up with. These are the things that make life important.

Finally, some fan mail from Barbara Blitfield Pech: It's 9 o'clock on a Tuesday and no reunion page. Am I antsy ... unsettled ... concerned? Hell, yes! I trust you are OK and are just suffering a computer glitch. Or is this your clever marketing plot to remind us how much we all look forward to the weekly updates -- a wake-up call for those of us who haven't quite decided if are joining the rest of our class in August. Good one. It worked! Whew.
   Now that all is good again (as I do believe that just when I hit my send key, the reunion page will miraculously appear from cyberspace, as these things do) I will get on with the rest of the day. After I read the update, of course!

[Rich -- It actually took a couple more days for last week's update to reach Barbara, and I've already explained why. But I'm including this largely as a lead-in to something I just noticed: it's been four years since these updates began. I know there were a couple before June 18th, 2001, when we were first reassembling the class, but that's the earliest one I still have. And I know it was a while before they started coming weekly. But once everyone began contributing, they just rolled out. So thanks.]

The 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
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
Former teachers comped for both parties, and we're trying to attract as many of
our former teachers as possible.
NOTE: If you just want to come to the Friday night party, a $25 contribution per person 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 hotel's Phone Number is: 631-845-1000. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich