Update 1-24-06

Hi,

A handful of notes.  Lots of business.  We probably need some sex in here for distraction.  But words first.
   
    From Eric Hilton in sunny Sarasota, Florida:  I just returned on Sunday from the most wonderful South High mini-, no, I mean micro-, reunion in Naples that I have ever been to.  Actually, it's the only reunion I have ever been to in Naples.  Since Terri had taken the weekend off, and I have other friends in Naples, I decided to drive the 120 miles after working all day to spend time with them.
        The Princess cruise gave spectacular views of houses that make Hewlett harbor look like the Bronx.  After the scrumptious, 5-star dinner cruise, Terri -- in her very cool VW Beetle convertible --  graciously drove us around Naples, topless.  She also shared her beaches, and gave me the most personalized tour of her town.  I just wanted to say to everyone who missed this weekend, thank you, as it afforded me the chance to spend a few hours with Terri by herself, reminiscing about growing up in Valley Stream.
        Should you ever have the chance to venture to Naples, by all means do it with Terri, who made this the most enjoyable, stress-free weekend I have had in a long time.  Thank you Terri, and warmest regards to all.
   
    From Jay Tuerk:  A quick note to Barbara Blitfield Pech.  I believe the uncle of Gwen Camhi that you are thinking of was Morris Camhi.  I was in the garment center at the same time he was, and he was the one Camhi who owned half of Seventh Avenue.
   
    From Lanie Statsinger Shahar, explaining last week's e-mail:  My connection to your class is that I'm Judy Statsinger's older sister.  I have been forwarding the e-mails to her in Chicago, trying to convince her to come to South's 50th Anniversary celebration in March.
   
    From Barnet Kellman:  some photos which, unfortunately, I can't download because it would take over a half-hour and probably crash my computer as I'm one of those last people who still use dial-up as a secondary firewall.
   
    From Zelda White Nichols:  Perhaps you could add this to the next newsletter.  As we get older, macular degeneration may be a problem that our parents have and that we may inherit.  My dad was declared legally blind due to this disease, and it is something I think about on occasion as I seem to follow in his footsteps.  Hopefully, there will be a cure in time for our generation and by the time the disease becomes a problem for us.  Meanwhile, others in our class may have parents who are afflicted with it, and this site might be of interest.  http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/amd.htm
        Also, sorry I haven't been writing much lately.  I have gotten very involved with animal rescue in our area and am considering starting a new business.
   
    Speaking of business.  First, the minutes of the January 12, 2006 meeting of the Valley Stream South High School Alumni Association, respectfully submitted by Roberta Brill Birnel, association secretary:  Tonight was the second meeting of the Valley Stream South High School Alumni Association in the library at South High School.  There were 27 people attending.  Emily Kleinman Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM, welcomed all attendees, introduced the officers, and distributed copies of the last meeting’s minutes, the meeting agenda, and membership applications.  All members then introduced themselves.  In attendance at this meeting were Ray Richford, Claire (Brush) Reinhardt, Mike Sofarelli, Karen (Schade) Sofarelli, Barbara (Peres) Napolitano, Enid (Koss) Parness, Karen Grimm, Edie Mandel, Laura (Waxman) Ulric, Irene Sundal, Robin Feit, MaryAnn Riccio, Elaina Riccio-Garces, John Cunnane, Patrick Yngstrom, Arthur Yngstrom, LuAnn (Pollio) McCann, Effie Xenos, Eric Spinner, Irwin Kotcher, Dennis Shapiro, Paul DeMartino, Roberta (Brill) Birnel, Emily (Kleinman) Schreiber, Booker Gibson, Bernie O'Brien, and Madeline Silverman.
        Before beginning the items on the agenda, Emily gave out copies of the Valley Stream Herald, which featured an article and two photos about our first meeting and information about the association.  Next, Madeline Silverman presented an update for the 50 Year Celebration of South’s opening.  She presented out-of-order due to a previous commitment. Dr. Lando held a subcommittee meeting on January 11, when it was decided that the celebration on March 11 would begin at 12:00 noon with a rededication of the building.  This is to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and welcoming remarks by Dr. Lando.  Artwork by a South teacher will be unveiled.  Ms. Silverman mentioned that there would be two speakers:  Emily, representing the Alumni Association, will speak about South’s past; and another person will speak of South’s future.  It was suggested that South High’s Alma Mater be sung, and there will be a presentation by members of the National Honor Society and the Key Club.  Tours of the building will be conducted by current students before and after the rededication, then, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, a concert will be presented in South Hall.  Students will be presenting original skits about the decades and will be performing musically.  Alumni are also invited to perform, and they should contact Booker Gibson, who is in charge of the entertainment. His e-mail address is:  bgibson@optonline.net
        Attendees will have the opportunity to bid in a silent auction, which will be raising money for the Make A Wish Foundation and for Katrina Relief.  Last year, a silent auction at the school raised more than $20,000.  It was further decided by Dr. Lando’s committee that a luncheon, for $10.00, would be served.  As of this date, the menu was not available to us.  The cost of going to the concert only is $5.00, but the cost of lunch and the concert together is $12.00.
        The Association requested that an area of the school be opened at 11:00 AM for refreshments and socializing for alumni attendees who arrive before 12:30.  Also suggested was an intergenerational dance to be held at the school after the concert.  Dr. Lando okayed that as long as the Alumni Association takes care of the arrangements, and we were reminded that there could be no smoking or drinking on school grounds.  Ms. Silverman said she would talk to Dr. Lando about these suggestions.  She said a final letter about the celebration will be sent by next week, January 20.
        After Ms. Silverman left, members continued to discuss the celebration.  Other ideas for the reception area included displaying yearbooks, having a slide show of photos, playing music of the past, and presenting a printed journal of alumni memories and photos.  The possible problem of time constraint was mentioned.  Concern was expressed by several members about reaching alumni and about the perceived lack of organization and finality only two months before the event.  Emily has e-mailed the contact people for individual classes as the school does not keep a data base of former students.  The suggestion that students enter data was rejected because of privacy issues.  Paul DeMartino will contact Newsday about publicizing the event.  There were a few volunteers for a committee to write an alumni skit for the concert.
        The minutes of the last meeting were submitted and accepted.  The President’s Report included several school and community events Emily attended, including the American Education Week program, Dr. Bernstein’s “Education for the 21st Century -- A Community dialog.”  Emily and our treasurer Dennis Shapiro opened a checking account for the association at Commerce Bank. In his treasurer’s report, Dennis told us that there is $890 which has been collected before tonight’s meeting.  There was a delay in depositing this money because first we had to receive a copy of our incorporation papers from the state.  There was a discussion about the necessity of having a Board of Trustees, a Board of Directors, or both.  Although there were two volunteers for the position of trustee -- Barbara Peres Napolitano and Eric Spinner -- it was decided that, because no one was sure about the rules, this would be delayed until the next meeting.  Forming a Scholarship Committee and a Membership Committee was discussed, as well as the need for insurance information.
        It was agreed that we will hold four meetings before the March 11 celebration.  These meetings are scheduled for Thursday, January 26; Wednesday, February 8; Thursday, February 23; and Thursday, March 9.  They will all be at 7:15 PM in the South High School library, and everyone is welcome.  Member Irwin Kotcher has volunteered to create a banner representing the Alumni Association.  This banner can be displayed at all functions and events related to the school.  Emily told us that the association’s corporate seal and kit, which was originally purchased in 1995, cannot be located.  The two-inch seal can be replaced at an approximate cost of $150.  Artie Yngstrom was kind enough to donate $10 towards this end.  Last minute discussions included asking Dr. Lando to attend our next meeting, asking alumni for particular help in legal and insurance matters, and considering a get-together outside the school on March 10, 11, or 12.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
     
    More business, from Nell Landman and Madeline Silverman, co-directors of student activities at South, and Elizabeth Mintzer, the silent auction chairperson:  Dear Friends of South High School.  South High has a long history of community service.  In this, our golden anniversary year, we have focused all our efforts on raising charitable money for the Make A Wish Foundation and Hurricane Katrina Relief.  Saturday, March 11, 2006 has been designated as the 50th Anniversary Celebration Day, and we need your help to make our efforts successful.  We are planning to hold a Silent Auction at all the events during that day and would welcome any contribution you might make toward these worthy causes. Donations could include: gift certificates for merchandise or meals; gifts or services; free tickets to events; perfume; hair styling; car detailing and repairs; jewelry, etc. Alternatively, we would be very grateful if your organization could make a cash donation or supply appropriate food, drink, or party goods for this kind of event.  Since the school is incorporated as a non-profit organization, all of your contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.  It will be our pleasure to promote the professional and business organizations that support this project by prominently displaying their names at the event, and each donor will receive an acknowledgment certificate, which can be prominently displayed.
        On behalf of the parents, students, teachers, and administrators, we thank you for your
    consideration and concern.  Please include your name, address, telephone number and the value of your donated item, and send it to:  South High School, Attention: Silent Auction, 150 Jedwood Place, Valley Stream, New York 11581.  To help us in planning, we would appreciate receiving your donation by Tuesday, February 28, 2006.  If you have any questions, please call us at 516-791-0347.

    Still with me?  This is like homeroom announcements.  The last business, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  Also at the meeting last week, it was suggested that I ask all of you for your personal recollections and reflections on South High School, the kids, teachers, or whatever your hearts desires  If enough come back to me, they'll appear in a booklet to be distributed at the 50 Year Celebration on March 11th.  Hoping to hear back from you some time this week.  Please write me at:  cre8em@aol.com
   
    Finally, just to lighten things up, from Monday's Associated Press:  A woman in eastern Pennsylvania was fined $173.50 for throwing salad greens out of her car.  Dawn Higgins, 47, said, ''Lettuce comes from the ground, therefore it can go back into the ground.  It's biodegradable.  I didn't think I was doing anything wrong.''
        Higgins took her daughters and a friend to McDonald's, but decided not to eat the half-dozen lettuce leaves atop her salad.  Instead, she left them on the ground next to her parked car.  After failing to appear in court, Higgins discovered she had been convicted in absentia.  She has appealed to the court and plans to bring along a salad to show the judge.