Update 11-28-06

Hi,

A note, a blessing, a poem, and some minutes.  In that order.

From Marc Fishman:  I hope all is well with all of you.  I'm developing a web site, www.nq.eu, for Net Quarterly.  (The .eu stands for the new European Union top level domain.)  The first article is about the first time I hitchhiked the Alaskan Highway.  If anyone wishes to submit articles of interest, I would be happy to post them.  Thanks.
   
    From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Every year at this time, we stop just long enough to recognize how fortunate we are to have good friends and family to spend Thanksgiving Day with.  To enjoy a sumptuous and bountiful meal, each other's good company, a little (or a lot) of football, and to share in the goodness of the day and the best of the season.  To give thanks for all that we have, our lives, good health, the food on our table, the roofs over our heads, and anything extra that we have managed to maintain through the year.  Good times and those less than fortunate are remembered.  As we all know, this has been a year of mixed blessings for me, a year of good, not so good, losses, finds, redemption, and reaffirmation.  I would like to take a moment to address the last of my chosen words.  Without going into greater detail, I not too long ago suffered a bad fall, breaking my foot and becoming somewhat of a burden to myself and certainly many others.  But good people have taken care of me.  Your rides to and from places, your shopping, calling, listening, coming by to visit, bringing covered dishes, checking up on me running errands, and doing many extra things are too numerous to list.  And not one of you has ever suggested that something I asked wasn't convenient, or at a good time, or out of your way.  It is you who are the dear people  who affirm, validate, and bless my life.  I offer special thanks to you for your friendship, kindness, help, and considerations, for your tireless efforts to keep me sane and on the road to final recovery.  It was whispered to me by a local clergy, who passed me as I stood by a sideline in my walker, that this break was a blessing.  As each day progresses, I see and further understand the true meaning of his suggestion.  For I am not only thankful for knowing you; it is a blessing that you are in my life.  I wish you all the best of the season, and hope that you, too, be blessed with special people in your life, and hopefully only under only the best of circumstances.  May you all enjoy a second helping of everything, and may none of the calories count.  Happy holiday.  Peace, happiness and love to you and yours
   
    From Ryki Zuckerman:  Note, this was the poem that was actually supposed to run after Buffalo's early snowstorm.  The other one wasn't quite ready.
   
    aftermath
   
    scientists are unable to pinpoint
    the source of a pervasive,
    eerie, low-pitched humming
    heard in the city of buffalo
    and surrounding suburbs,
    but some of us know:
   
    it is the keening of trees
    mourning their dead.
    wailing for the lost,
    for ghost pains where
    their leaf-laden limbs
    were ripped from them;
    the cruel weight of early snow,
    too early,
    before the turning.
    before the frost;
   
    it is the keening of the trees
    moaning with grief
    for their fallen brethren,
    whatever species,
    maple now sister
    to  horse chestnut
    and oak.
   
    we think we see
    lone branches, survivors,
    pointing at us, accusing us
    of fouling the air, the rivers,
    of confusing the Great Mother
    with our acid rain and toxic clouds,
    slowly boiling earth and sky
    until now she has turned on us
    with her fury,
    blowing cauldrons of wind,
    sending thunder-snow
    that rent apart the trees,
    chilling the mild autumn days
    with portents of disasters to come;
   
    the trees are keening;
    they know;
    they know
    who to blame. 
   
    And the minutes from the October 19th Alumni Association meeting, respectfully submitted by Roberta Brill Birnel:
        The following members were present at the meeting:  Roberta Brill Birnel, Booker T. Gibson, Karen Grimm, Irwin Kotcher, Arlene Lynn, Edie Mandel, Barbara Peres Napolitano, Enid Koss Parness, Ray Richford, Dennis Shapiro, Paul DeMartino, and Eric Spinner.
        Emily Kleinman Schreiber’s newsletter was sent to members and non-members of the association.  She reported that she attended South’s homecoming game -- unfortunately, South lost -- at which time, she signed up three new members and sold two mugs.  She also said that Terrance Wagner will pick up a two hundred dollar check for the school’s beautification project.  The money will be used for a circular bench around a tree in the courtyard.  A plaque from the association will be placed on the bench.
        The Acts of Kindness Project is proceeding, with a list of names of organizations to be posted.  A representative of the group Rotacare will speak at our next meeting.  The group provides medical supplies and treatment for those who do not have or have lost their health insurance.
        Member Karen Morgenroth Welkis '63 has offered to establish a scholarship in memory of her father.
        Treasurer Dennis Shapiro reported that we have 294 members and $4,424.28 in our treasury.
        A reminder that meeting dates for this school year are:  January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, and June 28.  There will be no meeting in December.
        Karen Grimm volunteered to bring treats to our next meeting.  We discussed the need for an Alumni Association website.  Irwin Kotcher will research rates for having a website created, unless there is an alumni who can do it for us.
        We next turned our attention to the by-laws, which have been presented for approval.  (We thank Eric Spinner for projecting the tentative document on a screen so that all members could see it.)  Barbara Peres Napolitano suggested that the first membership be extended through to June 2007 so as to conform to the school year.  This was voted on and accepted by the members.  Irwin Kotcher made a motion for a “Lifetime Membership” for Alumni for $100.  This, too, was voted on and accepted.  Most of the proposed by-laws were discussed at this meeting.  We intend to complete the process at our next meeting. The by-laws will then be sent to all members for their votes.  A plurality of those voting will decide.
        There was no further new or old business to discuss. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15.
   
    [Rich -- so let me get this straight:  if I paid my Alumni Association membership dues in Fall 2005, I don't have to contribute again till the end of this school year, June 2007?  And if I simply send you a hundred bucks, I'm yours for life?  Sweet.]