Update 12-1-09

Hi,

A couple of hard things, and then some easier stuff.

First, a note from Jerry Bittman:  Unfortunately, complications arose with the pacemaker.  Will have to go back into the hospital for another operation.  I must admit that I'm not mentally prepared for another operation so soon, so thanks for the words of encouragement.
   
    [Rich -- You know our thoughts are with you, Jerry.]
   
    And a note from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  Unfortunately, my husband Len is seriously ill.
   
    [Rich -- Our thoughts are with you, Len and Emily, too.]
   
    Related to that, Emily wrote:  There won't be an Alumni Association Bulletin until everything here settles down -- unless someone else would like to create it.
   
    [Rich -- So if anyone could help out, that would be great.  Please contact Emily at: Cre8em@aol.com.]
   
    Emily also added:  Instead of our monthly Alumni Association meeting on Thursday, December 3rd, we invite Alumni Association Members and their spouses, significant others, or interested friends to gather at Goldie's Restaurant at 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 10th.  The restaurant's address is:  153 Dubois Avenue in Valley Stream.
        The cost of dinner will be $23.95 per person, and if you're planning to attend or if you have any questions about the party, please RSVP to Irene Sundal at: LeanOwl@aol.com.
   
    [Rich -- Now that I've learned that Goldie's exists, I've been curious to see the place and eat there.  Unfortunately, I'm going to be at my eight-year-old goddaughter's group piano recital that evening.  Last year, she played the theme from Star Wars.  Very slowly.]
   
    On sprightlier topics, Bernie O'Brien wrote, first wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and then asking:  Do you have an e-mail or home address for Chuck Drimal, class of '66?
   
    [Rich -- I didn't, but rather than wait a week to ask here, I dropped "Chuck Drimal" -- "Charles Drimal, Jr.," actually -- into Google to hunt around.  What I found wasn't a surprise, so someone must have tipped me off some years ago, but if you want to read another of South's success stories, go search on Mr. Drimal's name.
        And I did find a business address and phone number to pass on to Bernie.  But if anyone has an e-mail address for Charles Drimal, please send it to Mr. O'Brien.  His address is:  ob11@optonline.net]
   
    And Barbara Blitfield Pech has a question:  A long, lost friend from Temple Gates of Zion / Central High School, class of '65, has been found living at 32 Elderberry Lane.  The address is very familiar, so possibly someone from our class lived there.  If anyone remembers, please advise.
   
    Barbara also sent a long Thanksgiving message that included the thoughts:  I love you all and thank you for your gifts of friendship.  May you continue to know peace, love, and contentment, and may these blessing be with you through this year and years to come.
   
    Finally, some additional reunion thoughts
   
    First, from Betsy Fels Pottruck:  Having done two weddings in the last two years where we needed to put people up, it is always possible to negotiate group rates, and if you use the hotel's banquet facilities, you have great bargaining power.  Also, with the economy down, there are deals out there.  Anyhow, just thought I would put that out there for your class to consider.  Good luck.
   
    Next, from me:  Since it appears the fastest way to get things going is to make a decision, and since people seem most interested in having an informal reunion in late spring or early summer on Long Island, I'm going to suggest:
        Friday, July 16, 2010 through Sunday, July 18, 2010
        Hyatt Regency Wind Watch in Hauppauge, New York
        That's the same place as our 37th reunion, so some of us are familiar with the hotel.  It seems to have the best rooms for the money, even if the place is an hour's drive from Valley Stream.  But it's near an airport and not too far from the ferry from Connecticut.
        We can gather in the lobby bar for the Friday night get-together and pay for our own drinks and food.  That way, there are no advance arrangements or payments to be made and no money to be collected.
        Similarly, we can make reservations in the hotel restaurant for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast, and maybe even get a side dining room for one of the gatherings.  That way, there's no banquet to be financed.  And if we find better places to gather for Friday night -- like the Irish Pub or the Lynbrook pizza place -- or to have dinner on Saturday -- like Captain Bill's -- we can decide that later, as a group.
        Let me know what you think.  If we get 20 people, I'll see if we can get a group room rate. Choosing mid-July should avoid the 4th celebrations and the June weddings.
   
    The South '65 e-mail addresses:  reunionclass65.blogspot.com
   
    The South '65 photo site:  picasaweb.google.com/SouthHS65
   
   
    Rich