Update 3-24-09

Hi,

Notes from a series of people in a series of places:

From Emily Kleinman Schreiber in New York:  All I can say is Eric Hilton is a Pisser!
   
    From Judy Hartstone in Pennsylvania:  I took some time out from unpacking boxes to enjoy a short visit from Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer, who was a good sport about sleeping on an air mattress set up in a "clearing" and helping with suggestions for getting organized.  The day after she went home to Bethesda, I finally hooked up with Neil Guberman, who had been so helpful with information about his adopted city since I first considered moving here.  He and his delightful wife Barbara took me to brunch at McCormick & Schmick's, and we had a great time evaluating the Bloody Marys and reminiscing about the good old days at Forest Road and South.
   
    From Allen Moss in Maine:  One of the really wonderful times, of the many during our 37th reunion, was having the opportunity to sit and talk with Toni Rea.  It brought back memories of all the many hours that I spent in her class watching a person who obviously had a love of her subject.  With a tremendous amount of energy and caring, she sought to share that love with the students in her class.  During that chat at the reunion, I saw the same wonderful energy, animation, and caring as she talked about how great it was to be back with the class of '65 students and how appreciative she was of the invitation to attend.  I think I can speak for all of us to say that the invitation to you was a very small payback for all that you gave us in the classroom.  Thank You!  And best wishes for a continued, enjoyable retirement in Naples.  By the way, summer is comin' up, and I again invite all to share some "lobstah" and "chowdah" with me at one of our beautiful wharfside eateries.
   
    From Peggy Cooper Schwartz in Florida:  Had an interesting experience last night.  I was at a dinner in Palm Beach for The American Technion Society.  The Technion is a wonderful university in Israel -- their M.I.T.  I mentioned to my tablemates that I was from Green Acres and discovered that the lovely woman sitting opposite me was Leona Chanin.  Her late husband built all the homes in Green Acres.  It was so interesting to hear how he planned the streets and decided to name them after trees.  I told her how wonderful the homes he built were and mentioned that I'm still in touch with many of "The Children" who grew up in these homes.
   
    From Barbara Blitfield Pech, also in Florida:  I know from time to time we reminisce or recall past cookies and assorted food memories of days gone by.  well, as Mighty Mouse often sang, "Here I come to save the day..."  While on my daily peruse of the cookie aisle at our local Publix grocery -- where shopping is a pleasure -- I happened upon "Little Debbie" 100-calorie Snow Puffs.  The box photo shows a flat chocolate, soft cookie bottom under white marshmallow covered in coconut.  I do not recall if this was originally a Nabisco or Sunshine Bakeries product, and I also do not recall having seen them for many, many, many calories -- I mean years.  Amazingly to date, the box I quickly bought is still unopened, but I will follow up with a taste test report... on my way to the gym.
   
    Also from Barbara:  Did you hear about the 83-year-old woman who talked herself out of a speeding ticket by telling the young officer that she had to get there before she forgot where she was going?
   
    From Zelda White Nichols in North Carolina:  This was forwarded from an article in the St. Petersburg Times.  It asked readers "How Would You Fix the Economy?"  I love this plan.
        Patriotic retirement.  There are about forty million people over fifty in the work force.  Pay each of them one million dollars to retire with three stipulations:
        1.  They leave their jobs. That would create forty million job openings -- Unemployment fixed.
        2.  They each buy a new American car.  Forty million cars ordered -- Auto Industry fixed.
        3.  They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage -- Housing Crisis fixed.
   
    From Donna Chirico Mungo, class of '66:  Please add my name to the mailing list.  Thanks.
   
    Two notes about last month's class of '66 mini-reunion in Boca Raton, Florida -- cribbed from South's Alumni Association Bulletin:
        First, from Arlene Ainbinder Lynn:  The second annual class of 1966 Florida mini-reunion dinner was held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Duffy's Sports Grill in Boca Raton, Florida.  Approximately twenty-five classmates attended, some bringing their spouses and others coming solo.  Hiram Rosov and his wife also attended, and it was nice to visit and mingle with old friends and acquaintances.  Some of us attended last year's event, while others attended for the first time, so it was great to see so many familiar faces and some new ones.  This year's event was planned by Eileen Gunderson Gelet and Joan Kass Lipson.  "Good Job Ladies!"  Eileen and Joan have already picked a date for next year's third annual class of ‘66 mini-reunion dinner -- Saturday, January 30, 2010.  So everyone can mark his or her calendar and make plans to hop on a plane, train, or boat, or climb in your car and get to Florida to share a nostalgic evening with old friends.
        Second, from Joan Kass Lipson:  Someone wrote back to us after the reunion with the following comment which I think says it all:  "Seeing my next-door neighbor after some forty years or the kids I played with in elementary and high school, and maybe even the girls I had a crush on back then  -- no I'll never tell -- was just incredible to me.”
   
    Finally, from Barnet Kellman in California to Robert Fiveson in Panama:  I think if you really are working for our government, you should just come out and say it.  We’re all getting older and don’t have time to wait out the mystery.
   
    The South '65 blog:  reunionclass65.blogspot.com
   
   
    Rich