Update 4-29-08

Hi,

A series of quick notes, and then the Alumni Association minutes.

First, some further information about that mysterious music teacher Mr. Payne, from Donald Faber:  Apropos your conversation with Booker Gibson, I remember Payne well -- more like  fairly well since I can't remember his first name..  But I can remember he was prematurely balding.
        Like Vince Tampio, teaching was a default job for Payne.  I think he'd wanted to be a musician, but, again, I'm vague on details.  Still, what most impressed me was that his wife was a performer on a weekly television show, and this was during the heyday of those weekly variety shows from New York City.  She was a member of one of those background choral groups that appeared -- again I think -- on "The Perry Como Show" or a similar weekly show.
        On learning this from him after class -- and it was offered to me merely as an aside -- I was impressed.  Very.  How exciting was that?  Six degrees of separation and all that.  But noticing my response, Payne was quick to add that this was not all that it might seem.  His wife felt the job was beneath her talents, but she acknowledged that it paid well.
   
    Second, something Robin Feit Baker mentioned to me when I was visiting New York.  She was supposed to politely remind me about this when I got home, so it's not entirely my fault that I forgot.  Just mostly.  In any case, as part of Art Yngstorm's other good work, he's collecting clothes for military veterans.  Jeans, I guess, are especially appreciated.  If people are interested in sending Art clothes, please let me know, and I'll get his contact information from Robin.
   
    Third, the last check for the scholarship funds came in, bringing the totals to:
        The Vince Tampio scholarship:  $625, coming from 12 donors.
        The Booker Gibson scholarship:  $618, coming from 13 donors.
        As I've mentioned, the extra $243 will be banked towards next year's awards.
   
    Fourth, a belated alumni update from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  When South celebrated its fiftieth year and the Alumni Association was reactivated after a slow start in 1995, we were delighted by the overwhelming response of South’s alumni.  Hundreds of people paid the fifteen dollar annual dues.  When this year’s membership notices went out, the officers and trustees of the association were concerned:  would everyone rejoin.  Well, at this moment [winter], around half of the charter members have sent in their dues.  I’m hoping the other half will send their checks soon.

    Fifth, a question from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  I suppose I could just as easily Google this, but perhaps my answer is as close as the newsletter.  I just watched the end and beginning of back-to-back episodes of  "Live from the Actor's Studio," taped at THE MICHAEL SCHIMMEL CENTER AT PACE COLLEGE.  Would anyone happen to know if that is the same Michael Schimmel who was a member of the class of '66 and the younger brother of our classmate Paulinda?  I seem to remember Robin Feit Baker mentioning that our Michael was a photographer on Long Island, and if I recall, he videoed our 20th reunion party in Baldwin.  But I don't remember any more details.  Perhaps someone can fill in any blanks?

    [Rich -- Maybe Michael Schimmel can since he's on the newsletter mailing list.]

    Barbara also mentioned:  I glanced at the local monthly entertainment board and saw that the Vogues and Lou Christie are now doing the Florida condo circuit.  Now isn't that special?
   
    [Rich -- I had to ask Barbara who the Vogues were.  Okay, I'm a moron.]
   
    And Barbara replied:  The Vogues were hot in the mid-60s, along with groups like the Letterman.  Lou Christie was a single singer who sang falsetto, Frankie Valli style.  He recorded, "Two Faces Have I."
   
    [Rich -- It would be nice to say I was listening to Dylan and Baez just then.  Unfortunately, I was listening to Bock and Harnick.]
   
    [Rich, again -- And while I'm apologizing:  I missed Passover last week, if it was only last week.  Possibly, I missed Easter, too, earlier -- I'm afraid to check.  And Peter Rosen mentioned that, recently, it was the Nudelman's birthdays.  And Lynn Nudelman Villagran mentioned that it was Peter's.  And someone mentioned that last week's newsletter came twice.  I hope this last was an isolated, AOL-related aberration.]
   
    Finally, highlights from the March 6, 2008 minutes of the Alumni Association meeting, as usual respectfully submitted by Roberta Brill Birnel
        Emily Kleinman Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:25 PM.  The following members were present: Roberta Brill Birnel, Paul DeMartino, Booker Gibson, Karen Grimm, Eileen Howell, Arlene Ainbinder Lynn, Edie Mandel,  Enid Koss Parness, Claire Brush Reinhardt, Eric Spinner, and Irene Sundal.  Also present was South’s principal, Maureen Henry.  Regrets were received from Laura and Ken Ulric, Ray Richford, Irwin Kotcher, and Dennis Shapiro.
        Treasurer's Report:  The Treasurer’s report, received from Dennis Shapiro, is on file.  We have nine new lifetime members and a number of donations to our Scholarship Fund.  The names of the new lifetime members were read.  For those members who have not yet sent in your dues for this year, remember that a lifetime membership is $100.
         New Business:
        An amendment to our by-laws was presented; Eileen Howell made a motion to accept, Enid Koss Parness seconded, and the amendment was voted on and accepted by the members present.  The amendment changes the membership dues as follows:  An Associate Membership for one year is now $10 and a lifetime Associate Membership is now $65.  (Associate Members did not graduate from South High School.  They may be faculty, family members, or students who left before graduation.)
        Claire Brush Reinhardt attended another meeting of the School Culture Committee as our representative. The committee is still looking for a service project for the 2008-09 school year.
        South is preparing for the school’s Career Day for the ninth graders.  It is scheduled for March 19th from 7:45 to 10:15 AM.  Nell Landman sent the names of the speakers.  Lawrence Levy from Hofstra University is the keynote speaker.  Others include:  Harold Gribbin, Betty Hansen Silver, Steve Harris, Rich Eisbrouch, Victor Susman, Salvatore Interlandi, Declan McSheffrey, and Emily Kleinman Schreiber.  Booker Gibson has said he will try to attend.
        The Class of 1958 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its graduation this year.  It was suggested that members of this class be invited to South’s Homecoming festivities this fall and to a special reception for them.  Principal Maureen Henry thought this was a good idea.  Claire Brush Reinhardt suggested that other alumni also be invited.
        There have been requests made of Emily Kleinman Schreiber for personal information about our members. As a result of the discussion, we voted to accept as policy a motion made by Paul DeMartino and seconded by Claire Brush Reinhardt.  The accepted policy is:  We have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of all personal data of all of our members.
        As per our by-laws, nominations for officers and trustees for the next two-year term were offered.  The election will take place at the next meeting on April 3.  The nominees are as follows:
        President:  Emily Kleinman Schreiber
        Vice-President:  Paul DeMartino
        Treasurer:  Dennis Shapiro
        Secretary:  Roberta Brill Birnel
        Historian:  Eileen Howell
        Trustees:  Claire Brush Reinhardt, Irwin Kotcher, Ray Richford, Irene Sundal, Eric  Spinner
         Acts of Kindness update:
        Maureen Henry informed us of the cost of donating a Wall-of-Service showcase to the school.  Without lighting, the cost is about $775.  With lighting, the cost is about $1025.  Featured in the showcase would be information about students who make a difference to the school and the community.
        Maureen Henry also told us that there is a South graduate who is now serving in Afghanistan.  We discussed sending him a basket filled with food and other items he would like.  Because the Association could not donate the full amount of the showcase, we decided to proceed on creating a gift basket for the alumnus in Afghanistan.  Arlene Ainbinder Lynn volunteered to research more details about sending such a package.
        Maureen Henry went on to tell us of other activities at South:
        The Southern Bell, published under the guidance of a new advisor, was distributed to members.  It shows a wonderful all-around improvement in terms of articles, editing, and format.
        South has just finished “Foreign Language Week,” which was a great success.
        Old business:
        The school will get the scholarship applications back to us on March 22nd.  The Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee will meet at the school on April 3rd at 3:00 PM.  The committee consists of:  Eileen Howell, Claire Brush Reinhardt, Roberta Brill Birnel, and Emily Kleinman Schreiber.  It was again made clear that the final selection is up to the school committee, as per District policy.
        Linda Tobin Kettering wrote a letter containing information about Alumni Association membership.  This letter is to be given to all graduating seniors.
        Claire Brush Reinhardt suggested that members try to get in touch with former classmates.  This is to strongly encourage membership and participation in the Alumni Association.
        A Conflict of Interest Statement, required in the by-laws for an application to attain non-profit status, was read, discussed by members, and voted on.  The statement was added to the by-laws.  A Non-Discrimination clause was also voted on and added.  This was adapted by Eric Spinner and Paul DeMartino.  The non-profit application will be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
        Eric Spinner has said he is optimistic about getting our official web page up and running for MACs shortly.  It is already working well for PCs.  The address again is:  www.vsshs-alumni.org
        A motion to adjourn was made by Eileen Howell and seconded by Edie Mandel.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
   
    Reminder:  The next meeting of the Alumni Association is this Thursday, May 1st, at 7:15 in South's library.
   
    Early notice:  The last Alumni Association meeting of the school year will be on Thursday, June 5th.  And I know they make all this good work seem very easy, but I've heard they sure would like to see new people from time-to-time.