Update 5-9-06

Hi,

As occasionally happens, some sad news arrived.  And it always seems best to start with it.

From Booker Gibson:  Especially to you guys who once had shop at South:  two days ago, I attended the wake for Joe Caruso's beautiful wife, Irene.  Their five grown children plus many other people were there.  I sat with Bernie O'Brien for a while, and when we looked at someone sitting far over to the side, we realized it was another former shop teacher you might have had, Don Hicks.  If I could have stayed longer or attended the funeral the next day, I'm sure I would have seen many other South High faculty members.  I don't know whether Joe has an e-mail address anymore, but if I can find one, I'll send it to you.  I'm sure he'd like to hear from you.
   
    [Rich -- As I wrote to Booker:  I'm really sorry to hear about Irene Caruso's death.  Please give our best to Joe Caruso and his family when you see them again.  Thanks.]
   
    Next, some business, from Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  I hope you're enjoying the great weather as much as I am.  The reason I'm writing is that after last night's Alumni Associationmeeting, I felt some concern.  That's because our number of attending members is decreasing.  I have worried that this would happen once the  South's fifty year celebration passed, but I was hoping more people would stay involved.
         We still have lots of important decisions to make, and I'd love to see you come back for our June meeting.  June first turned out to not be a great date for several people, so I have to check with South to see if we can meet on the fifteenth instead.  When you receive the finalized minutes the new date will be in it, so please read the note carefully.  Also, the board of directors has to include people who will be dedicated to the association.  Please let me know if you are interested in serving in that capacity.  Thanks.
   
    A suggestion to Emily, from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  It's unfortunate that the meeting attendance has decreased after the momentum and success of the fiftieth anniversary has passed.  I am affiliated with both social and civic groups in the greater Miami area and extended national locations where it is not always convenient for all members to attend meetings.  While you do have an executive board of local residents and graduates for South's alumni association, a good number of the interested members are out-of-towners. Perhaps you can hold an online open meeting or have an e-forum prior to the actual meeting, advising people of the meeting agenda, new business, issues, treasury report, and future activities.  This might help keep us all focused, interested, and included.  As we are all still going through various stages of after party withdrawal, I always find the best way to combat the blues, or in this case the "red and greys," is to plan another party!  With the summer approaching, there is plenty of time to organize a barbecue, pool party, or a picnic beach outing and extend the invitation to all South grads.  This would give everyone something to plan and look forward to, and it would help keep the interest and friendships active.  Hope some of these suggestions are helpful.  Thanks again for everything so far.
   
    An acknowledgment about an oversight mentioned last week, from a fellow graduate:  Well, now that it has been pointed out to me what should have been obvious -- that the motto letters were an acrostic for SOUTH (my mind and ear's irritation with "ongoing" had overwhelmed my eye's observation) -- I am quickly recovered and ready to provide you with the word Opportunity to replace Ongoing.  And, of course, I would agree with the return to original positions of the other words.
        Opportunity is always present at South High School:  the opportunity to develop one's character, one's mind, and one's attitudes towards learning, towards the community, and towards selection of and fulfillment of goals.
        I respectfully resubmit this change from Ongoing to Opportunity, which has been, and always will be, present in our high school.  Kindly present this new word to the Alumni Association Board and to the administration of the school.  My apologies for my former choice and word rearrangement. 
   
    [Rich -- Some other suggestions also rolled in:
   
        Omniscience.
   
        Outstandingness.
   
    A related question also arrived:  Is Sctuh pronounced Scootah?]
   
    On a less complicated subject, a note from Paul Zegler's companion Becky:  I am forwarding you the pictures that Paul took with his phone.  The one of the two of you together is great, and of course Ellen looks terrific.
   
    [Rich -- I promised Becky I'd post these photos.  But, unfortunately, they didn't survive the journey from Paul's phone to my computer.  The shots were small and pale, and even lovely Ellen looked washed out.  So we'll have to get by with what we have.  But thanks, Becky.]
   
    An interesting question from Robert Fiveson:  Weird.  I remember being in Damn Yankees, yet I am not listed in the playbill.  I distinctly remember Vince working on my hearrrrr for the "You've Got To Have Heart" harmony.  I also have a picture of Carol Kauderer, Barnet Kellman, and me onstage during that show.
   
    [Rich -- You're right.  That just hit me.  I was typing up the program when I was tired, and I remember thinking, "Wow, I don't remember all these people being in the show."  But suddenly I remember that Carmine DeSanto was in it, and he's not in the program, either.  And I think the picture of Carmine's in the yearbook.  I'm suspecting that the boys' chorus was left out of the program because so many of the guys had speaking parts.  It may be that you and Carmine were the only ones missed, and there may have been a program insert that's still in my mother's desk.]
   
    A couple of questions from Barnet Kellman:  I took a hike with my cousin Neil Kellman ‘60 last weekend, and he was wondering whatever happened to Doris Cohen '64?  Also, I wondered, is anybody in touch with Zelda Genin?

    [Rich -- I asked Ken Ulric and Rich Sternhell, both class of '64, if they knew anything about Doris, and they both quickly wrote back.]
   
    From Rich Sternhell:  I last saw Doris about thirty-five years ago, when I dated a girl at UMass where Doris was a student.  Doris was not at the recent class reunion, but I'm in touch with Kathy Berg, who'll be at my daughter's wedding next week, and I believe that Kathy is in touch with others from our class.  I'll see if I can get any current information.
   
    [Rich -- Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, Rich.]
   
    From Ken Ulric:  Doris wasn't at South's 50th birthday celebration, either.
   
    [Rich -- As for Zelda Genin:  I believe she's living on Long Island and is in touch with some people from our class, but not by e-mail.  Word has it she has no use for computers.]
   
    Some practical Internet advice, passed on by Barbara Blitfield Pech:  This is for everyone whose eyesight isn't what it used to be.  I just found out about it and thought it's very useful when you're trying to read small e-mail print:  If you hold down the Control (Ctrl) key on your key board and turn the small wheel in the middle of your mouse, the print size will change.  It will either get larger or smaller, depending on which way you turn the wheel.
   
    And a bit of Internet wisdom passed on by Claire Brush Reinhardt:  People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.  When you know which one it is, you will know  what to do for that person.
        When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, or to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend and they are.  Then, without any reason, this person will bring the relationship to an end.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, and their work is done.  The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.
        Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never known.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe me, it is real.  But it only lasts a season.
          Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other areas of your life.  It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.
        Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season, or a lifetime.