Update 6-6-06

Hi,

I was just east for a bar mitzvah and stayed in the former Green Acres with my mother.  Very green this year, and there was a fantastic electrical storm Thursday night.  I didn't get near South and didn't have time to see anyone other than family.  But Green Acres looks good, and the people as always are friendly.
   
    Some notes from some people who still live on the East coast, if not exactly in Valley Stream:
   
    From Ira Mitzner:  I can see that I was not the only one infatuated with Lisa Berg.  The high cheek bones; the friendly but aloof manner; the feet turned slightly out as she walked.  I remember trolling the halls, hoping I would pass her so I could say hello.  Sometimes she responded, sometimes she didn't.  Before my wrestling days, I had little confidence in myself when it came to women, and I never got up the courage to ask her out.  Probably just as well, because I found my true love our senior year at South, and while we spent forty years apart, we're finally together.  So, sorry Lisa.
   
    From Allen Moss:  You might be getting an e-mail from the daughter of a good friend of mine who is interested in pursuing a career in some form of scenic work.  Right now, she is looking into being a gaffer in films.  I hope you don't mind me giving her your e-mail address.  Please let me know.  Because of your experience, I thought you would be a good person to be a sounding board for her career plans.
        I saw her this weekend when I was in New York.  Her parents, Jon and Eileen, and I went to see the revival of Pajama Game.  Wonderful to see the play.  Harry Connick, Jr. was very good, as were all the other wonderful stars.  Nice production, and people worked really hard to please the audience.
        Jon, Eileen, and I continued the tradition we started in 1992, when I was in Chicago.
    They gave me carte blanche to pick the revival, and then I would visit for a long weekend.  I have to say that my record has not been too shabby, starting with Guys and Dolls and on through Crazy for You, Showboat, How to Succeed, Carousel, Oklahoma, and Kiss Me Kate.
        Hope all is well with you.  It was almost ninety degrees here today and, as you can imagine, I was really crabby.
   
    [Rich -- I assured Allen that I'm happy to help anyone who's interested in going into the design or tech end of theater, television, or film.  I can't promise anyone a job, but I know a lot of people who will happily provide information.  And I know people in the industry who work outside design and are also happy to provide information.  There's also a terrific set of summer internships available for college and graduate students.  The information for them is at Emmys.org, though the application deadline has passed for this year.]
   
    From Emily Kleinman Schreiber:  A few things:  1. You're correct -- it is Ralph Foster in the photo -- and he had one really great time seeing everyone again.
        2.  About the photos -- they were taken by the photographer South hires to photograph for the yearbook.  Since I didn't take the pictures myself, I don't know many of the names, either.  So I'm sorry I can't help with that.
        3.  Also, I'm planning to blitz the Classmates.com sites to try to drum up more memberships for the Alumni Association.  As you know, our treasury depends on loyal contributors.  A bylaws committee is working to get ours drafted; a new membership option will probably be a lifetime membership, so alumni won't have to re-up each year.  Many who we assumed would join, and even give hefty donations, still haven't sent in their checks.
        4. Joe Anfora is one very special, generous guy, and I hope others will follow suit.  I know I'm an optimist, but I also have faith in the alumni.
        That's all for now.  Best to everyone.
   
    Someone from another class, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote:  I would really like to buy a copy of the Memory Journal.  Is it possible?
   
    And Emily replied:  I still have around twenty more Memory Journals for those who join the Alumni Association as soon as possible, but they're not individually for sale.  Also, I forgot to mention that Amy Miller and I attended a one-day program at the Neward Historical Society.  The topic was preserving photographs and family heirlooms, and we enjoyed the day.  The Alumni Association brings people together.
   
    Some sad news from Gayle Ulrich Ramesh:  My brother Gary Ulrich, class of '61, passed away on Tuesday, May 30th.  There may be some who read our updates who knew him, though he never wanted any information about the reunions. He developed metastatic melanoma of the liver four years ago, the primary site being his eye.  I can't even begin to express how much I regret not making the dreaded five-and-a-half hour drive to see him when he was still alert, because when I got there he no longer knew me.  So please, if this encourages even one person to make contact with someone she or he loves, my grief will be somewhat lessened.
   
    [Rich -- I'm sure everyone sends condolences, Gayle, and I know there are people from the class of '61 who read this newsletter.  So they'll pass on remembrances of your brother.]
   
    From Linda Fenton Goodgold:  Please change my e-mail address to: Lgoodgold@verizon.net or Lfenton@realestatearts.com.   Thanks.
   
    [Rich -- Since Linda's sent this before, I think she means on the home page contact list, which I know is well out of date.  And I will try to do something about that soon.  But, heck, it's almost summer.]
   
    News from someone on the East coast about someone who's on the West:  From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Grace Dibble Kincade just wrote:  I'm going to be a grandma again!  My daughter Christy is pregnant!
   
    [Rich -- Congratulations, of course.  Or would that be encouraging a kind of behavior some people don't feel should be celebrated on the Internet?]
   
    Finally, news from someone on the West coast, Paul Zegler:  Just a note to let you know I'm doing great.  I had my right hip replaced on May 9th.  I'm walking with walker or a cane now, but within three to four weeks, I should be down to a cane.  Then... nothing.  And I've finally gotten rid of the wheel chair.  Yeah!
        If anyone out there is thinking about having a hip replacement, do it.  I've had both of my hips done, and I feel like Bo Jackson, maybe even better.  That's Bo Jackson between baseball and football, after his hip replacement.
        Anyway, I hope you all are well, and I'm looking forward to the summer with my new bionic body.