Update 8-12-08

Hi,

Olympics on.  Computers off.  But some notes:

First, an update from Naomi Stein Miller, about Dolores Stein, one of our former fourth- or fifth-grade teachers at Forest Road School.  Dolores is no blood relation to Naomi but, along with Dolores' daughter Susan, they've remained very good friends.
        Dolores just turned ninety, and Naomi was visiting to celebrate.  Dolores is doing well and is active in both her church and her town's garden club.  Both are in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  The church does good deeds nationally and internationally, and the garden club is responsible for planting flowers in many of the town's central business area planters.  Dolores would easily say "hello" to all who knew her if she knew we were thinking about her.  Naomi's fine, by the way, just very busy.
   
    Next, from Ronnie Churnin DeLuca:  Weston's Hamburgers was on the corner of Sunrise Highway and Rockaway Avenue.  I think that would keep it in Valley Stream.  But nearby Ed’s Tropicial Fish Store was in Lynbrook.
   
    Third, a note from Emily Kleinman Schreiber about the gathering to hear Booker Gibson play last  Wednesday night:
        The alumni started arriving at 6:00, and Booker was there to greet us.  I got so caught up in the excitement that I forgot to get a sign-in sheet circulating, but I'm pretty sure almost everyone was from classes in the '60s -- mostly '61, '62, '64, '65, '66, and '69.  There was also someone from the class of '76.
        Between 6:00 and 7:00, we stood around in the entry corridor of the restaurant and schmoozed.  There was one man -- Myron Bailey '61 -- who hadn't come back to a South-related event since graduation, and he was so happy to reconnect.  Later, Bette Hansen Silver sang while Booker accompanied her, and that was quite a treat.  For most people, it was an emotional time -- a time to renew old friendships and to feel like we were all back in Booker's music class.  Here are some of the comments I received:
        From Booker:  "Thanks, to you and everybody, for a wonderful time."
        From Nancy Panzarino Gerardi '66:  "Thanks for hosting a great night.  I was so glad that all my phone calls to my classmates were so worthwhile.  We all had such a great time. Yes, to class of 1966!  Hopefully, we can get another nice group together for the October 18th gathering."
        From Ronnie Smolkin Ragona '61:  "It was awesome.  We should do it more often.  It was a wonderful turnout."
        From Rosemary Hogan Martilotta:  "Thank you for all of your efforts.  It was fun."
   
    Fourth, Emily has just electronically sent the fall Alumni Association bulletin, and parts of some of it will eventually turn up in this newsletter.  But none of its pictures will.  So if you want to read all the articles, see all the pictures, and get them all sooner, write Emily and join the Alumni Association.  She mentioned that seven new members signed up at Booker Gibson's gathering.
   
    Finally, highlights of the first set of delayed minutes from the Alumni Association.  These are from the April 3rd meeting, and I recently noticed they'd never turned up.  The next delayed set, coming maybe next week, will be from May.  The June minutes will arrive up after the September meeting because the minutes have to be approved before they're circulated.  As usual these minutes are respectfully submitted by Roberta Brill Birnel
        President Emily Kleinman Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:25 PM.  Present:  Roberta Brill Birnel, Booker Gibson, Karen Grimm, Eileen Howell, Linda Tobin Kettering, Irwin Kotcher, Arlene Ainbinder Lynn, Claire Brush Reinhardt, and Irene Sundal.  Regrets were received from Laura and Ken Ulric, Dennis Shapiro, Eric Spinner, and Ray Richford.
        A motion to accept the minutes was made by Claire Brush Reinhardt, seconded by Irene Sundal, and so voted.
        Treasurer's Report:
        Emily presented the report, which is on file.  We have several new members.
        New Business:
        Claire Brush Reinhardt attended South's Culture Committee meeting as our representative.  The committee is looking for a service project for the 2009 school year.  On Friday, May 30, the committee will hold a dance concert, presenting dances from around the world.
        Linda Tobin Kettering reported that South’s Career Day, held on March 19th, was a great success. Speaking to the Class of 2011 were keynote speaker Larry Levy, Betty Hansen Silver, Victor Susman,  Emily Schreiber, and Rich Eisbrouch.  Claire told us many other alumni were also in attendance.
        Related to a topic we have previously discussed, alumna Alice Cintron James said she has been in touch with retired South teacher Mr. Hicks, and he said he sent us $25 but has never heard back from us. Unfortunately, he has no e-mail address, which is why he was never thanked.  It was suggested that we send out a paper mailing to all members in preparation for our fall membership drive.  This would reach people like Mr. Hicks, who cannot be reached by e-mail.
        To this point, Irwin Kotcher suggested that we ask the school district office to mail these bulletins -- at their reduced rate through instructional services at Memorial High School -- and then we could reimburse them.  Irwin volunteered to call alumnus Victor Susman, a printer, to ask about having his business print our newsletter.
        Emily mentioned Bette Hansen Silver's theater company production of Annie Get Your Gun, to be presented at the Northport / East Northport Community Theater from Friday, May 16th to Sunday, May 18th.  We thought it would be nice if some members from the Alumni Association could see the play together.  Sunday afternoon at 2:00 seems to be the most convenient time for those present, and Irwin Kotcher suggested buying tickets at the group discount rates and adding $5.00 to the price as a fundraiser for the Association.  He will check this out.
        Irwin also suggested that members attend the “Pre-Prom Party” the day before South’s graduation.  There are raffles and hors d’oeuvres, and the party is open to the community.  Irwin also made a motion, seconded by Karen Grimm, that the Association donate $50 worth of Bed, Bath and Beyond gift certificates to be raffled off at the party.
        October 18th is South's homecoming date.  We are considering a reception at the school for the class of '58.  Other South alumni who wish to attend will certainly be welcome.
        The Class of 1973 will hold its reunion on July 26th at Paparazzi in Westbury.
        A letter and application for membership will be distributed to all graduating seniors. The letter offers them a free year of membership.
        Acts of Kindness update:
        Arlene Ainbinder Lynn has been shopping for a South alumnus, Corporal Thomas Cahill, who is serving in Afghanistan.  We learned of his service after our March meeting.  Arlene has purchased myriad products, including candies, cereal bars, phone cards, DVDs, video games, batteries, hand lotions, wipes, Kleenex, snacks, and other useful items.  Members at the meeting were happy to sign the card accompanying these presents.  A very big "Thank You" to Arlene.
        Scholarship Committee meeting:
        This afternoon, before tonight’s meeting, members of the Scholarship Committee met to read and discuss applications for this year’s Alumni Association Scholarship and to make our recommendation to South’s committee for its final approval.  Three candidates applied this year, and the submitted applications were all interesting and quite distinct in their emphases on academics, community service, and priorities, and in their tone.  After some discussion by the committee members about the possibility of awarding two scholarships, finally the committee agreed unanimously on the one candidate selected.  Thank you to committee members:  Claire Brush Reinhardt, Linda Tobin Kettering, Eileen Howell, Karen Grimm, Irene Sundal, Emily Kleinman Schreiber, and Roberta Brill Birnel.
        Old business:
        The paperwork for our 501C3 has been mailed out.
        Irwin Kotcher will let Emily know about a price for our Alumni Association banner.
        Nominations for new officers seem to leave the present officers in place.  No new nominations or volunteers were forthcoming.
        Unfortunately, our website is still not operational on Macintosh computers.
        We revised our discussion of selling bricks for the walkway outside the school as a fundraiser.  The issue, which has not been discussed with our new principal Maureen Henry will be addressed with her.  Irwin Kotcher will ask Don English, the head maintenance man at Central High, about the cost of laying the bricks once the sale is in effect.
        The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 PM.
   
    Back to Beijing.