Update 8-23-05

Hi,

The 40th reunion photos have been online and fairly-accurately-captioned for most of the week, so you can see them at: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65, then click on Photos, then 40th Reunion Photos, then each of the four pages. And they seem to be clearer than I first thought, especially if you're using DSL or cable. Also, thanks again to Emily Kleinman Schreiber and Lynn Nudelman Villagran for providing them

The rest of last week's letters, first from some people who were there:

From Judy Peters Sylvan: What a great weekend! From the moment I picked Allen (Moss) up at the New Haven train station, the years just fell away. The two of us enjoyed a peaceful ferry trip across the sound and never once grasped for things to talk about. This seemed to be the theme of the entire reunion. I got to see and talk to those I was close to at South and was delighted to feel welcomed by those I did not know well at all. What a warm and diverse group we are. Eating, talking, laughing, relaxing -- it was all fun. Can you tell I had a wonderful time?
    I also wanted to thank all of those who worked so hard to make the reunion happen, including the donors who couldn't join us. Your hard work, patience, and generosity paid off big-time.
    As always, Rich, I'll be looking for the updates. Next time we meet, I expect to see you wearing something with lots of brightly colored flowers.

[Rich -- Yes, well, I guess that last remark needs to be explained. I didn't bring a bathing suit, and when everyone gathered at the pool, I needed one. Judy and I went to the hotel gift shop, but all they had was shorts with flowers. So I went to down the street to Target and bought something more guy-appropriate, in khaki.]

From Paul DeMartino: I just want to thank everyone who contributed to making this reunion
such a success, and that includes all those who contributed but could not attend, as well as the various representatives from the other classes. Without you, this party would not have happened!
    Although more intimate than the last, this reunion still offered some surprises: such as seeing Larry Coleman for the first time since 1965, and talking with Teresa Margolin Bargman in both Italian and Spanish. I also loved talking with Rachael and Ira Mitzner and doing a taped interview with the current Television Club team from South. Attendees from 1961-3, 1967, and 1969 all seemed be blend in perfectly, as if we had all been in the same class. And, in truth, having shared the 60s in Valley Stream did makes us seem one.
    I do like the idea of having mini-reunions in a hotel every few years, and perhaps the next one can be held outside New York. I hope to see everyone again one day in the near future.

From Bernie O'Brien: Sorry I haven't responded sooner to you and your classmates. It is always great to see the students who made South High School so great. The 50s and the 60s were the best. I thank you and all your classmates for making us a part of your celebrations. Best wishes to one and all.

From Linda Cohen Greenseid: Hey, how about that reunion! I loved the intimate size of it. It was wonderful having in-depth conversations with people I only said "hi" to last time. It was also great chatting with people I never spoke with at South.
    Allen Moss gave me some good information regarding our future second trip to Africa -- we agree that it is one of the most wonderful places on earth. Robin Feit, Peggy Galinger, and Irene Saunders talked about their second careers. Judy Peters and I have children in the make-up business, though her daughter does beauty, and my son does horror and other prosthetics. Where there was Neil Guberman, Art Halprin, and Dennis Pizzimenti, there was always laughter. And Dennis, I thank you for your warmth and caring.
    Ellen Epstein, Barbara Blitfield, Rich Eisbrouch, Terri Donohue, Lynn Nudelman: so much conversation and laughter. Speaking of conversation, Stu Kandel said that, weekly, he goes for a 12-mile walk after downing a gallon-or-two of water. I'm not good at math, but for me that would be about 3 bathroom stops. Stu, where do you walk?
    Finally, thank you Paul and Dennis for all of your hard work and the aggravation that went with it, and to Robin, Barbara, and Rich as well for their help. Paul's younger and adorable sister Elaine was a lot of fun with her South High Quiz Show. Thank you Booker Gibson and Sherry Finkel for coming out to entertain us. Thank you to the class of '69 who sent a really fun group of men and women. They were a spirited bunch, and we enjoyed meeting them. Really finally, since this is becoming a short story, Rachel and Ira got lucky and found each other again, and I am so happy for them. And speaking of getting lucky: my ex-husband even asked me to dance. I can't wait for the next reunion.

From Ellen Epstein Silver: I, like you, had very little sleep from Friday to Sunday -- the adrenaline was a-pumping, and it was such a relaxed atmosphere as "we all felt the love." It was almost like a Wonder Years experience. It just FLOWED so smoothly.

From Booker Gibson: In this wild few weeks, I don't know if I said a big "thanks" to the members of the class of '65. Of course, I talked to as many of you as possible on that Saturday night, but I wish I had seen the rest of the people on Friday night, too.

From Peter Panzarino '69: I decided at the last minute to come to the reunion, and I am glad that I did. It was a fun time!

From Lynn Nudleman Villagran: I think the photos reflect the great time we all had.
And some letters from some people who couldn't make it:

From Paul Zegler: It looks like the reunion was a great success. I've heard from a few people that there was wonderful bonding. I also saw that Lanie Statsinger was to attend. We went to camp together way back in 1957. If you have an e-mail address for her, I'd love to contact her.
Meanwhile, I'm healing. Slowly. But getting better. I've lost almost 80 pounds in 5 months, so I'm getting there. But I've more to go. Hope you all are well.

From Robin Seader Cottmeyer: Just a note to say that this was a wonderful recap of the goings-on. I almost feel as if I was witness to the festivities. I missed seeing you all this past weekend. But if you are ever in this neck of the woods (DC-Maryland), let's plan a regional gathering.

From Helen David: The spirit of joy and camaraderie permeated your update of 8/9/05. I truly felt, and still feel, that I missed something of great importance and joy. Then the photos came. Since I, too, am on AOL, they came through crystal clear. But who are all those nice grown-ups? I only recognized my buddies, Teresa Margolin Bargman, Booker Gibson, and Bernie O'Brien. Is there a committee willing to identify the others? Should I toss my old Valley Stream South High year books?
I'm also including a photo from my new Arizona diver's license. How do you like that Grand Canyon background? And note that I still wear long earrings. In the past I was known as "Mrs. David," but now I'm universally addressed as "Helen."
    Please think of me on your 50th anniversary, though I doubt if I can make it.

A quick follow-up from Helen David: I'm embarrassed that I bothered you about the captions when you were still preparing the photos. You remind me of the times when I was a girl and my mother used to make dresses for me. I'd wiggle and complain, and her reaction was the expression -- which I really still don't understand -- "You can't show a mule unfinished work."
    The captions are great, and yet they made me cry. How did all of you grow up so fast when I wasn't looking?

[Rich -- Helen David's photo is online, in the Photo section, under 40th Reunion Photos, then Other Current Photos.]

From Jay Kinder: I enjoyed reading the 8/16/05 newsletter describing the reunion experience from the attendees. I think it says a lot about the class of 1965 that, when the reunion organizers realized there would be an attendance problem, everyone helped solve the problem. The organizers invited members of other classes, and some members of our class who could not attend helped by providing financial support so that other class members could enjoy the weekend. I believe our class always had the unique ability to "make lemonade out of lemons," and I am proud of be part of the class of 1965.
From Jerry Bittman: What a small world. I needed to get in contact with a magazine based out of Chicago so that I could advertise in it. Lo and behold, the person I spoke to was D. Pizzimenti -- David Pizzimenti -- Dennis' younger brother.

From Steve Cahn '70: Things were a little touch and go for a while with our reunion plans, and we didn't know if we'd have the numbers to pull it all together. But we do! And, like your class, we'd like our teachers to be our guests at our celebration on September 17th at 8:00 PM at the LaGuardia Marriott Hotel.
    If anyone knows faculty members who are interested in coming, please notify me so I can invite them. There'll be lots of old times to catch up on -- some good food and drink, and probably over 70 former students you can try to recognize. Don't worry: we'll all have name tags. Best of all, you'll see first hand that you really did make a difference!
    Please RSVP to Genghisaha@aol.com as soon as you can. But speed is relative, and we'd love to have you, even if it's at the last minute. I'll provide you with all the information you need when you reply. Also, I know many of you others are "reunioned out" from your successful shindig, but if you come, I know you'll be glad you did.

Finally, a quick follow-up from Peter Panzarino '69, especially notable because it contains a story about a good guidance counselor: Here is a bit about me: I was lost in high school. Fairly intelligent. Grew up with friends on the side of town who were not headed toward college. My parents were children of immigrants with little education, and I didn't have any intellectual stimulation or guidance at home. One day, as a senior, Miss Stevens locked me in a room with an application from the College of Insurance. I told her insurance sounded boring, but she wouldn't let me out until I slid a completed application under the door. A day earlier, I told her and my parents that I wanted to be a garbage man. I had no idea what I really wanted to be, but was upset when I saw that she made my father take a day off from work and lose a day's pay to spring this surprise meeting on me!
I decided to go to that school, full-time, at night. I studied risk management and insurance, and worked full-time during the day. The school was eventually bought by St. John's, so I've lucked out with a degree from St. John's now. Most of my career was in insurance and risk management. My last job in this field was with the super car company Lamborghini in Italy, as a risk and project manager. It was a tremendous opportunity!
    After returning to the States, I needed to "top" the Lambo job and started an IT recruiting company. The 2000 recession changed the IT market, and my company evolved into a nurse-staffing company. We are now working directly with the country of Kosovo and some of the other Balkan ministries to train a surplus of nurses and relocate them to the United States. With unemployment of 60% there, and a shortage of nurses here, this project has given me real purpose in my work! It's a small miracle -- just like the Lamborghini job!