Update 9-26-06

Hi,

And sometimes there's almost too much information.  This week, we got an article from American University's alumni magazine, about Andy Dolich.  And an article from Newsday, featuring Emily Kleinman Schreiber.  And a brief bio from Ryki Zuckerman.  Plus, we got a lot of shorter notes.  So I'll concentrate on them for now and save the longer articles for the next few weeks.
   
    From Barnet Kellman:  I just want to add to the chorus of appreciation for Stu Borman’s memoir.  Wouldn’t it be great if this were a monthly feature -- a different “life story” each month.  If we live long enough, we might finally really get to know each other!
   
    Barnet also sent a funny Internet New Year's greeting to everyone.
   
    Barbara Blitfield Pech sent a more serious New Year's greeting to the class, and then added this, a day later:  Briefly:  I did it again.  I now have new respect for the term "sprained" ankle.  I was helping put prayer books into a box after the Rosh Hashona service yesterday, when I somehow skidded out of my open back, low heel, slide shoe and rotated my ankle into a direction and position it was never meant to go.  The rest of the story is a long and unbelievable day of pain.  Now, I'm home and resting very UNcomfortably.  Needless to say, my ballet career is on hold, and kick boxing is out for the next six weeks.  Of course, this is just the beginning of my recovery, as I still can't seem to navigate -- walking with crutches, with or without gum -- and I assume I'll soon be back in the hospital with a cracked head from falling.  I have no bright comments or sense of humor at this particular time, but hope that both those things shall return when the pain subsides and life goes back to being even semi-normal.  All volunteer efforts are now being accepted.  The front door is unlocked if you wish to drop by to see a gazelle on wheels -- as long as there are no smirks, snickering, or laughter other than my own, at least for now.  And if anyone calls me "Hoppy," these crutches have a reach of five-foot-four-inches.  I'll git-ya.
   
    Stu Borman sent this social update:  I've heard from seven of the Gang of Nine.  All seven have confirmed for dinner on Thursday, October 19th, at Red Sage.
        I went to Red Sage last night, got a copy of the Border Cafe menu, and asked about reservations.  The hostess said we didn't need reservations for the Border Cafe and that a party of nine would be no problem.  Nevertheless, I'll check with the restaurant again early in the week of the 19th, or sooner, to make sure everything will be okay.
         If you're interested, Red Sage's Border Cafe menu can be seen at: http://www.redsage.com/border/bormenu_night.html.  Red Sage is located at:  605 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005.  That's on the corner of 14th & F Streets NW.  It's a short walk from the west side of Metro Center station, which lets you out at 13th & G Streets NW.  If you're coming by car, the Red Sage web site (http://www.redsage.com/) says the restaurant is on the same city block as the Atlantic Garage at 607 14th Street NW, and that after 4:30 PM, valet parking is available there for $4.00 with Red Sage validation.
         That leaves only a time of day to be decided on.  I'm assuming we would meet around 6:00 PM or later.  Can people please send me a message to let me know what the optimal meeting time would be, and also the time before which you would definitely not be able to arrive?
   
    A day later, Stu added this:  Robert Fiveson's restaurant suggestion, Red Sage, has turned out to be very popular, which saved me from trying to identify a place.  That would have been difficult since I don't eat out that much and am not that familiar with different restaurants.  I'm very happy that we've attracted a group of nine, and I'm hoping this can be a regular thing.  Once the snowball got rolling, it just kept picking up more snow.
   
    And then this:  In my last message, I forgot to mention financial arrangements.  I've always preferred splitting bills evenly among the participants, no matter what they order, because it's easy.  This is not a self-interested choice because I personally don't order a lot.  I'll be happy to pay the whole bill including the tip at the restaurant and then will accept reimbursement either in cash or by check.  If anyone prefers another arrangement, please let me know.
   
    To which easy going Robert Fiveson responded:  Whatever's easiest for everyone else is fine with me.
   
    From another city, Peter Rosen wrote:  I am so disappointed that now that I have moved out of the D.C. area and back to Atlanta, there is this great effort to get everyone together.  I would have loved to participate.  But I'm glad I did have the opportunity to get together with Robert, Irene, and Robin.
        Also, on another note, I'm in Memphis right now, on business, and I ran into a fascinating older man last night who has written a musical play that takes place in a senior residence. It sounded so timely and unique.  Anyone interested in finding out more to help out with producing and investing?  Contact me if you are at: pfrosen@aol.com, and I'll get a copy of the script.  The music is already done, and I can't do justice to explaining the impact the story had on me.  It gets into how everyone had such a different life before moving into the residence, and it's all set to music.
   
    And on another subject, Benette Steindam Pizzimenti forwarded this from Michael Schimmel '66:  You are cordially invited to attend the 40th year class reunion of the South High School class of 1966.  Many of us have not been together for twenty years, and some of us much longer, so please make every effort to attend.  Many classmates, teachers, and coaches have indicated a desire to attend, so you won't want to miss this.  On Friday, November 10, 2006, at 6:00 PM, there will be a reception with food and entertainment.  On Saturday, November 11, 2006, at 7:00 PM, there will be a reunion, including a hot dinner buffet, drinks, and entertainment.  Both parties will be at the Long Island Marriott Hotel, 101 James Doolittle Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11553.  A block of rooms has been reserved for people wishing to stay at the hotel, and a special rate has been authorized.  To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly by October 13, 2006 at:  516-794-3800.  The cost for attending the parties both nights will be $125.00 per person.  That includes food, drinks, and entertainment.  If you choose to attend the reunion only on Saturday night, the cost will be $100.00 per person.  Please RSVP by October 20, 2006 to: mdschimmel@gmail.com
        Also, of the almost three hundred people in our graduating class, we have not been able to locate the following.  If you know anything about these people, please contact me as soon as possible.  Ronda Ellen Albert, Rosemarie Bassano, Doreen Breit, Kathy Dicorti (new last name Cappiello), John Dwyer, Mary Fioramonte, Sharon Lee Green, Margaret Holllingsworth, Christine Hummel, Marguerite Johnson, Susan L. Kaplan, Janice K. McCulley, Elizabeth Mary Morall, Mary Margaret Morley, Elizabeth Mormille, Jack O'Connor, Carol Helen Pellegrino, Daniel S. Reeves, Maureen E Rooney, Sharon J. Rose, Lorraine C. Ross, Barbara Jean Sapriacone, and Ellen Taylor.
   
    About another reunion, Claire Brush Reinhardt wrote:  Walter Rooney, Booker Gibson, Irv Saffrin, Bernie O'Brien, and many of your old friends will be there.  How about you?  Don't miss the chance to reconnect and catch up on the last forty-four years.  It hasn't really been that long -- has it?  If you're interested, and you haven't already contacted us for information, please write me at:  reino@optonline.net   Only five more weeks till the big day, October 28th.  Hope to see some of you there!

    And a day later, Claire added:  Hey all you '62-ers, here is a message from our former fearless leader.  Although he cannot be with us at the reunion, Doug Solomon wanted to send his best to you.  And I think his idea is a good one:  how about sharing our best memories of those golden days at South High School, along with a catch-up of what we have been doing for the last forty-four years?  Maybe after the reunion, we could think about starting up some kind of a newsletter.  Any volunteers?  Right now, between the reunion planning and my son's upcoming wedding in November, I'm confused enough.  The class of '65 has a terrific newsletter, which I enjoy reading every week.  Classmates send thoughts, memories, news of their lives, and they get put in some kind of order and sent along to all.  Their class is even able to put together mini-reunions at different locations around the country.  Hope to see as many of you as possible on October 28th, and hopefully someone  more versed in technology than I am will help me figure out how to send out digital pix.  Remember:  "Be True To '62"
   
    In the note Claire attached, Doug Solomon wrote:  A great group in '62 -- and I do hope someone will send out digital photos of the reunion.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend due to commitments here in Weston, Florida.  For those of us who can't come "home," can we talk about some special events remembered by e-mail?  Of times we thought were wild then, though little did we know what was to come.  And I'm so glad we grew up in less insane times!  Though perhaps not.  Looking back on it, "Night of the Auk," our one-act play entry, was quite prophetic.  And I recall at one point that we were considering images of a mushroom cloud within our yearbook covers (seriously, right Pat P?)  But I'd rather remember the North-South games and the coed pajama parties at Gunderson's with
    booze stolen from parents' supplies and smuggled in by the daring in aspirin bottles!  And three Fabulous Fifties dances (ask Flip Archard -- I still have the actual posters!)  And varsity club jackets and high school fraternities and sororities -- which were the best?  And Molly's luncheonette hamburgers, square pizza at the Green Acres Shopping Center and bowling at Green Acres Bowl.  Claire, you still have the most school spirit!  And it's easy to recollect vivid images of JoAnn Baffa, Sylvia Schild, Lainie (the first flower child poet to recognize Bob Dylan), Miriam Reyes, Roberta (we won the dance contest on TV!), Carol, Linda, Joan Z., Pat Occhiuzzo, Betsy Cantor, Martha Horowitz, Karin Schade, Marie Reale, and all of the greatest cheerleaders on earth!  And stickball pitched against the rear wall of that elementary school adjacent to South High School -- what was that school named?  You still playing tennis, Joey Melnick?  Still driving that green TR-3 convertible roadster I envied?  Remember "The Four Musketeers" -- Jan Atlas, Flip Archard, Danny Silver, and yours truly?  And Jones Beach barbecues?  And so much more -- there's not enough room.  So let's hear your favorite memories, okay?  And send some current photos.  And does anyone have any vintage South High School photos to scan and e-mail?  At least, we know we all are still teenagers at heart, right?  Love to all, from your old young friend.
   
    Finally, from Barbara Dorin Hayden '67, about another reunion:  I'd like to start by thanking your class for its newsletter.  Until now, I was one of the silent but appreciative recipients.  I often forward your updates to my brother, Philip, class of '66, and to my '67 classmates Jackie Drucker Roberts and Leslie Weinberg Sigmund.  Although there are many names in your updates that I am not familiar with, there are enough to  connect me to the memories and make me smile.
        I'm also in touch with Betsy Fels Pottruck, another of your fans.  Betsy regularly flies from San Francisco to Los Angeles, where I live, and we get together with Jackie and/or Leslie.  This past Labor Day I reconnected with Andrea Schwartz Neenan.  It's been fifteen years since we've seen each other!  She was here from Florida for a wedding in Santa Monica.
        2007 is the year for our 40th reunion, and some of our classmates are just beginning to get the buzz going.  Betsy recently got some e-mails about organizing our upcoming party, and the small group of us on the West coast is starting to rally.  Today, I heard from Andrea Schwartz Neenan, who was also on the committee for our 25th reunion.  She's started an e-mail for circulation, and I thought if it were posted in your newsletter, this could surely help us network. Your class has done such a great job of reconnecting and staying in touch that we'd like to follow your lead, so any advice or suggestions would be welcome.  I also feel there are a number of people like me who read your updates, but who are not from your class.  Siblings of my classmates could hopefully pass our reunion plans along to them.
    So, thanks in advance!
        Here is the announcement Andrea Schwartz Neenan is circulating:  Some of us from the class of '67 have finally acted and are starting to plan a reunion for next summer.  Those of us who have begun are scattered all over the country, so we are not planning to meet to make plans.  So far, we have decided to send out e-mails to those people we are in contact with.  In these letters, we are asking if people are planning to attend the reunion and which month would be preferable.  We are also asking that if you are in contact with anyone from our class that you both contact them and e-mail us.  Also, if you have any suggestions for the party, or if you would like to help, please write either Alicia Spivack Lapides at:  alapi@aol.com  or Andrea Schwartz Neenan at:  aneenan@tampabay.rr.com   Thanks.
   
    And remember that there's an Alumni Association meeting this Thursday, September 28th, at 7:15 PM at South.