Update 11-1-11

Hi,

As I write this, it's Halloween, and I'm waiting for kids, dressed in my red-and-gray South sweater -- complete with junior high manager's letters -- a red shirt, gray bow tie, gray pants, red socks, and black belt and shoes.
    No.
    We don't get a lot of kids in our neighborhood.  They're as scarce as sidewalks.  Couples who have kids drive them to wealthier neighborhoods for better treats.  But we have a lot of old people.  One of our neighbors was testing her new First Alert button, and when the fire engine arrived, the driver asked, "Is this for the old woman in the back?"  Another neighbor replied, "Which old woman?  Pick a house... any house..."
    We've got old guys, too.  And old dogs.  And we had a retired carrier pigeon for a couple of months, till one of our resident hawks ate it.  I guess, for the hawk, Halloween came early.

Meanwhile, in mail, first, from Marc Jonas:  Wild dog?  You want wild?  See the attached photo.  My backyard looks like a prison camp, thanks to the 6-foot wire fence and other extra precautions.

(The attached photo -- which would only send all these updates to spam files if attached here -- showed Marc's lithe dog, Grace, leaping over a gate.  Grace is gray and maybe a Weimaraner, originally used by royalty -- according to Wikipedia -- to hunt boar, bear, and deer.)

[Rich -- When I wrote Marc, asking if Grace got away often, he replied, saying, "She did.  But thanks to a variety of extra hardware, not anymore.  Whew!"]

Next, from Amy Kassak Bentley:  Wonderful letter last week from Joanne Shapiro Polner.  Reading about the class of '59 makes me realize just how profoundly different our high school experiences really were.  Although I graduated a mere 12 years later, in 1971, I partook in none of the enrichments/activities Joanne mentioned.  Were they ever even offered?  I was disenfranchised.  I did, however, manage to snag a date for the Ring Dance.
    And thank you, Andy and Barry Dolich, for sharing the 1957 Southern Belle with us.  Coincidentally,   Carol Lagin was my next door neighbor.

[Rich -- Most of the activities Joanne mentioned still seemed familiar as part of what we did at South as late as 1965.  Maybe by the late '60s these things had morphed into activities more fitting for those times.  Less protective?  Less quaint?  More cynical?  More sophisticated?  I don't know.
    Also, Amy sent one more check from the class of '71, bringing their contribution to next year's scholarships to just under 140 dollars.  Again, two still-to-be-named students from South say "Thanks."]

In news cribbed from Facebook:

Claire Brush Reinhardt wrote that the class of '61's 50th reunion on October 22nd was a terrific success.

Barnet Kellman wrote that he'd spotted Mitt Romney in the Cincinnati airport, dressed in his 1967 J. Press preppy best.

Booker Gibson, Tom McPartland, and Ed Albrecht all celebrated birthdays, with Ed being the relative kid of the group.  I doubt they celebrated together because they live in three different states, at least one partly covered by snow.

And, unfortunately, Emily Kleinman Schreiber wrote that her husband Lenny was back in the hospital and could be doing far better.  Two dozen people sent Emily and Lenny best wishes through Facebook, and if you'd like to do it directly, Emily's e-mail address is: Cre8em @ aol . com

Some more news from the past, specifically that May 29th, 1957 Southern Belle we're mining.  Another story from the front page, seemingly following our unintentional theme:  Lagin Re-elected as Drama Head
    On Friday, April 12, a meeting of the South High Dramatic Club, The Little Theater, was held.  At this meeting new officers were elected.  Carol Lagin was elected as president for the second consecutive year.  Assisting her will be Jerry Cohen as vice president and Marianne Goldman as secretary/treasurer.
    At this meeting a constitution was approved.  The constitution paves the way for many dramatic club presentations.  In the 1957-58 school year three major productions will be presented:  "Kind Lady," "I Remember Mama," and "Angel Street."  There will also be a benefit program for the Southern Bell put on by the Junior High classes.  These classes will also present two assembly programs.  A variety show and a one-act play contest will finish the year.

[Southern Bell was either misspelled or was predicting its eventual, more politically correct name.]

A related story also from the front page, this particularly for Richard Sternhell, for the mention of his sister:  Fall Production Set for Kind Lady
    On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 30 through May 2, tryouts for the fall play, "Kind Lady," were held.  The suspenseful drama will be presented by the Senior High Dramatic Club on October 18 and 19 of next [school] year.
    Heading the cast are Susan Sternhell, a Freshman, as Mary and Rick Reisch, a Junior, as Henry Abbot.  Also featured are Andrea Kerbel as Phylis, Ronald Plotkin as Peter, Joyce Wolovick and Ira Kinder as Mr. and Mrs. Edward, Carol Ann Ganz as Ada, Ellen Stepner as Aggie, Dave Herbeck as the doctor and Mr. Foster, Pat Schaffzin as Rose, and Jack McMullen as Gustav Roseberg.  The cast was chosen by Paula Baller, student director of the play, Carol Lagin, President of the club, Mr. Charles Plumber, director of the play, and a student committee.
    The play centers around Mary Herries, a wealthy, kind lady, who is held captive by the smooth talking Henry Abbot.


The South '65 e-mail addresses: reunionclass65 . blogspot . com

The South '65 photo site: picasaweb . google . com / SouthHS65

As usual, please delete the spaces.


Rich