Update 11-16-10

Hi,

People kept sending me jokes this week.  I'm not sure if they think I'm depressed, or if they're trying to cheer themselves up.  In any case, we have some of those and more of Booker Gibson's birthday greetings.  But first, a couple of notes.

A reminder that there's an Alumni Association meeting this Thursday, November 18th, at South.  It probably starts at 7:15, and it's probably in the library.  But, if you're planning to attend, you should probably confirm both those things with Emily Kleinman Schreiber at: cre8em@aol.com

Next, from Eric Hilton:  One of my wonderful memories of Mr. Gibson’s class involves a funny incident.  Just before the end of a class period, Mr. Gibson was playing something on the piano, when one of our large, sometimes annoying, classmates bolted for the door.  Mr Gibson stopped playing and said in a rather whimsical voice, “Sit down, John. You're not built for speed."  The entire class broke up in laughter.
    Also, has anyone heard anything about how Mr. Argenzio is doing?  If so, please let me know.  Thanks.

From Barbara Elizabeth Brill:  Perhaps, you can share this -- I'm having an exhibition of 16 of my photographs, collectively titled "Peoples of Papua New Guinea."  They will hang at the Great Neck Library, which is open every weekday evening until 9, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons until 6.  The exhibit will continue until the end of December, and the library's address is: 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, New York.
    Also, if anyone wants to meet with me, I could join him or her for a viewing, a chat, a bite, anything.  My e-mail address is: Bfelizbeth@yahoo.com and my telephone number is:  516-482-2953

Next, the pick of the jokes, or -- at least -- the shortest.  Some catchy phrases:
    I didn't say it was your fault,  I said I was blaming you.
    I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather.  Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
    Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
    You do not need a parachute to sky dive.  You only need a parachute to sky dive twice.
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you.  But it's still on the list.

And three short verses from a much longer piece called "Class Reunion."
    I'll never forget the first time we met.
    We tried so hard to impress.
    We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
    And wore our most elegant dress.

    It was quite an affair.  The whole class was there.
    It was held at a fancy hotel.
    We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
    And everyone thought it was swell.

    At our next get-together, no one cared whether
    They impressed their classmates or not.
    The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
    By this time we'd all gone to pot.
:
 Finally, some additional greetings for Booker Gibson's birthday:
    From Vicky Colman Levy '61:  I cannot believe that our young music teacher from 7th grade is going to be 80.  I wish you a very happy birthday, with many more to come.
    From Danny Clark, percussionist -- concert and marching bands and orchestra:  Mr. G., I send you my best regards and respect on your 80th, including all the respect I fear I failed to show you much of the time when I attended your classes.
    From Terry Gunderson Kaiser '59:  Since I have joined the Alumni Association and listened to your former students reminisce about the good times they had in your class and homeroom, I feel that I was "cheated" by being a member of a class that was not lucky enough to have you for a teacher.  I am fortunate to have met you through the Alumni Association, I wish you a wonderful 80th birthday, and I look forward to seeing you at the meetings.
    From Judy Sarazan Perine and Joseph Bruce Perine '59:  So you will be 80, and we are 69.  When we were students at South, it didn't seem like only an 11-year age difference.  We wish you a very happy birthday.
    From Irene Sundal '64:  I remember your classes being more fun than most in junior high, I remember your closet full of empty Coke bottles, and I remember being assigned Lucia di Lammermoor for my opera report.  I finally got to see Lucia a few years ago at the New York City Opera.  It's definitely not my favorite, but I did enjoy the sextet.  Thanks for exposing me to so many types of music.  You instilled a love a classical music, which I enjoy to this day.  Have a very healthy and happy 80th birthday.
    From Jeff Rosenfeld '61:  One indelible memory I cherish -- Alan Newman and I attempted to "rile" you one spring afternoon in music class.  We each had an arsenal of bobby pins and rubber bands, and we started by shooting the bobby pins into the tile ceiling.  No reaction from you.  Then we started migrating the desks from the classroom to the abutting flat roof outside the windows.  Still no reaction from you, and I was dumbfounded that you continued to teach and smile while these inane acts were being perpetrated.  But we kept going, and not a word from you.  In fact, I think you actually enjoyed our pranks as much as we did.  I just love you and the way you handled yourself.  I will never forget you.  Never.

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

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


Rich