Update 11-23-10

Hi,

Some notes, pretty much in the order they arrived:

From Eric Hilton: I just wanted to say that it is so wonderful, at 64-years-old, to be hearing about everyone’s life and about memories of South.
    Good luck to Barbara Elizabeth Brill on her upcoming photography exhibition.  Last year, I won an international photography contest and had the opening at the Ringling School of design.  It is so uplifting to have many friends and family attend an event like that and to share the excitement.  I hope all our classmates able will attend and support Barbara Brill’s photo exhibit and opening.
    Yesterday, on November 15th, my daughter, Robyn Hilton Mueller, and my son-in-law, Christopher Mueller -- both South High graduates -- became parents again, to a little girl at Mercy Hospital.  My wife Gilda and I will be up in Valley Stream next week, and we will try to see some South High friends.  That is, if my daughter allows us time away from the family.

From Arlene AInbinder Lynn: I saw a note from Judy Sarazan Perine in last week's update.  How can I get in touch with her?  Do you have her e-mail address?  I was friends with her younger sister, Jeannie.  Thanks.

[Rich -- As I wrote Arlene:  The note you saw was originally one of the entries in the book Emily Kleinman Schreiber assembled for Booker Gibson's 80th birthday.  The notes also listed e-mail addresses, but I deleted them when I copied the notes for the updates.  That was so no one's privacy got invaded.  But since you were friends with the Sarazans, here's the e-mail address that accompanied the note from Judy Sarazan Perine and her husband.]

Arlene wrote back:  Thanks, so much.  I remember the Sarazan family on Damson Lane -- Donald, Richard, Judy, and Jeannie.  I spent a lot of time at their home and even slept over a few times.  Judy married Mr. Perine, who taught at South as a junior high teacher if my memory is correct.  I think they all moved to Arizona, and it would be great to get in touch with them.

[Rich -- I thought the name Perine sounded familiar, but I didn't connect it to a former South teacher.  That's neat.]

From another teacher, Helen David:  Odd that a few weeks ago, a number of class members were discussing cataract surgery.  Since I haven't had the need for it yet, I was amazed that two weeks ago, our 60-year-old son announced that he was having cataract surgery in both eyes.
    He has had this by now and has bifocal lenses as replacements.  I don't recall anybody mentioning that possibility.  He needs no glasses except sun glasses, to wear as he wishes.  And we have a good need for them in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.
    I was touched by the memories of Clara Hoogenboom, which appeared a few more weeks back.  It helps to know that some of us are remembered.  She was my dear friend and a wonderful person.
    And finally, to Booker Gibson, whom I've known since 1956 -- Welcome to Octogenarianism.  We elders have been waiting for you.

Also to Booker, from Marilyn Eisbrouch:  Dear Mr. Gibson:  It's clear that you remain in the hearts of many of your students, as you do in mine.  I don't know why nobody's mentioned how you were known for your blackboard erasers sailing through the air, to get someone's attention -- or maybe it was said already, and I missed it.  Anyway, it is a memory that I have that is synonymous with you.  Maybe you only did this with the class of '68.
    I will also always remember you because it was in your class -- 8th grade, I believe -- that I won my first anything: I was one of a group chosen from your lottery to go, with you and a group of students, into New York City to see La Boheme.  It meant a lot to me, and I thank you for that -- even if it was by chance.
I regret that I missed your great 80th birthday and hope that you thoroughly enjoy this year and many more.   
    Love from Cincinnati, from Rich's "little" sister.

Part of a forwarded Internet Thanksgiving poem that's turned up several times in the past few days.  But that holiday is this week's big event:

    I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
    Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
    I crashed through the ceiling, soared high in the sky,
    With a mouth full of pudding, a hand full of pie.
    But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees,
    "Happy Eating to All !  Pass the cranberries, please!"

And a few more greetings for Booker Gibson's birthday, again collected by Emily Kleinman Schreiber:
    From Robbie Brill Birnel '62:  There are many happy memories for me in Booker Gibson's music room at South High School: his homeroom class, his always non-threatening and friendly manner as our seventh and
eighth grade music teacher, our hoping to be “punished” by staying after school to play "Name That
Tune" to win our “release!”
    We learned to appreciate so many different forms of music – and Mr. Gibson never put down our new favorite – Rock and Roll.  I became a jazz lover in his class, but my favorite memory is that of being assigned to listen to and report on one half-hour of WQXR each Friday night.  This was classical music, and my father's favorite. So once a week, my father and I got to listen to the same radio station together.  He loved it, and I loved it, too, but I tried not to let it show too much.
    My father influenced my love of classical music, but the music appreciation, enjoyment, and knowledge I have to this day, of so many different kinds of music, I owe to Booker Gibson.  I am thrilled that he still is a part of my life as a fellow member of the Alumni Association.  Happy Birthday, Mr. G., and many happy returns.

    From Claire Brush Reinhardt ’62:  We were asked to write our special memories of you, so here they are, along with some sincere and heartfelt thoughts.
    First of all, my special memories naturally include learning about all types of music in your class, and, more importantly, learning to love music.  But it's not just about the fun I had in your class -- because you did make it so much fun and so very interesting -- it's about the caring, sweet man who was always smiling while teaching.
    I was not only privileged to have you as a general music teacher but also as my homeroom teacher for my years at South.  What a treat, to start off each day in Mr. G's homeroom.  Lucky me!
    I always remembered you and thought about you, especially when I could answer the classical music questions on "Jeopardy."  I've told you this before, but I want to say again that my kids grew up knowing who Mr. Gibson was and even my grandkids know who you are and what a great teacher you are.
    Now for the sincere and heartfelt thoughts:  I feel so fortunate to have reconnected with you five years ago and to have you in my life again.  What a wonderful gift, one that I truly treasure.  Thank you for the profound influence you have had on all of your students' lives, 'specially mine.  Happy 80th birthday, and many, many more.

    And from Judy Cohen '64:  I would very much like to say Happy Birthday to you, Mr. Gibson.  I had you for a music teacher, and you turned me on to lots of music I would otherwise have missed.  I graduated in 1964, and you were one of the teachers I could speak with after school or whenever I needed some support for anything.  Peace.

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

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


Rich