Update 5-4-10

Hi,

First, a reminder that Booker Gibson Night at the Irish Coffee Pub is this Wednesday, May 5th.  As in previous years, people from South will be gathering to see each other and to hear Booker play.
    You don't necessarily need a dinner reservation, but, as has been pointed out, the room is small, so, if you want to sit at a table and eat, a reservation might be a good idea. 
    The address:  131 Carleton Avenue, East Islip, New York  11730.
    The phone number:  631-277-0007.
    The web site: www.irishcoffeepub.com

Next, before I went away for a couple of days, two notes came in, and I asked whether the information was for me or for the class.  I got answers, but I still may get in trouble by running the notes.
    Before I have to apologize for that, I'll apologize for something I did last week.  In editing together a series of notes while trying to keep the transitions smooth, I attributed something to Stu Borman that, actually, I said.  Stu was too nice a guy to insist that I run on my own sword.

This week's two notes, first, from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  It's never easy to write notes that deal with the loss of a loved one, and this note is the most difficult, as my dearest friend, Judith Weber -- 23 Forest Road, class of '66 -- has called me to advise that her daughter, Jennifer, is at end stage brain cancer and in hospice.
    Jennifer is a valiant fighter, living under the most horrific of circumstances due to an accident at birth.  She was born after a difficult labor in the mid-60s, before technology and today's awareness.  Her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, resulting in oxygen deprivation, a quadriplegic life, and extended cerebral palsy.  Judith cared for her at home until Jennifer was school age, when she went to a group home close to her own home in New York state.
    In the last two years, a brain tumor on the brain stem was discovered and treated.  At the time of diagnosis, there was little hope, except for a miracle.  At this time, she is not expected to live more than a few hours..
    I'm sure that Judith would find great comfort and condolence in notes from people who knew her, so I'm including her address.
    Judith Weber
    7 White Gate G
    Wappingers, New York  12590

[Rich -- I wrote Barbara:  Please pass my good wishes on to Judy, who I vaguely knew because she and her family lived next door to Alan Finder.  And I hope you're getting increasingly better.]

Barbara replied:  Actually, if you could pass the information on to Alan Finder, too, I'd appreciate it.  When Judith and I were back for South's 50th anniversary party, we drove to Forest Road, so Judy could visit the Finders.
    I am better.  Thanks.  My blood pressure is back to normal, and I'm working on everything else...

The second note, from Barbara Button McAnulty:  Hi, there.  Well, I have done it and am all settled, almost, in Florida.  Talked to Pat, and he is having a rough time taking care of himself.  I am really sad about that, but, at least, he no longer has the burden of taking care of me.  He knows that we made the right decision.  I will always love him, but, sometimes, it comes down to survival.
    I have lost seventy-three pounds since the first of the year, no oxygen, no bi-pap, and am feeling great, actually.  My hip may have a small fracture that is causing me awful pain, but, all in all, I feel good.  My new address and phone number:
    Barbara  McAnulty
    4782 Crew Circle # 3
    Melbourne, Florida  32904
    321-473-8154

[Rich -- I wrote Barbara:  Do you want me to pass all your information on to the class, or was it just for the records I keep?]

And Barbara replied:  Feel free to pass information on to classmates.  Looking forward to reconnecting.  The mystery love re-connect was with Larry Gartman, class of '64, my first love, for those curious enough to wonder.  Looking forward to the reunion.

So there you have it.  The increased difficulty of communication.

In possibly less ambiguous notes, first, from Susan Joseph Tuckerman:  Please send reunion details -- events, times, and costs.  Thanks.

[Rich -- Actually, the point of this reunion is to include as many people as possible by keeping the costs low.  Presently, we've announced the dates and the hotel -- the details are below -- and a few, possible plans.
    Friday, we'll meet at the hotel lobby bar around 5:00.  People will pay for their own drinks and snacks, and, at some point, we may all go to the hotel restaurant, for dinner.  Or we may just hang around the bar all night.
    Saturday morning, people can gather for breakfast in the hotel restaurant, or they can swim or play golf, tennis, or volleyball at the hotel.  Saturday afternoon, Valerie Nelson Gillen is planning a pool party nearby, and people can carpool to her home.  Saturday evening, Booker Gibson is playing at the, also nearby, Irish Coffee Pub, and people can carpool there.  Or people can just stay at the hotel all day, eating, drinking, and catching up.
    Sunday morning, people can, once more, gather for breakfast in the hotel restaurant, or they can swim or play golf, tennis, or volleyball at the hotel.  Sunday afternoon, people can continue to hang around the hotel, talking as long as they please.]

From Barbara Dorin Hayden, particularly to Eric Hilton:  Thanks for saying those nice words about my dad.
I worked for him, too, in my junior and senior years -- '66-'67 -- and then again, a few years later, when I was going to the School of Visual Arts in New York.
    What years did you work for him?  Did we ever meet or cross paths?  Did you know my brother, Phil?

This week's video link, from Robert Fiveson:  Here's a video made by my friend Mike, of a trip we took in Ramon Fonseca's Alloutte III helicopter last week.  In it, we fly from Panama City to the state of Veraguas to inspect Ramon's orange grove operation.  The scenery is spectacular, and, at one point, I am flying the machine.  The video’s about twelve minutes long, but it's an entertaining view of Panama that few people ever get to see.  http://vimeo.com/11341706

Finally, again, the list of class of '65 people and others interested in the reunion.  People may also just stop by, and, of course, everyone is welcome.

The date: Friday, July 16th to Sunday, July 18th 
The place: Hyatt Regency Wind Watch in Hauppauge, New York 
The phone number: 631-784-1234 

Berliner, Jay
Bittman, Jerry (?)
Blitfield-Pech, Barbara (?)
Borman, Stu
Brody-Pilger, Ellen Sue
Button-McAnulty, Barbara
Cohen-Greenseid, Linda
Cooper-Schwartz, Peggy
Eisbrouch, Rich
Epstein-Silver, Ellen (?)
Feit-Baker, Robin (?)
Forbes-Tatelman, June
Gabbay, Henry
Glasser, Les
Guberman, Neil 
Halprin, Art
Hilton, Eric
Hoenig-Barry, Sharon 
Joseph-Tuckerman, Susan '66
Kandel, Stu
Kellman, Barnet
Minsky-Hahn, Roz
Moss, Allen
Nelson-Gillen, Valerie 
Peters-Sylvan, Judy
Pizzimenti, Dennis (?)
Rosen, Peter 
Rugen, Larry & Joanie
Saunders-Goldstein, Irene 
Scheidt, Bernie
Shapiro, Dennis (?)
Sipp-Green, Mary
Stellabotte, Danny

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

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


Rich