Update 1-8-13

 

Hi,

 

Maybe not the best way to start the new year, though it's less an apology than an explanation.

 

From Zelda White Nichols:  Boy, did I do an OOPS.  Please explain to the group that I am co-moderator of a Yahoo group for a very rare breed of cat called Korat.  I am also the Southeast Regional Director for the Korat Cat Fancier Association.  I just read the note you included in this week's newsletter and realized my mistake in sending you the message about going to the beach.

    I have you listed in my e-mail address book and the Yahoo Korat group called Si-Sawat right below you.  I must have accidentally clicked on your name rather than on Si-Sawat, so that message was not meant for the South High group, and I do apologize. 

    However, if anyone is interested in learning more about Korats and after doing an Internet search on the breed is interested in acquiring a kitten, one of my functions is to help people find them as they are so rare.  Anyone interested can contact me via e-mail at: Zelda . nichols @ high-rock-lake . com  (please take out those spaces)

    Also, to answer Linda Cohen Greenseid's question about where the Shabbas Goy piece came from:  through my Korat group I have met many wonderful Korat owners around the world.  Shabbas Goy came from one in California who was originally from New York.  That's why I thought many of our classmates might enjoy it.

    I, too, on this New Years' Day want to wish all our classmates a Happy New Year.  May it be filled with good friends, family, love, and laughter, and may it be a better year than 2012.

 

[Rich -- As I wrote Zelda, "I don't think there was anything that personal in the beach message to worry about.  It certainly didn't seem out of keeping with the ones you've sent before, or I would have written you to check.  But thanks for the clarification."]

 

Several days later, Zelda wrote:  I heard this morning that the boardwalk in Long Beach, New York, will be torn down and a new one built.  To me, this is very sad as that is the boardwalk where I hung out in high school, as did many other people our age.  There are so many memories.  Another piece of our innocence will be lost.

 

[Rich -- Zelda's e-mail also included a photo of 15,000 cars damaged by Hurricane Sandy and presently parked at Calverton Executive Airport on Long Island.  The reminder:  as with after Hurricane Katrina, this is not the time to casually buy a used car.]

 

More Friar Lawrence stuff:  Paula Ignatow Cohen was able to contact the late Hy Rosov's daughter Sheryl through Eric Hilton and seemingly able to replace Paula's mildewed copy of the 1962 South yearbook.

 

Barbara Blitfield Pech sent a link to a video of Barbra Streisand singing in Brooklyn with her son Jason Gould and her sister Roslyn Kind:  youtube . com / watch?v=RMYtRn-mO78  (again, no spaces)

 

Judy Hartstone sent a link that may have sent here before.  It's called "Ah, the Great Smell of a Jewish Deli," and Judy warns that "It's 11 minutes long."  But Billy Crystal turns up in it.  vimeo . com / 53381762  (ditto with the spaces)

 

After Zelda's forward of Shabbas Goy was included here, someone wrote to wonder if this update sometimes seems too focused on a specific ethnic group.  I wrote back saying that each week's letters and links are kind of luck of the draw.  And Zelda prefaced a piece she just sent with, "Here's another piece many classmates may appreciate.  It's actually from an Italian friend in New York City, but it's called Growing Up Jewish (Aren't all New Yorkers a little Jewish?)  I don't have a link for it, and I know it's long, so maybe you can find a link."

 

[Rich -- Unfortunately, I can't find a link because the piece seems to be a compilation of observation and folk wisdom that's been floating around the Internet, and possibly around the world, for years.  But here's a sample of it, about food.]

 

A main ingredient of traditional Jewish cooking, which unfortunately and undeservedly has disappeared from our diet, is schmaltz (chicken fat).  I feel it's time to revive it to its rightful place in our homes, and I have plans to distribute it in a green glass Gucci bottle with a label that clearly says, "Low fat, no cholesterol, Newman's Choice, extra virgin schmaltz."  It can't miss.  Another specialty is grebenes -- pieces of chicken skin, deep fried in schmaltz, onions, and salt until they're crispy brown.  It's kind of Jewish bacon.  It would also make a great appetizer for a cardiologist's convention.  Then there's a nice chicken fricassee -- fancy for stew -- using the heart, gorgle (neck), pipick (gizzard), fleegle (wing), some ayelech (little premature eggs) in a broth of schmaltz, water, and paprika.  We also have knishes (filled dough) and the eternal question, "Will that be liver, beef, potatoes, or all three?"  Of course, each contains schmaltz.

 

Finally, another history note from Steve Zuckerman, who's turning into either Mr. Peabody or Sherman.  I forget which is which, and I'm too lazy to look it up.

    Some more brief history.  As we march forward, it's not so bad to look back occasionally, though maybe I do it just a bit too much.  Anyway, exactly one hundred years ago, a slim, soft-spoken, highly idealistic, and educated Democratic President was sworn into office after a contested campaign with a decent share of mud slinging and personal attacks.  He went on to successfully fulfill two consecutive terms, the first Democratic President of the new century to do that.  This was Woodrow Wilson, who led the nation through our first involvement in a world war and who dedicated himself to bringing all nations together to live in peace.  Unfortunately, he never lived to see his vision completed as his idea of a League of Nations could only be a reality if all nations truly adhered to it.

    As always, regards to everyone.

 

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

 

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

 

 

Rich