Update 4-29-14

 

Hi,

 

First, in addition to Joe Argenzio dying last week, Don Hicks, an Industrial Arts teacher, died recently.  This was mentioned on Facebook, but since the posting didn't have his first name, I asked both Helen David and Dennis Shapiro if they knew it or could look it up.  Helen confirmed that Don Hicks had died within the past several months, and Dennis confirmed the name Don.  In any case, it's sad news.

 

Next, a little more about Joe Argenzio, from Tom McPartland:  In high school, many of my friends called him “Arms” Argenzio because he was always in great shape.  Joseph was born in New York City and was a physical education teacher and coach with the New York State Public School System for 30 years.  During his career, he coached soccer, baseball, wrestling, and skiing and became well loved among his students, several of whom kept in contact with him throughout their adult years.  He enjoyed golfing and played three times a week at St. Marks.  He also enjoyed being an active resident in his community.  In 1998, Joseph moved to Clearwater, Florida, and then to Highland Lakes where he helped distribute the monthly newspaper and was a part of the Men's Club.  He later moved to St. Mark's Village where he lived for the past 4 years.  Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Despina, children Michael, Diane, and Stephen (Sharon) Argenzio, grandchildren Nicole and William, and great-granddaughter Abigail.

 

From Bill Linkner:  Actually, I forwarded you the e-mail that Joe Caruso sent out to some of the retired teachers.  I was planning on contacting you after Joe's daughter called, but Joe C. beat me to it.  I've also been trying to reach Desi.  She's had some rough years.

    I'm really envious of your having dinner with Paul Zegler and Jay Kinder.  That really goes back.  Jay was the captain of my very first wrestling team at South.  I was only 5 or 6 years older than the seniors.  It's unheard of, high school classes at one school being so close for so long.

 

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  I was saddened to read of both Joe Argenzio and Don Hicks passing
within days of each other.  At the same time, I'm wondering if anyone knows how the schools handle the news, if at all.  Do they announce it or acknowleged it in any way?

 

From Jay Kinder:  Really sorry to hear about Joe Argenzio.  He was one of the good teachers.

 

From Peter Rosen:  It was sad to hear about Joe Argenzio.  I have fond memories of him.  There is a picture of him and me in our yearbook taken during a Phys. Ed. class.  He was a great guy and an excellent mentor, even though I didn’t know it then.

 

From Eric Hilton:  I received an e-mail from Arlene Ainbinder earlier yesterday informing me of Joe’s passing. A few years ago, my wife, Gilda, and I were celebrating our anniversary in Tarpon Springs, Florida, which is just north of Palm Harbor.  Gilda remembered that Joe was in the assisted living facility nearby and suggested we stop and visit with him on the way home.  We were very fortunate to get to see him and spend some time together.  I remember once wising off in the wrestling room and having Joe show me in no uncertain terms that I should leave my wise ass attitude at the door.  To prove it, he bent me into something that resembled a Pennsylvania Dutch twisted pretzel.  He truly was a very cool guy.

 

On a different subject, some information about a theater production in Northport from Bette Hansen Silver:  I wanted to let you know that the theater I own is doing Les Miserables.  The run was last weekend and next.  I produce it and direct the orchestra.  The show is fantastic!  In case any of you can get the opportunity to come and see and hear the show, please check out the web site where you can order tickets.  Thanks. northportcommunitytheater . org  (remove the psaces)

 

From Rachael Mitzner:  I will be living in Florida by next April but would like to come to the reunion.  Along with Ira's family, we have established an intercollegiate boxing scholarship in Ira's name.  I would like to invite anyone interested to visit USIBA web site.  There is a slide show of Ira's formidable moments and information about the scholarship.

    Thanks also to those who planed the 37th reunion.  Ira and I had a great 10 years together, and I couldn't think of a better way to memorialize him than through a sport he found late in life and loved.  If I can do anything from Florida to help with the reunion please let me know.

 

[Rich -- Finally, Last Thursday, I sent the following note:  "This is going to the 30 people who've shown interest in the reunion in the last 3 weeks.  Just a quick question:  6 people have suggested using the hotel in Hauppauge again.  1 person was definitely against it.  The advantages:  price, familiarity, and proximity to MacArthur Airport.  The disadvantages:  distance from JFK, LaGuardia, and Valley Stream.  I'd really like a quick vote on this before I report to the class in the next newsletter.  It makes sense to ask the 30 people who've already answered than to guess what the other 120 think.  So if you've got a minute, please let me know how you feel about Hauppauge."

 

The reaction:  23 of the 30 people got back to me.  2 said No.  12 said Yes.  5 either said they'd go with the majority or were indecisive.  4 said it didn't matter because either they lived on Long Island or were staying with family or friends.

 

The point of that quick poll of people who are interested is there's a big difference between interested people and committed partygoers.  The class of '64 presently has 75 interested people, but only 20 have paid to go to the reunion.  And people in our class know from the experience of our 40th reunion what it's like to put down a 2000 dollar deposit and then have interested people not convert to partygoers.

 

So who else is for or against Hauppauge?  It would help if we could hear from more people in the larger group -- the other 120 class of '65 people who get the newsletter.  Otherwise, the majority of the small group will set the location.  Also note that Dennis Shapiro is still checking the present cost of the Melville/Farmingdale 40th reunion hotel.]

 

Some important comments that came in with the votes:

 

Writer 1.  What are we trying to ultimately accomplish?  Are we looking for a place to hold the Saturday night party and also a place to house everyone for the weekend at the same place?  We might not be able to do both and stay within everyone’s budget.  What are other classes doing?  It seems from the newsletter that most other classes are just worrying about a Saturday party.  I think we should worry about the Saturday night party and let everyone stay where they want.  We then recommend a place to meet Friday night if there is interest, and again if there is interest maybe a Saturday brunch.  I think you pick a place to stay and schedule events and have a sign-up list for each auxiliary event other than the Saturday party.  If there is interest, it becomes more formal, and you can make reservations somewhere.  If there is not enough interest, you cancel that auxiliary event, and it is less formal.  I think most people who attend reunions are there to see maybe five-or-so of their past friends.  These are just some quick thoughts.  I hope you find them helpful.

 

[Rich -- I wrote back:  We're trying to accomplish everything you mentioned, and we have precedent.  The history of our last 3 reunions tells us that people like to hang out as a large group and in smaller ones.  That's why we get together Friday and Saturday nights as a larger group and either make smaller group plans for Saturday and Sunday or join a larger group.  Mostly, it seems that people like a central location to just hang out, but they're obligated to nothing.  We just try to keep all options open.]

 

Writer 2.  Have you looked at downtown Brooklyn?  If not, I will for you.

 

[Rich -- Brooklyn was covered in the initial Priceline search, and there were no bids.  But someone else checking is always useful.  Thanks.]

 

Writer 3.  Many of our classmates are traveling by air from all corners of the country and might not find it appealing to drive for 1 hour and 20 minutes to Hauppauge after their flight.  Finding a hotel that's a 10-minute cab ride from the airport would be convenient, and that would also avoid the car rental expense.  The car rental expense would offset some of the differential savings by going out to Hauppauge, but I gather not all of it.  Still, we can't have it both ways:  it's a matter of cost vs. convenience.  I would go along with whatever the majority is inclined to do, but I believe at the end of the day, the savings of going out to Hauppauge will not be worth the convenience of staying close to the airports.

 

Writer 4.  The hotels near JFK and LaGuardia are not in the best of areas, and traffic there is a pain.

 

Writer 5.  There are still enough local people with cars who could drive us if we wanted to go to Valley Stream, and I know several have volunteered to pick up people at the airports.

 

[Rich -- I'm not trying to be mysterious about the identities of these writers.  I'm just trying to spare people's feelings.]

 

The class of '64 reunion:  Friday, October 10, 2014, 6 to 11 PM.  $70 per person, cash bar.  Hyatt Regency, Hauppague, New York.  Committee phone numbers:  Tom McPartland  570-223-2577.  Ken Silver: 631-463-2217.  Bette Silver: 631-463-2216.

 

The class of '65  50th Reunion dates:  April 24 through April 26, 2015

 

The South '65 e-mail addresses: reunionclass65 . blogspot . com  (remove the spaces)

 

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

 

 

Rich