Chit Chat

This is our Chit Chat Page. It is like a blog in that there is rambling commentary, which is virtually all emails from classmates to each other or to the editor. It is in somewhat chronological order. Hopefully you will find the content interesting as there is news and photos from and of classmates.

Israeli Trip Part Two

Hey Wheatley Wildcats and other interested readers, I am writing this as a follow-up to my original posting re Israel written two years ago. That particular essay elicited a number of interesting responses to me from the Wheatley alumni community. And one assumes that interest was generated by the exceptionally inquisitive character of Wheatley’s alumni (Veritatem Quaerite) and the unique makeup of our school wherein the student body, which was (is?) equally divided between Jews and Christians.

Below this posting, you will find the original one detailing my passion for Israel and the reasons for it. After my short VFI/Sar El stint as a volunteer for the IDF (Israeli Defense Force-their armed forces), I returned to the states where I continued to be consumed by Israel, its history, and the challenges confronting that great country and its valiant citizens. I read as many books possible about Israel as well as a number of online daily Israeli newspapers. Yet there was a gnawing, unfulfilled feeling that I could do more, in my own small way, to contribute to the readiness of the IDF. And after much analysis the only realistic way to accomplish that was to be given a forum where I could share the lessons learned in combat during the Vietnam War, especially with IDF junior officers-lieutenants and captains. And that became my quest.

I, for one, am a firm believer in networking. It has benefitted me on many occßasions in both business and social affairs. And using what limited means available to achieve my goal, I compiled a list of people and organizations that could possibly aid me. Many letters and emails were written to politicians, business people, bureaucrats, etc. Their responses were kind-most people supported what I was attempting to do, but they and their organizations did not possess the wherewithal to help. And then voila! Thanks to Art Engoron’s masterful alumni newsletter, which published the original essay on my trip to Israel, I received an email from one Michael Eisenstadt who opened up all the doors I needed to achieve my mission.

Let me introduce you to my good friend, Michael Eisenstadt. Mike is a 1976 graduate of the Wheatley School. He attended and graduated from SUNY Binghamton and received an advanced degree from Georgetown. He accepted a commission in the US Army Reserve, served a number of tours in the Middle East, and retired after 26 years of service as a Lt Colonel. He has worked for the prestigious The Washington Institute for Near East Policy for over 30 years, where he is currently the Kahn Fellow and director of the Military and Security Studies Program at the Institute. Michael is widely published. The Institute, by the way, is widely sought after and is used by all members of the political spectrum-from left to right.

Michael and I share a love and respect for Israel. I might add that Michael’s mother was a survivor of the Holocaust. She was born and raised in Hungary and during the war was sheltered by a Christian couple who were recognized by the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Israel as “Righteous Among the Nations.” This is an honor that recognizes non-Jews who helped Jews escape death from the Nazis. Oskar Schindler is one such honoree.

Michael was interested in what I wrote about my trip to Israel and volunteering to help the IDF. Our common military backgrounds facilitated the relationship, and he was interested in helping me gain an audience with IDF junior officers. Last winter he suggested I attend the AIPAC conference in Washington, D. C., where he would be speaking and finally meet one another and discuss a number of topics including my proposed trip to Israel. So, I joined AIPAC and attended their conference in March of 2019.

There are a number of misconceptions about AIPAC. For one, it is not what many of us understand “PACs” are. It is not a Political Action Committee. Rather, the PAC in its acronym stands for Public Affairs Committee. Its major purpose is to advocate for pro-Israel policies to the Congress and the Executive Branch of our government. Of course, like so many other institutions in our country, it got caught up in the maelstrom we call politics in America, and it has been accused of many ulterior motives. Me? I try to avoid reading into their activities and surrounding criticism and take them for what they say they do. I attended the conference and met hundreds of like-minded people who are interested in Israel’s existence and survival. Period.

Michael spoke at two of the breakout sessions at the conference last year. These breakout sessions are designed to bring attendees up to speed on current issues surrounding Israel and the Middle East. We met and he introduced me to a number of friends and colleagues. One night we went to a sandwich shop and brought supper back to his very busy office.

A few months after the AIPAC conference, Michael passed on my request to a friend in Israel. A week later I received an email from Israel saying a command was very interested in my offer. We exchanged a number of emails, and I was invited to speak to an IDF school teaching young Israeli career officers, who upon graduation would eventually be assigned to the IDF as company commanders. One of the topics they were studying was the Vietnam War. Therefore, my lecture on lessons learned in Vietnam dovetailed perfectly with their curriculum. I was excited. Overwhelmed. Thrilled. Humbled.

So for the next two months, preparation for the lecture was my priority. One of the challenges I faced was to condense what needed to be said into a very short one hour and forty-five minute time frame. Not only was there a need to discuss Vietnam, but I also wanted to talk about their careers and how they could be better officers serving their country and its citizens. All in all there was much on the plate and eventually I had to perform a triage on what was to be discussed.

I flew from Miami to Tel Aviv on 6 November 2019. The lecture was scheduled for Monday, 11 November, and there was a need to have a few days to get acclimatized and ready for the talk. I stayed in the same hotel on my prior trip of two years ago. The hotel is centrally located and the neighborhood was friendly and familiar.

So the first three days in Israel were used to overcome severe jet lag, tour the beautiful city of Tel Aviv, and most especially study my lecture notes. On the fourth day, a Sunday, I took the train to Jerusalem, which is a short 45-minute ride from Tel Aviv. The objective was to go to Mt Herzl in Jerusalem and tour the National Military Cemetery, Israel’s version of America’s Arlington. The cemetery is a magnificent testament to Israel’s fallen. I paid my respects at a few gravestones. Of course I did not know the soldiers. Of course I did know them….

While walking through the cemetery I came across a civilian who was giving a tour to a small group of IDF soldiers. While observing them, the guide looked at and then inquired about me. After introductions and telling him my purpose, I asked if I could briefly speak to the soldiers. He said, certainly, and I gave a short, impromptu speech to the troops, which was a signature honor for me. Below is a photo of those IDF soldiers:

The next day the IDF command that was my destination sent a driver to take me to their headquarters. The driver was a young officer named Captain Gary. He was an extremely out-going and pleasant soldier. We became friends. The captain drove for 30 minutes and took me to a base in a Tel Aviv suburb. He parked and we walked into a large building, which contained the classroom where I was to speak. Outside that venue I finally met the officer that had coordinated all the details associated with my lecture. His name was Gideon, and he has become a close and trusted friend of mine.

Gideon is a retired Lt Colonel from the IDF Armor Corps. He works as a civilian at the IDF College, which among many other missions has a program to prepare young Captains to become company commanders-the officers I was to address. Gideon is a dedicated soldier whom I found to be very caring and committed to the IDF and the state of Israel. He is also exceptionally intelligent. He went out of his way to help and accommodate me, traits which were very beneficial to me in my short tour of duty and that I will always be grateful for.

The lecture hall was tiered leading to a stage from which I was to address the students. Gideon introduced me to the translator. Most of the students spoke English but some did not, and I suspect that most of them preferred to hear my talk translated into Hebrew. I like to introduce myself informally to the audience before speaking. See below photo:

The lecture commenced and took all of the allotted hour and forty-five minutes. Gideon took many photos:

There were approximately 65 IDF Captains in the audience. There were also a number of staff and faculty officers attending including a Brigadier General (One star). After the lecture a photo was taken of some of the students and me:

All in all, the outcome pleased me. It could have been better, but that assessment is often the case when we self analyze our performance. My ultimate goal was to somehow or other, even in the most minuscule of ways, add to the readiness of the IDF and especially its junior combat arms officers. And I sensed that was accomplished. And although a mere trifle, I felt that I contributed to Israel. And that made me proud.

That night, after the lecture, Gideon and his boss, a Colonel Back, invited me out to dinner. We went to a sidewalk café adjacent to Tel Aviv’s largest marketplace. We ate an outstanding meal interspersed with interesting professional and social communication. Gideon is in the center as you view the photo. Dinner with Gideon and Colonel Back:

The next day I received a text from Captain Gary, my driver of the day before. He invited me to his parent’s home for Shabbat dinner. What an honor, and although I had an early flight out the next morning, I accepted. Captain Gary’s family lives in Jerusalem. I took a bus this time and the Captain and his girlfriend picked me up in downtown Jerusalem, which was dark and virtually deserted because the Sabbath had started and it was after sun down. Jerusalem remains religious-very much so-as opposed to Tel Aviv’s secularism.

Captain Gary’s mother and father reside in a lovely home within a gated community that is a Jerusalem suburb. Captain Gary has two sisters-one who lives at home while attending college, and another living in Tel Aviv where she works. All attending the Shabbat dinner were veterans-six IDF soldiers and one Marine. Captain Gary’s dad was a firefighter and his mom worked in finance. I was welcomed with open arms and felt the love the family had for one another. Before dinner the dad read in Hebrew from the bible. The other family members responded in unison to some of his reading. He poured wine into a chalice and we all took a sip. The entire evening was a moving experience and one that I will remember and cherish forever. Captain Gary and his wonderful family:

On my first visit to Israel, I attempted to meet 1960 classmates Ed and Toni Pachtman's two grandsons, who are "Lone Soldiers" in the IDF. Lone Soldiers are members of the IDF who do not have close families in Israel. They come mostly from foreign countries who want to aid Israel by serving in their army. I was not able to link up with their grandsons on my first visit as they were both busy-one traveling, the other in IDF training, but on this visit we met.

Below are Ari and Noah Schlesinger both now out of the Army and ß matriculated in Israeli universities. Both of them love Israel. We had a wonderful meal in an Italian restaurant, and I learned much about these outstanding young men. They are intelligent, gregarious and focused. As said before, I would be honored to have them in my platoon, business, or family. May our kind Lord be with them.

I am uncertain of where my love for and commitment to Israel developed. But it is real. Very real. It is a pleasure to meet and speak with Americans who have visited Israel. There are undoubtedly many now reading this who have done so. Virtually all whom I meet say similar things describing their feelings and use words such as: incredible, fascinating, magical, mystical, inspiring, etc. My theory is that visitors develop these feelings as they interact with Israeli citizens, study their history and culture, and observe what Israelis are attempting to build as they mold the state of Israel with much of the world, yet and still, working against them. It for me is a marvelous and compelling story, and I intend to become more immersed in it.

A sidebar to my studies of Israel has led me to the following conclusion, one that I suspect many of my Jewish friends would agree with: It is extremely difficult to be a Jew and always has been. I, a Gentile to the core, and far from being a religious scholar, feel that of the three major western religions-Christianity, Islam, and Judaism-Jews have the most difficult path to follow. Islam and Christianity have a moral code established-follow it and you are a good Christian or Muslim. Jews not only have their system of righteousness that guides them spiritually, but traditional Judaism also has many laws found in or derived from their very lengthy sacred texts that tells Jews how to behave, and that transforms even mundane activities such as eating and study, into religious activities. Judaism also has a long tradition of oral and rabbinic teaching that has made its way over the centuries into their social and religious fabric. For instance, after Passover and Yom Kipper services, and on other occasions, people end prayers with: “Next year in Jerusalem.” That phrase, of course, has different meanings to many constituencies but nevertheless adds to the burden (confusion?) of being Jewish.

To be an observant Jew is a true challenge. One of my readings revealed the following: being Jewish is not a religion but a culture, an ancestry. To me, so much more is required and demanded of being a Jew by Judaism than what Christianity and Islam asks of its followers. Yet to me it is that same fervent commitment which made the Jews insular and hardened, helping overcome centuries of intense oppression and hostility. In my opinion, Jews have survived a history of hatred and persecution simply because they are Jewish.

Two days after my lecture Israel again came under attack. Over 400 rockets were launched at her from Gaza. Most of these rockets, although deadly, are fortunately not very effective; they are prone to being destroyed in mid-air by Israel’s superb Iron Dome anti-missile system, and do not have sophisticated guidance systems like Iran and Syria do. Jerusalem Post 13 Nov 20:

One of the rockets was aimed at Tel Aviv but was intercepted and destroyed by the Iron Dome. Throughout that morning, as I drank coffee on my hotel room’s balcony, I observed the Israeli citizens below me going about their business with little worry about the threat, even as the forlorn, shrilling sound of air-raid sirens echoed throughout the city.

The next day’s paper stated that schools had been canceled during the attack. Can you imagine? Here in the United States many sections of the country have “snow days.” In Israel they have “rocket days.” American children finding school canceled might sleep in comfortably and then go out and frolic in the snow. You know: hot chocolate, sleigh riding, laughter. Israeli children gather in bomb shelters for the day(s?) praying they can safely survive a rocket attack. Snow days versus rocket days.

So where does this leave me? For one, as mentioned previously, I remain committed to Israel’s survival. Its history is steeped in a long, sad, tragic, and violent narrative but one always clinging to hope of a brighter, and may I say it, “promised” future. A close friend I made in Israel said, and I paraphrase here: “The Holocaust still envelops all of Israel casting a shadow on all Israelis and institutions and we never can escape its memory.” OK, I fully understand that. At the same time, I feel the country, and especially its youth, has a positive and zestful approach to life. Israel is resourceful and full of energetic people. In 72 short years Israel, through much sweat and perseverance, and backed by the brave soldiers of the IDF, changed barren, arid, semi desert geography into a booming, thriving, prosperous democracy.

Yet Israelis face many enemies. A number of neighboring countries still want to destroy them-totally. You have to understand that Anti-Semitism often has the dismantling and ultimate destruction of Israel as its major goal. And to me Judaism is doomed and would eventually wither on the vine without the state of Israel.

Anti Semitism is on the rise the world over. I said the world, which includes Pittsburgh, Poway, Jersey City, Monsey….Wake up my friends. Wake up!

The below photo, taken during the liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, is one of the most viewed depicting the horrors of the Holocaust. It comes from the archives of Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust’s victims. Look at it. How old is the terrified boy? Eight? Nine? Is that his mother, petrified, looking back at the armed soldier? What is the soldier thinking? This, the world’s greatest crime, can’t happen again! It will not as long as the IDF is in existence. It is why I will support the IDF and Israel as long as I walk the earth.

A comment I made in my talk to those brave and capable IDF Captains was this: “How blessed I am, for you see I’m one of these fortunate people who have two countries to love.” And I would give my life for either of them. I mean that.

Israeli Trip Part One

My lifelong interest in history was initiated by one of the many great teachers at Wheatley-Mr. Doig. A subject I have never been able to put aside is the Holocaust. And recently Israel entered my mind and soul. I attempt to tie the two together below.

Many years ago- probably in my 20’s, when studying the Holocaust, I came across a black and white photograph. The photograph, taken from the top of a watchtower, showed a stream of mostly Jews walking down a wide path. On one side of the path you viewed a bunch of cattle cars, which had just discharged the Jews. The other side contained a line of German guards with weapons. Directly below the watchtower, and what became the center of the photograph, was a bearded man. In one hand he carried a small black suitcase. In the other, he held the hand of a young boy who appeared to be 3 or 4 years old-no older. They both wore black suits with black hats on their heads. I assumed they were Orthodox Jews. The two of them, along with the other Jews, walked down that grim gauntlet. Probably to their deaths.

That photograph haunts me to this day and has generated many sleepless nights. I often wondered if the little boy was his son or his grandson? The greatest blessings bestowed to me are my sons and grandchildren.

The Nazis killed 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. The worldwide Jewish population at the time consisted of 18 million people. Thus 1/3rd of the Jewish religion perished. By the way, today’s Jewish population has again reached 18 million people.

Approximately 10,000 civil servants in Germany and Nazi occupied Europe worked on the “final solution.” That is a large number. However, you simply can’t kill 6 million people without a massive bureaucracy behind it. 10,000 people were in charge of finding, capturing, documenting, and shipping 6 million European Jews to their deaths. How do you succeed and get promoted in a bureaucracy? You do so by being dedicated and efficient. Yes, efficient in killing human beings. Far more people than a few SS troops broke windows during Kristallnacht, and Nuremberg only scratched the surface when punishing the guilty. And yet anti-Semitism remains very alive, healthy, and robust in today’s world.

The Holocaust perplexes me. Why? How could it take place? How? Answers elude me and probably always will. Another question for you, my classmates, and one that gets to the heart of the matter is this: Why have countless numbers of people hated the Jews? For 3,000 years.

Wheatley

Sometime after our 1960 graduation from Wheatley I thought this: How many of our Jewish classmates lost relatives in the Holocaust? I can’t remember hearing of any. Of course, we didn’t normally discuss such topics. At least I never became a party to such a conversation. Yet there must have been distant relatives who were victims-great uncles and aunts, 2nd cousins, those kinds of relations who were still back in the old country. Think about it, there must have been. 1/3rd of the Jewish population vanished-mostly from Europe. All four of my grandparents emigrated from the continent, and I have to assume that was the case for some of my Jewish friends. A lot of us born in the early 1940’s had to have kin in Europe. Do any of you reading this know of any classmates who lost relatives in the Holocaust? Did parents hide it from their children? Or did they themselves not know?

As we know, the class of 1960 was half Jewish and half Christian. The cliques and friendships that developed often did so along religious lines. Many exceptions existed given sports teams and various school clubs and organizations. Oh yes, an occasional romance. But birds of a feather do flock together. Just like our parents did when Jews overwhelmingly bought houses and settled in Roslyn Heights and Christians did likewise in East Williston.

And we never really explored the religion and indeed the culture and mores of others-we studied and practiced our own. Call it what you want, there was a subtle and hidden divide that existed in the student body, and that division was often along religious lines. No surprise-such divisions have been with us since time immemorial. However, we never took the time to break barriers and really understand the other camp. And this “division,” if one can call it that, was found in intelligent young adolescents who never made the effort to truly understand other beliefs leading to suspicion and prejudice. Were these shortcomings in us, in their own right, a possible genesis for anti-Semitism.

In my Wheatley days, the few things I knew about the Jews were that the boys underwent Bar Mitvahs, which were to me ceremonies similar to Christian confirmations, and the Jew’s “holy day” of the week was Saturday as opposed to Sunday. That was about the extent of my knowledge about the Jewish religion. Oh yes, they also did not believe that Jesus was the savior. Now I did not view the situation as a “we versus them” relationship. No, rather just a “we and them” one. I can’t consider that a healthy state of affairs-then or now.

When we got together and intermingled-classrooms, parties, sports, dances, etc., the division was barely noticed. However, subtle distinctions existed that we were all privy to. And I suspect some of you reading this would agree with that. Most of us never really investigated the other side. In our defense, we possessed other priorities-school work, sports, dating-all the activities taking up a teenager’s time. Nevertheless, we all could have gained much from a more healthy relationship.

Back in the late 1950’s most of us read the book, The Diary of Anne Frank. At the time it was, I believe, required reading in New York State. I’m not sure it still is mandatory. It should be. Worldwide.

The Jews of the world today make up less than one percent of the world’s population. .002 percent to be precise. And they have always represented, at least for the past two centuries, less than one percent of the earth’s people. Yet what an incredible shadow they have cast! Einstein, Freud, Saulk, Bernstein-need I go on? You get the point. Yet much of the world throughout Jewish history has tried to extinguish them. And I again raise the question-why is that?

Right now

Israel has many close by neighbors who claim the Holocaust never happened and whose official policy statements often say-death to the Jews-all of them! Consider the following recent rants from Israeli neighbors:

Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Iran: “If we abide by real legal laws, we should mobilize the whole Islamic world for a sharp confrontation with the Zionist regime … if we abide by the Koran, all of us should mobilize to kill.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “It is the mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to erase Israel from the map of the region.”

Hassan Nasrallah, a leader of Hezbollah: “If they [Jews] all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide…Israel is our enemy. This is an aggressive, illegal, and illegitimate entity, which has no future in our land. Its destiny is manifested in our motto: Death to Israel.”

Hossein Sheikholeslam, the secretary-general of the Committee for Support for the Palestinian Intifada: "The issue of destruction is important, no matter the method…The region will not be quiet so long as Israel exists in it ..."

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s former prime minister, “Even after their massacre by the Nazis of Germany, they [Jews] survived to continue to be a source of even greater problems for the world.”

I have never been to Europe. My wife has been there over 10 times and both my sons and their spouses have visited as well. Me? No interest. But Israel intrigues me and I have thought about it off and on over the years. Last January a dream about Israel came to me. It was a powerful one. Perhaps a vision? Who knows? At my age I rule nothing out. I awoke and immediately went downstairs to my computer and googled Kibbutz. Paul Hennessy worked at one as a young man, spoke highly of it, and I thought it might be a suit for me. While searching I discovered a better option: I could enroll in a program that supported the IDF-the Israeli Defense Forces-their army. Doing so would play into my wheelhouse, namely my extensive military background: I’m a retired Marine Corps Colonel with combat experience in Vietnam.

Therefore, I decided to visit Israel. It was not to be a trip. No, rather a quest. Uppermost in my mind was the thought of giving back to Israel. And my calculus was this: If I could somehow or other contribute to the readiness of the IDF, even in the minuteness of ways, then I achieved success.

My preparation over a ten-month period included reading numerous books about Israel and a daily review of the Jerusalem Post or Haaretz, two influential Israeli newspapers. The major conduit that permitted my venture to Israel to aid the IDF was an organization called Volunteers for Israel or VFI. Their website can be found here:

VFI is an American non-profit and works in conjunction with Sar El. Based in Israel, Sar El is also a non-profit service organization, subordinate and under the direction of the Israeli Logistics Corps. It is important to note that when you volunteer for these programs you are not in the IDF. Essentially, you are volunteering to perform mundane logistical tasks that free actual IDF soldiers to spend more time in training how to fight. Sar El’s WWW is:

Both VFI and Sar El are truly outstanding organizations. Incidentally, “Sar El” is a Hebrew acronym meaning Service for Israel and one of their key mottoes frequently used is this: “Stand with Israel, in Israel.”

1st Week in Israel

So I flew to Israel on 4 November 2017. BTW, I re-read Anne Frank on my plane trip. I cried again.

My plan had me spending the first week in Tel Aviv attempting to network with Israelis and learn as much as possible about them and their country. I stayed in a lovely hotel a block from the Mediterranean and across from the US Embassy. I spent much time walking around the city and along the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv. At night I avoided the tourist night-spots choosing instead a friendly neighborhood bar two blocks from my hotel. I like to drink and fortunately so do a number of Israelites. I spent six evenings there, and it is where I met many Israeli citizens. We got along extremely well!

A major objective I had in Israel was to speak to IDF soldiers about my experiences in Vietnam as a Marine Corps infantry platoon commander. The military always compiles “Lessons Learned,” which are historical statements about what went right or wrong on a particular mission or exercise with hope of improving a like future scenario. Thus, I wanted to share with IDF soldiers my mistakes and limited triumphs to benefit them in future skirmishes. The same circumstances that took place in combat 100 years ago, took place 50 years later, and happened again last week, and will take place 10 years from now. Believe me, I know. In any case, I created an entire lecture to go. In preparation for my trip, I contacted a number of people and Israeli organizations asking them to provide me an audience and forum.

The Lone Soldier Center (LSC) is a program I communicated with prior to my departure. It is truly an outstanding institution. The IDF has roughly 170,000 men and women on active duty and 550,000 reservists. Of the active duty force, approximately 7,000 are referred to as Lone Soldiers. Lone Soldiers are mostly volunteers to the IDF from other countries. They might also be Israeli citizens who have no families-they are orphaned, or abandoned, etc. Therefore, Lone Soldiers are members of the IDF who have no close family in Israel. The program reaches out to these troops and helps them in numerous ways: providing meals on holidays and Shabatt, educating them on the complex legal and civil ways of Israel citizens, providing emergency financial aid when needed, etc. More about this splendid program can be found at their website:

This past October I received an email from our classmate, Ed Pachtman, informing me that his grandsons were going to visit him and Toni. Ed told me they were coming from Israel. I asked him if they were members of the IDF. He replied they were. I then asked him if they were Lone Soldiers and he said, somewhat surprised that I knew of this organization, “Yes, they were.” At which time I informed him of my plans to visit Israel and said if it was possible I would like to meet them. Ari is the oldest of the brothers, and he just completed his 3-year obligation. His younger brother, Noah, is just beginning his service in the IDF. Unfortunately, Ari was home on leave, and Noah was going through some very intense training. I was unable to link up with either of these fine young men. Below is a recent photo of Noah Schlesinger:

I spent decades working in careers serving youth-education, the military, and business, and I found that the young people most likely to succeed are the ones who are focused. And not knowing either Ari or Noah I can’t help but believe they have focus and purpose in their young lives, making them a distinct minority in their American generation. Leaving the comforts of a New Jersey home and traveling half way around the globe to serve in one of the best and toughest armies in the world is right impressive to me. I deeply admire them. By the way, I believe that neither of them have made aliyah, the process wherein a Jew returns and relocates from a foreign country and becomes a citizen of Israel.

I went to the Lone Soldier Center in Tel Aviv three times and met a number of Lone Soldiers and staff members of the LSC. Below is a photo of some of them. On this particular day many of them were donating blood. The organization is fervent in its outlook encouraging members to take care of fellow Lone Soldiers and needy members of the community. Stretching it here but their enthusiasm, outlook, and dedication is perhaps akin to early day kibbutzim.

Earlier I mentioned frequenting a neighborhood bar. I met many people there-few tourists and mostly residents of Tel Aviv. Before beginning my journey to Israel, I had attempted to start learning Hebrew but abandoned that effort early on-memorization is not my forte. As some of you know, virtually all Israeli citizens speak English, which made communication seamless. When I introduced myself and told them my purpose for being in Israel, I was welcomed with open arms. The Israelis and I also had an extremely close bond-nearly all of us were veterans. Israel practices universal service. All young people, except some Orthodox Jews, have to serve in the IDF-males for three years and females for two years. Therefore, whomever I met was invariably a veteran. When they found out I was one, many doors, so to speak, were immediately opened. You have to be a veteran to understand that affinity.

The below photo is a group of 30-somethings. They all worked in the same small architectural firm in Tel Aviv. It was a fabulous group of quite positive young people. Every single one of them had served in the IDF.

Ed Pachtman suggested I visit the Jerusalem Holocaust Musem. Jerusalem is approximately an hour and half from Tel Aviv. I did so. Mammoth crowds prevented me from studying the displays in the main museum. Adjacent to it was another spectacular edifice housing the Children’s Memorial. The money to build most of the Children’s Memorial came from a Beverly Hills family who were interned at Auschwitz. They lost their son while there in 1944. He was two and a half years old.

I toured the Children’s Memorial by myself and found the inside totally dark with the exception of thousands of tiny lights and candles embedded in a round ceiling and the floor. Hanging from the top were large posters, maybe 6’ by 4’ of children’s faces-perhaps 10 or so in number. They were being softly and gently moved by a fan system. And over a loud sound system you heard a person reading names. It went like this: Veronika Belcor, age 6, Warsaw, Poland, Dachau…Jonathan Weinberg, age 4, Dusselberg, Germany, Buchenwald…and so on and on. The memorial’s intention was to have you viewing and seeing these photos as in the heavens above and beyond. Riveting. Do you know how many children, roughly 14 and under, who were killed in the Holocaust? 1,500,000. Yes, one and a half million children.

On Sunday of my second week in Israel I went to meet other Sar El volunteers at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. There were approximately 125 volunteers from all over the world in a corner of the airport. These people would be assigned to go to different IDF bases throughout Israel. You can sign up for one, two, or three-week programs. This being my first venture, I decided to do but a one-week stint. Speaking to others as we mingled, I found that many volunteers were true veterans of the program. One gentleman from France was on his twelfth assignment.

My group was called out and we met our “madricha,” in this case a young 19-year old female IDF soldier. She stayed with us for the entire 5-day tour and was essentially the liaison between us and the base officers and NCO’s where we were to be stationed. She led us out of the airport, and we boarded a bus that took us to a base about an hour and a half from the airport in the Negev Desert. We were roughly 25 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

On the bus ride, our group of ten volunteers and the one madricha started to bond. And did we ever bond! Our contingent was from many different countries. We consisted of seven females and four males. Two young girls 21 and 29 respectively came from the Czech Republic. There were two Italian guys aged 26 and 29. A married couple, in their early 70’s, lived near Dallas. A woman born in Russia was now living in Vancouver. Two women, making their 5th VFI tour, came from Iowa and Northern Virginia. Those two and the married couple were the only people who knew one another before our assignment. Our madricha was born in Israel (her grandfather, still living, was a Holocaust survivor and his tattooed “number” remains on his arm). Roughly half the group was Jewish and half not. I was the oldest.

Our assignment took us to a motor transport base. Our first stop was at a building wherein we were issued uniforms-shirts, trousers, field jackets, caps, and belts. We provided our own foot gear-sneakers, boots, etc.

After being issued our uniforms, we went to our barracks. The entire group-men and women-were assigned rooms on the second deck. Our rooms were interspersed with active duty IDF soldiers. The men’s head was on the second deck and the women’s on the ground floor.

Four males were assigned to one room and the seven females shared three rooms. The quarters were typical Army austere. A “mattress” consisted of foam rubber measuring an inch.

Every morning we fell out in formation and one of our group raised the flag while the rest stood at attention. After this ceremony our madricha gathered us around, and she told us of the plan of the day and also passed on news from the world, much of it IDF and defense oriented.

We ate three meals a day in the base mess hall. Food, of course, was kosher and it was served buffet style. The IDF feeds their soldiers lightly at the morning and evening meals and heavily during noon meal. Although not an epicurean delight, the fare was quite healthy with a preponderance of vegetables at all three meals. The below photograph was taken at breakfast. You also could add hard-boiled eggs and bread.

Essentially the work we performed at the motor transport base was inventorying, sorting, and putting gear away. The IDF had recently concluded a field exercise utilizing the base, which I assumed housed the equipment used by a reserve motor transportation unit. Once the reserves came in from the field exercise, I suspect the soldiers returned to their civilian careers. The gear they had used was scattered through a number of warehouses. It was our job to square away this equipment and supplies so that when next used-in either a training role or the real thing-it was “good to go.” A secondary assigned mission required us to shred a lot of classified documents used in the exercise.

Thus, over the tour of duty you would find small groups of us in different warehouses completing various tasks. The weather was pleasant-high 70’s and low 80’s with no rain. We worked from roughly 0830 to 1630 with an hour for lunch. At night there was normally an hour program put on by our madricha. She would give a lecture on IDF or Israeli oriented subjects-IDF units and history, identifying Hebrew letters, etc.

To me the entire tour of duty brought me fondly back to my early days in the military. Stretching it here, but the entire experience was not too far removed from “boot camp.” Barracks, flag raising, chow hall, mission orientation for our cadre, reveille-all under, considering the comfortable homes we left, very Spartan conditions. I absolutely loved it!

And for me, the greatest blessing I received was the good fortune to meet and get to know an outstanding group of people. We were together 24/7 for five days. You could not leave the base, and common diversions were nonexistent-no movies, television, clubs, etc. The base did not support wifi, and although smart phones worked, you rarely saw them is use. And booze is forbidden on IDF bases. All of that contributed to bringing us collectively closer. We became a tight unit, and I was proud to be a member.

• I consider the Holocaust to be the greatest crime committed in history. We must insure it never happens again.

• What a joy for me to discover Israel. The country is vibrant and exciting. You can feel the energy as you travel around. Optimism is in the air, which is missing in our country. Israel’s democracy is young, and I often feel ours is aging…and tired. If it was 30 years ago, and I had not started a business here in America, I would move there-in a heartbeat.

• That is not to say that Israel is totally united. They are not. Their left opposes their right. Various sects exist and argue-Conservative, Reform, Orthodox and oh yes-secular, all make for volatile neighbors and viewpoints. Then there are the “settlements” or the “occupied territories” (?)-same real estate-different approaches. What to do about the future of the Temple Mount? Jerusalem-East and West and what is next? A two state solution for Israelis and Palestinians or? And so many other challenges. Yet, I feel confident they will overcome them.

• The IDF is one of the world’s greatest armies. Considering their neighbors, they have to be. And there is no country that I know of that holds its armed forces in higher esteem than Israel. They are revered. No citizen would ever spit at an IDF soldier returning from war.

• And finally, one of the mantras of the IDF found written in much of their literature and found on military installation signs is this: NEVER AGAIN. I personally am all in. As long as David Ben Gurion airport remains open in any future war, and the kind Lord permits it, this aging warrior, but warrior still, will have the IDF’s back. I guarantee another Holocaust will not take place in my lifetime.

The wedding picture of George and Lucy who are now officialy married. They look like they are 23 again. They certainly are happier than most 23-year olds! Congratulations and many happy returms.

A number of clasmates received word that George (Dixie) Howell and Lucy Mullman were to be married on 23 April 2017. The editor received some photos depicting the star struck couple running through a mock wedding in San Diego where Dixie, Lucy, and Dixie's family had gathered for a one week vacation. The below photo is the editor's absolute favorite of hundreds he has uploaded to this website. Look at the true love being radiated by everyone in the room-Lucy, Dixie, Dixie's daughters and especially his granddaughter! What smiles-how happy they all are. It is priceless. The second photo shows George's son in it.

So the captain of our football team will marry the captain of our cheerleaders. But there is another thread that runs through this remarable love story. They would not be getting married, as I see it, if it were not for the President of our class-the late Jack Langlois. You see Dixie and Lucy met at the first mini-reunion 14 months or so after our 50th class reunion. If you recall, Jack was so touched by that event he instructed his wife to give the class $5,000 to have another reunion/celebration after his passing. As one intimately involved in the planning of these events, I can assure you we were forced and somewhat rushed to have one soon after our 50th. I suspect without the gift we would have waited two or three years to gather again. Would Gorge and Lucy have attended that later one? Would they both have been single or unattached? Do you see the hands of fate dealing the cards?

And one quick sea story on that very first mini-reunion held here in Florida: My wife Cheryle and I were standing having a beer on maybe the second evening of the event and George came up to us and I asked him " Hey Dixie-how do the girls look to you-see anyone of interest?" And then, George, always the master of understatement said,"You know that Lucy Mullman..." (And here I remembered Dixie from back in the day-you always had to give him extra time to answer a question because he always mulled things over in his mind longer than the average guy)..."well...she looks pretty damn good." That is all he said and Cheryle and I just nodded our heads. As I recollect it, two monts later he flew from Vancouver and spent Thanksgiving with Lucy and the rest is history.

The editor thought that some of you might enjoy reading the banter between three classmates and one Paul Giarmo, class of '76. The genesis of these communications can be treaced to Paul Hennessy giving a DVD of a football game from back in the day to Sean Fenny, principal of TWS. Charlie Zimmerman made the DVD from old film that the coaches use to make, and the game was actually a championship one when we were sophomores against Seaford. Sean Fenny subsequently put the game on the wonderful blog that he maintains (see: https://thewheatleyway.org/). That blog was read by Paul Giarmo who then emailed Paul Hennessy. You can take it from there....

Dear Mr. Hennessy:

My name is Paul Giarmo and I graduated from Wheatley in 1976. Like you, I also played football for the Wildcats; and my teammates and I were the catalyst for the return of Wheatley football to the varsity level in the mid-'70's after years of decline. As the self-proclaimed "Wheatley football historian"; I watched with great interest the video of your game against Seaford as shown on "The Wheatley Way" blog and could not have felt more pride at the accomplishments of you and your teammates. However, I do have a problem with the date of the game and have sent a comment to Dr. Feeney regarding that issue. I invite you to take a look at my comments on the blog site and respond-I have a lot of questions about those early years; such as; did Wheatley field a junior varsity team in 1955 and 1956; what was school spirit like in 1957, etc.

For years I have wanted to meet with the "gridiron greats" to get a sense of what the atmosphere was like back then. Twelve years ago I got involved with a group of parents who called themselves the "Return Football to Wheatley" committee to bring back football after a 17-year absence; but with only a few athletes willing to play football at Wheatley, the Board of Ed. decided to merge with Carle Place and field a so-called "combined team"- a far cry from the 28-man team you were a part of back in ' 57.( I have attended virtually every game since CPW came into existence back in 2007). In any event, I would enjoy corresponding or talking with you and Matt Sanzone and the other "gridiron greats". Hope to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Paul Giarmo

Paul,

Good to hear from such a spirited fan of Wheatley football. Congrats on your role as "football historian."

I can refer you to some historical info (google Wheatley1960 to see our class website). It contains a ton of material on football, athletics, school spirit for the founding classes, and a fair amount of color commentary that will give you the flavor of the school at its beginnings.

Here we have something of a generation gap as I'd need your guidance on how to find the "Wheatley Way" website with your questions and comments. (I looked on the EWSD website, but didn't find it there, and what I did find seemed to require a password.) You won't need a PW for the Wheatley1960 site, as we came from a more innocent cyber era.

I gave Sean Feeney the Seaford tape, which capped the undefeated season of 158-'59, as it was one of those historic echos that the two schools were again competing. If you read the above narratives, I think you'll see that Wheatley's "pioneer" years were unique in the evolution from Mineola High, and the "boot camp" that was for a unique group of athletes.

I was a 140-pound soph, certainly not a gridiron great, but Matt Sanzone who you'll read about was a superstar in three sports (wrestling and track, as well as football.) Let's both read a bit more of each other's writings and then compare notes. Thanks for reaching out.

Paul Hennessy
Newton, MA

John Moncure then writes:

Guys--if you don't mind, I really feel compelled to talk to this guy--and, it will seem like I am less than modest--but there are things in my life that are very important to me--like being Co-Capt. of the '59 football team that had a 5-2 record, I believe, and being All-League Guard and All LI Honorable Mention Linebacker (Daily News)--(no doubt as. Result of Mr. Davis' support)--football is/was an important part of my character- it enabled me to, perhaps, overcompensate in many other endeavors for the rest of my life.

I don't want to blow my own horn--I just want this guy to know that we had some good football players along the way.

Matt Sanzone was, and remains, my athletic idol.

Monk

Monk then writes to the guy (Paul G):

Paul--I forward this e-mail chain so that you can see 1)how close former teammates are, and2)a little bit about me by way of intro.
I sat at home wth a legal pad (lawyer by trade) and tried to capture Wheatley football in its infancy. I got 4 pages (single space) into it and decided to put that project aside.

To understand Wheatley football is to understand the social dynamics of our school system--then and the dynamics of its change--(I'm presuming).
Our Class of '60 was the first to go through all 4 years. When the districts were combined the then Jr class had many Mineola kids--don't remember any seniors when we were Freshmen.
The Mineola kids had been through a different social environment and were tough (athletically--and perhaps otherwise).

Freshman year--first organized football any of us played (where Little League started at 8). Mr. Davis was the coach-and was a wonderful coach--inspirational-more influence on me then than my Dad--great phrases taped in the locker room "Size of the fight in the dog---etc) as Hennessy cited--and "A winner never quits while a quitter never wins".
My recollection was that he arranged some skirmishes for us--and the Mineola Juniors had several games--but I will need help for that year.

By far, the most influential year in the Class of '60's experience was our sophomore year when the football team went undefeated--it established a standard for the rest of our athletic competitions. We expected to win.
Personally, I don't think I played at all that year--but I rode the bus--and was exposed to some wonderful memories.
Junior year was a transformational year for me--personally. Through all 4 years I was about 5'7" and 160 lbs. Junior year many of the linemen had graduated as had many of the defensive squad. I worked hard and became the starting center and middle linebacker--inspired all the time by Matt Sanzone--a wonderful athlete and person. That year, Matt won many awards of recognition--including All League and All Long Island (NY Daily News). I remember calling his house the day the All LI was announced.

I think the team record, junior year was a winning record--5-3. I'm sure it is available on line.
Senior year--I switched to RGuard--not by choice but because Jack Langlois could play center and we needed a guard who could pull--we had some good run options-. That year was a wonderful year for me--and perhaps, the most influential experience in my life-I was a co-Captain--along with George (Dixie) Howell--a fellow lineman. Ken Martin (an addressee) was a fellow lineman--we had a close fraternity. But the closest group was The Chinese Bandits (adopted from the LSU defense). We had a fearsome defense--with great Esprit-I was the middle linebacker and loved playing on the center's head--we would stunt, rush the passer--etc. It was great fun--I even got to block a punt when I was left uncovered.
We went 5-2 that year--one game was cancelled-dont remember why.

After the season I was named All League Guard and, All LI Honorable mention at Linebacker--(Mrs. Sanzone called my home on the Sunday it was published--Matt was at Springfield). I'm sure a large part of the honors was due to Mr. Davis--putting my name up--in return for my utter devotion to him and his program over the years.
A post script to my wonderful Wheatley football experience was my full belief in Mr. Davis's saying "Fight in the dog, etc"---when I was applying to colleges I consulted Mr. Davis--stating that I wanted to play D-1 football--he gently suggested that I stick with D-3 or even 150 lb football. I went out for football at the USMMA-and had, perhaps the saddest athletic experience of my life--got the crap beat out of me daily--( I learned the truth of another saying--"A good big man will beat a good little man every time") --but I wouldn't quit--the line coach, who happened to be the wrestling coach-suggested that I had a better future in wrestling--and I did---but that was my last football year.
Enough--wanted to give you a flavor of Wheatley--the Esprit was great through our 4 years--football was a large part of the Wheatley social scene --but basketball was big, wrestling was big --athletics were very popular back then.
I am still close to many of my football teammates--

Sorry to ramble-such happy memories--
John (Monk)

The editor (Ken) then writes to Paul G:

Gentlemen,

Kindly let me chime in, especially re Paul G’s queries about school spirit.

Paul, they were different eras-the late ’60’s, 1976, and especially now. We grew up in the golden days of Eisenhower-peace, prosperity, and immense hope in all the young regarding their future. We were motivated, spirited, and optimistic-and all so innocent. I’m sure you have seen the movie-American Graffiti-much truth to it. And given that temperament and the fact that Wheatley was a brand new institution school spirit was incredible.

As a football alum of TWS, I think you will be amazed at some happenings surrounding the early football program. On a warm, sunny fall Saturday in the late 50’s or early 60’s you would find our grandstands full with many fans standing along the sidelines. There were frequently crowds of over 1,000 students and fans. Pep rallies were frequent, and I know that Monk and Paul H would agree that on many away games we would have five to six full busloads of students leaving the school parking lot and traveling to an away game high school. Should we win, and as Monk attests to below, that was relatively frequent; we would have a victory parade of cars driving through East Williston and Roslyn Heights honking their horns with red and white streamers flowing from the automobiles. I suspect you might find all of this hard to believe, but absolute truth! The late ’50’s-what an incredible time to be a teenager. How blessed we were.

As I mentioned, it was a different era and one that I fondly look back on. And somehow with all of our “progress’ we have lost something. Or so this aging wildcat sees it.

And finally, when we were seniors before the season opened, we had a scrimmage against the now yoked Carle Place. They had a fine football player named Matt Snell who went on to play fullback at Ohio State and eventually the NY Jets and Joe Namath and Super Bowl glory. I attempted to tackle him in said scrimmage. I believe I still see stars….

My best to you.

Semper Fidelis,

Ken Martin

Paul G then writes back to our Paul H:

Dear Mr. Hennessy: My sincerest apologies for not responding sooner to your e-mail (no home computer so I'm writing this quickly from my public library which is closing in 10 minutes).

To answer your question regarding your Seaford video, the web address is: the wheatleyway.org, then click on search and type 'football' and it should come up. I sent a comment to Dr. Feeney as I mentioned, so I think if you click on "comment" it should appear.

Anyway, I found it fascinating to read about what life was like in the early years, both on and off the gridiron, for all of you. It was far different for my generation-virtually no school spirit then and even less now. I often think I was born too late-would have fit in more with your times. I had long suspected that the "Mineola influence" was a factor in the football team's success, what with all the transfers to Wheatley, as Mr. Moncure mentioned, but your group kept it going for several years after that.

I, too, was coached by "Cat" Davis-he was my coach for 2 years-9th and 10th grades-in 1972 and '73. We then got a new coach for my junior year ('74), when we went 6-1 with 3 shutouts; before returning to varsity level in 1975, where we finished with a 4-3-1 record. Because of this, Wheatley reinstated the junior-high (middle-school) football team after several years without one. Cat coached that team for several years.

I think Mr. Moncure mentioned a cancelled game from the '59 season. That game was scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 1959 against Oyster Bay on their field, but was rained out and never re-scheduled; resulting in a final record of 5-2 in your senior season in North Shore League 4. I have the "Newsday" article concerning that cancelled game.

My jaw dropped when I read about the busloads of Wheatley students that travelled to your road games to give support to the football team-I'm trying to re-instill that spirit now but have been meeting with resistance from the Wheatley administration; who overwhelmingly push soccer on the student body. It's amazing that with fewer students your generation was able to support football than is currently the case, where there are at least 100 more students.

Finally, regarding that Seaford game from '57-was that considered a League 3 championship game between the North Shore Athletic League and South Shore Athletic League, or simply a non-league game? I know that back then the playoff schedule was much shorter compared to today.

Thank you very much for responding to my e-mail, and thank you for your military service to our country.
Sincerely,
Paul Giarmo

Monk then writes:

Paul—Martino certainly caught the feel of the times—we were so lucky to have grown up where we did—when we did. We also did a lot of “Cruising” while drinking big boys and mooning girls. You could drink at 18 then—and we always found some corner store which would sell to us.

My house in Albertson was built by Levitt (of Levittown Fame). He built in ’46 (my dad bought in ’48)—Levitt anticipated the housing crush of the returning GIs—and Roslyn was a little more upscale—I don’t think Levitt did Roslyn.
But---we all graduated from college in ’64 and all served in the military during Vietnam—but Martino saw combat, was wounded and had/has multiple decorations. He served 30 years of active and reserve in the USMC—retired as a Colonel.
Hennessy and I had a much easier time of it—I served in the USN—JAG Corps—my biggest exposure was to paper cuts. Paul was USA—served in Germany all of his active duty, I believe.
Back to work. Martino just got me going again—
Monk

Dear Mr. Martin:

Thank you very much for responding to my e-mail regarding Wildcat football, and please accept my apologies for not responding more quickly (no home computer, I'm typing this at my local public library).

My jaw dropped reading your description about school spirit at Wheatley during the "good old days". During my years there on Bacon Road (1971-1976); spirit was virtually non-existent, and it's even worse now; but at least we still had our own football team back then. My teammates and I helped rebuild the program at the junior varsity level; and we eventually returned to varsity level in 1975, my senior year. Football disappeared entirely from Wheatley for 17 years (from 1990 to 2007), until "merging" with Carle Place in 2007, where we are now known as the Carle Place/Wheatley Wildfrogs. To read your accounts of our own team back in the glory days is eye-opening; especially given the fact that you had at least 100 fewer students than Wheatley currently has and yet were still able to support three levels of football. I can't even visualize a parade, much less 5-6 busloads of Wheatley students travelling to your away games,(and I know you had 6 of them back in the '57 Championship season).

I have been trying to increase school spirit at Wheatley for years now, but have been meeting with considerable resistance from the administration, which openly, and strongly favors soccer. I remember only one pep rally during my years at Wheatley; and we didn't even have a Homecoming game this past season for football. It's a far cry from your time-I think I was born too late sometimes-would have felt more at home during the "early years."

I am the (admittedly) self-described Wheatley football historian and have wanted to contact you and your teammates for years to learn more about the glory years (especially the '57 championship team); and was fascinated to view Mr. Hennessey's video of the Seaford game from that year; although the intro states it was in 1958. It made me very proud to watch Wildcat power out on the gridiron; and I only hope that some day we at Wheatley can replicate that success. Since I have the scores of all 234 Varsity games ever played by Wheatley I know that it's been more than a few years since that has happened.

Thanks again for responding to my inquiries; and thank you very much for your military service to our nation.

Sincerely,

Paul Giarmo

Ken then writes back to Paul G:

Hi Paul,

Thank you for responding to my email. And yes, I did not stretch anything in my recollections. It was a magical time. One thing not mentioned was that we had a high school buddy named Bick Keister. We all graduated together and still get together at mini-reunions around the country. He lived on Hillside Avenue heading toward the tracks and was across the street from the little village park. His property actually had a barn on it, and his parents were invariably out of town on weekends. So hello victory parties there. And if we won there would be 60+ wildcats showing up. Great parties-a lot of beer and a lot less sex than the guys wanted or gals willing to give but still such fond memories of outstanding times.

We also have captured on DVD’s maybe another 5 or 6 games from our season(s). As truly the Wheatley football historian, you really should have them. If interested, I can send you my copies for your archives. All I would need is your address.

And finally-what is your background and history since graduating from TWS? You can read the biographies of John Moncure, Paul Hennessy, and me on the biography page of our class website found here:

http://www.wheatley1960.com/classbiographies.html

So again thank you for your interest in Wildcat football. Football remains a great teacher.

May this find you and yours well.

Ken Martin

Dear Mr. Martin:

Thanks for getting back to me about Wildcat football. I must say, I get a real kick reading about the exploits of you gridiron greats back in the glory days. I can assure you that the part about the girls had not changed very much (unfortunately) in my time; but everything else was light years different from my experiences in the '70's.

I very much would like a copy of your football DVD-I am amazed that a video record even exists of those great games.The clip that Paul Hennessy gave Wheatley principal Dr. Sean Feeney was absolutely fascinating to this football historian, and I would be honored to have a copy!

As far as my background is concerned, I (eventually) graduated from Nassau Community College, then transferred to Stony Brook, where I graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in American History. My employment has been primarily in the Insurance field; although I'm currently between jobs, as the saying goes;(although I currently have a part-time job annoying the Wheatley administration to upgrade the athletic facilities there and promote football among the student body).

Please accept my apologies for not responding sooner-still no home computer so I have to make bi-weekly pilgrimages to my local public library to access the Internet.

By the way, your recollection about scrimmaging Carle Place and Matt Snell reminded me of when we scrimmaged the Frogs in my senior year ('75). There was a late hit out-of -bounds, and before we knew it, both benches emptied out and a brawl ensued at mid-field. We got the better of them-we were "scrappy" (like you and your teammates); but I don't bring up the story now at games, since we are all "WildFrogs". Nearly won the Conference 4 County Championship back in November, finishing with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses.

Thank you again for sharing your recollections with me and for the DVD-I look forward to continued communication with you and your teammates. And now, I'm going to check out your class website.

Most Respectfully,

Paul Giarmo

Amigos,

This young "Wheatley football historian" has done some actual archive research and uncovered factoids we've forgotten--e.g. the rainout of the Oyster Bay game, leaving the '59 record at 5-2 for 7 games.

He also had some interesting experience with Jack Davis, and has been a persistent activist in the cause of school spirit. As he says, he was born too late and should have been among us back in the day.

Thanks for your responses to him, which fulfilled a longtime dream of his to probe our spirit of yesteryear.

And finally, muchas gracias to Charlie for his outstanding generosity in offering his St Simons plantation for the reunion (Will be interesting to see who can climb the stairs to the third floor!) and Col. Martin for amazing persistence and communications to the troops.

Saludos from balmy Tulum, Mejico.

Pablo

After an email went out soliciting suggestions for our next mini reunion, an event that many classmates recently indicated was necessary, and after discussion by a few of us, it was decided that we would have it this coming September. Carl Stewart has graciously volunteered to do some legwork and host it at his place in the Berkshires. This will be the second time having it there, and the editor and his wife, who have attended all 4 past minis, consider it a truly outstanding venue. It fits our main purpose of having a setting where we can again reconnect with past friends and gain new ones, all in a truly scenic part of our country. And it is relatively close to many from the class of '60. The dates are 15 through 17 September. The Race Brook Lodge will be the main hotel where we will, so to speak, establish our headquarters. The editor continues to log in many business trips and at times will use TripAdvisor to find respectable lodging. Here are the reviews for the Race Brook Lodge (You might have to copy and paste as I'm not sure it is a direct liunk):

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g41808-d77899-Reviews-Race_Brook_Lodge-Sheffield_Massachusetts.html

The schedule right now, and certainly open to change, would be much like the last time in the Berkshires: cookout Friday evening at Carl's, Saturday site seeing and visiting with one another, Saturday evening a dinner at Race Brook Lodge, and Sunday farewell breakfast and coffee. The weather should be warm, with foliage's advent upon the area.

BTW, Ray Roller has volunteered to act as host in the future at his new location. Ray and his wife moved from the VIllages in Florida to Asheville, NC. They love this mountain community. And so does Carl Stewart who wrote, "I happen to be a big fan of Asheville so when you next speak to Ray, tell him that I could probably convince anyone who hasn't been to Asheville that it is worth the trip."

A year into project of enlarging my beloved old homestead into a mini-mansion, this is what it looked like--sans hilltop lawn—yesterday. Aargh!!

It is actually a phenomenon hitting our old hood. Prior to our 50th, the editor met Lucy Mullman out on the Island where we then proceeded to finish certain tasks for the reunion-check with the principal of TWS and call on the Wheatley Hills Golf Course to discuss menus, seating, lighting, bartenders, etc. Afterwards we took a nostalgic drive around the neighborhood. It was either Lucy's house or her next door neighbor's that had a monstrous addition built leaving virtually no yard. For the hundreds of thousands of dollars it cost them it simply was, to my taste, wasted-a tacky stab at improvement (?). Three years later I took my sons back to show them, for the first time, where I had grown up. We went down School Street where the same type of addition happening to Paul's house was taking place to Linda Sue Beattie's old digs. So it goes....

The editor and his wife were treated by a visit from Arthur and Kendra Diamond. The Diamonds came to the Martin's home after Arthur and his wife went to Arthur's uncle's 95th birthday in South Florida. Arthur continues on a part time basis his work as a radiologist. He specializes in breast cancer. A few years back they moved from California to Texas. They live near Austin where a few other alums now reside. And they love the Lone Star State! The Diamonds have two children. Their son lives in the Bay area and he has two children-three and five years old. Arthur and Kendra's daughter also is located near San Fransisco. Their daughter works for, I believe, LinkedIn, and she is a physical fitness buff who recently competed in an Ironman competition-2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and running a 26.2 mile marathon!

The below photo was taken after breakfast in New Smyrna Beach. Arthur and Kendra-good folks.

And Arthur continues to enjoy his fishing hobby as attested to the below photo of a redfish he landed in, I believe, Lousiana a few months back.

Arthur Diamond and Judy Schuh are attempting to get as many west coast class of '60 alumni together in California for a gathering sometime in mid-April time frame. Stay tuned.

Back in 1957 the Wheatley School had an outstanding football team (we were sophomores). The last game of the season was against Seaford, and we had to win it for an undefeated season. Led by Perlin, Kritzler, Kull and others of that very talented bunch, a virtual runaway freight train of great athletes, we won that game. The kind Charlie Zimmerman has converted old film of that and other games onto DVD's. Oddly enough, this past fall Wheatley played for their class football championship against, guess who-yep, Seaford. TWS lost, I think by a score of 20 to 10. Nothing to be ashamed of-go Cats! BTW, given very low enrollment numbers and the cost of fielding football teams, TWS combines their program with Carl Place for football purposes.

A number of classmates attended the 60th Anniversary Celebration of TWS. Among them were John Moncure and Paul Hennessy.

John Moncure met up with Matt Sanzone. Matt, as many of you remember, was in the class of 1959 and has to rank in the top ten (if not the number one) Wheatley School athletes of the last 60 years. Here John and Matt are speaking with Sean Feeney the current prinipal of Wheatley whom many of you met at our 50th reunion. He is, in the mind of the editor, a truly gifted administrator; and I would again suspect perhaps the best principal in Wheatley's 60 year history. BTW-recognize the auditorium???

Prior to attending the 60th anniversary. Paul Hennessy wrote the below article that he shared with some members of the anniversary meeting with hopes that they might give it further dissemination. The editor feels the writing is, as it is Paul's wont, brilliant. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as the editor has.

Even in much discussed and debated subjects such as patriotism, most agree pride is enhanced by knowing origins and history embodied in pioneers who blazed first trails.

I think the 6oth celebration might be enhanced if younger alums learned about some unique characters in the founding classes: 1958-1961.

A quick disclaimer: Every class has its special personalities, but I’ll briefly describe a few pioneers in an attempt to spark discussion and comparisons about the special forces that shaped these founders who cut an exceptionally wide and swaggering swath—academically, athletically and in their future lives.

In the interest of brevity, I’ll describe the icons with theatrical references as they struck an impressionable ’60 soph coming to a new school and encountering players not seen before—or since in 50 years of active living.

The subjects are clearly weighted to the male side as my closest observations were on the playing fields and gyms where the small school’s teams set records—undefeated in football, championships in basketball, tennis and many sports. The first women were equally impressive, but they aren’t described in detail here because I wasn’t fortunate enough to know them well.

Anyone interested in learning more about them and others mentioned here can get more detail on our class of ‘60 website at Wheatley1960.com.

The Wheatley School sprung to life in the relatively innocent 1950’s, but the first class of ’58 arrived from their own boot camp at Mineola High. Some who brought memorable swagger were:

Steve Perlin—A rugged 6’3” Marlon Brando, fearless quarterback and captain, scar-faced from a car crash on Bacon Rd., accepted to Dartmouth, but became a Marine pilot who died when he wasn’t able to pull his plane from a steep dive in a training exercise.

Mike Stapleton—Perlin’s giant counterpart, a muscular John Wayne, heavyweight wrestling champion, football tackle and record-setting shotputter. A Marine vet of the early Vietnam war, he was awarded Silver and bronze stars and a purple heart, becoming a NY State Trooper upon discharge, he died in 2013 at age 72.

Eddie Kritzler—Arguably the most flamboyant class of ‘58er, a swaggering James Dean look-alike and star halfback, he went on to live the Reggae life in Jamaica and write a book on Jewish pirates that seemed to describe his own adventurous persona before he died of cancer in 2010.

Doug Kull—A total contrast was the modest Tom Hanks-style student council president, who was also a bruising fullback and 440 Yd. champion. He went to Holy Cross University and became a Jesuit priest, serving 17 years in the often violent Philippine countryside, and now—having left the priesthood-- heads a Boston non-profit drop-in center for the homeless and disabled.

There are too many outstanding individuals to cover in the class of ’58, but it’s impossible to omit an improbable best athlete, who achieved what no other Long Islander ever has.

Larry Nagler—At 5’8”, with thick glasses, a buff version of Woody Allen, he was top scorer and playmaker on a championship basketball team. He was a “walk-on” at UCLA who could have made the team, but legendary coach John Wooden advised him to stick with his best sport—tennis—which he did and won the 1959 NCAA singles championship in his freshman year. After a stellar collegiate career, teaming with Arthur Ashe, he later became an attorney who represented his doubles partner.

OK, enough of our ’58 heroes, though there are many more great stories, but the following class of ‘59 also had its unforgettable characters. Such as:

Johnny Votano—A combo of DeNiro and Sinatra, he was star halfback and sprint champion, who went on to become a successful NYC real estate entrepreneur before his mighty heart failed him at age 46.

Matt Sanzone—Al Pacino as all-purpose football, track and heavyweight wrestling hero who went on to compete at Springfield College, become a Hall of Fame wrestling coach and Jr. High School principal in Cold Spring Harbor.

These were a few of the class of ‘60’s models and icons, but we were known for our spirit and unity and did our best to continue the tradition. Some individuals to remember are:

Jack Langlois—Our class president, a classy Jimmy Stewart, he was a starting football center and winning miler who went on to earn his BA and Ph.D in Economics at Princeton. A widely respected scholar who was fluent in Chinese and Japanese, he taught at Princeton and Bowdoin, and worked in Asia with Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan. One of the few westerners ever to serve on several Asian bank boards, his amazing career was cut short in 2010 when he died of pancreatic cancer at age 68.

John Votano’s wife, Mary Gettier, a spirited cheerleader along with a teammate, Sandy Byrne, are two examples of lovely women who lost battles with cancer.The most recent passing of a classmate in in 2015 was: Phil Gaynor—A Humphrey Bogart version of an assistant district attorney and law firm owner in NYC, his life path paralleled mine from Wheatley to Rutgers to serving as fellow army officers in Germany. Affectionately nicknamed “Froggy”—to his chagrin—he was a highly respected, honorable guy with many friends and admirers. He died of mesothelioma last year at age 73.

Our class had close friendships with the class of ’61, several of whose memorable members also left us much too soon. They were: Walt Brunner—Class president, giant impresario known as “Baby Huey”, he played football, wrestled heavyweight, threw the shot, and later became a political consultant, tavern owner, sports agent in NYC and even a talk show host and journalist on the island of St. Croix. He passed away with symptoms of diabetes in NYC in 2010. Chuck Shaffer— Blonde-haired minister’s son (Robert Redford), he was a talented quarterback and baseball player who joined the Peace Corps in Africa after graduation from Ohio Wesleyan. Ran a landscaping business in Virginia until he lost a battle to premature Alzheimer’s disease in his early sixties. —(Sean Connery) Younger brother of previously mentioned, Doug, he was a more Celtic, rowdy and poetic Kull who worked and played hard on football, wrestling and track teams. Married to Jeanne Langlois, Jack’s sister, Tom died of cancer at age 67 Hugh Drummond—Known as “Bulldog”, a deceptively smart class clown a la John Belushi, he gave his all on the playing fields, and playing in general. He became an Air Force pilot and died flying in a private plane crash in 1969 at age 26.

In all our pursuits and achievements, we were inspired by teachers and coaches who significantly influenced our lives. Several of them attended the WHS 50th celebration in ’06, looking healthy and full of life as ever. To cite a few:

Jack Davis-- The “Cat”, as he called himself, was the head football coach, teacher and philosopher-in-residence for 30 years, and was proud to be inducted into the Wheatley Athletic Hall of Fame. Father of six kids, four of whom followed his footsteps into teaching, his quick wit and insight into students was sui generis (There should be a film star in his image, but he’s hard to match.)To this day, many who played for him can quote life lessons that were taped to his office walls. (“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, “was my personal fav.) Other strong coaching influences were drill sergeant/line coach Bill Lawson, wrestling coach Bill Stevenson, and fitness trainer Irwin August, who amazingly went on to a second career as a psychologist after his coaching days. There are too many fine teachers to mention, but one who’s most unforgettable for me was red-headed Bostonian history teacher Fred Mullen . Aside from bringing his subject alive with humor and perspective, his salient trait—shared by so many on the faculty—was his remarkable interest in students. Sadly, Mr. Mullen, who was always so full of life, died of cancer at a young age, but he personified to me the kind of smart, cool, caring teacher we were fortunate to have known.

In general, from Wheatley’s beginnings, we were blessed to be influenced by uncommonly dedicated teachers, coaches and administrators who valued us, supported our efforts, were proud of our accomplishments and empathetic for our struggles.

I believe some visionary educational planning created the unusual mix of towns that made up the school. It wasn’t racially diverse—certainly nowhere close to the current WHS—but it was a fascinating demographic, ethnic, religious and socio-economic stew that encouraged creativity, achievement and FEW dull moments.

Having followed Wheatley’s fortunes and the lives of its alumni, I understand why so many are returning to this 6oth celebration. Abe Lincoln’s signpost message on the /East Williston Green sums it up: “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives, “it reads and “Honest Abe” would certainly resonate with the spirit of Wildcat alumni returning to celebrate their alma mater’s sixth decade.

If you’re interested in more historic color commentary, check out the Wheatley1960.com website created by our classmate Col. Ken Martin, USMC retired, in his “spare time” when he wasn’t planning and hosting the largest annual reunion of Vietnam vets in New York state for the last several decades.

Paul mentions Steve Perlin above. We recently received old photos of Steve while he was in the Marine Corps, which you see below:

The good Charlie Zimmerman sent in the following photos from back in the day that I suspect some of you might enjoy:

From Jim Ianotti: (Ed note-Jim, AKA "Ernie," was responding to invite to recent St Simon's mini reunion where we hoped he would display his tennis prowess.)

I apologize for this very late response, and thank you for thinking of me. I hope all had a good time, it sounded like it would be a lot of fun.

At the time of the tennis match, we were probably at La Scala trying to get some last minute seats to watch some folks fussing about this and that while singing some Joe Green tunes. Below are some photos I took in Florence and La Morra. It gives me hope that someday I'll find a piazza or chiusa dedicated to San Ernie!

Thanks for below. I’ll post it, unless objections on your part, to our Chit Chat page. You would be pleased to know how many classmates enjoy hearing from distant friends.

Also, one wonders about origins of our high school nicknames. I can tell you categorically where mine came from-Ferdie Carillo-who at one moment said Ken, I want you to be Italian, so your new name is Martino. And that moniker stuck. Not sure of Ernie? Was it Mel Miller? Do you know? In any case, both are better than Fifi, Froggy, and certainly miles ahead of Pond Scum. So it went.

Hope all is well and that you enjoyed San Martino-was there a bar close by? A house of ill-repute?

From Paul Hennessy (Ed note-Paul visited Charlie Zimmerman in St Simons Isle-off Georgia coast.)

Here's a possible venue for our next Wildcat reunion--Charlie & Mary Ellen's spacious New Orlean's style outpost on St Simon's Isle. It's beautifully furnished and overlooks a scenic river & marsh where Charlie plans a busman's holiday building a dock slightly smaller than his NYC projects . Zimmerman hospitality was extraordinary as always with Mint Julips & grilled steaks served on the Bayou.

Contrast to record snows in Beantown--will be here often in future winters. Ya'll join me sometime!

(Ed note-Paul and his wife recently bought some property in Mexico-a country where Paul, John Moncure, and the editor have a rendezvous with destiny and the stars)

Happy New Year Ken!!

Hope the New Year found you happy and healthy

Enclosed are some pictures of where I spent the Monday after Christmas on a cargo ship under the Verrazano Bridge taking off marine piles shipped up from Guyana and putting them on barges. We going to redo the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Also an article about the gang war between East Williston and Wiliston Park over water.

You close on your GA house yet (Ed note-Charlie is buying a house on an island off the Georgia coast in the low country)?

Will post these on WWW soon. BTW Bob Merritt called me yesterday and had long chat. Doing OK. Has three daughters only one married. Two grandkids. Son a lawyer and single in Wash DC area.

Plan on closing on the house in the beginning of February.

Next week I will be in South America, Guyana.

It was interesting jumping from the work boat to the ship climbing up a rope ladder..than across to the barge on an all aluminum ladder, than from the barge to the tug boat on an older aluminum ladder, than climbing over the side of a tug boat and standing on the lower rim of the tug boat to the rim of the work boat.

I'm 72 and Polish.

Regards,
Charlie

Betsy and I are headed home tomorrow from three weeks in San Francisco, but had a chance today to drive to Bolinas to see Pete Blank. We had a great visit and for a luddite, the he was very informed on how each one of our group is doing. He was uninformed about the biggest news so I waited until he was seated to tell him about Dixie and Lucy! He grinned from ear to ear and said, "Well I'll be damned."
Pete's house is behind that long row of hedges to the left and the end of the lane is a bluff that overlooks Stinson Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Cheers to ya'll,
Bick

The above is a photo of the beautiful part of California Pete lives in as well as Bick's attractive wife, Betsy. Wow!

discovered some pictures when going through my ma's photo's
these are from 6th grade.. stilli iu willets school

photo 1 girls are right to left marsha lessler, SUsan Borger, me(hlen kritzler), Janet Cohen, Diane Rubin and Joan Morris

photo 2 Party
(my birthday party 6th grade)
I'm dancing with Howie penkower in front.
andy hoffnam lookng on
in back left daivd eastman chicky kaufman, joan morris, kenny kahn
in back right peter wolf, david slivers micheal monshein, dale Weinsten ( I beleve) and judy Weiss
so fun to see these..
hope others enjoy

I was imagining the other day walking in my house in Roslyn starting from the front door and then walking around the living room seeing what came back to me and then suddenly I heard my mother's voice call out "Let Skipper in. " Skipper was our dog.

(Ed note-I suspect Helen is not alone in such reminisces. I know my mind takes similar journeys)

John Moncure visited Paul Hennessy on the way to John's 50th college reunion at Kings Point. They shot the breeze over a few brews in Paul's hometown of Newton Centre, MA.

My reunion was great-I did not want to go-had not been back for 25 years or more. I did not like the USMMA. But I had e-mails and calls from wrestling teammates, from Plebe year roommate, from sea year shipmates, etc. It felt like a lobbying effort. At first I refused----but then I thought that I wouldn't see these guys again and decided that I had to go.

It was great- lots of laughs, lots of guys whom I had not seen for years--whom I had forgotten how much I really cared for-
But for the alcohol poisoning, it was a great trip.

took a trip to Florida. Their first stop was in Fort Myers to visit Norm and Eileen where the four of them observed a sunset at Fort Myers Beach.

After Fort Myers, George and Lucy traveled to Sarasota to visit with an old friend of Lucy's. In essence, the purpose of their trip was to scout out Florida should they decide to leave New York City in the future. They stayed one night in Sarasota and then proceeded to the editor's home in New Smyrna Beach. A three day blowout ensued and was thoroughly enjoyed by all four of us. I am pleased to report that George and Lucy remain "Teenagers in Love." It is a true love story for the ages.

Hi Aldine, (Ed note-Aldine Evans went to the same church as Ms. Bodnar and requested information about Ms. Bodnar's career as a teacher).

You've chosen a worthy teacher to honor in the person of Elsie Bodnar, who was a popular and influential English teacher at the Wheatley School in Old Westbury during the late 1950s and 60s.

I had several classes with her and, in retrospect, recall her as a graceful, personable and dedicated teacher who was effective in improving our writing from the fundamentals to creative efforts. (I've gone on to a career in news and public relations writing and can trace some of the inspiration for that to her.)

I recall her as a true professional, somewhat prim and proper, but with a sense of humor that showed she understood and possibly even appreciated the offbeat humor of her often wayward students. Looking at her photos, I now realize that she was something of a beauty with an almost movie star style, a fact that was lost on me at the time but not some of my more mature male classmates. (Amazing that she never married!)

Overall, she was a good-hearted and kind person who was sincerely interested in seeing her students succeed. I think we were all very fortunate to know and be in her English classes. Hope this fills in the blanks about someone who lived a good life, but was apparently not well known to many in your parish.

Sally sent the editor some old newspaper clippings. She wrote, "I came across this as I was doing some cleaning and thought you might be interested as I'm sure you remember it was an amazing sight as we stood at the head of Orchard Meadow Road at the crack of dawn watching the fire." Thank you Sally. I suspect that perhaps others on that block might have also watched the blaze-maybe Pat Birchead, Bev Buhrow, Bob Holly and?

I lived right across from Northside and also witnessed the fire. I can remember standing there with my mother, father, and younger brother Doug, who was in either 2nd or 3rd grade. All of a sudden Doug burst out into tears and was uncontollably sobing and crying. My father said, "Doug, what is the matter?" My brother replied-"The bunnies, the bunnies will die!" You see the teacher had caged rabbits in the room. My brother passed away far too soon in his mid-40's and that night of the Northside fire gave me my most poigant memory of him.

Incidentally, Sally and her husband are moving to Punta Gorda, FL. They should be settled there next summer

(Ed Note-If you can read some of the article, you will see that one Frederick Rehberger was the school board president at the time.)

BTW-this is already on this WWW along with others from the era.Go back to home page and click on Class photos and then on Class Homeroom photos. Ahh Memory Lane.

Seth Katz, Class of 1972, has organized a “Wheatley Night at the Roslyn Chalet” for Thursday, August 7, starting at 8:30 PM. The mood is casual; no cover charge; cash bar; all classes welcome. The bar is expecting a large crowd and is fully staffed. The address is 1 Railroad Avenue, Roslyn, just north of the Roslyn LIRR station, 516-621-7975.
Please distribute to your classmates (at your discretion).
Arthur

The below is a request from Bruce Buhrow, the brother of our classmate, Bev Buhrow. Should you know of anyone from that class-friend or perhaps kin, please pass the word,

Hi Ken,

I’m Bruce Buhrow the younger brother of Beverly, class of ’60.

I’m trying to spread the word about our 50th reunion which will be on Sunday, 12 Oct 2014 at the “Glen Cove Mansion”.

The editor was interested in hearing from Bruce and asked him to provide a quick snapshot of his life. He emailed back:

Ken

Thanks for spreading the word about our reunion.

Thanks for your interest in what’s gone on in my life since 1964.

Well, let’s see – I’m older, but unsure if I’m any wiser.

I graduated Albright college, Reading, Pa.( in ’68), which is known for its fine preparation for pre-med and pre dental students. But, as I have told others, and even written about, my life began in 1973, when I graduated from University of Pennsylvania Dental School on Monday, 21 May, married Carole (We fell in love after three hours of a blind, set-up date, I proposed three days later, but we had to wait nearly six months for an available date in her church) on Saturday, 26 May, and I (we) joined the Air Force two months later.

Thus began a 41 year marriage (so far) and a 20 year military career which took us around the world; we lived in Turkey, Germany, and Japan, a few of our states including three assignments in Florida. We discovered much of ancient Greek history and many early Christian sites are in Turkey. We felt very much at home in Germany, travelling (and eating) through Europe, exploring some family history (mine in Germany and Switzerland, and Carole’s in Poland), and learning that most of our sense of design and decorating fit well with Japanese style.

Our first base was Eglin, in the panhandle of Florida. We immediately fell in love with the area, and knew that we’d retire here. My last assignment was Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida ( in the panhandle – the small part of the state which is in Central Time). After I retired, I became employed by the State of Florida as a prison dentist. Yes there was a vast difference between treating Patriots and felons.

After many years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Carole sought additional education to go in a new direction and became a Lactation Consultant. She remains the premier provider of such services in a large area containing many counties. She is so passionate about educating Moms and babies about this natural behavior with so many benefits for both Mom and baby, that she continues to work full time.

By our choice we had no kids, but a succession of dogs has filled our lives. The current three own a king size bed in which they allow us to sleep. We also have a rather sassy Quaker parrot who says a few words and phrases – all of them are clean.

I retired from prison dentistry (let me make an important point – I got to go home every night, unlike the inmates) after 11 years and started the most fun job I’ve ever had – teaching in the Community College in the programs educating dental hygienists and assistants. But after four years of that, academic politics drove me away. So I was very fortunate to retire the day after my rewarding profession stopped being fun.

Now in retirement, I revived two hobbies: photography, in which I’d been dabbling in for 45 years, and watercolor painting. Carole and I took three years of painting lessons while in Germany, but I cheated myself out of continuing painting while I concentrated on my dental career. Now I have a professional grade camera and lenses with which I take “artsy” photos and display them in local exhibitions (no sales yet). For the last two years I’ve taken every painting lesson I could find. It’s for others to decide if I am an artist, but I’m beginning to like what I paint.

We are happy.

Hell, I don’t know, is this a “quick snapshot”?

Thanks again for your help with our reunion and interest in what I’ve done since the Beatles became famous.

Bruce

The editor recently received an email from one Bob Miller, a college professor at Eastern Michigan University. He inquired about Walter Brunner, the class president of TWS's class of '61. Walter led our class in our graduation ceremony (see our home page). The editor in turn sent the email to Paul Hennessy, who was close to Walter. Their correspondence follows:

In doing a Google search for an old friend and colleague I was surprised and saddened to learn that Walter Guthrie may have passed away in New York. I am unable to find anything at all about him save the mention offered on your website.

We worked together in St. Croix for many years and were in the radio and media business.

Can you tell me any more information or an address when I might learn about his passing?

The webmeister for our Wheatley High School class, Ken Martin, passed along your inquiry about "Walter Guthrie", who we knew as Walter Guthrie Brunner from the class of '65, a year after we graduated.

The gentle giant was my heavyweight teammate on our wrestling team, a participant in much political action, and just plain fun which always surrounded him. We heard from a distance about his life in St.Croix, but he always kept his NYC roots with a small apartment in Greenwich Village so he stayed in touch with his old pals, several of whom visited him for extended Carribbean sojourns.

We were sad to hear that late in life his once powerful body was wracked by diabetes and even more life-threatening blood disorders that eventually led to his demise. His sister, Carole, organized a memorial gathering for him at a Mexican restaurant in the Village, not far from where he owned and managed a pub famous for--among other things-- its lengthy name--Britania Mewes Adventurers' Society Pub Limited.

I attended the memorial gathering and delivered a eulogy remembering Walt that several of his relatives there said told them more about him than they'd ever known. It was irreverent, warts and all, and I'll send it to you if you're interested.

All of his friends would also like to know more about your experiences with Walt in St. Croix so drop me a line with that and a request for the eulogy if you want it. If you'd like to speak by phone about Walt, let me know and we can arrange it..

I am very grateful that you were able to fill in a few blanks about Walter. The news was terribly sad for me as I had last spoke with Walter about 2001 about working on a brochure for my wife's medical practice. But, I lost his number and, knowing Walter, he had a way of dissolving into shadows to a a recluse. Still I wished I could have spoken with him.

I had hired him at the radio station on the island to do a weekend rock and roll show. He would show up with leather bags full of his albums and had a delightful time being a DJ.At There came a time when he locked wills with a blond announcer from Chcago who worked full time. Though the details are a little fuzzy I had to fire him over the phone. He said, "You're firing me over the phone???" All was forgiven as time went on and he became more of a reporter for us, covering such national stories as the Fountain Valley Massacre in 1972 and the subsequent trial and conviction of about six men for the murders.

At one point he bought my kawasaki 500 motorcycycle and paid me in turkey sandwiches.
Later he became a hired gun for getting Dr Schnieder elected Governor--twice. He would bring in very complicated schedule with a vast variety of spots on tape that has to be played at exactly precise times and, to this day I am convinced it was Walter that cause my hair to turn gray and fall out. It was hard to stay mad at Walter for very long. He was the smartest guy I ever knew on the island and we would try to test our skills on doo wop songs and other early rock and roll. I would get frustrated at time that he could possibly know more than me about old rock and roll trivia. After all, I was the radio guy

At one point in his bar, Rumors, he had booked Erik Burdon who apparantly was a dick and
demanded all his drinks be on the house. I believed Walter just took his guitar until he paid his tab.

By the way, the girl in the story, Carla Leonardo, and she was from Chicago. She went back there and worked for the top stations and did some of the programs for American Airlines. She passed last November and it was ironic that the news of both of my friends had passed away and I only learned of it last Monday.

I would love to have a copy of the eulogy and would have really liked to have been at his memorial service. Was he buried or cremated.

If you were anyone on St. Croix in the 70's & 80's on St. Croix you knew Walter.

I never got to tell Walter that after radio, I reinvented myself as a Professor at Eastern Michigan University.

Thanks for your tales of the Great Walter in his St. Croix incarnation. Your stories brought back memories of what a character he was,

We all miss him as he passed away much too young. I'll pass along your tales to some of his classmates and forward you a copy of the eulogy I gave about him at his memorial service.

It probably won't surprise you that Walt also wrote his own eulogy, which his sister delivered word for word at the gathering. As with those political ads he ordered, he wasn't leaving any image-making--particularly about himself-- to chance. A fact-checker might have had some quibbles, but it was a good and glorious tale.

Mine is less reverent, but it's my story and I'm sticking with it. (I'm having trouble copying it to my e-mail so may have to send it in a subsequent message.)

Thanks for getting in touch. (To answer your question, I believe Walt was cremated.) Best,

Haven't made it to the last few reunion events, but getting to our class 60th is an optimistic goal for me; not a Wheatley School 60th though. And, Art could use some time off. He has done such a wonderful job- the captain of the ship and the glue of the alumni association.

Here is Memorial weekend pic at John Weiss' new lake home in north Jersey:

Rich Osrow, Willi (Krauss) Royall, Bill Royall, John Weiss, Marsha Osrow

Art Engoron, head of the entire Wheatley School Alumni Association, recently sent out emails to all class correspondents. I happen to be one. The email was attempting to ascertain interest in an event celebrating Wheatley's 60th anniversary. I shared that email with our class and asked classmates if they were interested. I thought you would like seeing what some answers to the inquiry were:

I definitely think the idea of a 60th makes sense. It would be a fun event and perhaps a fund-raiser for Wheatley so I'd guess the administration would also buy in.

I'd certainly attend and would be willing to help with the planning and organization. Can't say our class would be make any commitments for anything beyond 2016 (not even buying green bananas.)

I think that the connection members of our Class feel is with each other and not so much the school, qua school. Think about our most recent gatherings (and taking into account that I was only at the 50th and the little one in the Berkshires) and what we talked about. It was mainly our memories of each other, not only during our time together at Wheatley but also the friendships that remained strong for so many years. Very little of our reminiscing had to do with The Wheatley School.

I went to the 50th anniversary of Wheatley because I was curious and I wanted to see what, if any, connection I felt for the school. I'm glad I attended the school, for a number of reasons, but I know that I would not have any interest in going there for the 60th anniversary. What I think would happen at such a celebration is that classes would tend to separate themselves from the many and it would, in reality, be another reunion for our class, albeit one that was diluted by the presence of too many people with whom we had no real connection other than the rather tenuous one of having attended the same high school.

Other than bumping into Phil Gaynor at a local supermarket a few months ago and a number of telephone calls with David Eastman, I've not had any contact with other members of our class in a while. Stephen Buchalter's death, now two years back, still leaves a hole in my heart that doesn't want to completely heal.

My personal view is that I would only be interested if it coincided with one of the class of 1964's celebrations, 55th if there were one, or 60th, more likely. The 50th anniversary of Wheatley was a landmark; the 60th, not so much; the 75th, well I might consider it.

We're all getting older. We have to be more selective of the events we want to attend. With my Class of 64, I would make an effort.

Like Pat I'd rather attend our Class gatherings. So many events compete for our time and energy. Pat, hats off to you for considering the 75!!!

Dale Weinstein: (Editors's note-Dale is one of the best writers in the class, and we look forward to his bio, which I know is reverberating around his head!)

I'm probably not interested in holding or attending such a reunion, Ken. I may change my mind when I see the list of those planning to attend the event, if there is one.

My plans for traveling to NY would not include a celebration of The Wheatley School but it would include a celebration of the Class of 1960.

I have good memories of our 50th. Odds are 50-50 that I would attend a 60th. That info isn't much help to you now but, is the best I can do.

I am not interested. If Coach Davis was still living, I might make a Mecca type trip. Some classmates confused the Wheatley School Annivesary with our 60th class graduation annivesary. Way too far away to consider that, but speaking for others who have attended our mini reunions-Florida, Berkshires and LI (see our home page), there is much to be said of them. They are small intimate affairs permitting much time to reconnect with one another. Perhaps other ones will be held in the future and maybe even one for our 55th??? They are really quite easy to organize.

Me at least I have my painting and am active as HOA president and sit on the Board of Directors of the Art League of Ocean City MD. I also design and maintain three websites, http://artleagueofoceancity.org/, http://www.therefugehoa.org/ and my own http://barbarapatrickartist.com/. in my spare time I play as much golf as possible! I try to get in plenty during the playing seasons and hope for good weather in the winter!

(From the editor: Please view Barbara's website, especially her own containing her paintings-it is another example of the talent we have in our class! I did email her back applauding her web skills and asked her if she would like to run another site, namely our own, to which she replied, "LOL, I think three is the limit! I need more time to paint!").

So my attempt to get someone else far more talented than me to run our website was met with a "LOL," an acronym unheard of back in the late 50's. Of course we did not have computers then-just pens, paper, and typewriters (of which the only technical challenge facing us was how to change the ribbon!). But we have what we have, and over the course of the past five years, I have often heard the word "Luddite" thrown around. And how that shoe fits many of us. In fact, and this is a fact Barbara, "OMG" it took me the past two hours to get your above freakin *!#> WWW's pasted on this site, hours that could have been used on the still old fashioned telephone here on my desk in the trivial pursuit of making money. Oh well.

And to keep speaking about our generation and the challenges of technology I want to share a story with you. My wife Cheryle, like many reading this, was late to the world of computers. Six or seven years ago she bit the bullet and decided to get with it. So she sat down in the office one day and was fooling around with things and then said, rather heatedly, to our youngest son Kent (The company CIO), "Why is this not working." To which Kent said, "Mom turn the mouse upside down." True story. Now my wife of 48 years has read between one and two books a week for all of our 48 years of marriage, is a skilled artist (oil and water colors), and has an IQ 15+ points higher than mine. How do I know of this high IQ? It is my only explanation for never, ever winning an argument with her. Smart, like so many reading this, yet many of us remain frustrated by tech issues. Is it any wonder we frequently look fondly back at the Happy Days of the '50s?

And to close this rambling squib, let me share a video that said young son Kent sent to his mother and father last week. If the shoe fits...

Charlie sent a PDF from a Long Island newspaper re Ferdie Carillo. Ferdie, as many of you know, is the mayor of Old Westbury. He is very popular with the voters and was recently re-elected. In fact, he received rave reviews from many for his hands on approach to both a crippling snow storm of two years ago and especially for Hurricane Sandy. Ferdie, incidentally lives probably a quarter of a mile as the crow flies to our alma mater. He has had an interesting event confronting him and his administration that hopefully you can read about below:

News Bronze Sculpture Of Nude Pregnant Woman Upsets Some L.I. Residents May 7, 2014 6:55 PM WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) –

A 33-foot bronze sculpture of a nude pregnant woman has upset some residents of a Long Island village.

The statue, “The Virgin Mother,” by British artist Damien Hirst has an exposed fetus, skull and tissue. A bronze sculpture entitled ‘The Virgin Mother’ by British artist Damien Hirst is pictured in London on June 7, 2006.

It stands on a conservation easement of the historic Old Westbury estate of real estate mogul Aby Rosen and is only visible to neighbors and those welcome on the five acres, WCBS 880?s Mike Xirinachs reported. The home is dripping with history and culture, it was built for the founder of the Museum of Modern Art in 1938.

The mayor called the sculpture out of character with the exclusive neighborhood and has proposed some village rule changes that could force its removal, Xirinachs reported. “Residents were up in arms,” Old Westbury Mayor Fred Carillo told 1010 WINS’ Mona Rivera, adding that he received about a half-dozen letters of complaint.

Carillo said some complained the statue is too graphic and doesn’t belong in a residential area. “At a medical building I think it would be a magnificent piece, especially OBGYN,” Carillo said.

Neighbors also voiced concerns that the statue was visible to school children. “Buses go from house to house, and kids are subjected to seeing this fetal statue,” Carillo told CBS 2?s Jennifer McLoga

n. Carillo said a hearing on the sculpture will likely be held early next month before the Village Planning Board, although the issue could come up at a trustees meeting on May 19.

The statue will be covered up in the meantime. “We’re covering it up so that no one’s feelings are hurt,” Rosen’s landscape architect, David Kelly, told Rivera. “We don’t want to be insensitive.”

The statue previously sat in the courtyard at Lever House in mid-Manhattan and is one of several versions that were created by Hirst and displayed around the world. “It is very important work. It is Damien Hirst, the virgin mother. There are three in existence in the world,” Kelly explained.

Kelly added that the idea of moving the statue to ease the concerns of neighbors was not out of the question. “We are thinking of shifting it a little bit, moving it a little bit, nestling it in, so that the village is happy and the neighbors are happy,” Kelly said.

A public hearing will be held on overwriting village code that limits accessory structures to 25 ft in height.

(From the editor-to anyone who in fact read the entire piece above-the radio station quoted above 1010 WINS-was that not one of our old rock and roll stations???)

Tom and Marge Holzweiss and I met yesterday and had lunch together here in Astoria (they were returning to Virginia after visiting LI).

Tom and I grew up as next door neighbors for many years on Fairview Ave. Lots of time together riding bikes, climbing trees, running around, and all the things you do at that age.

It was a good meeting. We hadn't seen each other for about 30 years so looks were the first surprise. We are all aging. We talked over as much as we could during lunch. It was just a good feeling to be together in an ordinary way.

On April 26 I ran/walked my first ever 5K at Lord Fairfax Community College, in Middletown, VA, where I taught for 26 full time and another 6 years as an adjunct faculty member. I did a lot more walk than run but I had a blast at the finish line! I was best in my age group -- oh yeah, I was the only male over 70 so I was guaranteed recognition. Next year I want to shave seven or more minutes off my time to be under 45 minutes.

Just prior to the LFCC's graduation ceremony on May 10, another retiree and I were named as professors emeritus -- or is it professor emeriti? It's a humbling honor to join this select group of retirees.

As seen in late Feb. & March 2014 by Pat & I, my old L.I. pal Jack O'Connor & his wife, and another couple of friends aboard the Holland America ship Zaandam.

They're shots of Santiago, Valparaiso and the Patagonian countryside on the way to Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands, and El Fin del Mundo (end of the world--Antarctica.) A 20-day trip to very different territory than we've ever seen.

A good book I'm reading that you lugs might enjoy--"Younger Next Year--A guide to living like 50 until you're 80 & Beyond." (authors, Chris Crowley & Dr. Harry Lodge). BTW-John Moncure replied, "I read it 8 years ago and none of it works!"

Thought I'd send along some pics of Dixie's beautiful kids. These were taken at Diana's wedding about two years ago. She looks exactly like Dixie!! Diana is the youngest at now 23, then Patrick, 25, then Julia,29 and finally granddaughter Charlette now 21/2.

Haroldo and I spent a lovely, though stormy, few hours with Ken and Cheryle and were privileged to see their beautiful new home that looks right out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The tranquility and the beauty of their place can't be beat. While Cheryle attributes its beauty to her architect, I know that the personal touches and ideas for the home were those of Cheryle, and that's what make the house a home and the beauty that it is. We appreciated the opportunity to spend some time with both of them!

The editor and his wife, Cheryle, recently had a lovely afternoon with Pat Birckhead Suarez and her husband Haroldo.We sat and talked for a bit and then had lunch in a local restaurant. Pat and Haroldo were returning from a trip to Orlando when they stopped by. They have lived in Alexandria, VA for more than 40 years. Both are retired now but still busy. Haroldo works part time at the local high school; he is a school liaison person working with the Hispanic community. Pat works with her community association and bowls and golfs with friends. In addition, they both work with the Magdalena Foundation (Haroldo is president and Pat is on the Board), a non profit organization that provides scholarships to meritorious high school graduates in Santa Marta, Colombia (Haroldo's home town). The scholars study and mentor young students as well as provide support to displaced people in their communities. The success of the students when they graduate has been outstanding and exciting as most of them are leaders in their work place and the communities in which they live. You can find their website at:

And finally Haroldo, at lunch, said that he was amazed how close many classmates have remained and that he has never seen such a phenomenon and then posed the following question: why is that so? Anyone want to answer it?

Pat and Ken-Note restaurant in background site of Friday dinner at the Florida mini reunion.

Al Jerome recently announced his decsion to retire. A news article in Los Angeles covered the story:

After 18 years leading KCET, Al Jerome announces retirement
Published on Current.org March 18, 2014
By Dru Sefton

Al Jerome, the broadcasting executive who led Los Angeles public television station KCET out of PBS membership and into a partnership with satellite network Link TV, is retiring within the next six months, KCETLink announced today.

Jerome has served as president of KCET for 18 years and is only the third person to lead the organization in its 50-year history. He will stay on through September and assist in the search for his successor, the statement said.

He joined KCET in February 1996 after a 30-year career in commercial broadcasting at NBC, CBC and ABC. During Jerome’s tenure the station won 69 Emmys, seven George Foster Peabody awards, five duPont-Columbia awards and the Edward R. Murrow Award.

But Jerome will most likely be remembered for his three-year public battle with PBS over membership dues and overlap issues, which culminated with the major-market station’s move to drop PBS membership in 2011.

“I’m sure he knew how difficult it would be when KCET left the PBS system from which it, like every other PBS affiliate, received a large percentage of its daily program schedule,” said former KCET President William Kobin in the announcement. “From that day on, KCET faced the extraordinary challenge of having to produce or acquire every program in its 24-hours per day, 365-days per year schedule, and raise the money to do so.”

“It’s been a privilege to lead this organization during its PBS years and into an entrepreneurial era,” Jerome said. “As we begin preparations for KCET’s 50th anniversary, and continue to chart a new course for the organization, I feel that this is the appropriate time to bring in a new CEO.”

After the PBS split, Jerome set KCET on a three-year course to achieve sustainability as an independent public TV station that involved selling its historic Sunset Strip headquarters. Halfway through that timeline, the pubcaster continued to struggle with ratings and production financing.

KCET merged with San Francisco-based Link TV in January 2013. Jerome served as CEO of KCETLink, with Link TV President Paul Mason as chief strategy officer. Mason resigned in January 2014 to be closer to his New York home, a KCET spokesperson said.

The merged organization laid off 22 staffers in April 2013, including Bret Marcus, executive producer of its cornerstone investigative news series, SoCal Connected. Last month, the station announced a new $1 million grant to bring the series back into production.

In the announcement, KCETLink Board Chair Dick Cook said Jerome “leaves an exceptional legacy of leadership in commercial and public media. He has steadily guided KCETLink through a period of significant change with bold decision making and risk-taking. The board is committed to identifying a new leader who can leverage the positive momentum that Al has created to establish a sustainable model for public media that engages a new generation.”

Linda Sue Beattie Koole and her husband Pete recently spent an afternoon with Ken Martin and his wife Cheryle. The Kooles retired approximately seven years ago-Pete spent many years managing a gravel company, and Linda Sue worked for the marketing department of a bank-both near their home in Ramsey, NJ. Upon retirement, they moved to Easton, which is on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and where they could pursue their true passion of sailing. They have a 32 foot sailboat that they have also chartered and used in the Caribbean. Pete also gets time to fish.

Linda Sue and Pete recently celebrated their 50th annivesary. They were married in 1963 by the Reverend Howard Shaffer in the East Williston Community church. The marriage gave them two daughters who gave them 4 grandchildren. Their grandson goes to college at Lafayette, where he plays baseball, and one of their granddaughters goes to college at Holy Cross. Both of their daughters live in New Jersey.

Sue and Pete spend 5 weeks in February and March on Florida's West Coast where they rent a condo and spend two weeks in their time share. The Martins and Kooles discussed the possibility of another class mini-reunion in New Smyrna Beach next year in March.

And if you remember back in the halcyon days of the late 1950's Ken and Linda Sue were a number who often walked the halls of Wheatley hand in hand. That romance was dashed upon Linda Sue's meeting of Pete at the University of Vermont. So it went....

And Ken often wondered how he lost Linda Sue until he and his wife Cheryle finally really met Pete. And guys I'll let you in on something-don't let your girls get around Jersey boys-they have something Long Island guys don't have. Pete came within a moment of taking two girls back to Maryland. Geezzz!

Pete told us an interesting story. When he stopped working he started looking for other hobbies. He heard of a woodworking group nearby and joined them, which led to him becoming a woodcarver of birds. He showed photos of his work, and I asked him if he could email them to me, so I could let you view them. And I suspect there are many reading this that have taken up other pursuits. It was a talented class, so should you want to share, you have my email address.

Charlie Zimmerman and Gary Zebrowski took a trip to Guyana in early December to tour some of the land where Charlie manages and procures wood for his business. They were in the boondocks and found time to do some fishing.

Gary taking photo of a bass they caught. I suspect that Art Diamond might be giving Charlie a call soon.

Charlie's brother landed a big one. BTW-they traveled 2 hours one way on the river they lived on and fished and saw virtually no houses or other boats on the ride. Was the real deal as far as being away from it all.

Of Mike Stapleton, class of 58. The editor, via an email from Bob Holley, class of 58, learned of the passing of Mike Stapleton. Mike was a member of that outstanding class-1958-that was the first to graduate from Wheatley. Mike was a stalwart on the undefeated Wheatley football team of 58. He was a United States Marine and spent most of his life in the Catskills in upstate NY where he retired as a New York State trooper and corrections officer. Mike served in Vietnam where he became an American hero earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star with combat V, and Purple Heart. Mike-fellow Marine and warrior-rest in peace. You can view his obituary on our In Memoriam page found at:

From Mary Jane Johnson (Ed Note-MJ and I had been corresponding about her recent decision to build a family retreat on Eastern LI and thought you would enjoy hearing about her plans)

I am building a small cottage on Long Island which I am so excited to do! My late husband and I bought a half acre in 2002 that is near my sister. Last summer, my oldest daughter and I had a serious talk--so tired of renting which we have done for decades that we decided it was time to do some investigating. I received a green light from all involved so I am headed in that direction. It won't be large enough for a Wheatley reunion but could sleep "the girls" if one is near-by.

The cottage is in East Hampton--north of the highway in Springs. It is right around the former from my sister who lives there year-round. My late husband and I bought this half acre in 2002--thinking we would build it a lot sooner--then the whole world changed. I will be there at Christmas to meet with the builder/contractor--we will all meet there to watch it come together. I am going to ask the fellow across the street who is a retired contractor to be a project manger although I may not need to--it is a very straight forward 1800 square foot one story little house--I don't think much can go wrong (that may words eaten ( : ) I'm sure my sister will swing by once in a while ( : )

Gretchen is my oldest daughter and she is in Natick, MA She has three children--Theo, now 17 (yikes), Chloe 14 and Phoebe who will soon be 11--she was adopted at 10 months from China. Gretchen lost her husband to cancer a week after our 50th reunion! The good news is her recent engagement--so she and Jim now have five between them. Everyone likes each other-- Theo is thrilled to have two brothers and Jim---it was a little tricky being in an all female household!

(Ed note-Zeke accompanied Charlie on one of Charlie's many trips to Guyana where he purchases much of the wood products he sells)

Coming soon to a theater near you. The story is in progess and all I can say it was an adventure of a lifetime for me. Charlie is remarkable- as a businessman, host, and most importantly a friend.

I am on "rapid transit" right now....going to Manassas, Va for Christmas to visit our daughter Tara ( who is expecting our second grandchild shortly), husband Nick and grandson Jack. Our son Garrett will join us from FL . Back to Pa for a few days then to Fl for a wedding returning Jan 7th.

I will confess I am in a very sentimental mood ( El Dorado Rum form Guyana). Our Oct reunion was a treasured memory for me and I hope we see each other, soon again.

Thanks for the Chit/Chat update. I was sorry that Betsy & I could not make it to Charlies. Norm stopped by our house in Roanoke on his way back. He spent most of the visit with our dog! I hope you all have a sumptuous Thanksgiving and a wonderful family Christmas.

It was great reading Chit Chat and seeing a picture of Helen Kritzler in Hawaii.
I remember the days at Willets Road School and Wheatley with the gang I
used to hang with- Joan Morris, Helen Kritzler, Susan - Chucky Kaufman.
Once I got into sports at Wheatley a lot of those contacts were replaced with
Northside school athletes from the Leaders Corp. Got a wonderfvul education
at Wheatley- my husband is amazed at our school and what our graduates accomplished
in life.

I live in a suburb of Buffalo, NY for the last 43 years. I'm married
to Larry Heaney, a strong Irishman. We have 5 children and 8 grandchildren.
Got my undergraduate degree in Physical Education, and graduate work in
Health Education.

Did lots of work in drug prevention, had my own agency, and marketed
inpatient programs for substance abuse. In my "old age" I worked for a
dental company as Manager of Professional Services for the last 15 years.
I retired 5 years ago.

I love to travel and went crazy traveling the last year, knowing that I was going
to do knee replacement surgery this January. Went to Austria, Germany, and
Switzerland, Victoria, Brtish Columbia, Gettysburg, Paris and Normandy, Chautauqua Institute, India,
and Los Angeles this year. Attached is a picture of me in India at a friends son's wedding,
and my husband and I in France this Spring.

Does anyone know where Betsy Hegeman Smith lives now? Lost track of her.
We both were at Adelphi for college and I know she had lived in the Mathews, N.Carolina.

Marcia Lessler (Rubin/Heaney)
Wheatley Class of 1960

The pic is of a piece of the Seaford goal post given to me me by John Votano ( I think), when we got on the bus to go home with an undefeated season on the books.. I stenciled it with the info and " saved" the shoes I wore that day.

When I saw coach Davis at the Wheatley HS 50th reunion,the first thing he said to me was " Gary Zebrowski-you made me a hero, 65 yards". I was overwhelmed with emotion that he would say that. If I had the chance to do it over again, my reply would be, " Coach Davis, you are the hero because you gave me the chance to succeed. I will never forget that day.

Decades later I was dating a lady who graduated from Seaford around 1970. She introduced me to a Seaford graduate form our era in Penn Station, while we were waiting for the train to LI. I mentioned that Wheatley went undefeated with a win at Seaford, the final game of the season. He said " some son-of-a-bitch punted the ball over my head in the final minutes and we lost". I said" I'd like to introduce you to that son-of-a-bitch". Small world...treasured memories.

I can relate to your comment about wishing you could have expressed your subsequent thoughts to Jack Davis. There are many thoughts I've had about him and Bill Stevenson at the 50th that I didn't say at the time, and their passing soon afterwards makes the missed opportunities more poignant to me.

Along those lines, I've had thoughts about our wonderful mini-reunion, but thinking back wished we might have shared more memories at our last supper. Yes, we were too busy chowing down (especially me on the mussels) and quenching our thirsts, but I think a fun exercise might have been to have each tell a story from back in the day about another at the table.

-- another football game--Clarkstown--in which you in ran wild over what was supposed to be a stronger team. I remember Coach Davis (or was it Lawson?) cheering you on with shouts of, "Run, you Polock, Run!"--not very politically correct, in hindsight, but it seemed to inspire you. I had a later conversation with a Clarkstown player who claimed they were a better team, but that "we've never seen a quarterback who could run like Zebrowski."

--the second story was a rowdy night at a Herricks basketball game on our home court, when I became engaged in some trash talk with a few of their would-be toughs who challenged me to meet them at half-time. There were 4 or 5 of them so I prudently asked you and Walt Brunner to join me. When you both did, they quickly retreated to the safety of their own stands, as witnessed by everyone there. You didn't have to say much, but were highly impressive wing-men and I've always been grateful for your having my back that night long ago..

There are legendary tales to tell about everyone at the Truffles table, but we'll leave them til our next gathering. unless others want to share some via e-mail.

Celebrating Veterans' Day. This is a picture of my boyfriend Norman and his parents taken in Newport RI in May 1965 just before he left for Vietnam. Norman and his twin brother, Neill, were in Vietnam at the same time but in different parts of the country. This is a day to honor all our veterans.

From Art Engoron: (Ed note-Art, as many of you know, is the director of the Wheatley School Alumni site. He has done yeoman work for TWS, and we honored him at our 50th. Art graduated in1967 with the editor's late brother. BTW, that class was the largest in Wheatley's history-a true Baby Boom class. Art read of Charlie Zimmerman's mini-reunion on our website and emailed me below squib).

You should have been terrible-Charlie was the high jumper and pole vaulter on TWS track team back in the day and didn't even know that three strikes had you out.

Thanks so much Ken for sharing the pictures and furnishing your moving narrative of the occasion.

Charlie is incredible; in his initial professional career I presume he was always humming 'Don't fence me in...'.

Such a great host obviously but too eastern, understandably so, for us westerners. I'm glad the Fire Island boardwalk will have genuine (imported not-withstanding) Zimmerman lumber. THAT should be indestructible. It's 'Charliefied'!

Gorgeous kids - Parents look great too! I remember staying in Pete's cabin in the woods one long weekend. When I say long, I mean LONG. We went in town to see Psycho for the first time and when we got back at 11:30 PM, we had to park the car at the house before walking through the woods to the cabin. EVERY LEAF THAT DROPPED WAS A MAN COMING FOR US WITH A KNIFE.
I am sorry that I could not attend Zimmy's and will tell Pete you asked about him. I have current pictures of him, but they are not in this thing.
Cheers,
Bick

From Paul Hennessy who replied to Bick's email in which he mentioned Pete Blank:

A good time was had by all thanks to the beautiful L.I. North Fork (Pete Blank country where I understand his sister Barbara Blank still lives), and the incredible, over-the-top hospitality and generosity of the Zimmermans, Charlie and Mary Ellen. Hope you and Betsy (and Pete?) will join us at the next one (if there is one).

Please give my best to Pete in his Bolinas hillside hide-away where we once visited him with our two young kids--kind of a Chevy Chase movie where we viewed his "herb crop" chart precisely drawn by a Lafayette engineer. I'll bet he's still wearing the same black beret as when we visited. I'll attach a current photo of those now grown kiddos; my daughter Kathleen now working in Oakland for Pete's very own state government as a labor policy analyst/media liaison.

We spend a lot of time each year in Greenport where my mother-in-law owns a home. We meet many there who remember the Blank family and their relatives (Lathams) whose names are still seen on many farm stands along the road to the Orient Point Ferry. Every time I sail the Ferry, I peer at the coastline where the wild youths of our past drank far too many brews and camped out on that scenic beach. I can even imagine their spirits still inhabit that wonderful place.

(Editor's note-below photo of Paul Hennessy and family at a recent family wedding-great photo!)

I hope the Wildcats who attended Zimmy’s reunion had a great time. I understand Zeke made it to this one and I hope he makes it to others. Betsy and I plan to see Pete Blank again when we are in California next month. I hope I can convince him to attend the next reunion.

Toby and I will be unable to make this event, but it sounds like fun. It was fun to hook up withe the girls in July and see Charlie. We just got back from Jackson Hole where we have a small place and happened to kayak the Snake river with a few friends. Afterward we all had a beer,duh, and I was talking to the guy next to me. One thing led to another and he asked me where I grew up. I said a very small town on LI. He kept pressing so I said EW. He said me too. He went to Mineola before we had Wheatley and he said the most memorable moment was when North side burnt down. He is Michael Flacks older brother. What a small world.
We will be in Ca. for a wedding on the 27th and then we're taking a bike trip to Zion and Bryce. We're excited..never been there.
Have fun. marty

(Ed note-Michael Flack lived across from Northside, kitty corner to the editor and directly across the street from Sandy Byrne)

The editor received the below emails from Joan Mannifold. I think the correspondence speaks for itself. If any of you remember and want to email her, please contact me, and I'll give you her email address.

MY NAME IS JOAN MANIFOLD WHALEN. I ATTENDED NORTHSIDE SCHOOL AND WILLETS RD. SCHOOL. THE LATTER PART OF EIGTH GRADE WE MOVED TO CT. BUT I WOULD LOVE TO ORDER THE YEARBOOK TO SEE HOW MY FRIENDS TURNED OUT/// PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, JOAN 'MANIFOLD'.

Joan-I take it you have seen our WWW. It should give you plenty of information on how some of your friends turned out. You can see it at:

If you want, I'll post your below email on our website and perhaps some people might remember you from back in the days and get in touch with you. lLet me know if you want me to do so.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING MY REQUEST. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PLACING MY NAME ON YOUR WEBSITE. THANK YOU, JOAN MANIFOLD WHALEN

The Austin based Central Texas Chapter of The Wheatley School had a recent get-together at the home of Susan Rapoport (and James) Brown. We live within 15-20 minutes of each other. Doug Harger(Nancy), Susan(James) and Arthur Diamond(Kendra) attended.

Recent Annapolis lunch with Laura Stark, Margot Shotter, Pat Birckhead, Linda Sue Beattie. and Judd Ginsberg. Lucky Judd!

The gals-Pat, Lucy, Margot, Marty, and Mary Jane on a recent visit out East to a "liquor store." BTW-said store is referred to as a "convenience store" by the guys.

A recent visit by Norm and Eileen found them at the home of the editor's for an afternoon and evening visit. They left the next morning for a mini-vacation in St. Augustine.

One of life's great moments! First meeting with minus 18 day old granddaughter (Ed note-baby was three weeks premature). Welcome to the world little Elsa, and all its wonder.
May she be protected from the likes of her grandfather (and his high school buddies).

This is a pic of Margot Norman and I at dinner on Tuesday night last week. Margot stayed with us from Tues thru Thurs. it was a relaxing and enjoyable visit and we hope we can do it again next year.

The previous week Norm and I met Linda Sue for lunch in Venice. Also enjoyable. No pics though.

From Gary Zebrowski: The editor recently got in touch with one of my old friends, and certainly a class leader-Gary Zebrowski. Zeke is alive and well and living in Wyomissing, PA (Near Reading, PA). After a long career he left the garment industry and is now a college professor at Pace University, a job that he "loves." He has two children: a daughter named Tara and a son named Garrett. Tara graduated from Virginia Tech and married a law student from LSU. They have a two year old son named Jack Pascale. Zeke, like so many reading this, gets immense joy from his grandson. Garrett, Zeke's son, married a girl from Chatham who works for Sam Adams Brewery (smart choice!). They recently relocated to South Florida.

In our quite emotional telephone conversation, Zeke said to me-"Martino I was just thinking of Hawksbill Mountain just last week." I was momentarily nonplussed but then thought it must have been on a trip we-Zeke, Dixie Howell, Bulldog Drummond and I- took in our senior year, maybe three weeks before graduation. It was the best of times, and both Gary and I said let us try to retrace our steps and see if we can link up with Dixie and thrust our aging bodies once again up the mountain. I was able to find a photo of that wonderful excursion so long ago (Yesterday, I mean I think it was. Was it not?)

From Art Engoron, Class of 67 and Leader of The Wheatley School Alumni Association:

Dear Class Correspondents (Ed note-Elaine Abrams and yours truly are said correspondents)

Sorry that I haven't written you all in so long, but I hope to make up for that this year. This e-mail is intended to share a few stories and ask you for an important favor.

In the "we are still connected" category, TWSAA organized the Inaugural Wheatley NYC Lunch, held on January 15, 2013. (Ed note-Neither Elaine nor I were notified of this or we would have spread the word. Hopefully next time.) It was a smasheroo! Details, and photographs,, can be found at:

http://www.wheatleyalumni.org/nyc_event_jan_2013.htm

(or just go to our homepage WWW.WHEATLEYALUMNI.ORG and the link is smack, dab in the middle, highlighted in yellow.

The second such event should occur sometime this summer. We'll keep you posted.

In the "we are everywhere" category, two personal stories. (1) A few days after Hurricane Sandy I was helping my in-laws with their storm damage, on a commercial strip in Long Beach, with the world turned upside down (or at least wet and dirty), when I noticed a "kid" nearby, also helping with storm damage, wearing a bright red sweatshirt saying "Wheatley Athletics." A little slow on the uptake, I finally went over and asked if he was a Wheatley student or alumni. Turns out he's a Spanish teacher and the soccer coach. (2) A few weeks ago one of my kids had a play-date with "Logan." Turns out he's the grandson of one of my own classmates. We are everywhere.

Proof of my whereabouts over the weekend! It was a very stressful Saturday and Sunday--see the Bowdoin article.

Guys-I am really just a fair squash player (former) who happened to coach a sport I knew something about (wrestling) for 15 years at Bowdoin.
I really have fun with the guys because I use Mr. Lawson type of " love" with them-with the ladies-I am probably as unqualified to coach as I was to be the father of 2 daughters.(Ed note-nonsense, of course). I really enjoy the competition and the camaraderie of the coaches and the male athletes.
They keep me young but it is getting old- long drives, weekends away, etc.

(The editor had heard through the grapevine that Ferdie, the Mayor of Old Westbury, had done an outstanding job during and after Hurricane Sandy for the citizens of his town. This was no suprise to me as I know him quite well and know that when challenged he is "All In." )

I am real busy but wholeheartedly enjoy the satisfaction of getting things accomplished!

Alexandra 11 yrs
Julia. 11
Ferdie. 9
Amelia 8
Robert. 6
Hailey. 2

I exercise 3 days a wk 5:30 am for over a year I work out with the Sean T Insanity program Massage every Thurs at 7:00 am. I play a fair amount of golf.

If you are into Chit Chat would you post that Norm and I are getting together for lunch with Linda Sue (Beattie) and her husband in Venice Monday Feb 25. We'd love for any Wildcats in FL to join us. We're meeting at T J Carneys at 1:00 PM.

(Editor's note-If any FL or snowbirding classmates are interested, please email me and I'll forward to Eileen)

I enjoyed your Sanibel photos. Eileen, Norm and I will be meeting for lunch at T. J. Carney's pub in Venice on Feb. 25th. We are hoping that other classmates who are in the area will join us at 1pm that day.

We have been having a great time at the beach, pool, golf and the Sarasota restaurants!

This is view from kitchen-wind with gusts to 50 mph-30" so far. Prior record was 27.8" Still blowing too hard to try to start clearing (need to relieve deck of stress). Supposed to be calm later in the day so I will throw another log on fire, re-fill my coffee and open my book. Currently reading " No Easy Day" by Mark Owen (pseudonym). Those people in Seal Team 6 are "different" and I'm glad they are on our side.

(And then the below photo of John, The Intrepid, Moncure, Captain, USNR, Ret, getting ready to do battle)

Picture behind is one we bought when we were on active duty here-when we fell in love with Maine- it's a lobsterman going out with fresh bait and the gulls are circling-we brought it with us when we left and it reminded us of what was most important to us.

I am still working, too. I do love it and plan on another two years. The lighting line I rep has asked me to replace the fellow who has retired who covered MI and Indiana. (Editor's notte-MJ is a a furniture sales rep and I'll bet you she does an oustanding job!)This is really good news as I am going there with Thayer Coggin. I have many new accounts to meet before April Market--many miles to run around. Do you go to Atlanta or the hospitality shows--or do you send the boys? Business for me is much better!

Eileen Murphy, Norm Coffey, Paul Hennessy, and the editor met for lunch in Sanibel February 2nd. We followed lunch with a visit to that beautiful beach.

The beach, which is one block from Paul Hennessy's mother-in-law's winter rental house.

Charlie and Paul had dinner at Tango a steakhouse "Out East" in Charley's neighborhood. Shortly thereafter the Zimmermans took off for two weeks in Tahiti. The below pic is of Charley in front of Tango. BTW, our 55th reunion will be held out in this very section of the Island. Zimmy has a nice spot which he says is quite similar to where some of us congregated in the Berkshires last year where Carl Stewart found us a superb venue to stay, relax, and talk. Stay tuned.

A recent pic of Eileen and her good friend, Betsy Keister, Bick Keister's wife. The photo was taken on one of the beautiful beaches of Sanibel Island, FL where we are trying to have a mini reunion/lunch beach party next month (see above).

From Helen Kritzler: (Editor's note-Helen emailed me requesting Jane Oder's email, which triggered the below two posts.)

me and my dog "Ahi" in Maui woods
too far to come to reunions
but hello to everyone

I am an epidemiologist and have taught mainly epidemiology and biostatistics classes.

And, I totally agree that it was a wonderful job, but I decided to leave while I was still sharp. ;)

I have been married to a great guy for 46 years. We have a son and a daughter and 5 terrific grandchildren ranging in ages from 5 to 15. How did we get so old?

Were you living in California for long? I love it here..can play tennis all year round....

Tom grew up in East Williston and went to Northside. Tom was the cousin of our late classmate, Susan Holzweiss. He moved to Westchester with his family before Wheatley but kept in touch with many Wildcats over the years including a recent phone call with the editor. Tom moved from upstate New York a number of years ago when he retired to Chesterfield, Virginia. He and his wife, Marge, have been married for 46 years and they have two children. Their son, Robert, is an adjunct professor at Texas A and M and is also the supervisory archivist of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Tom's daughter is a school teacher in Yorktown, NY. And Tom's older brother is 81 and lives on the West coast of Florida. There are a number of grandchildren as seen in below photo:

Like Tom Holzweiss, Sally grew up in East Williston and attended Northside. She was a friend to many and attended our 50th reunion. She and her husband Breck have two daughters-Rindy and Kim. Rindy lives with her husband Rich in Hingham, MA. Rich is the marketing manager at Chubb in Boston, and Rindy runs her own jewlery business. They have two boys 12 and 10 years old. Kim and her husband Matt live in Lake Tahoe. Matt has his own construction company building high-end homes while Kim is in the real estate business. They have a 4-year old daughter.

Sally and Breck are living a busy retired life. The entire family has taken to Breck's love of sailing and often have an annual all-hands outing in Guatemala. The below picture is of Sally and her clan taken after a balloon ride over the Napa Valley. The ride was the culmination of a three day surprise birthday party sprung on Sally by her daughters and their families.

It's great getting the photos and comments. When I saw the photo of the gals around the table, they look like my needlepoint group, so I started looking for myself. But of course I wasn't there. I'll be 70 Dec. 11th and I'm still running my karate school and yoga school at a beautiful premises where I've been renting for 40 years in January. (They wouldn't sell it.) I live here with my brother Alex who will be 73. It's a real cool place. I'm not active in the karate classes anymore but I do watch them practice and give suggestions. I go to the gym twice a week and work out with a trainer, otherwise, I can't get motivated to work-out hard anymore; got better things to do; but I still want to stay healthy. Our yoga school started in 2001 because I have the studio space. It's Iyengar Yoga and, I hire good teachers. I took yoga from 2001 up to 2011, but the classes are too hard for me now and I don't want to push too hard. We don't have a seniors class and I'd need that.

I send warm regards to all of you fabulous looking seniors. It's very odd to see you, like a sci fi movie, because I remember you only as young people; I thought I was the only one who got older. Carry on. Stay well. Be happy.

I was really touched by the photos of the ‘girls’. First of all it’s hard to believe anybody else is also 70-I’ll be 70 next March 17th. And also, and mostly, I had such warm feelings for everybody. Not that that should be surprising, but never the less…….It was a special time for all of us and the USA. Thank you for including me in on the chitchat. Love to everybody. See you next time. David

Correspondence between Eileen Murphy, Paul Hennessy, John Moncure, and the editor re future mini-reunions. It was triggered by talk at our Berkshire gathering last June at Carl Stewart's venue about a possible Maine mini-reunion in 2013. There is also other news within the emails that you might find interesting:

Norm and I are looking toward the summer and wondering if the Maine reunion is a definite go. If so, can you give me the specific dates. I have some timeshare weeks to use and we were thinking of using one in Maine around the reunion dates. Those things get booked early and we'd like to do it now if the reunion is definite.

We are both doing well. Norm is back at work and I am recovering from successful eye surgery.

I've not heard from anyone. If the truth be known, it takes a lot out of me to do these things; and I really do not want to get in the arm twisting mode to put this on. Last I heard is that Charley Zimmerman wants to do our 55th class reunion out on Eastern Long Island, but that is some time away. If anything comes up on Maine, I'll let you all know about it.

Yes, October and November are nice months in Florida, although I must say ending daylight savings time is always a downer for me.

Thanks Ken. This weather is tremendous but I agree with you about the switch from DST. But it goes much easier in FL because it is just dark not cold and dark.

We’ll wait a while before making any definite plans. Will check with Hennessy.

Norm said to let us know if you re coming to visit Earl. We can get together. Also Bobby Pfister is spending two weeks in.Ft Myers in Feb. if you wanted to come down then.

In any event, I don't face the rigors of Martino this TG (playing touch football). I have established a tradition at Bowdoin where I open the squash courts at 9:30 with a batch of Bloody Mary's (world renown) and its BYOB with plenty of beer and a bacchanal-it has become family oriented now so there are lots of kiddos running around which lends to the festive air. We play squash as long as we can focus and then get down to drinking- lots of laughs.

My younger, Travy, is again pregnant and hosting TG for the first time. I told her that this will be the first time she had 2 turkeys in the oven- she doesn't appreciate my humor- never has.

As for the get-togethers, frankly, it is a lot of work (only observed) and somewhat tiresome. I, too, would be more inclined to small groups. With that said, I'm not backing out on hosting a group but there is a 2 year gap, I thought (the reason I mention this is I have a Navy Reserve function I'm hosting this fall ('13).

Had to check with compadres Martin and Moncure regarding future reunion plans, especially the rumors of Maine next year. It doesn't seem that's likely to happen in 2013 as the effort and momentum to make such gatherings successful is considerable so no one is signing on to attempt them annually.

What's more probable in future years will be smaller gatherings every few years, hopefully with initiatives by classmates. The challenge involved is both coordination and arm-twisting, which can get old as Ken noted in a reply to Eileen.

An easier reunion of a small group might be Sanibel/Captiva in February as Pat and I will be visiting Grandma Casey there Feb. 1 to Feb. 6 next year. If you're available then, let's try to coordinate a brunch or lunch gathering of Ken, Earl and the two of you at a place you select from your extensive culinary repertoire in that territory.

Hope all's well with you both and that we'll catch up with you then. Merry Turkey Day.

I hope all is well for you and yours. I am doing reasonably well health wise and am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. My wife, Pat, unfortunately, is going to have a knee replacement on December 4th and with her rehab may have to miss the holiday. Bummer. Take care and be well. Say Hi to the gang for me. (Editor's note: Paul's wife, Pat, is a wonderful, caring person whom I had the pleasure of meeting twice at past gatherings. They are both animal lovers probably stemming from one of Pat's former professions-she was a wild animal trainer-you know lions, tigers, etc. Pat-heal well)

From Laura Stark who wrote the below to the editor (Ed Note-she is now in the loop):

A "voice" from the past. I got the email stream from Jane (Oder) Rosenblatt. I'd like to be put on the main list. Can you do that?
Sure is weird seeing us all at 70. My 70th is today actually
Oh and there sure are some folks I'd love to catch up with, ie. Susan Rapaport. We go back to 5th grade!
Hope to hear from you, thanks for keeping the glue sticking to our old ties and memories.

Laura (Stark) Steele
"Paradise starts with the love we show each other here on earth."

My family (I'm in Maryland, 2 kids, 5 gr. kids and a gr. daughter-in law) go up to my brother's in Pine Plains, Dutchess Co near the Conn border.

What a great idea. Sorry I did not know, I live in Fenwick Island about 10 miles from Bethany. We all weathered the super storm well here on Delmarva, not so for our northern neighbors. We have much to be grateful for.

From Pat Birckhead, who responded to an inquiry from the editor:

There was indeed a gathering the weekend before Hurricane Sandy passed thru the area. It was near Bethany Beach, not Rehoboth, but three of us, Margot, Marty and I, stayed an extra night and did go to Rehobeth and walked the Boardwalk.

There were seven of us (7 for 70th) although we had orignally planned on nine. Great catch up! Lots of fun and memories. Good food and wine as well and excellent weather!

Attached are four pictures of our big weekend. The tee shirts you see were bargained for and cost $7.00 each, all in keeping with the big event.

To you and all our classmates we wish you all a Happy 70th. The cake is for all of us!!

Pat

(Lucy Mullman, Margot Shotter, Linda Beattie, Pat Birckhead, Mary Jane Johnson, Bev Buhrow, Marty Corbett)

The editor contacted Sean Feeney, principal of Wheatley, re Hurricane Sandy. That correspondence follows:

Hi Sean-I have waited a bit to ask you how the Wheatley community-physical plant, staff, students, etc.,- fared after Sandy.

Hopefully all is well.

Take care.

Ken Martin
Class of '60

The school fared well, Ken, with very little damage to the physical plant. Unfortunately, many members of our community were without power for many days --- with many still without power. Due to the damage to the community, all schools were closed last week. When we opened on Monday, we were one of the few districts in this area to bring students back.

Because the middle school did not have power yet, we housed the 7th and 6th graders on Monday and Tuesday. We have also been keeping the school open at night from 5-8 so that students can charge their devices, use the computer and enjoy the heat and electricity.

In all, the community has come together nicely during very difficult times. Given what has happened to other areas of Long Island, we consider ourselves fortunate.

Thanks for checking in, Ken! I hope all is well with you and your family.

Sean

__________________

Paul Keister sent the following email and link about the class of 62's 50th reunion. The message was from his sister Carol. She mentions visiting Cork, who is Carol and Bick's brother and who lives, I believe, on the Island. Hopefully you will see some names and faces from the class of 62 in the video that you remember. The email from Carol to Bick follows:

You may know some of the people in this video who attended the reunion dinner in NY last month. You will get a kick out of Ruth Rennert…what an outlandish woman, but really a dear person.

I’m going to try to get up there soon, even if it’s winter. I’ve tried to call Cork to see if everything is ok but keep getting a message that the lines circuits are busy. I’ll try him again today.

CAROL

Here is the link to the latest video version of the Wheatley Class of 1962’s 50th Reunion Dinner which was
greatly enjoyed by all who attended at the El Quijote Restaurant in Manhattan on Saturday, October 6, 2012:

Birthday greetings from Dale Weinstein (Ed note-Most of us have had our 70th birthday this year. Mine was last week. At 10 AM on the day of my 70th birthday I had a root canal. How appropriate. So it goes. Happy birthday to all of you who celebrated yours this year. 1942-a very good year.)

Hi Ken: A bit late but Happy Birthday! This is a notable one; but, really, aren’t they all as of late? I dearly hope your 75th, 80th, etc., etc., are as well.

I have for a lifetime kidded Harold (‘Harry’) Dubroff that he is as well. He is one very-long-day older than I. His birthday is New Years Day.

We compete to be the first each year to wish the other Happy Birthday; I think soon we will be doing such around late summer.

Actually he did fare considerably better than I because of his being on the 1st in regard to Social Security- it attaches to the previous year. So, there is some payback for my comparative youth.

Ken: I hope you have very many more years to “Live Well & Prosper”!!! (a la Spock - right?) ? I know you are so important to many: family, colleagues and friends.

You look good in those most recent pictures…, but, then, even Charlie does. Now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure he’s older than I as well. Gosh, I certainly hope so.

Dear Ken,

This is to inform you of our recent move from CA to Austin TX. Kendra and I join 2 other Wildcats, Susan Rapoport and Doug Harger (and spouses), in this bustling little town. We got together for good TX BBQ in mid August. Susan, as you remember, was THE Wheatley Wilcat dressed in that very hot mascot costume.

Our new address is
111 Escavera Cove
Austin, TX 78738

cell 310-809-2923 and email abdmd1@yahoo.com remain the same.

We seem to have joined a flood of Californians relocating to TX, particularly to the Austin area. Wonder why? Ken Goddard and I shared a few glasses of wine (at his beautiful home golf course) before I left Palos Verdes. I asked Ken to 'turn the lights' out if he was the last to leave CA. Glad that is taken care of.

Best to all,
Arthur

Another email from Art Diamond on August 18th referenced an article found in the Wall Street Journal about Art Engoron. Art, as many of you know, is the founder of The Wheatley Alumni Association and I daresay knows more about Wheatley alumni than anyone. Art graduated in the class of 1966, which was the largest graduating class in Wheatley history-think Baby Boomers. We feted him at our 50th. Art became a lawyer and subsequent judge in New York City and recently ruled on a highly controversial case. You can read about it, I presume, at the below link.

Hi Guys,

Had dinner with coach Maskin Monday evening. At 88 he still plays tennis and lifts weights regularly. Other than a little gray hair he is still the same. The stories he tells about us and his memories of us are amazing. Had a great time going back to those fun days and he says hello to all of us. If any of you have a chance you can drop him a line. His email address is shelkathy@tampabay.rr.com. He would love to hear from all of you. I had a great evening. I wish I had brought a camera to take some pictures.

Take Care,

Charlie Z.

Bob Merritt, known to virtually all of the Northside crowd, grew up in East Williston. He did not attend Wheatley but went instead to Chaminade. Bob attended both our 50th and also mini-reunion in Florida. He has an older brother, Ray, who had a distinguished career as a lawyer in Manhattan. Over the years Ray and Paul Hennessy became close friends. Ray's philanthropic work is legendary. He was recently honored with a dinner at the New York Athletic Club. Paul Hennessy writes below of the affair and what this unique individual accomplished:

Below is a pic from the May 3 "First Annual Child's Champion Award" dinner at the NYAC honoring Ray Merritt for his decades of work on behalf of the world's children. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of NY and the Ronald McDonald house, Ray was honored for his philanthropic efforts for Unicef, his own Cygnet Foundation, and serving as a Director of the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless.

He's also authored and edited five books, one of photographs of children around the world tiled "Full of Grace--A Journey through the history of Childhood." The dinner and auction raised $100K for children, especially those with cancer and their families.

It was a fun gathering of the Merritt clan, including Bob, Dee and their daughters.

Ray Merritt was considerably more involved in UNICEF than as a volunteer celeb. He served as Secretary Director and member of the Executive Committee for a number of years, especially working with the U.S. Fund supporting the rights and needs of children worldwide. He traveled to Bosnia, Russia and Africa, I believe, as part of his service.

He's now Director of the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, and is founder and president of his own Cygnet Foundation. One result of the foundation's efforts was the publishing of his coffee-table sized book titled "Full of Grace" that was distributed nationally by Wynn hotels. The honor in NY was the first Child's Champion Award presented by Ronald McDonald House and the Rotary Club of NY.

Monk (or is it Monc – I no longer remember) – Happy 70th birthday. I hope you were able to do something fun to mark the occasion. I went out to diner yesterday for the first time since my many months of hospital odyssey began. It was liberating.

Paul

Paul S. Mann, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

You really sent that message at in a timely manner for me. My son and his family are here celebrating my June 5th-70th. Then next week, friends are celebrating with me at the club. I am feeling very blessed to have made it to the big 70 relatively unscathed and luckily very healthy.
Best to all,
Margot

I love hearing about and seeing photos...hope the mimi is extra special....I'll be thinking about all of you

Paul Hennessy sent the below email and photos of a surprise 70th birthday for John Moncure.

Here are some photos of Monk's marvelous surprise B-day celebration, an event occurring a month after his actual 70th that couldn't have caught him more unaware.

Cleverly planned by his daughter Halliday and his wife Nancy, John thought he was coming to the handsome Brunswick Inn to collect on a Super Bowl bet from the manager. Instead, he entered a large room to find 75 of his friends and relatives--all betting on how long it would take for tears to flow down the emotional Moncure cheeks. Those who bet 2 seconds won easily as tough-guy John is a self-confessed crybaby at emotionally charged events.

The evening proceeded nicely with toasts, roasts and tributes offered by many in the room. It was a "Deep dive into Brunswick," as my wife Pat described it, and clear to us MA interlopers that the Moncures have lived a full, fun and wonderful life in this charming college town.

Many of the athletes--wrestlers and squash players--John has coached from over the years attended and told tales of how he'd changed their lives. There were also, as you'd expect, civic leaders who praised his fine, but self-effacing work to help rebuild the local Navy Airbase into a going commercial enterprise.

John's older sister Travy was there to add some recollections of the Moncures life in Albertson. And it was my role to recall him all the way back to 7th grade, and beyond to antics on playing fields, classrooms and, of course, the Picture Lounge and other dives we haunted. John was apparently most nervous about what I'd say as he ran around when I appeared at the mike saying "Don't believe anything he says!!!"

I low-keyed anything too scandalous, simply noting that given his feisty behavior (in which my diplomacy was often needed to save the day) I was somewhat surprised he'd survived 7 decades without my ongoing counseling. After that, I just offered my services to go deeper with anyone who wanted to buy me a few drinks. A good time was had by all.

One of the gifts John received was a New England Patriot football jersey that monk, a steadfast NY Giant fan, refused to put on. And if my aging memory serves me right, had it been a Giant jersey, was not # 70 worn by the great Sam Huff?

Marty Corbett visited Ken Martin at his home, the site for the October 2011 mini-reunion. Marty, and her husband Toby Leith, spent a weekend there. Toby is retired after a long career with Merrill Lynch. Toby and Marty have two homes and spend winter in Jackson Hole skiing and the rest of the year at their home on Lake George (possible site for a future mini-reunion-stay tuned). As some of you know, Marty's daughter, Sarah, is a budding writer and has published a novel aimed at tween girls. She and her husband live in Oregon. Her publishing career has been placed on hold as she awaits their second child due in May. Toby and Marty's son, Corby ( nickname for his actual name of Corbett), is an artist living in San Francisco where he is married with one child.

The Leiths and Martins at beginning of Flagler Avenue-main partying street in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Charlie Zimmerman sent in below photos of some very young wildcats so long ago who ran up and down the hardwood seeking their glory. None of them found it; however, thanks to their great coach, Shelly Maskin, they found other, more valuable treasures. As some of you who read these pages know, Coach Maskin is living and well in Florida.

Eileen Murphy, Norm Coffey, Paul Hennessy, and Ken Martin met for lunch on Sanibel Island, Florida, in early February. Talked of old times, classmates, forthcoming mini-reunion and Norm's book (scroll below if you have not heard about his tome). Eileen lives in Fort Myers and loves it, Norm tends bar at a yacht club during the winter, Paul was visiting kin, and Ken lives on the East coast of Florida. The four of them were joined by Paul and Ken's wives and Ken's cousin Earl, a former teacher at Wheatley. We raised our glasses to a number of you. After lunch we went and visited with Paul's mother-in-law and proceeded to have a couple of beers on the beach. All in all a pleasant day for some Wildcats.

Hi Charlie: Hope this note finds you well. Appreciate your distribution of the DVD and Class List. Thanks so much!

Paul H. indeed "did a fantastic job" and I am sure we all are grateful to those you credited with putting the list together.

After we spoke - wow, that was quite some time ago, wasn't it? - I was hoping to meet you here in Oregon when you came for your annual sojourn for business purposes (Eugene, right?).

Now Charlie, I certainly hope you would not 'Go West Young Man' without paying homage to us established Wild/West settlers who have already traversed the Oregon Trail. Let alone a fellow classmate. Nah, you wouldn't do that.

Harry Dubroff told me he had called and spoke with you fairly recently. He thinks quite highly of you; who can account for one's judgement, huh?

If business continues to bring you out here, please give me the opportunity to see you however briefly. I will be glad to drive wherever-whenever.

I was glad to see how well and happy you and others appeared in the photos. The sharing of these events are important for us not attending too as I noted to Ken with gratitude. Secondarily, it also may encourage us to reconnect with classmates who may not participate in reunions but who still remain - well - classmates and friends. At least that has been my fortunate experience.

Again, thanks Charlie! Hope to hear from you & maybe get to see you.

By the way, when we spoke this past year you had told me you could not any longer fit into your Wheatley All-Season, triple sport, sweater that had adorned you our senior year.

Don't worry, you look great and over the years it's inevitable that both of us would be subject to the acquisition of considerably more muscle not easily tucked into our former parameters.

Of course my sweater was a cardigan sans letter. My Mom knitted it. (:)

Stay well! Dale

The marvelous DVD that Paul Hennessy made for our Florida mini-reunion has been uploaded to YouTube. This enables far more people to enjoy the production. Simply go to YouTube and in the search field type "Wheatley School 1960." Thanks again to Paul for making it and to Charlie Zimmerman for distributing it to so many classmates.

Ken Goddard dropped in on the editor for a few beers and to catch up on things. Ken lives in LA and is retired. So is his wife who put in 35 years with American Airlines. They have three daughters and fortunately all live close by to the Goddards. The Gene God caught up with them as they now have three grandsons. Ken commented on what many of us know-the differences between little girls and little boys is astonishing. Ken is enjoying life and spends much of it on the golf course. He occasionally plays with Art Diamond as their neighborhoods virtually adjoin one another. Art-be careful of Ken's swing-don't get too close-ask Beebs MacNutt.

Ken brought along his younger brother Bill, Wheatley class of 63. Bill spent most of his career in telecommunications living in Orlando and then Charoltte. He maintains a home in Charlotte and in the North Carolina mountains. Bill often spends time in New Smyrna Beach as his son has a home on the beach there as well as one in Orlando. His son Paul, Ken's nephew, has four children. Paul's eldest daughter is 20-years old and is a national dog agility trainer champion and has competed world-wide. And Paul is a surfer, and in one of those small world coincidences, both Paul and the editor must have passed many times on the beach-Paul walking with his surfboard to his surfing spot and Ken Martin slowly (very) jogging by him never realizing it was Ken Goddard's nephew. Small world indeed!

I want to thank Charles Zimmerman and the class of 1960 for the dvd CATS Old memories ,Young hopes.

It brought back a flood of pleasant memories. The 28 years spent at Wheatley are recalled with joy at my good fortune in being associated with an outstanding school and fantastic student body. My very best to you and the student body.

My eBook 'Behind Bar' has just become available at Amazon. http://amazon.com. The book will soon be available at Barnes & Noble, http://barnesandnoble.com, itunes, at The Apple Store, and my website, http://TheBehindBarsBooks.com.
Since all of you have heard the stories at least twice, I would like you to forward this information to everyone on your e-mail list and all of your facebook friends .I think that anyone in the restaurant business now or who has ever worked in the industry, people who grew up in the New York- New Jersey area, people who worked in Manhattan during the '70s and '80s, and people of all generations would enjoy my memoir. 'Behind Bars' is intended to be a nice light humerous read. No drama, no stress, just funny stories and good times.

I'm attaching the opening page and a half so you can an idea of what the book is like (Ed Note-the Word Attachment is copied and pasted below).

The gentleman must have practiced on the street before he opened the door and walked in to P J Moran’s, where I was employed as a bartender. He sat down at the bar and when I approached him and asked what he would like to drink, while placing a napkin in front of him, he replied with perfect diction, “I would like to have a Dewar’s and soda, please.” After making his drink, picking up his money, ringing his drink up, and returning his change, I then realized he had been “over served” elsewhere. As I watched, he picked up his drink with both hands, carefully pushed the stir stick to the side of the glass with his right index finger and took a sip. I placed his change in front of him and returned to the middle of the bar, keeping one eye on him. Several minutes later, he took another sip of the drink, again carefully holding the stir stick to the side of the glass with his finger. The third sip of the drink was his undoing. While placing the drink back on the napkin, he noticed that the stir stick was not in the glass. As he fumbled around looking for the stir stick on the napkin and the surrounding area, I had to hold on to the bar for support, or I would have fallen down laughing. The stir stick was hanging out of his nose. It must have been half way up his right nostril. This incident was definitely one of the funniest things I witnessed at P J Moran’s but every day was an adventure. Midtown Manhattan in the 1970s was a magical time in a magical place.

Behind Bars tells you some of the things I learned, many of the things I saw, and most of the funny things that happened to me and around me, during the forty years I was tending bar.

The restaurant was located in the heart of midtown Manhattan on 48^th street, two doors east of 5^th Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue was one block north and St. Patrick’s Cathedral was two blocks north. Rockefeller Center was diagonally opposite on the west side of Fifth Avenue. The diamond district was one block south and extended west to Sixth Avenue. From Fifth Avenue west to Broadway and from Penn Station up to 59^th Street was the garment district.

All around us on the east side of Fifth Avenue were numerous advertising agencies. In one of the early episodes of the TV show Mad Men, they mention Dick Ratazzi’s, which was a restaurant down the street from P J Moran’s. Manhattan was a magnet drawing people from all over the country and from all over the world. The lure was impossible to resist for thousands of people. All of the waitresses except for one were aspiring actresses, singers, and dancers. Our customers came from all walks of life including advertising, shipping, construction, oil, banking, and computer technology.

Coach Maskin wrote:nice trip down memory lane – great job on the CD along with good music- you kids got it right – thanks again for thinking of me – S

The editor writes I finished reading Marty Corbett’s daughter’s book (see below squib). I highly recommend it to you and for your grandchildren.

Happy New Year cats!! There have been a number of alumni developments since our last email blast. For one, thanks to Charlie Zimmerman and Paul Hennessy most of you should have received a DVD remembering in a most touching way our distant past. It was made by Paul whose superb creative talents are known to most of us. He took the time and money to produce 20 copies for our recent October gathering in Florida.

Charlie was so moved that he in turn burned and then mailed copies to all classmates we had addresses on. Should you not have received a copy and want one, please email me back with your address and we will get you your copy. Hopefully I can find time to post it to YouTube. Charlie and Paul, good folk, thank you-we are truly beholden to you.

On another matter, yesterday I received the following interesting email from Marty Corbett Leith about her daughter, Sarah Bahn's, achievement:

Sarah has been working on this book for 7 years. It is finally out on Amazon. Go to books, then The Ancient Realm. It's only 5.99 . Check out her bio too, Sarah Leith Bahn. Her brother did the art. We're so proud. Spread the word.

I did get permission from Marty to spread the word to classmates. The review on Amazon reads:

Book Description Agnes Adelaide Fordyce, an ordinary eleven-year-old girl, finds her life plunged into adventure one cold fall evening when a mysterious new babysitter named Octavia comes to visit. Her life in Blue Rocks Harbour, Nova Scotia, once filled with tedious chores from her German Nanny and teasing from her older twin brothers, is changed forever when she is introduced to the Ancient Realm, a secret society of Guardians who protect the precious natural resources of planet Earth. The first book in a new fantasy series by Sarah Leith Bahn, The Ancient Realm combines a look at the beauty of our planet with timely concerns about our global ecosystems. Above all, we are taken on a magical adventure, from the shores of Nova Scotia, to the heights of the Himalayas, to the islands of the Indian Ocean, where we learn about the mystery and power of the natural world around us. Through Octavia, Agnes also learns about herself, and how important it is for each of us to dream, to appreciate the world around us, to fight for what we care about . . . and to believe. Reviews “Sure to capture the imagination of middle-school readers.” — Marie Brown, President and CEO of Brown Publishing Network “A bored girl and a misled boy are pitted against each other in a fearsome world of tempestuous waters, wicked cold, and cruel fires; nature’s powers must be harnessed by a dogged eleven-year-old fisherman’s daughter, Agnes, in order to unveil the spectacular beauty and hope that lives within both nature and humankind. Bahn’s poetic and emphatic prose makes this imaginary and exciting epic a literary accomplishment.” — Susie Weber, English Teacher and Writer, www.thewritinglab.weebly.com “Ms. Bahn’s book is a fabulous, engaging story for young people and adults alike. Readers will revel in Agnes’s courage as she discovers her own inner strength and battles to save the natural world. I will most definitely share this book with my class of third, fourth, and fifth graders and am looking forward to more from Ms. Bahn in the near future.” — Victoria Hubler, Oregon Public School Teacher, Corbett Schools

I ordered my copy and look forward to reading it and then forwarding it to my 9-year granddaughter. Hopefully some of you will be so moved. Incidentally, look at the above review and note the schools where Victoria, the last reviewer, works.

While there you can click on “Daily Bulletin” and eventually to other interesting links like The Wheatley Wildcat Newspaper. Good stuff- if you have some idle moments.

From Mike Mondshein: Sorry that I wasn't able to make it up this past weekend. My little daughter came into town and I needed to spend some catch up/quality time w/her and/ my new grandaughter who is precious. And my 27 month old grandson is a trip. My other 2 children are great. I'm heading to Panama City the weekend of 11/5. My son is running his first Ironman. I hope that a wonderful time was had by all. If there are any pictures I certainly would enjoy seeing them. Mike (moon) Mondshein

The below photo is from the class of 1961 taken at their 50th class reunion held on October 15, 2011. They all look as young as the class of 60!

Attached is a cute photo of Lynn and me--thought I should share my discovery--right before I met Lynn for lunch!

I surely will miss seeing everyone in FL. Lynn shared the list of those attending--hope the new ones will join us for the next reunion!

Have fun!

Hi Ken

I made reservations for flights and a rental car for the "mini" reunion - this is one excited wildcat. Can't wait to see and visit with all attending. I will be arriving on Thurs the 20th at Noon in Orlando and leaving on Sunday at 5:00 pm.

I was able to take advantage of a free plane ticket because of a cancellation of a flight last year on AirTran which makes it less expensive to attend. The rental car is on me for anyone needing a ride.

Flight 716 departing Akron/Canton at 9:49AM - Arriving Orlando at 12:03 PM. AirTran.
Flight 1409 departing Orlando at 4:59 PM on Sunday

MJ and I will have lunch again next week - we had such a good time recalling events 50 years ago with whatever brains cells are still left.

Thanks for making this all possible - Lynn Haussermann Allman (ROAR)

a year since by brother died..
heres a picture of his friends many in our class might remember

From Susan Shaffer: (Editor's note-I inquired about the Shaffer family-especially the Reverend and Mrs. Shaffer, Chuck's parents)

Howie seems fine. It was not his heart, he had anabdominal/aorta aneurism which got fixed before it became lethal. As far as I know, he's A-OK now. And as for Howard and Elinor: Elinor died Jan., 1983, and Howard May of 1994. They lived in Swoope, VA after coming south from NY, buying a 100 acre farm near Elinor's sister, Marney Mabie. Howard re-married a woman he'd met in NH, at Lake Mascoma, and had 6 years with Shirley before he died. Howard filled in as minister at the Presbyterian church they attended, but was definitely retired. Elinor was very social,and I think they really enjoyed their time here. Susie

From Susan Shaffer (Editor's note-Susan is the wife of the late Chuck Shaffer. In one of those such a small world things-Chuck Shaffer's cousin married my wife's cousin a long time ago. They had a daughter, Kim, who married 11 years ago. The last time I saw Chuck was at that wedding. Susan writes of a recent memorial service they had for Chuck in Virginia)

Ken, Of course I remember meeting you at Kim's wedding. As I recall, Charles came back to our room in the early morning hours quite plastered!(editor's note-true!) Something he didn't do very often.

Thanks for your recollections of him; it was how I remembered him from the old days - full of fun and mischief. The celebration on Saturday was really good for me. It's been so long since he was himself - it was great to hear our sons remembering their father and his siblings and nephews remembering how and who he was. It helped erase the last 6-7 years when he was NOT himself, but a "burden". It was good to be reminded of what a great fellow he was and how much he affected people with his openess and goodwill. He was never mean or ugly, never really angry or resentful; everyone here thought a lot of him, and that showed up at the celebration where 150 or so showed up from all over to help make his last party a great one! He always loved a party, which is why I chose to have a celebration instead of a solemn, mourning kind of service. He was neither solemn nor mournful - ever. Wish you could have been here. Susan

From Bev Buhrow: (The editor and Bev were recently sharing emails about family and military service)

Andy, our youngest, returned home in June to his sweet wife and baby girl. Best of all, they are living near DC (he still works for the State Dept.) and we see them often.

Our middle son, James, is also active duty Air Force. He is currently assigned to Landstuhl and has seen his share of war injuries both in Germany and a recent TDY at a field hospital near Baghdad. He is an orthopedist and is very busy with the wounded there.

You may be interested to know that Bob, my husband, was in the AF for 26 yrs. and retired as an 06 (Ed note-A full Colonel). We both miss those years. 

Good morning,

What fun to see these pictures. I live very close to Lynn and would like to reconnect with her. Would you please let me know her actual address? Hope all is well---just got back "inland" last night from my annual month on LI--already homesick for it.

Thanks,

MJ

i was just reading Mike Harvey's remembrance of Sam Perlin. I also remember him well since brother Ed was best friends with Seve Perlin. Sam was very handsome and charming-he made a huge impression on me- both his daughter and Steve were so wild- rebellous Steve loved to live at the edge and died because as a test pilot he would try to swoop down as close to the ground as he could before flying up again- in one of those tests (as i understood) he flew too close to the land and died- a real dare devil- in high school Ed's friends stole cars -robbed a gas station - (nylon over ther faces - i dont remember who but i imagine Steve was one of them-
AND Steve was also a master classical piano player.

This is camp for adults in a giant public park. Thank you for Seward's Folly about 150 years ago (Please don't respond with political comments, apparently that was the last time the Republicans were wrong).

I am on vacation here for 5 weeks. Tomorrow, weather cooperating, I will fly out to a 'fish camp'. That is where they catch some of the salmon that we eat in the lower 48 using nets and boats. Should be interesting. I will be sleeping in a sleeping bag. Brings back memories. And I DO need a haircut!

(Editor's note- The following are copies of emails between classmates, me, and Susie Shaffer, widow of the late Chuck Shaffer, class of 61. Although of a highly personal and sensitive nature, I thought I would share them with you, as among other things, they demonstrate the extraordinary compassion of certain classmates. Once we learn details of the memorial service, we will let you know of them.)

Chuck was a great friend and neighbor in East Williston. The last time I saw him was when both families sat together at a UVA football game as we each had a son in the freshman class of 1989. Betsy and I will be at the memorial and are offering our house for some lodging if the event is anywhere near our new home. The moving van comes tomorrow morning and we move from Norfolk to 6041 Sunnycrest Road, Roanoke, VA which is probably too inconvenient for housing as the Churchville/Staunton area is about 1.5 hours up I-81 from Roanoke.

My sister, Carol, was in the class behind Chuck and I will let her know of his passing and the memorial.

I hope you get some well-deserved rest and recuperation with your clan in Seattle. It's a wonderful city where I lived while doing military affairs reporting for the mighty Bremerton Sun back in the Vietnam era. Taking a ferry across to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island from Seattle is a relaxing and scenic trip you might like.

I'll copy Camille, who can alert the Chuck's classmates about the Sept. 3 gathering, along with some of his pals from our class who would like to know. Please keep in touch with any updates and we'll communicate when you return to the Right Coast. Take care,
Paul

My memory of Chuck's personality and friendship is precious to me and all who knew him in high school. I'm sad for his loss, but happy that your caregiving burden has been lifted, allowing you to renew an independent life.

Will there be any kind of memorial service for Chuck? Many have asked and, minister's son that he was, I'm wondering if you're planning anything? All the best. Hope you can join us in October in Florida.

Paul,

We are going to have a memorial service/wake for Charles. We had one for the locals on Friday, and twice as many as expected showed up! We all decided that he had orchestrated this, as he had been missing his friends and really missing the parties! It was a wonderful evening. Sadly, I was so exhausted that I didn't get to visit anyone much, but did get at least 80 huge hugs! Jeannie Kull came all the way from Richmond on a moment's notice and friends came from D.C., and Maryland!

The boys and I have decided to do the memorial thing on the 3rd of September. The fifth was his birthday, but that is Labor Day and a Monday, so we thought the Sat., would be best. We don't have a venue set yet. I haven't had time to do anything more than official paperwork. I'm leaving on Tues, am for Seattle in a trip that was planned months ago. I'm going to see my brother, Dick, whom I haven't seen in 9 years, as well as my old friend Lyn from grade school - high school. I'll get on the service as soon as I get back, but I desperately need a rest first. For the moment, for anyone that might wish to come, all I can say is "hold the date"! We have three venues we are looking at. We had the one on Friday at my sister's, but 80-90 people was as many as her place can handle, so we're looking for more space. i've been getting calls from his fraternity brothers from OWU, who would also like to try to come.

I probably won't be in touch til I get back. Like I said, I desperately need to relax! As soon as I know the venue, I'll let you know. If you could get hold of Camille, who seems to be the mover and shaker in your class, I would be grateful. Jeannie, I'll get in touch with. We made some plans at the extravaganza on Friday to get together soon.

Take care and I'll get back to you in the beginning of August.

Sad news, but I appreciate you and Susan alerting me, Camille, as Chuck was a close friend, much loved by many in our class. I'll copy some of Chuck's close friends and teammates as I know they'd like to send their condolences to Susan and members of the Shaffer family.

Please keep us posted. Susie, and let us know if there's anything any of us can do to assist you in this difficult time.. As you know, we're planning a gathering at Ken Martin's home in New Smyrna Beach, FL. in mid-October to honor the memory and celebrate the life of our class president Jack Langlois, and I know we'll all be thinking of (and telling tales about) our other good friends who also left us much too soon. We'd be honored if you and Jeanne Kull could join us then.

Martino- In one of your writings you talked about Sam Perlin, Steve’s father. I enjoyed how you related your dad’s comity with Sam. You might know that the Perlins lived directly across the street from my family on Stirrup Lane in Roslyn Heights. We all loved Sam and Sue…and Steve. Sam would stop in once in a while and he was always a delight. When I was a young boy he was concerned that I walked slouch-shouldered. So he would make me stand straight against our front wall and made me square my shoulders against the wall. He did that on numerous occasions and I benefited enormously from his indulgences on my behalf. He could never get my silent, younger brother to speak to him and dubbed him “loquacious.” Sam was an Encyclopedia Britannica salesman (One of the all-time best – many, many awards) and got us a break on a set for me, which I read all the time when not on the sandlot near Al Jerome’s house playing touch football. Since he worked mostly evenings, he would appear in the late afternoon on his front lawn in the summertime in only a bathing suit, putting a golf ball. It was his way of relaxing and getting prepared to meet his clients. He had a way of lumbering when he walked the same way Steve did.

Ken, and others----

I would love to attend the October reunion but I have a number of constraints that are a combination of self-imposed obligations and public ones over which I have no control, that would make it irresponsible for me to be in Florida at that time. (This should not be interpreted as a statement that I never act irresponsibly; those very few people who have followed my comings and goings over the years would be the loudest in arguing that when thrown into the balance, irresponsibility far outweighs selfless acts on my part.) However, that being said, I am committed to attend Parents Weekend in Boulder, Colorado for 4 days at the beginning of October. (Son, Ian, is a sophomore at the University and daughter Lily, a high school senior, needs a parent to accompany her on her visits to several schools this autumn.) I am Chair of my Town's Planning Board whose function is to administer the Town's Zoning Bylaws and I have just been appointed to fill the remaining term as the Town's representative to the School Committee of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. Because we have a number of towns in the district that are not all on the same page with respect to many aspects of elementary, middle and high school education, meetings tend to be lengthy and our first committee meeting is in early September with another likely to be in mid October and I need to be at both of these meetings and also be more or less sentient..

My olive branch is to reiterate my commitment to having a 2012 gathering at my place in the Berkshires. It is way too early to expect people to make commitments and, in fact, it may never be absolutely neccesary. If only 4 show up, that would be fine; if 50 do, even better. But at some point I would like to have suggestions on a weekend that suits and also some rough idea of how many people to expect. Perhaps closer to the end of the year, I will remind everyone to start to think seriously about this and to give me some idea of their present plans.

As I age, I become more and more conscious of the transient nature of life so it is possible that I may not be living by next summer. I am also painfully aware of the fact that people can have fun even if I am not around. Perhaps even more fun than they would have if I were. So I've instructed the Executor of my Estate to go forward with the party regardless of the status of my corporeal self.

--
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Carl Stewart
Vacanze in Italia
22 Railroad Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Phone: 413-528-6610

Betsy and I will be there for sure We are staying at my friend’s condo a few blocks away from the your compound. We will be settled into our Blue Ridge Mountain retirement home by then and plan to drive down early (mooching off friends along the way) and leave late (again mooching) on the way back. Betsy and I would be glad to pitch in and work if you want to assign us some prep jobs or clean up jobs. I’ll get back to you as we get closer to the event to follow up.

Bick

Bick-glad to hear about it. Just returned from gin mill on the beach not far from your buddies condo. Wife Cheryle up north for most of summer so I go out and play my yesteryears looking at bikinis, etc. Does not work quite as well as it use to.

Your friend is certainly invited to be part of festivities. The house we are building is progressing very slowly, but the lodging will be fine either way.

Will be in touch.

Martino

Great to hear from you – hope you are well. You can count on me and my wife (Pat) to come and frolic with you. See you and the gang in October.
Paul Mann.

Just one dog – Bear – an English Shepherd. He’s so loving and so much fun. Not much of a watchdog – he loves company.

______________________________________
From John Moncure:

Has anyone seen my hat? It's hard to tell Maine jokes without it.
I will, in fact be preparing award winning Bloodies and look forward to a relaxed time to get to tell all our old stories (which get better with each telling) and learn how all of you are doing.
The frost will be on the pumpkin in Maine so I'm looking forward to the last sunning opportunity for about 8 months.

Paul and I will be coming in early-perhaps Wed evening for the October reunion.

I will stay wherever is easiest for all.
No more T shirts-my cup runneth over.
I think we can fly delta from Logan so we will try to get into Daytona.
Have a good summer I'm headed to Lake Maranacook for 2 weeks of nothing but good books, good booze, exercise and each other-that's about as good as it gets.

See you in October-Monk

The editor had read an article on NYC judges and their pay and emailed it to Art

I suspect you have seen below from today's NYT's but could not help thinking of you anyway.

Hey Ken,

Thanks for thinking of me.

Yes, I had seen the article, which was the headline, briefly, for The Times on line. The judicial pay situation sucks.........but otherwise the job is great.

My hat is off to you all for planning such a great follow-up to your wonderful 50th!

Art

_______________________________________________

After a short trip to TX next week, I will be in Kodiak AK for the month of July. Plan to do a lot of fishing, hiking and kayaking. Wish Sarah Palin could join Kendra and me for the good time. Of course, the Wheatley Class of 1960 are always welcome as well.

Sadly, Kendra's 97 yo mother died earlier this month just 24 hours after becoming a greatgrandmother. Our grandson Van is doing well, living in Oakland, CA.

Best to all,
Arthur

I took a business trip to the metropolitan area last week with my two sons. The itinerary took us to the Island, so I emailed Sean Fenney, the principal of Wheatley, to see if we could stop by for a few minutes. Sean said sure, so we visited him last Friday. Sean mentioned a few things that I suspect you might find interesting.

He said because of the very successful connection we had with him and his students at our 50th in May he has reached out to the class of 1961 who of course are having their 50th reunion this year. Dr. Feeney found some local alumni from that class, and they will attend the class of 2011's graduation in June acting as ushers and honored guests.

The school budget will be voted on today, May 15th. The difficult economic times have challenged school boards and administrators across the country, including Wheatley's. Dr. Feeney was guardedly optimistic that the budget would pass, as it is only a 1.9% increase from last year's. He did say that they have cut the faculty by 1.5 positions.

While there I picked up a few editions of the Wildcat Roar. The paper is published quarterly and there are many pages to it. I read one of them on my airplane flight back to Florida this weekend. It was impressive, yet, yet my aged memory took me back over 50 years to our own weekly Wildcat Roar, and it seemed to me our pages had more substance to them. Tough comparison, and perhaps I'm a bit biased, but I'll stick with it.

Wheatley continues to field a football team with Carle Place. And they have the same arrangement now with lacrosse, a sport we of course did not have in our days.

Some of you met Dr. Feeney last year at our reunion, and I know most of you share the same admiration that I have for him. He is truly in the 99th percentile, if you know what I mean. As he toured the school with my sons and me, we encountered maybe 8 to 10 students walking the hall. He greeted every one of them by their first name!

Dr. Feeney was especially proud of the lounge area across from the entrance to the auditorium. (Was it not called the Senior Lounge when we were there???). Student artists have created an interesting piece. I thought you would like to see what it looks like:

More on the Wheatley Twin Caper from Art Engoron, the Keeper of the Tablets on all things Wheatley. Apparently the original post should have been that the Coffey twins were the first (only?) sets of twins in the class of 1960.

Hey Ken,

I'm not sure how Stormin' Norman Coffey's claim can be reconciled with the following list of apparent twins in Wheatley's early years (same last name and living at same address; each pair could be a cousin, but I doubt it (not back then)):

Cohen Howard L M 1958
Cohen Melvin M 1958
Sanderson Stuart Stu M 1959
Sanderson Tom M 1959
Coffey Neill M 1960
Coffey Norman M 1960
Conti Anthony P Tony M 1961
Conti Thomas M 1961
Davidson Blaney Jill Catherine F 1961
Davidson John Jack M 1961

Art
____________________________________

The editor wrote the following to Judy Schuh on her affiliation with Kiwanis International:

I have posted your twin comments on Chit Chat (Ed note-see below). Incidentally, I am a 30-year member of Kiwanis, although not active-I have devoted my community service time to veterans' organizations, where my heart runs deep. Both my sons are also members of our local Kiwanis in the small upstate town where they live. It is truly a great organization, and I thank you for your participation.

Ken, joining Kiwanis a little over 2 years ago was one of the best things I have done for myself. Our club is one of the largest in the nation, over 200 members, and not only do we do great things, but we have a helluva good time doing them! I'm on the Board of Directors and co-chair of the Youth Services Committee, which gives out the most money to about 25 different organizations. What town do your sons live in?

Really looking forward to October.

(Ed note-sure would like to hear from other class mates on their community service activities. I suspect it would make an impressive narrative. You all know how to get in touch with me.)

From Norm Coffey commenting on the incredible number of twins in the current Wheatley's freshman class. If you did not see the remarkable Wheatley twin/triplets story, go to:

Don't know if you realize this but, Neill and I were the only set of twins at Wheatley the first year it opened.
The next year the Davidson twins came in a year behind us.

No, I did not know that. Which one was the better looking? The smartest? The strongest? Ahhh I know-dead heats all the way around.

One wonders why the incredible number in this year's Wheatley freshman's class? Fertility drugs? The stars?

I will throw in my 2 cents to answer your questions:

Both of these guys have aged amazingly well and look way younger than their (and our) years. As they have grown older, they now look more like each other than they did in high school. In spite of that, they are both very different in personality and temperment. One is laid back and takes it as it comes while the other is quite the opposite. Can you figure out which is which?

Eileen

I don't know to post on the chit chat page, but this is what I would like to say:
"Sometimes I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, but I did remember- the Coffey twins! Go figure"

I'm very well and I hope the same for you. I play golf 0 to 5 days a week, weather and body permitting. I'm very active in our local Kiwanis organization, which is very fulfilling. Life is good.

I was just reading about the reunion and getting progressively more excited as I did. If you haven't already signed up my wife Patricia and I please do. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. And Charlie - we'd love to stay in the same venue as you and your wife. Where is it that you are staying and how do we get reservations?

Paul

Went to chit chat and found out Carl's suggesting 2012. Sounds like a fun thing to do.

If someone volunteers each year we won't have to worry about planning vacations!! P

(Editor's note-The committee is investigating the formation of a class scholarship. It might be named something like this-The Class of 1960 Jack Langlois Memorial Scholarship. Or? We can discuss this as a body at our October reunion.)

Great to hear from you! The class of 1960 had a terrific reunion, and I am planning on incorporating the class reunions more into the life of our school.

The Class of 1961 is holding it's reunion this fall, but we hope to have a few of it's members participate in our Commencement exercises this June. Hopefully, each 50th reunion can have members participate in the annual ceremony.

We are still working on the sign by the gym to which your class contributed funds. I have not liked any of the proposed designs --- I can be picky at times!

As for a scholarship, we give out a fair number of memorial scholarships each May at our annual awards evening. The scholarships can range from $200-$500 annually. Quite frankly, anything is greatly appreciated. If you develop criteria, we can either select the student or provide you with several candidates from which you can select a recipient. The key is to decide the criteria and the amount. We will help the other aspects!

As long as I am around, I will certainly make time for you and your sons. You simply need to give me advance notice so I can arrange my schedule as necessary.

"I've thought more about Wheatley during the year since our Reunionß
than I did in the previous 49. It is nice to know that it was so
positive an experience for so many of us and that it is being reprised
in a mini-version. I am sorely tempted to attend but I get hives when
I go to Florida. I know that a number of our classmates have settled
there and I imagine the State has many benefits, but I've never
believed that the ability to move seamlessly from lunch to dinner with
only a half-hour hiatus between bites is necessary to a life well
lived. In addition, the thought of alligators lurking everywhere
makes me a bit queasy.

Although I will not be able to attend the Florida bash, I am giving
serious thought to hosting another mini-Reunion next summer (that
would be 2012) at my place here in western Massachusetts. I live in a
200-year old rambling farmhouse whose exterior charm hides some fairly
substantial infrastructure problems. Not so serious, however, that
you are likely to find yourself pinned under a few hundred pounds of
cedar shingle roof. And if it does happen, I have reasonably good
liability coverage on my homeowner's policy. On the positive side,
there are acres of pleasant lawn and garden, my beloved clay tennis
court, and the abundance of excellent things to do in the Berkshires
in the summer. [N.B. This is still in the early planning stages and I would

welcome suggestions about what time period works best, i.e., should it be a holiday weekend.]

Peace to all of you, particularly now when holidays of the faiths of
most of us are being celebrated. (I said "most," not "all" and I did
not mean to slight the adherents of Islam, Buddhism, etc., among us.)

From Linda Sue Beattie we hear:

Thanks so much for sending the listing info for 34 School St. We drove by last May while on the Island for our wonderful reunion and hardly recognized it! The price is mind blowing.(Ed Note-He was looking at real estate prices on Long Island and started in East Willistoon and found a listing of Sue Beattie's former home and sent it to her)

Sorry that we couldn't stop by for a visit with you this winter. I would have loved to but he who shall not be named was anxious to head north!

All the tributes to Jack were so touching and wonderful and so well deserved. He was very special.

I think I wrote that I have a conflict and am not sure I can attend the Oct. reunion. We have a riverboat trip in France scheduled with Pete's family and some friends and we will not be returning until around Oct. 19th. I'll be coming solo if I can work it out. Do you think that I can still find accommodations as late as Aug/Sept.?

I visit our web site often and enjoy the news. I wonder if Robin Rogers and I appear in the photo of Mrs. Holt's nursery school class as we both did attend the school.

Since the reunion I have seen several of our classmates. Arlene Bach came down for a visit to Easton from Towson MD and we had lunch together. Margot came up and stayed with us for a weekend just before Jack passed away and Bev Buhrow joined us for lunch one day.

Hope all is well with you and your family. Tomorrow we leave to open our shore house and then on to northern NJ to spend Easter with the family who we haven't seen since mid January. Did I mention that our oldest grandson Rob will be attending and playing baseball at Lafayette this fall? We look forward to their games with the Naval Academy next spring which is only 45 minutes from Easton.

All the best,

Barbara Franfort, a talented artist back then, and indeed now, sends the below email and photo:

I was going through some of my mother’s files, and aside from her birth announcement, I found this press clipping. I was really surprised that she saved the clipping and not the painting. I had forgotten about this, but it was the first Wheatley art award! Not bragging just was astounded. I had completely forgotten about it. I guess some things never really change. After so many years, I am back doing what I always loved!

I am hoping to come to the October reunion, though I will be coming without hubby this time. More fun for both of us!

Barb

Margot Shotter sent me an incredible photo that you can view below. Her letter accompanying a number of old snapshots said, "I have included a real treasure. The East Williston librarian, Mrs Holt, ran a nursery school at her Fairview Avenue home. I can identify some of these 3-4 year olds but not all. Maybe some of our clasmate might be able to add some info!"

Wow! Think about it. This is from 64 years ago! It certainly looks like George Howell and the late Sue Pugh. Can anyone help us in identifying the other "children?"

I know, and speaking for the vast majority of our classmates, I was not in the area. Like many, I was living in the city-Brooklyn - Sheepshead Bay in particular, and my parents had not yet made the move to the "burbs." But what an astonishing photo. It brings me closer to the beginning of the soon to be 70-year old rainbow that collectively represents our lives, and which in a small, but oh so significant part, is documented on the pages of this website.

Thank you Margot. And as a reminder, we are still looking for photos of all of our classmates back in the day. They will either be posted on this site or included in a DVD we are making to be shown at our October bash. Planning for that event continues, and hopefully many more of you will be able to join the classmates who have already voiced strong interest in participating.

Below are some photos, courtesy of Margot Shotter, of some Wheatley gals misbehavin in the "Mausoleum Caper" that was remembered by a bunch of them in recent emails. I believe you will see Sandy Byrne, Mary Jane Johnson, Susan Pugh, Eileen Murphy and Margot in them.

March, 2011-The below is a long series of emails re hearsts, embombing, dates, friends, and???

Yesterday I had an hour long conversation with a voice from the past....Billy Weigand.(Editor’s note-Billy’s family owned Weigands Funeral Home on Hillside Avenue, which was somewhat across the street from Hildebrandts) Amazing -- contact through Facebook which I rarely tap into.

After a while, we went through the Wheatley pictures on-line together and he remembered all of your names and had some stories to tell. What a trip to be in touch with our friends from so long ago.

I'm sending a copy of this email to Billy so if you want to get in touch with him you can.

My god. When I think of Billy I always think of Sandy Bryne and Margot down in the embombing room pretending to be dead and dissecting body parts. Marty

Now that I think about that night in the funeral parlor, it was funny then--doing that now is hitting too close to home! Love, MJ

I've already shared this with Marty but I too heard from someone in my past - Johnny Antizzo, went out with him junior/senior year. He is also living in Florida and because his Chaminade class had its reunion last year too, he went looking at our website and saw the pictures, thought he recognized me and sent a letter, and we commenced contact thru emails.

I wasn't part of the embalming escapades but I do remember the stories. Marty continued her dance with funerals in high school when she dated Jimmy Kearns and drove around in a hearst!

(Ed note-Jimmy Kerr, I believe, went to Chaminade. Ah yes, let me reminisce: Chaminade: An all boy’s high school in Mineola where many of our friends and neighbors matriculated and where they shared constant rumors of the administration putting saltpeter in their lunches and they spent countless afternoons in chemistry classes watching their celibate teacher draw formulas on the chalkboard while inevitably their minds drifted to carnal thoughts involving red hot, foxy Wheatley coeds and imagined fuzz wipers, half snuffs and like sensual releases that brought them to the very brink of damnation.)

Isn't this something? All these voices from the past. It's like we are back in high school with wrinkles! I think the upcoming reunion is shaping up to be quite something!!!

I am getting such a kick reading all these recent e-mails. I am glad that most of you can remember names. I can remember first names but last names-wow.

I was thinking about Woody (Ed note-from Eileen Murphy we learn-"Woody refers to Elwood Janssen who lived in Williston Park, was Billy's age -2 years ahead of us- and attended Chaminade. He was tall, blonde and had the weirdest, most enjoyable sense of humor. Unfortunately, he died in an auto accident around 1966 or so returning from a wedding in the Hamptons.") -so sad. He used to keep me company when I sat at the East Williston train station waiting for my father every night. And, Billy Masterson, Jerry Vanella and Jimmy(can't remember his last name.) We had such good times. Bill, it is so good to hear that you are holding down the fort on Long Island!

Interesting tales from the distaff side. And perhaps finally I can figure some of you out. I mean something went wrong, terribly wrong. Embalming jokes? Did any of us guys stoop to such levels in our joking (oh yeah- I forgot-did we not refer to it as joshing?). Of course not, our humor was sophisticated, clever beyond our years, if you will, and never would we sink to such crass levels as revealed in recent emails from the female cats.

All that said and done, I am happy to hear that Pat and Eileen connected with old friends from the hood. Please extend invitations to them for the October bash, especially to Johny Antizzo as he lives in Florida (and now some memory hits-did Johny not have a sister, Ferdie connection? or do I need an embalming??). We will have plenty of room and the more that made up our past, the better. And Billy W feel free to chime in on these tidbits. Hopefully you can join us. Bob Merritt will be here.

Right you are, Col.Martin, with your insightful recollection of our civilizing influence on "the girls"--an ongoing challenge, but a worthy one that might be one of our enduring lifetime achievements if we're successful.

But wait, there's an even larger story here if you read closely! If Pat's story is correct that Marty was driven on dates with Jimmy K. in a "Hearst", could it really be that Marty & Jimmy were chauffeured by the ghost of famous Editor/Publisher William Randolph H., son of "Rosebud"?

This could be a national/international news flash since WRH passed away in the early 50s, taken to his grave in a hearse! Imagine the worldwide sensation when the world learns he rose to start a second career as a date-night driver on L.I.!!

Great Pick-up Paul--you're the best proof reader I know-I missed that completely. I would love to know more about this "civilizing influence" though.

I too am quite curious about this "civilizing" influence. Influence yes, civilizing??????????

Great teachers are often the ones who lead by example, conveying their messages subtly and without fanfare. It's not surprising our civilizing influence was hardly noticed. (I'd bet William Randolph would have seen it-- if he weren't too distracted by what was going on in the back seat of his "hearst".)

I will be there, but Betsy may have a conflict with her annual girl cousins three-day weekend in the mountains of Virginia. Usually the spouses don’t show up at the mini-reunions so it is no biggy either way. I am absolutely floored by Hsin-i’s gift. Jack was an amazing person and apparently, so is Hsin-i.
All the best to everyone.

My back problem has healed itself, at least as far as any pain goes. We cancelled the operation and I’m totally off pain pills-a good thing. My computer crashed and I was not able to get it up. Because of that I lost contact with my step son, whom I am very close to. He is in education administration mostly working for "American Schools” all over the world. His last assignment was as a principal for a K-12 school in Mumbai, India. It has been a dry and mild winter here in Colorado so far. I have my fingers crossed for it to remain so. I don’t care much for cold weather. I ought to move to Arizona.

____________________________________
From The Captain of our Cheerleaders, an outstanding idea for our 2011 reunion:

Apart from the volleyball, et al, I was thinking it might be nice both in memory of Jack and as a group together to sort of sit around the campfire and have our own dialoque about him, us, and whatever. Maybe before our dinner on Saturday--an informal get together when folks are more relaxed. What do you think? Theme could simply be," Our time together".

_______________________________________

From John Moncure,

Hey, Guys-I am on board. I do make a very wicked (as we say in Maine) Bloody Mary--I don't know how Martino remembers that. I would be happy to make one of the world's best Mary's for those who care. What I really would like to do do is talk more with our classmates--it was all too fast.

___________________________________

From Margot Shotter:
(Margot was responding to the following from the editor- Margot, if the truth be known, the world desperately needs another chorus line shot of all you girls on yet another beach).

You've got it (right girls)-we'll be ready for another stint on the beach! Maybe a pyramid this time-or maybe not!!!

Sounds like a great idea. How wonderful of Shinny! We live about 5 hours from New Smyrna Beach so not much of a ride for us. I'll keep the date open. Thanks for all you guys do to keep our class connected.

One last thing, I found out that Sterling Yoder lives in our community. When Eileen Murphy Soloman & Neil Coffey visited us this past summer, we stopped in to see him. He was shocked to see us to say the least. Haven't seem him since.

Healthy & Happy New Year to all.

How very generous of Shinny! And it sounds like a real possibility for me to attend. I'll look forward to further postings on the event.

Hi Paul and Ken - Thanks for making the opportunity to those of us that were not able to make the 50th blast to get to see each other in FL. I will be there - just let me know the details. - Love and gratitude to all - Lynn (Haussermann) Allman.

From Eileen Murphy re 2011 reunion:

Good to hear from you. My Reply to All kept coming back because some of the addresses were not valid so I'm sending it to you but it was meant for everyone. I've been in FL since Sept. 30 and am loving it, particularly this winter.

That sounds wonderful. How generous of Jeanne to contribute to our reunion. I would love to involved in the planning, etc. How nice that it will be in FL when the weather is absolutely gorgeous!

I have enjoyed the Emails, pictures, and news from so many of the Class of 1960 many of whom I remember from elementary and junior high days.

Again, the hard work people put into making the last reunion the great success that it was, was very much appreciated. It was such a fun weekend and a nice chance to step back a little in time. Playing who's who was the challenge, but once we figured it out, it all seemed so easy!

This was the year for reunions for us as Breck, my husband, and I were in Fresno, CA. in September for his 50th reunion, and then I went back to Garden City in October with one of our daughters for my 50th from St Mary's. Unfortunately, the school has been torn down, unlike Wheatley which is thriving, so we celebrated at the Garden City Hotel. That place has changed so much we hardly recognized it. I do think that will be it for class reunions for awhile.

The Wheatley Class of '60 Website
A real taste of before and after
Joanne has before and after pics on her bio - a good reminder
Before and after -
The new hairdo
You took up jogging
You made it to the top
You took up meditation... or yoga...or boxing
1960
Your big deal

Relentless, this "before" and "after" - no exceptions
After becomes before
What can we do?
Enjoy looking at the stars at night
the first sip of coffee or tea in the morning
hugs
That's all I can think of
Now!

Nice to hear from you (through the classmates website). Yours was the only message that came through without being blurred out - nice coincidence.

My only contact from the old days is Walter Brunner - we talk on the phone once or twice a year. He is still living in New York. Jeff Stone and I were in pretty regular contact until he died a few years ago - I was sorry to hear of that; he was in pretty bad state mentally and physically and financially. Sad.

I am still working - I don't have much Social Security or Canada Pension - but the work is good - bookkeeping and income tax work - I'm not hurting. Still healthy and maintaining my "vices".

I have three children (youngest is 20) - two of them are in Victoria, one in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

From Paul Hennessy and John Moncure:
(Paul and John rendezvoused at Monk's house in Maine-early October, 2010. Paul wrote):

Pat and I had a great visit with Monk and his wife Nancy last weekend. We certainly told enough Wildcat tales to bore our patient wives.
I will send you another photo from Monk's wedding 40 years ago.

Here's the shot I mentioned from Monk's wedding. The guy you may not know to Monk's left is Pat Higgin's, Dixie's neighbor, Chaminade and Holy Cross linebacker, and former Jesuit priest. On their wedding night, Monk and Nancy stayed in Walt's apartment and then honeymooned in St. Croix.

(Looking from left to right is Bob Merritt, Paul Hennessy, Mike Harvey-class of 61, John Moncure, Pat Higgins, and Walt Brunner-class of 61)

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From Alice Horowitz Lanier:

I think 90% of the people don't remember me, and it's taken me many years to understand why. But Senior year is everything, and although I was pretty disappointed to have to move so far away forever, my life has changed so much, I could never have dreamed of my good fortune. Leaving the Sr. year established my residency in CA, which I didn't even know, until I applied to UCLA, and I would never have been able to go there if I hadn't moved!! I met my husband and his success has provided our family, now including 9 of my in laws' grandchildren, with an incomparable life!!

I loved the past pictures; some I have, too in my little torn book somewhere here in my office. I think I was in some of those pictures too; I did go to Northside in 3rd grade!!

( I disagree with Alice-I suspect a vast majority of the class remembers her).
____________________________________________
From Jay Cummings:

Little known fact. My date for the prom was Chickie Kaufman. She got mono. I never went.

(Too bad Jay-as Bogey said in Casablanca-that could have been the beginning of a beautiful friendship)
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From Susan Rapoport Brown:

Susan writes in an email of 29 Sept 10:

Ken- thought the Wheatley football players would enjoy the cultural
phenomenon known as Texas football. This is a game between Westlake
High where my two sons went and Lake Travis High. They played at the
U. T. Stadium and the crowd was estimated at 30,000 plus.

(Speaking for the team there is no doubt that the Wheatley Wildcats of 1960 could have held our own with either Texas team-at least in spirit, and I know that our legions of fans, led by our talented and motivated cheerleaders, could have out yelled the 30,000 Texans!)

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From Jim Ianotti:

I opened your email this morning and couldn't stop thinking about Jack. My first thought was - Please God, not Jack, not yet. He always had an inner strength - when I saw photos of him at the reunion, I imagined he would coast well into his 90's, a "man of letters.".

(One of my earliest memories of Jack was the day we received our 8th grade Regent's scores at Willet's Road. After school, while waiting for the bus, several students were passionately comparing scores - Jack had a smile on his face, apparently enjoying the excitement, while I was just anxious to get home. Someone in the group asked us about our scores; I hadn't looked at mine yet - I couldn't have cared less - and apparently Jack hadn't looked at his either. Anyway, we dug ours out, and it was immediately obvious we had the highest scores of the group! Jack and I light heartedly began comparing our scores. I said to Jack that I had higher math and science scores, he said his were higher in english and history. I said, "But my math score is higher than any of your scores," and Jack responded almost instantaneously, with the Jack smile, "I have the highest average." And indeed he did. Jack was so solid in everything he did - and he did it without fanfare.)

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From: Peter D. Wolf:

Peter commenting on the below references to Charlie Zimmerman writes-

"Many of us appreciate what a great guy Charley Zimmerman is, but only a few of us know why – since I am one of the few, I can tell you that I attribute Charley’s wonderful eccentricities to being hit over the head with a bat by a junior high school substitute teacher, Mr. Schneider."

Best,
Peter D. Wolf

P.S. The bat broke, and Mr. Schneider was fired.

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From Dale Weinstein:

Thanks for all you have done and continue to do in behalf of our class. The updating and the notice of biographies and so much more are appreciated. I, like many others of our the class of 60', were not able to participate in our Reunion; but with all the communication, information and photographs provided it still enabled us to be a part of it all.

Wish you the best as well as the several others of our special class that were part of the collective effort. What a 'Class' act you all are!

Note: Like others I am wrestling with the effort to submit a Bio. to you. I will keep at it. The effort alone helps us better manage what we are content with and, well, the other stuff too. It is also an opportunity to be part of a collective affiliation and identity that enhances us all.

I cannot get over the accomplishments, (and the beautiful way these were shared), of our classmates who did provide their, hopefully, far from complete life story. It made me proud.

(I am in touch with Harold Dubroff, Jon Weiss, Richard Osrow, Rosalie Willig, and hoping to get together soon with Diane Cohen who, it turns out, is living rather close by here in Oregon. (Found that out from our Chit/Chat and I contacted her.)

Additional Note: A favor Ken, if you happen to communicate with Charles Zimmerman, please give him my best. Thanks.

(Editor's note-I forwarded Dale's request to Charlie Zimmerman and then received the below from Dale)

Ken: Thanks so much. Charlie called me Saturday and we had a great talk. He's still quite the character - a terrific and entertaining one. It was really terrific to hear all that he has and continues to do in several domains. I was amused at his description of his "retirement", i.e. he doesn't work on the weekend.
He still has a great sense of humor tempered well with a wisdom that comes from his success, modesty and generosity. He is still the old Charlie but better than ever.

We spoke for about an hour. He travels a great deal, as you probably know, and fortunately that includes coming out to Oregon twice a year. So, he will fly across the country and I have but to drive about an hour South, not a bad deal, ('the mountain comes to...' oh, never mind). We will get together, he anticipates, in November. I'm very glad.

Incidentally, I am copying Charles for this email.. If you detect the complimentary banter has gone to his head please do a corrective intervention promptly. Ken, it is mandatory we get him to do a biography.

After our conversation I received calls from Harold Dubroff and Rosalie Willig. I felt as if I was spending the day back in Old Westbury rather than here in Oregon. They are both doing well and were excited about my update to them on Charles. Harry has also always thought highly of him.

Ken, of course you may post, in whatever manner & editing you think best, my note to you. Incidentally, I am beginning to pester those I previously mentioned to submit their stories to you as well.

I know your keeping us informed as to the status and well-being of our class is considerably more onerous when the news is hard. Nevertheless, that too is so important for us as individuals and part of a group identity. I am sad to read this morning about Jack. I do hope his present treatment is helpful. I am beginning to appreciate how important it is to stay in touch as best we all can through thick and thin.

Be well. Dale. (503-931-4533)

As I mentioned in my last email to you, I am thoroughly impressed with your writing skills and look forward to your biography. And Charlie, I agree with Dale re your bio. Was it not in Ms. Bodnar's class we studied Shakespeare's Julius Caesar? Et Tu Charlie?

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From Lynn Haussermann:
On Jul 26, 2010, the editor received the below from Lynn:

I am so sorry that I missed the 50th and all of my Wildcat friends.

I can relate to Jack's situation as I have walked in his shoes. I am a 5 year survivor of stage IIIB lung cancer. I am still being monitored by the Cleveland Clinic and am a walking-talking miracle and have become a 4th Angel Mentor in the "The Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative. Anyone who has gone through this terrible disease is never quite the same. Treasure each other. I wiill update the web site with my own bio soon. It will be entitled "As the stomach turns".

My love to you all and please tell Jack I will pray for him.

Lynn

How nice to hear from you-it has indeed been 50 years! I am so pleased that you licked this dreaded disease.

Do you want me to forward your message to the entire class and to Jack as well? Let me know.

I look forward to reading your biography. The class has led collectively an amazing life.

Thanks for your fast reply. You can share my news with everyone. I am very grateful to be able to enjoy children and grandchildren. I have awesome friends who have also been there for me.

Please let Jack know I am praying for him and his family.

Lynn

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From Ray Roller:

Good morning.Sorry I missed the reunion and would love to see classmates who seem to have so much in common after all these years.

I would like to suggest that we host another"mini" reunion here in central Florida. The community that I live in would be an excellent place with outdoor music every night and many facilities.(Editors note-Ray lives in The Villages) Give it a thought.

Do you have an email address for Sheldon Maskin? He has been a wonderful inspiration to my life and I would like to thank him.

My wife and I are in The mountains of North Carolina as I write trying to avoid the Florida summer.

Hope your summer is going well.

Ray Roller
_____________________________
From Susan Borger Budge:

Thank you all for your emails and the photos of the reunion. I loved looking at the old photos, especially the photo of Sandy Byrne, the girls at the beach, the home rooms, Helen's photos, the classes. The prom photos looked just like mine. Oh how pretty the girls were; how young the boys looked. Thank you everyone for gathering together and the work you put into communicating with the rest of us. I recognized many of the faces in the reunion photos, but when I saw the home room photos, I knew almost everybody's name. I felt like Scrooge traveling to his old school with the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Whatever happened to Kathy Genovese? She was my friend. What happened to Sandy Byrne and Linda Sue Meisenhelder and Susan Pugh who died? How about David Eastman who lived right near our bus stop?

_____________________________________________
From two emails of Judy Schuh Seelig:

I'm sorry that I didn't attend the festivities. As for this whole set of pictures, I just wish there were names to go with all of them. Many I recognized, many I didn't.

One of these days (I promise!), I will write a biography. In fact, let me make a commitment that I will do it by the end of this month. May the ghosts of teachers past (especially Miss Bodnar!) strike me down if I do not!

I didn't realize that Ms. Bodnar is still alive; I'll probably try to contact her. She and I had our problems, but I have the greatest respect for her. I'll never forget the day in class when she said, "ok, class, gather your wits". Jay Cummings went around the room saying "here wit, here wit". Funny the things you remember from over 50 years ago!

I've attached a couple of recent pix of me so that I don't remain an unknown face to you.

With many fond memories,
Judy Schuh Seelig

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From Phyliss Ditkoff Rosen:

So sorry I missed the festivities...but these pictures make up for it in a small way...
Thanks to everyone who put the site together...was quite a walk down memory lane for me...
What a darn good looking group...nobody looks a day over...uh uh uh...40?? lol
Was so surprised I recognized almost everyone...
Thanks again...and I'll make sure to make the next reunion...
Anyone coming to South Florida ...let me know...we can have a reunion here too.
Regards to all...

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From Paul Hennessy:

It seems most agree what a special time it was in mid-May to gather with friends and classmates after all these years. I wish health, joy and peace to the marvelous class of 1960 until we meet again, hopefully in the next few years, to renew the great "Craic," (Gaelic word meaning camaraderie, friendship and fun).

Meanwhile, may we all age strong, live long. and keep alive our old memories and young hopes. And please stay in touch through the website, e-mail, carrier pigeon, or whatever suits you best.

Cheers to all,
Paul
__________________________________________
From Art Engoron (class of 67) responding to Coach Maskin's email below :

Yes, Malcolm is the name of my older brother, he's 63, and the name of my father, who passed away a few years ago on his 89th birthday.

My mom, about to turn 86, is still living on Bengeyfield Drive. I would LOVE to hear your anecdote. I'm amazed you remember after all this time.

The alumni website, which I think you'll find interesting, and perhaps even entertaining, is WWW.WHEATLEYALUMNI.ORG. Please let me know if you have any trouble accessing it.

_________________________________
News from Coach Sheldon Maskin writing in response to a phone call from Art Engoron:

- thank you for the contact - happy to hear that my name came up at the re-union - finally, I have achieved my fifteen minutes of fame -

- how is Malcom? [your brother, if I remember correctly, which I probably don't]

- is your mom still around? - she was a nice woman and I have a nonsensical anecdote about one of our meetings -

- I understand that you have a Wheatly web site - I thought I had it from Joe McCormick, but it didn't work -

- good to hear from you - S

_________________________________
News from Elsie Bodnar:

Chuck Napoli submitted a fascinating tale on his days in Wheatley (See it on our "Reflections" Page). Chuck wrote that he recently had spoken to his long time friend, Ms. Bodnar. The editor got her phone number and spoke with her today. She resides in a retirement home in Pennsylvania. Ms. Bodnar turns 93 next month, is extremely alert and has many fond memories of Wheatley where she taught for 30 years. Prior to Wheatly, she taught for 10 years at other schools. Not only did she attend Penn State, but went to other colleges as well. Like many her age, she is not into emails or the internet preferring instead to write letters, which she was in the process of composing to Chuck Napoli when we spoke. She would love to get letters and note cards from our classmates, so if you have memories of her and would want to make her day, please send her a note to:

Elsie Bodnar
Maris Grove
404 Marshall Landing
Glen Mills, PA 19342-3304

_________________________________
From Joanne Festa when she saw one of our classmates at the reunion:

I was so thrilled to see so many classmates happy to see each other ~ life is good.

Our Committee's sincere commitment to this event was amazing. I too hope we will have another reunion in two years or so. Five years is just too far away.

Remembering the night brings tears to my eyes because we waited with anticipation, the weekend finally arrived .... and then it was over. Please encourage another reunion sooner rather than later; I will do the same. Yes, thanks to Ferdie, the Wheatley Hills Golf location was an over the top plus! How do you thank someone who made it easy and inexpensive? Oh what a night!

Please do your Bio for all of us, if you haven't done it already. Thanks!

Be well, be happy, stay you because your youthful warmth came to mind immediately when I saw you.

___________________________
From Carl Stewart writing about just completed 50th reunion:

Dear Friends,

I had such a wonderful time at the Reunion that my only regret is the so very inopportune demise of my car's timing belt late Friday night which required me to scramble to find a rental car on Saturday and thus truncated my time with all of you to only a few hours on Saturday evening.

As I was driving home to the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts late Saturday, I had lots of time to reflect on why I was smiling during that long, boring drive home.

I think that there are essentially two reasons why we all seemed to feel so good on Saturday. The first, and the decidedly more positive one, is that there is something about the shared experience of our fairly small Class of 1960 that still holds meaning for us so many years down the road. I'm not sure why we have this bond but it must be some combination of the specialness of both the school and an inchoate chemistry among us.

Then, I think there is the fact that our meeting allowed us to suspend the passage of time, if only for a pretty brief moment. Without exception we are noticeably lumpier, grayer, less agile, etc., than we were 50 years ago, but for a short time we could pretend that the present was an illusion and the past was reality. It is a conceit, of course, but a nice one. I've come to terms with the inescapable fact that my remaining time on the planet is so much less than the time I've already spent here but I am still amazed at my continuing ability to feel joy and love as intensely now as in my youth.

_____________________________________________

From Peggy Kubach:

What fun to hear from you and the reunion--can't really be 50, can it?!! I will not be able to attend, but am enjoying revisiting those high
school years. I lost my yearbooks in a flooded basement about 30 years ago, so it has been fun seeing the names and jarring my memory!

We have lived in Newry, Maine since 1971 when we purchased an inn !/2 mile down the road from a fledgling ski area. That ski area, Sunday River
Ski Resort, is now very well known. We operated our family style inn and a cross country ski center for 38 years. Although we no longer
operate the inn, we both are very active in community organizations---24 hours in a day and they are easy to fill!!

My husband, Steve, and I were married in 1965 and have three children and five grandchildren. We are pleased that our children and families
all now live in New England.

Look forward to hearing more about the class of 1960!
Peggy Kubach Wight

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From Paul Hennessy commenting on a former teacher and administrator of ours. At the time Paul was trying to confirm if a past teacher of ours, Mr. Mullen, was deceased:

I talked today to Carolyn Krepein Wilfert, my old homeroom teacher at Willets Rd. and a guidance counselor at Wheatley for at least 20 years. She is now living in Plandome.
She's still very sharp, remembers everyone (including all of us clowns and all of our traits--e.g Ed Kritzler cozying up to Miss Bodnar, etc.) and even had amusing tales to tell about faculty life at Wheatley (e.g. Jack Davis as the handsome chick magnet, who never exploited his movie star good looks.)

I had a 20-minute conversation with her, which I think she appreciated after a tough year that included the death of her husband and her first fall and a few broken bones. She's 20 years older than us, but she still has the mind and wit of a much younger person, a NYC girl who came to suburban East Williston and considers herself fortunate for teaching and advising in such a unique school.

___________________________________________________

From Barry "Beebs" MacNutt:

I can't tell you how great it is to be remembered and to once again be in contact with old friends. A few years back I went on to an alumni site and found, then contacted Ken Goddard. He just called today and told me about the reunion. I'm hoping to be able to move around some commitments in order to get there. I'd love to see everyone and catch up.

I went on the reunion site and read the bios. You all have certainly led a full life.

As you may recall, I left Wheatley after my junior year and went off to a boarding school. My academic standing at Wheatley was less than desirable. I barely made it through the prep school as well, but did manage to get into Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio where I met my wife in the first week there. We married in 1964 and I graduated with a degree in biology.

Since that time I have taught science to middle school aged kids until retirement just 2 years ago. My wife and I have one son who now has a 2-year-old and a 1-month-old, both daughters. I have become an excellent babysitter, although I'm finding it more tiring than teaching. Age cathing up, I guess.

I often think about my years at Wheatley. I arrived in East Williston as a 9th grader, and spent probably too much time trying to make friends, at the expense of my school work. I remember pick-up basketball games at Willets and hockey games at various ponds - I still can't skate! I'm guessing you remember the debacle at Skateland.

Your sense of humor is also foremost in my mind. You had the greatest ability to crack me up. I got in trouble with the HR teacher once when you said, "Steinie's a witch!" and I completely lost it. I dont remember Stein's first name, but, for some reason that episode stuck with me over the years.

Of course I also remember our flirtations with trouble - parties at Paul Mann's house, adorning Bickey's barn with wooden school passes, joy rides in Geo. Howell's Mercury before anyone had a license. It was one of the reasons my parents suggested a change of scenery.

Thanks again for contacting me. I will certainly try to get to Long Island in May.

I am living at 7 Dogwood Drive, Walpole, MA 02081. Feel free to include me in the chat.

Best regards,
Beebs

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Marty Corbett Leith wrote:

I have found some pics of us girls hanging at Jones Beach in HS, but I have to figure out how to scan??? Maybe I can. Do I send them to you? I also found a few from our 20th.

To which the editor replied:

If the HS pics are of you girls in bathing suits, I think we could pay for the entire gathering at WHGC by auctioning them off!!
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Carl Stewart writing about Steve Buchalter and our forthcoming reunion:

I am regarded as a decent dinner companion so long as I am not served fettuccine bolognese...or at least I can't be wearing a tie and be eating something with sauce. Glad to see that the country club is not requiring ties. Which reminds me of a story about Steven Buchalter who has remained adamant in his refusal to come to the reunion. Steven and I have remained close over all these years and when we were both living in Manhattan in the 70s and 80s, we would often meet for dinner. Steven was then a legal assistant to Aaron Broder (this was before Bucky went to law school and then became a higher level assistant to Broder) and he'd always meet me in full lawyer drag. He was quite a clothes horse in those days and often wore expensive ties from Sulka. He would invariably get spaghetti sauce or the broth from moules mariniere on his tie causing him to release a barrage of invective. It took almost two years for me to convince him to remove his tie before dinner. Must have saved him hundreds in dry cleaning bills and I don't think he ever thanked me. Or picked up the tab.

I am coming to the Reunion, although I debated the economics of it. After all, the price of admission on Saturday night is about the same as 125 Egg McMuffins. I hope no one is offended by the comparison but it is hard to beat sausage, egg and cheese on an English muffin.

Leaving for tennis now despite the return to cold weather after an amazing two weeks here in New England. I'll bet I'm not the only one who has pledged to lose 10 pounds between now and mid-May.

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From Ken Goddard:

Yes, would love to lace my hockey skates up again, but after living in CA for 40 years I'm not sure I know what a frozen pond looks like! Great memories of that Westbury pond though. Several years ago I received an email from Barry MacNutt. He contacted me because of a scar on his face that he has been looking at for 50 years, the result of my errant high stick that still gives me nightmares. Look forward to seeing you all.

(To which the editor replied): Let me see if I am right re Beebes MacNutt. I believe it was the evening that we rented Skateland (was that what is was called?) on Hillside Avenue. I also think Mr. Lawson was there as he had played the game in his youth and was trying to give us some pointers. Am I correct or was it some other time?

And Ken then emailed back the following:

You have a great memory! I thought Beebes and I were the only ones to recall that night-and Mr. Lawson was on the ice with us much to my dismay! And yes, it was the rink on Hillside Ave. and Skateland sounds right to me. Let me do some research on Beebes-hopefully I can come up with an email.

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From Ronald Pusey:

You guys and gals have done a great job with the web site for the Wheatley 60 reunion. I enjoyed reading the biographies along with all the other photos and memories provided at the site.

I only have two old photos that may be of some interest to submit for the site. The one jpg of our entire group did not scan well. The girls with the white cap and gowns did not come out too clearly, you can hardly make out the faces. Maybe someone else has a better copy. The second photo is my fourth grade class at North Side School. You can see that we had an integrated class in those days. Jimmy Mayweather was one of my best friends in elementary school, he was also the best dressed of any of the boys.

I am looking forward to discussing old times with you and our former classmates next month at the reunion.

Take Care,
Ronald Pusey

(Editor note-the 4th grade homeroom photo that Ron sent in is priceless! See it in Class Photos)

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From John Moncure reminiscing about his athletic endeavors:

Here is a good story which you may not have heard--Freshman year I played basketball for Mr. Maskin. I was an enthusiastic but semi-skilled 6th man on the team. Mr. Lawson, who was the the wrestling coach, approached me after the season and said "John, think you could be a much better wrestler than b-ball player."
Well, since he was the line coach and walked on water my destiny was directed. Actually, when you consider that wrestling played a significant role in the circumstances of my life, it was probably more important a time than I give it.

To which Paul Hennessy replied:

A parallel story--I "tried out" for 9th grade basketball and protested to Mr. Maskin when he cut me from the team. He also advised wrestling was more my sport, but my fate was sealed when I won my weight class and some kind of "outstanding wrestler" award in the intramural grappling tournament (source: Wheatley Wildcat) having faced such opponents as Al Jerome, Steve Buchalter, Chuck Shaffer and Tom Kull.

Always suspected Maskin had a hand in the selection (to keep me from trying out for basketball again) along with Coach Lawson eager to get his mitts on me on the mats (retaliation for my "black-hearted line coach" expose-- see my bio on this website) So it goes, as Vonnegut wrote.
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From Bev Buhrow Dombrowski;

My reason for not attending is family. The youngest of our three sons was recently married in a small ceremony and there will be a post wedding party of family and friends to celebrate. It turns out to be a farewell also. He'll be sent to Iraq in early June to work in our embassy in Baghdad for a year. Tough way to begin a marriage but they knew ahead of time. Andy works for the State Dept. in the Foreign Service. While serving in the Navy he learned a bit of Arabic and served in the Middle East for a few tours. So there you have it. Yes we're 67 (yikes!) but still in decent condition.
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From Joanne Festa commenting on all classmates submitting their favorite two oldies for our Saturday evening soiree:

My two favories are:

1) Run Around Sue by the Dion/Belmonts

2) Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets

I can name dozens. Music, dancing makes me FEEL ALIVE!
Forget your troubles, come on get happy. Staying Alive!

Great Idea. I have 2 disc from our DooWhop days. If you need for me to bring them, I'd gladly do that.

The date is drawing nearer and I'm very happy we will be together and remember. I must say, some of the bios were sad and broke my heart remembering our healthy youth in the late 50s.

Smiles, Joanne Festa

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From Carol Liebreich Zaglin the late Kevin Liebreich's sister:

Kevin Liebreich was my brother. Sadly, he passed away in January 2004 after a long fight with Parkinson's Disease.

Kevin lived for many years in Tennessee and enjoyed it there far more than New York. He sold insurance in Tennessee while he was well. My husband and myself visited him often. He was also visited by his old friend from Wheatley, Jerry Litwin.

I am quite sure that if he were still alive, he and his wife would be very pleased to attend the reunion. While Kevin loved his home, he also enjoyed traveling and visiting me here in Florida.

Carol Liebreich Zaglin, Wheatley 1958
Beverly Hills,
Florida

Carol also added this about herself:

My husband, Dave, and I live in Beverly Hills in a community called Pine Ridge. We are 6 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and about 80 miles north of Tampa and about 25 miles or so, south-west of Ocala.

This is really the boondocks. We have a modern house complete with pool and we are on about 3 acres. Very private and very quiet.
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From Paul Fabrikant:

I lived in Florida from 1962 until 2006, when I moved to Swannanoa, NC - 8 miles from the Asheville Mall in western NC. I love it here....I always wanted to be in the mountains, even during all the years in Florida, so I finally ''made it happen.''

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From Paul Keister:

(Bick writes in reference to Lucy Mullman's coment on song"Stay") I could be wrong, but I think "Stay" by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs was D4 on the juke box at the Picture Lounge. I am sure of the 4, but not the D! I will bring a loaded up iPod (as Norman Coffey has pushed me to do).When the volume is controlled, the music works well as a backdrop to keep the party lively and the conversation going. Maybe we can take turns manning a "calm" boom box
Cheers,
Bick
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From Carl Stewart:

Eagerly awaiting mid-May and the chance to see so many of my classmates, some of whom I think I have not seen in 50 years.
( Editor's note-see Carl's bio on our class biographies page)

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From Marcia Lessler:

I substituted taught in Williamsville, NY (suburb of Buffalo) while my kids were growing up. I was a stay at home mom and coached my 3 girls softball teams. I got my Masters in Health Education and got interested in Drug Prevention and Health Education and decided to do community education rather than in the classroom. I worked for a Youth Bureau in Planning and then founded my own Drug Prevention Agency. Then I worked for the State for a few years nuturing Community Action Groups, Marketed In-Patient Mental Health and Chemical dependency treatment and the last 14 years founded a Professional Services Department for a Dental Manufacturer.

(Editor's note-see Marcia's commentary on Reflection's page.)

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From Alice Horowitz:

Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed what's on the web site. %0 years is a long time ago. We are definitely not able to attend; we''ll be on vacation returning to NY the end of May. We have a place in the city; I've been in L.A. since August of 1959, sadly having had to leave my youth behind and still remembered (thank God I can still remember!), but the one year in Los Angeles gave me my Calif. residency so I could attend UCLA as a local!! I've been married over 45 years to the same wonderful husband, 3 kids, 3 grandkids, lots of good things!! I will never forget my youth in Albertson, at Northside, Willets Rd, and Wheatley. My email is below...my favorite form of communication!

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From Helen Kritzler:

I think it would be great to send the exact link to the bios as people send them in
because people wont be checking it every week. And yet I find it so interesting to read people bios.

Joan Morris had sent me recently the link to the new bios.
Otherwise I probably wouldn't have looked.
As bios, pics and reflections get sent it you can send those 3 links
in one email.

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From Joanne Festa:

I have created my bio for the past 50 years. Hope it isn't too long. I had fun putting it in writing.
Looking forward to our Reunion! Hope all is well with you and yours.

(Editor's note-see Joanne's bio on our class biographies page.)
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From Paul Mann: