Welcome to the Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 189,

REPORTS FROM LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 2025

Steven Starr (1975) Writes - “Dear Classmates, So among other pursuits, I’ve been a climate activist here in Los Angeles for many years—organizing actions, building groups and coalitions, participating in non-violent civil disobedience, hosting podcasts (XRNow on Spotify), and launching media campaigns. Why? Science has spoken, the facts are incontrovertible, and there are many, many others like me, doing what we can to get the word out before it’s too late.

The fires here in LA are still burning; I count myself lucky not to be among those of my family and friends who’ve lost their homes. It’s said that between the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, every Angeleno knows someone who's lost something. Rich or poor, we are finally coming face-to-face with the fact that our city—like so many others—has failed to take the necessary steps to defend our communities against what’s coming. But have we fully accepted, even now, the starring role fossil fuels have played in the toxic degradation of our environment?

I was born in the ’50s, into a generation that had—and still has—much to be proud of. We were young, and we fought for a better world, even Nixon believed in clean air and clean water! But how ironic that our generation has also born witness to the steady collapse of our environment, biodiversity, and ecology over the past 50 years. We’ve had front-row seats as the situation has migrated from calm to crisis, to full-scale emergency—all within our lifetimes. It is astonishing.

How did this happen? I’d argue it was conditioned consciousness. Fossil fuel cartels have spent billions convincing us to look the other way, to question whether this crisis was even happening. Even though their own research told them, half a century ago, that it was inevitable. Perhaps it’s time we accept that our generation—and our government—will not save us. Instead, we need to follow those who have far more at stake to lead us in the critical fight ahead.

So who should we follow? Our youth. Their entire future is at stake, and they know it. I’ve had the privilege of offering mentorship and support to climate youth here in LA— Sunrise Movement, Youth Climate Strike, Extinction Rebellion Youth, International Indigenous Youth Coalition, and more. Los Angeles is the largest urban oil field in the U.S.; all of this drilling has had profoundly toxic effects on their health, their lives, their neighborhoods. If you travel in working class sections of Los Angeles and spot an oil jack 75 feet from a ten-year-old’s bedroom window, you'll stop wondering why she wakes up with nosebleeds.

So yes, these kids are on the front lines of this fight, they know their futures are at stake, and their passion, energy, and determination to fight back is humbling. Yesterday, they occupied a fossil fuel facility here in Los Angeles. Today, they’re still there, camped out, refusing to leave. I’m often asked to act as a police liaison for these actions, standing between youth and law enforcement -- to mediate and maintain safety so the youths can exercise their First Amendment rights. I jump at these opportunities every time. Because doing this work is like medicine for me — it keeps me out of despair, and creates safety for both sides, for all involved.

Here’s a photo from yesterday—I’m the old guy in the lime-colored vest.

It's important to mention our climate emergency is existential, that it is not a matter of right versus left; that it transcends politics. These youth are, quite literally, nature defending itself. As a father, I feel their anxieties and trepidation deeply. And I believe all of us, across the broad spectrum of beliefs, are feeling — even if only on a DNA level — that something is deeply, deeply amiss. My hope is that we wake up in time to mitigate for all of our children's and grandchildren’s future.

For those of you wondering how to join the climate movement, there are many ways to get involved. For our generation, if you’re interested in reviving the energy you felt when you took to the streets in the past, a great starting point would be to do a Google search for Third Act. Find a chapter near you, and attend a meeting. You may discover that stepping out of despair into action around this climate emergency is one of the more life-affirming choices you’ll ever make.

Anyway, enough rambling. I’m looking forward to our 50th-year Reunion in October! To all my 1975 classmates, please remember to send me your photos (from 1970–1975 only) for the video. The ones I’ve seen so far are fantastic. That we all remain connected via this Alumni group is truly an unexpected treasure.

Responses to Los Angeles Reports

Jill Simon Forte (1967) Writes - Another good letter from Barbara Noble. I loved the story of the woman covering the man with the blanket.

The Class of 1965 Reunion

Malcolm “Rusty” McNeill (1965) Writes - Our Reunion Committee has made some headway with planning and commitments. The reunion will be held the weekend of October 4/5^th, 2025 at the Wyndham Viana Hotel & Spa in Westbury, New York. We’re planning a full day of activities on Saturday, beginning with a catered lunch at Wheatley, catching up with old friends, a tour of the school, and culminating with a buffet dinner with open seating at the Viana. There will be a cash bar at the Viana. In terms of cost, we’re looking at roughly $30 per person for the lunch and $100 per person for the buffet. Hotel expenses are going to be $345 per night per room (which inclues taxes and fees). Breakfasts at the Viana will be free. You’ll need to make your own transportation arrangements. If you wish, you may stay at a nearby hotel without affecting the charge for dinner at the Viana. We are currently devising a payment scheme, as the dinner and lunch will be prepaid. More on that later. For now, please let us know if you are coming and the number of people in your party, by emailing us at:

Let’s have a good turnout, folks. This is likely to be the last reunion we’ll have.”

Class of 1975 50th-Year Reunion

Romantic Concert on Valentine’s Day

If you don't have plans for Valentine's Day yet, how about a nice romantic concert? The New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra (of which Takemi Ueno (1983) is a member) will play Elgar's "Salut d'amour" and selections from Puccini's "La Boheme," as well as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and the overture to Rossini's "Barber of Seville." The concert will be at Symphony Space (Broadway & W. 95^th St., Manhattan) at 8 pm. Tickets ($27 general admission) are available at https://nasorch.org/advance-ticket-sales/ until 3 pm the day of the concert. However, if you are a student or senior, you will save $2 by buying in person at Symphony Space's box office.

The Wheatley School Alumni Public Directory Is Alive and Well

Wheatley’s Wikipedia Entry (just for fun)

Graduates

Wheatley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dana Olson (1975) Writes - “Greetings. I read your list of MIT grads and immediately thought of Kurt Wiesenfeld (1975). Kurt graduated from MIT in 1979. He went on to Cal Berkeley, where he got his Ph.D. He has taught for many years at Georgia Tech. Here is his wikipedia entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Wiesenfeld

Editor’s Note - Here are the Wheatley/MIT alumni of whom the Newsletter staff is currently aware (additions welcome):

1967 - Art Engoron - Decades ago, I was at a gathering at which Peter Yarrow, of “Peter Paul and Mary,” the folk trio, was performing informally. We were all standing, and my young son was sitting on my shoulders. As soon as Peter finished his first number, my son yelled out, "When are you going to play 'Puff.'" The audience laughed. Peter, taken by surprise, responded, "Right now," and proceeded to play and sing it. Years later, I ran into Peter and asked him if he remembered what had happened. He thought for a second and said, "No, but tell your son that I love him." I did. Peter Yarrow died on January 7, 2025.

1974 - Wheatley Stage Production

Writes Bill “Buzz” Bosshart (1974) - The other day Bob Berta (1974) asked me about ‘Opus One.’ Thanks to the fact that my mom never threw anything out, and that I have a scanner, below is the program. Like most things a half a century ago, some folks remember, some folks don’t.

On Saturday evening, December 28, 2024, the Cilmi and Maguire families and an inner circle of friends gathered to celebrate Peg’s life.

Peg grew up on Amherst Road in Albertson, near classmates Bruce Aronoff and Bill “Buzz” Bosshart. She moved away soon after high school with her boyfriend, Joe Cilmi (1968). In effect, this made Maria Cilmi (O’Connell) (1974) and Peg sisters-in-law, in addition to already being best friends. Joe and Peg settled on “The Farm” in Tennessee, where they eventually married. “The Farm” was more or less a hippie movement that boasted a self-sustaining community of like-minded people. They were vegan and grew their own food and learned and taught many life skills. The couple who started the farm were Stephen and Ina May Gaskin. She is a renowned midwife and educator.

After a time at the farm in Tennessee, Joe & Peg moved all around the country to adjunct communities in Kentucky and Franklin, New York. They also lived in Escondido, California for a few years. They eventually settled in Gainesville, Florida with their two children.

Disproving the theory that only the young can learn and retain knowledge, Peg went for higher education and studied Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Florida. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s in special education.

Peg decided to move north, back to her home turf to be close to her first grandchild. After Joe and Peg divorced, Peg moved from Gainesville down to Pembroke Pines in South Florida and brought along her mother, Gertrude, who resided in a nursing home down there. Peg taught at Plantation Elementary School.

When Peg moved back to New York, she taught regular classes, first in a charter school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and then at PS 100 in the Bronx. Peg went to bat for her students, working overtime, doing fundraisers to get them the minimum tools to enrich those tough class hours. Peg used “Go Fund Me,” to which many Wheatleyites donated.

She lived with Maria Cilmi for a time, until she found an apartment in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. Peg retired in June 2023 and looked forward to traveling and spending time with her kids and grandkids. She was out in Northern California, visiting her son and his family during Thanksgiving week, when she passed away in her sleep.

Peg is remembered for her acerbic sense of humor, and no one was exempt from her honest and sarcastic observations. She was a down-to-earth person, always great to be around.

On December 1, 2024, Maria Cilmi O’Connell wrote on her niece’s FB page:

‘My best friend in the world, Peggy Maguire (aka ‘piglet,’ ‘pegleg,’ ‘the legendary aunt Peggy’) has left this earth for parts unknown. She was everything to me. My hero, my sister-in-law, the Thelma to my Louise, my partner in crime and my heart. I don’t know what I will do without her. We were supposed to live forever and wreak havoc in our old age. To know her was to love her – if you were lucky enough. Godspeed Miss Maguire. You will be missed.’

‘So sorry to hear this. My condolences to the family. Peggy and I were co-teachers at Plantation Elementary School. We shared a classroom of special needs students. She made everyday fun for her students. The students all loved her. I was only there 2 years before I retired, but I felt lucky that we were paired together. At the end of my last year there, we planned to give two bikes to our students who had the best behavior that year. This was Peggy's idea. She was so generous with her students. When it came time to reward those students, we both decided we couldn't leave out other students who really tried hard. So, Peggy and I bought four bikes to give away. Peggy was unconventional, so sometimes the administration would give her a hard time. But most importantly, she was there for her students, and they knew it.

Peggy was quiet and unassuming, but fierce. When she wanted to make a change, she did so. When she wanted to move on from a place or job or situation, she did so. Where others lingered, she forged ahead. She has been described as “the bravest person I’ve known.”

Peggy was predeceased by her parents and her older sister Patti. She is survived by her brother, Bob and his wife, Cindi, and their two children and grandchildren, Peg's children Lisa and Jody, and her granddaughters, Ella, Anabel, Juliette, Carter and Ruby, and of course, Maria.

Our condolences go out to Peg’s family and best friends, Maria Cilmi (1974), Nancy Roeder (1974), Nancy Pastor, and everyone she has known and has loved her since North Side.

Teacher, poet, Wordle-er. Peggy Maguire, a life of never-ending effort, Born July 16, 1956 – Passed Thanksgiving, November 28, 2024.

The band includes Paul Paino, who retired from teaching at Wheatley (he was the school’s varsity baseball coach for 37 yrs.) and Adam Plana, who currently teaches science at Wheatley.

Fan Mail

1965 (Jeffrey Orling) - “Once again, a great read. Believe me, your emails are very much appreciated. How fortunate we are to have such a good archivist. You are a treasure. But once you leave.... you can never return to the Bongarzone. Best, Jeff”

1967 (Scott Frishman) - “I don’t know how you find the time to compile and edit all these great Newsletters so often.”

1970 (Elizabeth “Betsey” Lawlor Malizia) - “I enjoy receiving the Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter!”

1972 (Jacqueline “Jackie” Obrant Millstein) - “I always look forward to reading the Newsletter.”

1978 (Steve Kargman) - “You continue to do an amazing job with the Wheatley Newsletter, and we are all so deeply grateful to you for all that you do to produce such a first-class alumni newsletter.”

1985 (Anthony “Tony” Fiorino) - “Thanks for all the work on the Newsletter!”

Brought to You By……

The Official Notices

All underlined text is a link-to-a-link or a link-to-an-email-address. Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then clicking on the text that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination or will address an email.

In the first 24 or so hours after publication, Wheatley Alumni Newsletter # 188 was viewed 2,959 times, was liked 13 times, and was commented on four times. In all, 4,725 email addresses received Newsletter # 187.

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 188 Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletters (and much other Wheatley data and arcana) at

Also thanks to Keith is our search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or phrase and, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material.

I edit all submissions, even material in quotes, for clarity and concision, without any indication thereof. I cannot and do not vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me, as TWSAA does not have a fact-checking department.

We welcome any and all text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, and/or studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 189. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.