20250421-201

Arthur Engoron
June 9, 2025
No. 209.

Dear Wildcats and other Interested Persons,

Welcome to the Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 209 -Special Nostalgia Edition - Photos and Memories from Wheatley’s Early Years

Rather than publishing what we are doing now, where we are doing it, with whom we are doing it…..and, of course, what we look like doing it……this edition will reach back to the 1950s and 1960s, and see what we were doing then.

This look-back features articles in several editions of “The Wildcat’s Roar,” later renamed “The Wheatley Wildcat” (Wheatley’s student newspaper) (collectively referred to herein as “The Wildcat”) sent to me by Barry Newborn, 1966, for which I thank him, and four photographs that I took inside what is now the Old Westbury Diner, at the north-west corner of Glen Cove Road and Jericho Turnpike, at a gathering of retired Wheatley administrators and teachers, circa 2000.

The Four Photos

Walter Wesley Wathey - Wheatley’s Legendary Principal from 1961 to 1979

The Wildcats

The March 8, 1957 (“Volume 1, Number 1”) Wildcat reported the amazing coincidence that Roberta Kaufman and Janet Hart (both 1958) were directing a production of “You Can’t Take it With You,” written by George Kaufman and Moss Hart. The Wildcat noted that the four of them were not related. As the headline proclaims “Kaufman, Hart Direct Kaufman, Hart.”

The April 12, 1957 (“Volume 1, Number 2”) issue of the Wildcat published “The North Side Story” about the March 21, 1957 fire at The North Side School. “You Can Leave a School, But a School Never Leaves You” noted the headline. East Williston Fire Department Chief Fred Michael declared, “The people of East Williston and individuals of other villages certainly showd their capabilities when help was needed.”

The June 13, 1957 Wildcat reported that the new G.O. (“General Organization”; the name of the student government) officers were President Doug Kull (1958), Vice President Nan Bauer (1959), Treasurer Marilyn Miller (1958), and Secretary Marilyn Silverstein (1960)

The October 4, 1957 Wildcat reported that the following students received “Service Pins”: Bob Martin (1959), Kent Salisbury (1961), Nina Kuntz (1959), Nan Bauer (1959), Betty Davidson (1959), Pat Birkhead (1960), and Bruce Clark (1958)

The November 22, 1957 Wildcat reported on preparations for a production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” with acting by John Halper (1958), Sara Butler (1958), and Bruce Fields (1959), under the direction of Barbara “Bobbie” Kramer (1958) and Carol Gottlieb (1959). Right below that article is one about “Aurora” (as in “dawn,” “new,” and “beginning,” like the school itself) being chosen as the name of Wheatley’s forthcoming yearbook(s).

The November 20, 1957 Wildcat has a photo in the top left corner of the first page with a caption reading as follows; “Honor Society Vice President Audrey Warde, President Bob Holley, and Secretary Helen Goldblatt pose before symbol of the ‘Search for Truth’ after the [Wheatley Honor Society] chapter finished planning Wednesday’s induction.”

The March 13, 1958 Wildcat reported on a production of the musical comedy “Good News,” written by L. Schwab and B. D. D. C. Sylva, with music by Ray Henderson, directed by Joyce Bingham (1958), Jeanne Messing (1961), Donna Rago (1959), Barbara Bodenstab (1959), and Louise Crici (1958).

That same issue reported on a fashion show to be held in the Willets Road School Gym to raise money for the Wheatley Parent Teacher Organization. And what better way to garner interest than a photo of Barbara Newman (1958) wearing the latest style.

[[[Editor’s Note - When I contacted Barbara Newman just prior to publication to ask if that was her in the photo, she answered, “Yep. Just another day at the office.”]]]

The April 18, 1958 Wildcat described Wheatley’s first “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” themed “Barnyard Romp.” Pictured are Marilyn Silverstein (1960) and Renee Gershen (1960) vying for the attention of Don Hill (1959).

The May 23, 1958 Wildcat reported on the election of new G.O. officers: President Don Hill (1959), Vice President Marilyn Silverstein (1960), Treasurer Nina Kuntz (1959), and Secretary Bob Manniello (1961). They represented two political parties, “Crackerjack” and “Key Party.” "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" (pardon my French).

The June 10, 1958 Wildcat reported that Wheatley’s first senior prom, “Moonlight Cruise,” would be held that evening, with help from Roberta Kaufman (1958), John Halper (1958), Jeff Philipson (1958), and Helen Goldblatt (1958).

Two days later, Wheatley’s first commencement was held, with Steve Nelson as Valedictorian and Anita Silvers as Salutatorian.

In October 1965 Ned Lagin (1966) (who later played keyboards with the Grateful Dead) of the EGO (“Efficient General Organization”?) Party was elected President of the General Organization (i.e., student government). Denis Feldman and Larry Weiss of the UPD (“United Progressive Democrats”?) Party were elected Vice President and Treasurer, respectively.

The November 9, 1965 Wildcate highlighted Andrea Kemler and Kathe Goldenberg (both 1967), who were selected as candidates to become AFS (American Field Service) foreign exchange students. Andrea spent an academic year in Japan, and Kathe spent an academic year in Italy.

The foregoing romp through several old Wheatley School student Newspapers barely scratches the surface of what could be learned by thoroughly examining them. Does anyone have too much time on his or her hands?

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 209. You know the drill.