Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 66.

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 65 Newsletters (and other Wheatley data and arcana) at http://www.wheatleyalumni.org/  Also thanks to Keith is our handy-dandy, super-duper search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or phrase and, voilà, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material.  I use it all the time.  Amazing!

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We welcome any and all text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School and the people who administered, taught and/or studied there.

Faculty and Administrators

Left to right, leaving many people out:  John Pagliaro (partially obscured, turtle neck and jacket); Gerry Friedberg Pagliaro (big smile, dark hair, just to the right of Mr. Pagliaro); Frank Feldman (back row, left, glasses, V-neck sweater); Willard Monsell (in front of Mr. Feldman, with black turtleneck); Elito Bongarzone (plaid jacket, white shirt, tie); Steven Heilbrunn (to the right of Frank Feldman’s elbow, dark hair, slightly long in the back); Yuriy Zacharia (back row, dark hair, light shirt, mustache, between Steve Heilbrunn and Robert Brandt); Alice Rutenberg (front row, holding pencil and paper): Gloria Reyes (black hair, parted in the middle, behind Ms. Sondergeld); Louise Sondergeld (front row, arms folded, striped athletic pants); Robert Brandt (back row, striped shirt and beard); Karen Bartscherer (front row, white shirt, multicolored skirt); David Israel (middle row, glasses, open collar); Edward Ouchi (barely visible, dark hair); Ruth Rockmore (front row, white shirt, dark pants, sweater); Joseph McCormack (dark jacket, white shirt, glasses); Robert Kaye (behind and right of McCormack, dark hair); Ronald Metzger (back row, directly behind Kaye, gray-ish suit jacket, light hair, mostly obscured) Henrietta Dolz (front row, holding bag and many other items); Herbert Wheeler (middle, dark shirt or jacket, light hair); Arthur Kinas (back row, obscured by crease); Rose-Mary Bartul (dark hair, just to the right of Kinas); Susan Raffa (between Bartul and O’Connor, much hair); Elizabeth O’Connor Bradley (middle, big smile, light hair); Steve Ehre (mustache and dark hair); Joan Feindler (back row, glasses, behind and to the right of Ehre); Jack (“Cat”) Davis (front row, holding book, athletic build), Paul Nodell (back row, light jacket, dark tie); Carolyn Wilfert (front row, dark hair and pants, light jacket); Theodore Tchack (dark hair, light shirt, side part, towards the back); Merle Levine (middle, light hair, front and left of Tchack); Okey Ryan (back row, dark jacket, white shirt); Marion Schulze (light hair, glasses, dark jacket); John Devlin (back row, white jacket, black turtleneck); Aline Desbonnet (front row, light V-neck, glasses); (Richard Nixon) (back row, light hair, glasses, gray jacket); Thomas Cautela (far right, sweater, white shirt, dark tie).  Thanks to Daniel Engoron and Sara Danzi Engoron (both 1973, married in 2012) for many of the identifications. Writes Art Engoron (1967) – “We did the best we could.”

Writes Carol Brunner Whittier (1965) – “I enjoyed the Faculty and Administration photo, which brought back many fond memories of some favorite teachers: John Pagliaro, Elito Bongarzone (we never called him “Elito,” but I was in his physics class junior year), Edward Ouchi, Joseph McCormack, Ruth Rockmore, Joan Feindler, John Devlin, Thomas Cautela, and Jack Davis; some were my teachers, others were well-known figures at Wheatley, but all great people.  One I didn’t know at the time was Will Monsell; but I met him later in life as his wife, Ruth (Carle Place ’64), who was a student-teacher at Wheatley, became one of my tennis buddies in Damariscotta, Maine.   -  small world.”

Writes Linda Caterino (1967) – “I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite faculty members, including Mr. Pagliaro, Mr. Tchack, Mrs. Feindler and even Mr. Ouchi (tough as he was).  They were, in their own, much different ways, some of the very best teachers I have ever had.  I also enjoyed seeing Mrs. Wilfert, who changed my life by convincing my parents to let me go to college.”

Writes Kathy Webster-Curreri (1976) -  “Hello Art, I’m just about positive that I recognize Mr. Bernstein (don’t know first name) from the faculty photo.  Right page middle.  Side part with the pouf on one side.  He was a science teacher, and more importantly for me, a driver’s ed teacher.  He was my instructor in the summer of 75.  I had a blast with him.  The school had just gotten new cars.  They were Buicks, but I can’t remember the model.  One of the first larger cars with 6 cylinders.  He had appropriately dubbed it “The Gutless Wonder.”  I was home alone that summer and tended to oversleep.  He (and the other kids) would pick me up, but only after they stopped at Dunkin Donuts.  When I was driving, he would wedge my coffee and donut under his brake pedal and reminded me to be very careful.  Of course, he was also a very good science teacher.”

Thomas Cautela – Industrial Arts Teacher + Assistant Principal – More Memories

Writes Joanne Festa (1960) – “Mr. Thomas Cautela was my “Shop” teacher in 7^th grade.  I made a ‘bird’ pot holder.  Life was so good in the 7^th grade! 😊”

Writes Ron Fradkin (1966) – “Art, I was very sorry to read about the death of Tom Cautela.  He and my father were friends.  I never had him for shop, but I got many lifts to and from school with him when my father had car trouble.  I last spoke to him in 2009 or 2010 at a tribute to Mrs. Auerbach.  Ron”

Writes Kevin Shumelda (1973) – “He was one of the nicest teachers I had in my senior year, 1973.  He was patient, kind, flexible, welcoming, and his students always respected him.  He didn't demand it; it was just his personality, and you knew to provide it.  To this day I cherish the wood bowl and a wood box I made while in his class.  I am happy to know that he had a good long life.  RIP, Mr. Cautela.  Kevin Shumelda, Wheatley  1973”

Dr. Godfrey Wills - Remembered

Writes Arthur Brown – “Doctor Wills was a great help to me.  I never liked going to school.  But when I did attend, I would go down to Doc’s room, and he would treat me like an equal.  We had long talks, and he got me into the choir, which I thought was great.  Also, that’s how I met Laurence (“Laurie”) Schiller (1968), with whom I have stayed in touch.”

Two English Teachers From Back in the Day 

Writes Rhoda Kalkin Schneider (1961) – “Does anyone remember Mr. North?  We all of course remember Howard Storm; he was legendary at Wheatley; to him I attribute my love of reading.”

Graduates

1958 – S. Chrisman (“Chris”) Abernethy – Deceased

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/obituaries/p0171399

Writes Ricky Amato (1979) – “Art, Chris was a good friend of mine growing up; he got me interested in the fire department when I was about 13, taught me amateur radio, and pushed for me to be the dispatcher at East Williston Fire Department. He told me that he was bussed to Wheatley from New Hyde Park, to fill the student numbers for the East Williston District’s new school.  Later, his family moved to EW proper, which is how he was in the first graduating class.

Still later, he influenced me into joining the Navy, where I became a radioman, made it a career, and retired as a Commander (one rank higher than McHale, one rank lower than Binghamton, as I like to say!).

1959 – Matthew Sanzone – Wrestling Win Over Wheatley

Writes Matt – “Art, Combing through my wrestling coaching memorabilia, I found this one.  It was the 1967/68 season, my fourth year coaching the Locust Valley High School Wrestling Team.  That season we were 10-0 and league champion.  Matt”

Writes Art Engoron (1967) – Thanks, Matt.  Here’s what happened in that match (see the bottom of the article), by weight class:

98 – Danny Gleason (1971) pinned his opponent at 3:00

106 - Frank Engoron (1970) won 6-0

115 – Bruce DePasquale (1968) won 12-2

123 – Brian Lonegan (1970) lost 3-0

130 – Peter Johnstone (1969) was pinned at 5:27

136 – Jack Walsh (1968) drew 1-1

141 – Jimmy Maxfield (1969) won 4-3

148 – Craig Artim (1969) lost 6-1

157 – Drew Orione (1968) won 13-6

168 – Tony Crescenzi lost 9-0

183 – Richard Smith (1970) lost 9-0

235 – David Pinter (1968) was pinned at 5:00

"We wuz beat!”

1960 – Video by Paul Hennessy

Writes Carol Brunner Whittier (1965) – “I very much enjoyed Paul Hennessey’s Class of 1960 video clip.  I didn’t know too many of the people, but I recognized many names, as these were friends of my brother, Walter (’61), and family names of some of my classmates.”

1960 – Beverly Buhrow Dombrowski – Deceased

Writes Ken Martin (1960) – “I recently found out that Beverly passed away in April of 2020.  She had been residing in a nursing home for a couple of years and left this world surrounded by her family.  She was a shy, reserved person who by her kindness and good spirit was a true leader of our class and will be missed and remembered by many of us.  She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and rests next to her husband, retired Air Force Colonel Robert Dombrowski.”

Writes Brother Bruce Buhrow (1964) – “My sister, Beverly Ann Buhrow Dombrowski, died on 7 April, 2020 from complications of trauma-induced encephalitis, long before Covid-19 was a concern.  She graduated from Wheatley in 1960.  While in Hofstra college, she met her future husband, Robert F. Dombrowski.  They married on 3 July 1963.  Soon thereafter Bob joined the Air Force, and after months of training he was sent to Vietnam.  Bev moved back to our family home in East Williston while pregnant with their first son.  Bob and Bev committed to a career in the Air Force, during which they moved to many locations, including Germany.  They had three sons. The oldest, Michael, has a learning disability, so he remained in their home.  Mike has limitations -- he can't drive, reads very poorly, but his heart and compassion are great.  Jamey, their middle son, just retired (in July 2021) from the Air Force as an Orthopedic Surgeon, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Andy is married with two kids and is a senior official in the State Department.

Throughout Bob's active duty service, Bev was content and very successful as a stay-at-home mother raising three boys and exceeding the demands of being a socialite officer's wife as Bob rose in rank to Colonel.  Her obvious support of Bob may have contributed to his rise in rank.  When he retired they moved to Salisbury, Maryland -- on its Eastern Shore, not far from Ocean City.  He became a University Professor of Finance and Accounting.  Bev continued to enjoy her role as socialite hostess for many gatherings at their rather large home.  Not long after his retirement from the University, Bob died very unexpectedly from stomach cancer.  As she grieved, Bev developed some balance problems and fell a few times, hitting her head.  Her three sons (two of whom were living in nearby Washington, D.C.) knew it was best to relocate Bev to an assisted living facility, in which she continued to have some falls, which gradually worsened her head injuries and led to brain damage.  It became difficult for her to recognize any of her sons, and she died as the darkness of Alzheimer's disease enveloped her.  Somewhere in the universe a star sputtered and went out.

While she was healthy, Bev was probably in the top ten of Grandmothers who doted on and spoiled her two grandchildren.  She delighted in them.  They miss their Grandma, her three sons miss their Mother and I miss my sister -- even though she used to stick her finger in my ear when we were kids.

Bruce Buhrow, DMD
Lt Col USAF (Ret)
Wheatley Class of 1964”

1960 – Ken Martin – Hildebrandt’s in “The Irishman”

Writes Ken – “Recently I watched ‘The Irishman,’ a mob movie with an all-star cast that had a number of Academy Award nominations.  Lo and behold in the middle of the movie a large photo of Hildebrandt’s appeared, followed by a 2-3 minute segment that was filmed inside that famous tabernacle to our youth.  The clip had De Niro and Pacino standing along that long counter-top where we use to order chocolate egg creams, black and whites, and other delights.”

1960 - Charles Zimmerman – Welcoming the New Year

Charlie, on the far right, and Mary Ellen Zimmerman hosted Ken (1960) and Cheryle Martin on New Year’s Eve at the Zimmerman’s house on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

1961 - Michael Harvey - Remembered

Writes Donna Brescia (1968) – “So sad to hear that Mike Harvey passed.  He was a good friend of my brother, Tom (1961)......and one of the funniest guys I ever knew!  Condolences to his family.”

1962 – David Friedman – Mallet Man

David and his band, the David Friedman Generations Quartet, have a new Album out, “A Christmas Gathering.”

You can hear a sample at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-KomZx4CIg

You can order through www.malletmuse.com..

That’s David on the far right.  English translation not currently available.

1962 – Bill Jerome – The Sweet Spot

Writes Bill – “On line I noticed the following fitting depiction of our local Ice Cream Heaven.”

“I drove out to Long Island to check out Hildebrandt’s, an old-school ice cream parlor that totally hit our sweet spot (pun fully intended). Unfortunately, the neon wasn’t turned on, but the signage still looked great, even though it wasn’t illuminated.  

I had a hot butterscotch sundae with coffee and cappuccino-chip ice cream, which was every bit as good as it sounds.  Interestingly, they served the butterscotch sauce in a little side pitcher (ditto for people who got hot fudge).  Never seen that before, but I liked it, because it allowed me to keep adding a bit more butterscotch here and there as I ate my way through the sundae.”

1965 – Mark Bagdon and Ron Judkoff – Forever Friends

L-R - Lydia Bagdon, Suzanne Sullivan (Mark’s wife), Mark Bagdon, Ron Judkoff, Keith Bagdon

Writes Mark – “Art: After canceling last year's (2020) ski trip to Colorado, we were sure that, this year, Covid would be behind us.  No such luck.  But, all being well-vaccinated, my wife and our two mostly grown kids (Keith, 20, and Lydia, 23) donned our masks and flew west to Silverthorne, CO to meet my wife's sister's family, who mostly drove up from Texas.  We flew on full planes, but all seem to have escaped unscathed.  

My son Keith and I have visited Ron Judkoff, '65 and Carolyn Stoloff, '65 in Colorado for skiing several times in the past. Ron worked ski patrol for many years so was always a great guide.  This year, Ron joined us for a day at Breckenridge right after a 20" snowfall, so the conditions were fantastic.   We all had a great day on the slopes, and Ron joined us for dinner back at our rental, where the photo was taken.  Keith is a Junior at Rochester Institute of Technology, in software engineering.  Lydia was hoping to go into the Peace Corps after graduating (Hamilton '20) but the pandemic quashed that plan, so she has been teaching science at a charter school in Troy.  My wife, Suzanne, leads the state nursing board, so, as you might imagine, has been pretty stressed out for the past two years.  She was certainly happy to get away.

Ron and Carolyn live in Golden, CO, which is just west of Denver.  Ron recently retired after a long career at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), also  in Golden.  I live in Albany, NY and recently sold my engineering firm (Novus Engineering) to LaBella Associates, a much larger firm based in Rochester.  I hope to retire one of these days, but there are still too many interesting projects underway for long-term clients to make a hasty exit.  There is also a terrible dearth of experienced building system's engineers right now, which is a sad state of affairs, considering all the renewed interest in (and critical importance of) energy efficiency and conservation.

I am still playing music (fiddle) in both classical and traditional groups.  I play in an Americana band called Three Quarter North and recently joined the Union College Community Orchestra.  A recent performance of the Vivaldi Gloria, with all the 20 year-olds singing behind me (with masks on), gave me a temporary, eerie feeling of being about 50 years younger than I am.  I could have sworn I was sitting on the stage at Wheatley or back at Brown.    

I recently went to see Bob Stern ('65) play with the Gil Gutierrez Trio performing at Cafe Lena in Saratoga Springs.  Just fantastic.  Don't miss them if you get the chance!  I am sure that they play in NYC regularly.  Best wishes to all, Mark Bagdon”

1965 – Carol Brunner and Larry Rosenthal – Ah, Young Love!

Writes Carol – “Larry and I were together for some of our senior year and then into college.  I was at NYU Engineering school in the Bronx and used to walk many days across the 207th Street Bridge to Columbia’s Baker Field, where Larry would be practicing with the Tennis Team.  I last saw him in Berkeley where he owns a large house in which he rents rooms to form a community, sort of.  After my husband died in 2008 I spent months in San Francisco living with my cousin, and that’s when I reconnected with Larry.  We used to take long walks in the Berkeley Hills and other favorite places of his.  It was a pleasant reunion, but we lost touch after that.  I have many good memories of the years we spent together.  

I did not become an engineer per se, but I did become a Systems Engineer with IBM, which is a different ilk.  It was a great job, taught me a lot, and set me on a good career path.  Art, as you went to Columbia College, our paths might actually have crossed, as I spent a lot of time with Larry at Columbia.  He had an apartment on 110th St, I think, after freshman year.  Larry’s brother Steve was the same year as you at Wheatley and Columbia.  I’m sure we all "Mama Joy,” that  great deli; my favorite there was roast beef on rye with butter and salt (which I still love) washed down with OJ.

I still live in Placida, FL, but we moved from our condo into a house nearby.  We also still have a house in Maine, which is where my heart is, but, alas, the snow!  I always stop in New York as we transition and usually come up in January to spend some time in the city, but not sure about this year.”

Writes Larry - “Hi Art, A little more about after I left Columbia, where, as you know, for 3 years I continued my wonderful Wheatley romance with Carol Brunner.  I spent four years teaching first grade in Philadelphia, where I had dinner a few times with Wheatley classmates Jon Silver and (separately) the late Barry Luzzi, with whom I had also lunched regularly at Columbia.

In 1973, moved to Berkeley, and into a house of eight.  I'm still there 48 years later, now the owner (but an enlightened despot), with three roommates, including my long-time partner, Peg. I worked for the Social Security Administration 35 years, dealing directly with the public, and much of the time serving as our office's union rep.  In the 90’s, I had 20 or so humor pieces published in various newspapers and magazines, before most publications eliminated their humor columns due to economic pressure from Internet competition.  These days I walk frequently with fellow Berkeleyite Peter Siegel (Wheatley '66), and from time to time I get together with Roy Nierenberg (Wheatley '63) who lives in nearby El Cerrito, and I speak by telephone with my New Yorker classmate Jon Silver often. And, of course, I'm in close touch with my brothers Rob (Wheatley '69) and Steve (Wheatley '67).

These days I also spend a good deal of my energy as a board member of Easy Does It, a nonprofit providing nonmedical emergency services to disabled people and seniors in Berkeley and beyond.  If your wheelchair breaks down in the middle of the street or your attendant doesn't show up to help you out of bed, we're the people you call.

It was great to see so many Wildcats at the West Coast reunion we had pre-COVID.  I'm really hoping we can do it again in the coming year.  Best, Larry”

1965 - Theodore Eisenberg – Difficult Defender Remembered

Writes Ron Judkoff (1965) – “Teddy Eisenberg’s passing in 2014 saddened me greatly.  We were both part of the North Side crew and fairly close through Junior High.  Teddy was also a frustrating defender in basketball; he was surprisingly quick laterally.  And, of course,  he was very smart.  He was about the only one in our class who seemed to understand the experimental abomination known as ‘New Math.’  Even math teacher Herb Wheeler didn't really get it.”

1967 – Art Engoron – Quotes from Wall Street Journal Article

“Mr. Falcone has made it his mission not to pay this money,” New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who oversees a number of the creditors’ cases, said during a hearing this year in a case filed by New York State.”  “Justice Engoron said that [the debtor’s act] constituted fraud, and that he was “tempted to throw Mr. Falcone in jail immediately.”

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-lose-2-billion-in-10-years-unpaid-bills-pile-up-for-former-hedge-fund-star-11639051201

(but you’ll need a subscription)

1967 – Dominick Foresto – More Memories of Him

Writes Paula Panzeca Foresto (1969) – “Thank you Arthur.  These memories of Dom from our Wheatley friends and classmates are comforting to me and my children.  Dom is and was loved by so many.  I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of memories and condolences from near and far.  He certainly touched so many lives through the years.  I know he would be amazed by the response to his passing.  We will miss him dearly.  Rest in peace, Dom.??

Writes Carol Brunner – “My condolences to Paula Panzeca on the passing of her husband, Dom.  These announcements, although sad, bring back many memories.  I didn’t know Dom, but it sounds like he was a terrific person and very well-liked.  I’m sorry for Paula’s loss.”

Writes Alison Kent Bermant (1966) – “So, so sad to hear about Dominick Foresto’s passing.  I don’t think I ever had a conversation with him, but I will always remember him as Carl Wirth did, as the Wheatley Football hero in 1966.  My additional remembrance is that, following his touchdown, the only one of the season, Dominick Foresto Day was declared at Wheatley!”

Writes Linda Caterino – “I was saddened to hear of Dominic Foresto’s passing.  He was always so charismatic and fun-loving.  He always seemed so confident and happy!  I enjoyed seeing him at our last reunion.  Just thinking of him brings a smile to my face and, I think, to everyone’s.  I loved seeing Howard Kirchick’s bar mitzvah photos, especially the one with his female fan club!”

Writes Lee Fein (1967) – “Let me add my condolences regarding Dom.  He had real ‘star power.’  I have fun memories of us at Wheatley gym class and the 50^th-year reunion.  We were in related fields, he in tuxes and me in wedding apparel.  In fact, one of my biggest customers’ sons worked for Dom.  Sad news.”

Writes Lois Hegyi Goldstein (1968) – “So sorry to hear about Dominick.  I remember him from Wheatley.  He was always so friendly.  My condolences to Paula and the entire Foresto family.”

Writes Andy Wilkins (1969) – “I was sorry to learn in your newsletter that Dominick Foresto recently passed away.  I remember him as a nice guy.”

Writes Wendy McClure (1979) – “May Dom RIP.”

https://weigandbrothers.com/tribute/details/2313/Dominick-Foresto/memorial-video.html#content-start

1967 – Ed Goldstein – Out West

Writes Ed – “My wife and I left the NY area (Katonah, Westchester County) in 2018 and headed west, where both of our boys live.  It's been quite a crazy three years, especially with the virus issue.  But we are enjoying it and are about to buy a home in Sebastopol, CA after searching up and down the West Coast as best we could.”

1968 – Tom Glaser and Jill Silvering (both 1968) – Family Gathering at Thanksgiving

Jill is standing third from the left, with the dark sweater and necklace.

Tom is standing fourth from the left, to the right of Jill, wearing a gray sweater.

Their son Adam is standing right-of-center with the plaid shirt and beard.

Their son Jamie is to the right of Adam, wearing a blue sweater.

Their granddaughter Brienna is seated at the left, in front of Tom and Jill

Their granddaughter Raven is seated to the right of her, wearing a gray shirt.

Not present is their son Daniel and grandson Mason.

The others present are family friends and relatives.

Left-to-Right:  Tom and Jill’s middle son Adam; Jamie's wife, Danielle; Tom and Jill’s oldest son Jamie; Brienna and Raven (Tom and Jill’s 12- and 15-year-old granddaughters); Ron (behind the granddaughters, Barbara’s husband); Adrienne (in front of the granddaughters, Adam’s wife); Charlie, Josh and Anna (Barbara's son-in-law and grandchildren); Jill Silvering Glaser (maroon sweater); Barbara (red sweater); and Tom (gray shirt). Barbara's daughter.

Writes Tom – “Elizabeth (“EB”) Kelly (Barbara’s daughter) took the photograph.  Barbara's parents went through the Holocaust with my parents, so we are like family, always celebrating Thanksgiving together, because Barbara's parents arrived in NY on Thanksgiving Day 1949 and my father picked them up at the dock and brought them to my parents’ house for their first of many Thanksgivings together.  Our Thanksgiving feast of 2021 is in the foreground.  Boy was it good  !!!!

1970 – Michael Stedman – Lost at Sea

Writes Art Engoron (1967) – Thanks to Bob Jacobs (1967) for forwarding me the following link, which will take you to what I think is by far the best review of “The Lost Boys of Montauk,” the book about the passing of Michael Stedman and his three crew-mates.

https://sagharborexpress.com/express-magazine/summerbook-articles/blown-away-fairbanks-the-lost-boys-of-montauk-explores-lives-lost-to-the-sea/

Writes Bob – “I had a sailboat for 30 years and sailed the same waters as Mike. What triggered my interest was a segment on CBS Saturday, which did a very favorable piece on the incident; recapping it, the participants, and the lasting impact on the community; and finally showing a sculpture built and dedicated to those lost.  Quite moving, particularly knowing the Wheatley connection.

1970 – Victoria (“Vicki”) Unger Hochman and Stephanie Cole Eason (both 1970) – Small World Meeting in Florida

Writes Vicki – Stephanie and I  reunited at the residence, Harboursedge/Delray Beach, of our mothers.  My mom passed two weeks ago, and I came down to close her affairs.  Additionally, John Pagliaro, Wheatley teacher extraordinaire, of blessed memory, and his wife, Gerry Friedberg Pagliaro, were also residents.  It was kismet that Stephanie and I were both here at the same time, like no time had passed.”

1974 – William Meyn  - Bill Meyn Remembers the ‘Hood to Marianne Dimmler (1978)

Writes Bill – “Thank you for the kind words, Marianne.  It has been a lifetime since we last met.  I hope you have been well and happy.  If you don't mind some reminiscing from an old man...

I attended 4 different high schools, graduating from Eastport High on Long Island.   Wheatley was the best of them.  I spent my working life in the US Coast Guard:  27 years in uniform and 18 years as a civilian employee - now retired.  I have been married for 29 years to a different Mariann (no "e").  

Attached is a photo from a holiday party we recently had with our friends, who are in a local a Toastmasters club.  I am Santa Claus, and my wife, Mari, is seated in front of me.   I grew into the Santa role - no padding needed and a real beard.  So you go with the talents that God gives you.  I don't do Santa professionally, but I get the occasional invitation.  This year I was Santa at the City of Alameda breakfast with Santa and at the Alameda City annual Christmas tree giveaway event.  Someday I’ll find a non-Santa photo to send.

We did have miraculously good fortune to grow up in our neighborhood.  When built in the 1950s it was named  Birchwood..   Even a  kid could walk to Northside school, the King Kullen  grocery store, the community pool, Roosevelt Field, Hildebrandt’s ice cream store in East Williston, the Carvel near the highway, the Sheridan Lanes bowling alley.  It seems like everything was less than a mile away.  We pushed the envelope a bit by walking to the Roslyn Duck pond (4.7 miles) with my mother once in a while (she would call Dad to get us a ride home),  

I am always thankful that the neighborhood Moms looked after us when my mother was sick with cancer, then gone (Your mom, Mrs. Carmody, Mrs. Gill, Mrs. Sharrock (until they moved) and others).

As to the neighborhood kids:  You could go to the Northside school yard and often get a pick-up baseball game going that was 5 or 6 on a side .  We usually played half field and "self-pitch.”  I remember games of Ringalevio that were about 10 to a side.   These were "boy" activities, except for a tom-boy or two.  Do you remember Wendy Cooper?  She would run with us sometimes.  I'm sure my memory and spelling are imperfect, but the usual crowd included  some combination of Gerry Carmody (1975), John “Bones” Fitzpatrick (1975), Michal Meyer (1974), Billy Ryan (1975), Ricky Gill (1976), Bobby Casola (1974), Drew Ehrlich (1974), Billy Wolff (1974), Frank Schwalbach [(1974), Joe Angell (1974), George Kuntz (1974), a tall kid surnamed Green, a short kid forenamed Leo (first name), and so on.  I still keep in touch with Gerry Carmody.

As to our house, I also recall it as being a gathering place for kids.  Although the Metten's back yard pool was a big draw also.  We played endless games of Monopoly, Risk, Life and others.  Do you remember playing flashlight tag?  Red Light - Greenlight?   The game where you threw a ball in the air and yelled, "I declare war on (name here)?   Jacks?  Patty cake?  Jump rope?  Hop Scotch?  Yes, my mother provided lots of Arts and Crafts to do.  Do you remember making lanyards?  Macaroni and glue pictures?  Crepe paper flowers?  I remember your Aunt Sarah had us trying to make a ring out of a peach pit by rubbing it on the sidewalk pavement until it wore through.  I'm pretty sure the intent was to keep us busy for a few hours.  

My mother was fond of playing Moonlight Sonata on the piano.  Lorraine gained some mastery on piano, but I never had any coordination with my left hand.  I also owe my sister some gratitude for her taste in music: even Paul Revere and the Raiders (LOL).    My mother also instilled a love of reading in us.  

1975 – Dan Weiss – Metropolitan Museum Maestro

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/an-astounding-list-of-artists-helped-persuade-the-met-to-remove-the-sackler-name

Weiss told the Times, in 2019, “We are not a partisan organization, we are not a political organization, so we don’t have a litmus test for whom we take gifts from based on policies or politics.”  Nevertheless, the Museum removed the “Sackler” name from seven galleries, including the one housing the famous Temple of Dendur.

1976 – Roy Zeidman – Moving to Paradise

Writes Roy – “I am pleased to announce that I am finally fulfilling a lifelong goal and relocating to the Caribbean.  Starting in late January myself, my wife Linda, and my dog Sally will be moving to the island of St. Thomas, where we have a home.  To anyone who knows me, or would like to know me, if you are ever on the island for a vacation or a cruise stop, look me up and I’ll take you to the best beaches!  RoyZeidman@gmail.com

1979 – Richard (“Ricky”) Amato - Restaurateur 

Writes Ricky - My family (Fred 1967, Tom 1969, Robert 1973) is doing well, all still on the island.  I am retired, in the North Georgia mountains, where I own a restaurant.

Fan Mail

1960 (Joanne Festa) – “Wonderful Newsletter.”

1961 (Rhoda Kalkin Schneider) – “As always, a beautiful newsletter.  I loved the video of the Class of 1960 that Paul Hennessy put together.  It brought back memories!!!”

1961 (Richard Kopelman) – “I love the photo of the faculty and administrators.”

1962 (Bill Jerome) – “Once again, thanks for the continuing diligence you and Keith Aufhauser (1963) devote to getting out the news and pictures to Wheatleyites.”

1963 (Donna Harmelin Rivkin) – “Dear Art, You provide us with many memories!  Thank you for all your hard work, caring, and the endless hours you put in!  I appreciate all that you do.  Looking forward to my 2023 (60^th-year) reunion.  God bless. 💜🎶”

1963 (Martin Kay) – “As always, thanks again!”

1964 (Bruce Buhrow) – “Thank you for the Newsletter.  It is a valuable source of information and connection.”

1965 (Carol Brunner Whittier) – “And to you, Art, the newsletter is always a welcome sight in my inbox.  Thank you for being the repository for all these good memories and passing them on, and thanks for all you do to keep the Wheatley alumni in touch.”

1965 (Malcolm McNeill) – “Great job, Art!👏👏👏”

1966 (Alison Kent Bermant) – “Thanks for all you do to preserve relationships and memories.”

1966 (Claude Levy) – “Thanks for this newsletter, Art, and of course more specifically for the report on my dual citizenship.  Best from Béziers, France, Claude”

1967 (Arthur Brown) – “As always, the latest Newsletter is great.”

1967 (Linda Caterino) – “Thank you for all you do for the Wheatley community, past and present.  The last Newsletter was especially poignant.  Linda”

1967 (Lee Fein) – “Your newsletters are a joy to my inbox.”

1969 (Maddy Nathanson) – “Art, I read and look forward to every newsletter you produce, and I remember my Wheatley experience with many good and sometimes mixed feelings, but usually vividly and gratefully.  Great endeavor, much appreciated!”

1970 (Jacqueline Roos Foresta) – “Thank you for taking the time to do this.”

1970 (Victoria Unger Hochman) – “"Being from such a small school district, we all knew one another.  Some closely, some from a distance.  Reading your newsletter is like reading about family.  Thank you for keeping us Wildcats in the loop."

1976 (Kathy Webster-Curreri) – “Thanks for the Newsletter.”

1976 (Roy Zeidman) – “Thanks once again for the newsletters.”

1979 (Wendy McClure) – “Beautiful. Read every word.”

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 66.  Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.