Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York
| The Editors: | |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bob Casale '61 | Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60 |
| Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56 | Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61 |
To contact the editors, email
We wish you peace and prosperity in this New Year. Sorry that this issue is late but the one sent out on December 30 got lost in “Interspace”. Please make note of our new address:
A web site is under consideration, thanks to a very generous offer from Nacia Miller (Nancy Portoghese, 1965) to donate the space and services of her company. Bob Casale has volunteered to be the web master. You will still receive your monthly newsletter via email and can send your contributions to
Preliminary plans are to post back issues of the newsletter and photos on the web site. Look for an announcement soon. Your suggestions are as always welcome.
The Editors
January Birthdays
- 2: Tony Toscano, 1959; Eileen Walter Toscano, 1959
- 3: Jack Bellan, 1973; Muriel Maas Froehlich, 1955 (L.I.)
- 8; David Teitel, 1968; Lisa Calma Fritz, 1970
- 9: Arlene Andrade Sahadachny, 1957 (FL)
- 10: Jack DeVaul, 1956 (L.I.)
- 13: Eileen Casale Mahan
- 15: JoAnn Gorman, 1960; Susan Spector, 1962 (CA); David Spector, 1966 (FL)
- 18: Robert Spector, 197? (HX)
- 19: Gwendolyn McCue Schaaf, 1955 (FL)
- 20: Elizabeth Tucker, 1983
- 26: Frank Anderson
- 27: Mary O’Shaughnessey Cleary, 1961 (L.I); Mary Ann Walkowski Westervelt, 1976 (WA)
- 29: Vinny Leippert
- 31: Roy Schaaf, 1950 (FL)
Belated December Birthday Wishes
- Watson Haller, 1958 (FL) Dec. 10th
- Lisa Neuenhoff Esposito, 1973 Dec 29th
January Anniversaries
- 1/13/1968 – Eileen (Casale) and Jim Mahan (NV)
Belated Anniversary Wishes
- 49th to Gwen (McCue) and Roy Schaaf, December 21st
News, Notes and Memories
- MID- LIFE CRISIS NEEDS FEEDBACK!!!!! We are thinking of renting a hall in Suffolk County, maybe sometime in May '04.and featuring some acappella by our friends "The Tribunes” and us playing our dance music. Casual attire, food, and drinks for $25-$35 p/p. How does this grab you, friends??? Anton Mure, 1968
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - Hi,
I am Carol Tavormina, and I graduated from Hicksville High in 1960. I just love getting the newsletter. Thanks so much. What I wanted to share with you all was that my sister Janice Tavormina, graduated in 1957 from Hicksville High, and married her childhood sweetheart Joe Ruggiero, who I believe graduated from Hicksville also around 1954. Janice died on July 2, 1982 at the age of 43 from Lupus and lung cancer. She has two dynamic kids, Debbie and Joseph. Joe died in 1992 at the age of 56.
Lana Koplar, my dear friend still today, graduated with me. She is married to her childhood sweetheart, Gary DeFelice, who also graduated from Hicksville, I believe in 1959 or 1958. I thought maybe someone could contact them and see if they are interested in the newsletter, unless of course, they already get it. LOL
The Italian restaurant someone was looking for in the latest newsletter couldn't be Caruso's, could it? I remember, Shore's, I think that is what it was called, on Hempstead Turnpike and Jerusalem Ave. We use to hang out there a lot. And Ripetti's on Broadway. I use to get my candy in glass jars there. And Holden's Stationary. I use to get a mella roll ice cream there. There was a ramp I use to roller skate up to get into the store. And Ernie Reinacher's paint shop on Nicholai St. And the drug store across the street from St. Ignatius Church. I use to get a root beer at the counter for 5 cents. I forgot its name. I am really getting long winded here. LOL... anyway...........
Again, thanks so much for the newsletter. I just love it. Happy Holidays and good health to you all.
Carol Tavormina NillCould you be referring to Schiners? I loved their lime fizz!
Pat - Thought you folks might find it interesting that the Bob Gleason who appears in this (Dec.) issue introducing himself as a Dannemora, NY resident, Class of ’61, led the band that sang at my wedding to Richard Dumas in July 1980. He and my brother, Jim Thompson, also Class of ’61, managed to get a little time to chat during the reception!
What a small world, eh?
Pat Thompson-Dumas, Class of ‘75 - Always fun to get your newsletter. Best wishes for the holiday season and a happy new year to all. I really would like to know if l959 is going to have a reunion any time soon.
Lili Gordon (Lilian Giller ’59)
- Thanks for the memories. In 2004, I will try and send an article on our Vietnam losses. I think it appropriate that we try and get a pretty complete list of those we lost and when. Best to you and your families this holiday season. If this holiday season, you are in the Orlando area, stop in at the Airport Holiday Inn of Semoran Blvd (SP) and see the 9-11 exhibit. It is done by one of your fellow alumni in tribute to the fellow pilots and friends we lost that day. It is sponsored in part by Holiday Inns.
Ken (Strafer, 1962)
Ken Strafer, President Henry Arthur & Associates, Inc.
A Veteran Owned Small Business
5218 Twinbrook Road
Fairfax, Va 22032
Voice-703-307-1257
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Has anyone been in contact with Carol Conroy, Rita Bianchi, or Mary Woods (all class of '57)? Also, what was the name of our driving teacher (Mr. Whelan? or am I confusing the name with Miss Phelan, the librarian?) who never flinched or used his brake doubles no matter how we tested him!!
Wendy Karen Stuart
There were two Mr. Wellons who taught Drivers Ed. The father was Carl and the son was James. My teacher was the son James and I seem to remember him teaching another subject but I can’t recall which. I do remember him hitting the dual brake HARD once when one of the girls tried to run a yellow light. So you must be referring to his father, Carl.
Pat Koziuk Driscoll, Editor
- Hi everyone,
Does anyone out there know the where abouts of Anne Marie Schiavone...She graduated in 1957.Later went on to The Farmingdale Aggie school and took the TSA course. After that she worked at the Long Island Lighting Company...
She had two younger twin brothers, I'm sorry I don't remember their first names. Unfortunately one of them was killed in Viet Nam war. If anyone knows her remaining brother or anything about her, please get in touch with Lizz Munkel Lester or Priscilla Tedesco Reichel. We have exhausted every avenue looking for this gal ... We were great friends in school and would love to hear from her....
Thanks
Lizz and Priscilla, Class of ‘57 - Mr. Jaworski was the Asst. Principal in charge of our class ('68). I spent *a lot* of time in his office due to my inability to be in class five days a week. He bowled at the Mid-Island Lanes on Wednesday nights in the same league as my father. Pop would go bowling on Wednesday night, and when I came down to breakfast on Thursday morning, would tell me, "I saw Jaworski last night...you're grounded!"...I think I spent my junior and senior years grounded.
Even so, I was sorry to see that he had passed.
Marianne Carine, Class of '68 -
In response to Mary Ann (Walkowski '76) Weservelt's inquiry regarding an Italian restaurant on Hempstead Tpke. in Levittown, is it Caruso's? I don't know whether it was still there in the 70's, but Caruso's was one of my family's favorite restaurants in the 50's. I know it was on Hempstead Tpke. and I'm almost sure it was in Levittown.
While on the subject of restaurants, does anyone remember the Sunrise Village in Bellmore? It was a German restaurant / nightclub and had a terrific German-themed stage show. I remember going there with my future husband and several other couples after we had attended 1957 Sr. Prom in the HHS gym. Great memories.
Carole (Kiever) Ohliger '57
- In regard to the third restaurant on Hempstead Tpke., in Levittown, I remember CARUSO'S. It was an Italian restaurant also serving seafood and steaks. My HS Sorority had a Holiday Party there. Mary Ann Walkowski...If you are the person I'm thinking of, you were my neighbor on Moeller St in Hicksville. You were friends with my sister, Gina (Wells). I see your Mom from time to time when I'm visiting my Parents.
I was also very happy to read about Gerry Dombrowsky. I knew him in High School. I thought he was a GREAT GUY back then and I'm glad he hasn't changed.
Ronnie (Wells) Brigandi (Class of '65)
- Hope all our "fellow" classmates had a safe and happy holiday season. On Jan 2nd Tony and I celebrate our 61,62 mutual birthdays. Hard to believe we've celebrating together since our 14th and 15th. Where did those years go?
Tony and Eileen Toscano 1959
- Hi, About three month ago, we drove up from Florida to visit our children in Bowie, Maryland. We had some business to attend to with Wachovia Bank, so we stopped at the Bowie branch and parked our car in the lot about fifty feet from the entrance. We went inside and finished in about fifteen minutes.
As we left, we decided to get a coffee at the Starbucks, three doors from the bank. Shortly after we finished the coffee and were about to leave, a teen-aged girl rushed inside, shouting for someone to call 911 because there was a bank robbery in progress of our Wachovia Bank.
As fate would have it, one of our coffee drinkers was an off-duty Prince Georges County policeman. As we all rushed out onto the sidewalk, the two bad guys were just emerging from the bank, ripping their ski masks off and running toward their getaway van, parked -- guess where? -- next to our car.
Meanwhile, the off-duty policeman (after calling in the robbery and requesting backup on his cell phone), drew his 9 mm pistol and ordered the robbers to stop, shouting, "Halt, police!" An instant later, after quick, repeated, orders to stop were ignored, the officer let loose seven rounds, emptying the clip at bad dudes, as they reached their getaway van and jumped in.
As the van was pulling out, tires screeching and smoking, one of the seven rounds shattered the passenger window of the van. But the robbers got away. Luckily, the van missed hitting our Lexus. Another of the policeman's seven rounds, on the other hand, did not miss. It went through the left rear quarter panel on the driver's side, just inches away from the gas tank. The bullet would have gone through and exited the other side, had it not hit two silver serving trays, intended as gifts for one of our children. Too bad the bullet didn't hit the gas tank: We'd be driving a brand new Lexus instead of a one-year-old.
The getaway van was found later that day, several blocks away from the scene of the robbery. Among the things, found inside the (stolen) van, were some bills of the stolen loot and blood on the front passenger seat. Some weeks later, the two robbers were caught.
Anyway, that's the story and why we have to testify in court for the prosecution. Should you have a slow day at the Hicksville Newsletter, you may use this story to amuse our classmates, who lead tranquil and quiet lives. Tell them to always be prepared to duck. Our best regards.
Arlene (Andrade) & Vic Sahadachny, 1957
- Memories…
My first house in Hicksville was on Berry Lane. That was in October of 1955.
We lived at number 2, a corner house that has changed so much over the years, but the neighborhood hasn’t. It is still quaint and very atmospheric. There are lasting signs of warmth and friendliness to this day.
We moved from there to a larger house on Edgewood Drive in the Glenbrook Homes development. The family hadn’t grown larger…sibling wise…but we seemed cramped on Berry Lane. It was just another area of Hicksville that was as lovely as the area we just left.
A great deal of my friends lived near to Berry Lane…on Thimble, Lantern, Spindle, Fork, and Winter Lanes... and Division Avenue. Mike Rosenwasser, Jack McCarron, Mike Heaney, Chris Polanski, Jeff Muller, Ira and Lou Fenigstein, Bobby Gillette, Charlie Gemuendt, Mike and Bill Fuchs. This is not to slight the sisters of some of these friends, specifically Mary Jane Gemuendt and Mary Gillette. Other girls who lived nearby were Pat and Sue Flanagan, Joan and Betty Sabatella and, of course, Dottie Brooks (the girl I’ll never forget).
The nice thing was that I wasn’t abandoning any friendships. We continued to see each other every day at school. We went to parties together, played together, laughed and cried together. We also met at football games, basketball games and at the Sweet Shop on Broadway.
Friday nights, we used to go to the Levittown Roller Skating Rink and then stop into Jahn’s for a dish of ice cream afterwards. Some Friday nights, during football season, we would get together for a rally, sometimes at the school.
New neighbors near Edgewood Drive were Joan Buckman, Paul Carbe, Larry Werkstell, Jerry Leach, Andy and Miller, Judy Tisdale, Steve and Stu Blust, Tommy Farrell, Tommy DeBrock and my backyard neighbor, Carol Jean Smith.
Jimmy “Stumbles” Thompson lived nearby on 7th Street (??? Is that right, Patti).
I enjoyed living close to the school because I could walk there in the morning and not have to wait for a bus on Spindle Road. Some of those cold mornings waiting for the yellow limo are probably part of the reason I hate winter. I prefer warmth…and a lot of it. And why does it seem as though we had more snow and nastier weather when we were growing up in the late fifties and early sixties? Or am I imagining that phenomenon???
Hicksville was a great place to live. The memories are overwhelming.
I miss some of our classmates who have passed on…Tommy Woodruff, Eddie Caesar, John O’Hanley, Gene Burke, Pete Gregoritch…we played hard at sports in the Hicksville community. The competition was intense and it helped mold us as individuals.
Why not share some of your great memories of Hicksville with our readers.
Bob Casale, Class of 1961
Spotlight
Remember the dynamic duo… No…not Batman and Robin. Paul and Fred Korman, of course.
There’s an old expression…good things come in pairs. This pair are twins…sort of. Separated only by years, this unique combo share in a lot of ways.
They grew up together displaying mutual likes and dislikes and, thus, their respective personalities are similar. A revolution might have resulted had there been sibling rivalry, but that did not exist. They grew up not competing, but, rather, complimenting each other. They shared a distribution of talent that ripened as they attained new heights.
Similar in stature and looks, the two sustain a disciplined regimen of physical fitness that enables both to maintain hectic schedules.
Fred tunes up his muscles in the weight room several times a week. His concern for his body accelerated after turning 50. “I’ve belonged to a gym for many years but didn’t get really serious until then. I am trying to stymie the inevitable,” Fred said.
Paul, similarly, practices weight training and thinks nothing of riding his bike from Hicksville to Jones Beach. For those of you who have visions of trying it, don’t. Well, at least start on a small scale and work your way up to the “long” trek. Paul’s stamina is incredible and that’s a trait that doesn’t just happen. It requires years of dedication.
Fred, the elder, was born September 14, 1946 at the Brooklyn Jewish Coney Island Hospital. Paul, the younger of the two was born in the same hospital on November 26, 1950. Their early years were spent living on Bay 32nd Street in Brooklyn.
The Korman’s made a big move from Brooklyn to Levittown in 1958. While attending school there, the two boys dedication to music accelerated. Fred was molding his musical talent while Paul was learning the basics. The perseverance of both young men enhanced their ability to excel.
They moved to Hicksville several years later. Fred became a member of the Hicksville High School orchestra as an oboist. His proficiency earned him a spot as a soloist with the Leonard Bernstein Young Peoples Concert at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. He was also an active member of the Long Island Symphony Orchestra while in high school.
He graduated from Hicksville in 1964. Fred moved south in search of a pedestal that would highlight his talent. He spent nine years living in the French Quarter of New Orleans and playing in the symphony there. Fred said, “Yes, I frittered away my 20’s in New Orleans, and I’m proud of it.”
Paul completed his high school education and was graduated in June of 1969 from Hicksville High. He attended Nassau Community College while continuing an active role in music. His maturity in music continued to expand in the 70’s. It was 1964, however, in junior high school, when Paul and three of his friends formed a band. They affectionately called themselves the “4 Teens, not original, but then, they were teenagers. The highlight of the year was their premier performance at the World’s Fair. That was his first test in a professional arena.
Paul became involved in the plumbing and heating supply industry after college. He worked for Ben Goldin Supply in Westbury as a salesman. He eventually began working for a manufacturer’s representative firm, the William Near Agency. This platform laid the groundwork for Paul who now has his own business, The Paul L. Korman Sales Agency. Paul is active in the metropolitan New York area as a representative of several national vendors. Paul is married to Sharon and they have a son, Matt.
Following his stint with the New Orleans symphony, Fred continued his pursuit of a musical career playing in the Hartford symphony orchestra. Fred would eventually join the Oregon Symphony as principal oboist in 1978. That means that Fred plays all the solo parts for oboe and he also plays the first note that the orchestra tunes by. You might say that his attendance at Julliard and the Hart College of music paved the way to this notable accomplishment.
Paul was on sabbatical until several years ago when he joined forces with several friends and began a new regimen of playing local establishments. Paul plays bass and is the founder and promoter of the Mama Ray Band. Mama Ray is touted as one of the premier rock and blues vocalists in the metropolitan New York area.
Fred has been living in Portland, Oregon for over 20 years. Throughout his time there, He has been teaching oboe in a master class and has conducted similar seminars in other parts of the country. Fred has recorded both classical and jazz on various labels throughout the years. He also performs as a soloist and has received critical praise for his “flawless playing.”
Several years ago, Paul was the featured performer on Buffalo Bob’s Doo Wop Shop. His appearance there is touted as a “tour-de-force performance. His renditions of many popular masterpieces left the author speechless. His bass was booming.
Fred has always been extremely interested in psychology. He was the author of a four-hour workshop called, “Enjoying the Note You’re On.” His forte is teaching stress management to other performers, mostly musicians, though his auspices extend to other professionals, including athletes and writers.
James DePreist, Music Director and Conductor of the Oregon Symphony said, “Fred Korman is a true artist with extraordinary musicality and a natural gift for expressive, lyrical playing.”
A fellow oboist, John Mack of the Cleveland Orchestra made the following comment about Fred Korman: “His tone and interpretations are always refreshingly interesting.”
And how about “Coney Island Korman,” my affectionate name for Paul. I bet you didn’t know Coney was a big “Wheel” in New York.
Paul’s recent accomplishments…his Mama Ray Band was the opening act for such notables as The Vanilla Fudge, Dr. John, Leon Russell, Blue Oyster Cult and the Billy Joel Movin’ Out Broadway Show.
You would think the brothers had played together somewhere, sometime. Wrong. The first time the “dynamic duo” played together was several years ago when they rented studio time and made a recording of their Mom’s four favorite songs in honor of her 80th birthday. She was totally surprised when they gave her this wonderful gift.
Fred says he indulges in an occasional bacon cheddar cheeseburger, but, for the most part, maintains a sensible diet that avoids most red meat. His comment, “I want to stay as fit and youthful as I can with a reasonable amount of effort. Don’t we all?
As a parting note, Fred says, “My good friend, Susan, makes a rice pudding that’s to die for!!!
Paul Korman’s band is the opening act for the legendary Leon Russell at the Downtown, 190 Main Street, Farmingdale, Friday night, February 13, 2004.
Be there!!!
Links
Check out: www.crazyfads.com - Just for the fun of it!
Reunion
- Dear Classmates… (Classes of 1961, 1959, 1960 1962)
We know it’s awhile until the reunion next May, but it’s not too early to obligate or at least say, “I might make it.”
We are starting a listing of those who have said yes…some have already paid….
Here we go…
- Mike Bisaccio
- Bill Canham
- Bob Casale
- Linda D’Amato (Liparota)
- Rochelle Heyman (Baron)
- Pat Hunchick (Sadowski)
- Ginny Kolenik (Doherty)
- Elaine Krauss (O’Neill)
- Lillian Manzo (Ramirez)
- Rob McCotter
- Mary O’Shaughnessey (Cleary)There are many suggesting they might be there but nothing positive yet. Drop a note to anyone on the reunion committee.
Thanks
- Mike Bisaccio
- Bill Canham
- Bob Casale
- Lillian Manzo
- Mary O'Shaughnessey
Trivia about the English language and word origins
www.corsinet.com/trivia
- "Aromatherapy" is a term coined by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing.
- "Kemo Sabe" means "soggy shrub" in Navajo.
- "Long in the tooth," meaning "old," was originally used to describe horses. As horses age, their gums recede, giving the impression that their teeth are growing. The longer the teeth look, the older the horse.
- "Ough" can be pronounced in eight different ways. The following sentence contains them all: "A rough-coated, dough-faced ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough, coughing and hiccoughing thoughtfully.
- "Rhythms" is the longest English word without vowels.
- "Second string," meaning "replacement or backup," comes from the middle ages. An archer always carried a second string in case the one on his bow broke.
- A "Blue Moon" is the second full moon in a calendar month (it is rarely blue).
- A ghostwriter pens an anonymous book.
- A poem written to celebrate a wedding is called an epithalamium.
- A speleologist studies caves.
- Anagrams amused the ancient Greeks, Romans and Hebrews, and were popular during the Middle Ages.
- Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired."
- DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid.
- In 1945 a computer at Harvard malfunctioned and Grace Hopper, who was working on the computer, investigated, found a moth in one of the circuits and removed it. Ever since, when something goes wrong with a computer, it is said to have a bug in it.
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.
- To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
- No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.
- Of all the words in the English language, the word "set" has the most definitions.
- The "O" when used as a prefix in Irish surnames means "descendant of."
- The ancient Romans built such an excellent system of roads that the saying arose "all roads lead to Rome," that is, no matter which road one starts a journey on, he will finally reach Rome if he keeps on traveling. The popular saying came to mean that all ways or methods of doing something end in the same result, no method being better than another.
- The correct response to the Irish greeting, "Top of the morning to you," is "and the rest of the day to yourself."
- The expletive, "Holy Toledo," refers to Toledo, Spain, which became an outstanding Christian cultural center in 1085.
- The phrase "raining cats and dogs" originated in 17th Century England. During heavy downpours of rain, many of these poor animals unfortunately drowned and their bodies would be seen floating in the rain torrents that raced through the streets. The situation gave the appearance that it had literally rained "cats and dogs" and led to the current expression.
- The phrase "sleep tight" originated when mattresses were set upon ropes woven through the bed frame. To remedy sagging ropes, one would use a bed key to tighten the rope.
- The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law, which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
- The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.
- The ridges on the sides of coins are called reeding or milling.
- The right side of a boat was called the starboard side due to the fact that the astronavigators used to stand out on the plank (which was on the right side) to get an unobstructed view of the stars. The left side was called the port side because that was the side that you put in on at the port.
- The side of a hammer is a cheek.
- The study of insects is called entomology.
- The study of word origins is called etymology.
- The symbol on the "pound" key (#) is called an octothorpe.
- The term "devil's advocate" comes from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if someone should be sainted, a devil's advocate is always appointed to give an alternative view.
- The term "dog days" has nothing to do with dogs. It dates back to Roman times, when it was believed that Sirius, the Dog Star, added its heat to that of the sun from July3 to August 11, creating exceptionally high temperatures. The Romans called the period dies caniculares, or "days of the dog."
- The term "honeymoon" is derived from the Babylonians who declared mead, a honey-flavored wine, the official wedding drink, stipulating that the bride's parents be required to keep the groom supplied with the drink for the month following the wedding.
- The term "throw one's hat in the ring" comes from boxing, where throwing a hat into the ring once signified a challenge. Today it nearly always signifies political candidacy.
- The term "the whole 9 yards" came from W.W.II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards."
- The term, "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye" is from Ancient Rome. The only rule during wrestling matches was, "No eye gouging." Everything else was allowed, but the only way to be disqualified is to poke someone's eye out.
- The two lines that connect your top lip to the bottom of your nose are known as the philtrum.
- The white part of your fingernail is called the lunula.
- The word "honcho" comes from a Japanese word meaning "squad leader" and first came into usage in the English language during the American occupation of Japan following World War II.
- The word "assassination" was invented by Shakespeare.
- The word "coach" is derived from the village of Kocs, Hungary, where coaches were invented and first used.
- The word "karate" means, "empty hand."
- The word "samba" means, "to rub navels together."
- The word gargoyle comes down from the Old French: gargouille, meaning throat or gullet. This is also the origin of the word gargle. The word describes the sound produced as water passes the throat and mixes with air. In early architecture, gargoyles were decorative creatures on the drains of cathedrals.
- The word 'news' did not come about because it was the plural of 'new.' It came from the first letters of the words North, East, West and South. This was because information was being gathered from all different directions.
- The word quisling comes from the name of Major Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian who collaborated with the Germans during their occupation of Norway. The word now means "traitor."
- The world's largest alphabet is Cambodian, with 74 letters.
- The world's most widely spoken language is the Mandarin dialect of Chinese, with 500 million speakers.
- The ZIP in Zip-code stands for "Zoning Improvement Plan."
- Theodore Roosevelt was the only U.S. president to deliver an inaugural address without using the word "I". Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower tied for second place, using "I" only once in their inaugural addresses.
- When ocean tides are at their highest, they are called "spring tides." When they are at their lowest, they are call "neap tides."
Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 1956, FL
Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 1960, NJ
Bob Casale, 1961, HX and PA
