Hixnews - May 2004 : Volume 4

Old Newsletters

Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of
Hicksville High School Hicksville, New York

The Editors:
Buffalo Bob Casale '61	Linda (Piccerelli) Hayden '60
Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll '56	Bob (Gleason) Wesley '61

Contributing Editors: Bob Gillette & Walter Schmidt

Webmaster: Roger Whitaker

To contact the editors, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Distribution: 543 email addresses

From the editors: AOL returned quite a few newsletters last month. These names have not been removed from the list because your editors assumed that AOL must have been down.

May Birthdays

1: Chris Calma, 1976, (FL)
4: Grace Callegas Way, 1950
5: Pat Burton Pirkle, 1968
8: Bob Karen, 1964
12: Harriett “Harri” Molese, 1956 (NY); Kurt Stietz, 1960 (NY)
13: Ginny Mohr Trombetta, 1957 (L.I.)
16: Judy Frimmer Dow, 1963
19: Rose Marchese Genovese
21: Roz and Shelly Goldmacher; Joyce Thornburn Jurgensen, 1976 (HX)
22: Wendy Harris Ascenzo, 1968
26: Joe Barna
27: May Perduto Horn, 1958 (FL)
28: “Clem” Baldwin Moors, 1961 (FL)

Belated April Birthday Wishes

Just a reminder – if you would like your birthday listed in the newsletter during the correct month, please send us the info before the 25th of the preceding month.

May Anniversaries

5/4/1963 – Anthony and Rosaria (Marchese) Genovese (FL)
5/10/1958 – Tom and Carole (Kiever) Ohliger (PA)
5/19/1969 – June (Olsen) and Ed Cullen (FL)
5/25/1991 – Susan (Voelbel) and David Dalton (TN)

Welcome to Our New Readers

Edna Giese Rusch (Mrs. Ray), 1946 (FL)
Bonnie Kieman Fogelberg, 1961
William Hackman, 1966 (HX)
Christina Moulton Morian, 1968 (TX)
Roger Weiss, 1969 (MA)
Frederick Heck, 1970 (FL)
Walter Weller, 1971 (TN)
Claudia Handwerk Engel, 1983
Tony Walker, 1988 (L.I.)

News, Notes and Memories

The Glass Menagerie's Spring concert will be held Friday, May the 7th at 8 p.m. The concert site will be St. Luke’s on Hudson St. at the intersection of Barrow St. (Manhattan, NY) This is our 20th anniversary concert and will include works by Britten and Dvorak. A retrospective of previously performed works will round out the night. It will show you how far we've come over the past two decades. And it is in no small part due to your continued support.

If any of you require lodging, let me know. I may be able to arrange for discount rate at a local hotel if I am given sufficient lead-time. As usual, we will be going out after afterwards to celebrate the performance. These post concert gatherings can get large, so I need to know if you planning to attend so that I can make arrangements.

I hope that you all can make it.

David Teitel, 1968
To All Hicksville High School Alumni:

I find it hard to begin this long overdue letter to all of you.

First of all, I want to thank everyone for the many cards, letters and concern for me and my family on the passing of my husband, Ray Rusch, in January of last year.

Ray loved all his students and always spoke about "his kids". He was at Hicksville High from 1949 through 1981, starting as a teacher, then Assistant Principal and then as Principal for his last sixteen years.

I never realized how many lives Ray touched until I read the many cards and letters he received during his illness. I saved each and every one of them and re-read them over and over again. I loved him very much. His whole family was so proud of him.

He taught so much to so many people, and gave them so much love - this was his greatest gift! I am sure all of you have experienced this in your own way.

Ray always wanted everyone to be the best person they could be and he was always the best he could be for them.

We are all sad because we lost him, but we should be happy we had a man like him in our lives. I know I am.

He had a full life with no room for regrets. We will all meet again some day.

Thank you all so much. I love all of you. God Bless!

Mrs. Raymond L. Rusch
Hello To Everyone At Hicksville Newsletter

What a great website you have put together. There's not much covering the time I graduated (1988) but it didn't matter. I enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading about good old Hicksville.

The reason for this email is to tell everyone about a fun and inexpensive night out.

My dinner theatre company, Drop Dead Comedy, performs murder mysteries and variety shows all over Nassau and Suffolk. Come on out for a night of great food and unforgettable laughter. If you know of a restaurant or club looking to bring in some entertainment, or a firehouse or organization looking for a fundraiser, contact Drop Dead Comedy and you won't be disappointed. Check out www.dropdeadcomedy.com for all the info you need.

If you could put our link on your site, we will do the same for you.

Thank you so much.
Tony Walker, Class of 88
Klek Productions presents
THE ODD COUPLE
starring John Klek & Jeffrey White
with Hugh Bogan, Jerry Gulizia, Don Meginnis, Mitch Miller, Amy Horlock and Amanda McCreary

May 20 & 21, 2004, 7:00 PM, Monteleone Meadows, Murrieta CA

General Seating $7.00
Seniors & Children $5.00
Tickets on sale - May 1, 2004
@
Yankee Clipper Family Hair Salon
40119 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, C-101 Murrieta
909-304-2512
Call to reserve your tickets!
(will hold for 4 days)

Jeffrey White (class of '73) will be starring as Oscar Madison in THE ODD COUPLE. Jeff was last seen as the Rev. Shaw in the musical FOOTLOOSE. Jeff credits Mr. Crucilla for his career in theatre and always thinks of him when he starts a new production.

In Memory

Allen G. Stippell
STIPPELL-Allen G., of Hicksville, LI, on April 7, 2004. Beloved husband of Suzanne. Loving father of John and Michael. Cherished son of Uldine and the late John. Devoted brother of John (Norvelle), Deborah Brigandi (Keith) and the late Irene Schreiber (Paul). Dear uncle of many. Loving Godfather of Alex and Jenna. Also survived by many brothers and sister-inlaws. Friends may call Saturday and Sunday 2-5PM and 7-9:30PM at the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, Hicksville Chapel, 47 Jerusalem Ave. (2 blocks South LIRR, corner W. Marie St.). Mass, Monday 9:45AM at St. Ignatius RC Church, Hicksville. Interment, St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.

Published in Newsday on 4/9/2004

...link to Al Stippell Album on Classmates

Please feel free to make comments in the space below the pictures

http://photos.classmates.com/user/photoalbum/album.tf?album_id=244864
Marilyn A. "MeMe" (Pilero) Guarascio (class of 1974)
GUARASCIO-Marilyn A., "MeMe" (nee Pilero) of Hicksville L.I. on April 12, 2004. Beloved wife and best friend of John F. Devoted daughter of Daniel and Florence Pilero. Loving sister of Danny and his wife Betty. Adored aunt of Daniel, Christopher, Elizabeth and her many other nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday from 2-5 and 7-9 PM at Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, 125 Old Country Rd, Hicksville N.Y. Funeral Mass Friday 9:45 AM at St. Ignatius R.C. Church, Hicksville. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marilyn's Memory to Good Shepherd Hospice.

Published in Newsday on 4/14/2004
Third generation Marine killed in Iraq

BY MARTIN C. EVANS
STAFF WRITER

April 16, 2004

His grandfather, a corporal, had survived a World War II amphibious landing on a bloody speck of Pacific Ocean coral known as Peleliu. His father, also a corporal, had made it out safely after fighting in Vietnam's jungles near Danang. But luck did not smile upon Cpl. Kevin T. Kolm, the third generation of Kolm men to serve in the Marines.

The Hicksville High School graduate was killed Tuesday as Marines struggled to quell the two-week uprising in Fallujah, west of Baghdad. (Class of 1998)

"My son was where he wanted to be, doing what Marines do," said Kevin T. Kolm's father, Thomas Kolm, yesterday from his Hicksville home. "He was with his brothers, defending other Marines."

Kevin T. Kolm, who was killed Tuesday in Fallujah, is the third Long Island resident to be killed in Iraq since President George W. Bush sent troops there one year ago. Pfc. Raheen T. Heighter, who was posthumously promoted to corporal, was killed July 24. Pfc. Jacob Fletcher, who was posthumously promoted to specialist, was killed Nov. 13. Both were from Bay Shore.

Another Islander, Sgt. Michael J. Esposito Jr., of Brentwood, was killed March 18 in central Afghanistan while trying to suppress resurgent Taliban activity.

Thomas Kolm said he believes his son, who was a member of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, was part of an effort to rescue a group of Marines who were pinned down in Fallujah when his own vehicle came under attack. He said one other Marine was killed in the incident.

Kolm's death came during what has been the deadliest period for American troops since the war began. As of Saturday, 64 service people had been killed over the previous seven days. At least eight more service members, including Kolm, had been killed between Sunday and Wednesday, according to the Defense Department.

In all, 687 soldiers have been killed in Iraq as of 10 a.m. yesterday, according to Defense Department figures.

Thomas Kolm said his son enlisted in the Marines four years ago, when he was 19, and that his tour of duty was to be over this September.

After graduating from Hicksville High School in 1998, he had worked as a carpenter and had taken classes at Nassau Community College. But always, his father said, there were thoughts of joining the Marines.

"I never said to him, 'I want you to join,' but it was always around the house," said Thomas Kolm yesterday, as he sat near the folded American flag that had adorned the coffin of his father, Ralph Kolm, who died in 1978.

Kolm, 23, served as a crew chief for an amphibious assault vehicle, a lightly armored troop carrier capable of landing on a beach and then driving on shore, his father said. He landed in Iraq on March 20, as part of the Marine contingent that replaced the Army's 101st Airborne Division in the Fallujah area.

He called home three times from the battlefield. On April 4, as Marines were massing around Fallujah, he telephoned with a cryptic message, saying something big was about to happen and urging his family to "watch the news."

Thomas Kolm said he last heard from his son at dawn Monday. "He said 'Dad, I just have a moment. Love you guys. Don't know when I'll be able to call back,'" his father said. "Twenty four hours later, he was dead."

Word of Kolm's death spread sadness through Nassau yesterday. County Executive Thomas Suozzi said all flags at area buildings will be flown at half-staff from today to Sunday in Kolm's honor.

"Kevin gave his life protecting the freedom of others," Suozzi said in a release yesterday. "My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Kolm family for their loss."

In Hicksville, flags also flew at half-staff at the school district's nine school building, including at Hicksville High, where Kolm was known as a gregarious comic.

"Kevin is fondly remembered by his teachers and administrators as an enthusiastic and energetic student," Hicksville School Superintendent Maureen Bright said in a statement yesterday. Bright said flags would remain at half-staff throughout the district until after Kolm's funeral, which so far has not been scheduled.

Several of his grieving friends chose to honor him by having the word "Release" - the title of a song by the rock group Pearl Jam - tattooed on their arms. Kolm had worn the same tattoo on his back.

"You can tell the kind of person he was by the support we have been getting," said Bob Rutigliano, 35, of Holtsville, who is engaged to Kolm's only sibling, Christine.

As his family grieves, Thomas Kolm said he was particularly comforted yesterday by a telephone call from Marlowe Fletcher, of Island Park, a veteran who also lost a son to the fighting in Iraq.

"We bonded immediately," Kolm said. "He just said all the right things. He was very emotional, very supportive. It's good to speak to someone who comprehends."

Kolm said he felt "consummate pride, consummate grief" and hoped his son's death would not be used for partisan advantage by people who support the war or oppose it.

Asked what he wants the world to know about his fallen son, his voice broke, but he did not hesitate: "That I'm proud of him."

Copyright (c) 2004, Newsday, Inc.

This article originally appeared at: http://www.newsday.com/ny-lisold163760115apr16,0,7217710.story?coll=ny-homepage-big-pix

Visit Newsday online at http://www.newsday.com
I just received this from Aida & John Econopouly (class of '49 & '50) members in the Hicksville High e-mail Club. You may want to put it in your next "Newsletter" Feel free to Edit it. Enjoy your Newsletter; pass it on to all the members.

Take Care,
Art (Lembke, 1949)

Lorraine McNamara Schack, wife of Howard Schack passed away Friday, April 17, 2004 at their winter home. She was a victim of MS and suffered greatly the last three years.

Both Lorraine and Howard taught at HHS and retired from that district. They lived in Farmingville, N.Y. for many years and the last past three years spent the winters in Lutz, FL.

Aida and I were personally very close to both Lorraine and Howard; they worked in the Sweet Shop during their HS and college years.... they were part of our "family"!

Services will be held on Long Island but as of now no info is available. Those wanting to send cards to Howard address them to 35 Mount McKinley Ave., Farmingville, N.Y. 11738
Fippinger, Evelyn A.
FIPPINGER-Evelyn A., 68, of Livingston Manor, NY and Hicksville, NY, on April 18, 2004. Retired Records Manager for Geico Insurance Co. Daughter of Edward R. and Antonette Popielski Wagner. Evelyn was born April 19, 1935, in Carle Place. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Frank F. Fippinger; five children, Gary Fippinger and his wife Karen of Hicksville, John Fippinger and his wife Deborah of North Merrick, Lynn Gross and her husband Hank of Hicksville, William Fippinger and his wife Virginia of Hicksville and Susan Jones and her husband Allan of Livingston Manor and ten grandchildren. Her family meant everything to her. She was predeceased by one son, Frank. Services were held privately and cremation was held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements were under the direction of Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, Livingston Manor.

Published in Newsday on 4/20/2004

Trivia

Even though they broke up 25 years ago, the Beatles continue to sell more records each year than the Rolling Stones.
George Harrison, with "My Sweet Lord," was the first Beatle to have a Number 1 hit single following the group's breakup.
The Beatles' 1st song to hit the UK charts was "From Me to You" in June, 1963
The Beatles were depicted in wax at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London, in 1964, the first pop album stars to be honored.
The Beatles were George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. But there were also two lesser-known, previous members of the band: Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe.
Elvis Presley made his first appearance on national television in 1956. He sang Blue Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel on "The Dorsey Brothers Show."
In 1962, the Mashed Potato, the Loco-Motion, the Frug, the Monkey, and the Funky Chicken were popular dances.
Jethro Tull is not the name of the rock singer responsible for such songs as "Aqualung" and "Thick as a Brick." Jethro Tull is the name of the band. The singer is Ian Anderson. The original Jethro Tull was an English horticulturalist who invented the seed drill.
Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison were all 27 years old when they died.
MTV (Music Television) made its debut at 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981. The first music-video shown on the rock-video cable channel was, appropriately, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. MTV's original five veejays were Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, J.J. Jackson and Alan Hunter.
The 1st annual Grammy Awards were awarded in 1959. The Record of the Year was "Volare" by Domenico Modugno, the Album of the Year was "Peter Gunn" by Henry Mancini and the winner of the best R&B performance was "Tequila" by Champs. (For info on the latest awards: http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/46full.aspx
The first CD pressed in the US - for commercial release - was Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA'.

Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 1956 (FL)
Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 1960 (NJ)
Bob Casale, 1961 (HX)

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May 2004 : Volume 4 - Issue 8