April 2008 : Volume 8 - Issue 7

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.

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Late addition to the newsletter April 14

Former Spanish teacher Libbie Kozma is in critical condition in a Hollywood, Florida hospital. She misses teaching tremendously and was very sad to have retired. She misses her former students and would like to know what they have been up to.

Margaret Kozma Ryan (daughter)

We know that she will never return home. If she gets any stronger, she will go to a nursing home. Otherwise, into hospice. We will have an answer at the end of the week. She is in Memorial Hospital South, 3600 Washington Street, Room 417, Hollywood, FL 33021

Dear Readers,

Please make sure that This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. are on your safe list. Announcements and welcome letters are being returned with "not accepting" as the explanation by several ISP's; most notably AOL.com.

Thank you,
Your Editors

PLANS FOR CLASS OF '58 REUNION MOVING FORWARD

If you're a member of the Class of 1958, watch the mail - snail and electronic. You will be getting initial details this month about your 50th reunion set for September 19 & 20th on Long Island, along with a chance to offer your suggestions about the types of activities you'd like to see, cost and related aspects.

The 36-member planning team has already identified and will be contacting over 200 members of the Class of '58 and hopes to find most if not all of their remaining classmates by the time final arrangements are made. There were 271 people in the Class of 1958. A list of those they have not yet been able to reach soon will be posted on the reunion website hix58reunion.com. If you know the whereabouts of any of the missing classmates, you can provide the information to the committee via the website.

Serving on the reunion committee are: Dr. Alex Althausen (SC), Matthew Callaghan (NY), Jim Cunningham (AR), John Cunningham (AR), Armand DeRose (NY), Kathleen Donovan Agiesta (NY), Steve Dunefsky (FL), Linda Frimmer Whitlock (FL), Henry Goodman (FL), Gail McClusky Abreau (CA), Patricia McGrath Melis (NY), Rita Mallett Papzian (CT), Patricia Meehan Welles (CT), Nancy Neglia Martirano (NY), Al Notaro (NY), Vicky Penner Whitaker (IL), Pat Rankel Losciale (NY), Carol Rocek Sigloch (NY), Marcia Rubinstein Pollack (NJ), Richard Sneckenberg (CA), Frank Parker (Canada), Carol Stillwaggon (NY), Jeff Vogel (NY), Anita Uhlich Basile (NH), Joy Watson Haller (FL), Pamela Weickmann Swanson (AZ), Janet Wilson Moeller (NY), James Wise (TX), Marilyn Zeiher Reinhardt (NY), Ed Zivica (OR), Phil Cotsonas (NY), Roger Downey (NM), Geraldine Visalli Ferri (CA), Al Magill(NY), Diane Schultz Bessel (NY) and Charles Glasser (NY)

Class of '68 40th Reunion

Looking for any alumni or should have been alumni, class of '68. Dianne Gunnigle Burkhardt and I, Barbara Hoosack Sarluco, are looking to get together a committee for a 40th reunion. We would like to know if anyone is interested in attending or being a part of organizing one for the summer or fall. Dianne's e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 631-744-2738 and mine is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 516-883-0405. Hope to hear from some classmates soon.

FREE HHS REUNION WEBSITE NOW AVAILABLE

Need a website for your HHS reunion? Roger and Vicky (Penner) Whitaker '58 will provide it to your committee free through a new website, http://hixreunion.com/ that they have created exclusively for Hicksville High School classes. Individual classes can have their own sub-site within the overall site such as hixreunion.com/58 in which they can post a class list, committee contacts, reunion details and more. For information, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

I am very pleased to annouce that the upcoming spring concert for the Glass Menagerie will be a very special night.How, you may ask? Well for one, it's not at night. It will be performed on Sunday, May 4th at 3 p.m.. We are back at our performance home of St. Joseph's Church, 371 6th Ave, New York City, ( that's the corner of 6th Ave. and Washington Place in the Village ).Second, the "night" will be a tribute to noted arranger and composer Robert De Cormier, ( you could look it up, or check out the Glass Menagerie's web site, glassmenagerie.org. All the music performed will be works that Mr. De Cormier either arranged and or wrote. The highlight piece will be the entire "Jolly Beggers" . The words are be the great Scottish poet Robert Burns, with music and arrangements by Mr. De Cormier.Mr. De Cormier , who has worked with such notables as Harry Belafonte, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Miriam Makeba, and our own fearless leader, Susan Glass, will be in attendance. A reception will be held after the concert where you will be able to meet and speak to Mr. De CormierI do hope that you all can make it. Tickets are $20.00. The cost to attend the post concert reception will be an additional $10.00.

Love to all
David Teitel

THE MID-LIFE CRISIS BAND WILL BE @

SAT APR 26TH- CALLAHAN'S
SAT MAY 10TH- PORT JAZZ
SAT JUNE 7TH- CALLAHAN'S

VISIT US AT..... WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MIDLIFECRISISLONGISLAND

PEOPLE LOOKIN' FOR PEOPLE

The Newsletter

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I "joined" the Hicksville News Letter about 1 year ago, or less, and enjoy reading all the information you send out to so many classmates of Hicksville High. I graduated in 1946 and haven't seen many listed from that class. At that time, the classes were much smaller than they are now. I did recognize the letter from Harvey Weiss. I believe we were in a couple of classes together. The others that I know are Fred and Sonja Fluckiger. (Belated birthday, Sonja and Happy Anniversary to you and Fred). As for others, they are probably related to "those of our time."

I played in the orchestra and marching band, and belonged to the glee club, played some tennis, as well as attending ball games, etc.. Between that I also roller-skated 6 - 7 nights a week in Mineola and if Figure 8 was doing a performance, that was another nite to rehearse.

I lived at 259 Jerusalem Ave. all my growing days (attending Nicholai and Jr./Sr. High). I married George in 1947, lived in Farmingdale for 29 years before moving to Venice, FL in 1977. We still live in the same house here that we had built. George graduated from HHS in 1939.

My brother, Dick ('45), and his wife and 3 of their 5 children live in Morehead City, NC. We don't get to see them too often or vice versus. Our dad passed away in 1987 and mother in 2005. George's folks passed away in 1978 and 1984.

We enjoy reading the Newsletter every month. All of you on the staff do a fantastic job and it is interesting to read letters and see pictures of others that send in info. Keep up the good work.

Bea (Eisemann) Baldwin

An old picture of Mr & Mrs RauschMr. NasoMy wife and I had the pleasure of having lunch with Mrs. Edna Rusch, wife of Raymond Rusch, teacher and principal at HHS. Mr. Rusch was my home room teacher his first year as a teacher and my freshmen year. She is just a delightful person and doing VERY well for her 80 plus years. I also got to visit with Mr. Pat Naso this past Christmas as he lives about 15 miles from my daughter in North Carolina. He also is doing well for 88 years "young" age. His first year HHS was 1949 and he was one of the best. Thanks to all who work so hard to put out the newsletter.

Stephen Moddle 1953

Editors HixNews,

I am deeply touched, humbled, and honored to be selected to be among those inducted into the Hicksville High School Hall of Fame. My thanks to the committee for considering my nomination and to my dear brother, Joe for thinking I am worthy of this recognition. Thank you for all you do to help us keep in touch and informed.

Peace,
Santo Carfora

Hi, I'm Charlie Alesi... 1968 Alum. I'm looking for Linda Sucarino (1968 Alum) and Elaine Cloke (1969 Alum)...please include this in your list.

Thank you.
Charlie Alesi

Any Hicksville High alumnus who served in a Charles F. Adams class DDG (U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer) should check out this web site: www.adamsclassddgvets.org

The City Council of Jacksonville, Florida has passed a resolution supporting the establishment of the ex- USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) as a Naval ship museum in Jacksonville.

Mike Cava '66

Hey,

I'm here in Port Saint Lucie in Florida. I moved from Dix Hills in March of '06 and I'm loving it here in PSL. It is warm.My real address the same as when I was on LI. It's a sub-address on my son's account in Deer Park.

I read the newsletter each month when I get the time. I've been meaning to send a picture of my house on Maglie Drive in Hicksville from 1954-1955. We moved from NYC in July 1954. Do you have a way to scan a black and white photo? If you do I'll send them along. Maybe you can get a shot as it exists now for comparison. Just let me know.

Thanks for a great newsletter.
Mike Anselmo , '59

Thanks for creating this great newsletter. I have been living in the Los Angeles area since 1982 and am fond of re-visiting all those memories each month. I especially love hearing about fellow alumni and would like to catch up with some of them personally. Is it possible to create a directory page on which we could list out E-mail addresses, so others can contact us and vice versa? I already see a couple of people I'd like to catch up with in the current issue. Otherwise, keep up the great work.

Michael Ollins Class of '63
Los Angeles, CA

HixNews reply:

Dear Michael,

Thanks for the suggestion but we do not publish email addresses unless the sender requests it. This is to protect the privacy/security of our readers. We averaged almost 67K hits a month last year but have only 938 readers on our current list. The internet is worldwide and we have no idea what some people might do with such a list so we have made it a policy to handle email addresses the same way that an unlisted phone number is treated.

Let us know the names of the people you want to contact and we'll send them your address. Then they can get back to you. This method has been working very well so far and many people are back in touch.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

My maiden name was is Carol MacArthur. I graduated from Hicksville Jr. High School and moved to N.J. I would have been a 1960 graduate of the high school. Looking for Maria Heileg ( sp?) who did graduate 1960 and went on to Parsons , NYC. Also girls who lived close by and also graduated 1960, sorry can only remember first names, Jean, Jan and Joan. Would love to hear from anyone who was in Jr. High with me.

Thanks!
Carol MacArthur Egan
Melbourne Beach, Fl.

Dear Editors,

HixNews is great, makes me want to come back and live in Hicksville. Unfortunately Billy Joel is right when he sang about the Village Green and Brenda and Eddie, he sang "but you can never go back there again." Memories are all I have and they are great ones. So please keep up the good work and the fond memories will live on.

I'm from the class of 66 and I only attended HHS my senior year. I believe anyone that remembers me will remember my car a 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu Super Sport. Many times I laid a patch of rubber in the parking lot by the Drivers Ed trailers. I raced on Division Ave in front of the school against whoever thought they could beat my car. I only have slides of that car so I can't send any pictures of it. I do still have a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado that I bought when I lived at 67 Gardner Ave in Hicksville. I bought it in 1973 and still have it today. They only made 2100 of them and mine came from Commack, I bought it from the original owner's estate. It is in excellent condition except for some of the chrome needs replating. I drive it to shows and other events in the spring and summer. It still has the original engine, the 365 cu. in. V-8 with factory dual quads, producing 325 horsepower. I had the interior, nylon top and body restored in 1997. In 1976 when I moved to Ohio my brother-in-law drove it from Hicksville to Akron. I'm sure it could still make it home to Hicksville today.

If anyone wants to reach me I can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I sure would enjoy hearing from some high school friends. People in Ohio can't believe I went to high school with Billy Joel.

Thanks for the newsletter please keep it up. I've enclosed some pictures of the Eldorado that were taken in the spring of 2007.

Sincerely,
Bob Gerrets, Class of 66

I got a good laugh out of the comments about prices in 1955. I worked at Scheiner's Pharmacy in High School and for the four years at Hofstra. Old Doc Scheiner was a gentleman, paying $1.25 an hour. (He also let Charlie Wilson and I use the delivery car on Saturday nights.)

We got tips for delivering prescriptions... mostly dimes, but many quarters. So... I usually saved my "salary" and lived on the tips. Gas was indeed $.25 or $.29 and I could take Jane Engle to the movie for about a dollar if I remember correctly. (That included popcorn.) Many years later as my business life progressed and there were raises and such., I often joked that I had had more spending money in those wonderful days. One Saturday evening after the day at Scheiners was done I stopped off at Goldman Brothers and bought a sweater for $5.00! I loved that thing and wore it to tatters over many years. Five bucks for a sweater, hard to believe!

Frank Scarangella '55

Dear Editors,

Please add the following to your list of people looking for people. I've often wondered how Maureen Werner (class of 57 I think) is doing. Maureen and I dated awhile. She was quite beautiful, a real lady and lots of fun. So...

Frank Scarangella '55 looking for Maureen Werner '57. Thanks

How pleasantly surprised I was upon opening up the March newsletter and seeing Carol Christopher Fox's nice note about our last visit along with my yearbook photo. It is so nice to be reunited with old friends.

My husband Jerry and I are very happily and healthfully retired in Ocala, FL. We were both employed by the NYC Board of Education. My retirement finds me incredibly busy. We travel often and have completed two 107 day World Cruises. When at home I synchronize swim, dance, do yoga and we are very involved in a theater group. We have been involved in every aspect of theater production including acting. It is great fun. They do not however let me sing on stage. That has not changed since my student days. No talent along those lines.

We do come north often to visit with our three sons and their families. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. My e-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I want to thank the production staff of Hixnews for a fun and informative newsletter.

Sincerely,
Ellen "Sandy" Sandler Wolfe. Class of 1960

Just learned of this site: Ken Kopher; class of 1974; b-day 11/23; live in suburbs of Baltimore, MD,
spouse name: Joyce.. Please add me to your newsletter list.
Thanks.

Dear Editors,

My brother is very honored and humbled by his selection to the HixNews Hall of Fame and I am tickled to death that he has been selected. Thanks for the consideration and excellent coverage in the March Newsletter. It is very much appreciated.

Best regards,
Joe Carfora '62

Hello all,

You are doing a wonderful job with the newsletter and I thoroughly enjoy reading it each month. Just thought I would update my information.Very few people remember me-I seemed to be invisible during my high school years. My maiden name is Claramae Gross, class of '64. While out with my girlfriend, Linda, I bumped into Sid Weiss ('64) and met my future brother-in-law, Carl Ceravino. Carl and Linda introduced me to Carl's brother, John ('64) and the rest is history!John and I were married September 20, 1969 and we now how four grown children, Dawn, 36; John, 35; Tracey, 34; and Christopher, 24. We will be having a very busy 2007. Our son, John will be getting married in April and our daughter Tracey will be getting married in July, in Bermuda. I am hoping that these weddings will bring us the grandchildren that we have been impatiently waiting for!!We have lived in Centereach for almost 30 years. I worked for Staples for 12 years as a manager, left for a year to work with my daughter, and I am now looking for another retail management position. John works as a driver for Hostess. John's birthday is August 23rd and mine is September 13th.Would love to hear from other 1964 grads, especially those who went to Old Country Rd. School.

I have an update on a sad note. My brother-in-law, Frank L. Petrie Jr., class of '57, retired Air Force Major, passed away on December 18th, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Our family traveled to LA to be with my sister-in-law Carol, ('61). He left two children, Patti and Frank, a daughter-in-law, Amy, a son-in-law, Billy and three granddaughters, Alyssa, Jessica and Victoria. He will be greatly missed.Thanks again for all the work that you all do in putting together the newsletter.Claire (Claramae Gross) Ceravino

Hi:

It's E Zivica. I just put my novel 'Whispering Whale' on eBay. Perhaps you are willing to spread the word.

Thanks for the consideration.
EZ ('58)

Hi,

my name is John Ebbecke, (Big E to alot of my friends). I graduated in 1972. After graduating Oneonta in 76, I've lived in Commack since, raising a family and working out here. Unfortunately, I'm sure all my kids will not be living on Long Island after college. This area is ruined with high cost greed and taxes. Growing up in the Woodbury-South Oyster Bay Rd section of Hicksville, we had a little different take on things. Like walking home three miles even in snow, after playing my high school basketball games Friday nights. Any alumni from the Methodist Church league team out there? I was recruited to play with some other guys in 72. I was Catholic, others were Jewish and Baptist, a true interfaith team, we were so good that year we got to play a team for the right to play in a national tournament. My friends and I lived near "enemy turf", the triangle where Hicksville meets Plainview and Syosset. It was always fun to venture into their territory just to spy on them, or play in ball games against them. Mid Island stories on here were cool when we walked the two miles or less cutting across the LIRR when there was no fence. My brother and a lot of my friends worked at the Food Fair there and the one in Plainview. We used to meet there Friday nights and then go to Iaonne's on West John for pizza and brewskies. Also, had our own softball leagues. Can't do that now, need to pay for permits, or the school fields are locked up. Anyone remember the big theater on South Oyster Bay Road, so big they had boxing closed circuit, and concerts like the Hassles, Billy Joel's old group, as well as movies? Though I was too young to go, I think they had an Allman Brothers concert there. Anyone out there kids from the sixties from the Woodland Ave area or Hillside Terrace? We used to live at Woodland as I was two blocks away, stickball in summer, baseball after school, dodge ball classics during lunch, Hoops 365 days a year!! Those were the days.

If you want to email, love to chat, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I'm still confused with the Junior High since first day. Why did you go up a flight of stairs in the front section, yet still were considered on the same floor? No confusion, with 8th period, 10th grade English with Mrs. Sanderson. Great class and my first huge crush, she caused me never to cut out before the end of school!! Hey, BIG PROPS to Mr. Vetrano and his mass media class in 11th grade. Boy was he like 20 years ahead of his time? How the media brainwashed us with editorialized TV shows and news, subliminal advertising. Mr. V's class was truly a trip that made the HS bearable. Like Mr. Cohen's Ecology class with the whole "brick in the toilet tank" to save water.

Big E

Hi!

My name is Barbara (Jones) Benjamin and graduated in '66, lived on Cambridge Dr, and attended Woodland Ave. School. I live with my husband, Jim, and Golden Retriever, Lily, in Killingworth, CT. I am now completing my 36th year teaching grades 3-4 as a looping teacher and FINALLY plan to retire this June. We are leaving at the end of June to travel the eastern half of the country, called "The Great Circle Loop" on our 42 Nordic Tug trawler, Golden Lily. The route includes the Hudson River, Great Lakes, inland rivers to Mobile, AL, Gulf of Mexico, and finally the ICW. It will take us a year to complete the trip. We have a website, and I will be logging our trip as I did this past summer on our trip to Canada. If we pass any Hicksville High graduates on the way, please email us. We'd love to stop and visit!

It's a small world when boating. In 2001 when we were traveling the Erie Canal, we met a couple who live in Carmel, NY and had just docked after we did. We had never met them before, but decided to go out to dinner together. As we walked to a local restaurant, Judy (Kaufman) Levy '62 and I discovered we both attended HHS. In 2005 while docked in Westport, NY on Lake Champlain, I settled in to read the July issue of HixNews. Shelly (Heyman, '61) Baron had just written in to describe the fun she was having on a boat on L. Champlain, but never mentioned where. The next day I was talking to a woman on our dock, and it turned out she went to HHS, and she was the one who had written to HixNews!

Barbara

www.goldenlilytug.com

You are doing a great job with pictures of Hicksville and Hicksville trivia. Here is some trivia about JABBY'S, if you want to put it in HixNews. In 1956, there was a piano player named BUZZY MOORE who played the piano at JABBY'S on weekends. You would know when he was there because he always parked his 1956 new Cadillac convertible right in front of the place. I want to become member of HixNews, as I like trivia about Hicksville and Hicksville High School as that was part of my life.>

TRIVIA: The picture of the bank on Broadway in Hicksville by the railroad overpass, there is an alleyway alongside the bank and a store. That store in 1956 used to be SPIRO'S appliance store. The alleyway was where I would go with my uncle (RICHIE HATTENBACK) who was delivery man for SPIRO'S to pick up appliances to be delivered. I was his helper in 1956.

I lived at 46 Haverford Rd, Hicksville from 1952 to 1962. I have not seen that house in 46 years. My parents bought it and were afraid they could not afford it but they wanted to get away from Jersey City, NJ. I also lived at 35 Oak Tree Lane in Levittown until 1994 when I retired to Florida. I have not seen that house in 14 years. I paid $14,000 for it (handyman's special) and now I understand it is worth $370,000!

Thank you. Keep up the outstanding work.
John Hattenback, '56

Classmates,

I was talking to Pete Zeiher ('49) Sunday night. He was rushed to the hospital Jan. 19th for an emergency operation. He had an ulcer in his stomach that ruptured, spent 11 days in ICU. (He is) Still having problems eating and getting his strength back.

If anyone wants to send a note or card his address is below:

8 Flower Hill Lane
Bayshore, NY 11706

Keep in touch,
Art Lembke, '49

Update: The newsletter received a 'thank you' note from Pete Zeiher for the card we sent. He says he's getting back on his feet and looking forward to a cruise in April.He also mentioned chatting with Dr. Michael Masciello, an HS grad, while in the hospital.

Ray Babinski ('56) is looking for a copy of THE COMET yearbook for 1956.

Ray also wonders what ever became of the luncheonette on the corner across the street from St. Ignatius? He believes it was owned by a Greek family. That place used to be like a second home to him.

Chuck and Ron Wilson (on motorcycle) Chuck piloting his Learjet 1977 Ron Wilson (in water) and Jerry Kelley

From Bob Casale:

Picture of the house taken in February, 2001I had an interesting call on my home phone several weeks ago. A man I don't know left a message... something that resembled the following: "You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I have some questions I'd like to ask you. If you want, you can call me at the following number."

I called out of curiosity pretty certain it wasn't the IRS looking for me.What transpired is pretty neat. It turns out the man was the second owner of the 14 Edgewood Drive house after my family sold it back in 1965. He researched the house through the property records in Mineola. He was unable to get the information he wanted from the previous owners, so went a little further and found the name Casale as former owners.

Then he searched Casale and Hicksville on the internet and while doing so, was brought to the Hicksville High School Newsletter. Not sure that the Casale listed would know about the 14 Edgewood Drive address, he sent a note to the Editors and Pat was kind enough to put him in touch with me.When I told him that I did live there until 1965, he was ecstatic. He was interested in any pictures I might have of the house when we owned it. I have several, so made copies and emailed them to him.

I didn't realize the newsletter pops up when you do a google search. I guess we're in the big time now and our mailing list continues to grow.Is there a place that critiques newsletters and is there a spot that gives awards for newsletters???

I found some pictures from 14 Edgewood Drive and they feature several of my sister Eileen's friends...just ignore me.

Bob Casale '61, Chris Heidt '59 Billy Holton '60, Bob Casale,
John Reichle '59 Bob Casale '61, Ronni Gardner '59 Bob Casale, Kathy Kapsol '61 Joy Gannotti '59, Bob Casale

Project Plan...I was in the junior high building when I (along with others) was chosen to be in "Project Plan" a learning strategy developed by Westinghouse. It was a "learn at your own speed" class format, where you started with a "module" which gave guidelines to a certain subject, and you had to read, research and investigate the information. At the end of the module was a test, on computer cards, and if you passed, you went on to the next "module" if not, you could take it as many times it took till you passed.

Not bad...EXCEPT, it contained no info relating to the Regents exam!!! With about 3 weeks to the Algebra regents, our teacher, Mr. Harmozi, realized this and crammed a whole year of math into our heads...Well, I passed with a 68.

Thanks, Mr. Harmozi, where ever you are.

Bob Goldmacher, '73

Any info on a guy named Gale King? He used to stripe all our cars, you know pin-striping.

Bob Uhlich, '57

Hi Everyone:

Hope all are healthy and happy, especially the class of 1956. If you have time, catch me on the web at www.howcast.com in "How to Appear Younger Than You Really Are." It was a fun shoot and the webisode is hysterical!

http://www.howcast.com/videos/3020-How-To-Appear-Younger-Than-You-Really-Are

All best wishes to everyone,
Harri Molese, Class of 1956

Photo Gallery

Birthdays & Anniversaries

New Readers & Returns

New Readers

• Ray Babinski, 1956 (SC)
• Joe Barna, 1963 (NY)
• Martin Burkhardt, 1963 (L.I.)
• Dianne (Gunnigle) Burkhardt, 1968 (L.I.)
• Betty (Frazer) Carter (FL)
• Rose (Oswald) Colasuonno, 1976 (VA)
• John Ebbecke, 1972 (L.I.)
• Carol (MacArthur) Egan, friend of HHS (FL)
• Herb Finkelman, 1966 (MD)
• Jane Harlin, 1967 (FL)
• John Hattenback, 1956 (FL)
• Phil Hearon, 1964
• Ed Kasten, 1956
• Ken Kopher, 1974 (MD)
• Johathan Smith, 1968
• Fred Manown, 1956 (L.I.)
• Joan (McGee) Manown, 1957 (L.I.)
• Dave Martin (HX)
• Gail (McClusky) Abreau, 1958 (CA)
• Dr. Alex Althausen, 1958 (SC)
• Matthew Callaghan, 1958 (NY)
• Phil Cotsonas, 1958 (NY)
• Jim Cunningham, 1958 (AR)
• Armand DeRose, 1958 (NY)
• Geraldine (Visalli) Ferri, 1958 (CA)
• Charlie Glaser, 1958 (NY)
• Pat (Rankel) Losciale, 1958 (NY)
• Alfred Magill, 1958, (NY)
• Pat (McGrath) Melis, 1958 (NY)
• Janet (Wilson) Moeller, 1958 (NY)
• Al Notaro, 1958 (NY)
• Charlotte (?) Notaro, 1959 (NY)
• Pam (Weickmann) Swanson, 1958 (AZ)
• Pat (Meehan) Welles, 1958 (CT)

Returns

Remember the 3 strike rule: Three returns and your name will be removed from our mailing list. If you see your name listed below and still wish to be contacted by HixNews, please send a change of address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Also, you may want to contact your ISP and advise them that HixNews is NOT SPAM.

• Linda (Walker) Boehm, 1962 (x2)
• Jan Barbara (Cohen) Brenner, 1965 (x2)
• Bill Canham, 1961
• Harvey Dunefsky, 1956
• Bill Kozma, 1963
• Jean UNKNOWN last name, 1967

Honoring our Veterans

A Time To Remember, To Reflect, To Heal: The Weekend Of June 6, 2008 

HixNews Hall of Fame Nominee Joe Ingino, class of '67, who is an integral part of planning for the June 6 weekend's events, would like to see one of those events be a reunion of those of us from Hicksville who served, friends and family - any era, any branch, but especially Vietnam. As to the overall event...

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Washington, D.C.

1959... In Honor of the Men and Women of the Armed Forces of the United States Who Served In the Vietnam War. The Names of Those Who Gave Their Lives and of Those Who Remain Missing Are Inscribed In the Order They Were Taken From Us. Our Nation Honors the Courage, Sacrifice and Devotion To Duty and Country of Its Vietnam Veterans. This Memorial Was Built With Private Contributions From the American People. ...1975

March 29, 2008 marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the withdrawal of the last American combat troops from Vietnam.

During a period that spans almost two-decades, over 10 million Americans served on active duty, with 3 1/2 million serving in Southeast Asia. Over 30,000 were wounded in battle; hundreds of thousands are still severely disabled.

As of May 5, 2007, when another name was added, 58,256 men and women who were killed or remain missing have had their name carved in The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

This National Park Service site is their most-visited in D.C. The monument commemorates U.S. dead and missing-in-action who served in the Vietnam War, and has long been noted for its tremendous emotional impact.

Although the war exacted a significant toll both home and overseas, many of our community who might want to, may not be able to visit our nation's capital to experience "The Wall," a powerful reminder of the price of freedom that we enjoy. The memorial inspires our respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our right to liberty and democracy.

Now, for three days, beginning on June 6, 2008, the "Dignity Memorial(R) Vietnam Wall Experience," a traveling, three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, will be at the Hicksville Sears during this June weekend. This faux-granite replica is 240 feet long, inscribed with the names of the Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam, allows for rubbings, and is eight feet high. This will be an opportunity for residents who have been unable to travel to partake in the experience. It will be a valuable learning venue for our children who know little about the Vietnam War.

The 'Wall' will be open around the clock from 8 a.m. June 6th until 6 p.m. June 8th. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay, Dignity Memorial, and the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Homes.

We hope you will join us there.

As I, too, am involved with the planning, I'm in an ideal position to ensure that if we want to do something, official or otherwise, it will happen.

Next month I'll write more about the event. For the time being here's some information about the volunteers we need.

For the three days beginning June 6, we are looking for volunteers to help us with: Hospitality Assistance; Physically Challenged Assistance; Programs & Ceremonies Assistance; Site Assistance, and; Visitor Assistance. For those three days we have identified six four-hour time frames: 8 am - 12 pm; 12 pm - 4 pm; 4 pm - 8 pm; 8 pm - 12 am; 12 am - 4 am, and; 4 am - 8 am. We are also looking for volunteers to assist us with the reading of 'Names.' If there is enough interest, the names etched on "The Wall" will be read during the three days, in 20-minute intervals.

If you might be interested in volunteering, please contact me directly - 516.733.8414 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - for additional information.

This Month's Not Commented on Article

- If The Information Doesn't Your Position Increase... Then The Information Do Not Release

VA WITHHOLDS INFORMATION FROM FORT WAYNE HOSPITAL REPORT -- The
administration will not release the recommendations or suggestions in a $530,000 report ordered by Congress to assess whether services at the Fort Wayne Veterans Affairs hospital should be expanded or drastically reduced. About 160,000 veterans live in the 25 Indiana counties and three Ohio counties served by the hospital. Roughly 30 percent of them are in the VA health care system. Booz Allen Hamilton submitted a report in September 2007, but the Veterans Administration refused to make it public. Last month The Journal Gazette filed a request for it under the Freedom of Information Act. Three-fourths of the 78-page report was withheld by VA officials. Of the 21 pages that were released, most had thick black lines through sentences or whole paragraphs. Even the table of contents was blacked out. The omitted material referred to anything involved in a decision-making process, including opinions, findings and conclusions. The VA's Freedom of Information Act officer said no one outside of the agency will ever see a full copy of the report unless a congressional committee with oversight of the VA demands it as part of an investigation. 

Hicksville Trivia: Mid-Island Plaza! If you went to Hicksville High in the 60s, then the 'Plaza' meant a lot to you. In my re-telling of personal trivia involving the 'Plaza' I've already mentioned: the bagel-stands; the soft-ice cream stand; Food Fair; the Kodak camera store, and; Gertz. This month, how about the 'Plaza's' truck-tunnel? An east-west tunnel nowhere as famous as the Chunnel that connects England and France (...not even near - smile), for those who remember
the tunnel... they r.e.m.e.m.b.e.r the tunnel. With that said (and as Stan Lee, of Marvel Comic Books fame, might then say), 'Nuf Said! 

Lest We Forget

Currently there are (at least) 4,880 Veterans of Modern Warfare who no longer will be "asking" our government for a dime . . .

Till next month be well... and remember, "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"

--- --- Walt Schmidt Veteran Services Officer
- - --- TOBay's Veteran Services Division
- - - - "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!"
--- --- WorkDayTime: 516.733.8414 & 24/7 Voice Mail
- - --- Anytime: 24/7 Voice Mail 516.799.8300
- - - - Website: http://www.waltsdorsai.net/
Ken Sun - Weekly Column: http://experts.longisland.com/veterans

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."
- Lao-Tzu 71:1

The elderly parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood!

Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray Beach, Fla. , eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event.

He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing," he said bitterly.

At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you."

Then the old soldier began to cry.

"That really got to me," Bierstock says. Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.

"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.

"It made me cry," wrote one veteran's son. Another sent an e-mail saying that only after his father consumed several glasses of win e would he discuss "the unspeakable horrors" he and other soldiers had witnessed in places such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. "I can never thank them enough," the son wrote. "Thank you for thinking about them."

Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.

GOD BLESS every EVERY veteran...
and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

I received this from my brother which I found very moving and thought you might include it in the next newsletter as part of Honoring our Vets.

OUTSTANDING!!!

This film was made by a 15 year old girl.

The following is the hottest thing on the internet and on Fox News.
Lizzie Palmer who put this YouTube program together is 15 years old. There
have been over 3,000,000 hits. In case you missed it,

Here it is.  Watch all of it.......and, pass it on!!

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Tom Pilko, 1959

The Few, The Proud...

Making the internet rounds...

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty-five feet away. I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, "You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, "Looks like you're having a problem." He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old gentleman that I would be right back. I drove to the
station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him. The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman. When I shook hands with him earlier he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I
nodded and asked the usual question, "What outfit did you serve with?" He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over.

As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me. One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me and I said I would and drove off. For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long, time. The
name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name... "Congressional Medal of Honor Society."

I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man alright, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence.

America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall.

 You have to love the sense of humor of the American GI!

Ted Swedalla, class of '64, participates annually in this fundraiser to benefit disabled veterans.

JOIN THE "DREAMCATCHERS" TEAM TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS!!

 Dear Friend,

 Last year you may recall that my husband Ted and I participated in the Face of America bike ride to benefit disabled Veterans.  On May 3rd & 4th, 2008 World T.E.A.M. Sports (The Exceptional Athlete Matters), working with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, The National Navy Medical Center, The Soldiers Angel Foundation, The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and others will be hosting the 2008 Face of America Bike Ride, a two-day inclusive bike ride from Bethesda, MD to historic Gettysburg, PA to honor and assist servicemen and women who have been severely injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and any and all other servicemen and women as well.

This ride offers the unique opportunity for anybody to ride side by side with these heroes and personally encourage them and let them know that they can still be active athletes and still be a part of the TEAM.  There is no charge for any active duty servicemen or women, both able-bodied and disabled, to participate. There is a $ 400 minimum fundraising goal for all other participants. The money raised will pay for all the costs of the active duty participants, including accommodations, food, outreach, providing usage of bikes, cycling clinics, and all other costs associated with the ride.

For over 18 years, World T.E.A.M. Sports has produced inclusive sporting events all over the world, including a ride the length of Vietnam , teaming veterans from both sides of that war, The Face of America rides, and free inclusive sports and character-building programs for inner-city kids.

The 2008 Face of America ride is the sixth such ride, with previous rides including rides from Ground Zero in New York to the Pentagon in 2002 after the 9/11 tragedies.  World T.E.A.M. Sports uses the universal power of sports to create soul-stirring experiences by teaming people with disabilities with able-bodied people, forming a true T.E.A.M.   "We all ride the same road"

THIS IS HOW YOU CAN HELP: 

1) Donate.  We are very appreciative of any financial support that you give for this project.  To donate:

Go to: http://www.worldteamsports.org/

Press "Click Here to Register" (in center of page)

Press "Sponsor Participant".  Type in S. Terri Giannetti.  Scroll down to click on name in highlighted link and follow directions from there.

2) Dust off your bike and join the ride.  Please know that this is not a race....it is an opportunity to show our Veterans our support.  The participants, both able-bodied and disabled, range in riding skill from fairly high speed to fairly high drag.  Last year a middle aged couple showed up on mountain bikes and completed the ride with much cheering from the sidelines!!!  

Tee-shirt and dinner for you is at no additional charge.  Don't be alarmed by the minimum donation requirement.  That is why we are a team - we will divert donations your way if you need help.   OR:

 3) Volunteer as support staff on the weekend of the ride.  There are numerous ways that you can help such as SAG support, Rest Stop support, EMT, Massage therapists, etc.  Last year I loaded wheelchairs into our van and drove it to each rest stop so the riders could get off their bikes and rest.  Since I will be riding this year, we would like someone to take over this task.  Please contact me directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to inquire about this task.  For all others to volunteer:   

  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR VETERANS AND THE DREAMCATCHERS TEAM!!   

____________________________
S. Terri Giannetti
Beowulf Kennel - 148 Park Lane
Middle Island, NY, 11953
(631) 924-1158 / Cell: (631) 384-6545

To the Editors of the news Letter.

I received this news video from a fellow Vet. I could not believe what I was watching.

Yours Truly Tony Masi Class 1963, Navy Vet.

You might not believe this could happen in our country, but it has...

Missing In America Project ("MIAP") Mission Statement: The purpose of the MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes. Scope: The initial focus of the MIA Project is a massive, nation-wide effort to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed remains of forgotten veterans. This task will be executed through the combined, cooperative efforts of members of the American Legion, other volunteer service and veteran organizations, local Funeral Homes, State Funeral Commissions, State and National Veterans Administration Agencies, and the State and National Veterans Cemetery Administrations. Local, state and national laws must be followed in the identification, claiming process and proper interment of the unclaimed remains of forgotten veterans.

Ken Sun - Weekly Column: http://experts.longisland.com/veterans

"To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty."
- Lao-Tzu 71:1 

Memory Lane

The Nassau Farmer's Market opened in l954 on Hicksville Road on the present site of Waldbaums, Hicksville Road. The 600 foot long shed-like building had 400 stalls selling everything from produce to clothing and furniture. The merry-go-round was a big attraction for the children as was a small movie theater. Fond memories still remain among the residents who remember the fresh vegetables, fruit and bread on Friday and Saturdays. Strolling the stalls in the evening became a night out for the family. Unfortunately, a suspicious fire destroyed the entire market in l987. A shopping mall was proposed and built the following year.

The Farmers Market began as a place where fresh produce was sold, then expanded into plumbing supplies and home-improvement items for the nearby Levittown development. During the 1960's it evolved into a general department store with a wide variety of wares.

The market - on State Route 107 across from the main plant of the Grumman Corporation three miles south of Exit 41 of the Long Island Expressway near the eastern end of Nassau County - attracted as many as 40,000 shoppers a week. It was one of the first in the New York metropolitan area to provide such innovations as baby sitters for shoppers. It also offered roving musicians for holiday celebrations.

Above found on the nytimes.com site

Reflections on a half century of Nassau development - Jerry Spiegel, chairman of Spiegel Associates.

In 1953, he opened the Nassau Farmers' Market, which became an instant success. Ever the showman, he became one of the first developers to hire celebrities to attract shoppers. Though appearances by Eydie Gorme and Eddie Fisher were successful, he claims his most popular promotions involved a customer's monkey and a "Guess the Weight of the Pig Contest," where the winner got the pig.

Above from an article on the bnet.com site.

Courtesy of my Aunt Sherrie, who BTW used to live in Huntington many years ago, a comprehensive list of places on Long Island that used to be and what exists in its place today.

Here's a little quiz...

...to see how much you remember about some less-than-important things from a few decades back. It's just for fun, no scoring involved. Even the wrong answers may bring back a memory or two. Have Fun (but no peeking!).

Okay, that's it.

It might help if you are over 55; this is no "pushover".

In Memoria

To all who may remember Grace Cirocco Harris, this is notification of her passing to be with the LORD on Dec.2, 2007. Grace graduated from Hicksville High School June 1952. Grace was a cheerleader. Many of us who knew and loved her take comfort in the wonderful memories we have.

Submitted by Betty Frazer Carter

Frank L. Petrie Jr., class of '57, retired Air Force Major, passed away on December 18th, in Bossier City, Louisiana. He left his wife Carol (class of '61), two children, Patti and Frank, a daughter-in-law, Amy, a son-in-law, Billy and three granddaughters, Alyssa, Jessica and Victoria. He will be greatly missed.

Evangeline "Vange" Econ, class of 1976, passed away on February 3, 2008. Vange and I grew up next door to each other on 11th Street. Vange went to Lee Avenue school. She was awarded the girl's physical education award for excellence at our 6th grade graduation ceremony. Vange was such a funny person and had a great outlook on life. She had many friends in elementary, junior and senior high school. She had moved to Florida and was living in Port Richey. For anyone who knew Vange in school, I can tell you, she remained the same fun-loving person you went to school with. We kept in touch over the years and saw each other just last August. She had all her looney tunes collection, her albums and 8-track tapes. Vange was never on time....'til the end. What a great friend we'll all miss!

Cathy Colasanto (Link), class of 1976

The newsletter has been informed that Nancy Walsh Gustafson, class of 1958, is deceased.

Chimeko Sada '58 wanted to pass along the information that her older brother, SUYEYOSHI "Arch" SADA passed away 13 Apr 2000 in North Carolina.

Dianne (Gunnigle) Burkhardt informs us that Betty Kenny, class of 1957, passed away about 10 years ago.

OFENLOCH - Bernard Medard, of Hicksville, NY (HHS class of 1936) suddenly on February 19. Beloved husband of 60 years to Alice Mae (Apgar). Devoted father of Cathleen Gensinger (Dennis), Patricia Longo (Vincent), Diane O'Brien (William), Thomas (Deborah), Carol Tranchina (John) and Eileen Pelcher (Charles). Adored and much loved grandfather of 20 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 2 angels in Heaven. Also survived by sisters Rita Schlosser, Bernadette Hoffman, Mercedes Quinn (John), Gwendolyn Murphy (William) and sisters-in-law Audrey and Darlene Apgar. He will be sadly missed by dozens of nieces and nephews. Bernard was a lifelong Hicksville resident, a 65 year member of the Hicksville Fire department, former Fire Commissioner and Fire Chief, Veteran of WWII, member of the Hicksville VFW, American Legion and 4th Degree Grand Knight of the Joseph Barry Council, Retired Nassau County Police Department. Reposing at the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, 47 Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, Thursday 2-5 pm. Firematic services will be held Thursday evening 7-10 pm at the Hicksville Fire Department Headquarters, 20 Marie St.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday 9:45 am St. Ignatius RC Church

129 Broadway Hicksville, NY. Interment Long Island National Cemetery.
Published in Newsday on 2/21/2008

It is not mentioned in the obituary that my Dad was moved from Dalton's Funeral Home to the Hicksville Fire Dept. - Station 1 on Marie Street, Thursday evening, Feb.21, where firematic services were held.

On Friday morning, he was escorted by the Nassau County Fire Dept and the Hicksville Fire Dept. to L.I. (Pinelawn) National Cemetery in Farmingdale, where he was laid to rest.

All of Hicksville's fire trucks were in the funeral procession enroute to St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church were a Mass of the Christian Burial was said by Rev. Msgr. Donald T. Bennett. Several neighboring fire districts, including Bethpage, Carle Place, Jericho, Westbury, East Meadow and Levittown F.D.s covered Hicksville in case of an emergency and 5 other fire districts beside Hicksville erected arches along the way with aerial ladder trucks displaying the American Flag. They were Hicksville, Syosset, Bethpage, Plainview, Farmingdale and So. Farmingdale Fire Depts.

Cathy Gensinger