The Newsletter
This photo (left) of Jim Tweeddale and Jane Tweeddale Adams '55 was made in April of 2008 during a recent visit to Cypress Gardens. Jim lives in Mt. Dora Florida and Jane lives in Yorktown Virginia. Both are still going strong.
Hello friends @ Hixnews! My aunt Carol Berry (Mack) turned me on to your newsletter and boy what an awesome job you have done.
I now reside in Nashville, TN
I am looking for the following friends:
Jimmy Florio, Class of 1976 Phil Bova, English Teacher @ HJHS
I was a graduate of the Class of 1977. One of my fondest memories of HHS involved cool cars and the two-lane strip in front of the school. Before I get myself in trouble, let me say we kept it under the speed limit? I grew up with a bunch of car guys (before "Meguiars" stole that saying) and we lived for the sound of a hot V-8. My Dad worked at Eisemann Buick and I hung out there frequently. His passion for cars was instilled in me to this day.
I began to hang out with what would be considered "the greasers". You know...leather jackets, fast cars, etc. If you saw the movie "Grease" you know what group I'm talking about. Some of my car buddies included James Florio (the coolest Fonz-type friend a guy could ever wish for), Robert Jennett, Tony Cotugno, Billy Dizinias, John Martorello (think "John Milner" from "American Graffiti"), John Boseman, Ricky Eiffert, Pete Kwashan, Kenny Znack, Steve Nethersole, Ronny Rose (RIP), and I few more I cannot recall.
Getting back to my fondest memory introduction, "the strip" in front of HHS was our "drag strip" so to speak. While it wasn't a quarter mile long, it did allow us to bang gears and put on a show for the "students" peering out the windows. We had some great times and never crashed, hit any students (in a car or out walking), or even got ticketed by Hicksville's finest although they tried many times.
Looking back I feel extremely fortunate to grow up in Hicksville; a great town with little or no crime, great friends, and lasting memories. I have so many more memories I could write a book!
Thank-you Staff of Hixnews for this opportunity to reminisce!
John DeLuca, Class of 1977
(Editorial note: Ask Chris Thiel if he ever crashed into anything in front of Hicksville High?)
Bob;
Keep sending your excellent work on Hicksville, Hixnews. I've had computer trouble, new hard drive and spam issues. Probably that's the reason for the reject.
I wanted to say thank you and your team for the first rate journal you publish. It has brought back a lot of memories. I so much want to visit New York and Hicksville. I am going to steal the time, and combine trips so I can make it possible.
Thanks for publishing Chuck Wilson with Frank S. and me. Chuck would have been very happy. He was in contact with Pat Driscoll before he died. I keep promising to send you something and I will.
You can publish this email for me and send the Hixnews there and here;
Thanks,
Ron Wilson
Santee CA
My wife and I just recently returned form a vacation to China and Japan. This is the first time we participated in a escorted tour, normally we and our travel partners pick a country and cities we want to visit and get on the plane and away we go, But because of the major differences in written and spoke language we decided on a tour from Pacific Delights. We all met for the first time in Beijing, China, and for the next two weeks traveled and got to know one another. Two of the group was a mother and daughter traveling together, the mother living in Hicksville and the daughter from Livingston, N.J. I asked if she went to Hicksville High and she did, class of '66, we had a lot to talk about during the trip.
So you never know where our paths may cross with ex Hicksville residents. I introduced her to the Hicksville Newsletter, and she was going to look it up when she got home, so I hope you have another new reader.
George Baritt '56
George and his wife, HanneThis might bring back fond memories, this person I mentioned is Janet Cashion, (Janet Kapsol Cashion), she mentioned her sister was your prom date, and they still have the prom photos in their family album.
Hi, thanks for the great work you do to bring memories of Hicksville to the forefront. My name is Jim Gorman and I noticed that Margaret Korma and Judy Molinari (hi Frank) have found the newsletter.
I used to live on Lowell Place in Hicksville. I remember Margaret and Karl Korma. Frank Molinari is a memorable character, who always made me laugh and while I didn't know Judy very well, I knew Billy; we played music together.
Jim Gorman, '66
Please add me to the Hicksville Newsletter list. Although I didn't graduate from Hicksville High, I did go to Lee Ave and lived in Hicksville throughout my college years. After Lee Ave I went to Catholic School.
Rudy Caruso (67)
North Massapequa, NY
DOB 7/27
Anniv 10/31/82
Wife Debbie
When I saw those pictures of Sal Barlotta and his buddies, I got goose bumps. This is Louis Siracusa, HHS class of '68. Sal and Louann were my first cousins. My mom and their dad were sister and brother.
When we moved to Hicksville from Brooklyn in 1963, we lived about 1 mile from them off of Woodbury Road. We spent many holidays with them because our grandmother lived with my parents. Sal and Louann were wonderful people. It's just a shame that tragedy and disease had to take both of their lives.
Sal was working and getting around with his hand-controlled steering wheel on his car. He would always show up at a family gathering, whip himself out of the car into his wheelchair and enjoy himself. He loved to socialize.
Louann was quiet. When she got married, she did the family thing with her husband, Al, and their son, Ken.
The other guy in the photos with Sal is Doug Berry. He was Sal's best friend and might have more info to share. I hope I gave you a little more insight on what wonderful people we lost at an early age.
Keep up the good work with the newsletter. I look forward to it every month.
Lou Siracusa, '68
Wolfeboro, NH
Pat,
I recently noticed that a friend of mine from Lee Avenue Elementary had visited my Classmates.com site and we've been in touch since. I haven't seen him since elementary school as he went to St. Dominic's Jr. & Sr. High. He had asked if I still had any of the class photos from Lee Avenue since his were lost when his parents moved to Florida. I sent him the ones I've attached, which I believe to be 1st, 2nd & 4th grades. I thought you might enjoy seeing them and possibly including them in the Hicksville Newsletter for others to enjoy if they come through ok.
Frank (Koziuk '67)
Rudy Caruso identified some of the people in the above photo of Lee Ave. School, 1957
Back row standing: John, Pete Garcia, Joe, Doug Hodges, Joe Patalona, Frank Koziuk, Buddy Rose, ??, Tim McAleese, Rudy Caruso
First row on left: ??, Rudy Koegl, ??, Chuck Coffee
Second from left: Margaret Hoppe, Rochelle Riservato, Marianne Morabito, Bruce DaCosta, ??
Third from left: Doreen Parmercy, Florence Koziuk, ??, ??, Paul Klarin
Fourth from left: ??, Elsa Green, ??
"I noticed you've recently added the list of names to the 1957 Lee Ave. class photo. Below is an updated list. Coming up with the names was a joint effort between Rudy Caruso, Rochelle Riservato and myself. I hope to have names for the other two photos soon."
Frank Koziuk
Back row standing: John O'Brien, Pete Goussius, Joe Cubow, Doug Hodges, Joe Patalona, Frank Koziuk, Buddy Rose, ??, Tim McAleese, Rudy Caruso
First row on left: ??, Rudy Koegl, ??, Chuck Coffee
Second row from left: Margaret Hoppe, Rochelle Riservato, Maryann Morabito, Bruce DaCosta, Robert Scolaro
Third row from left: Doreen Parmercy, Florence Koziuk, Doris Navesky, ??, Paul Klarin
Fourth row from left: ??, Elsa Green, ??
Hi Guys,
I wonder if anyone knows what happened to my friend, Marion Brennan (class of 59). We were very close friends, both living on Dartmouth Dr. during high school. I believe she was a cheerleader. Please, if anyone knows her whereabouts, e-mail me at:
Thanks,
Judy DeVincentis Morgan
Dear Editors,
It has been a wonderful year for me. I'm attaching two pictures, the first: Best of Show Award in January for 'The Animas at Sunset' from the Durango Chamber of Commerce. The award was $500 and 1,000 prints of the painting. The second picture: While spending the rest of the winter in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, I danced the Can-Can in the Melodrama. Even at age 67, things are getting better!
Thanks,
Judy DeVincentis Morgan (class of 58)
This was sent to me by Joan Siegl Rudolph.
Old age, I decided, is a gift from God.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be.
Oh, not my body!
I sometime despair over my body...the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, the sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!).
But I don't agonize over those things for long.
Time now is too valuable and to lament is to waste.
I will never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly.
As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself.
I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed.
I don't agonize about that silly cement gecko I bought but didn't need.
It looks so avant garde on my patio.
I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body.
I will dive into the waves with the same enthusiasm I once enjoyed as a child, if I choose to.
And this despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then again, some of life is, at best, forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.
How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers.
Just as bad is when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car.
But broken hearts are what gives us strength and understanding and compassion.
A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray.
I am fortunate to have many youthful laughs forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer the question, I like being older.
It has set me free and I cherish the person I have become.
I will not live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have
been, or worrying about what will be.
And I shall eat dessert every single day, just because I want to.
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART.
-Author Unknown
The following appeared in the May issue of the Hicksville High School Newsletter....
Hi, Class of 1960. I live in northern Virginia, near D.C., with Caren, my wife of 40+ years. I reunited with Forest Dunbar at the only reunion I was able to make it to, about a year ago. He and I ran cross-country when Mr. Earl was the coach.
I look forward to reading more newsletters and attending another reunion, hopefully with more members of the Class of '60 there. Keep up the good work!
Jack GouldI ran track with both Forest and Jack. Thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of the three of us...
. 
. 
Jack Gould 
left to right: Mrs. Dunbar, Mary O'Shaughnessey Korothy Cleary, Forest Dunbar & Bob Casale at the March 2007 Megareunion.Hi, Well, here goes.
I graduated in 1951 and married Mike Pakaluk in 1955. We've been married for 53 years celebrating our anniversary on May 8th. We have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. Mike built Levitt houses and then worked for Metropolitan Life for over 25 years when he retired. Our daughter June Lewis and her husband Les live in Roswell, GA, our son Michael and his family live in McLean, VA and our youngest son Jim lives in Stamford CT. Mike and I live in the same house he was born in. The whole family graduated from the Hicksville school system.
I currently work at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where I coordinate scientific meetings and administer the Lab's Scientific Walking Tours. I've been very active in the Community serving as the current president of the Hicksville Public Library Board of Trustees. I also sit on the boards of the Hicksville Boys and Girls Club, the Hicksville Community Council, the Hicksville Gregory Museum and the Hicksville Historical Society. I'm immediate past president of the Council and founding president of the Historical Society. I work closely with the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce on the annual Street Fair Committee and invite everyone to come to Kennedy Park on July 20th for a great day of fun.
I was named a "Woman of Distinction" by the Town of Oyster Bay in 2006; awarded the Hicksville High School Hall of Fame Award in 2007 and most recently named a "Trailblazer" by Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano.
I've just completed a journal that will be available for the dedication of the John Bull Steam Engine Replica on May 17th at Kennedy Park.
. 
HICKSVILLE'S JOHN BULL LOCOMOTIVEA public ceremony will take place on May 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in Hicksville's Kennedy Memorial Park to dedicate the John Bull locomotive replica that was built by Chamber of Commerce President James Pavone. The full-size, non-operating replica, which has taken Mr. Pavone slightly over two years to build, is based on the 1831 John Bull locomotive which was imported from Britain and ran on the Camden and Amboy Railroad. It served as the inspiration for Matthias W. Baldwin to build locomotives in this country. Baldwin built the Long Island Rail Road's first locomotive "the Ariel," the image of which can be seen on Hicksville's welcome signs and banners.
In conjunction with the ceremony, there will be a special exhibit on Early American Steam Locomotives at the Hicksville Gregory Museum and an afternoon luncheon and symposium for ticket-holders at the Hicksville Middle School located on Jerusalem Avenue.
The John Bull will remain in Hicksville's Kennedy Park, under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay. It will be a future reminder of Hicksville's past and its ties with Valentine Hicks' efforts in bringing the railroad to Hicksville in 1837 when he served on the railroad's Board of Directors. Today Hicksville is the second in use only to New York's Penn Station.
Val (Zalewski) Pakaluk, 1951
(This was received May 5th ' too late for the May edition.)
See the pictures that Bob Casale placed at Web shots that were taken at the ceremony on the 17th of May... http://community.webshots.com /user/robertcasale
A reminder that our links page highlights a number of sights that are interesting and may be helpful for those in search of certain information. Pat Driscoll and Bob Casale are building albums that contain very interesting pictures that all can enjoy. And, Bob Casale will be retired as of Friday May 30th. His first chore will be to move most of the albums he has placed on Classmates to the Web shots sight that is more user friendly.
CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS RECONNECTED
In the May issue of HixNews, I was privileged to write an article on two friends and classmates, reconnecting after not seeing each other in fifty two years, John Hattenback and Ray Babinski. In the June issue, this story continues with two more reconnects. Bobby Dunn and I met and became friends living right around the corner from one another from 1949 'till 1956 at which time we both joined the military and went our separate ways until this year when I spotted Bob's name on classmates class of 1956. I emailed him; he emailed me back and the reconnect was in work. Bob invited me down to his beautiful home in St. Mary's Georgia for a weekend visit and what a great weekend it was. It's a great memory jog when two old friends reunite after 52 years and start asking each other, do you remember this, do you remember that or this person and so on? Names of people that had been forgotten for so many years as well as times shared together. We hope to have another get together in the near future. This month's article has two parts. The second one is a reconnect with Eddie 'Jigs' Kasten. Eddie stopped by my home for a visit for a few hours on his way back home from vacation. Another reconnect after 52 years and it was wonderful to see Ed again and I must say, he looks great. The time that I was able to spend with these three old friends from the past was priceless, the memories wonderful, and I recommend this to all who may be reading this. If you have someone from your past who was truly a friend that you have lost touch with for a long time, give this reconnect thing a try, you may be in for a treat, I know I was. Looking forward to a trip to Ed's home in the near future. Maybe we all can reconnect together soon.
Written by Ray Babinski 05/01/2008
Ronnie Kasten, Ray Babinski and Ed Kasten 
Bob Dunn and Ray Babinsky
I really have never replied before, but I thought I would this time. I live in Connecticut and have for the past 33 years. I was transferred up here by Grand Union, the now defunct supermarket chain. I was fortunate enough to get work at Stop&Shop after Grand Union closed.
I've been married for 44 years to a girl from Bethpage. We have five children and thirteen grand kids. We recently moved into a house we built in East Haddam Ct. This is our sixth house, and, hopefully it will be the last.
We have your normal aging illnesses, but thankfully nothing serious.
I'm not on any mail list, but I do wonder where the time and the people have gone.
It's good hearing from you, and stay in touch.
Best regards,
Jerry (Collock) class of '61
I wasn't sure if this was something you folks include in the newsletter, but our middle child, Rachel, gave birth to a beautiful son, Connor Grayson Dumas, by Caesarian section on February 17, 2007. My husband, Richard, and I are thrilled to pieces. Connor is our third grandchild, second grandson (Haleigh, 9, and her brother Nathaniel, 6, are out oldest daughter, Rebecca's, two children).
Connor's picture is attached. While in all likelihood he won't attend HHS (LOL!) he's a Fighting Comet in every sense of the word! The photo of him wrapped up in the hospital bassinet is Connor at 5 minutes old, bright-eyed, calm and ready to take on the world!
He has already spent many hours in the arms of Great-Uncle Jim Thompson, Class of '61!
Pat Thompson-Dumas, Class of 1975
I have lived in Florida for 32 years and I am widowed for 20 years. I was a Manufacturer's Rep with my husband until he passed and then went back to teaching Jr. and Sr. High School, which I am still doing.
I am trying to organize a reunion for class of 1960 and would appreciate any listing. I can be reached by e-mail at
Thanks for keeping the faith,
Myrna Hessel Greenberg, '60
Hi,
I would like to keep in touch and find some of my old friends from the class of '61. Also want to find out if there will be a 50th reunion.
Thanks,
Richard Simpson, '61
Ed Zivica, '58 wrote on 5/16/08:
Noel (Horowitz) Heinz, '58 is in the hospital, serious operation; kidney. You can get a message to her through her daughter, Tracy Collins.
Hi - hope things are working better. We missed the May edition of May newsletter. As a result of my "blurb" in the April newsletter, I received a phone call from Ed Coleman. He graduated in '45 with my brother and his sister graduated with me in 1946. We got together at Bob Evans and chatted for at least 2-1/2 hours. I hadn't seen him for over 60 years, so we had a lot to talk about. Ed & his wife, Mary, have been spending 1-2 months vacationing here in Venice for the past 7 years and had no idea that we lived here (for over 30 years). Thanks so much for printing my letter in April and also sending a picture of the house that I grew up in Hicksville. George and I moved to Farmingdale after our marriage and we lived there for about 28 years, before moving to Venice.
Once again, thanks for the great job you all do. Keep up the good work!
Bea (46) and George (40) Baldwin (FL)
Hi, my name is Helen Wicks Boudreau. I would like to get the HixNews. I lived in Hicksville, went to Nicholai St. School. My 1st grade teacher was Miss Story. I went to 3 different schools and we moved when I was 13-years-old. But the old memories never die.
I moved back to Hicksville in 1958. I was still in touch with Richie De Luca at that time. But then my Aunt Aggie introduced me to Ed and we got married 9 months latter. We sold our house in Hicksville in 1961and moved to Bethpage; my first son was a year old. In 1963, I had a daughter and in 1967 our son, Bob, was born. In Jan. of '68 we moved upstate. I have been married 49 years this past March.
I think we all had a great place to grow up in. Hicksville was a special place for us all.
Helen (Wicks) Boudreau
Hi,
Just tripped upon this site & it is great. Brings back lots of memories, and I look forward to receiving it as it comes out.
Ken Pohl, Class of '64
Birth date: 5/30
Wife: Rosemary
Anniversary: 4/12
Home: San Diego, CA
Thank you.
Dear All,
We enjoyed our vacation to Tahiti and Hawaii, best of all was the scenery. It took your breath away it was so beautiful.
My husband had gone on one of the tours without me to see how they are and it turned out it was a good thing I didn't go. They took back roads then had to climb up a mountain to the top. Fred got sick after it and we had to cancel the others that were like that.
The back roads had lots of bumps over rocks, limbs and holes and would have hurt me too much plus I couldn't climb up a mountain even if it wasn't almost vertical. LOL
We did go on a dolphin and whale watch, but it was the wrong time of year for whales but we did see the dolphins jumping and spinning.
We got to go on a submarine that dove 145 feet, that was neat, not sure if I would do it again though. I thought we were just going to go down into an old submarine and see the bunks and stuff, turns out its a small sub that has seats with port holes and it really dives down to the bottom and moves around so you could see a boat down there and the fish.
The fish were all colors but the tiny medium dark blue ones were unbelievable and the gold ones, and the white/yellow/ and black striped ones were breath taking to see. The coral was beautiful.
We did go on one tour that a person from the island was the tour guide and he showed us all the different flowers, and land marks and how the people lived there and told us so much it was unbelievable.
At Honolulu we did get to go to a Luau, had some games like they played in the old days, Fred was the only man to get the spear to stick in the bullseye that was drawn on hay. We saw how the men used nets to haul in fish and then they got the pig out of the ground were they cooked him and topped him with banana leaves. They made pulled pork which was good but I was hoping for just slices like they showed in movies.
At all the ports we got off to see the little shops or tents they had around and of course bought souvenirs. The "Tender" that brought us from the big ship to the shore was nice and the men that carried my scooter on and off were so kind. Some of the places were too sandy for the scooter to move on and some too rocky but those that I could manage were great. I managed to get a big shell from a tiny island in between Tahiti and Hawaii, one place where tourists go were selling it for $185.00 but at the tiny island where tourists rarely go sold it for $25.00; Managed to get it home in one piece too.
The dancing shows on the ship were great, the two comedy shows they had, I didn't think were that funny but they can't please everyone anyway.
The buffet had prime rib, fish, chicken, pork, and so much that was so good we never went to the dining room where they got dressed up to eat. We enjoyed the buffet food and dessert a lot more.
The weather was great for us, no rain. I even got some color. We took lots of pictures and hope they come out. It was too sunny to see the picture window part of the camera to see what was being taken. LOL
I came home to find 208 e-mails waiting for me so I'll be busy for a while. LOL Just wanted to let you all know what a great time we had and thank you for your Prayers; we got home safe and sound.
Take care, God Bless.
Love,
Joan (Siegl) Rudolph, '61
Hi,
How are you? Sorry it took me so long to read the newsletter, but I had recent surgery. Okay, I worked at The Alibi back in the 70's. I met many wonderful Friday night "regulars"...We didn't even have to take their drink orders. As soon as they walked in we went to the bar & ordered their "usual." It was like a small family. Joe Umbrea (HHS football coach) tended bar at night, Sometimes Mr. Hilsky would visit him. Hap & Pat Holden would be there & so many more fine upstanding citizens of Hicksville I could not name them all. I would sit and talk to Frank on many nights. Before Frank owned The Alibi he owned a cab. His favorite numbers to play on the horses were 312 (cab). Jay Poggiali also tended & so did his brother Frankie. Most of the grandchildren worked as bus boys etc. Jay Poggiali stayed with the new owners after the Alibi was first sold to a seafood restaurant. The seafood restaurant did not make it; no famous Alibi bar pies. I believe Jay died in the 80's. (Actually 1991. ED) I still meet some of the old customers & when I look at them I say "Manhattan on the rocks". Some things you don't forget.
Joyce (Thorburn) Jurgensen '67
Dear Editors,
First, I would like to thank each of you for the great job you all have done on our newsletter. I look forward to receiving it each month. Many things published has brought back some wonderful memories. Keep up the fantastic job.Secondly, I am attaching a site that I found very interesting and thought you all may want to share with all of the readers: http://books.google.com/books?id=6NWHSvEmloIC
Blessings to all,
Lorraine Dalaimo (Miltenberg) 1960
Hi Guys
This is a great site for some good old memories. I have been able to contact some of the guy's I use to hang around with, even contacted my HHS girlfriend, hadn't contacted her for 46 years, it was great to hear from her. Are their plans for a 50 year reunion for the class of 1960? If so, I'm in. Keep up the good work.
Fran DeCabia, 1960
