April 2009 : Volume 9 - 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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Dear Readers,

Please make sure that This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 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

HixNews does not advertise or charge for subscriptions but we do accept donations for the cost of the website and supplies used by our editors. Bob Casale is the treasurer and has moved. His new address is:

Robert Casale
335 Patton Court
Martinez, GA 30907

Save this date: October 3,2009 for the Class of 1959 50th YEAR REUNION!

The Holiday Inn at Islip Airport
3845 Veterans Memorial Highway
Ronkonkoma, New York
Telephone: 631-585-9500
Fax: 631-585-9550

The Reunion Committee includes Joyce and Mickey Anglim, Mike Anselmo, Joan Gabriel, Ghyll Owen Simoneschi, Carl Probst, Mike Sherin and Eileen Toscano.

For information write to Carl or Joyce.

See http://59.hixreunion.com (and help find some missing alumni)

Ted Swedalla (class of '64) and Bob Casale (class of '61) are starting their memorable trip from Key West, Florida to Bar Harbor, Maine on April 14^th.

This trip is memorable. Ted is dedicating this trip to the returning veterans from the conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. So many of our veterans are returning to friends, family and loved ones with injuries and disabilities. We are concerned for those Heroes. Our government does many wonderful things to accommodate returning veterans. Unfortunately, they cannot fully address the emotional needs of those returning veterans. So many organizations pick up the slack after our government has fulfilled their obligation. Our hope, Ted's and mine, is to try to raise some funds to support the organizations that help our returning veterans. Anyone interested in helping, please contact Ted and Bob by sending a note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We, Ted and Bob, are starting in Key West and going up the East Coast. We are very interested in alumni who live in the alley we will travel from Key West to Bar Harbor. Let us know where you live and we will try to stop and see you on our trip. This is an alumni adventure and an alumni venture to help support our troops.

Love Yah,
Ted Swedalla and Bob Casale

p.s. what makes this unique is that Ted is riding his bicycle'a bicycle that you pedal from point to point. We are shooting for about 50 miles per day. Bob will take the motor home from point to point'.a 50 mile ride for Ted will result in catching up with Bob at the next Campground.. Easy for Bob'hard for Ted'sounds like our business adventure. Hey, we love it and hope for some help from our friends'and we love you all!!!

Bob now has a web site

buffalobobcasale.com so check it from time to time for progress reports.

People Looking For People

If there's someone you're looking for, just send your request and we'll be happy to add it to the list. If anyone knows these folks, send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Come and join us for our 25th Anniversary Concert. One of the featured pieces will be Zoltan Kodaly's "Missa Brevis". This is a piece for organ and choir. Also featured will be the Missa Luba which is an African mass. Some great soloists have been lined up to join our ranks. I think this will be a wonderful night of music. If you're in, or planning to be in, the New York area on the 9th of May, why not come by? A good time will be had by all. And don't forget to say hello after the show. I'll be looking for you.

All the best;
David Teitel '68

Glass Menagerie's 25th Anniversary Concert

Saturday, May 9th, at 8 p.m. St. Peter's Church at the Citicorp Center corner of E. 53rd and Lexington Ave. NYC, NY
Admission - Regular Admission $ 20.00, Seniors $ 15.00

The Newsletter

Hi,

The March Newsletter had a great video titled "Jacksonville Salutes Our Fallen Heroes" submitted by Stephanie (Rozos) Masters- '65. I have sent the link to all my friends up in Jacksonville.

Pete Foster - '57 (St. Augustine, FL)

On February 27th, 5 classmates of 1953 and spouses and friends met for lunch at Disney in Florida for a lunch get together. We had a GREAT time and lots of laughs and just plain chatter about our life in school. All look forward to get together again next year.

Steve Moddle, '53

From L-R (left photo): Marguerite (Schuessler) Birchell, Claudette (Slavek) Meier, Pat (Lenzner) Caruso, Steve Moddle, standing is Steve Birchell

Bob:

Thanks so much to you and the gang at the Hicksville Newsletter for sending me the birthday card. I appreciate all you guys do and I look forward each month to getting that newsletter. I can't believe this will be 41 years since I graduated from Hicksville! I've had the opportunity lately to come from all the way out here in Riverhead to go into Hicksville. I can't tell you how many years it has been. I've been with a gospel group for over 25yrs. We're a quartet and sing a lot of southern gospel songs as well as a few we've written. We were at the United Methodist Church for a concert and I can't believe how much things are changed. But Hicksville was and always will be a big part of my life and who I am.
Thanks again. I look forward to those newsletters!! Keep up the good work.

Howard Bell (class of 68)

Hi,

I was a friend of Robin Fisher's and went to the University of Georgia with her in my junior year of high school. We went to study Spanish for the summer. It was at that time we became friends. Robin either graduated in 1972 or 1973 from Hicksville High school. She also had an older sister name Cherie and her dad's name was Bud and her mom was Molly. She graduated from SUNY Cortland and for a time worked for the Israeli airline El Al. I lost contact with her a long time ago and have been trying, but with no luck to locate her. I was wondering if you have any records of her and if there is either an e-mail address or home address for her.

I would be most grateful if you can render any help.

Thank you for any assistance you may give.

Respectfully,
Miriam C. Meehan

OMG!!! Thank you both so very much. I am so happy that you were able to reconnect me with her. Hopefully she will get my e-mail and we can begin conversing again.

Again, thank you for getting back to me so quickly. It is surreal that this worked. Thank goodness for your following through and getting back to me. It is greatly appreciated. Long live the Hicksville High School newsletter. Who would have thought that this could happen especially since I didn't even go to your high school but Robin (Fisher) did.

Regards,
Miriam Cohen-Meehan

Bob

Hi, yours was one of the very few names I recognized from HHS when I signed up for Facebook today.

About me - married, kids; lived in NJ for 35 yrs; worked in NYC most of the time. I'm retired and now live in Leesburg FL. Enjoying it except for all the darn illnesses that come with the age. How about you? I was sad to hear of Joyce - I remember her.

You will enjoy the fifth wheel - my neighbor has one. I go the other direction - a Z convertible. Our kids Chris and Jen are new parents and live in NJ near where we lived. My wife Gini and I have been together since 1969 and are enjoying retirement. I have had 5 surgeries in two years - three on my spine and am just now beginning to feel human after surgery on 12/30 and 1/1. Life goes on. You will enjoy Ga. and the better climate. I was stationed in Augusta.

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Jack Curcia, 1961

Hi Guys:

Great stuff you do, brings back some great memories. When I try to explain to my kids about our 1957-60 era they can't seem to compute and my grand kids are even more amazed. Those days were the best, no war, no money, all fun, how did we do it? I live in a small town in Westchester County, Larchmont, and it still has one main street with all the shops and even Sweet Shop style store and a 5 & 10. Hope it holds on, most of the residents are for the small intimate town, but an Ann Taylor moved in.

Any word on a class of 1960 reunion?

Keep up the good work.
Fran DeCabia, 1960

Bob,

It has been many years since we talked. I enjoy the news paper and think your trip to celebrate vet contributions to our country and help the veteran organizations is admirable. I live in Fairfax County VA and would be willing to contribute to your effort. If you pass through, please let me know.

Mary D'Amato Fenton class of '60

Hi Pat,

Love reading & seeing pictures from HHS past. I graduated in 1969, and actually went back after graduating college & did substitute teaching at the HHS back in 75.

Still living on LI, now in Merrick. Have a daughter going on 15.

Please include my birthday (Sept 10th) & anniversary (3/27/76).

Has anyone heard anything new on our class reunion?

Also, would love to know if anyone knows Edith Alferi ('68) & Joel Berman ('68) both were neighbors.

Susan (Weber) Fishkin

Hello Bob.

It seems like a million years ago when I walked the halls of Hicksville High. How I miss those days.

Now I am happily divorced and living the great life in Tucson Arizona. I moved here in 1972 and it was the best move I ever made. Great life, lots of friends and I am enjoying retirement. I retired both from the phone company and the police department where I reached the top position of chief of police. Not a bad thing for a country boy from Hicksville. LOL

Nice of you to contact me. I guess you get lots of mail but if you want some more crazy jokes and things let me know. The best to you and your family.

Dan Knieter, 1961

So, I'm sitting here, in my less than warm apartment. There are about 8" of snow outside as a result of the first major snow storm of the year in NYC.So what am I thinking about as I endure this late winter wonderland? Spring! Yes, spring. And with thoughts of spring come thoughts of our Spring Concert.Indeed, the date is coming sooner than you might think. And this is one that you won't want to miss, because we are celebrating our Silver Anniversary.Twenty five years ago a small group of parents, teachers and administrators at the Little Red School House in New York, went to their, then, music teacher, Susan Glass, and asked her to form an adult chorus. The first performance was in someone's living room and was followed by a pot luck supper.Well, we've come a long way since then. It is my pleasure to inform you of the Glass Menagerie's 25th Anniversary concert.The concert will be held on Saturday, May 9th, at 8 p.m. in St. Peter's church at the Citicorp. Center. The church is at the corner of E. 53rd and Lexington Ave.The featured performances will be the Missa Lubba by Guido Haazen and the Missa Brevis by Zoltan KodalyI may be biased, but I think it is going to be a great concert and I hope you all will come and celebrate with us.

All The Best,
David Teitel, '68

I enjoyed catching up on Dennis Listort's life in the March newsletter and resonated especially with the shock and sadness we felt when Bruce Sollod was killed during our sophomore year. Bruce sat in front of me in geometry class and I recall how empty that desk seemed when we came back to school on Monday. Oddly, not a single word was said by anyone in class about his absence, which made the emptiness of that desk even more emphatic. I can appreciate why that event still touches him these many years later.

Bill Palmer (Class of 1964)

Editors,

Have you give any thought to creating a "directory by class" so we can access the email addresses of our class mates? It would be helpful to see this on your home page.

Bill Ramos, Class of '60

Bill,

This has been suggested before. We do not publish email addresses unless asked to by the writer of a submission. We treat email addresses the same way the phone company treats unlisted numbers. Since the newsletter averaged over 80K hits a month last year and we have only about 1600 listed readers, we do not know who is checking the web site. With all the scams, spam, phishing and junk, it is for your safety and privacy that we do this.

Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll

In answer to your email, my name is Wendy (Harris) Ascenzo, HHS Class of 1968. I currently live in Cumming, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. I have lived here for almost 9 years and you'd be amazed how many Long Islanders are here. I even work with two people from Hicksville! They are Linda Caruso and Richard Steiner.

-Wendy (Harris) Ascenzo

Hi Clara Mae,

Like you, I also wonder where the class of 1964 is hiding. Maybe they found it hard to leave the sixties and seventies. I converse with a few very nice past friends from Hicksville that I found or they found me from Hix News. To name a few: Dennis Listort (when he finally writes to me from Florida!), Kathy Monnia, Phylis Jackson. And from them, I hear various updates about other classmates: Dorothy Travis, Jerry Dizino. Bob Smith wrote an update a few months ago and I was hoping my old friend Leslie Whorly Smith would also write. The group that I hung out with must be hibernating because I never hear from Maxine Worshosky, Jerry Lunna, Michicle D'orazio, Jackie Masciello and all the rest of the gang. If they are reading this, please let us hear from you. I have very good fond memories of all the good times we had.

Judy Marcus Shiver, 1964

After over 40 years in California, the realization that the "Summer of Love" is over has finally struck home. I've packed up and moved to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina with my wife, (originally from Farmingdale). We found a nice place in Hendersonville, which is about 20, minutes South of Asheville. My Sister Ellen also lives in Asheville and loves it after being a staunch NY'er since she got out of college in 1969.

Thanks,
Ron Careaga, '63

Anyone know what happened to Nora Griffin? She went to Fork Lane School, and would have graduated Hicksville High School in '65?

Thanks,
Eli Mallon

Someone did an awesome job putting this together - - and with sound to boot! At the very end of the video you'll hear the song ' Thunder Road ', sung by the star of the movie for which it was the theme. Not uncommon, except this is the one and only song ever recorded, for publication, sung by Robert Mitchum!

Hi, Guys,

I have a son in Iraq and I guess the word got out, because my husband and I are inundated with request for money for troops in service, injured, returning, in hospital, and in every other state. I don't mean to make light of this, but it is impossible to know which are legitimate organizations, and which are just looking for your money. If you could suggest some that are really making a difference, and where the money contributed is really used for the welfare of the vets, I would be most grateful. We don't have a lot to give, so I would like to know it is being put to good use.

Thanks so much. Best regards,
Valerie Towsley, '60

Can anyone tell me the whereabouts of Frank Mulzoff? He was a history teacher who joined our school in 1958/9. He had retired to Florida.

Thank you,
Roger Taylor

Editor BoB Gillette suggested Googling him. After HHS, he became the celebrated head basketball coach at St. John's University.

According to zabasearch.com he now lives in Delray Beach, FL.

MICRO MINI REUNION

Here we are in March of 2009, but for four of us, we're back in time to Hicksville High School class of 56. The four of us are the following: John Hattenback, Bobby Dunn, Eddie (Jigs) Kasten and Ray Babinski. Bobby and Ray met and became neighborhood friends in 1949 when their families both moved to a little housing development being built right off Bethpage Rd. called Zelda Park. They went to sixth grade together at East St. School. If my memory serves me correctly, the teacher was Mrs. Beams. John and Eddy came into the picture a little later in Junior and High School (the old high school on Jerusalem Ave.) In 1956, all four fellas headed into the military, Bobby into the Navy and John, Eddy and Ray into the Army and that was the end of their friendship as they new it or so they thought. After serving their time in the military, they all went in different directions in life and lost touch with one another. Fifty plus years had gone by and Ray who had some photo albums of his life would always think of the fond memories he shared with the others every time he went through his albums. Ray would wonder where these fellas were, how they were and what did they do with their lives, and what they had become. A little less than two years ago, Ray's curiosity got the best of him and started a search for the first person, John Hattenback. He located John through a search engine on the computer. John had retired and was living in Florida for the past sixteen years. Bobby was listed on Classmates and Ray wrote to him but got no answer back. John and Ray at this time were in touch with one another almost every day. With John's help, Ray was able to locate Eddie who had moved to North Carolina a little over five years ago. Then out of the blue, an email came from Bobby in answer to Ray's email sent months ago on Classmates. Bobby was living in Georgia for about the last four years. The next step was trying to get together and Ray was able to see John, Bobby and Eddie in that order over the next couple of months, which was the first half of last year, but the four fellas at this point in time still had not gotten together.

This brings us to MARCH 2009 in a beautiful place called St. Mary's Georgia which is the second oldest city in the United States located right on the Georgia-Florida border. This is where the four fellas from Hicksville High class of 56 reunited after over fifty years. I don't know if this is a first or not, but I doubt if it happens a lot. I know that alumni have their reunions spaced five and ten years apart but how about fifty plus????? Was there a level of excitement and apprehensiveness, you bet, but it was awesome. The first meeting with all four was like a comedy scene where we were all talking at once and the wives couldn't get a word in anywhere. I'm sure that's a standard occurrence at reunions but how about fifty years worth? Everyone had a great time and St. Mary's is a wonderful place for a short getaway, we were all in agreement on that.

QUICK RECAPP

Ray and his wife arrived Fri. around noon at Bobby's home and had made plans to stay the night. They just hung out chatting and going over their plans for the weekend and catching up. John and his wife arrived at the hotel in St. Mary's later that afternoon but didn't meet up with Bobby and Ray until Sat. morning. The six of us had lunch at a restaurant in St. Mary's called MARIANNES and came away very satisfied with the food, service and ambiance. I guess by now your wondering why Eddie hasn't been mentioned yet and the reason is because he and his bride, as he so often calls her, didn't arrive in St. Mary's until later Sat. afternoon. John and Ray returned to the hotel to meet up with Eddie and Bobby and his wife returned home to prepare dinner for all of us and when we got there. That was the first time the four of us had been together since our school days. We had a wonderful dinner and drank some good homemade wine, compliments of Ray and just spent the rest of the evening talking about old times back in Hicksville. Later that evening we returned to our hotel and I'm sure at that point in time Bobby and his wife were happy to say goodnight to all. Sunday's plan was for a ferry ride across the St. Mary's River to Amelia Island and a place called Fernandina. It was a nice trip across, about forty five minutes and we arrived around twelve thirty, just in time for lunch at a nice indoor-outdoor restaurant right on the water. It was great having Bobby in our foursome because he knows the area, where to eat and what to do. After having a nice lunch, we went up the main street in Fernandina and browsed in and out of the shops. Sunday evening was upon us before we knew it and we all couldn't believe the weekend was over. We all said our goodbyes and thanked Bobby and his wife for their hospitality, then went back to the hotel. Monday morning we all met for breakfast and had our last chitchat for a while and said our so long 'till next time. We were all going home with the same feeling of a weekend well spent with old friends together and all in agreement that we're gonna try to do this again next year. This leads to a closing of this article but before I do so, we would all like to extend an invitation to any of you who may be interested in joining us next year. Please let us know, we would love to have you. The more the merrier. Hope to see you next year.

Regards,
Ray Babinski

This is behind Bobby's house.
L-R: Eddie, Bobby, Ray and John L-R: John Hattenback, Bobby Dunn, Ray Babinski
and Eddie Kasten Restaurant on Amelia Island. L-R: John & Ginny, Bobby & Marge, Ray & Carmen and Eddie & Ronnie

Hi All,

Roger Whitaker helped me by setting up a web site for the article and photos I took at the reunion this past Sat. I encouraged others attending to send in photos to him also. We had such a wonderful time!!!! The website is: https://www.hixreunion.com/61/

Doris Fischman Roth

Dear class of 61 and other hixmates,

On March 7 a small group of classmates gathered together in southern Florida for a reunion. We had in common Hicksville High, the class of 61, a home in Florida and eligibility for Medicaid this year.

When you approach a get together like this you are always curious how other people will look and what they will be like after such a long time. Most of us had not been together for 40 plus years.

I am happy to report that we all had our hair and our sense of humor.

Bonnie Scharr Papes and Doris Fishman Roth were the organizers. They reached out through Hix News and Classmates. I am sure that by the 50^th reunion there will be many other communication options.

Bonnie was responsible for our name tags. They were copies of our yearbook photos. As we conversed that day I would look at that name tag and I was hearing the person that I knew so many years ago. There was in each of us a little bit of the boy or girl we once were.

Bonnie's table centerpieces were planters surrounded by 45's and topped off with a GO COMETS flag. She had fun searching for oldies and her list of hits was impressive.

Here is a list of the records she used:

• "Worst that could Happen" - Brooklyn Bridge
• "Shout" The Isley Brothers
• "I'm Walkin'" - Fats Domino
• "The things we did last summer' - The Four Lads
• "Roses are red (my love)" - Bobby Vinton
• "Hey Paula" - Paul and Paula
• "Cry" - Johnnie Ray
• "Greenfields" - The Brothers Four
• "Run to him" - Bobby Vee
• "You're only human (Second Wind) - Billy Joel
• "Gypsy Woman" - Rick Nelson
• "Tutti Fruitti" - Little Richard

She wrote,

'The Brooklyn Bridge and Billy Joel were after our time, but both came from Hicksville so I used them. Billy Joel was in my sister Mary's class of '67.

Stay in touch!
Love, Bonnie'

Doris presented us with Mardi Gras beads in black and orange and no, we did not bare our breasts. At our ages you need to keep the mystery alive!

It was a balmy day in the everglades and prior to sharing a meal together we had a few drinks and enjoyed the memorabilia of yearbooks, photos, graduation programs, old autograph albums, class rings, and stories of shared experiences.

The time flew by and soon we were saying our goodbyes. I had copied our class song from our yearbook. It was written by Nancy Sherman and Alan Just to the tune of 'Dearie, do you remember when.' We sang it together and I think Mr. Goleeki would have cried tears of joy, unlike the tears he shed so often when we were inattentive chorus members.

We are all looking forward to getting together again at our 50^th reunion in 2011. There was also talk about Florida, next year. May we all be in good health for many years.

One last note. I am sitting in my kitchen on my island in Maine looking out at the ocean on this foggy, rainy and cold Maine day. The snow has melted except for a few places. As I reflect on the reunion and my life, I realize how blessed I was to have the benefit of a better than average education and to have many fond memories of school and friends. I hope it is so for many of you reading this.

Carol A. Kinney

I delivered my first baby the other day in a gas station parking lot. It was a wild day! We received a lot of attention for it. The baby, Ethan Richard, and Kristin are well.

Peter Jurgensen...class of 1986

Peter is the son of Joyce (Thorburn) Jurgensen '67

To the Editors of Hix News,

Fell in to this while looking for alum. I have been looking for this type of info for awhile. Here is a little info my name was Leslie Becker, Class of 1976, birth date 08/22, married to Jeffrey B. Hecht (not from Hicksville) 09/11/82, have a 10 year old daughter and currently live in Sycamore, IL, smaller rural town. Will be heading to Hicksville late this spring (first time since the mid 90s) to visit a few friends.

I know a few other alum and will pass this site on to them. Would be nice if we could see who the other 'subscribers are'. Will look forward to checking the site often.

Les Hecht

Hi Guys-

Ginny Van Allen Ryder RSVP'd for the Florida Reunion through Classmates (we had a great time!) and so I don't have her email address. I've asked Carol Kinney to put a notice on Classmates to her to email me, but I thought you might do the same in the newsletter in case she doesn't go onto Classmates for awhile. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Bonnie (Scharr) Papes '61

I was reading your news letter and noticed Ted's name and was wondering if he is the Ted I lived by. Did he live on West John Street? I am Linda Knipper who lived on Myers Ave. If so, I would love to catch up with you and see how your family is and your brother as we called him Petie. I have so many fond memories of your family and I loved your Mom & Dad.

Linda Knipper

Just discovered your site. Great info! Do you know if there will be a high school reunion of the class of 1959?

Joyce (Van de Merlen) Landau

Good afternoon;

I lost contact with a very best friend Arlene Klein who attended Hicksville High School and we lost contact. I live in Ft. Lauderdale and we were very good friends and I have not spoken with her in about 15 years.

Her brothers were Kenny and Arthur and her sister LouAnn - they all attended Hicksville High School. I think the year she graduated was 1965 or 1966 - she was a cheerleader.

I would very much like to resume our friendship and can not locate her or her family. Can you assist??

Thank you.
Jane Donshik

Dear Pat, Bob et al:

Thanks again for yet another 'juicy' newsletter for March. A couple of things:

1. From my 'want to find' list you can erase Elaine Boos, since her friend & one other person have put me somewhat in the picture, though I didn't get to chat directly with Elaine; I've learned she's alive and still dancing....
2. I wanted to say 'hi' to Jeanne Saeger, who wrote briefly in the newsletter, and ask her if she remembers Lois, the sax player from band days, who was also at Ithaca College when our mutual friend George was at Cornell. I'd love to find out what she's doing these days if she wants to get in touch at all.....I'm happy for her or anyone else to have my email address.
3. For friends & acquaintances in the Class of '60--it's our 50th anniversary next year, 2010! Is anyone going to try to organise a reunion/celebration? I'd like to know because if so my husband and I will try to organise our plans to visit the States (from London) around that event, if it transpires._

Peace,
Lois Chaber

Hi All,

My name is Bill Glod. I would have been in the 1960 graduating class of Hicksville High (Division Avenue) except my father was transferred out of state following our sophomore year. I graduated from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California in June 1960. I attended that school for only one year, having attending another high school for my junior year.

I have reviewed several issues of HixNews and under the "Birthdays and anniversaries" section have recognized several names. I have also found nearly twenty familiar names on the Hicksville High School section on classmates.com.

To see if I am in the right place these are the Hicksville schools I attended:

• Third grade - Front Street School (1950 -'51),
• Fourth and fifth grade - Fork Lane School (1951 - '53),
• Sixth grade - Lee Avenue School (1953 - '54),
• Seventh grade - Hicksville (Junior?) High School (1954 - '55)
• Eighth through tenth grade - Division Avenue Junior/Senior high School (1955 - '58).

Even though I was not in the graduating class of 1960 I would like to add my name to that class and, if possible, attend a fiftieth reunion should they have one next year. I have much more in common with my former Hicksville classmates than those in California. Besides attending school we participated in scouts, Little League/Babe Ruth baseball and other outside activities for those eight years.I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Bill Glod
Denton, Texas

Good Morning, Folks:

First of all, let me compliment all of you on the great job you do every month with our newsletter. I have a separate "Hicksville" folder in the pictures program on my computer where I store a lot of the old pictures that I copied from your articles.

The reason I am sending this e-mail today is because I have a friend that I golf with named Joe Bak. Joe went to Notre Dame and roomed with a guy named Al Desko who graduated from Hicksville High School in 1959. Being that is the year that I graduated, I first looked in my yearbook and could not find him. Joe lost touch with Al and would love to make contact with him again.

Does the name Al Desko ring a bell with anyone there? Is he on your mailing list? Joe said that Al was involved with ROTC. Could that have effected the year he graduated?

If you guys could check this out, when you "have nothing better to do with your time", I would appreciate it.

Thank you.
Jean (Goettelmann) LaPointe Class of 59

Can you add my dad to the list?

Milton Philip Shoob is looking for Philip Pignataro and anyone from the class of 1937. Thanks.

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

Thank you very much!

Photo Gallery

In case you haven't yet received this photo, here is 1957 Nicholai Street School. I assume it is third grade room 21 based on the notes at the bottom.

My brother Robert Wood is standing- 6th from the right. Neil Sullivan is standing- 3rd from the left. Cathy Tranchina is sitting- right side, 2nd from bottom of page.

That's all I know.

Carolyn Wood-Imbrie

Sitting front row from left: Mary Katherine Mernin, next row, second from left, Karen Rutz, third, Lois Tessorarro, Cathy Tranchina. Fourth row from left: first, Gail Bauer, last ,Sherry Goldblatt Fifth row, from left,2nd, Lorraine Pidcoe(?), then Rosalee DiMao, First from left: standing, Howard Berkowitz, third, Neil Sullivan, Mrs. Stern is the teacher, then Thomas Goleski, then Robert Wood, next to last John Kuhlier.

After studying it some more, first row sitting on right Patty Freidman(?), and last seated row, the fourth girl sitting on the right, Cathy Richman

Neil Sullivan, '66

Birthdays & Anniversaries

New Readers & Returns

Honoring our Veterans

Posted on behalf of Joe Ingino, President of Vietnam Veterans of America, Nassau County Chapter 82

Folks -

This month, one topic, no distractions, a story told that must never be forgotten.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Never Again, Never Again

On 5 January 2006 the book was published in Ireland. In both 2007 and 2008 it was the best selling book of the year in Spain, and it reached the top of the New York Times bestseller list. On 14 November 2008 the movie was released in the USA, and it shared the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival Audience Choice Award with Slumdog Millionaire. On 10 March 2009 the DVD was released in the USA. In the story, and during WWII, Bruno met a new friend, Shmuel. I hope you take the time soon, to read the book and see the movie.

Some Of What We Find...

An eight-year-old boy named Bruno who, because of his father's job, moves from a home in Berlin to the countryside. Bruno initially dislikes the new house as he has to stay in the house or the garden and there are no other children to play with, other than his sister. From his bedroom window, Bruno spots a barbed wire fence with people in "striped pajamas" behind it. He thinks it is a farm. Bruno is not allowed to go there, because "they're not really people." He agrees that at least they are a bit weird, as demonstrated by their clothing.

Bruno goes there anyway, secretly, and becomes friends with a boy, named Shmuel, whom he meets at the fence, and who is of the same age. Shmuel tells Bruno that he is he is hungry. Bruno brings Shmuel food and plays checkers with him through the fence.

The story ends with Bruno about to return to the family's old home in Berlin. As a final adventure, Bruno agrees to help Shmuel with a quest. "...Despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go".

http://www.boyinthestripedpajamas.com/

A Final Thought Or Two

There has been some discussion regarding the story's depiction of life during those times. Even its very premise - that anyone would find a child of Shmuel's age, there, then - is, according to the critics, an unacceptable fabrication that does not reflect the reality of life as it was then.

Those who lived during that era might well so argue.

I suggest the generation that follow need at times be reminded of that which they have no first had memories. If a fabrication of this sort is needed to remind us of the visceral meaning of "Never Again, Never Again..." so be it.

The book and the movie explore important real-life themes, such as experiences that gradually end an innocent perspective, the essence of friendship, acts of humanity even under horrific circumstances, the uses and abuses of obedience and conformity, and the development of prejudice and its destructive consequences.

  
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"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

Classic Cars Photo Gallery

In Memoria

In loving memory of Florence Koziuk, class of 1967. April 15, 1949 - July 1981

Pat (56), Cookie (60) and Frank (67)

Bill Squire '67 Hix High died in 2006.....I finally found an article about his life that was more in depth for the HixNews.... 

Jim Rubins '67

Dear Staff, 
I just wanted to let you know that my Husband Chuck Erlwein passed away on March 6th. after a long battle with Lung Cancer. We would have been married 31 yrs in May. 

Thanks.
Carol Wills Erlwein, '59

Charles C. Erlwein, 79, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., died March 6, 2009, in Dade City. He was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Rochester, N.Y., to George and Bertha (Smythe) Erlwein. He came to Wesley Chapel in 2003, from Rochester. Mr. Erlwein was a State Farm Insurance agent for 45 years in Rochester. He was an avid golfer and a member of Saddlebrook Golf and Country Club for over 20 years and of Lutheran faith. Survivors include his wife, Carol; daughters, Karin Decker and Lisa A. (Kirby) Collins; stepdaughters, Debra (George) Craft and Sandra Scott; 10 grandchildren; two nieces, Patricia and Christine; and one sister, Ann Lane of Rochester. Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Whitfield Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 or Hernando-Pasco Hospice, 37445 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525. Whitfield Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (813) 783-9900.

Irene A. (Doino) Lien, class of 1967

LIEN - Irene A., of Hicksville on March 6, 2009. Beloved wife of James. Loving mother of Daniel (Jennifer), Nancy and the late James (Sharon). Cherished grandmother of Nicholas and Christopher. Dear sister of Kenneth, Joseph, Richard and Raymond Doino. Friends may call Monday 2-5 and 7-9pm at the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes, Hicksville Chapel, 47 Jerusalem Avenue (corner of West Marie St). Mass Tuesday 9:45am at Holy Family R.C. Church. Interment Calverton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Multiple Sclerosis Society 40 Marcus Drive Suite 100 Melville, NY 11747, in Irene's memory would be appreciated. 

Published in Newsday on 3/8/2009

My brother, Charles Van de Merlen, who also graduated from Hicksville High, passed away last year on February 15th after a prolonged battle with throat cancer, followed by a stroke and then lung cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Therese, and three children, Scott, age 11, Ciara, age 9, and Charlie, 4. I would very much like to hear from any of his high school friends if they have memories of my brother that they would like to share as his children can only remember him being ill. He graduated in (I think) either 1965 or 66.If you want or need any more info, do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you.
Joyce (Van de Merlen) Landau, '59

Feb 17, 2008

CHUCK VAN de MERLEN, 59: Active in scouting here

Charles 'Chuck' Van de Merlen of Ridgefield, a software executive who had been active in scouting, died on Friday, Feb. 15, at Danbury Hospital. He was 59 years old and the husband of Therese Boyd Van de Merlen.

Mr. Van de Merlen was born in Queens, N.Y., son of Charles and Kathryn Linnen Van de Merlen. He grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, and graduated from Hicksville High School and Alfred (N.Y.) University.A professional photographer in early years, he later attained a degree in computer programming and then joined an insurance software group where he was a senior account executive.

A resident of Ridgefield for the past 11 years, he had previously lived in Stamford and Pleasant Valley, N.Y.Mr. Van de Merlen was active in the Ridgefield scouting program and had been a leader of his son's Cub Scout Den 3 in Pack 116.

'He maintained a passion for photography and was an awesome cook,' his family said.Besides his wife of 12 years, Mr. Van de Merlen is survived by three children, Scott, Ciara and Charley; a sister, Joyce Landau and her husband, Hank, of Edmonds, Wash.; his mother-in-law, Marie Boyd of Jeffersonville, N.Y.; six brothers-in-law, Jeff Boyd and his wife, Pam, of Liberty, N.Y., Tom Boyd and his wife, Miriam, of Jersey Shore, Pa., Bill Boyd, Chris Boyd, and Craig Boyd and his wife, Sandi, all of Jeffersonville, and Mike Boyd and his wife, Barbara, of Kansas City, Mo., and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, on Tuesday afternoon after 4 and concluded by an evening prayer service at 7, led by the Rev. William Pfohl, senior pastor of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church.Interment will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Van de Merlen Children's Education Fund, % Union Savings Bank, 100 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 would be appreciated. 

Frederick J. Kochersberger

WAYNESBORO, VA 'Frederick John Kochersberger, 83, husband of Lucille (Keller) Kochersberger of Waynesboro, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Shenandoah Nursing Home in Fishersville. Frederick was born April 20, 1925, in Forrest Hills, N.Y., a son of the late Henry John and Madeline (Jacke) Kochersberger.

Mr. Kochersberger was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Fishersville, Grumman Retiree Club and American Legion of Staunton, and he was an avid baseball player. He was in the Army Air Corps from July 1943 to March 1946; he served in the Pacific Theatre. He then was employed by Agway in Hicksville, N.Y., Prudential Insurance Co. and Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage, N.Y.

In addition to his parents, Frederick was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Kochersberger, and a sister, Helen Browne. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lucille; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Linda M. Kochersberger of Fairfax, Donna C. Jackson and her husband, Gary, of Southport, Conn., and Janice E. McGuire and her husband, William, of Centreville; four grandchildren, Matthew and Kristen Jackson and Stephanie and William McGuire; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Claire and Andr' Viette of Fishersville; and good friends, Hank and Lucy Henrickson. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Active pallbearers will be Henry 'Hank' Henrickson, Mark and Scott Viette, Gary and Matt Jackson and William Edward and William Erik McGuire.

A celebration of Frederick's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2009, in St. James Lutheran Church in Fishersville by the Rev. James Pence. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall or at other times at his residence.

A special thank you to Dr. Christopher Heck for his care and concern over the years.

It is suggested that those desiring make memorial contributions to St. James Lutheran Church, 320 St. James Road, Fishersville, VA 22939 or to Waynesboro First Aid Crew, 201 W. Broad St., Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory at 230 Frontier Drive is in charge of his arrangements.

In loving memory of Ralph Schiavone, 1960. He was a 1st Lieutenant Air Force pilot in the Viet Nam War and was killed there. He graduated from RPI. He was Phil's twin brother and a great guy. Please remember him in the Veterans section.

Phil Schiavone, 1960 and Denton Tillman, 1960

The following details his death in Viet Nam in 1968..

Date: 3 October 1968
Aircraft: C-7B 63-9753
Unit: 537 TAS, 483 TAW
Base: Phu Cat
Crew:

• Capt Wayne Philip Bundy (KIA)
• 1Lt Ralph Schiavone (KIA)
• SSgt Donald Gene Cleaver (KIA)
• SSgt James Kenneth Connor (KIA)
• 9 US Army passengers (KIA)

Description:

A C-7 collided with an Army CH-47A Chinook helicopter 66-19041 of the 228th Combat Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, near Camp Evans. The Caribou took off from Camp Evans and made a climbing right hand turn before reaching the end of the runway. The CH-47, flown by CW2 T E Johnson and WO1 R L Conroy, was approaching Camp Evans from LZ Nancy on a regular shuttle flight with troops and mail and the two aircraft collided at 1,100 feet. One of the Chinook's rotor blades sliced through the Caribou's cockpit and another blade hit the port engine. The Caribou spiraled into the ground and the Chinook's rear rotors separated and struck the helicopter's fuselage causing it to fall to the ground and explode. All four crew and nine passengers were killed in the Caribou and the five crew and six passengers were killed in the Chinook. This was the worst of a number of airspace control incidents during the war. Unfortunately several of these incidents involved the Caribous which the Army had turned over to USAF control in 1967.

Denny Tillman

Casale's Corner