May 2009 : Volume 9 - Issue 8

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 update May 7, 2009:

Dear HixNews readers, it is with the saddest of hearts that we have to inform you of the passing of our beloved fellow editor early this morning, Pat Driscoll.

You should all know that Pat spent the last few days of her life, working on the newsletter, until she was too exhausted to continue. She will be missed by all!

The editors

It's Spring Cleaning Time. Click here for a list of our readers sorted by year of graduation. If you don't find your name listed with your class, scroll down to the end and see if you are just listed with an HHS. This means the newsletter doesn't know your year of grad. Also there are a lot of blank cells for place of residence. Please send additions and correction to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.

Help find some missing alumni. Here's a list of those we've not been able to contact. Please let Carl or Joyce know if you can help get in touch with:

Event Type: Hicksville High School Class of 1984 25 Year Reunion
When: Aug 01 2009 6:00 PM - Aug 01 2009 10:00 PM
Where: Zacharys, 1916 Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow Shopping Center, East Meadow, NY 11554 USA
Event price: $ 98.00 per person. Open Bar included.
Payment must be received by: Jul 01 2009
You can pay with: checks, credit cards
Make checks payable to: Christine Flanagan 243 N. Albany Ave N. Massapequa, NY 11758. (Please write HHS84 in the Memo.)
There is a $10 fee for all returned checks.
For credit card or bank transfer payments: go to www.Paypal.com (email address= This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Enter ticket amount & send. We're having an EARLY BIRD Raffle. Pay by 6/1/09 & you could win $50. (Cash prize to be given at the Reunion.)

If you have any questions contact Christine Turner at 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

Ted and I were fortunate to be able to affiliate ourselves, and our effort to raise funds for our veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, with America's VetDogs. For those who want to contribute to this worthy organization please write a check Payable to...

America's VetDogs
371 East Jericho Tpke
Smithtown, NY 11787

Please put a reference to the 'Ted and Bob Ride' on the check or enclose a note indicating that the money is earmarked for the Ted and Bob Ride.

Kathy Genovese is our contact at VetDogs and said the following, "The mission of America's VetDogs is to help those who served our country honorably to live with dignity and independence whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs, by using guide dogs, service dogs, and innovative technology."

To track the progress of Ted and Bob, please log onto http://buffalobobcasale.com/

The Newsletter

I would like to share about skipping out of class a couple of times (I was only brave enough for a couple) and going over to the Old Country Road stores. Does anyone remember doing that? (I'm sure there are a few!) My sister, Christine Trant, and our friend, Jeannette Migliore, would skip out at one end of the school where there were no hall guards. We felt so free and "bad" but enjoyed ourselves so much.

My sister, Chriss, (class of 68) is now living here in Blacksburg, VA with me. We love the mountains of Southwest Virginia. We both go back to NY to visit family. In fact, we are having a Trant Family reunion in July this year. It should be fun. I have 5 grown children and 7 grandchildren. (We just had a new baby girl born on March 27th--Stella Rose.) Pete is in business with his twin brother, Mike, but is looking to retire hopefully this year. (Pete and Mike graduated from HHS in '65)

I just love the newsletter and have connected with several of my HHS friends. Thanks to all who contribute to it!

Kathleen Trant Adamo, Class of 66

Hi, Bob et al,

I'm in the middle of a series of operations for my worn out feet, but I wanted to ask if it is appropriate to ask readers to possibly volunteer in Island Harvest's big annual drive for feeding the hungry of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

IH is an incredible group of dedicated mainly volunteers and few poorly paid administrators who work 24-7 to supply free food pantries, kitchens, etc. of all religious and non religious orgs. who help feed the poor. Rigid standards, hard work, a not-for-profit org. with which I've been a regular volunteer on and off ("on" when I don't need some operation to mend old injuries catching up w/ me). I've never seen a more worthy charity, and nowadays, even many former high middle class clients need this group's help!

I'll be in touch,
Hank and Rene Cierski, 1961-both

Johnny Dziegelewski (It was pronounced Jingleski) and I got together in February at my friend's cafe in Bainbridge, NY. We have renewed our friendship again after 50 years and it is great.

Kurt Steitz, 1960

Bob and Ted,

I am Class of 67 I live In Boca Raton (about 4 hours north of the Keys) just east of I-95 and US1 would love to have you guys stop by and say hello.

Bob, I believe you know my older brother Robert (Bob) who still lives on Division Ave up in Hicksville. Let me know if you'll be in the area.

I will be leaving on vacation on April 10th but I can't imagine it taking 6 days to get here from Key West.

Douglas Rickmeyer, 1967

Bob & Ted,

We live in New Bern, NC right off of Hwy 17. If you come up this way, give me a call. There is a KOA in town or you can use my driveway for the night. Your trailer will fit as I have a 38 foot fifth wheel in the barn and I back it in all the time. There is a 30 amp hookup on the side of the garage.

Jim Fischer, 1965
New Bern, NC

I LIVE IN PORT ST LUCIE FLORIDA AS DOES MY BROTHER... WE GREW UP WITH TEDDY; KNEW HIS FAMILY WELL...PLEASE TELL HIM I WAS ASKING FOR HIM. BOY DID TIME FLY...

ALL THE BEST AND LOVE THE NEWS LETTER

MAUREEN USS, 1964

Does anyone know where Elizabeth Berning is? I always admired her in HHS and I would love to hear from her. If you know where she is, please feel free to give her my email address.

Thanks,
Alberta (Hunt) Bolettieri (59)

Dear Hicksvillers,

So far, getting older isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's actually great. I've stayed healthy, had lots of friends, colleagues, family and loved ones, and in many ways have led a charmed life. After studying architecture and art I found photography as my calling and was lucky enough to land an assignment with The New York Times Magazine right out of the gate. That was after being an assistant to Hans Namuth, the famed photographer of artists and architects, including Jackson Pollack, Willem DeKooning, Mies van der Rohe, I.M.Pei, Philip Johnson and many others - an experience that was a tremendous privilege and advantage.

Not long after that, while drafting at an architect's office on Park Avenue, I was offered the job as staff photographer at the advertising agency Young & Rubicam/NY, one of the "hot shops" in town and one of the largest in the world. After working there for four years I struck out on my own and opened my own studio on East 20th Street where for 25 years I shot pictures for most of the major ad agencies, charitable organizations, film companies, and corporations. Most of my work was ads for Fortune 500 companies, often shooting portraits of executives, Boards of Directors and celebrities in the sports, entertainment and corporate worlds. I also did a lot of travel photography for Eastern Airlines, TWA, PamAm and also campaigns for The Bahamas, Jamaica, WI and The US Virgin Islands as well as many other Caribbean islands; all exciting assignments. My studio work allowed me to build sets upon which I would create fantasy scenes for SONY, Pioneer, TIME, Newsweek, Crest, Apple Computers, IBM, etc. My study of art and architecture came in very handy designing sets and producing cinematic scenes. Fellini or Bergman I wasn't, but I have a vast supply of memories from my amazing experiences, met lots of amazing people and seen incredible places. And they haven't stopped yet.

I'm still shooting assignments today as well as teaching photography at FIT and NYU as an adjunct assistant professor. I've been doing that for eleven years now.

I was married twice; once right out of college to a classmate. That lasted 15 years. Five years later I married a German visitor to New York. That lasted two years. As is the custom these days, I've lived with a number of different wonderful women, each for about nine years. Usually they became my muse and my model for my artistic pictures (some nudes, but not the old-fashioned Betty Paige type).

I enjoy traveling a lot and looking at architecture. A number of years ago I drove across country to my cousin's near Seattle and stopped at every Frank Lloyd Wright structure I hadn't seen before. It was a great way to see the country and each destination was a thrill. Back in 2004 I shot a book about the making, history and enjoyment of beer, which "required" me to tour the great breweries of England, Belgium (lots of Trappist monasteries), and Germany (mostly Bavaria). It was published by the author who wrote it as The Brewmaster's Table (Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food). It's still available in its second printing from Amazon, among others. If you like beer, it's a well-written and informative book. Not to mention, it's nice to look at. Recently I've been going to Italy each summer, but several summers ago, in addition to Italy, I spent two weeks traveling in Spain to see Antoni Gaudi and Santiago Calatrava's architecture in Barcelona, Valencia and Bilboa. Of course the main attraction in Bilbao is Frank Gehry's incredible Guggenheim Museum, a place worth spending a few days.

I live on the roof of a ten-story building on West 15th Street in Chelsea and it is, for me, the heart of the city. My views include the Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, Metropolitan Life, the Statue of liberty, the Hudson River and, at one time, the World Trade Center. My view of those buildings was such that I witnessed the first plane pass my building and watched it all the way downtown and collide with the North building. I began to take pictures of the event moments after impact and my pictures were published in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Here Is New York, The Times' book, A Nation Challenged and many European publications. It was a horrifying experience. The pictures of which are still hard to look at. I am still traumatized by that experience.

I still am in contact and close friends with Phil Schiavone ('60). He's someone who I've known since the 4th grade, along with his twin brother, Ralph. Phil has been hugely successful as a construction company executive and has been a great and loyal friend. The other night (3.27.09), Phil was honored at a dinner at Chateau La Mer in Lindenhurst as the Alumnus of the Year at Farmingdale State College; and deservedly so.

I saw Henry Landau and his wife Joyce (nee van de Merlin) last year at their summer house in Ocean City, We had a great time. They live normally in Edmonds, WA. One of these days I plan to visit them there. They're great people.

I often think about all the terrific times and people from my Hicksville days. Hicksville was, to me, a place out of a Norman Rockwell illustration. There was a wonderful diversity of people and an extraordinary amount of pretty girls. And fast cars - two of my favorite things.

Sorry to have gone on so long, but once I started, my reminiscences took over.

Oh, I forgot: A cherished memory of HHS. That would be the making of music with some very talented musicians, both in the concert band and in those rehearsal closets with a small group playing improvised jazz (Artie Romeo, John Fort, George Perifamos, Billy Suppa and others). I also loved football and wrestling. I'll never forget Dave McKinstry tackling some dude from Hempstead, or someplace, lifting the guy's helmet and punching him in the face. Now that's how football was played back then!

All the best,
Denny Tillman
P: 212-255-2977
C: 646-678-1107
<www.dennytillman.com>

This was sent to the newsletter by Vic "Skip" Platania, '58

The First Roosevelt Raceway

Talk about pictures telling a story. I just reread my Long Island Aviation book again along with much about the golden age of air racing and aviation. Yes, Long Island actually was the cradle of aviation and mostly in the area bordered by Old Country road on the north, Merrick Ave. on the east, Clinton road on the west and finally dipping down from Stewart Ave to Hempstead Turnpike on the South. Most of the above was considered the Hempstead Plains and by nature ideal for natural airfields. Many of the buildings still stand and I have worked in the nooks and crannies of many over the years doing telephone install/repairs. There were two other smaller fields; one was Washington Field off Washington Ave. and Old Country road bordering the east side of the old Mineola Fair grounds. The other was Nassau Field, west of Nassau Rd. and south of the railroad tracks in Garden City. The airport names should sound familiar, Roosevelt Field, Mitchell Field, Curtiss Field, and Hazelhurst Field. Unfortunately, some or all of these names were synonymous with each other depending on the year one speaks of. The attached photo is testament to another forgotten name we have given yet another series of meanings and locations to. It is an extremely good resolution picture of Roosevelt Raceway during a Vanderbilt race. No, this is not a horse track but an automobile track and no, it is not located on the same site as the Roosevelt Raceway Trotter track was, although close. The date is likely 10/12/1936 as the picture indicates. A blow up reveals cars from that era and a Lockheed Electra similar to Amelia Earhart's at the time parked at Roosevelt airfield in the lower right. Amelia did frequent the area before her disappearance in 1937, but that is research for another day. The main road running top through bottom is Old Country Rd. with Merrick Ave in the background intersecting near the top left cluster of trees and older homes. For those that worked at 741 Zeckendorf for the phone company, the building's north cafeteria side would be in the lower right and the road on the bottom side of the race track to become Zeckendorf Boulevard. The white building in that lower left is still there and for many years the facial front for Avis world headquarters. Look carefully at the embankment sloping down into the aircraft basin and know next time you happen to turn onto Zeckendorf from Old Country Rd. why it continues all the way to Corporate Dr. The picture shows homes that still survive; the Vanderbilt Parkway cutting through what is now Eisenhower Park and what I believe to be the old train station on Merrick Ave. near upper left. I'm sure there are many curiosities and these are but a few. Here is a link to video of the race pictured if anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OWBrmyIto

Wayne

This is a note fromRoy Meier (class of 1954) is there anyone out there who knows me?

If Ted and Bob are passing thru West Palm Beach area, I'm on Singer Island and would be happy to see them.

Love,
Bonnie (Scharr) Papes, '61

Just wanted to say thanks to you guys who put the newsletter together. It's a treat to read the news from all the many people who graduated from HH, from so many places in this great country of ours. I've included a picture Bill Kozma '63, sent me from California, and a picture of me and my family celebrating my son's 32 birthday last December. My daughter and her husband, and my granddaughter, Anne Marie, are sitting in the front. My son, youngest daughter and wife and I are on the couch. Having grandkids is the next best thing to growing up in a small town like Hicksville. (Enjoyed the HOT ROD video). Keep up the good work. Safe trip up from the keys.

Joe Platania '63

We were all wearing "Pirate" scarves (you know, like a do rag, but for pirates). It was a pirate themed birthday party and we all wore these things to be silly.

Hello all back in the land of Hicksville. I just wanted to send some interesting information on what is happening out here in Santa Fe, NM.

The city and we here at the Cathedral, are preparing to celebrate our 400th anniversary! Seems odd to hear that, I know. This area was originally explored by Coronado in the early 1500's and a number of small settlements were started on and off for a good part of the 16th Century. The Council of the Indies gave the order to lay out the city of Santa Fe in 1609 (City of Holy Faith - yes, there was little if any separation between Church and State in the Spanish Empire in those days), and the foundations for the first Church (Our Lady of the Assumption and the Governor's Palace were laid. The more or less official date for the founding of both the Church and the city was August 15, 1610. The Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi occupies the site of the first church that was built in 1610. The Cathedral is the fourth church to occupy the site, and its construction was begun in 1862 and competed in 1886 during the tenure of Archbishop Lamy, who was originally from Clermont, France. The first Archbishop died soon after his retirement when the Cathedral was completed at his chapel home that is now part of the Bishop's Lodge resort north of the city.

So, the next two years will be filled with celebrations and special events here in Santa Fe.

If any of you gets the opportunity to be touring the Southwest, be sure to put Santa Fe on your list of places to visit. If you do come, let me know you'll be in town and I'll be happy to show you around the Cathedral and recommend all the best restaurants and lodging in the area. If you like art (300 galleries), dining, fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, riding, Native American culture and art, Spanish Colonial culture and art, museums, hot springs, or spiritual experience - this is the place!!

I can be contacted by email here at the Cathedral Basilica at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jim Cutropia, 1963
Director of Finance and Administration

Check out the following websites for more information on Santa Fe:
http://www.cbsfa.org/
http://www.santafe.org/
http://www.bishopslodge.com/
http://www.museumfoundation.org/
http://santafereview.com/
http://www.santafenm.gov/
http://ojocalientesprings.com/rates.php?action=viewcontent&content_id=46
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/
http://www.nmculturenet.org/

RE: OLD BASEBALL PHOTO IN APRIL'S NEWSLETTER

Sincere apologies for not having gotten back to you. The day after my first message to you my computer went down for two days for unknown reasons, following which I was compelled to take care of important business. And then-------------I forgot.

The rest of the identities are on the bottom row, L-R: unknown: unknown, Schluter, unk., unk., unk., unk., Dick Rennie, Schluter, unk., coach M. Identifying two Schluters is not a mistake, they are brothers, and one's first name is Jake, but we can't remember which one he is and don't remember the other's first name, (I think the one farthest right is Jake)...

I hope this helps and again I apologize for the delay. Don't hesitate to ask if I can be of further assistance.

Fred Fluckiger, 1937

Will there be a 1960 class reunion? It will be 50 years next year.

Mary (D'Amato) Fenton, '60 (VA)

It's hard to believe, but in less than four weeks, we will be performing our 25th Anniversary Concert of the Glass Menagerie Chorus.

The rehearsal process has been difficult, but the program is rounding into shape and the concert should be memorable.

The main piece will be the Missa Brevis by Zoltan Kodaly. This is an unusually beautiful mass accompanied by grand organ. This has required a venue change due to the fact that the organ at our home venue of St. Joe's just wasn't up to the challenge.

So, here are the particulars. The performance will be Saturday night, May 9th, 8 p.m., at St. Peter's in the Citicorp, Center at Lexington Ave. and E. 54th St.

Other items on the bill will be the Missa Lubba which is a mass with an African interpretation, four songs by Bartok, and rounded out by several Hungarian folk songs.

I hope you all can be there and share in this wonderful night of music and celebration of our 25th year.

All the Best,
David Teitel

Re: Hicksville Vietnam War Era Veterans Memorial

We are moving toward the 250 mark and I think with the plan Joe and I have developed for the summer, this will be a major push season. My goal is to have as close as we can by the fall (we've said that before, right Joe).

We are going external this summer with a few news articles on the island in some of the Vets magazines...DAV, Am Legion, VFW, AMVETS, and the likes; should bring in a few more from the cold.

Ken Strafer
Fairfax, VA

Dear editors,

I am responding to Jane Donshik's request to find me (Arlene Klein) could you give her my email address? Also tell her I live in W. Babylon N.Y. I would love to talk to her.

Thank You
Arlene Klein 1966

Hi

This is from Vincent Cocolichio, class of 1962. A friend sent me a message from the Oct '08 issue that Sandy Sandler was looking for my brother Michael (class of 1960) & myself. Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.

I still live on L.I. in Mt. Sinai (out by Pt. Jefferson). My brother lives in Florida but will be here in June of '09. If it's possible maybe we can hook up with Sandy at that time.

If you can get this message to Sandy, we would appreciate it.

Thanks
Vincent Cocolichio

Hello Ted and Bob,

My name is Valerie Papes. My husband is Robert F. Papes and my mother-in-law is Barbara (Bonnie) Papes, one of your high school alumni from New York. Bonnie told me all about your ride up the East Coast to raise $ for the Vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. I served in the U.S. Army myself from 1986-1989 (Military Police) in Germany. I just returned from Gettysburg, PA and Washington D.C. as well. Our travels through the Arlington National Cemetery really touched me, indelibly. I'd love to donate to your cause and plan to circulate your story around the office where I'm employed as a litigation paralegal here in Orlando, FL. In your down time'.whenever that might be, please provide us with the address we need to send our charitable contributions.

Good luck with your bike ride; please be careful.

Valerie Papes, Orlando, FL

Hi HixNews,

Just wanted to say thanks so much for your help in sending my dear friend Jane, my information...I sooo appreciate it...I was only thinking of her a couple

of months ago and had no idea how to get in touch with her...I have many good memories of HHS...So many nice people went to our school and talented people...I am doing well today and I count my blessings everyday...I will keep in touch...

Arlene Klein, 1961

If my family stayed (we lived in Levittown...16 Acre Lane from 1950-61) I'd be a 1968 alumni. If there is a way to pass this buzz on to other Acre Laners like the Bowles chick, I'd very much appreciate it.

I was a kid when Labor Day meant getting up, eating my Wheaties and then walking into the bushes behind my backyard and seeing the best damn parade a kid could ever see... And the hotrods ran pretty solid for a day or so before the big event. The racket drove me crazy. The Rinku Dinks, Maddogs and all those crazy rides the FD guys had going on... I was in 4th grade when my art teacher told me whose colors black and orange were.....

In many ways I wish I never moved away in summer of 1961. I was just starting to stretch my skinny legs out and see what I was dealin' with...only 45 minutes from Brooklyn...

John Fonte

Dear Buffalo Bob Casale, 61, Pat Koziuk Driscoll, 56, Bob Gillette, 61, Linda Piccerelli Hayden, 60, Walt Schmidt, 65, Bob Wesley, 61,

Since discovering your Hicksville High School News Web Site last December I now enjoy reading about the many classmates I attended school with every day back in the late 50's. Browsing the February Letters I came across a letter (and pictures) from Carolyn (Clem) Baldwin Moors. It really struck me because I'm pretty sure this was the same Clem that was my Prom Date. (Hi Clem, good to see you). Very, very enjoyable, very nostalgic. And for this I say Thank You for all you do to put his together for us every month!

This coming August, I will have lived in the Dallas area for 40 years. It has been a very positive and enjoyable living and working experience. My wife Linda, of almost 30 years, (picture attached) and I have lived in the same quiet Grapevine neighborhood for the last 20 years and have some of the nicest neighbors that anyone could hope for. We have been very lucky to have had a very good life, and I get the feeling from reading the letters, that many of the HHS Alums have had similar experiences. I would be an added attraction to have a Bio page to be able to read about the lives of other classmates.

Until next time,
Ron Rocek, '60

Hello to all!

I recently joined Facebook, ignoring the cries of "PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS" from my two children, and found this wonderful newsletter thanks to Jim Rubin! I have done nothing but read back issues for two days now! I'm presently out of the country, but once I get home, I'll send on some photos I've been saving. My husband and I now live half the year in Westchester, NY, and the rest of the year we're either at our beach house in MA, or down in Montevideo, Uruguay which is where I am at the moment. We've lived in Madrid, Paris, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Milan- all thanks to Citibank- which is where my husband worked until his semi-retirement 4 years ago. We have a 27 year old daughter, who graduated from Columbia, and is now working in the Latin American Art Dept. at Sotheby's, and a son 25, who graduated from Hamilton, and is living in Montevideo doing M&A work. I guess we're getting to that stage in our lives where we have a bit of extra time for ourselves, and it is so nice to have this forum to find our lost friends! Thanks for the great job you are doing!! Fondly,

Suzanne Schuster Fedrigotti '67

PS I see my brother, Steve Schuster '64 as often as I can. He is well, semi-retired, living in Suffolk County, and has 3 grown, married children, and 6 grandchildren.

Hello,

My mother and uncle graduated from Hicksville High School in 1944, Beryl Hall and Jimmy Hall. My cousin recently found their old year book and here is what it said:

Sandy,

I recently found our parents' yearbook. The most puzzling thing is that they graduated in the same class, Hicksville High 1944. Anyway, some info for you; in class predictions: "Beryl Hall has taken over the fashion designing for MGM." Your mom was voted Best Dressed and Most Artistic; my father was voted Best Dressed, Best Singer & Dancer, and Wittiest.

Under you mom's photo, nickname B.J., she was on the yearbook staff, in the school musicals, and the hockey team for 4 years, it also says,"A smile, a pal, and everyone's friend is Beryl a girl we recommend."

Under my Dad's photo it says, "Jimmy's the playboy of Hicksville High, when he's around the fur does fly."

Are there any pictures that you know of from the class of 1944? My mom is going to be 84 years old next month and I'm sure she would love to see something from her old high school.

Are there any other members of that class still alive? I would appreciate any information,

Thanks,
Sandy Presley-Dorda

P.S. You might want to pass along to the other 1944 classmates that Jimmy Hall died 3/26/1974 at 47 yrs old. He lived on Long Island in the town of East Northport. He has a daughter and 2 sons. He was quite successful in his career, but unfortunately died at a young age.

Sandy

The newsletter sent a note to the four names we have from the class of 1944 and received the following replies:

I'm a member of HHS Class of '44, and the last time I looked, I was very much alive. I recall Beryl and Jimmy Hall quite well but have not heard from or about either of them for 65 years. Classmates Ceil Schwartz (now Horne), and Bob Youden live in California; Gus Bahrenburg lives on LI. It was a class of about 102 or 104 and many of us went into service (it was still WW2) following graduation. If I can dig it up, I'll review the yearbook (which was yellow covered with blue print and let you know if I can give you any other names.

If you communicate with Beryl or her daughter, please pass along my regards.

Sincerely,
Eugene ("Gene") Levitt '44

Well, I surely remember then both--a pair of attractive kids. If you have not already done so, send your email to Linda Kochersberger in Fairfax, Virginia and works for IBM and is the daughter of class valedictorian, Lucille Keller. I sent you misinformation about Fred having graduated from Hicksville, but Lucille did. Lucille is not email literate at this point as she spent a long time nursing Fred until he died (you probably remember my disorganized letter). There might be another person still alive from my Plainview group (maiden Ketterer (female) married someone named Wenz. Another person who lives on Long Island still and still alive but not email literate either is Arline Thorman (maiden name) and lives in a retirement community in a town called Ridge (I think). Maybe her married name will come to me---yes, here it is Noll. Address 408 Belfast Lane, Ridge, NY 11961. I never saved my yearbook, but Bob Youden (my ex-husband is on the net and saved everything. God knows whether he can find it though. I am glad to hear that there a few more of us still alive. I worked in Silicon Valley from 1964 on so since I had taken all the "boy's classes like Chemistry, Physics and Math. I fitted right in with Fairchild Semiconductor (HQ) was out on Robbins Lane, just beyond the city limits of Hicksville. Ketterer's first name I think is Louise. Happy hunting and I will get my picture taken and send it on.

Best,

Cele Horn also known as Cacielia Schwarz -- maiden name and HHS grad. I think that there is a Christ girl who married someone very successful in the semiconductor business who has lived nearby in Los Altos or Los Altos Hills.

Hi Pat,

I mentioned this to my mother, Lucille (Keller) Kochersberger who was in the class of 1944. My mom has a picture from the 50th reunion that I can get when I visit her next and scan it as a .jpg. Did Beryl's daughter want recent pix of class of '44 members?

Linda Kochersberger

George Lehmann, HHS 1944 graduate, is 82 years old and "alive & kicking" in Largo, FL. Married 54 years to Ethel (Kunz), 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and is still a member of the Kids & Kubs senior men's softball team. George & wife visit vacation retreat in the Catskill Mts. NY each summer.

Remembers both Beryl & Jim Hall, but sadly, his year book was destroyed up North years ago. Ethel remembers cheering for Jimmy during the high school basketball games. He was a good player.

Happy 84th Birthday, and many more!
George & Ethel Lehmann

Hi everyone, especially our terrific class of '56!

Wanted to let you know that an Indie film I was featured in last September called, "In the Bag," has been accepted by the Hoboken Film Festival and will be screened on Monday, June 1. I played a bag lady and it was a really fun part!

Additionally, I just did a music video with a new, young singer called Tina Parol. I was the only senior on the set and was surrounded by young men and women dancers jumping all over the place. I was chosen because the directors absolutely loved the "old way" I danced, (just like all of you!). I love working with these young directors. They are so respectful and kind. They give me great hope for our young people. I played Tina's Mom and had to dance up to her and kiss her on the cheek. You can see this on her website soon and also on MTV and probably Google.

You can also catch me on the Biography Channel in late August in a new show called, "Celebrity Ghost Stories." These are true stories of the paranormal that have happened to celebrities. I play the Mom in Rue McClanahan's episode.

Hope everyone is feeling good and happy,
Best to all,
Harri Molese, 1956

On May second Olga (Staryk) Marcinik will be 96. Aunt Olga, as she has been known to generations of children on the block, is part of the old Staryk family that started and ran Fairway Farms of Hicksville. Their pastures were behind Burns Ave and south of Nevada St. The old farm house still stands on Burns Ave. As a teenager, Olga delivered milk by horse and wagon before going to high school. Her brother John was the boy with the belly button popping out that was pictured on the milk bottle. Olga has been living in the brick house on the corner of Bay Ave and Willoughby Ave for the last 71 years.

Carl Probst, 1959

Photo Gallery

Class of 1967 Senior Trip to Washington and Williamsburg, March 16-18 1967

Birthdays & Anniversaries

New Readers & Returns

Honoring our Veterans

This month, once again one topic, no distractions, another story that must never be forgotten.

April 30, 1975... 34 Years Ago

Pacific Stars and Stripes - Vol. 31 No. 12 - Thursday May 1, 1975

IT'S OVER

Saigon - The United States [has] pulled out of Vietnam... All but a handful of Americans fled the country aboard Marine helicopters by early Wednesday [April 30, 1975], and left it up to the Vietnamese to find peace. The Americans were ordered out Tuesday by new President Duong Van Minh to meet one of the Communist's major conditions for peace talk - an end to the U.S. presence.

Two Years and Three Months Before...

January 27, 1973: The cease-fire agreement which had guaranteed the United States, in President Nixon's words, "Peace with honor," would, in fact, last less than a year.

March 29, 1973: The last remaining American combat troops withdraw from Vietnam as President Nixon declares "the day we have all worked and prayed for has finally come." Yet, by 1974, the war had restarted.

December 13, 1974: North Vietnam violates the Paris peace treaty and tests President Ford's resolve by attacking Phuoc Long Province in South Vietnam. President Ford responds with diplomatic protests but no military combat forces, this in compliance with the Congressional ban on all U.S. military combat activity in Southeast Asia.

March 1975: A strategic retreat ordered by South Vietnamese president Nguyen Van Thieu quickly turned into a rout.

April 18, 1975: Sensing that the end of the war was near, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger ordered all U.S. citizens in South Vietnam to leave immediately. Operation Frequent Wind became the largest helicopter evacuation in history. Nearly seven thousand people, including fourteen hundred Americans, were airlifted to U.S. ships waiting offshore.

April 30, 1975: The end came on at 4:58 a.m., a CH-46 helicopter, call sign "Lady Ace 09," flown by Capt. Jerry Berry, transported US Ambassador Graham A. Martin from the Saigon embassy roof to the waiting US fleet. At 7:53 a.m., the last helicopter lifted off, carrying Marine personnel who had been defending the embassy.


--- --- Walt Schmidt Veteran Services Officer 
- - --- TOBay's Veteran Services Division 
- - - - "Let No Veteran Ever Stand Alone!" 
--- --- WorkDayTime: 516.797.7875 & 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

Hicksville Vietnam War Era Proposed Memorial

An effort has been underway for quite some time now with hopes of dedicating a Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial Monument at a frequently visited site in Hicksville (such as Hicksville High, Hicksville Town Hall, etc.) sometime in 2010 once we have exhausted the possibility of finding Veterans who served on active duty during that era and once we have the approval from the necessary Hicksville authorities to do so.

We have a current problem, however.  Until recently, the project founder, Ken Strafer (HHS 1962) and his key staff assistant, Joe Carfora (HHS 1962) were working without additional help and through time to time announcements in HixNews to seek additional names.  After a couple of years, this brought us only to 150 or so names.  Since the March 1 update we posted in HixNews and after adding additional help to our team from members of other classes, we have brought the current list of names to 222 in less than two months!

As a result, we have chosen a path of much broader distribution in our search for the names of people who qualify to be included in the Memorial.  We are using the Class of '59 website for this purpose and have now approached the reunion leaders of other classes for help in identifying people not already included on our current list.  We know that we have only scratched the surface so far.

To qualify for the Memorial, a person must have been on active duty in one of our Armed Forces during the Vietnam Era, but did not necessarily have to serve in Vietnam, because by being in the service at that time a person was exposed to the possibility of being sent to Vietnam and was overall an integral part of strengthening our Armed Forces during a time of war. 

Here are the overall qualifications for a person to be included in the Memorial list.  The person:

• must have been a resident of Hicksville at some time before entering our Armed Forces
• must have attended a public, private or parochial high school while living in Hicksville (attendance at HHS not required)
• must have served on active duty anywhere in the world during America's Vietnam Era (1961-1973 per www.vietnamwar.com history timeline)
• Note that both men and women qualify (I'm stating this as we have very few women on our current list)

We have set a goal of 250 names by this summer and know there are many more that served out there who meet these qualifications, but have yet to be identified by the project team.  We have access to official records in Washington, D.C. but have found that many people left Hicksville before entering the service and show a different town or city as their home at the time of entry.  So, we need to continue this grassroots effort and will also continue to use the official records we have access to as a means of confirmation of all personnel on the list.

Our Project Team currently has the following members:

-        Ken Strafer, Founder (HHS '62)

-        Joe Carfora, Assistant & Master List Keeper (HHS '62)

-        Carl Probst, Input Data, Class of '59 & Others (HHS '59)

-        Tony Plonski, Input Data, Class of '64 & Others (HHS '64)

-        Pat Driscoll, Editor, HixNews (HHS '56)

-        Tommy Sullivan, Press Release Editing (HHS '63)

-        Walter Schmidt, Hicksville Local Coordinator & Town of Oyster Bay Veterans Services Officer (HHS '65)

What we need each person reading this to do:

Please review the attached list of names.  If you know of someone who is not listed, please send their name and what you can about their service to Joe Carfora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Please use the information contained on the attached list as a guide for the data we need.

Thank you!

The Vietnam War Era Project Team

Footnote extracted from www.vietnamwar.com:  During 15 years of military involvement, over 2 million Americans served in Vietnam with 500,000 seeing actual combat. 47,244 were killed in action, including 8000 airmen. There were 10,446 non-combat deaths. 153,329 were seriously wounded, including 10,000 amputees. Over 2400 American POWs/MIAs were unaccounted for as of 1973.

Memory Lane

50 YEARS AGO - 1959

• Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper are killed in a plane crash.
• First Barbie Doll produced.
• Alaska and Hawaii admitted to the Union as U.S. states.
• Cuban revolution; Fidel Castro becomes Prime Minister of Cuba.
• Xerox manufactures the Xerox 914, the first plain paper copier.
• St. Lawrence Seaway opens, allowing ocean ships to reach Midwest (April 25).
• World Series  LA Dodgers d. Chicago White Sox (4-2)
• NBA Championship  Boston d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-0)
• The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences sponsors the first Grammy Award ceremony for music recorded in 1958.  Frank Sinatra wins his first Grammy Award -- Best Album for Come Dance with Me.
• Rumors of cheating on quiz shows erupt into a national scandal.
• Movies  Some Like It Hot, North by Northwest, Ben-Hur, Anatomy of a Murder, Room at the Top

Deaths 

• Lou Costell
• Cecil B. De Mille
• Mel Ott
• Frank Lloyd Wright

In Memoria

In my efforts to locate my boyhood friend, John Petree, HHS Class of 1960, I was informed by John's alma mater, Muhlenberg College, that he died in 1983.Bill Ramos, HHS 1960

GOUSE - Charles F., passed away March 11, 2009, at 78 years old. Charles was born to Frederick Jacob Gouse and Frieda Van de Water on February 16, 1931 in Mineola, NY. He most recently lived in Sag Harbor, NY with his wife, Audrey. He is survived by his devoted wife, Audrey and his children Andrea (and John Sullivan), Stephanie (and Christopher Vyce) and Rick (Sherri); his step-children Alison (and Greg Gore) and Matthew as well as six grandchildren; Taylor and Ethan Sullivan, Lily and Brady Gouse, Hadyn and Alexander Gore. Charles had one great-grandchild, Logan Sullivan. Charlie's professional life was centered on his love of music; playing, arranging, conducting and teaching. After earning Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Hofstra College he received a Doctorate in Music at Boston University. He studied trumpet with Harry Glantz of Toscanini's NBC Symphony and Armando Ghitalla of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducting with Tibor Serly and composition with Elie Siegmeister. Charles played with the Boston "Pops" Orchestra under Arthur Fiedler and was the principal trumpeter with the original (NYC) Bach Aria Group. He also worked with many studio and free-lance groups. He was founder and conductor of the North Shore Symphony (formerly Hicksville Community Orchestra), Music Director and conductor of the Orchestra da Camera and the conductor of the Merrick Symphony from 1977 to 1994. Charles also conducted the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra (NYC) for its Alice Tully Hall concerts. In addition to his musical arrangements for the Eglevsky Ballet, Mr. Gouse's works have been performed by the Batsheva Dance Co. (Isreal), the David Parsons Dance Foundation (NYC), the Ballet Met (Ohio) and the Spoleto Festival (Melbourne, Australia). His educational materials are published by Alfred Publishers, Van Nuys, CA. Charlie retired from the North Shore School District in 1986 as the Coordinato of Fine Arts. Previously, he spent over 25 years as Director of Music for Hicksville School District. His students and colleagues were a source of joy over the years. Before returning to Long Island, Charlie spent many happy years splitting his time between Lake Sunapee, NH and Flagler Beach, FL where he enjoyed the lake and beach equally with family, friends and his beagle (Bella) over the years. Charlie's love for people, music and life will be missed.

Published in Newsday on 4/18/2009

Charlie Gouse headed the Music Dept. at HHS for many years and influenced so many people during his tenure there.  I spoke to him several times throughout the years and he was happy to know I spent my life in the music business as an entertainer.

Bob Wesley

I also remember Mr. Gouse with great affection.  His picture is not in the 1956 yearbook, probably because he was in the service when the pictures were taken  He was the band director when I was a senior and helped me get out of a class.  I had signed up for Latin 3, but the first day of class learned that my favorite teacher was on maternity leave. Her maiden name was Miss Hoffman, can't remember her married name.  The next day instead of going to Latin class, I wandered around the halls (I got away with a lot of stuff because I was a hall guard!) and ended up in the band room. I asked if I could hide out there and Mr. Gouse wanted to know if I could play a musical instrument.  I replied, 'The piano.'  That's how I became the Glockenspiel player and got out of Latin 3.

Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll, '56

Casale's Corner

HICKSVILLE TIDBITS MAY 2009

Bob and Ted started their great adventure. Bob had an album on Webshots.com for photos, but it is no longer there.

I have collected his notes to me. The date and time is when I received them in my inbox.

Pat (Koziuk) Driscoll

4/13/09 - 8:23 am

it's Monday morning and Ted and I are in Montgomery, Alabama. We drove from Hickory Knob State Park in South Carolina, about 300 miles and laid overnight. What a storm we had starting last night about 11pm. It just subsided at 8am this morning. Our trip has begun and we are off to Niceville, Florida around noon or sooner. That is in the Florida Panhandle and they are expecting some nasty weather later. Our trip today will be about two hours or three. The picture is from last Thursday when Ted and I were loading up in Augusta before heading up to the mountains.

4/13/09 - 3:40 pm

...we just arrived in Niceville a little while ago. It took about four hours and rained the entire time plus all of last night and it's still raining.
Roger set up a blog site for me and I should be able to post notes and pictures on a daily basis. The only problem is I don't exactly know how to use it and I need to let people know what the site is. Have you been to the site? Tomorrow we are off to Gainesville...then Vero Beach....then to the Keys.

4/15/09 - 8:47 am

I went online this morning and my new little Eee PC had a keyboard that was typing oddball characters on both the computer and my wireless keyboard. I went to Best Buy and the Geek Squad fixed the keyboard on the computer, something about I hit control numbers lock and corrupted the keyboard.
Well, I am still having the same problem with the wireless keyboard and I need that desperately because I cannot type on this little keyboard. I want to bring my blog up to date but cannot type on this little thing. How do I get the wireless active again?
We are in Vero Beach and will be in the Keys tomorrow afternoon.
We have gone almost 1100 miles so far.

4/16/09 - 7:32 am

...it's early Saturday morning, the 11th of April. Masters has hit Augusta this past week and the traffic was horrendous. Ted and I picked up and loaded the motor home on Thursday, April 9th, then took off for a campground in South Carolina...Hickory Knob State Resort Park...what a beautiful location. I let Ted back the fifth wheel into the spot...I'm still a nervous wreck but will get better as we go along.
I left Ted at the Park and drove back Martinez...had to feed Joyce and take care of loose ends. Dawn will be responsible for Joyce while I'm gone. I'm sorry to put the onus on her, but this trip has been planned for a long time.
I do have some pictures and will post as soon as we get on the road.
Friday, I went shopping for more stuff... It's crazy how much stuff is needed just to be comfortable.
Dawn, Sarah and Joyce are driving up to the park today. I am loading the F350 with the last of the stuff and will head up with the girls.
Ted and I take off tomorrow morning, Easter Sunday. Our first stop is in Montgomery, Alabama for an overnight, then off to see Kim, Ted's daughter in the Florida panhandle near Fort Walton Beach.

4/14/09 - 7:50 pm

Ted and I arrived at the Keys around 3:30 this afternoon and set the motor home up for the overnight. Our mileage to date is about 1,300 miles. Actually, we will be here two nights...Thursday and Friday night. We had to park around 40 miles from the Keys because they had no openings for motor homes in that area.

Tomorrow, Ted will be driven to Key West and will start his ride. He will return to the site where we parked and then Saturday we are off to the next Key.

We are dedicating this excursion to the VetDogs website, a project of Guide Dog Foundation (GDF) that provides Guide Dogs and Service Dogs to veterans. We have been asking the foundation to set up a donation page that can be accessed directly.

Please wait with your donation until I find out something from GDF.

Check out the following: https://www.vetdogs.org/

The systems in the motor home are becoming more familiar...I'm still anxious hooking up and dropping the trailer from the truck. It's getting better.

Gonna try to blog another blog, then watch a movie with Ted...

When Worlds Collide; an oldie but goodie.

4/19/09 - 7:17 pm

Pat...

Don't know where I left off.

We stayed in Niceville on Monday....Gainesville on Tuesday....Vero Beach on Wednesday....then got to Big Pine Key on Thursday and laid over for two nights. Reason for staying at Big Pine Key was because we couldn't get any accommodations in the Keys.

Friday, we drove to Key West...about 40 miles...early because we wanted to look around. We went to Fort Zachary Taylor and ate lunch in the original Jimmy Buffet Restaurant in the early afternoon. Ted wanted to get some carbs before he started his initial bike excursion. He got back to Big Pine Key and we relaxed for the evening.

Ted started early Saturday morning from Big Pine Key heading to our next campground in Key Largo. It was the worst trip he's ever made...there were wind gusts of 25 to 30 knots blowing directly into his face and this trip was about 60 miles. He couldn't get much acceleration and the trip took about 8 hours.

This morning, Sunday, Ted left for Florida City around 7:30. I had to wait until 10am for the office to open and when I got to Florida City, Ted was already there. His trip this morning, because there was no wind, took about three hours or so.

Tomorrow, Monday, we are heading to Hollywood...that's about another 40 Miles.

So far Ted has logged about 140 miles. I've logged 9 miles on my treadmill...that should count for something.

4/20/09 - 4:28 pm

Ted is in great shape for 63 years old. He works out every day. He's been on the road today since 8am and it's past 4pm. He's close because he just called and said he is entering Hollywood. We are staying tonight at TY Park (Topeekeegee Yugnee Park). It's really very pretty and there's lots to do...but we are off tomorrow for a new site; to be determined later.

4/29/09 - 8:39 pm

I had a real catastrophe today. Setting up in Yulee, Florida, the bolt on the front landing gear sheared off and my leg was stuck in the down position. We finally got it to release, but I cannot use the truck as we are attached with no way to detach. Have to find a Brunswick dealer locally that can do the repair. Keep your fingers crossed.

love da buff