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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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, October 6th, 2012
Class of 1962 50-Year Reunion
7PM -12AM HOLIDAY INN, Plainview , N.Y.
Please be sure Karen Hubner Jenkins has your current e-mail address (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Our Reunion Website 62.hixreunion.com

Hicksville Public Library welcomes back Tommy Sullivan

Come see Tommy Sullivan in concert Sunday October 14 at 2:30 PM. A Hicksville High School graduate, Tommy is a founding member of the original Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge and an inaugural inductee to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

In the late sixties, Tommy started the first rock band in the U.S. Army (which included three other HHS classmates!) while serving in the West Point Band. In nearly every interview he's done Tommy has ascribed his success in the music business to the excellent music education he received in the Hicksville Public School system'.and to his lifelong mentor, Charles Gouse

Sunday's show will feature Tommy on keyboards, guitar flute and sax; singing classic music from the fifties and sixties' even some jazz stylings and new original songs. You'll also hear some inside stories about the many legendary performers he's worked with over the years. Come join us in welcoming home Tommy Sullivan!

The Rhythm Method/Del-Satins/Brooklyn Bridge

In 1968, following Tommy Sullivan's leaving the West Point Band, he helped create a new 7-piece Long Island band. The group learned just enough songs to enter a Battle of the Bands at the hot Farmingdale nightclub, The Cloud 9. They didn't win the Battle, but did get picked by Johnny Maestro (who was headlining at the Cloud 9 that night with the Del-Satins), to be his new band. Together with Johnny, original Del-Satins Les Cauchi & Freddy Ferrara and their 'new' (1968) member Mike Gregorio merged to become the Brooklyn Bridge. Just prior to teaming up with Johnny, The Del-Satins backed up Dion's post-Belmonts hits, including Runaround Sue & the Wanderer.

Tonight's Rhythm Method reunion of Hicksville High grads Tommy Sullivan, Jimmy Rosica, Carolyn Imbrie, Shelly Davis, Joe Ruvio and Artie Catanzarita along with Valley Stream's Richy Macioce marks only the second time they've appeared under that name. Appearing together tonight in tribute to Johnny, the collaboration of the Rhythm Method and Del-Satins marks the historic reunion of Long Island Music Hall of Fame charter inductees the original Brooklyn Bridge.

They are joined onstage by long time Brooklyn Bridge drummer Lou Agiesta and close friend Neal Ferraro, a multi-instrumentalist who has performed with the Bridge on several occasions.

The passing of Freddy Ferrara last year was a heartbreaking loss to his family, friends and millions of fans around the world. He was truly loved, and a pro in every sense of the word.

* FLASHBACK *

A Tribute to Holly Horton

The untimely death of Holly Horton in 2000 saddened our hearts. She was a very spirited person who enjoyed life and enriched those she touched with unselfish commitment. Holly was instrumental in bringing Hicksville High School (HHS) together again just prior to a mega reunion, organized by Anton Mure and Rich Delia, that was attended by a wide variety of alumni, in September of 2000.

Holly authored a mailing list that she put onto a website. Her sometimes daily updates of names and addresses were eagerly anticipated by the growing list of alumni. Her emails were augmented by a collage of tidbits and trivia, a result of feedback from others. She put up special photographs that we all enjoyed and that effort united a wide bracket of HHS students. She did this because she wanted to give back special moments to others by providing a source that could be accessed by all of us.The only thing missing from that reunion was Holly herself who looked forward, with obvious anticipation, at the prospect of seeing some old friends and sharing remembrances of times past. It was several days prior to the reunion when an uncontrollable asthma attack ended her life; a tragedy in itself for a person who battled this malady all her life just to survive.

A fitting way to pay respect to Holly was to continue what she started. That challenge was accepted by Pat Koziuk Driscoll (Class of 1956) and Linda Piccerelli Hayden (Class of 1960). They did this out of respect for Holly but also because they see the enjoyment others realize from their effort. It's a way to introduce coming events; such as reunions for various classes. It's an avenue for contacting friends and sharing information that we all treasure. We have the capacity to put up pictures, at various web sites, for all of us to enjoy. In other words, the newsletter is a perfect vehicle for keeping people apprised of "what's happening!"

I want to personally say 'THANKS" to Pat and Linda for all that you do for me and for the alumni of Hicksville High School.

Buffalo Bob Casale 1961

Happy Birthday HixNews

We start our 13th year with the October issue. HixNews has come a long way since 2000 and the success is because of participation. It seems we begged so long for information from "you all"! The begging has ceased and the editors want to thank everyone for contributing information that piques the memories of many!
There have been disappointments where the editors have tried to implement an idea for a "special section" only to see it fail. Obviously, some of you have ideas for such a section. Please submit your ideas to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. but be prepared to offer your time as a contributing editor who will collect, organize and maintain that particular "special section."

Hi everybody, some of us from the 50's & 60's classes are cruising to Bermuda on the NCL Star from New York (see attachment flyer) on October 7, 2012 and we would like to invite any other HHS Alumni to join us, we have some great group rates and are planning some fantastic parties aboard. Pack your HHS MEMORIES and come join us. Please contact me for details or booking.

Bob Birk
2402 Waverly Avenue
Medford, NY 11763
(P) 631-447-1892

COME CRUISE WITH US HHS ALUMNI TO BEAUTIFUL BERMUDA

7-Night Cruise on the Fabulous Norwegian Star

October 7, 2012

No Flights. No Hassles. Sail round-trip from New York City to the beautiful island of Bermuda on the magnificent NCL STAR renowned for her beauty, food and entertainment. Enjoy freestyle cruising, being pampered in the spa, winning big in the casino, dancing the night away in the disco or just relaxing by the pool and that's before you step off the ship! Upon arrival in Bermuda, go shopping, stroll the island and view the homes the colors of flowers; in hues of yodeling yellows, pretty pinks, pleasing peaches and gentle greens that adorn the landscape. Enjoy their famous pink sand beaches or take some of the many shore trips we will be offering for our members only. As Mark Twain once said, 'you go to heaven if you want; I'll stay in Bermuda'

For more information please contact: Bob Birk Tel:631-447-1892 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deposit of $250.00pp is required to secure booking. Credit card or checks made payable to Direct Marketing Plus, 2402 Waverly Avenue, Medford New York 11763. Standard NCL cancellation requirements apply.

Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial - PROJECT UPDATE

With three more names added in September, the current List of Names now totals 1,794, thanks to the continued interest shown in the Memorial by the many readers of HixNews!  Please keep up your efforts to review the List of Names available via the website link located at the bottom of the full Project Update in the Honoring  Our Veterans section of this newsletter.

Most of our data work continues to center on filling in missing data for the names we already have.  As a HixNews reader, you can also continue to be of significant help with the data we are missing, by reviewing the List of Names as noted above.  All missing data continues to be noted in red on the List of Names to make it easier for our readers to pick up.

In conjunction with the Class of 1962's 50^th Reunion on October 6^th, a breakfast meeting will be held with all local Project Team members to facilitate the site selection and fund raising process for the Memorial.

On behalf of The Project Team,
Joe Carfora, HHS '62