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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This is a first draft mock up of the Memorial's Center Plaque done by the engraving company Ken Strafer, project founder, has engaged to produce the Memorial plaques for us. The approved photos of our female and male Veterans above will actually be done as bas reliefs, providing images based on the photos whereby the actual portraits will not be easily recognized.

A few wordsmith changes must yet be finalized, including the dedication by all "HHS Alumni" and the use of the actual dedication date at the bottom of the plaque. This, however, should give all a good idea on where this effort is heading.

"We are looking for feedback on the above, either positive or negative. Please send your comments to Joe Carfora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We are sure your comments will help us make the final product even better"

Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial - PROJECT UPDATE

Three names were added in July for a new total of 1,791. Just when we think we've finalized the List of Names, a few more pop up, thanks to the readership 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.

A letter is also being sent this week to all local Hicksville Veterans Group Commanders with a similar appeal to their membership to not only complete the listings we already have, but to make certain we leave no one behind who deserves to be included in the Memorial.

Here's wishing each and every one of you a great Labor Day Weekend!

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

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

LICruzinforacure Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sears Auto Center, Routes 106-107, Hicksville, across from Broadway Mall (LIE Exit 41 South; Northern State Pkwy, Exit 35 South)
Spectacular Car Show, Food Court, Vendors, Music, Kids Amusement Area, "How to" Clinics on car care and more!
***FREE PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer***
Music by DJs Fonzie and Chachi
SPECIAL EVENT: An a cappella Battle of the Bands between The Tribunes and Stardust (scheduled for 2:15 p.m.)
For more information call: (888) LICRUZ (542-7849) or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

RECENT PASSAGES

Valerie (Taylor) SCHAIMAN

SCHAIMAN - Valerie (nee Taylor) of River Vale, N.J. Loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 66
on August 19, 2012 after a five and a half-year courageous battle with brain cancer. Valerie leaves her beloved husband Jed
with whom she shared 49 joyous years. She also leaves behind her two daughters Michelle and Renee and five beautiful
grandchildren. Valerie grew up in Hicksville, N.Y

H. LichtensteinDear Jed,

We are saddened to hear of Valerie's passing. Please accept our condolences.

Henry and Trish_____________

H. Lichtenstein

I am sorry to report the passing of my brother-in-law, Vinny Longo, Class of 1967. Vincent died after a courageous battle with cancer on Aug 18, 2012. Vinny and my sister, Pat Ofenloch, also from the Class of 1967, would have been married 44 yrs this fall. His family and friends are very saddened by his death. Vinny was the most kind, caring, genuine and selfless person we have ever encountered. He will be sorely missed.

LONGO - Vincent Joseph, of Hicksville NY, passed away on August 18th at 63 years of age. Lifelong resident of Hicksville. Beloved husband of Patricia(Ofenloch). Loving son of Patricia Longo (Bohanna). Devoted father of 5 children, Tricia Lebowitz (Rob), Vincent (Kristine), Christine Califano (Frankie), Michael (Amy), & Daniel (Shannon). Adored & much loved grandfather of 13: Alexa, Vincent, Patrick (angel in heaven), Haley, Mackenzie, Tanner, Frankie, Cole, Riley, Jake, Ryan, Devyn, Emily and #14 on the way. Cherished brother of Mary Daniell, Patricia, Dorothy, Ann Coffin (Terry), Joan Schweitzer (Gary) and brother Joseph (Rosalind). Also survived by his dear in-laws: Cathleen Gensinger (Dennis), Diane O'Brien (Billy), Thomas Ofenloch (Deborah), Carol Tranchina (Jay) & Eileen Pelcher (Butch). He will be sadly missed by dozens of nieces & nephews.
Cathy (Ofenloch) Gensinger '66

Gail (Goodman) WrightNotification of the passing of Gail (Goodman) Wright - Class of 1967 Hicksville High School

WRIGHT - Gail M., of Hicksville on August 29, 2012. Beloved mother of Christopher (Kristin) Walunas, Gregory (Sheeba) Walunas & Laura Wright. Beloved wife of the late Frank. Devoted daughter of Emily Goodman. Loving sister of Jeanne (Richard) Keliher, Judy (Craig) Starcke, Buzz (Cathy) Goodman, Peter (Gayle) Goodman, Louise (Ernie) Hupfer, Nancy (Jeff) Foster.

The Newsletter

Photo Gallery

There are no gallery photos this month

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Memory Lane

The 1943 Yearbook Part Two

This page previously accessed via the link below no longer exists. If anyone knows where the Hixnews editors can get a copy of the slideshow, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can read Part One of this series here.

http://www.yousendit.com/download/TEhWUXVuQzNEa1gwZXNUQw 

While we continue to try to locate this presentation, we hope you enjoy the following complete scan of the 1943 Hicksville High School yearbook.

Enjoy
The Editors at HixNews

Casale's Corner

F L A S H B A C K

THE OLD PHONE ON THE WALL

When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.

Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor.

Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.

A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.

"Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."

"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography and she told me where Philadelphia was.

She helped me with my math.

She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called.

Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"

She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly,
" Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston . I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me. Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes, or so, on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.

"Information."

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me.
I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."

Three months later I was back in Seattle.

A different voice answered, "Information." I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."

Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?" "Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you.. She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you."The note said,
"Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.
He'll know what I mean."

I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.
Whose life have you touched today?
Why not pass this on? I just did...

Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey .. NOT a guided tour.
I loved this story and just had to pass it on. I hope you enjoy it and get a blessing.