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Introduction

Last December, I wrote about Elise Bergold and Mary Frances Keller, two Hicksvillians who served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War I. This month, we look back a little further, and we see that before Ms. Keller was a nurse serving in Europe in the Great War, she had been... well, a nurse serving in Europe in the Great War. While the conflict was still new, she had served on a team sent to Belgrade to establish a Red Cross Hospital, at a time when that city was bombarded daily by Austrian mortars.

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 to provide disaster relief to communities anywhere in the world. Nurses played vital roles in its work, but it waited until 1909 to establish its own Nursing Service. That timing reflected an increased awareness that 20th-century America would need a large pool of nurses who had solid and modern training. Thanks to that awareness, when disease and war hit Europe in 1914, the Red Cross was able to assemble relief teams of surgeons and nurses to send where they were needed most.

War, Famine, and Epidemics: Déjà Vu

The inconclusive First (1912) and Second (1913) Balkan Wars had shown that the Balkan states were neither inclined to unite under a common flag, nor live peacefully as independent neighbors. Not everyone learned that lesson, however, and in June 1914, Archduke Ferdinand (heir to the Austrian and Hungarian thrones) and his wife were assassinated by a radical student. The young man wanted to persuade the world that there would be lasting peace in the Balkans only when all the contentious states, with all their disagreements, willingly became part of an independent Serbia. In other words, there would be peace only once everyone got peaceful. Instead of his message of peace, headlines now reported bloody combat -- but soon a different type of grim news also began to bubble up to the front pages.

The war had begun in harvest season and now, north from Greece to the Danube, harvesting had all but stopped, because farmers were not in their fields: they had been called up into the army. Many doctors had been drafted, and the most critical medicines had been allocated to the military. Obviously, when essentials like food, doctors, and medicine become unavailable, people grow weak, they get sick more easily and more acutely, and mortality increases. And so, epidemics began to appear in Greece and in the Balkans, spreading among both civilians and soldiers. People who tried to outrun the disease inadvertently brought it with them. Roads and cities overflowed with sick refugees.

During World War I, more people were killed by disease than by weapons. On the Eastern Front alone, 1.5 million soldiers died of malaria (!), and several million – the number cannot be nailed down precisely – died of typhus.

Keeping a Secret

In August, newspapers reported that the American Red Cross would soon dispatch a large ship filled with grain, medical staff, and supplies to France (much of which was already occupied by German troops). Another vessel was to sail to Greece and Serbia. For reasons of security, the details of where and when that ship would reach Serbia, and the main purpose of the expedition -- setting up an emergency hospital -- were not divulged.

The team for Serbia was directed by two experienced Red Cross project leaders – one a young doctor, the other a mature nurse – each of whom had previously created war-zone hospitals in far-flung locales. But the Belgrade mission was going to be a unique challenge: to put together and run a hospital that housed thousands of patients, all the while under repeated barrages of shells that landed randomly on centuries-old plazas and stone buildings.

In anticipation of dealing primarily with battle casualties, the doctors on the team were surgeons. The nurses had signed on for six-month stints. Spoiler Alert: Not all of these volunteers would live to return home.

Why Mary Keller?

As the departure date approached, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle included profiles of several Brooklyn-based nurses who would be sailing to Serbia.

2 Eagle 04Sep14Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 4, 1914

Why would the Red Cross not want to take such a person along? She had enough initiative to have acquired better than average training, which included surgical experience, and she had become Superintendent of a downtown Brooklyn hospital before she turned 30. She would be comfortable making decisions and shouldering responsibility – being Superintendent for the night shift had made her the senior person on duty at St. Mary’s.

3 St Mary via BPL 1910Architect's rendering of St. Mary’s Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 1910

Keller’s abilities may have been known beforehand to project leader Mary Gladwin. In-between the latter’s various Red Cross assignments abroad (Tokyo, Philippines, UK, Europe), Gladwin had held a number of prominent positions in the American medical community. Most recently, she had been Supervisor of Manhattan’s Woman’s Hospital. Perhaps she and Keller had connected through inter-hospital committee work in New York City.

4 Womans Hospital from Academy rev3Postcard of Woman's Hospital, New York, NY, published by Albertype Company c.1906

Off to Greece

Crossing the Atlantic turned out to be more arduous than anticipated. Ships were in very short supply as the war took shape, and the team had to sail on the venerable and threadbare S.S. Ioaninna.

5 Ioaninna revS.S. Ioaninna, location and date unknown

Its cabins were so infested with gnawing rats (not a surprise on a ship full of grain) and bedbugs that the Red Cross people resorted to sleeping out on deck. They repeatedly had to repair the holes that rats chewed into their duffel bags. Conditions were likely even worse for the passengers in steerage, who were residents of Greece or the Balkans, and had been caught abroad by the war. Now these desperate folk wanted to return ASAP to their families -- who, ironically, might have already fled their family homes because of epidemic.

The voyage was interrupted several times by British patrol vessels, which dispatched boarding parties to Ioaninna to confirm that she was neither a military vessel in disguise, nor a civilian steamer transporting criminals, spies, or contraband. In Mary Gladwin’s diary, the account of one such visit stands out: an encounter with the 1895-vintage battleship HMS Glory.

6 HMS Glory revHMS Glory; instead of being retired and scrapped, she remained in service,
but was relegated to patrol duty in the West Atlantic

Facing a boarding party of young officers and sailors, Gladwin succeeded in being permitted to speak on behalf of her entire contingent (Does a Monty Python “Don’t talk about the hospital!” sketch come to mind?). She found the young Royal Navy men quite charming, and the very sight of the approaching Glory with its looming guns riding over the Atlantic’s waves had stirred her deeply. As the men of the boarding party later said their goodbyes, she gave them candies to share with their shipmates. That day, Gladwin concluded her diary entry with the happy observation that no word of the project for a new hospital had slipped from her lips.

Sicily

On September 29 – a full three weeks out from New York -- Ioaninna docked at Palermo to unload a portion of its grain cargo, for which the need had become more dire. Originally, the ship was to have docked at Thessaloniki, and thence proceeded to Belgrade, but Thessaloniki was now closed due to “plague” (NOT bubonic plague, but a serious epidemic of something else). After several days of government indecision about where the ship should be rerouted, impatient steerage passengers threatened the outnumbered crew with mutiny, forcing the Captain’s hand. In violation of orders, he scoured Palermo for, and was glad to find, a qualified harbor pilot, who guided the ship to Athens that night via the Corinth Canal.

Athens was an acceptable destination for all those on board. When they reached it in the morning, the steerage passengers could depart and focus on what to do next. The Red Cross people could check into a hotel, wash, sleep late, and then worry about getting the ship to Belgrade.

That evening, in a scene worthy of an old romantic novel, the rat-infested ship carefully puffed its way through the canal in the moonlight, and the passengers on deck oohed and aahed at the canyon-like walls of the canal cut that stretched up towards the stars. There would be abundant time in the coming days (and months, and years) to resume fretting about war and disease, but for the moment, there was only time to ponder the moonlight.

7 Corinth Canal old postcardVintage Postcard of the Corinth Canal

Appendices that list photo credits and sources will be provided in Part 2 of this article, which should appear next month.

Note that the portrait of Nurse Keller that appears above is a “digital restoration” which I made from an online group photograph in the Keller Family Collection, in the Hicksville Public Library portion of the New York State Heritage Collection.

Ciao for Now!

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A fire in a shopping center on Broadway and Marie Street damaged businesses, including a donut shop that opened in 1977. The fire was covered by many news stations in New York, reporting that seven fire departments responded to assist the Hicksville Fire Department in battling the four-alarm fire.

You can see the story by clicking here.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help the owners. According to GoFundMe, The House of Donuts has been a cherished part of the community since 1971, and it’s hard to imagine mornings without those delicious treats and the warmth of Nick and Maria. Recently, a fire damaged their beloved shop, forcing them to close. This is more than just a business; it’s a gathering place where everyone knows your name and your favorite coffee order.

Nick and Maria have dedicated their lives to serving us, and now they need our help. They are determined to rebuild, but the costs for cleanup and repairs are significant. Any contribution you can make, no matter how small, will go a long way in getting them back on their feet. If you can’t donate, sharing this message with others in the community will also make a difference.

Let’s rally together to support The House of Donuts, so they can continue bringing joy to our mornings for many more years to come.

https://gofund.me/b8abbf130

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Scott E. Schutzman, Hicksville High School Class of 1977,  has a law firm in Huntington Beach, California. Throughout the years, he has been involved in cases that may be of interest to our readers. One such case involves Theodore Greenberg, another Class of 1977 graduate. Ted won a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Standing in the Shadows of Motown.  You may enjoy this 2015 interview with Ted. 

Scott Schutzman               Theodore Greenberg

Thanks to the editor of the Santa Monica Observer, HixNews has permission to reprint this article:

Male on Male Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Goes to Trial


 
Theodore Greenberg lawsuit against the Art Institute of Los Angeles will proceed to trial, Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg ruled Thursday.

Greenberg alleges that he was sexually harassed by Mark Lowentrout, a supervisor at the school’s Santa Monica campus.

In his complaint, Greenberg alleges that on December of 2011 he was employed as a teacher at the Art Institute, with Lowentrout as his supervisor. Greenberg was originally hired by the Art Institute in December 1991.

Greenberg, a musician by career, has received two Grammys. Lowentrout claims to have produced over 383 television commercials, films, television shows, and industrials. But Greenberg alleges that the other man’s resume is exaggerated. He also alleges that beginning in December 2010, Lowentrout made sexual remarks and made advances to both on campus in private, including incidents at a concert in front of the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles, and in front of a witness, John Wolfe, Greenberg alleges that Lowentrout grabbed his rear end very hard and whispered “mmmm” in his ear.

Approximately two months later, on or about February 2011, Greenberg says that Lowentrout made a comment too obscene to print, which is specified in the lawsuit. He claims that Lowentrout made many inappropriate remarks to him when he played for Lowentrout.

Greenberg is represented by Attorney Scott Schutzman, who says, “their biggest argument was after that, he didn’t file a complaint with the Dept of Fair Employment and Housing until 2 years later. The statute of limitations says you have a year to file such a complaint.

“The judge found the harassment was sufficiently continuous to be within the statute, because Lowentrout stalked him 6 or 8 times at his house between Aug. 2012 and January 2013. He also told Greenberg’s class that he had “a porn name,” Abdul Moustaffa. Greenberg told his class he sometimes uses a pseudonym when he worked for people that are less than scrupulous in the music business.” Greenberg never acted in porn.

The effect of the summary judgment motion, says Schutzman, is the case will proceed to trial on Dec. 8th. “And since the punitive damages motion was likewise denied, because the Judge believed the Plaintiff’s argument that the schools did not properly investigate his allegation that Lowentrout’s resume was false. . . which we’ve actually proven in two major respects, “ he explains.

The school did not properly investigate the allegations that Lowentrout had exaggerated his resume, says Schutzman. “I asked Lowentrourt at his deposition whether anyone at the school asked him about the false resume allegations. He said ‘no.’”

“Wendy Baker from Education Management Corporation, which owns the school, also said she did not investigate the resume allegations, and discounted the witness Greenberg said he had to the stalking allegation. “ She felt his mannerisms made him unserious, though she had not met him in person and interviewed him over the phone.

Both men still work for the school, but Lowentrout is no longer Greenberg’s supervisor. The case is set for trial on December 8th, 2014 in Santa Monica before Judge Gerald Rosenberg.

“I’m going to ask the Jury to award Greenberg monetary damages in the amount of $500,000, Schutzman said, “in compensatory damages, plus attorneys fees and punitive damages.”

*Editor's Note: The case went to trial about 20 days after this article appeared. The defendants requested a settlement conference on the first day of the trial, and the case was settled for a confidential amount. 

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Etcetera for October 2025

Congratulations to the Hicksville High School Girls Varsity Tennis team for capturing the 2025 Conference 3A Championship with an incredible 13-1 record, winning 80 matches and losing just 18! Congratulations!

In Memoriam

Mrs. Karen Warner, Hicksville HS Math Teacher, passed Sept. 22, 2025.

Patricia "Patty" Ruggero-Porter, Class of 1975, passed on Sept. 30, 2025.

In this issue, you will read about a fire at the House of Donuts. Here is a submission from Ron Wencer about another fire and subsequent fundraising:

The recent Hicksville fire and consequent fundraising response have reminded me of a 1956 fire on Broadway. It started in a laundry -- a careless customer had tossed a lighted cigarette butt into a waste basket -- and spread to the adjacent buildings. The laundry was destroyed, leaving the owner -- a recently widowed immigrant -- with no income with which to support himself and his young daughter.

Hicksvillians donated more than $800 -- the equivalent today of about $10,000 -- to a fund organized by the Mid-Island Herald. In addition, the man and his child appeared on TV on Strike It Rich, a daytime show on which viewers could hear the stories of people in need and respond by phoning in contributions.

I hope that today's Hicksvillians come through as well as their predecessors did.

Ron Wencer
HHS Class of 1964

Mid Island Herald Fire Collection

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Halloween House Long Island will open its doors on Friday, September 26 at Broadway Commons (358 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY), inviting guests to enjoy a completely reimagined, one-of-a-kind Halloween experience that's incredible for all ages.

Brand new for 2025, Halloween House has refreshed the attraction from top to bottom, blending never-before-seen rooms with redesigned favorites to deliver an experience unlike anything guests have seen before.

Unlike traditional haunted houses, Halloween House focuses on fun, not fear.

"We completely reimagined every single aspect of Halloween House for 2025," said Michael Dessart, President of Halloween House. "We wanted to create a space where everyone can enjoy the magic of Halloween without the jump scares and gore that many haunted houses rely on. Our goal is to provide a memorable experience that's absolutely phenomenal for everyone that loves Halloween."

Guests will explore a series of immersive rooms, featuring new themes and experiences for 2025. Brand new experiences include Halloween House Jeopardy, The Monster Mash Rave, The Spiderweb Spectacle, and the reimagined Halloween House Carnival with unlimited carnival games, complete with prizes. Reimagined versions of beloved experiences return as well, including The Famous Glow Room (seen on Thursday Night Football’s Halloween game last season), The ToFright Show Talk Show, the "Trick or Treat" Room, the Shriek Easy Speakeasy, the Horror Hotel Room and more.

Committed to being a premium event without being unaffordable, Halloween House offers group rates, and has not increased their prices from last year, so that everyone can experience this one-of-a-kind Halloween heaven. 

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The Class of 1965 is Planning its 60-Year Reunion!Class of 1965 Reunion Flyer

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The Hicksville High School Class of 1966 is planning its 60-year Class Reunion!

Date: Saturday,  April 25, 2026

Location: Hicksville Knights of Columbus

Cost: $50/person

To Register: Send a check  to Stephen Goldstein,  1111A Washington Drive, Centerport, NY 11721

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Scholars Apple Drive Poster

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The following comments on various articles have been recently posted by site members. Click on a title if you want to read the comment and/or join the discussion.

Recent Comments

Ken Doris posted a comment in My Love for Cars
Wonderful story! My wife, Melon, has a similar passion for cars, and by coincidence, is half Lithuanian! The story of her car (same since 1968) is here: www.mga-mk2.com
Eugene Lewan posted a comment in My First Trip to Lithuania
Thank you, Dr Kumpikas, it is a sobering view of authoritarian rule. One I feel we are seeing play out globally.
Peter Foster posted a comment in May 2018: 1925: Hicksville Builds A New High School
Nicely done. I have fond memories since I did my Junior High years and two of my High School years in the Jerusalem Avene School. My Junior and Senior years were moved over to the new high school on...
William Palmer posted a comment in My First Trip to Lithuania
Thank you, Dr. Kumpikas, for this beautiful and moving memoir. When my wife traveled from St. Petersburg to Moscow by rail in 1997, it seems that the trains had not changed very much since your trip f...
Peter Foster posted a comment in Volunteer Firefighter
Obviously, you are a dedicated caring American. God Bless.
Lesley Brevick Lyons posted a comment in Hicksville is Everywhere!
Husband (class of 66) and myself (class of 70) met and got married after my husband came home from four years in US Navy....my husband knew my brother who was also class of 66. OLLI - love to hear ab...
William H. Canham posted a comment in Hicksville is Everywhere!
It really is a small World. I can feel your excitement you described. To this date I still have a small group of my good friends . We graduated in 1961. Hicksville bond just lives with you always.
William Palmer posted a comment in Volunteer Firefighter
Thanks for sharing this A special treat was to see the lovely offerings of Dr. Kumpikas as well. She was my homeroom teacher at HHS, and I was delighted to be able to introduce my wife to her at our...
Eugene Lewan posted a comment in Regents Exams
I recall during my geometry regents exam, I had an "ear worm" or stuck song syndrome (INMI - involuntary musical imagery ). Still to this day, whenever I hear the song "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner it b...
Eugene Lewan posted a comment in HHS Alumni Make Sure the Show Goes On 
A Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall shout out! Emma Meyer and the Tech Crew are in good company when the Bowery Boys are referenced. Nice work saving the recording of the production. Indubitably the rescue o...
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