Bob Casale went to Macarthur Airport Friday morning before the reunion. Mary Jane (MJ) Gemuendt was arriving at 10am and wanted a tour of Hicksville because she hadn not been back since our graduation in 1961. Karen Hartig was at the Marriott and we picked her up on the way into Hicksville . Karen lives locally but was interested in seeing Hicksville.
Exited Northern Parkway at South Oyster Bay Road. Drove south past Old Country Road to my old stomping grounds that was in front of the Days Inn.
Delaneys where I spent almost every Saturday night for dinner and drinks. Delaneys was one of the premier places to dine in Hicksville . The people who lived there knew where to eat. And Happy Hours were the best.
Not too far from Delaneys is the border of Hicksville and Levittown ( Spindle Road ). Many of us were very close to that border of two school districts. It was that close and then we would be off to Levittown Division (UGH!!!) 477 Division Avenue was on the border, only three houses from Spindle Road, but On The Hicksville Side! MJ and her brothers remember that house. Because they lived there.
We drove up Thimble Road passing by the Fenigstein, Rosenwasser, Polanski, McCarron homes. Sabatella and Maryann Miller lived on Lantern. Made a right heading toward Fork Lane School and passed by my house on the corner of Berry Lane (#2). The 2nd Renovation that was sometime around 2005. Those who used to live in a basic ranch can appreciate the change!!
Fork Lane School. Oh what memories.
We drove up Spindle Road . During the summer, we used to head to the West Village Green near Newbridge Road. A community pool kept us cool during the summer months and many of us were on the swim team.
The three of us traveled up Newbridge Road. MJ was shocked to see this one lane in both directions roadway now widened considerably. We cut into the Glenbrook Homes shooting down Glenbrook Road toward Division Avenue. We drove through the neighborhood passing by homes once occupied by Tisdale, Buckman, Farrell, Blust, DeBrock, Siegel, Carbe, Smith, Sherman and many more. Oh, I lived at 14 Edgewood Drive.
Up Division Avenue to pass by the high school. Then to Jerusalem to pass the Junior High (Middle School)
Karen wanted to see her old house on Charles Street, so we headed east on Old Country Road to the first left past the elevated tracks. We went to 32 Charles Street.
We headed back to Old Country Road this time heading westbound. We went to Broadway and turned right heading toward St. Ignatius. The shot below is just past the church. In the distance, the elevated train tracks are visible. The next block is Marie Street and Whelan drugs used to be on the north corner on the right. A closer look you can see a Sign A Rama occupying that space today. Back in the day (1910), Henry Huettners store was where Sign A Rama is now. Notice the structure above the store. Has not really changed in 101 years.
We drove down Bay Avenue and checked out Sears and Mid Island Plaza. Then we headed to the Sweet Shop for lunch.
We headed back to the Marriott for the Friday early arrivers get together at the Lounge scheduled for 7pm.
From left to right: Jim Aragoncillo, Linda Mastrosanti Aragoncillo, Bill Canham, Volena Henningsen
From left to right: Bunny Reid, Bonnie Scharr, Diana Urena
From left to right: Pat Hunchick, Ginny Kolenik, Mary O, Elaine Kraus
From left to right: Ed Delaney, Larry Anton, John Bagley
From left to right: Rozanne Ehardt, Volena Henningsen, Ann Samoray, Sue Schwartz
From left to right: Gerry and Merrilee Collock, Ginny and Richie Romanek
From left to right: Ronnie Gilson Birk and Bob Birk, Regina and Gerry Gilson
More Reunion Pictures
The reunion committee did a terrific job in creating a tremendous atmosphere that all could enjoy casually. The accommodations were extremely comfortable and the staff at Marriott did everything possible to make our reunion a total success. The food was terrific. A gesture engineered by Howie Zuckerman culminated when a plaque was presented to the committee acknowledging their long and arduous adventure as coordinators of a major event. They did it, they pulled it off! It is so hard to say good-bye. Below is a parting shot but that does not mean this is the end of those photos. There are many more that will be presented in subsequent newsletters.
Click here to see other photos
