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June 2001
Volume 1 Number 9
Results of the vote for moving...
Listbot = 34
Netscape = 243
We received some interesting comments from those of
you who wish to stay with Netscape, but they are not
being printed in this newsletter!
As I reread the 1960 issue of The Comet many wonderful
memories came flooding back. Not only did I remember
graduation and how giddy we all were, but the Winter
Carnival, Spring Concert, Sports Night, the Sophomore
Hop, the Senior Ball, The Daisy Chain in my Junior Year
and of course the Senior Trip. To those of you that
shared that with me my profound thank you. To those
of you that I knew in the classes ahead of me and the
ones that came after 1960, it was a privilege to know
you all, as you are the ones that put together all the
wonderful memories.
Last weekend I attended the graduation of my Cousin
Barbara at South Hampton College. I think this is an
inspiration to all. Barbara completed two years of college
before marriage and went back in her 40's to complete
her studies. Besides running a business and a home she
made the time to obtain her degree. Barbara graduated
last weekend, with honors, and will be attending law
school shortly. Congratulations Barbara Scelzi Schmidt,
I am so proud of you.
Decoration Day - Memorial Day. Seems to me many years
ago this was called Decoration Day. I wonder why or
when we changed the name and actual date of it. Back
then it wasn't a 3-day weekend. The stores all closed
and I think we took more time to reflect on what the
day really meant.
(• Today's Fact: On May 5, 1868, General John
Logan proclaimed this day a holiday through his General
Order no. 11. The day was entitled Decoration Day. Decoration
day was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern
states celebrated this day every year, but the southern
states celebrated a day similar to this on a different
day until sometime after World War I. In 1882, the name
Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971,
Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held
on the last Monday of May every year.
So how come we were still using the term Decoration
Day when we were kids?
PKD
We had parades and I remember the cemeteries had flags
at the graves of fallen soldiers or those that had served.
I also remember the family getting together and hearing
stories of neighbors or relatives that had fought in
one battle or another, some were Missing in Action.
As I got older I remember driving by the Main Gate
of the Roosevelt Field Army Air Force Base and remember
thinking, Please God, keep them all safe".
I would like to pay homage to all that served by repeating
the last verse of a poem written by a dear friend, now
gone.
A Prayer For A Soldier
My brother lies in an unmarked grave,
In the meadowlands out there.
No taps did blow, no rifles fire,
No flag at half-mast flew.
Memorial Day has come again,
And we must honor them,
Who shed their blood, and cried to God:
"Please let this horror end".
So one day we'll never have to kneel
To say a silent prayer,
A prayer for a soldier
1995 James P. Flanagan, Sr.
The Comet: June 1960
Reunion
Updates
Memories and Comments
Looking for Old Friends
Household Hints
Links
The Comet: June 1960
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LOIS CHABER, VALEDICTORIAN & JANIS PUTNINS,
SALUTATORIAN; - At the Senior Assembly, June 8th
Lois Chaber was named Valedictorian of the Graduating
Class of 1960. Janis Putnins was named Salutatorian
of the Graduating Class of 1960. This is a record
to be proud of and worthy of sincere commendation.
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MITCHELL FREEDMAN WINS NEWSDAY JOURNALISM AWARD
- Newsday has just announced that Mitchell Freedman
has won top honors for the best feature story appearing
in high school newspapers this year. Mitchell is
a journalism student and a member of this years
graduating class.
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A Gold Key was presented to Edith Bianco, Editor
of the Comet, and a plaque was given to Hicksville
High School that signified excellence in journalism.
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BEAUTY CULTURE STUDENTS OBTAIN TEMPORARY LICENSES
- Ten students graduating this year have completed
1,000 clock hours in the practice of hair dressing
and cosmetology. They have also passed school examinations
in both areas and now meet the standards set by
the State of New York, Div of Licenses. They are
issued a temporary license to work for six months
prior to taking a final examination given by the
State of New York.
They are as follows; Diane Burke, Maureen Conlin,
Rita Cuccaro, Margit Emerson, JoAnn Gorman, Dot
Haggerty, Jeannette Ladoto, Linda Plotsky, Dot Perone
and Judy Reid.
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LOCAL AUTO DEALER PRESENTS ENGINE - On May 24th,
Mr. John Wright, Service Manager at Arnold Rambler
presented HHS's Auto Shop with a demonstrational
"short block" engine. This engine will
enable future vocational students to be familiarized
with the internal construction of the American Motors
engine block.
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SPRING CONCERT WINS ACCLAIM by Jill Altman - On
Friday Night, May 20th, The HHS Music Department
presented its annual spring concert in the high
school auditorium. The Band was under the direction
of Mr. R. Gerard Pellerin. The Boys' Glee Club,
Girls' Glee Club and Mixed Chorus were under the
direction of Mr. William Goleeke. The Orchestra
was under the direction of Mr. Thomas A. Buttice.
The Spring Concert can certainly be considered another
feather in the cap of the HHS Music Department.
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SPORTS DEPARTMENTS; FIALKOW RACKS - Senior Steven
Fialkow, Senior of HHS announced officially today,
in Mr. Munch's 4th period physics class, that he
bowled a 124 last weekend. (Editors Note; you can't
make this stuff up - Linda)
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TRACK TEAM SHINES AT NORTH SHORE by Walter Pollack
- May 25th - The North Shore Trials were held today.
Bob Casale did very well in winning both the 100
and 200 yard dashes to qualify with ease. Roddy
Clements, who seems to be getting faster every time
he runs, came in fourth in the 100 to qualify also.
Bob Schaal ran the 880 and easily notched the second
place spot.
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In the jumping events, only Brad Jaworski was able
to qualify. In the broad jump he soared thru the
air to leap a total distance of 20'8" from
his launching pad. He did 41'11 &1/2" in
the hop-step-jump.
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REGENTS EXAMINATIONS - Friday, June 17th to Thursday,
June 23rd the NYS Regents Examinations will be given.
It is wise to check your schedules for time and
place of your exams.
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TO THE SENIORS OF 1960 - The day of departure from
the familiar scenes of Hicksville is almost at hand.
It is time you have looked forward to with great
anticipation. It is a milestone in your career,
a steeping stone in the path of your career. May
many happy days be ahead for each and every one
of you. We shall all miss you. May the best of everything
come to you.
To the students that will be with us next year A
Happy Vacation.
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Reunion
Plans are underway for a 45-year reunion of the Class
of 1956. It will be Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001 at the K
of C Hall on Heitz Place in Hicksville, NY. The cost
is $40 per person. Dinner will be served and there will
be soda and beer on the tables. A cash bar will be available.
If you know the whereabouts of any members of the class
of 1956, please contact this newsletter or John Sherin
at:
Jmsherin@aol.com
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Updates
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Hi All,
Thanks for all your prayers and support. We really
appreciate the bi-coastal communications, as well
as the phone calls. It is really comforting and
important to us to hear familiar voices, even if
it is only via voice mail. And please understand
if we are not always able to return your calls.
Thursday and Friday were very difficult days, in
that Peter's responsiveness was minimal. I insisted
on a CAT scan last night and the results, though
not conclusive because he couldn't have a contrast
CAT scan, reported that there was no neurological
damage and no stroke. The docs keep saying that
as soon as his kidneys are working properly and
he is able to flush all the toxins out he should
arouse more easily. Tonight I bought him a tape
recorder and played the "stimulating"
music of Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, and some show
tunes; things that he likes and is familiar with.
It did seem to arouse him in that he blinked a lot
more, and squeezed my hand a few times when I would
ask him to. Believe me that these baby steps seemed
huge to us. The girls were feeling a bit under the
weather today, so they were sequestered to the hotel.
Hopefully tomorrow they will be up and back at the
hospital.
Tomorrow we are moving to our new apartment where
we will have more room. The three of us will be
very happy to have some breathing space. We have
been in this very tiny room for 12 days, and since
we have been told we will probably be here for another
month, we opted for corporate housing, that will
allow us more room, and to make some meals at "home."
If you would like to contact us, please feel free
to call my cell phone(s) @ 949-683-3726 or at 949-636-1966.
Yes, I now have 2 phones. It seems that the 2nd
number is able to receive more calls here. If you
want to write, our mailing address is:
12645 SW 191st Street #205
Miami, Florida 33186
Our phone number is 305-595-5861, and we will be
most reachable either early in the morning (before
9:30AM eastern time) or after 10:30PM eastern time
(7:30PM for you West Coasters!)
Many of you have asked if Peter is able to receive
cards, flowers or balloons. Well, he can receive
cards and balloons (no flowers yet). His address
is:
Peter Sirkin
Baptist Hospital
Unit B
Critical Care
8900 N. Kendall Drive
Miami, Florida 33176
Well, all for now. Please pass this on to anyone
who may want to know and whose e-mail address I
don't have. Please forward my e-mail address to
anyone if they would like to contact us this way.
Again, thanks for your caring and continuing support,
friendship, and most
importantly, prayers.
With deep appreciation,
Debbie, Brianna, and Tovah
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Sunday, 5/27/2001, 4:13 pm
PRAYERS HAVE BEEN HEARD......PETER IS AWAKE!!!!
YEAH.....MORE NEWS AT 11!!!
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Monday, May 28, 2001, 2:03am
Hi once again to all,
Sorry the news is later than 11(though will probably
reach the West Coast by then!), but after the evening
hospital visit which ends at 10PM, the move to the
apartment was completed as well as grocery shopping
and driving my sister in law back to the hotel.
We didn't get home till about 11! And as you can
see the time is now approaching 2AM on the East
Coast!
As stated earlier, Peter did wake up this morning;
however his orientation is somewhat questionable
at the moment. At this time, his lucidity is limited.
We have been assured that this is due to the amount
of medication (opiates) he has endured, and the
fact that the more tissue you have, the longer you
retain the meds. As soon as the meds are out of
his system, the more responsive he will be and his
awareness and memory will return.
Many of you have asked what he has asked and what
he knows. Though we have told him "the story"
of how he got here, that he indeed is in Florida,
he doesn't seem able to grasp and retain the information.
Again, we have been reassured that this is temporary.
This morning when he was finally awake, I think
we were all so excited that we may have overwhelmed
him with so much information and good wishes. There
seemed to be a lot of recognition and many of his
responses were appropriate; however as the day progressed,
and he had to receive more meds for the pain, the
disorientation increased. Again, within the next
few days, we are hopeful, the lapses will dissipate.
And yes, he knew who we all were. At one point,
I asked him if he knew what state he was in, and
he answered, "of course, I am in the state
of confusion." Well said!
Once again we thank for your continuing prayers
and support. The E-mails and phone calls are greatly
appreciated.
With love, some relief, and deepest appreciation,
Debbie, Brianna, and Tovah
Thur., May 31, 2001
Hi once again to all,
According to the medical team, Peter continues to
progress and improve. It has now been 5 days since
he "woke up" and though he continues to
be somewhat disoriented, he is having more moments
of lucidity each day. The staff here is calling
this condition ICU psychosis. This is a medical
condition brought about from spending too much time
in ICU as well as from all the meds he has been
on, resulting in disorientation and hallucinations.
The docs are confident that this shouldn't last
too much longer (we hope so as well). At times he
is most amusing, and joking with the medical staff,
and at other times he is talking about events from
the past and present and gets the facts confused.
Most of the time he thinks he is in California and
at brief moments can tell us that he is in Florida.
There have been other times that he thinks he is
either in NY or Philadelphia. A few nights ago,
he demanded, "Get Roger on the phone!"
So his awareness of people, places, and things does
seem to be increasing. Yesterday morning he asked
again and we did attempt to reach Roger, but there
was no answer (sorry, Roger, I didn't leave a message).
He also wanted to speak to his friend Jim Evans
in Santa
Barbara, and we were able to reach him, and they
did speak for a few minutes.
He has also asked to speak to his friend Jamie Coulter
in Wichita, so we are hoping that phone call will
also happen soon. He was able to speak to Tovah
on the phone yesterday, as she flew back to California
on Tuesday to try and complete the quarter as she
has about 3 more weeks remaining of school.
We have told him "the story" of how he
got here over and over and there are times he is
able to retain some of the facts, but for the most
part needs to be reminded. We have mentioned all
of you who have called, E-mailed or visited, and
there is certainly name recognition. We know that
because he will mention something about each of
you from the past. This past weekend, Jack and Phyllis
Levenson came down from the Boca area (Weston) to
visit, and Peter recognized them and has talked
about them through the week, especially noting how
great Jack looked! Also, his friend, and colleague
in the restaurant industry, Mark (the person who
drove him to the hospital) came to visit, and Peter
was able to recognize him as well. My cousin Emily
and her husband Adrian who also live in the Boca
area have come to visit and Peter knows them as
well. Also, Debbie and Jaime Jusidman's cousin Adriana
and her husband David and their son Sebastian came
to visit on Sunday, but it was past visiting hours
so Peter didn't get to meet them. They are both
physicians in the area and it was nice to have them
here for clarification and support. At times, Peter
has called Brianna, Debbie or Tovah, but he knows
we are here. He is still very weak, but they have
begun PT and they have also gotten him up twice.
This afternoon, before we left they told us they
were trying to move him to a step down facility.
Of course they have been trying to do that since
Sunday, but they said he was on a waiting list.
This seems to be a very busy place!
Well, that is all for now. Once again, thanks for
your continuing prayers
and support. The E-mails and phone calls are greatly
appreciated.
With love and appreciation,
Debbie
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We receive the following letter from Tom just in
time for this newsletter:
Hello Pat & Linda,
I came home from hospital, NY (Columbia) Presbyterian
Hospital (NYPH) on Tue 5/29/01 after being in there
for two+ weeks. This time it all started on 5/8/01
when I had my 1st followup visit at NYPH, after
surgery of 11/24/00 and being in a physical rehab
hospital, Helen Hayes Hospital (HHH) for two+ months.
I walked too much that day, I over exerted myself
and I got worse as the week went on. Finally, on
5/11/01 I had to call 911 because of breathing problem.
I was taken to Franklin Med Center Hospital
here in Valley Stream, NY. I was moved, transferred
to NYPH as soon as breathing was stabilized. I was
told by the ICU people at NYPH that I kept trying
to take the tube out of my throat used for breathing,
that they finally had to tie me down. The tube was
taken out about a week later before being moved
to a med-surge floor/room.
I must tell you all, if you smoke, quit. NOW. I
have been very, very lucky so far but going through
what I've gone through, bi-lateral (double) lung
transplant is not easy. Especially emotionally,
when alone. Physically is another part too. From
being in bed so long and the drugs I was on I had
lost every muscle in my body from neck to feet and
everything in between. This time, for being in hosp
for 2 weeks I lost some muscle again but not as
bad as before. Right now I have an Aide & Physical
Therapist coming in every day. Also, I forgot to
mention all the drugs (anti-rejection types) and
a few others that I must take the rest of my life.
They are not cheap either. I have been told that
they can cost between $15,000 - $20,000 a year.
That should be reason enough to quit. I could probably
write either a short/long story about my experiences
going through this over all the months. I was at
NYPH from 11/24/00 to 2/13/01, then 4/1/01 to 4/18/01,
then again 5/11/01 to 5/29/01. I was also at HHH
for rehab from 2/13/01 to 4/1/01, then 4/18/01 to
4/27/01.
Well, I guess I bored you all enough for now so
I'll end it here. Say
hello to all for me. Thanks.
Tom Woodruff
Tom-coulter@prodigy.net
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Memories and Comments
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HI,
Ray Muller Class of 55, anyone out there from my
class? How about, Zuckers Shoes and the 5 and 10
store . Boslets Hobby Shop, Goldmans on the North
side of the RR tracks, the Police booth on West
John and Broadway, the Hicksville Hotel, Agway down
where the post office is now located . There has
to be someone out there .
Enjoy your newsletter, rdmoe@yahoo.com
Ray,
(I remember the police booth. The sergeant in charge
was Sgt. Looney. His daughter, Nancy, married my
ex’s friend Dick Nagel. Nancy’s
uncle was Police Commissioner Looney.
Pat Koziuk ‘56)
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Here's a question for all those out there.
Directly behind what is now Trinity Lutheran was
a piece of property that was a working farm. In
the summer you could buy fruit and corn and vegetables.
The father was a groundskeeper with the Yankees.
One of the workers was the first African American
at HHS. I don't remember the name of the people
that owned this property. Does anyone out there?
Just reading about 1960 I can see the faces of the
Kiss Me Kate cast in the Yearbook. I remember being
in awe of Bobby Casale because at 5'9" he could
dunk a basketball. And I couldn't. Although I sure
did try.
Does anyone remember when trampolines were allowed
in PE? I do. One time I was doing a forward flip
when I over rotated. One of my "spotters"
flinched and I went face first into the springs.
That led to a memorable trip and brief stay at Meadow
Brook Hospital where I had the pleasure of sharing
a room with a 93 year old dying man suffering from
severe jaundice. Isn't that special?
Any news on a 40-year reunion?
Mike Rosenwasser
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I went on that Senior Trip of 60' remember that
as the last one of that kind. What a time.
Pat Kofahl De Maria
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Love this newsletter, thank you for your efforts.
My HHS "sweetheart" and I will be married
39 yrs this Sat. I remember the two of us walking
everywhere; to and from school, the movies, Gertz
etc. We still keep in touch with Bob Weidman whose
family owned Peter and Wendy's on Broadway. Anyone
remember that store? Tony and I still have the warm
"fuzzies" attending our wonderful 40th
HHS reunion in '99. Keep up the good work.
Eileen Walter/Tony Toscano, Miller Place, NY
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Here's a photo of Arleen Brigandi, Ginny (Frasier)
Caliguri and Clem Moors (Carolyn Baldwin) Class
of '61 at Karl Ehmer's Restaurant in Punta Gorda,
FL. We used to get together at least once a month
when we were still on LI. Now, Ginny and I are permanent
residents of Florida and we're working on Arleen.
She lives in Virginia when she's not traveling around
the country with her job. Thanks for your time and
effort on the HHS Newsletter.
Clem
P.S. We've been friends for 45 years or so.
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View photo at: http://photos.yahoo.com/grandmagadget
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Hi,
Does anyone remember the big hotel that stood on
the corner of West John Street with the hitching
rail in front of it and the Jones Institue for the
old folks out on West John Street? That was when
Hicksville was still country. Remember the big horse
farm where the Sears store is now? I wish I had
taken pictures of all these places when they were
there. Who thought it would change so fast.
Kurt Stietz
PS I am hoping to get some pictures of Ninth Street
next time I go down I will send them to you.
Kurt
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Just to let you know you are both doing a fantastic
job! Linda, do you remember the senior trip to Washington
DC via a boat? It was a blast!
Cookie Koziuk 1960
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From Bob Casale 1961
I went to Bayside on Sunday...I posted the pictures
I took to Photopoint.com....there are pictures of
the places we lived and then I have pictures of
the high school that you may get a kick out of seeing...if
you haven't seen the school for years, it looks
the same except for the admin building being in
the student parking lot and the big addition out
the back...but I didn't take a picture of that...go
to photopoint.com log onto bufbob@juno.com pictures
are at the end of 69ave/218st/Berry
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Looking for Old Friends
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Hello, I have written to you once before. Is there
any way that I could search for two Hicksville graduates
through your newsletter? Their names are Bruce Paterno
and Kerry Coburn both graduated in 1972. I am a
Walt Whitman HS (Huntington Sta) 1972 grad. Kerry
and Bruce are very old college friends of mine that
I have lost touch with. My name is Donna Zaluska
and email is NonnaZ17@aol.com.
Please feel free to publish my email address. Thank
You.
PS
Bruce Paterno does have an older brother Phil and
a younger one Ricky just in case that may help.
Kerry Coburn has many
siblings all younger, I think, Craig, Donna to name
a few. Thanks again.
Donna
1972 WWHS.
Ironically enough Bruce's father and my father worked
at Grumman together, we met upstate.
Donna suggested a site, which I found interesting.
Growing up on L.I. each of us had a family member,
friend or maybe even ourselves employed by Grumman.
Check out: http://www.grummanpark.org
PKD
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JoAnn Gorman is also searching for a friend:
Hi her name was Margit Everson, graduated in 1960,
from Hicksville H.S. I have been looking for her
for such a long time, hope
you can help. Thank you.
JoAnn Gorman (maiden name)
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Household Hints
Bob Casale suggested sharing our household hints and
has started us off with some of his:
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To prevent slugs from getting into your potted
plants, smear the outside of the planter with Vaseline!!!
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A cup of vinegar in the refrigerator absorbs odors.
(A painter told one of my personal favorites to
me when our office was being repainted and we had
to work with the smells. He said to place several
paper cups with a little vanilla extract around
the room. It worked and then when I threw away the
cups the trash smelled great! Now I pour a small
amount of vanilla extract on top of the garbage
in my trash compactor to keep my kitchen smelling
nice. PKD)
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Recipe Corner
It was a Wednesday afternoon and my day hadn't been
going too smoothly. I opened my last can of tuna and
put it into a strainer over the sink to drain while
I went out of the kitchen for a few minutes. When I
returned, my cat was washing her face and paws! You
guessed it ... she ate the tuna in the sink. There was
a trail of sticky cats prints going from the sink across
my hunter green counter tops and my black ceramic stove.
Boy was I mad! I thought that we had trained her not
to go up onto the table and counters. I got out the
bleach and washed down all the surfaces that she might
have walked on to and from the sink. By that time my
grandson had arrived on the school bus. He stays at
my house after school until my daughter picks him up
after work. He was tired and frustrated with his math
homework. I tried to help him to understand retail price/discount
rate/discount/sale price as I prepared a casserole for
my husband’s early dinner. It was the final
night of the bowling league and his team was in a tight
race for first place.
I served my husband his dinner and he left for the
bowling center. I said goodbye to my grandson and daughter
and sat down to a quiet dinner alone. It was then that
I noticed that there was something different about my
beany weenie casserole. I had left out the hot dogs
..... and my husband hadn't even noticed! When my husband
got home and I told him, we had a really good laugh
at ourselves.
His team did take first place.
My recipe for Beany Weenie Casserole:
2 cans sliced white potatoes (16oz can), drained
1 pound hot dogs, sliced crosswise into circles [really
not an option]
2 cans Bush's baked beans with onions (16 oz can)
1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup cold, brewed, black coffee
4 slices of bacon (thin slices)
Mix together sliced hot dogs, beans, brown sugar and
coffee. Make layers of sliced potatoes and bean mixture
in an ovenproof casserole dish, ending with bean mixture
on top. Top with bacon slices and bake in a preheated
350 degree oven for about 35-40 minutes or until bacon
is done. Serve with a tossed salad and crusty bread.
This has always been a family favorite. Now that the
kids are grown and gone it makes two meals for the two
of us, with a little left over.
PKD
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Links
Thanks to Diane Burke McGinn, 1960 for sending a link
to http://www.news12.com
Go to the News 12 link above and click on archives,
look for May 5th.
Pat Koziuk '56
Linda Piccerelli '60
Bob Casale '61
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