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August 2001
Volume 1 Number 11

We would like to print a list of birthdays for each month. Please send your month and day of birth to: grandmagadget@netscape.net
The years don't count anymore; so don't bother with the year of birth!!

OBTW to get things started Linda's was July 26th and Pat's is August 8th.


News of Hicksville
In Search Of
Memories and Comments
Obituaries
Reminder
Update
Social Notes
Links
Echoes

 

News of Hicksville

  • Hi,
    Thought you would like a Hicksville update. My name is Joyce (Thorburn) Jurgensen, class of 1967. I still live and work in Hicksville. My children attended and graduated Hicksville schools. Hicksville will be going through a revitalization program...It is called The Hicksville Hamlet. I was asked to be on this committee by Supervisor Venditto because I am the President of the Hicksville Community Council and because I am a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Sammis for over 13 years and I have sold numerous homes in Hicksville. I am constantly meeting old friends and family of our former graduates.

    The plan is to revitalize the Hicksville business district. Including the main street from Old Country Road to the Broadway Mall. They are talking about exciting things...close off Hertoz Place and make it a place you can walk around...put seniors or apartments in town, create a need, the stores will follow. We had a big town meeting last week, hundreds showed up. When
    asked what do you want? The same two answers came up time and time again. Before you build new, clean up what you have and enforce the laws and codes that are in place...illegal rentals, when to put out trash etc.

    It will be a year of meetings, but I hope we will turn Hicksville around esthetically. We are getting a Community Center on Main St. and an Assisted Care center where the Seaman Eisman building is. Wish us luck! By the way if you or your family need a real estate broker...call me 516-939-0100 ext. 231.

    (I remember the main street of Hicksville as being Broadway so I sent a note to Joyce and received the following reply)

  • Hi,

    Most residents consider Main Street to be on 107 between Old Country Road and the trail trestle...of course it really does extend more. The Community Center should be on 107, Main Street, near Chroma Paint. Also, a 4 story assisted Care Facility will be where the Seaman Eisman building was located.

    Remember the Sweater factory on West John...Gilson's? It had a fire and a U Store It storage facility will be built there.

    Thanks...Oh...my site is http://www.Joycejurgensen.com

  • Linda and I both read on newday.com about the fire at the old Narragansett Inn in Lindenhurst. You can read all the details at newsday.com in the archives for July 19th.

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In Search Of

  • Looking for Crystal Demas, can anyone help?

    Pat Thompson-Dumas 1975
    Chazy, NY
    518 846 8899

    ptdumas@westelcom.com

  • Ed Osborne, 1956, would like to get back in touch with Artie Schulz and Carl Schulz.

  • Helen Penner Ackerman, 1956, asks about Herb Cook, Harvey Dunefsky and Judith LaCagnin.

  • Terry Ferrin White 1954, looking for whereabouts of Rickey Grey

  • Jed Schaiman wonders if anyone is tracking the class of 1962?

  • Email: olofblue@aol.com
    Location: NY
    Date: Sunday July 08, 2001 17:29:14 GMT

    Comments:
    I graduated from Syosset High School in 1960 and my friend Pamela Boslet Buskin (SHS '63) and I do a website of old Syosset photos and memorabilia. http://syossetscrapbook.freeservers.com

    Since many Syosset students attended Hicksville High before SHS was built in 1956, we are looking for an old picture of HHS to put on our site. Please send in jpg format to olofblue@aol.com, we will acknowledge your contribution.

    Thank you
    John

  • Would like to plan a reunion for next summer. Now, being a rational person, LOL, I think the best frame time would be a weekend during the last 2 weeks of July to the first 3 weeks of August. Thus avoiding Graduations and Holidays. I was thinking about Eisenhower Park. If anyone from the Class of 76 or 77 would like to help plan this please contact me at Tiggstt2@aol.com.
    Also any input or output for that matter would be appreciated.
    Carolyn (Bartlett) Richman '76

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Memories and Comments

  • Linda said that Willard Scott was Ronald McDonald for a time. If she ever finds the photos she took of Willard as Ronald, we will put them up on http://photos.yahoo.com/grandmagadget

  • There has been some activity at planetalumni.com. Bob Casale has posted some interesting pictures of HHS and other places. He writes:

    "What I've done previously is post some pictures on planet alumni that are part of my own personal album. There are several other albums that are there, too, of Hicksville students from years past. What you do is log onto www.planetalumni.com ...track a path to Hicksville High School and once there, on the left is a listing of things to do...one of them says photos...click on photos and the albums will be displayed...have fun with them...mine has pictures of the high school...places I lived.... my sisters (Eileen Casale, class of '59 is there) and more recent pictures of my house in PA and my dog and a typical Hicksville sunrise.
    I will work something up for the hometown news page soon and submit it to you...this sounds like fun. I love to write and should be able to incorporate some "old" with "new"

    Bob Casale 1961

  • Also from Bob:

    A Night In Las Vegas

    The desert community of Las Vegas holds some pretty special memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My parents lived there for a time and both died there. My sister, Eileen, and her husband Jim live there. Her husband is District Court Judge James C. Mahan who has a good shot at an appointment as Federal Court Judge. Way back in 1968, when I was in the Navy and stationed in Skaggs Island, California, I had an opportunity to bowl in the military classic that was held at Showboat Lanes in Las
    Vegas. However, the most memorable moment came one night when I met Elvis Presley.

    It was an evening when Eileen and Jim were supposed to see Fats Domino at a local piano bar. Joyce and I were going to tag along. Somehow we went alone and we got great seats, next to the stage, with the piano right in our faces. Fats began by singing some classic hits he made famous over the years. There was only one problem...the piano that was in our faces hid the fat man playing the piano. Joyce wrote a note on a napkin she found on the table, stood up, and placed the note on the stage. Without
    missing a beat, Fats picked up the note and read it. It said, very simply, "WE CANNOT SEE YOUR FACE!" I'll never forget what happened next, because the smile on the fat man's face is etched in my brain...Fats stood up, gave Joyce a big smile and pushed his piano part way across the stage so she could see his face...and he smiled...and smiled.... and
    smiled.

    His back up band was incredible and the music was phenomenal...one song after another, each with a hidden meaning that rekindled memories of Hicksville High School; Sox Hops; the coed dance lessons with Ms. Franke and Mr. Petro during gym class; sitting outside the building after school listening to a car radio blasting new hits; old girlfriends/boyfriends and the sensation of your first date.... first kiss...first love and, most of all, our families and growing up in Hicksville, a community that made us what we are today.

    Back to the future, please, puts us in Las Vegas, watching Fats Domino...he ended a song, stood up and walked to the center of the stage and said, "We have a special guest tonight sitting in our audience, Elvis Presley!"

    Elvis stood up, was greeted with tumultuous applause, waved to the crowd, and then sat down to watch the rest of the show. There was a resounding end to the show with the entire band running through the audience while Fats played piano and sang one final tune. I suggested to Joyce that we sit tight to see what Elvis would do. Fats exited the stage and then Elvis made a move. His four bodyguards surrounded him and he started walking toward the stage at the far end away from where we were sitting. There was a staircase that Elvis climbed and then he disappeared behind the curtains that concealed the backstage
    area from the audience.

    People stood around for a while but after about ten minutes, they started to leave the piano bar. Joyce and I sat tight hoping that Elvis would retrace his steps and leave through the main entrance. It was about a half hour later that we decided, too, that he might be gone, so we walked toward the entrance/exit door at the rear of the piano bar. We were almost outside when we heard a commotion behind us and it was Elvis with an entourage of people plus his bodyguards walking toward us. We walked outside, into the lobby, and then waited for him to come through the door.

    TO BE CONTINUED NEXT MONTH

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Obituaries

  • Hi,
    I got some disturbing news last night about some old friends of mine from HHS. I was told that a very good friend had died last year. Name is Sue DeMonico. Married name Martello. Also told that her sister Linda died last year. I have been trying to locate Sue for a while so this comes as a shock. I know there are many out there who knew Sue, Phyllis and Linda.
    Any news you can give me would help.
    Email: twhite7442@aol.com

    Thanks,

    Terry Ferrin 1954

  • Just a quick note to inform you of some bad news. A HHS classmate, John Lorenzo, has died. He lived in Rocky Point, L.I. His sister Loretta notified me that he passed away about two weeks ago. There was no wake and nothing in the papers. He was buried out at Calverton. Maybe you can mention it in the next newsletter. Since I'm sure many people don't know about it. He was one hell of a nice guy. Our families have known each other for many years. His older sister knew my sister. John and I went to school and were friends for many years, his younger brother, (who also died several years ago) knew my younger brother very well.

    I had been trying to contact him recently, to no avail. So I wrote to his sister in California to ask about him. Today I got an e-mail with the bad news.

    I noticed he was still on the distribution of the newsletter (Cutlass1@aol.com). I guess you can remove his name.

    Take care,
    Phil Fulco 1957
    (It has been suggested that a contribution to the American Diabetes Association in John's memory would be appreciated.)

  • Received a note from Ken Strafer, 1962, who now lives in Virginia. The following paragraph is a direct quote and will be of interest to many of you.

    "I know the class of the 1960's lost a member in Vietnam; I think it was Stan Walinsky. My mom, back then, said the family called for me to be a pallbearer however, I was in training to go over on my own tour and never learned until recently who it might have been (My mom forgot the name). I actually thought it was Allen Reed, '62, since I heard he was in service.

    Walinsky wanted to be an artist and would do pencil sketches of sea scenes. He was quite good, based upon my understanding of art; which is almost nothing. For many years I had a sketch or two of his; a brigantine coming about on a moderate chop. He was quiet and very gentle."

  • This note references one of our classmates from the Class of '59, Ann Sullivan Kinsella

    Ann lost her husband, Tom Kinsella, on Sunday, July 15th, suddenly...Tom was a retired New York City police officer and was 64 years old.

    Ann & Tom Kinsella had two daughters, Dawn Kinsella and Kelly Kinsella (Pernice) Class of 1991. Kelly works for me. Ann & Dawn Kinsella reside at: 166 Dartmouth Drive, Hicksville, NY 11801, Phone 935-2478...

    If anyone cares to e-mail a note to Ann, please send it to me at bufbob@juno.com

    I have known Ann since high school because she was a friend of my sister, Eileen Casale (Mahan)...

    Thanks...Bob Casale

    p.s. My sister Eileen resides in Las Vegas and is married to District Court Judge James C. Mahan...

  • IN MEMORY
    Judy Yee, class of 1956, who went down on Flight 800, July 1996

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Reminder

Thursday, August 9 on the History Channel Cover Up: Attack on the U.S.S. Liberty 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (All time zones except Central where it will air at 7:00 PM. Check TV Guide for listings) History Undercover hosted by Arthur Kent.

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Update

Dear Pat and Linda,

Thanks so much for your card. Peter was released from the hospital in Fullerton, but then was readmitted a few days later to one closer to home in Mission Viejo, because of some blood clots. Thankfully, he was able to dissolve them. He has been there a week now, but should be getting released either today or tomorrow. His sister has been out here helping from New York, but she will be leaving tomorrow, so we will be back on full time "nursing duty" after she leaves. He has regained some strength, but the complete road to recovery is still a long one. In about 6 more weeks he will be having skin grafting done to his foot. He is certainly looking forward to getting back to his routine. We are too!

Again, thanks for thinking of us.

Debbie and Peter Sirkin
(Received 7/10/2001)

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Social Notes

  • Tanya (Hawrylowicz) and John Radgowski recently returned from a trip to Long Island for the wedding of their daughter, Kim, to Adam Malawista on July 14, 2001 in Garden City. Tanya and John now live in Georgia.

  • Members of the Class of 1959 are planning to get together next Spring for a 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean liner, "Enchantment of the Seas." Alumni from other class years are welcome to make the cruise. For details go to www.comets59.org. Arrangements are being handled through online travel agents, http://www.JustCruises.com, and will be the responsibility of those who wish to sign on. Deadline for sending in deposits is this coming August 31st.

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Links

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Echoes

Subject: Things They Said in 1959

  • "I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."

  • "Have you seen the new cars coming out? It won't be long before $5000 will only buy a used one."

  • "Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"

  • "If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help anymore."

  • "When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 50 cents a gallon?"

  • "Kids today are impossible. Those ducktail haircuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."

  • "Also, their music drives me wild. This 'Rock Around The Clock' thing is nothing but racket."

  • "I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn' in 'Gone With The Wind', it seems every movie has a 'hell' or a 'damn' in it."

  • "Marilyn Monroe is now showing her bra and panties, so apparently there are no standards anymore."

  • "Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the president."

  • "Do you suppose television will ever reach our part of the country?"

  • "I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."

  • "It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to help make ends meet."

  • "I'll tell you one thing. If my kid ever talks back to me, they won't be able to sit down for a week."

  • "Did you know the new church in town is allowing women to wear slacks to their service?

  • "Next thing you know is, the government will start paying us not to grow crops."

  • "I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."

  • "Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress."

  • "The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."

  • "There is no sense going to Lexington or Cincinnati anymore for a
    weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."

  • "No one can afford to be sick any more, $35 a day in the hospital is ridiculous.

  • "If a few idiots want to risk their necks flying across the country, that's fine, but nothing will ever replace trains."

  • "I don't know about you but if they raise the price of coffee to 15 cents, I'll just have to drink mine at home."

  • "We won't be going out much any more. Our baby sitter informed us she wants 50 cents an hour. Kids think money grows on trees"

Pat Koziuk '56
Linda Piccerelli '60
Bob Casale '61

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