Hicksville High School 50th Reunion - Class 1961

·   Name:   Mrs. Rosa A. Patterson

·   Maiden:   Szendy

·   Address:  400 Shelter Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

·   Phone: 631-588-2201

·   email:    cars143rd@aol.com  
    (please put "FOR ROSA" in subject line, if you send me email)

·   Spouse:   Paul E. Patterson    (HHS class of '55)

·   We met in Aug. of 1961 in Hicksville and married in July 1965 (46 years) and moved into a new home in Ronkonkoma. We are still in the same home, but it has seen many renovations!

·   We have 5 children:       Chris (will be 45); Tommy (44); Alicia (39); Robert (33); Laura (23)

·   We have 3 grandchildren - ages  2 1/2;   2; 1  and one on the way (due Jan.).

·   Attended Adelphi University, Garden City NY. (9/61-8/64)

·   I joined Delta Zeta National Sorority and was the co-chair of the 1st Sorority/Fraternity Ball at Adelphi University (500 people in attendance).

·   Graduated in 3 years & 3 summers  (Aug 1964) with a BA in Art Education

·   Received my Masters Degree in Education at Adelphi in 1980, after 5 years of night school. (Permanent Certification in Art K-12 and Elementary N-6).

·   I taught for 3 years, then after having 2 children, my husband & I felt it would be best if I was a full-time Mom.

·   In 1971, I founded and organized the Lake Hills Civic Association, with over 1,000 homes membership.  The Association accomplished some of the largest city water and drainage projects in Suffolk County along with spurring Islip town to build the Ronkonkoma Beach Pavilion, and "The Rinks" Ice Skating facility.

·   I was a member of the Islip Advisory Committee for the Comprehensive Health Plan appointed by Mr. Peter Cohalan, Islip Town Supervisor.

·   Our third child was born in 1972.

·   Worked on my Masters degree 1975-80 and had a 4th child in 1978.

·   In 1980 my husband & I began going to car & toy shows. My husband had always built models and found that he could make extra money with his hobby.  (He did have a full time job.) We traveled many weekends to shows in states on the East Coast and also to Illinois. I helped by doing the advertising and flyers/mailers (for Mini Concours) and some small painting of the 143 scale models. Eventually, my second son began to have an interest in the business and he encouraged my husband to have models cast & manufactured under a new name, "Highway Travelers".  We recently sold the masters, but Paul continues to build kits that he has collected over the years. He enjoys selling on e-Bay.

·   We had so much fun traveling and meeting people who collected and loved cars as we did. I also, had a small business selling dolls and teddy bears .... over the years, our jobs, hobbies and children, with their sports, kept us very busy.

·   Also during the early 80's, I did a few years of substitute teaching and finally decided that I wanted to work in the Graphics Arts field. I started as a part-time artist and typesetter and also did free lance art work.

·   Our fifth child was born in 1987.

·   1990-2002 I was active in the Patchogue Doll Fanciers Club (a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs) holding 6 different jobs, including President.

·   In 1995, I worked part-time for the Dept. of Labor for 7 months. They encouraged me to go to Farmingdale for 11 courses in the Graphic Arts field.

·   I began working for Long Island Business News in Ronkonkoma in the fall of 1996 and became the production manager for the monthly publications and also produced the monthly publication "Nassau Lawyer" newspaper.

·   I retired in 2007.

·   Our first grandchild was born in 2008, so it seems that being retired doesn't mean "R & R".

·   Hobbies:  just ask me ... we will talk all night!

·   YES - I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!