The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 162
Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 162.
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Newsletter # 161 was viewed 3,007 times, was liked 16 times, and received four comments. In all, 4,725 email addresses received Newsletter # 161.
The Usual Words of Wisdom
Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 161 or so Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletters (and much other Wheatley data and arcana) at
The Wheatley School Alumni Association Website
Also thanks to Keith is our search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or phrase and, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material.
I edit all submissions, even material in quotes, for clarity and concision, without any indication thereof. I cannot and do not vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me, as TWSAA does not have a fact-checking department.
We welcome any and all text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, and/or studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967
Wildcat Piano Performances (Listed Chronologically)
Writes Takemi Ueno (1983) - “On Sat., June 29, at 7:00 pm, I will play with the Litha Symphony Orchestra at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Manhattan (296 Ninth Ave., at 28th St.). The program and ticket info are available at The Sounds of Destiny: Gala Fortuna”
Writes John Corwin (1964) - “Hello, fellow Wheatleyites. I will be performing a piano recital at the Kaufman Music Center at Lincoln Center, 127 West 67th Street, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The program will include music by Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, as well as Mozart’s Piano Concerto #21 (“Elvira Madigan”), K. 467. This last piece will be played on two 7-foot Steinway pianos: I will play the solo part, and my teacher, Renee Guerrero, will play a reduction of the orchestra part.
If you are interested in attending, please email me at johncorwin2@gmail.com, and I will add you to the evite list. Invitations will go out in August. Admission is free.
Class of 1984 Reunion
The Class of 1984 40th-year reunion is being held at the Albertson VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) facility, 155 Searingtown Road on July 17, 2024. The last day to register is July 14. If interested, please contact classmate Gina Potenza by email at gr8newyorker@aol.com OR by text at 631-678-8080.
Alma Mater
Writes Elvira “Vivi” Cilmi Kunz (1964) - “Seeing Patti Jennison’s take on the merits of Dr. Wills and his amazing time and efforts at Wheatley was great. He was a special mentor for me. I whole-heartedly agree with her.
Reprint:
Writes Patricia Jennison McNally (1974) - “I am Patricia Jennison McNally, Wheatley Class of 1974. Dr. Godfrey Wills was my step-father as well as my music teacher at Wheatley. I am speaking for the entire Wills family as well as for myself as an alumna. I know that if Dr. Wills were consulted about altering the lyrics of the Alma Mater, he would be totally against changing them in any way, not because of himself, but because of the students who were so very proud to participate in the process of choosing the words. I’m sure that students of today would be very inspired to know how Dr. Wills included the school community in writing the Alma Mater. This is part of Wheatley’s proud history. Unfortunately, our beloved ‘Doc’ has passed on, but his memory is very much alive in the hearts of countless Wheatley alumni and in the words of the Alma Mater. The Alma Mater is an important part of Wheatley’s history as well as Dr. Wills’ life’s work as music director for so many years. Therefore, the Wheatley Alma Mater must be respected as such and be left untouched.”
Writes Sharon L. Neely Halm (1965) - “Never change our Alma Mater. It belongs to the students who helped create the lyrics and to our beloved Dr. Wills who wrote it.”
‘Hood History
Writes Sandra Brodkin Dreis - “Dear Arthur, I must thank the Wheatley-ites who responded to my Rudy’s Deli potato salad query and reacted with such enthusiasm.
Honestly, I'm relieved that, yes, there are others that admit—there still lurks a mysterious, missing ingredient in the recipe! But, I will endeavor to work on it.
The potato connection continues. I recall my Social Studies class with Mr. Ressmeyer—ninth grade I believe. Barbara Cottone, Amy Preisler Aaronson and I formed a committee to write skits for the ‘To Russia With Love’ satire our class was anxious to perform. This was the era, 1964, of ‘Dr. Strangelove’ or ‘How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,’ directed by Stanley Kubrick. This was possibly the most fun I had in any Social Studies class throughout myWheatley days. For our skit, we wore peasant headscarves, shmatas, and peeled russet potatoes while singing
“The State Makes Vodka Beyond Compare.” I recall Amy sang ‘My Bomb’s Bigger Than Your Bomb’—a very rare, convincing performance, indeed. There were other lunacies involved, and there’s a Wheatley-ite out there who may remember more—like the refrigerator box that represented the rumbling bomb.
And here’s a poem I wrote as a tribute to all potato lovers, be it vegan potato-leek soup or a potato knish. The poem appeared in Kakalak Literary Review (Moonshine Press) in 2022.
Potato
I envy you, dirt dweller,
free to wink at red cabbages
with those mysterious fertile eyes,
a menu's silent movie star that needs
no introduction.
Bravo, your low-key presentation,
unwashed, lolling in giant clods of earth
modestly half-hidden curvy waist
down, discreetly gowned in gravel.
I glisten in the sandhill sun
not caring how many wrinkles,
bruises or sagging skin
you model—I like you
more than others tossed in my pail,
your skin is tough--flatbeds
and freight cars to food banks,
you're one easy-going spud.
Clever, those coats of many colors
and a high-profile history—
potato famine to Rudy’s Deli,
to fast-food fame—come along then,
feed the hungry world.
Writes Kenny Gallard (1968) - “In recent newsletters I've enjoyed reading about others' memories of meals at The Italian Gardens restaurant on Jericho Turnpike (just the other side of the fence from the "Birchwood" section of Mineola). My family also lived close and frequented the restaurant. I recollect that the food in general was always very, very good. And the pizza was superb. The edges of the crust would bubble up in the most delectable way. Yummy stuff. I can still easily see the image of the woman who ran the dining room--not sure if she was one of the owners or not. But she was always there and always made us welcome. Great pizza!
We've now covered ice cream (and other treats and sandwiches) at Hildebrandt's, ice cream at Carvel, potato salad at Rudy's, Italian food at The Italian Gardens...wasn't Wetson's in there somewhere, too? LOL... And let's not forget, "Don't cook tonight. Call Chicken Delight!" They were the next corner from Hildebrandt's (for a while).”
Writes Anonymous - “Hi Art: I have enjoyed reading all of the fond memories of Rudy's Deli. Our community was lucky to have such a great delicatessen nearby, but of course we didn't realize it at the time. I agree that both potato salads (German and Mayo) were outstanding, and that ‘Rudy's Slaw’ was divine.
Down (Up?) With the Fence
Writes Gene Razzetti - “Art, "I don't know whose wacky idea it is to fence North Side, but I can't agree with it. Matt Sanzone (1959) has it right and has the years of school credibility to back it up.
For my part: in addition to having commanded a major Naval shore facility, I have been doing safety, security, and emergency management/disaster preparedness writing, training, and consulting for nearly 30 years, in the USA, Central America, and Canada. I still am.
Perimeter security lighting works; intrusion alarms work; state-of-the-art firefighting/sprinkler systems work; smoke barrier doors work; lockdowns work. Fences are a function of the facility's location and surroundings, its mission, and its inhabitants. We're not talking about Fort Apache. It's much more important to be able to get out of North Side than to stay inside and defend it.
Best to all, Gene."
Writes Sharon L. Neely Halm - “No fence around the beautiful grounds surrounding North Side School. Secure the doors for safety.”
Sings Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters - “Don’t Fence Me In.”
Graduates
1958 - Steve Nelson - “June 21st marked the 60th anniversary of the murder of three civil rights workers in Mississippi, an event that shocked the nation. One of the three, Mickey Schwerner, was the son of longtime best friends of my parents. I saw events unfold from that perspective, and wrote about it. https://www.laprogressive.com/racism/civil-rights-workers
1958 - Barbara Newman
Barbara Newman + Art Engoron inside Wo Hop, Mott Street, NYC, June 21, 2024
Barbara Newman + Art Engoron outside Wo Hop, Mott Street, NYC, June 21, 2024
1958 - Julien Hennefeld - “My murder, mystery play, FED UP, is now available in book form. FED UP begins in 1972 with a thoroughly unpleasant math professor giving a calculus lecture (no math is required of the reader) to a class of reluctant and unruly students. The next day during office hours, the professor is bludgeoned to death by an unhinged Ph.D. student of his.
Then the play jumps ahead to 1976, when the professor’s 25-year-old daughter and her boyfriend go on a car trip to try to find her former college roommate. Their search eventually ends up at the Cosmic Spirit Retreat, a creepy cult on Blizzard Island off the coast of Maine. After several murders at the Retreat, the play concludes with rip-snorting trial.
You can order the book either from Amazon or Troy Bookmakers.
https://ww.amazon.com/dp/1614688842
https://shoptbmbooks.com/Fed_Up.html
Here is what one reviewer wrote about FED UP:
‘FED UP presents us with a wide array of unusual characters: a dog with self-esteem issues, a crusty and much unbeloved math professor, a raving lunatic leading a religious cult, and his amoral Apostles, to name but a few. But there’s also a seemingly ill-matched young couple (the professor’s earnest daughter and her junior faculty jokester of a boyfriend) whose delightful banter provides the heart and soul of a cast otherwise full of nutjobs. Fed Up is an exuberant farce with surprisingly serious undercurrents. Read it in the vivid theater of your imagination.’ ———- Julien”
1960 - Barbara Frankfort Patrick - “Hi Art. I remember all the wonderful years that I spent at Willets Road and Wheatley. I drove by our old stomping grounds last weekend while staying with my brother Bill Frankfort (1963) and his wife Deena and what I found amazing is that so much has changed, yet so little has changed. However this post is really about Dr. Wills. I was in chorus all my years at Wheatley. But it was Dr. Wills that helped me break out of my shyness and be more than just one in the choir. My fondest memory is the show the music department put on, “Good News.” I still can sing and recite the script. The Art Department did the sets, and we all had so much fun dancing and singing. It was a great show, and I cannot imagine anyone better than Dr. Wills directing and putting it together.
Dr. Wills, Mr Doig, and Colonel Hawkins made the biggest impressions on me and allowed me to question why and seek the answers. I and my brothers and sisters were blessed to attend a school that was devoted to students and had amazing teachers and mentors.”
1961 - Richard Henry Saletan – Remembered by Eugene Razzetti (1961)
Writes Gene – “Attached is a piece that I wrote for the Class of 1961's 50th-year Anniversary Journal. It also appeared in Wheatley Newsletter # 44 (4/11/2020), but it's worth reading again.
RICHARD HENRY “RICH” SALETAN (1943 – 2008)
Because our names were close in the alphabet, Rich and I sat near each other in homerooms for four years. We were also together in many classes. Rich was quiet, friendly, and unassuming; not a crowd-attracting athlete or a ‘big man on campus.’ His time had not yet come.
Rich came to our 40th-year Class Reunion in 2001, and we spoke. At the time, both of us were winding down our working lives as management consultants, and we talked about that. But Rich had Multiple Myeloma: a cancer in which abnormal cells collect in the bone marrow and form tumors. Rich was already dying, and he knew it.
But Rich never mentioned the cancer during our time together. Nor did he brag about the consulting organizations he had founded, or how they grew into successes as they serviced Fortune 100 companies; not even about how he was able to retire long before many of the rest of us. He would never have talked about that, either.
He also never shared with his classmates how he used his management skills and acumen to develop and expand the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), as a member of its board of directors. Rich was responsible for the growth of the Foundation, not only in revenue but in its innovative programs. He helped to develop the ‘Myeloma Matrix,’ a comprehensive listing of drugs making their way through clinical trials. His sharpness and dedication also led to the ‘Myeloma Manager,’ a computer-based program for patient use. Rich also helped to create ‘Bank on a Cure,’ the world's first Myeloma-specific DNA databank, plus many other IMF programs, including patient & family seminars, publications, websites, hotlines, and support groups. He put into place an infrastructure that allows the IMF to grow and prosper, meeting the needs of Myeloma patients and their families around the world. Such was his legacy.
Rich’s wife, Susanne, told of many times when he would leave the dinner table to spend hours on the telephone personally counseling other Myeloma victims. He talked about his cancer only when it benefited someone else. I met Susanne, their son Steve, and other family members in Charleston, South Carolina in 2009, when they inaugurated an annual memorial golf tournament in Rich’s honor. They tried to raise money to fight the disease, but the day was rainy and turnout was small. I'm guessing that not too much money was collected. However, when actor Peter Boyle (‘Everybody Loves Raymond’) subsequently died from Multiple Myeloma, the show's star (Ray Romano) held a Multiple Myeloma benefit in Hollywood in Boyle's name. That one did raise money.
To learn about Rich and to meet his proud family only after his death was to realize, albeit late, the genuine greatness that sat quietly next to us so long ago at Wheatley.”
Best to all,
Gene
1962 - Jonathan Bagdon - “Just a quick note responding to Barbara Ashley’s time in Bali. Approximately six years ago, I traveled to Bali for a two-week vacation after having spent time in Thailand. I, too, was very much taken by the island and its people. I have returned there almost every year since, this year for two months. Unfortunately what Barbara says about the plastic and traffic are true. Last year, travelling ten miles took me and some friends three hours. I have also seen the results of plastic pollution while scuba diving off the coast of both Bali and Borneo, and they are very disheartening. Despite its problems, Bali and its people are still wonderful enough for me to continue to travel there. I have made wonderful friends, and the life style is still much to my liking. Jon Bagdon”
1965 - Carolyn Stoloff - “Hi Art, Just how accomplished Wheatleyites have turned out to be is truly amazing. Having gone to many prestigious universities (Mount Holyoke College, University of Chicago, and University of Michigan), it surprises me that I am more impressed by my Wheatley classmates than by my University alums. But such was the nature of Wheatley.
I have been married to Ron Judkoff (both of us Class of 1965) for 44 years. We have remained in contact with a few of our classmates from Wheatley, including Richard Cohen, Roger Nierenberg, Lanning Schiller, and the recently deceased Norman Resnicow.
1966 - Debbi Davis - “ Hi Art - In a recent newsletter someone wrote about her memories of forming the first political parties/student government when Wheatley opened. That triggered my memory. During Covid, like many others, I spent some time purging all sorts of ‘stuff.’ In doing so, I came across some pages I had saved from the Wheatley EGO Party Convention that was held in May 1965. I put them
aside and forgot about them until reading that recent newsletter. I scanned the pages and sent them to Art Engoron, who transcribed and summarized some of them (below). I have only a vague memory of the convention itself, but in reading the outline it reminded me that we were quite full of ourselves back then, weren't we? Best, Debbi”
THE EGO PARTY PLATFORM
“A TIME TO BUILD AND A TIME TO TEAR DOWN……Ecclesiastes
UNLIKE the opposition, we propose to build rather than to destroy. We propose to be creative before we practice any degradation
1 . DECENTRALIZATION- The power returns to the students through club and class participation and in General Organization (“G.O.”)-sponsored activities. The role of the G.O is not one of dictatorial powers over all facets of student life, but one of regulation and promotion of the betterment of the school its students, and its community.
2. Clubs should have a three-tenure charter to avoid the wasting of time at the beginning of each year.
3 . We feel that students are capable of honor codes and disciplinary actions themselves. Therefore, EGO will work strenuously for an effective student court without the need for monitors and the policing of other students.
4 Culture Week is an important part of our plans for next year. Art exhibits, music contests, poetry readings, and dramatic presentations will be produced for the benefit of a student scholarship to send a deserving student to college to further his [sic] interest in the arts.
5 . And more importantly, EGO proposes a yearly coup to add excitement and personal interest in the floundering G.O. state of affairs. Of course, no personal attacks will take place and all criticism will be just for fun and political ‘savvy’ for interested poly science majors.
IT would be ridiculous to repeat all of the plans over the years that have gone by the wayside, suffice it to say that before we promise the world, the stars and the moon, a thorough housecleaning job on G.O. efficiency is needed. We, therefore, propose a philosophy committee to re-evaluate the needs and responsibilities of a student government.
Writes Art Engoron (1967) - And it goes on from there, with an “Agenda for the First EGO Party Convention,” lists of candidates, committees, announcements, etc. Alison Bernstein (1965) was the Convention “Chairman”; Neil Firetog (1965) was the G.O. President; Meryl Brodsky (1966), Alison Kent (1966), Linda Sherry (1965), and Peter Till (1965) were “representatives at large”; Lanny Schiller (1965) was chair of the Platform Committee; Ned Lagin (1966), Dean Sheppard (1967) and Mark Weinstein (1966) ran for president; Phil Ardell (1966) ran for vice president; Lee Nagel (1966) and Joe Sciortino (1967) ran for treasurer. If I remember correctly, “EGO” stood for “Effective Student Government.” Considering what Debbi wrote about being “full of ourselves back then,” the irony, or appropriateness, of the name (“ego”) probably went over our heads.”
1966 - Diana Noble Rubinger - “I am amazed that so many Wheatley graduates can remember so many details of their school days. I remember the friendships, the wonderful faculty, and staying after school most days to work on the yearbook. When the fence controversy came up, I remembered that there was a small semi circular fence at Willets Road near the Kindergarten doors. I remember it only because we had a First Grade Circus within its confines, decorated with various shades of paper. What the mind remembers is funny.
As a retired teacher, the only school that I taught in that had a fence was a large middle school on a busy road in a less-than-desirable neighborhood. The school had wide gates that were always open. It never stopped any of the students from jumping the fence to cross the street to get to a Burger King.
For all the Carolina Wheatley Graduates, let's do a NC/SC reunion......................”
1967 - Jill Simon Forte - “I am amazed that so many graduates have moved so far away. I guess I shouldn’t be, because after our grandparents left Brooklyn and NYC, etc., families just drifted apart, no longer on the same street as uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. I bet walking down the street to see relatives was very nice. I was a tiny child when my parents moved to the Country Club. Some friends of my parents moved out to the suburbs as well. But the next few generations just kept moving farther away. Sort of sad.”
1968 - Leslie Wolowitz
Art Engoron and Leslie Wolowitz outside Shadmoor, 56th and 2nd, NYC, June 21, 2024
1969 - Deborah Willard Goldenberg - Deceased
Debbie passed away on January 18, 2023, three days before her older brother, Danny Willard (1966), passed away. Please contact the editor if you know and can share any details. AFE
1971 - John Poulos - “Hi Art, Everyone beat me to the punch about Rudy’s. I didn’t much care for the German-style potato salad, but the plain mayo potato salad is the one by which I judge all others; like so many of my fellow alumni, over the past HALF CENTURY, I haven’t found anything that is as good. To be sure, Andel’s was a close second, with Daphil a not-too-distant third.
Best Regards,
John Poulos
1979 - Seth Josel - “A smile was brought to my face while perusing Wheatley Alumni Newsletter # 161. On occasion, one reads about Alumni who have taken up careers in the arts, or who have assumed vital roles as patrons/benefactors of the arts. I was particularly struck by the coincidence that Lorraine Gallard (1966) is not only a Wheatley graduate, but is also a member of Manhattan School of Music’s Board of Trustees as well. Indeed, I studied at MSM and received my BM in 1983. Before that, I attended MSM’s Preparatory Division (as it was known at the time) from 1976-1979, where, amazingly enough, three other Wheatley Alumni - all belonging to the Class of ’79 (Caryl Paisner, Miriam Kazdin, and Adam Abeshouse) - ventured into NYC on Saturdays in order to gain meaningful musical nourishment from the school’s multitude of offerings, from theory and ear training, to choir, orchestra, and opera - in addition to private lessons. For me, it was a very necessary breath of fresh air to leave Long Island and spend Saturdays in the Big Apple, and I cherish those memories and the inspiration the school provided, which altered the course of my life.
But…..that was a different era in the school’s historical arch. The institution has evolved in innumerable ways since then, in great part thanks to effective leadership and the vision of some key players, which included the support and guidance of dedicated individuals such as Lorraine Gallard (1968). Brava!
Kind regards,
Seth Josel, Wheatley (’79)/ Manhattan School of Music (’83)”
Quiz
Which one of the four strapping young men sitting on the back ledge of the moneybus attended The Wheatley School? All you Sherlock’s out there….check the outfit for clues!
Fan Mail
1960 (Barbara Frankfort Patrick) - “I love reading every Newsletter very much. Thank you, Art, for bringing the past to my present.”
1962 (Bob Gipp) - “Thanks, Art”
1964 (Gene Grindlinger) - “You gotta love this Newsletter.”
1964 (Elvira “Vivi” Cilmi Kunz) - “Thanks, Art.”
1965 (Bob Halper) - “Very good issue (# 161). Lots of meat on the bones.”
1965 (Louise Kampa Triano) - “What a Newsletter!! So full of wonderful stories.😃❤️”
1965 (Jeffrey Orling) - “Thanks, Art. You will receive a ‘Thank You’ for each of these Newsletters. It's such a hoot to read them. Please don't stop!”
1965 (Valerie Siegel Bertoglio) - “Art, I read the most recent Newsletter with pleasure, especially the info about Dr Wills. Thanks for your good work.
1965 (Carolyn Stoloff) - “Thank you for the Wheatley Newsletters.”
1965 (Vicki Thaler) - ❤️
1966 (Debbi Davis) - “Keep the newsletters coming, I enjoy reading them.”
1966 (Diana Noble Rubinger) - “Thanks for the memories.”
1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “Another fun read.”
1968 (Lois Hegyi Goldstein) - ❤️
1970 (Jane Madison) - ❤️
1972 (Jonathan Flick) - “Thanks, Art, for all that you do! Jonathan Flick, '72 (but left in '71).”
1974 (Gregory P. Cave) - “I love the Newsletter....Thank you, ‘Team Art.’"
1984 (Gina Potenza) - “Hi Art, Hope all has been going well for you and family. As always, I thank you for all the work you do for the newsletter and for keeping us all connected. The memories, renewed friendships, and the sharing of the latest updates on fellow Wheatley students are invaluable. Thank you, also, for publishing reunion announcements.
1979 (Seth Josel) - “Many thanks, Art. I appreciate your tireless efforts.”
Closing
That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 162. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967
646-872-4833
There are a few of us that have been talking about a 60th reunion for the class of 1965. Please reach out if you have an interest and look for more news on this subject.
Hang in there, all you alumni.