The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 94
Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,
Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 94.
According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication Newsletter # 93 was viewed 3,036 times, was “liked” eight times, and received one comment (neutra). A few more people (three?) opted out because of the political content. Personally, I think they are “cutting off their nose to spite their face.”
All underlined text is a link-to-a-link (or, rarely, an email address). Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then on the link that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination.
Holocaust Talk Given by Tom Glaser (1968)
For some time now Tom has been speaking to high school students about the Holocaust experiences of his survivor parents, Viktor and Daisy Glaser. The following link will take you to a video presentation he gave as part of the first annual Vermont Holocaust Education Week, which is addressed to students and anyone else who might be interested.
HOLOCAUST TALK BY TOM GLASER (1968)
The Video takes about 20 seconds to commence; the only thing you have to do is be patient.
Tom and his classmate-wife Jill Glaser and I have collaborated on a screenplay based on those experiences. If you would like a copy of it just let me know. We are working on having it turned into a movie; please let me know if you can help us do so (as some of you already have, although we still have a ways to go). Art Engoron (1967)
Free Concert In NYC By Wheatley Wildcat-2/23/23
Writes Sheli Nan (Hershcopf, 1968) - Hi All, I’m writing to remind you about my premiere in NYC on February 23rd, 8:00 pm, at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church, 120 West 69th Street, NYC 10023. I would love to see you. The concert is free. The church has wonderful acoustics. My piece is a double quintet for winds and strings - “American Promise.” Come say hi and meet my husband Sam.”
The Usual Words of Wisdom
Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 93 Newsletters (and other Wheatley data and arcana) at
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, mirabile dictu, 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 do not vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me.
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 and/or studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967
Class of 1973 50th Year Reunion - Details
Saturday, October 14, 2023 (NOT the holiday weekend)
1:30 to 5:30 pm
Hendrick’s Tavern
1305 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn - right across from the Clocktower
Passed Hors D’oeuvres, Buffet Lunch, Dessert, Beer and Wine
Cost - $125 per person
Contact Nancy Dreyer with any questions and/or to arrange payment:
NANCY@KOFFMANDREYER.COM
“We already have over 70 classmates who plan to attend. It's going to be a terrific event!”
Editor’s Note One - Saluting Octogenarians
The recent 80th birthday of a member of the Class of 1960 brought to my attention the fact that by now there are many Wildcat octogenarians. On the whole, they are healthy and active; maybe they are healthy because they are active. Several of them keep corresponding with me furiously. The Class of 1960 (many of whom are turning 80 this year) are constantly getting together for camaraderie and fun activities. They are indefatigable. Following their example, the rest of us can look forward to great golden years.
Editor’s Note Two - Wheatley Today
With this issue I am initiating, on a trial basis, an occasional section called “Wheatley Today,” with news about our Alma Mater. I’ll place it after the “Graduates” Section and before the “Forum/Soapbox” Section.
Graduates
1960 - Ken Martin and Charlie Zimmerman - A Story About Charlie
Writes Ken - “One of Charlie’s daughters, Lillian, attends Ohio State University. Recently, Ohio State played Georgia in a semi-final football game for the national championship. Charlie had tickets and took his daughter and granddaughter to the game in Atlanta (a 6 hour's drive). The sports fans among us will recall it was a high-scoring, exciting game that Georgia won on the last play. Charlie was sitting in the middle of the Ohio State student cheering section. He said they cheered, and cheered, and cheered, and they never sat down. He was fortunate because he had an end-row seat and could peer down the aisle to see some of the field. Now, Charlie is 80 years old. Yes, like most all Cats from the Class of 1960, 80 years of age!!! Can you imagine finding a parking space at a sold-out 60,000+ stadium in the middle of Atlanta, walking to the stadium, climbing up and down concrete stairs to find your seats in the middle of 10,000 screaming college kids, and then enduring this for nearly four hours? I can’t and can only say this - Charlie, you are a better man than I am! I salute you. Truly.”
1960 - Garrett (“Gary”) (“Zeke”) Zebrowski - With Wife, Sister, and Brother-in-Law
L-R - Corinne Zebrowski (1967); husband Andrew Kaufman; Joan Zebrowski; husband Garrett (“Gary”) (“Zeke”) Zebrowski (1960).
1961 - Patricia Kirk Hefferan - “ I love my husband and our life together in the country. Things get dark, and then the Lord shows me how foolish I am. He is my glory ending. I can't wait for that amazing happening. I am looking for a new dog; our German Shepherd died and I am heartbroken. I need a small breed, as I use a cane to get around. Can you believe that? A poodle is my choice. We have had that breed before. My husband thinks I am still gorgeous and that will do.
1965-1966-1967: Bob Halper, Lorraine Gallard, Art Engoron - Post Prandial
L-R - Bob Halper - Class of 1965 - 75 years old - From Old Westbury - Lives in NYC
Lorraine Gallard - Class of 1966 - 74 years old - From Old Westbury - Lives in D.C.
Art Engoron - Class of 1967 - 73 years old - From East Williston - Lives in Great Neck
After Dinner at Cafe Luxembourg, West 70th Street, NYC, February 1, 2023
1966 (Hugh Gershon) - “My life has gone by very quickly, but I still think that I have plenty of time left! I was an undisciplined young person, without the needed parental guidance, and I had to learn from my own mistakes. Sincere apologies to those I may have offended; please know that I did learn and progressed on a very straight and narrow path. Along with Wheatley I attended a total of three different high schools, one of them at night in the city to make up for time lost related to truancy. However, I graduated college with a near perfect 4.0 grade point average and received a Masters Degree in Architecture from Columbia University in 1974. After apprenticing and receiving my license to practice I started my own architectural business; I retired more than 20 years ago. I see no need to recount additional hallmark achievements in my life or career. I live happily in the Midwest, where I have been for more than a dozen years. A place where there is no traffic, and significant natural beauty! Travel has been a great adventure from among the many places I have visited. Covid and the pandemic not so much!
The last few years I have written a good number of letters to the editor, all of which have been published locally, and I have included the most recent one below. Perhaps it will be relevant to Wheatley graduates still living on Long Island.
Best thoughts, Hugh Gershon
Hugh Gershon’s Letter to the Editor - Politics has become a frightening game. Far removed from the idea that elected officials actually represent the electorate, the people who voted for them. Honesty in politics is clearly important. This can be illustrated by the failure, time and time again, to take quick united action, for the right reasons, against wrong-doing, clearly ignoring the need for decisive honest responsible actions! The message can be driven home by the swearing in of George Santos into a congressional seat after admitting he lied about who he is, a total fraud. Further, he presented himself fraudulently to his electorate, saying and confirming anything that would convince people he would represent them honestly. He shook hands confirming his public position, understanding he would get their vote in exchange for his lies.
Honest arbiters doing the right thing would have to agree that the law has been broken and weigh in on an appropriate punishment. Financial considerations alone should elevate the criminal prosecution against George Santos. The cost of a new election, time lost, donation status, the injustice to the losing candidate, the future damage Santos can wreck upon the public, all of which make it important to take quick action to remove George Santos from office and to punish him. All current and future politicians should get the message that honesty is essential and lying will not be tolerated.
The situation is so completely wrong that allowing this man to be seated in congress questions the reasons for such inaction and why it would be allowed. Where are the politicians who should be out in front of the crowd, the role models, the ones who inspire us, who show us we are on the right track doing the right thing, for the right reasons?”
1966 - Allan Silver - Life After Lawyering
Writes Allan - “Terri and I have been living in Eden, New York, 20 miles south of Buffalo, since 2016. Our eldest daughter married into a farm family over twenty years ago. From a hill we can see Lake Erie, which is approximately two miles from our home. Eden is quite beautiful; however, the snow often makes the winters seem endless.
In Eden, sports are very important,. and the town turns out for football games under the lights on Friday night and basketball and lacrosse games.
Our eldest granddaughter, Jessica,, was all New York State.in basketball and received a scholarship to play basketball at Dennison University in Ohio. Our next eldest granddaughter, Maggie, has received scholarship offers to play basketball at several division three schools. She also is being recruited for rowing (Buffalo has a rowing club) by the University of Connecticut, Michigan State University, and West Virginia University. She has been invited to make official visits to all three schools.
We also have two grandsons (ages eight and ten) who live in Westport, Connecticut with our son and daughter-in-law and enjoy playing travel soccer, flag football, and baseball. Needless to say, it is difficult to watch all of our grandchildren's games.”
Our youngest grandson will shortly be moving to Virginia (from Pasadena, California) with our youngest daughter and son-in-law. He is only one (1) year old and has learned to walk in his cowboy boots.
I retired from practicing law in 2021, and my last legal work was successfully settling the estate of my classmate and best friend, Paul Malsky (1966). I serve on several committees for the Town of Eden and give pro bono advice to the Eden Community Fund.”
1967 - Larry Baum, Art Engoron, Ben Ross, Jack Wolf - Youthful shenanigans
Writes Jack - In response to Ben Ross’s recollections re my brother Peter (1960) and his picture cards, he had the entire 1951-56 baseball, Hopalong Cassidy and Tarzan cards, etc. and could have retired in his 40s, except for the proverbial story that my mother cleared out his small fortune of picture cards and sent them away. Ben, you might remember the upstairs closet as the meeting spot for the Clarabell Club, whose entire purpose, besides getting squirted with seltzer for the initiation, was to collect dues for about 4 weeks, hide them in Peter’s hollow box camera, and then blow all the money at Berry's for candy. The club did well until I lost the money. Still have yet to find it, but I will let you know if I do. The other thing I remember about Peter, who was 6 years older than us, was that we would wake him up on Saturdays and piss him off and one time he chased me out of the house only to have one of us turn the hose on him. There is just something about tormenting brothers. And lastly in the category of youthful shenanigans there was the time we snuck into Larry Baum's house - was it me and Arthur? - and hid in the closet, to be discovered by Mrs. Baum, who let out a shriek like she had encountered The Blob.
1975 - Ann Forstenzer and Nancy Young - Fast Friends
Ann Forstenzer in the 1975 Wheatley School Yearbook
L-R - Nancy Young and Ann Forstenzer - 1/28/2023 - Cinco de Mayo, NYC
Nancy Young in the 1975 Wheatley School Yearbook
Writes Ann - ““Hi Art: First, thank you for sending around the Wheatley Newsletter. It's such a pleasure to read up on everyone--and finally, I have something to add!
At Wheatley, Nancy Young and I were great friends, and we spent a lot of time together. We shared a lot of laughs in those days. This is not to say that we each didn't have other friends. But somehow, we had a special bond.
During one summer in college we traveled to Europe. But then, as happens to people, our lives took over, and we lost track of one another. Turns out, she went on to graduate school in Chicago and I entered the workforce in NYC.
Fast forward to Wheatley's 50th Anniversary (at least I think that's when it was). Emails were flying, and all at once we reconnected with each other. After all those years! We decided it would be fun to go to the reunion together. Since then we see each other periodically and always keep in touch. And there you have it.
Nancy now lives in Manhattan and works in fundraising, and I now live in New Jersey and split my time between working as a publisher's rep and selling travel. We invite our other Wheatley classmates to get in touch with us if they'd like. She can be reached at YoungCollaborative@gmail.com, and I can be reached at Forstenz@gmail.com.
Wheatley Today
The Wheatley Wildcats Basketball team that beat the Locust Valley Falcons on January 28, 2023, avenging their only loss this season, to the Falcons in December.
Ted Kiamos, coach of the 1985 Wheatley Basketball Team, which won the state championship. In 1991 he was inducted into the Wheatley Athletic Hall of Fame. He is the father of Elyssa (1987), Tarra (1992) and Justin (1998) Kiamos
Wheatley Athletic Hall of Fame
Other inductees, the ones I remember, include gym teachers Lori Wilson Roux, Bill Stevenson, Jack “Cat” Davis, Bill Lawson, Irwin August, and Jim O’Brien
and
graduates Matt Sanzone (1959), Linda Siegelman (1975), Bob Murphy (1963), George Glaser (1965), Marjorie Newman Tversky (1965), Warren “Chip” Rockwell (1964), Marc (1965) and Shep (1967) Messing, Roger Sullivan (1961), Paul Ingrassia (1969), Doug Colucci (1968), Carol Abby Benjamin (1963), and Joe Iannotti (1962).
Facebook Page of the Wildcat Athletic Association
Wildcat Athletic Association Mission Statement
“The Wildcat Athletic Foundation consists of Wheatley alumni, parents, students and friends who work in conjunction with the East Williston Union Free School District to support the Athletic Program. Our mission is to promote school athletic events within our community, to increase attendance at sporting events, to support our student athletes, and to work with the School Administration to identify possible capital improvements and to help raise the funds needed to implement these improvements.”
Writes Bernadette McCrave Quinn (1983) - “If anyone would like to nominate a potential Hall of Fame inductee, I have the forms for that!” BGMCQUINN@AOL.COM
The Wheatley School Alumni Association Forum/Soapbox
Writes Jay Cummings (1960) - “Too bad they don’t teach this in kindergarten instead of dancing drag queens.
Writes Rhoda Kalkin Schneider (1961) - “There is never a day when we do not commemorate the lives lost in the Holocaust, pay tribute to our precious survivors, and honor those who fought valiantly against Nazi Germany to end WWII.
But Friday January 27th, was special—International Holocaust Remembrance Day—this is the solemn day set aside for all to pause and mourn.
We see the Jewish people across the United States and around the world being the targets of scapegoating and violence.
As we stop to reflect on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we know that today – and every day – we must continue the fight for the rights and freedoms of the Jewish people. We must stand together to ensure a safer and vibrant Jewish future.
While KKK Grand Dragon David Duke has openly endorsed Ilhan Omar as the “most important member of Congress” due to her regular use of dangerous antisemitic tropes, House Democrats (after “all lives mattering” Jew-hatred in 2019) & groups like J Street are now trying to sell the lie that Omar isn’t an antisemite or even anti-Israel, in a plainly partisan bid to keep her on the Foreign Relations Committee.
As addressed more fully in my latest piece with the Jewish Journal, if you correctly complained about Trump meeting with Jew-haters like Kanye West and Nick Fuentes or about MTG and her Rothschilds’ “space lasers” claims, but are defending Omar and advocating for her to stay on the prestigious Foreign Affairs Committee, then you care about partisan politics; not fighting Jew-hatred.
https://jewishjournal.com/.../house-democrats-left-wing.../
Writes Patricia Kirk Hefferan (1961) - “Biden is a drooling, senile puppet, which is why the markets are tanking.”
Writes Peter Nelson (1961) - “The Wildcats ‘in denial’ are the ones looking back and acting as if we were some kind of unified, happy family. We weren’t. When I was at Wheatley I was always aware of the boundaries set in the way we tended to maintain social distance, with clear interpersonal separations. Of course, some people crossed lines or tried to, but the lines were always clearly present to my eye. I was attempting to call attention to other aspects of the Wheatley experience to fill in a more complete picture of what was.”
Writes Gene Razzetti (1961) - Art, you and Keith are to be congratulated for bringing order out of chaos. For my part, I will continue to read when I want and scroll when I don't. That said, Jay Cummings was mentioned eleven times in the most recent Newsletter (# 93). That should be considered a record - never again to be aspired to or achieved. Best to all, Gene."
Writes Judith Schaffel Rubin (1961) - “Art, Thank you for what you just did with the newsletter. It was exactly what I (and no doubt others) hoped you would do. The new format literally puts things in the perfect order and perspective.”
Writes James Lerner (1964) - “My three heroes - Mr. Joseph McCormack, Nayib Bukele, and Ted Lipsky.”
Writes Davida Tunis Philips (1964) - “Art, I agree with your idea of keeping the political agendas in a separate section.”
Writes Michele Parker Ross (1965) - “Personally, I love to read about the families and careers of Wheatley alumni. But I am not interested in any more political discourse. Concentrate on the personal accomplishments. The happy or sad personal events. I do not want to read any political tirades. I have had a terrific life so far. I am divorced once and widowed once. But now I am in a long-term, happy, committed relationship with my partner, Fred. We live in The Greens in Melville, Long Island. No golf or tennis…..lots of travel. Plus, our kids all get along! A miracle in itself!”
Writes Michael Abrahams (1967) - “I think having the politics in its own section makes sense. I think it not likely, but since we have some community in common, I would hope that rants might become dialogues. In any case, thanks for your work that binds us together.”
Writes Benjamin Ross (1967) - “I wasn't inclined to read the new Soapbox Section of the Newsletter, but hearing from Peter Wolf (1960), the older brother of my buddy Jack Wolf (1967), made it worthwhile.
I spent a fair bit of my grade school free time in our ‘clubhouse,” which was Petey's walk-in closet, where he kept his baseball card collection. If he still has it, he might be a millionaire! I’m happy to know that he's alive and kicking.”
Writes Richard Schwarz (1967) - “What l really like about the Wheatley Newsletter that Arthur and Keith so kindly work to make happen is the updates and different ways classmates have lived their lives. I would hate to see this informative newsletter turn into a political forum, especially for extreme, narcissistic rhetoric FROM ALL SIDES, like that of Jay Cummings (1960). I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Writes Jill Simon (1967) - “I love the idea of having the last part of the newsletter be for political and related thoughts .
I of course loved many opinions and hated some 😉😁.
But I was happier to get to identify those with whom I feel a kinship .
It is important to remember that during my time in Wheatley, the hippie freedom was just taking hold. We had an uprising, in which I participated, against saying the pledge allegiance. I even went outside the gates to speak to reporters to support our freedom to refuse to say the pledge, which to this day I refuse to do .
Our school was a microcosm of intelligence and religion, with free thinking in education.”
Writes Wendy Woods (1968) - “Art, Thank you for letting us catch up with how well Wheatley’s years of fostering critical thinking have panned out. I find it rather interesting to read our fellow alum’s posts on the state of politics and social issues.”
Writes John Poulos (1971) - “Very good move with the format adjustment. Sorry to see that several people opted out going forward; you don’t have to agree with others, but in my opinion, it’s always good to know what others are thinking.”
Writes Jo Ann Pistocchi Flipse (1972) - “Hi there, For those interested in knowing, my life journey has been fabulous beyond belief…...
With that said, this newsletter - the back and forth, the snarkiness, the vitriol and condescending remarks that are intended to be subliminally clever are very disconcerting… Did you not pay attention in school? The history of America has always been and will continue to be divided. How ironic - The United States of America…
Should be The Divided States of America, but it’s not. Freedom of speech allows for that difference and division of ideas with the ability to voice those differences of opinion without fear of reprisal from our government. This ‘freedom’ is what makes our country unique; why else would people from all over the globe risk it all to be here?
Accept that there is a divide - each person with the strong belief that their opinions, ideas and solutions are correct, and the other person blind to their truths. I am no longer interested nor in need of hearing about your individual lives. Best wishes to all of you.
With that said, please remove me from the mailing list. Thank you”
Writes Seth Barnett (1976) - “I don't read these newsletters to read political arguments, especially from those folks that I have already blocked from my social media feed. I would rather not see these newsletters turn into just another place for extremists to spread their lies, some of which has already happened. If that's the case, I will simply ask you to remove me from the mailing list.”
Writes Tom Behan (1976) - “Thanks for the Newsletter. I enjoy reading updates on the alumni, but I would appreciate alumni’s keeping the political fray out of the mix. I am dismayed by the polarization to which our country’s political beliefs have evolved, and which is now expressed in the newsletter. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and beliefs; but I believe they should be left out of this forum. I will read on none-the less. Thanks for informing us of the accomplishments of Wheatley’s alumni.”
Writes Scott Satalino (1978) - “Art, Having read your last newsletter, I feel compelled to write.
I don't even know what the 'political issue' was that caused a controversy, but I am someone who has founded an organization that exposes Corporate and Partisan bias in the Media and Political Media. I do extensive research, and I write about it, and I am in the process of starting two new organizations and a PAC, so I am very experienced and knowledgeable on the subjects of 'Politics' 'Media,' and 'Social Media,' and I am a graduate of Emerson College (its main campus is in Boston), perhaps the only College in America that is exclusively a school for Communication Arts.
These subjects bring about not only anger and confusion for many, but hatred and people denigrating and lying about others for their own partisan gain. One Wheatley person is particularly disturbing to me, having blocked me from Facebook (where nearly all my friends are former Wildcats). I am Class of 1978. My sister, Gwen, graduated in 1974, and my brother, Martin, graduated in 1976; our family lived in Old Westbury. What this Wheatley person did is akin to censorship, and it is hatred of the truth at its finest.
I think you should let everyone be heard, whatever their beliefs are, and a true democracy should allow that. Unfortunately, our country is not and has never been a true democracy (anyone who believes that is not only ahistorical, but a liar), and here we are in 2023 and Matt Taibbi, a noted and respected Journalist, along with other Journalists are publishing the Twitter Files, as Elon Musk has opened up to the public what the previous owner(s) of Twitter were doing. Social Media is filled with Government surveillance; spying on Americans; and Government sponsored bots that are there to control and rule Americans, a clearly TOTALITARIAN concept. Whatever one thinks of Donald Trump, banning him from Social Media is evil. Others applaud Trump being removed. Donald Trump has nothing to do with 'racism' being ignited in America. Anyone with any understanding of American history should know America has been a racist and genocidal country from the first day the English and Spanish landed on these shores, and Columbus wrote in his diary that the people he first encountered, the Taino people of the Caribbean, "were the most kind and friendly people he had ever encountered." He then went on to enslave them, murder them, and steal their resources. THAT IS AMERICA to this very day, as we continue to do those very things all across the globe.
Russiagate has been proven to be an outright lie and fraud (I say that as someone who first believed it), and the Democratic Party has been proven to be liars and cheats (just like Republicans) and as Totalitarian and Fascist as any part of the Republican Party is. On top of my research and writing, I know firsthand. In the summer of 2022 I witnessed and was part of a Federal case to sue the @dscc @ncdemparty @dnc and @ncsbe to allow the North Carolina Green Party on the Ballot here in North Carolina, something Democrats who controlled the @NCSBE denied, even though Greens legally obtained Ballot Access. Democrats used FRAUD, LIES, CHEATING, and their power and money to attempt to crush democracy here in North Carolina, and they do that very thing all across this country. Federal Court Judge James C. Dever III saw the Democrats schemes and lies clearly, overruled them, and ordered that the North Carolina Green Party and their candidates be placed on the Ballot. Democrats appealed that decision to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and filed a meritless lawsuit in State Court here (again, to use their power to deny democracy). Judge Dever ruled that Democrats did in fact violate the 1st and 14th Amendment Right of the North Carolina Green Party and their candidates, claimed jurisdiction (as it was a Federal case), and the 4th Circuit concurred, so Democrats dropped their frivolous State case. This same thing happened in NY. Democrats in NY made it nearly impossible for the NY Green Party to get on the Ballot, by raising the numbers of signatures needed, thus becoming one of the most restrictive States in America. Democrats are (and have told us so in Court), not a democratic organization; they are a wealthy private corporation, so it is apparent that every time they say they are defenders of democracy, THEY ARE LYING TO AMERICANS. They also (along with Republicans) ban independent voices and candidates from any and all debates, and use their money and power to keep independents off our corporate Media. When they do allow them, they smear and lie about them.
I have taken the time today to say, as a former Wheatley Wildcat, ‘either allow every political message or no political messages.’ If you don't allow every political message (and I believe you should), you are engaging in censorship and totalitarianism. From experience, I know exactly what will happen. The older folks and both liberal and conservative elites from Wheatley will start crying, complaining, and making up lies about others. THAT is our political system. THAT is exactly what will happen. I know because several former Wildcats have done it to me. Everything I wrote here today is 100% historically true and accurate, so it is clear that many Americans (far too many) and Wildcats truly support banning and censoring the truth.
I believe the only hope for this country's future is for Americans to wake up and put an end to a completely money-corrupted political system. If we don't, we as a country don't have much time left.”
Writes John Keith Ames (2002) - “Hi Art, it seems that most of the engagement on this newsletter is from individuals who graduated Wheatley pre-1975. While the stories and discourse on the history of school life are illuminating, the amount of space devoted to reader feedback on political topics and the disturbing amount of true nonsense being spouted is quickly overshadowing what was otherwise a pretty nice newsletter. Tacking these ramblings on at the end of the newsletter is not an improvement.
I understand your dedication to ‘free speech,’ but as you know better than I, ‘free speech’ does not mean ‘freedom to inject nonsense into unrelated, private discussions.’ The comments of the septuagenarians that you've been publishing here have an eerie similarity (not a coincidence) to those from many boomers across social media with too much screen time and access to cable news. Every discussion need not be diverted to the pet biases of these individuals. On today's vast Internet, there are plenty of forums for those types of discussions, where they can spend their time, and this newsletter doesn't need to become yet another.
I sincerely hope you can address this issue and at the very least not publish comments on these topics, especially those that parrot obvious disinformation and nonsense. If not, I'll sadly be just another alumnus requesting to unsubscribe.
Fan Mail
Faculty (Georgette Macrina) - ❤️
Faculty (Patricia Mathews) - ❤️
Faculty (Gloria Oliver) - “"I enjoy hearing how the Wheatley family, which includes students and faculty, is doing, especially when I recognize those students that came starting in September 1967 and on. Thanks again for all you do! So many of us benefit from your dedication to Wheatley!”
1960 (Richard Osrow) - ❤️
1961 (Susan Kadner) - ❤️
1961 (Rhoda Kalkin Schneider) - Well done! ❤️
1961 (Judy Schaffel Rubin) - “Art, Strong work as usual!”
1964 (Natalie Cobb) - ❤️
1964 (Davida Tunis Philips) - “Art, Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. We all appreciate the wonderful job you’re doing.”
1965 (Glen Hammer) - ❤️
1965 (Michele Parker Ross) - “Keep up the good writing.”
1965 (Judy Lutrin Sidran) - “Continue the great work.”
1966 (Hugh Gershon) - “I enjoy reading the Newsletters, and I think the format is very good, regardless of proposed changes, and I want to jump on the bandwagon with thanks and keep up the good work.”
1966 (Allan Silver) - “I appreciate the work you perform to bring us the Newsletter. Please keep on keeping on.”
1967 (Michael Abrahams) - “Art, thank you for the Newsletter. Recently I was out running errands, and I saw a group of high school-age guys goofing around. Having recently read the Newsletter helped me connect with the energy and spirit of that time in life.”
1967 (Linda Caterino) - “Please keep up the fantastic work on the newsletter. We all look forward to reading it.”
1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “Keep on Keepin’ on, Arthur.”
1967 (Barbara Smith Stanisic) - ❤️ - “Thank you again, Art, for a great job.”
1967 (Corinne Zebrowski) - “Thanks for keeping us all in touch!”
1968 (Joane Filler Varty) - ❤️
1969 (Ronni Seltzer) - ❤️
1971 (John Poulos) - “Thank you for taking the time to publish this Newsletter.”
1974 (Victoria Abbott Pitcavage) - ❤️
1975 (Ann Forstenzer) - “Thanks so much! Keep up the good work.”
1976 (Tom Behan) - “Thanks for providing this forum and alumni updates.”
1978 (Scott Satalino) - “I enjoy reading the Newsletter, all of it, every time it appears in my inbox, and I appreciate all you do.”
1983 (Monique Lazar Ruane) - ❤️
???? (Ben ????) - ❤️
Closing
That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 94. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends us your obituary.
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967
WHEATLEYALUMNI@AOL.COM
ARTENGORON@GMAIL.COM
Thanks for all you do!!!
Hugh Gershon’s Letter to the Editor
Well put and said for all to understand !