The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 184
Reunions, Photos, and Fonzies
Welcome to the Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 184,
Class of 1965 60th-Year Reunion Plans
Class of 1975 50th-Year Reunion Plans
The Class of 1975 is planning a 50th-year reunion for the late summer or fall of 2025. Contact Robert Vincze at vinczelaw@att.net, cell phone: 303-204-8207, if you are interested in serving on the reunion committee or have a great idea to share.”
What is Going on Here?
ALBANY TAKEOVER OF LONG ISLAND SCHOOLS???
Wheatley’s Prolific Cellist
On Th., Dec. 19, at 7:30 pm, Takemi Ueno ('83) will play with the Doctors' Orchestra at the High School of Fashion Industries, 225 W. 24th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves. The program consists of Dvorak's New World Symphony and Robert Sirota's "212" Symphony (the composer has called it a love letter to NY, as one can tell by the reference to Manhattan's original area code). Admission is free, although donations are welcome.
Appreciating Wheatley…..and the entire East Williston Union Free School District
Writes Shirley Vogl (1967) - Hi Art, I sent Jack Wolf’s (1967) commentary to my niece, Gina Vivinetto, who is the daughter of my late sister, Ginny (Wheatley 1962), and is a writer for Today.com. Here’s Gina’s response:
“Oh, that’s good. It’s a refreshing take. We should all realize the benefits we had, whether it was from our whiteness, our middle-class upbringing (mine was decidedly lower-middle-class, but I’m not complaining), being products of a two-parent household, being heterosexual, being mentally healthy (a bigger deal than I realized when I was younger), squeaking in to a really good school zone, being smart enough, being a resilient person who can bounce back after hardship, being physically healthy (!!), having a parent who went to college so he/she could help you navigate the system. Etc. etc. etc. times infinity.
It’s good to know some of us had some really great perks when we got started at the starting line. No one should feel guilty about any of it. But feeling grateful for it is probably a good thing and makes us behave like good people.”
Graduates
1959 - Matthew Sanzone - “Hi Art, Jack Wolf’s essay could be a future forum topic for Wheatley, both for us pioneers of the school and today’s cohort. He gives us much to ‘chew’ on. Thanks for the reprint.” [[[Editor’s Note - Jack Wolf’s essay was published in Newsletter ## 182 and reprinted in Newsletter # 183.]]]
1961 and 1964 - Nancy Kurshan and Geraldine (“Geri”) Parisi Kaplan - Neighbors
Nancy Kurshan (1964) Writes - “A shout out to my old neighbor, Geri Parisi Kaplan. I loved seeing her looking happy and healthy in a recent edition of the Newsletter. This Jewish kid loved the homemade Italian food at Geri’s house and the warmth and spirit of Geri. And the first time I babysat her infant sibling.
Looks like the Class of 1964 is giving my class a real challenge for the ‘Class with the most lasting connections.’ Thanks again, Art & Keith,
Nancy Kurshan 1961”
1962 + 1964 - Michael Berger and Jane Berger Putnam
Jane Writes - For those of us who couldn't attend the recent Class of 1964 reunion, at least for me, the photographs in the Newsletter made me feel a bit more connected. I'm attaching a photo of me and my brother, Michael Berger (Class of 1962) taken this August.
L-R - Michael Berger (1962) and Jane Berger Putnam (1964)
1964 - Elvira “Vivi” Cilmi Kunz Writes - Hey everyone, The recent Class of 1964 reunion was a delightful evening of good memories and meaningful conversation with wonderful, endearing people. We certainly were and are an enthusiastic class, and our lives and memories meshed together that night once again……...
And YES, thank you Nancy (Gittleson Hodson, 1964)!
God bless you all.
Vivi
1965 and 1967 - Bob Halper and Art Engoron
L-R - Art Engoron (1967) and Bob Halper (1965) - At Odeon, Manhattan, 12/4/2024
1966 - Meryl Brodsky - See You in Court!
Meryl Brodsky and Art Engoron, 60 Centre Street, NYC, NY 11/21/2024
1966 and 1975 - Sue Sand (1966) and Steffi Frank Sassoon (1975)
L-R Steffi Frank Sassoon (1975) and Sue Sand (1966) reconnecting in NYC while celebrating the marriage of their mutual niece.
1967 - Art Engoron - Memory
Sometime in the 1960s (the only decade during which I attended Wheatley, to wit, 1961-1967) Lou Carnesecca lectured in the Wheatley cafeteria. I don’t remember the subject, much less what he said, but it must have been about sports. Does anyone else remember this historical footnote?
Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s Basketball Coach With 526 Wins, Is Dead at 99
Known for his quick wit and garish sweaters, he took the New York City university to national basketball prominence over 24 seasons.
News York Times Obituary of Lou arnesecca
1967 - Shirley Vogl - With Husband and Three Grandkids
L-R - Husband, Three Grandkids, Shirley Vogl (1967)
1968 - Chris Srinivasan - Celebrating His Life - 12/7/24 - Noon
Saturday, December 7, 2024, Paisley-Tribeca, 429 Greenwich Street, NYC
Scott Frishman (1967) Writes - “Classmate Jimmy Seaton has asked me what I remember about Chris Srinivasan. I was friendly with him mostly through classmates Kenny Messing and Steve Wechselblatt.
Chris had a good sense of humor, and he was ‘a regular guy.’ He enjoyed being a little different by dressing with a leather jacket and boots. Responding to what our classmates Seth Bardo and Jack Wolf said, I did not think of Chris at all as being of Indian nationality. Maybe I should give my self a little credit for that (LOL).
Kind of sad that I won’t be in NY for the celebration of his life, as I will be at a friend’s Grandson’s Bar mitzvah in Charleston, S.C.”
1971 - David Kurman Writes and Runs In Memory of Tom Kuveikis
David Kurman (1971) Writes - Memories of Wheatley include having the locker in between Paul Kupferman (1971 Deceased) and Thomas Kuveikis (1971 Deceased). I thought of Tom when I signed up for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run. Tom went on to become a firefighter with FDNY Squad 252 and gave his life on 9/11 at the age of 48.
I ran the 5K in Tom’s honor with his name and photograph pinned to my back.
David Kurman (1971)
1974 - Videos from the Wheatley Class of 1974 50th-Year Reunion - Compiled by Cliff Gaines (1974) - Submitted by Class Correspondent Debra Copeland (1974)
[[[Editor’s Note - To access and play the videos, you might have to click on a big arrow in the middle of the graphic, then somewhere/anywhere in the dark area, then on a small arrow in the bottom left hand corner……something like that.]]]
Link to “This is Us / Then and Now”
Link to “Buddy Pics” Video
Link to Photo Montage of Party
2023 - Bridget Ye - Budding Journalist
L-R - Bridget Ye (2023) and Art Engoron (1967)
Two Fonzies
Fan Mail
1965 (Malcolm McNeill) - “Your work on the newsletter is keeping us all together these days, and that's no small thing! Thanks for everything you do.”
1965 (Jeffrey Orling) - “Thanks, Art!”
1967 (Scott Frishman) - “Another great newsletter.”
1983 (Takemi Ueno) - “Thanks for everything you do for The Wheatley School Alumni Association!”
The Official Notices
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In the first 24 or so hours after publication, Wheatley Alumni Newsletter # 183 was viewed 2,765 times, was liked 13 times, and received four comments. In all, 4,717 email addresses received Newsletter # 183.
The Usual Words of Wisdom
Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 183 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
Closing
That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 184. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967
646-872-4833
Jane! How wonderful to see you and your brother!
I think it's time, in fact it's beyond time, to initiate a recall referendum on Gov. Hochul for her blatant takeover of Long Island's schools. Or, consider instituting impeachment proceedings. She has no right to do what she is doing for the reasons she has given.