The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 130

Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,

Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 130.

According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication, Newsletter # 129 was viewed 3,436 times, was “liked” 25 times, and received six comments. In all, 4,703 email addresses received Newsletter # 129. Last month, the Newsletter was accessed a total of 13,500 times.

All underlined text is a link-to-a-link (or, occasionally, an email address). Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then clicking on the link that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination (or address an email).

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 129 Newsletters (and much 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, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material. I use it all the time; it (usually) works!

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

Correction

This, from John Poulos (1971) - “Billy Pastarnack was Class of 1971 (not 1969) at Wheatley. He graduated from Jericho High School after his parents moved out of the EWSD.”

District and ‘Hood History

Writes Steven Rushmore (1963) - “My mother, Carly Rushmore, was on the East Williston School District Board of Eduction (and maybe was its President) when Dr. Neil Sullivan was hired.  I remember Dr. Sullivan and his wife coming to dinner at our house in East Williston prior to him accepting the position.  In Wheatley Newsletter # 126 Michael Sullivan (Hi Michael- a long time- best, SR) comments, ‘As we were about to move in, a member of the Board of Education informed my Dad that he was going to stop the mortgage process and we needed to start our house search over.  The reason given was this section of town was a “Jewish section,” and we were not to live in a Jewish neighborhood.’  I have no idea who on the Board would have made this demand and would have had the power to ‘stop the mortgage process’- but I am sure it was not my mother!

There were other types of discrimination taking place back then.  My mother was the first woman President of the EWSD Board of Education.  In the year she was President she was invited to attend a conference of all the School Board Presidents within New York State.  That year the meeting was held at the Harvard Club in New York City.  When she arrived at the Harvard Club for her meeting she was turned away because at that time Harvard was all male and women were not allowed in the club.  My mother was not one to be deterred so she found her way to the rear loading dock and entered the club on her own.”

Writes Jay Roth (1964) - “In 1970 Neil Sullivan lived in the same small apartment building I did in Cambridge, MA. To be able to talk to him about Wheatley and Prince Edward County was great: An important experience for all of us in the East Williston School District.”

Writes Ken Gallard (1968) - “Hi Art.….I just read Issue # 128 and was grateful for the time and detail that Michael Sullivan provided to the rest of us about the ground-breaking accomplishments of his Dad, Neil Sullivan.  That is quite a story.  I am also grateful for the fact that the chronology he supplied lays bare the myth of the golden era of the 1950s.  The glossed-over accounts of what a great era that was in our history were only available to certain demographic groups.  We still need to make more progress, too. Thanks to both you and Michael. Cheers, Ken”

Writes Paul “Flea” Ingrassia (1969) - “When I entered Wheatley my understanding of prejudice was of Blacks in the South. I personally had no sense of national attitudes or of the prevalent anti-semitism. Everybody was my friend and equal, which allowed me to bond with my Jewish classmates and teachers. To this day some of my lifetime friends and fondest memories come from these relationships. Coach August was my surrogate father. Mark Goldberg (1969) and Bob Bush (1970) became lifelong friends. Steve Shukow (1970) and Pete Siegelman (1969) were great teammates. As Americans, our greatest issue is separation because of race, nationality, and religion. If we worked together our potential would be boundless. Love conquers all. Hate limits ourselves from our full potential.”

Writes Susan Blumberg Lande (1970) - The Wheatley Hills Golf Club membership definitely was ‘restricted.’  In Newsletter # 127 Ken Gallard beat me to my recollection that I wasn’t even sure we were permitted to go sledding there in the winters and always worried about being ‘found out’. In Newsletter # 128 Ilene ‘Cookie’ Levine mentioned her mom telling her that they ‘didn't allow Jews there’ but not quite understanding what it meant…..the same was true for me.

I knew my dad couldn't golf there, but again, I didn't understand the true meaning.  When I was a kid I didn’t understand the concept. I think recent events have reminded us all of the meaning. My family always found it funny that years later, my dad, Martin Blumberg, who was a Volunteer EW Fireman and became Fire Chief and then Fire Commissioner,  went in to do the yearly Fire Inspections, even though he wasn’t permitted to golf there.”

Writes Steve Krakauer (1972) - “Hi Art, Seeing the discussion in Newsletter # 129 about covenants in Roslyn Country Club deeds, I dug through my father's files and found the attached. Of course, there is nothing as blatant or subliminal (as far as I can tell) as red-lining language. Nor did I find any in the original Deed itself, which references this covenant, nor in my father's GI Bill mortgage with Prudential. I do find the covenant document an interesting insight into how suburban life was going to be lived, and some of the things not allowed are quaint, like laundry lines in the backyard.

[[[Editor’s Note - The following is a cleaned up, more legible, slightly shortened, user-friendly version of the aforesaid “Covenants.”]]]

AMENDED COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS

ROSLYN COUNTRY CLUB.

DECLARATION made this eighth day of July, 1949 by GARDEN COMMUNITY CORP. of 3230 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, New York, hereinafter called the “Company.”

WHEREAS, the Company is the owner of certain land ….. known as “Roslyn Country Club,” filed on July 5, 1949, in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County, and "Amended Subdivision Map, Section B of Property known as ‘Roslyn Country Club', filed on July 5,1949,” and

WHEREAS, it was and is the Company's intention that the aforesaid land shall be developed as a planned suburban community of one-family houses; and

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Company to cancel and nullify the aforesaid Declaration and to make in lieu thereof a new Declaration of covenants, restrictions and conditions affecting the aforesaid land; and

NOW THEREFORE the Company declares that the aforesaid land is held and shall be conveyed by it subject to the following covenants, restrictions and conditions, which shall run with the land until January 1, 1974.

FIRST: Only one-family houses with garages shall be erected. No house shall be used for any purposes except as a private dwelling for one family or as a professional office of a physician or dentist resident therein. No business of any kind shall be conducted on any premises. No motor vehicles other than of private passenger design shall be store in any garage.

SECOND: No building or structure shall be erected, nor shall any alterations or additions to the exterior of any house or garage be made, nor shall the exterior of any house or garage be repainted other than in the colors originally used at the time of construction, unless appropriate plans, specifications and or colors are first approved in writing by the Company.

THIRD: All fences, whether fabricated or growing, are prohibited.

FOURTH: No poultry, horses, cattle, hogs or other animals, except household pets not exceeding two in number, may be kept.

FIFTH: All laundry poles and lines outside of houses are prohibited except that one portable revolving dryer, not more than seven feet high, may be used in the rear yard of each house on days other than Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays; and such dryer shall be removed from the outside when not in actual use.

SIXTH: Garbage and rubbish shall be kept in a closed underground metal receptacle located not more than one foot from the exterior of the house, except when placed outside before removal in accordance with the regulations of the collecting district or agency.

SEVENTH: Lawns shall be cut and tall growing weeds removed at least once a week between April fifteenth and November fifteenth in each year. Upon the owner's failure to comply with this requirement the Company may do so and charge the owner for the expense thereof, which shall be payable upon demand.

EIGHTH: No signs whatsoever shall be placed upon any premises, except for a family or professional name plate whose size, style and location are first approved in writing by the Company.

NINTH: No building or structure shall be erected upon the westerly 15 feet of lots, the said 15 feet being restricted to planting and landscaping uses only.

TENTH: Easements as shown on the aforesaid maps are reserved for utility installation and maintenance.

ELEVENTH: The Company shall have the right to add to, alter, modify or annul any of the covenants, restrictions and conditions of the Declaration.”

Writes Adam Goldstein (1980) - “Is the Wheatley Hills Golf Club still banning Jews? Just wondering.….”

Faculty Appreciation

Writes Susan Blumberg Lande (1970) - “The Mr. Rosenstein-ism that I recall was him walking past a student and asking if the scent he or she was wearing was ‘Evening in East Williston.’”

Graduates

1958 - Stephen Perlin - Risk Taker

Writes Matt Sanzone (1959) - “Steve was, indeed, a risk taker, to wit, the motorcycle accident on Bacon Rd on Stan Wheeler’s BMW. While I was at Springfield College, we regularly wrestled Dartmouth, and I had a chance to see him, as he would make it a point to attend the meets. 

He was such a natural leader. On the first day of football, the institution of the team at Wheatley, he just took over this bunch of would-be footballers, and we followed him. Great guy. I recall how heartbroken his mom and dad were.”

1963 - Donna Harmelin Rivkin - Headshot

1965 - Eliot “Ike” Evans - One of “The President’s Own”

Writes Ike - “Hi Art - In Issue # 127 classmate Jeff Orling mentioned the reality of Vietnam. Those of us in the Class of ‘65 went into the Selective Service Registry in 1969 and 70 and as such were part of the first draft lottery since 1942, which happened on 12/1/1969 (lucky us).  For those who might not be familiar with the draft lottery, all dates were put on small pieces of paper and drawn from a drum. Each date was thereby assigned a number, which created the order in which men born on those dates were called to military service, which usually meant the Army, while a much smaller percentage went into the Marine Corps. 

People dealt with this in different ways. Going to college got you a 4F classification, which made you not draftable while in school.  Some enlisted in other services, such as the Navy and Coast Guard, which fulfilled one’s ‘military obligation’ but radically reduced the odds of facing combat. And there were several other options.  My brother Bill (Class of 1968) had gone to Tufts Dental School and did his externship at the Coast Guard Academy, was later accepted into the Coast Guard, and did a full career as a dental officer. 

For myself, with a draft number of 172 (which was probably not going to be called but not 100% sure), I was advised by my assistant band director at Michigan to “go to Washington and play for everyone who will hear you.”  So I set up auditions with the Navy Band and the Marine Band and after a very anxious 30 days received an offer to join the Marine Band. I signed on at the Marine Recruiting office in NYC and reported immediately to the Band, stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC (MBW). The plan was to do my four years and return to L. I. and become a high school band director. But I was having too good a time and in 1974 reenlisted, launching a 29-year career with ‘The President’s Own.’

Many of our classmates did get drafted or served voluntarily, and to them I say, ‘Thank you for your service!’”

1965 - Jeffrey Orling - Worth Retelling (from Newsletter # 100)

Writes Jeff - “How’s this for a crazy coincidence?  My sister Merry (Class of 1961, but graduated early and went to Barnard College) decided to study in Florence, Italy at my mother's urging.  Merry sailed there on the Leonardo da Vinci and taught herself enough Italian on the way to ‘prosper.’ She married a couple of Italian men in the process.

I went to visit Merry, who was teaching English at the Berlitz school there.  One day I was to meet her at the Bar Motta... in the duomo (cathedral) square. As I approached the bar I saw several pesty Italian guys harassing Merry.  Of course I wanted to intervene and would probably have ended up with a black eye.  As I headed for the confrontation..…who appears but Joe Sciortino (1967).….from the “S” Section. Joe was a pretty scrappy guy and stepped in and the pests took off when they saw Joe coming and no one lost an eye.  Excellent timing Joe!

Funny how we meet people from the past at the oddest, most unexpected moments in the weirdest places.

Now in my late 70s I don't think I would recognize anyone.  But who knows?  I will find out if I live to attend the next Wheatley reunion.... which I am sure we'll read about in one of your ‘Wheatley Newsletters.’

Meanwhile... we still need a NY Metropolitan Area map showing where everyone lives.  If I had the skills I would do it.  But I am just the ‘idea man’ here.  Please mention the idea in your next newsletter! The map should be on the Alumni Website,

WHEATLEY ALUMNI WEBSITE

1967 - Art Engoron - Happy Holidays!

L-R - Wildcat Friend, Art Engoron

1968 - David Hechler - David published an eBook that was named Best General Nonfiction Book by the American Society of Journalists and Authors a few years ago. It’s now available in print with a new foreword by Nicholas Pileggi, who wrote the books and screenplays for the films Goodfellas and Casino. Here’s Pileggi’s blurb that appears on the back cover:  

“In Good Hands is the true story of two four-month-old infants who died in a South Carolina home day care within nine months. Was it a coincidence, or were these crimes? Pathologists said the cause was sudden infant death syndrome, but the police suspected foul play. As investigators struggled to answer the many questions the deaths provoked, none was larger than this: If these were murders, why would the church-going mother of three who ran the day care, and seemed to love children, kill them? In his superb book, author David Hechler delivers not only answers, but information that could make day care safer for all children.”

For more information about In Good Hands, click here.

1969 - Paula Panzeca Foresto - Response to Susan Roth’s Photos

Writes Paula - “Hi Art! I just loved seeing Susan Roth’s Class of 1969 photos! Both Susan and Hazel Sparks were my close friends back then. I always enjoy seeing our ‘67 prom table photo, too. We were all great friends. So sad to hear Jill Greenberg, another close friend, has passed. We certainly did have a wonderful high school experience.”

1969 - Carol Pistocchi Strouss - Response to Susan Roth’s Photos

Writes Carol - “A special thanks to SUSAN ROTH for the photographs and flooding memories they brought. So nice to see and remember happy times and focus on THE WHEATLEY SCHOOL alumni and staff. More of this is needed to bring some unity to our world and hopes for the future!! REMEMBER WHEN.....Best wishes to all for the New Year!”

1971 - Billy Pastarnack and John Poulos

Writes John -  “For the record, Billy Pastarnack was always a lot of fun, a very ‘up’ person all of the time. He had a black light and some day-glow posters in his bedroom…..far out 😊!  Billy set me up on a date with his cousin, but it didn’t work out; she lived on the other side of the planet…..Merrick! His siblings, Mitch (1963), Amy (1967) and Nikki (1974), were a really good bunch, They always made you feel welcome in their home. Good memories of the ‘S’ Section.”

Writes Mitchel Pastarnack (1963) - “John Poulos “nailed it” with my family.”

1972 - Janet Kurman - Home Economics at Wheatley

Writes Janet - “Imagine my surprise when NPR’s Morning Edition aired a piece on ‘gogl mogl’ on 30 November 2023. Suddenly I flash back to 7^th (or was it 8^th?) grade, Mrs. Saxon’s Home Economics Class, and making ‘guggle muggle,” the original smoothie. I can barely remember the milk, raw egg, honey- or was it sugar- and banana concoction zapped up in a blender. It tasted pretty good, like a banana milkshake. Little did I know then that it was comfort food or a medicinal remedy of Eastern European Jewish heritage. Thank you NPR! Gogl mogl on NPR Some people with the sniffles turn to an Eastern European remedy to relieve symptoms : NPR

As a reference point in time, I was in the Wheatley Class of 1972, the last, I think, to having started at Wheatley in seventh grade fresh from the North Side School. For those of you who did not attend a Wheatley Home Economics course, usually for girls only, we were taught the basics of cooking and nutrition, and, later on, sewing (1966-1968 era). The how-to-roast a chicken episode in my class was highlighted with one of the girls washing the chicken with dish soap prior to baking. She took Mrs. Saxon’s direction to ‘wash the chicken’ seriously, applying dish washing and kitchen clean up skills taught earlier in the semester.

The sewing “teaching unit,” as you might call it today, for me was a trial in frustration. Class assignment: choose a dress pattern, select the appropriate fabric and supplies needed to make the dress, and then sew the dress together. At the end of the semester each girl would then get a chance to show off her creation at a fashion show held in the auditorium. No pressure, right? I couldn’t have been more mortified. We had just been liberated from the ‘dress or skirt’ dress code for girls and were allowed to wear blue jeans or pants to school. This change in the dress code pleased me very much. The last thing I wanted to do is parade across the stage in a dress of my own creation. I was way too shy for that. I avoided that fate by not finishing the assignment. I hunkered in my seat in the auditorium watching the girls who had completed the assignment model their dresses or, in one case I remember, a talented girl had made a suit ensemble, a jacket and skirt!

All these years later I’m very handy with a sewing machine, with experience gained not by making clothes for myself but by making my own home décor. I’ve been quilting for years now and enjoy it very much.

An Appreciation of Carolyn Wilfert. I will always be grateful to Mrs. Wilfert for helping me reach my dream of becoming a forester. I enjoyed hiking and camping, being outdoors in the woods, and I had watched many episodes of ‘Lassie’ when she assisted Corey Stewart, US Forest Service Ranger. His ‘office’ was the National Forest lands. I can’t remember who my original guidance counselor was, but instead of helping with my career choice he tried desperately to steer me to art school, specifically one at Alfred. Now what the heck was I going to do with a degree in fine arts? I only saw three options: teach high school art, find a job as a graphic artist or illustrator, or become a starving artist.

After doing some homework on what the leading forestry colleges suggested as high school prerequisite classes, I asked if I could change guidance counselors to Mrs. Wilfert. She seemed to be more open to working with me and was absolutely delighted when I told her what my career goal was: a forester. The first thing she did was to get me into Mr. Merwin’s mechanical drawing class, then a boys only class. I was the first of several girls who would later take mechanical drawing; one girl needed it as a prerequisite to engineering school. Mr. Merwin’s mechanical drawing class was the first of many classes in my academic career where I was in the minority as a girl or woman. The mechanical drawing class was during first period and the classroom was adjacent to the garage that housed the auto shop classes. I have many contented memories of sitting at a drafting table next to the window, drawing, watching the weather, and chatting with Mr. Merwin as he ambled around the class room checking our work. I think that Mr. Merwin was just as happy to have me there as I was to be a student in his class.

A couple of Wheatley Alumni Association Newsletters ago I shared my post-Wheatley autobiography, in which I described my SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry studies resulting in a BS in Forest Resource Management, and my subsequent career with the USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management. If it hadn’t been for Mrs. Wilfert’s enthusiasm and support of my career choice, which at the time was unusual for a girl to pursue, I have no idea where I might have ended up. After I graduated from SUNY ESF (1976) and my first season with the Forest Service, I made a trip to Wheatley during Christmas break. I wanted to thank Mrs. Wilfert personally and was excited to tell her of some of my adventures in Montana. So while I didn’t get the Lassie dog at work, I did get the green pick-up truck and the Forest Service uniform - a dream come true.”

1974 - Lawrence Binderow - "Greetings from Rancho Santa Fe, California. Happy Holidays to all my Wheatley friends. Larry"

1974 - Susan Cafaro DeLuca - October 9, 1956 - October 9, 2023 - Deceased

“On October 9, 2023, at age 67, Susan lost her three-year battle with cancer. Beloved Wife of Frank DeLuca; Cherished Daughter of Grace Cafaro; Loving Mother to her Stepchildren Michelle DeLuca, Monica (Franco) Anzideo, Dillon (Jesse) DeLuca, and Hilary (Tom) DeLuca-Garwood; Dear Grandmom of Devon, Nino, Dario, Franco Jr., James, and Vivianna; Dear Sister of Jane (Russell) Tausch and Patricia (Jamie) Hamre.  Also survived by many Loving Nieces, Nephews, In-laws, and her Beloved Dog Zoey.” 

Writes Debra Copeland (1974) - “We were a small class and most, if not everyone, knew Susan.  There are two favorite shares I have about Susan: (1) no one ever had a single negative thing to say about her; and (2) there was a boy in Wheatley that told me that he had a major crush on Susan.  “…She’s so pretty, so sweet...”  I can’t remember the name of the boy, but I realize that ‘he’ was probably one of many.

Susan was an accomplished athlete.  She was a Varsity Cheerleader, on Varsity Volleyball, and on Varsity Field Hockey.  Susan participated with all of the Cheerleaders in the annual ‘Varsity Review.’  There was one skit that required us to look like 1950s / 60s ‘greasers,’ and Susan showed up with phenomenally authentic eye makeup.  As an adult, Susan was an avid golfer.

Susan collaborated with her husband at their famous “Villa de Roma” in Philadelphia, PA.  She was known as ‘The Queen of Tiramisu.’  Villa di Roma was known for its excellent food.  Steve Croft interviewed Bradley Cooper, actor, for ‘60 Minutes’ there.  Scenes for “The Irishman” (DeNiro, Pesci) were shot there.

Condolences go out to two of ‘The Famous Triumvirate’:  Carol and Cathy, as well as many Wheatley friends and family.  Farewell to a sweet soul who will be terribly missed.”

2010 - Peter Fishkind - Peter is currently living in Great Neck with his wife Emily. He is an Associate Attorney at Winston & Strawn LLP’s Complex Commercial Litigation Group, where he has worked on a variety of matters for clients in the financial services, private equity, insurance, technology, retail, and entertainment sectors. Peter is also involved with a variety of non-profit and political advocacy causes within the Jewish community.

Fan Mail

Faculty (Robert Brandt) - ❤️

1960 (Joanne Festa) - ❤️

1960 (John “Monk” Moncure) - “Thanks for your hard work.”

1960 (Raymond C. Roller) - “Thank you for the wonderful memories that I have of my time at The Wheatley School.” ❤️

1961 (Michael Jablon) - ❤️

1963 (Donna Kenton) - “Thank you, as always.”

1963 (Steve Rushmore) - “Thanks for the incredible Newsletter.”

1964 (Jay Roth) - “Art - The latest Newsletter (# 129) was great, as usual. Classmate Brian Stone’s post was terrific. The picture of classmate Michael Garin (# 128) was wonderful. And the photos of my sister, Susan Roth (1969), were fantastic.” ❤️

1965 (Cliff Montgomery) - “Congratulations on your articles, which come out just about every week. I think they’re great.”

1965 (Jeffrey Orling) - “Thanks for the Alumni Association Newsletter.”

1966 (Claude Levy) - ❤️

1966 (Steve Presti) - ❤️

1967 (Arthur H. Brown) - “Dear Art, Many thanks, as always, for the great Newsletter. I enjoy following up on ‘Wildcats.’ Keep up the good work.”

1968 (David Pinter) - ❤️

1969 (George Meyer) - “Thanks for all your great work, and to Sue Roth for the photographs. We were so lucky.”

1969 (Paula Panzeca Foresto) - “Thank you Art, for giving us the opportunity to relive these memorable moments.” ❤️

1970 (Andrew Krakauer) - ❤️

1971 (John Poulos) - “I appreciate your efforts to publish the Newsletter.”

1974 (Larry Binderow) - “Art, thank you for the amazing work and dedication you give to the Newsletter.”

1974 (James Elefonte) - ❤️

1980 (Adam Goldstein) - ❤️

1983 (Monique Lazar Ruane) - ❤️

1984 (Maria Marazzo) - ❤️

1992 (Lisa Freiman) - ❤️

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 129.  Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.

Art

Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967

WHEATLEYALUMNI@AOL.COM

ARTENGORON@GMAIL.COM

WWW.WHEATLEYALUMNI.ORG

646-872-4833