The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 157
Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 157.
All underlined text is a link-to-a-link or a link-to-an-email-address. Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then clicking on the text that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination or will address an email.
According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication, Newsletter # 156 was viewed 3,140 times, was “liked” 10 times, and received three comments. In all, 4,729, email addresses received Newsletter # 156. For all of May, the Newsletter received approximately 24,200 “hits.”
The Usual Words of Wisdom
Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 156 Wheatley School Alumni 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
Alma Mater - Also in the Second Graduation Program
‘Hood History
Writes Rick Frishman (1972) - “Hi Art, Scott (1967) and I lived on Pebble Lane in the Country Club Section of Roslyn Heights. I remember we had a pediatrician named Dr. Alfred Florman. He used to make house calls. Does anyone else remember him? I found this about him: Doctor Alfred Florman Obituary
Faculty
Graduates
1962 - Marilyn Lee McKelvey - Fond Memories of Bengeyfield Drive
Writes Marilyn - “Art’s reminiscences about East Williston and, in particular, Bengeyfield Drive brought back many fond memories of my growing up on Bengeyfield, attending elementary school at North Side, and attending grades 7-12 at Wheatley.
I have been on a quest to wade through over a century’s worth of family photographs, and I discovered this 1951-52 photograph of my family’s home at 104 Bengeyfield Drive. Obviously, the house was a work-in-progress at that point. Please note the ever-stylish Crosley and Studebaker autos parked in the driveway.
Additionally, I found a formal group photo of those who attended the Class of ‘62 20th year reunion. The picture is not of the best quality, but to those of you who may be interested, I can email you a copy. Let me know and I'll send it.
I am living in the Pacific Northwest, as I have for the past 48 years, and we are all looking forward to a beautiful and busy summer. I am enjoying my life, loving and laughing with my family and friends who live nearby, as well as those from afar.
Wishing you all a joyful summer,
Marilyn Lee (mcpurple@aol.com)”
1961 - Gene Razzetti + Walter Brunner
1962 - John Bagdon
"Writes Gene Razzetti, (1961): Jon Bagdon (1962), as usual, underplays his role when he talks about his friendship with Walt Brunner (1961). Loyal and supportive right to the end, Jon spent a lot of time working with (and backstopping) Walt in a variety of enterprises. We talked about Walt at a Wheatley Reunion and at the "Celebration of Life" held in NYC by Walt's sister. My impression was that Walt would stick an arrow in the wall, and it was up to Jon to draw a bull's eye around it. Working with both Walt and George “Dixie” Howell (1960) must have been a hoot. Best to all, Gene."
1962 - Madeline Moret Armstrong - Could anyone provide an email address, or other contact information, for her?
1964 - Jim Paley - “Thanks to Ira Kent (1965) for his remembrances and kind words about my late father, Doctor George Paley, who passed away from cancer in 2007. I greatly appreciate your thinking about him.
1967 + 1989 - Arthur Engoron and Alex Tisch - Judges
The View - Battery Park - New York, NY - March 30, 2024
1968 - Gary Kenton - Writes sister Donna Kenton (1963): Hi Art, I’m not sure that my brother, Gary Kenton (1968), will inform The Wheatley School Library about his wonderful book, so as his proud sister, I will.“ 😊
1973 - Leonard Weinstock on Facebook
1983 - Theresa D’Amato - “Hi Arthur, I have some good news!! Robert Davies (from Philadelphia) and I got married on June 1, 2024!”
1995 - Jacob Kuriakose - “Arthur, I just finished a marathon here in San Diego. The Cross-Country Coach when I was at Wheatley, from 1991-1995, was Les Runestad (a/k/a ‘LR’). With his passing away this year, I hope he is smiling from up above in that Pontiac Fiero in the sky and listening to country music while seeing this photograph.”
If he saw my time, I’m sure he would say, “Clocks don’t lie!”
It can’t be said enough that the teachers, administration, and support staff at Wheatley have made a positive impact on my life, and for that I am grateful. “
Fan Mail
1959 (Tracy Lanthier) - “A great Newsletter. Thanks again for everything.”
1963 (Marcia Friedman Mayer) - ❤️
1965 (Louise Kampa Triano) - ❤️
1965 (Susan Wechselblatt) - “I have always been a big fan of the Wheatley Alumni Newsletters. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed.”
1966 (Karen Wattel Arenson) - “Hi Art. Thanks for the Newsletter. Cheers to he who keeps us well informed — and then some!”
1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “As you can imagine, I LOVE this newsletter. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”
1968 (Leslie Wolowitz) - “I look forward to getting and reading the Wheatley Alumni Newsletter. Keep them coming.”
1974 (Melanie Artim) - ❤️
1972 (Jeffrey Kargman) - ❤️
Anonymous - “Art, I don't do social media and refuse to get involved with it. I like simplicity and find all this stuff to be a bunch of crap and keep away from it when I can. The Wheatley stuff is not included in my remarks because it is not crap and it serves a purpose that is welcomed by many of us - it keeps us informed, interested in others we know or knew and brings back memories of times we enjoyed or tolerated. It makes the past a way to enjoy the future because so much that went around then is coming around our way again and we can appreciate it more now.”
Closing
That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 157. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.
Art
Arthur Fredericks Engoron, Class of 1967
646-872-4833
Love the newsletter, thanks Art!
As a classmate of hers it was great to hear from Marilyn Lee McKelvey. I have fond memories of her, East Williston, Northside Elementary and Wheatley. I grew up just around the corner from Bengeyfield on East Williston Ave. Loved the photos and especially the cars!