The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 132

As Time Goes By

Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,

Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 132.

According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication, Newsletter # 131 was viewed 3,189 times, was “liked” 19 times, and received two comments. In all, 4,728 email addresses received Newsletter # 131.

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 131Newsletters (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 frequently; it (usually) works!

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.

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

District and ‘Hood History

Writes Art Engoron (1967) - From several Class of 1961 sources (Rhoda Kalkin Schneider, Bob Cullen, Gene Razzetti, and Peter Nelson) I have pieced together, as best I can, the following): The girl second from the left in the second row from the front in this photo of a seventh grade class (school year 1956-57) taken in front of the Willets Road School is Angela (“Anne”?) Neil (Neal?). The teacher is Mr. Zoro(?). Angela's mother was a live-in house-keeper for a family living in the Country Club area.  In or about eighth grade, feeling “extremely uncomfortable” (according to one source), Angela switched to Roslyn High School, using someone’s address in that district.  [[[I welcome any clarification or further edification. Art]]]

Writes Daniel Quaranto (1967) - “During the 1960-61 school year at North Side my teacher was Mrs. Batchelder.   She was quite elderly for a teacher at the time, and she was strongly opinionated. I distinctly remember her returning from winter vacation and proclaiming that she had gone to Florida and had brought half a dozen watermelons back for the janitors. She enthusiastically explained how ‘blacks’ loved watermelons and how much ‘they’ appreciated her kindness.”

Faculty Appreciation

Writes Ellen Frey Wineman (1967) - “Reading the submission from Mr Arnold was so nice! During Prom Season I participate in a program of "Mock Crashes" at several area high schools in Delaware County, PA. The purpose is to demonstrate the consequences of impaired or distracted driving. This is the live action version of those catastrophic auto accident films we had to watch at Wheatley. I remember Mr Arnold telling us that Drivers Education was the one class that might actually save our lives. I think of that every time I participate in one of the crashes. You were right, Mr Arnold.”

Graduates

1958 - Barbara Newman - Ping Pong Medalist

Writes Barbara - “Hi, I had a great time at the recent United States Open Table Tennis tournament in Ontario, California. I won a silver medal in Woman’s Singles, Silver medal in Women’s Doubles, and Bronze medal in mixed doubles.  Sending holiday greetings and best wishes in the New Year.  Barbara” 

1963 - Fran Levy - Essay - Behind the Trade Parade - December 21, 2023

“Recently my husband and I were stunned by a comment made at a party by a fellow guest. We were discussing the congested lines of daily traffic bringing tradespeople — working people — to the East End of Long Island, known locally as ‘the trade parade.’

The guest called it ‘the parasite parade.’ He was specifically referring to the mostly Hispanic immigrants who work all over the Hamptons but can’t afford to live here. They drive for hours in horrendous traffic every working day to support their families, here and back home.

How could this person not see what seemed so obvious to me? That no ethnic or cultural group should be collectively labeled in that ugly way. How could he not see how much this immigrant population supports the life we live and how hard these individuals work?

Because of the lack of low-income housing, most of these workers live 30 to 40 miles or farther away. With the traffic here, their commute can take hours. Many awaken at 4 a.m. and are on the road by 5 in order to start work at 7 or 7:30. Without these workers, the Hamptons could not function. They support every aspect of our life on the East End.

Lately, I see more and more trucks with Hispanic names on them representing privately owned companies — plumbing, electric, landscaping, and construction firms, just to name a few. There is also a growing presence of store ownership among the Hispanic community. These companies are often owned by people who rose up from very little through sheer hard work. How are these individuals parasites? They are not looking for handouts. They want to work and often work 10 to 15 hours a day. They also want to be seen and appreciated for their work.

I never had to leave my country, my family, and my home to make it in a foreign land where I did not know the language, had very little money, and had to find work to support myself and my family. I greatly respect those who triumph over such difficult challenges.

I began appreciating Hispanic people when I was in college. I studied the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. The program I was in sent students to isolated mountain communities in Puerto Rico to experience the culture firsthand.

At age 19 I arrived in Puerto Rico, and a local resident named Andres drove me up a rocky mountain road to Indiera Fria, a poor barrio in the city of Maricao. On the way, Andres stopped at different homes to introduce me to the local jibaro people (subsistence farmers). The homes were modest and rustic. Families graciously invited me in and proudly served food from their land: oranges, bananas, boiled green plantains, pigeon beans and rice. The coffee was strong. My stomach was not.

When we arrived at our destination, my stomach was churning. Though they spoke no English, my host family was very welcoming. They lived in a corrugated metal shack with no electricity or running water. I unpacked a few of my belongings and was led to the cot where I would sleep.

I fell asleep to the sound of the coquis, wild birds, and the creaking sounds of the floors and tin siding. It was probably only 8 in the evening, but it was dark, with just the faint glow of light from candles.

At around 5:00 the next morning, I awoke along with the roosters. I stumbled to the door, stuck my head out, leaned over, and puked. The sun was just coming up. I saw red fires blazing in the distance. The air was thick with the smell of smoke.

When I lifted my head, a tall, slender man with deep dark eyes was walking toward me. He was carrying a machete. We looked at each other. Then my head dropped, and I puked once more.

I soon found out that this man was Hector Rivera, the head of the house, and the blazing fires were the sugarcane fields being harvested. Hector was returning from the fields after over 16 hours of work. He was a gentle giant of a man, and, with a caring smile, he helped me up.

Over the next two months, through dancing, singing, playing games, and helping with the tasks of daily living, I began to build relationships with the families of Indiera Fria.

I fell in love with these families and the language. The people showed great pride in all that they did. They loved sharing their customs. They were hard workers. They were warm, playful, and respectful. The environment that they had to survive in was harsh and required constant upkeep.

While in Puerto Rico, I found a part of myself, a spirit I had not experienced before, and I am forever grateful to the people there for that experience.

At the end of my two-month stay, I left Indiera Fria and realized that I had changed. As we drove away, the families waved to me from their homes. “No te vayas, Franci. Por favor, no te vayas!” (Don’t go, Franci. Please don’t go.)

Today, though I am far from fluent in Spanish, I can speak enough to reach out and connect to the local Hispanic community, and it brings me great joy.

I teach English as a second language to a small group of hard-working students from Ecuador, Spain, and Colombia. We meet once a week and we speak in English and Spanish. The students ask me why I volunteer my time for them. I explain that I deeply appreciate all that they do and how they make the Hamptons a better place to live. I appreciate their skill, their warmth, and the great care they bring to their work. I explain that our lives are deeply entwined and will continue to be more and more, and I am grateful for that.

I say this from my heart, partially in Spanish. I touch my heart and the students touch theirs. There is a gentle nod, a knowing. We smile. The feelings are mutual. We teach one another, and while learning we share the lessons of human kindness.

If you would like to get to know the Hispanic people of the East End better as a volunteer, there are many services being offered. I began by apprenticing and then teaching for a program called Ruta 27. You do not need to speak Spanish to volunteer. This valuable program has been teaching English to adult Spanish speakers in the Hamptons for over 10 years and has grown from 60 to 200 students.”

Fran Levy, a clinical psychotherapist and expressive-art therapist, is the author of “Dance Movement Therapy.” She lives in East Hampton.

Jeffrey Orling (1965) - “Art, Now is the time of the year for memories and reflection.  Unfortunately, my memories seem lost to me... too many of them.  Makes me wonder from a neuropsychological point of view.….what makes some memories last and others disappear?  What about something that ‘jogs’ your memory and WTF..…a memory  can return almost out of nowhere.  I try to remember.….but I can't.  And so reading your emails does often jog my memory in the most pleasant way.  It would be a trip to remember more from those days.  Old brains don't work well ;-)

Are there any graduates from back then who still live in the neighborhood?  They should have some interesting recollections. 

I sometimes challenge myself to name all of our neighbors on and near Shelter Lane.  Back then I probably could name everyone in the “S” Section.  Now so few can be recalled!  I wouldn't recognise a thing, either. Season's Greetings, Jeffrey, Mount Vernon, NY”

1967 - Art Engoron and Amy Pastarnack Hughes -

“Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Christmas Eve, 2023 - Art surrounded by Amy, Amy’s daughter, and her children.

Christmas Day, 2023 - Art, Amy, and Amy’s son

1967 - Scott Frishman - Go Michigan, Go Wolverines, Go Blue

Front Row - L-R - Scott Frishman, Granddaughter, Son

Back Row - 110,612 People

Front Row - 110,612 People

Back Row - The Final Score

1969 - William Kirchick - “Hi Art—as a shout out to Scott Frishman (1967) in Newsletter #129, I too, am an avid Michigan Wolverines fan, yearning for a National Championship. As Scott knows, my brother Howard (1967) is also a Michigan alum, as was as my late brother Calvin (1964). Maybe this year, like the wandering Boston Red Sox who took 86 years before they won another World Series, the Maize and Blue will make it to the promised land! Regards, bill k/”

1972. - Joel Harris - As Time Goes By - “Hi Art, I ran into a current Binghamton University student who graduated from Wheatley in 2022.  Yikes, 50 years after me and a mere 21 years after my son, Bryan, graduated. Best regards, Joel”

1974 (SuZanne Zenker Gilbride) - Reminiscing About Fishing (etc.)

Writes SuZanne) - “Dear Art, I was saddened by news of the passing of Susan Cafaro Deluca (1974). We hadn't spoken in many years, but like every member of our small class, we all at some point were friends, and through the years everyone spent time with each other, e.g., classes, sports, gym, bus, smoking behind the gym, etc.

One of the thought-provoking memories that has stayed with me over the years is going to Susan’s father's funeral. We were young, and it was the first funeral I ever attended; it left a strong impression. Losing class members is very sad, and things I haven't thought about in years bubble to the surface. I often remember doing something with that person; and it also becomes a reminder that we are getting older, and time is precious…..

As I was thinking about loss, I  had a memory that we lost a member of our class in the 6th grade, I believe her name was Joy(?).  I believe that she and her father went for a boat ride in winter on Long Island sound, and she fell overboard, and they found her a week later…. If anyone has a better memory, please fill in the blanks; the story has always haunted me. I remember trying to look for the story a long while ago, but I found nothing.

On another subject, after the review of The Lost Boys of Montauk by Amanda M. Fairbanks I decided to read it; I never knew this story…..I had never ever heard of or eaten Tile Fish... I found The story of Long Island fascinating, and about Wheatley… Many things I was aware of but hadn't thought about in years, and other’s I learned about e.g., the fishing industry on Long Island and the activities around fishing. I do remember a surfing group; and I knew the surnames of the people mentioned because of younger siblings, that I did know. Losing a family member so young is so sad.

My father used to take us kids out on an outboard on the weekends during the summer months. It was fun! I would usually sit in the very front seat (like in the point), the boat  bounding in the waves, with a big life preserver on, with dangling legs that didn’t touch the floor of the boat. I remember the fish, mostly flounder and blue, in the bottom of the boat flipping around. I had my very own rod, favorite color blue…..That was a great time…..until this one day we were coming in through the choppy inlet and were sideswiped by a much bigger boat, that never seemed to see us, we almost turned over, it freaked my father out so much that after that he got rid of the outboard and forever more we fished off the docks….. Hadn't thought about that one in years….

Wishing everyone a joyful New Year 2024!”

1975 - Kenneth Mitchell - “Great article about Robin Guadalupi.”

1977 - Robin Guadalupi - “Writes Jill Simon Forte (1967) - “I have recently been in touch with Robin Guadalupi (1977). Her family lived across the street from mine when Bob (Forte, 1965) and I rented a house in Uniondale and had our son. Then she and her family moved to East Williston, where we kept in touch for a while 😊.”

2010 - Alex Estis - Engaged!

Fan Mail

1962 (Richard Glassman) - ❤️

1962 (Lois Kass Kleinberg) - ❤️

1963 (Fran Levy) - “Thank you, Art and Keith. I appreciate and am amazed by all that you both do for the Wheatley alumni.”

1965 (Paul Barnett) - ❤️

1965 (Malcolm McNeill) - “Thanks, Art.”

1965 (Jeffrey Orling) - “Thanks for the Newsletters.”

1965 (Clifford Montgomery) - “Thanks again for the memories Art. Regards, Cliff ‘65”

1966 (Alison Kent Bermant) - “I can’t imagine that there are any other high school alumni in the country who have a better, more frequent newsletter than we do. A million thanks to our indomitable editor, Art Engoron (1967), and phenomenal webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (1963).”

1966 (Claude Levy) - ❤️

1967 (Arthur Brown) - “Keep up the good work.”

1967 (Phil Celella) - “Thanks for all you do, Arthur; keep up the good work.”

1967 (Scott Frishman) - “Great Newsletter, as usual.”

1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “Another walk down Memory Lane Lane. Hearing names from long ago is fun. 🤩” 

1969 (Donald Cohen) - ❤️

1969 (William Cornfield) - “Art: Keep up the great part-time work of Wheatley Alumni Newsletter Editor.”

1969 (Paula Panzeca Foresto) - ❤️

1971 (Carolyn “Cakky” Braun-Evans) - ❤️

1971 (Larry Shiller) - ❤️

1974 (SuZanne Zenker Gilbride) - “I very much enjoy the Alumni Newsletters.”

???? (Charles Helsel) - ❤️

???? (Debby ????) - ❤️

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 132.  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