The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 100!

Who'd a Thunk It!

Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,

Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 100!

The first Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter, Edition # 1, is dated June 19, 2016. Originally intended as a monthly, and issued accordingly, 2023 has seen a six-fold increase: six in January and six in February. Indeed, if February had had 31 days, like most months, there would have been seven, this being the seventh!

The reasons for this are manifold. Substack has made distribution way easier than earlier means, but it imposes limits on how many bytes I can send at any one time. An aging population has become more nostalgic and has more time on its hands to compose and send memories. But mostly the publication “schedule” has been on a vicious cycle: the more I publish, the more I receive.

Each issue requires several hours of editing; photos require manipulating; corresponding with contributors is fun but time-consuming. And not to get too personal, but I have a gym to go to, a dog to walk, a commute to navigate, four children, an inordinately active social life, and a day job of which some of you may be aware. But lately, the main competitor for “Wheatley Time” is my Holocaust screenplay, Viktor Glaser’s Holocaust, which needs more tender love and care than a vegetable garden in Maine, as I try to improve, and contemporaneously try to sell, it.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank all the people who poured out their soul in personal and/or political essays, who sent me fan mail, and who sent photos (flattering or otherwise). My good buddy classmates Richard Friedman, Mitch Stephens and Jack Wolf have enriched my life (nothing to do with the newsletter, but just sayin’). Classmate Jill Simon Forte and I have forged a bond that should have existed long ago. And I’m in touch with Leslie Buckner, Henry Pullman, Larry Weiss, and too many other classmates to mention.

Keith Aufhauser is more than just a savvy webmaster; he’s also a spiritual advisor, and he deserves his own paragraph (this one).

I’m not going anywhere, and anywhere I went you could still reach me through the usual means. Keep sending me text and photos, which I will promptly acknowledge and edit. But I don’t plan to publish another newsletter until August or so, after which I plan to resume the usual, but probably at a reduced pace.

Editor’s Note -

According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication Newsletter # 99 was viewed 3,164 times, was “liked” seven times, and received two comments (both positive).

All underlined text is a link-to-a-link. Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then left-clicking on the link that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination.

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 99 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 use it all the time; it 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

Faculty

William Lawson, Godfrey Wills, and Paul Margolf - Vivi Cilmi Kunz Remembers

Writes Vivi - “Hi Art, I have many wonderful memories of Bill Lawson, but the one that stands out to me most is the opportunity he gave me. In my years at Wheatley there was no track team for girls. (Can you believe that?!). When the girls’ softball team went out for our warm up laps in the springtime, we had to run around the softball field. Mr. Lawson came to me one day and invited me to run on the track after softball practice. I worked out with the boys track team and actually ran in a competitive relay as one of the boys.  I was the anchor! No one said anything about it after the meet! Bill was ahead of his time, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of training he offered me.

I also have amazing memories of Doc Wills. He and Mr Paul Margolf were my 'go to guys' after school before the girls' athletic practices would begin.  Putting away music and recategorizing endless sheets of adaptations for various concerts gave way to great life lessons. The caring and concern for their students was always heartfelt.  They were inspirations for me to continue my love of music. I happily brought their excitement and expertise to the music ministry in our church for many years. Their joy of making music a great part of our life experience has helped me appreciate all musical genres.  I will always be grateful to them for giving me their time, talent and kindness.”

Loretta (“Lori”) Wilson Roux - Writes Art Engoron - “Alive and kicking and nearing 90. I had a nice telephone chat with her on 3/2/2023.”

Graduates

1960 - Jim Turco - “In response to Judy Bregman’s (1967) "Wheatley Whiskey," I wonder what the response would have been back in 1959, when we were allowed to bring into class the juice containers that they sold in the vending machines. Many containers were spiked with the vodka that I kept hidden in my locker, which was used by many good student with a smile! I probably would have felt more at ease back then if it was “Wheatley Vodka”! HA!”

1965 - Jeffrey Orling - Wheatley People and Places in the ‘Hood…..and Sister Merry

Writes Jeff - “Hi, This afternoon I tried to go back in time/memory and visit the old neighborhood.... and  see how many people I could place in my mental image of the old neighborhood.  For sure today there is no resemblance except the street names.  It was fun.  I did remember where many people from the past lived.  I wonder why I can't remember more.   I have not been in touch with many from those times.  I thought a fun thing would be to get an actual street map and put the names of people on from back then... not a mental one.  I recall there were something like 700-800 "Levitt" homes where the kids lived who attended Willets Road and Wheatley. And of course there were those who went to "North Side" Elementary School.  My family and I lived on Shelter Lane.

The names I recalled were... Kathy Walsh, Roger Morris, Roddy Nierenberg, Arnold Abelson, Barbara Ashley, Jimmy Optner?? Roy Winnick, George Glaser, Marc Messing, David Golub, Arden Aibel, Peter Solow, The Jeromes, The Eastmans, Tina Strominger (went to private school), David Orlins, Ira Kent, Alison Bernstein, Peter Altschuler, Dicky Strauss, Larry Rosenthal, David Rosen, Mitch Ditkoff.….

I thought it would be cool/ fun to get a street map and put the family names on it from the 1960s.…. The map could be interactive.….people could fill in from their memory and send it in for an update,

I guess when you get very old these memories become important and elusive.

And now a little story.

My older sister, Merry (1961) moved to Florence, Italy immediately after completing Barnard College early.  She was always near the top of her class.  In “Firenze” she worked as a technical translator (for engineers at the University of Florence) and taught English at the Berlitz school.  She was very active in animal rights her entire life.... So I went to Europe and was staying with her.  I had been out on my own doing tourist things (she was tired of doing this for everyone from Wheatley who came to Florence) and had an appointment to meet her by the Duomo (the main cathedral), in front of the Bar Motta... it's now a different owner.….  So as I approached I see Merry being harassed by some guy.  Clearly she did not want to speak with this guy.  I ran over to be the protective brother and was about to "get physical" if need be when who pops up?  Joe Sciortino (1967) ... who was a neighbor from Shepherd Lane and an athlete to boot.  Joe stepped in and told the guy to leave her alone!  How cool was that!  Merry was very gracious, but being a tour guide for everyone from Wheatley (or Barnard) who found their way to Florence got old.  Understandable.. especially for people she was barely friendly with back in school.  When her Italian husband Gianni died she returned to the States and moved in with me and my family for a bit and then to an apartment on the next corner.  We saw her a lot during this period.  She did want to return to Italy, but her "capacity" was not up to the task.   She made one return visit and I set up her Florentine friends to meet and be with her.  She eventually suffered from and succumbed to dementia.”

1968 - Joel Blumenthal - On the Road to Woodstock - Hi Art – Ricki Spier Cohn’s ‘small world’ note about Mr. Irwin (“Ozzie”) Stewart triggered a memory about an experience I had and invoked her advice to “…. always be at your best!  You never know whom you will meet again down the road of life.”

It was only a year after leaving Wheatley, 1969 to be exact, that I, too, bumped  into Mr. Stewart.  Ken Gallard, Dave Pinter, Gerry Lieberman and I were on the road to Woodstock. We drove up in Ken’s VW squareback from L.I. late into the night that Friday on our way to Bethel N.Y. and, like thousands of others, were stopped by traffic somewhere along the rural roads in the area leading to the festival site. We decided to pitch our tents and make camp (of sorts) for the night.

L-R - Joel Blumenthal and David Pinter

In the rain and mud the next day we decided to abandon the car and walk the rest of the way to the festival site. Not knowing how far we were, we simply followed the droves of fellow concert goers and walked for hours. We probably ‘medicated’ some to ease the hot, strenuous hike.

David Pinter - Both fotos by “Official Festival Photographer" Ken Gallard

Somewhere several hours into our trek we passed a house and I heard someone call out my name from the front yard. Yep, it was Mr. Stewart…..‘Ozzie!’ I responded in my ‘purple haze.’ Mr. Stewart was one of the younger teachers we had had at Wheatley, and we all liked him because of his casual nature and because he seemed to relate to us teenagers. He seemed to be quite happy to see us all and offered us some water and a cool shady spot to sit for a few minutes. We made small talk and after our brief time relaxing in his yard we said our goodbyes and again struck out for what was to be an epic weekend.

Years later, the night before our 50^th class reunion, Dave Pinter threw a pre-reunion party at his home in Manhattan. We four Woodstockers reunited, 49 years later.

L-R - Ken Gallard, Gerry Lieberman, Joel Blumenthal, David Pinter (all 1968).

I still wonder whatever happened to Ozzie ‘down the road of life’ from there. Does anyone know??

Writes Art Engoron - Ricki Spier Cohn and I have recently established contact with “Ozzie.” More later.

1968 - Lori Wallach Marshak - Remembering Bill Lawson and Lee and Jay Hammer

Writes Lori - “I learned about sportsmanship (“sportspeopleship”?) from Mr. Lawson. I was at Willets Road, maybe the summer recreation program, 4th or 5th grade(?) and we were having relay races in the gym on a rainy day. When the other team was winning, I booed. Mr. Lawson, not unkindly, explained to me that we cheer our teams, we do not boo our opponents. I actually did not know that.

I was madly in love with my classmates Jay and Lee Hammer (and with Jimmy Byrnes (1967) and probably others), and I got to know the Hammer family well. Jay called me on the night they were moving far away, and I was distraught. My mother, Suni, definitely not a typical mom back then, helped me bake a cake in a heart shaped pan, frost it with pink icing - could it have been Valentine's Day? - and my father, maybe at midnight, drove it to their house and dropped it off by the front door. I saw them subsequently every year when I went to visit my grandparents in Miami. I have a photo of myself on the back of Glenn's motorcycle in front of their apartment building there, for which I will search.”

1969 - Craig Artim - Wheatley Back in the Day

Writes Craig - “Happy 100! Art, I love you! And I love your sidekick, Keith. Sending this seems like a call for help, which takes a very brave man. One guy sends in a Tinder profile. Another ends his ‘proof’ by stating he has a poly sci degree from Stony Brook! Well, that clinches the argument. And please tell us where we can get Mad Scientist Fauci tee shirts!!  On to great teachers: Latin teacher nonpareil Magister Ronald Fradkin, teaching language, history and the classics. Plus I was in class with all grades represented, due to the unpopularity of Latin. I was a monster on 10th grade vocabulary words. We would wait every Friday for those fateful words: nulla pensa. No homework! On our way back to school from a rare football win, the bus would erupt with the victory song 🎵 He’s rough, he’s tough, he’s mean, he’s gruff! He’s Barnacle Bill the Line Coach!! And Wild Bill Lawson would let it go for a few choruses til he would growl in that sweet, tender voice, “All right, knock it off!!” And who could ever forget the wise words of Jack “Cat’ Davis: ‘Boys, if I’ve taught you one thing, don’t steal the hubcap. Steal the car!’ (Years later I learned that he ‘stole’ that line from the classic movie, Robin and the Seven Hoods, starring Frank Sinatra.) Of course a fond memory is me and my brother laying Chris Gordon (1969) across our backs and flying him across the classroom windows of Betty Bradley (nee O’Connor) like Superman! And I would like to mention two individuals who really should be exalted and remembered: Damon Trautman, with his huge smile. And Ike O’Connor, always with a huge unlit cigar in his mouth. These guys kept Wheatley clean and were always fun to be around. Ike and Betty O used to kid around about whether they were related or not. Great gentlemen. Would like to hear what became of students in Stu Doig’s T-Group class! Quite the eclectic gathering. And to that ubiquitous linguistic maven, DKI (also known as David Israel), may the spaghetti eating tiger always be at your side. Ciao! Y’all!! Have fun.” 

1970 - Nina Galerstein - A Query

Writes Nina - “Does anyone know whether the famous mountain dulcimer player Jean Ritchie ever perform at Wheatley? I seem to recall that she lived on the North Shore of Long Island for awhile, and I think I saw her....but I can't remember where.

1973 - Denise Paine - Fluent in French

Writes Denise - “I am looking forward to greeting my classmates this October. Fifty years after graduating, I still remember Jean de La Fontaine’s “La Cigale et la Fourmi.” I had a proud moment today in Oaxaca, reciting it from memory and then translating it on the fly for my Spanish class, in Spanish! Gratitude to my excellent Wheatley French teachers who made us memorize. 😍”

1976 - Frank Stellato - Remembers His Mom…..and Mrs. Brescia

Writes Frank - “I am submitting this story for what I believe will be the hundredth issue of the Wheatley School Alumni Newsletter, which I believe will be fitting for the people I’m writing about. Although not strictly a Wheatley story, it is about the East Williston School District and myself and other students who became Wheatley graduates. And also because it made me feel damn good.

I  recently received a telephone call from the aide of my Northside first grade teacher, Mrs Brescia, who actually lives around the corner from me. This past week was her 103rd birthday!  AMAZING!  Mrs. Brescia was taking a walk one day a few years ago while I was out working on the lawn, and her aide asked me for some directions. Not surprisingly, I didn’t recognize Mrs. Brescia. The aide asked if I was from around here. I said well I grew up right here, my mom grew up here right behind my house. The older woman asked, “Do you know who I am?” I said “no,” and she said “My name is Jenny Brescia.” My jaw dropped. The aide looked at me kind of funny, and I said, “Oh my God this was my first grade teacher at Northside!” The aide was totally stunned by that. I said, “I haven’t seen her probably since grade school.”  The aide and I exchanged telephone numbers. I was hoping that one day Mom could get together with her because what I found out and didn’t know was that Mrs. Brescia grew up across the street from my mother on Brown street, and they were childhood friends. Sadly, that reunion never happened. My Mom passed away this past November.  Mrs. Brescia’s family organized a drive-by birthday celebration, so I drove over and snapped a photograph with Mrs Brescia (see below). Several other North Side teachers also came by.  Funny, it’s amazing the things that I remember that she taught me.  It was great to see her again.

A small tribute to my mom, Josephine, who was 99 and was about to turn 100 this March. She passed away in November. She grew up right here on Brown Street and lived most of those 99 years here on Roselle Street, and she went to Northside starting in 1930 when her family moved here. She used to say that she would go home for lunch, and she could hear the teacher ringing the bell to tell them to come back to school because there were only open fields and very few houses between the school and Brown Street. There was no Wheatley back then, so she had to take the trip to Roslyn to go to high school.  In addition to her being a North Side student, my two older sisters, Carole Ann (Heney) Coyne, Fran, and I went through the system. Carole
became a teacher at Willets Road and retired after 35 years a few years back.  Her husband, John Coyne, also taught at Willets for 30 years and just recently retired, and my niece, Jackie Heney, teaches at Northside now.  So I have a fondness for teachers, and I appreciate the hard work they do. 

This is Mrs. Brescia’s first grade class at Northside. The photographer wasn’t familiar with our district, so he just put “PS - 1.” I’m in the top row, second from the left. Many of the people in this first grade picture were Class of 1976 graduates. 

Mrs Brescia at 103! and I last week.

My Mom on her 99th birthday last March, with my sisters and I.

Another Story from Frank Stellato (1976)

Back in 1983 I was performing in the Boston company of Godspell, my first equity show, and it was a big deal, and we were performing in the Charles Playhouse, across the street from the Shubert Theater, and there was a huge snowstorm. Nobody came to our show and nobody came to the Shubert show, which was Evita on national tour. So to help each other out, we went to see their show and they came to see our show, just to put more butts in the seats. We went out for drinks afterwards, and I’m talking to the lead actor who played Che Guevara, and you know the usual stuff, “where are you from,” and he said he was from a little town you never heard of on Long Island, and I said really? And he said, “yeah,” and I said, “what is it? I’m from Long Island.” He said, “I guarantee you never heard of it. It’s East Williston.” I said, “you gotta be kidding me.” The guy was approximately 10 years older than me; and he grew up on the next street over, on Donald Street. I grew up on the last street in Mineola. That was just bizarre, and he was a Wheatley graduate. For the life of me I can’t remember his name, but he was doing great.

The Wheatley School Alumni Association Forum/Soapbox

Writes Joan Bressman Hoffman (1961) - “Jay Cummings latest addition is loaded with generalized name calling. His blaming the Democrats for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is outrageous. I sense a conspiracy theorist in his stated opinions. This longing for the patriotic 1950’s is really for a time when whites we’re overwhelmingly the majority.”

Writes Richard J. Weiss (1962) - “Art, I was impressed with Nancy Kurshan’s essay describing her unflagging energy for worthwhile causes, even (if my calculations are correct) as she approaches her 80th year. I was a year behind her, and I remember her well.

Writes Rick Jalonack (1966) - “As far a Mr. Cummings and his remarks about “liberals’ spending us into oblivion, may I remind him that Republicans raised taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals and families, which RAISED the national debt by 8 TRILLION dollars.  So it is not the ‘liberals’ that are spending us into oblivion.

Those corporations that had their taxes reduced did not create jobs, or lower their  prices.  They bought back stock and gave raises to upper management.  I could go on and on about our children and grandchildren. If freedom to be a capitalist and follow conservatism is destroyed, it will be done by the dictators, not ‘liberals.” As far as immigrants coming across the southern border,  I would truly like to hear a well-thought-out plan (by Jay) that treats fairly people who want to come to this country.”

Writes Jill Simon Forte (1967) - “I am happy that there are graduates that still know the correct way to view our country and world. BUT I am not surprised that some ignorance still is rampant, even among our schoolmates 🙄”

Writes Paul Ingrassia (1969). - “We are not living in 1959 anymore, and believe it or not, we have strengthened civil rights and women's rights and have advanced socially. Jeff Bezos pays taxes of .04 cents per 100 dollars of income while treating his employee's horribly. Most of us are second- or third-generation American, so what's the deal: I got mine so who cares about others? I'm tired of separatist, and in my opinion selfish, attitudes. Most of us are mutts, that is, genetically mixed people. Embrace your brother!

Writes Paul Giarmo (1976) - “Dear Art, I want to thank Fred Carillo for his kind words and Jay Cummings for his excellent commentary, both from the amazing class of 1960. I also want to thank their classmate, Col. Ken Martin, and Ken’s football teammates, who kindly sent me a Wheatley football jersey last year. I feel connected to these gentlemen, both politically and athletically, and I appreciate their  contributions to the newsletter.  We could use a few more men like them to restore normalcy to our great nation.  Paul (Spirit of '76) Giarmo”

Fan Mail

1960 (Joanne Festa) - ❤️

1962 (Richard J. Weiss) - “As always, it’s a pleasure to receive these newsletters. Particularly in our current state of polarization, I find your contribution to fond memories and civil discourse most rewarding.  Thanks for your contributions to keeping memories and friendships alive. It’s impossible to overrate their importance.” 

1964 (Vivi Cilmi Kunz) - "Thanks again, Art, for your time and talent.”

Richard Kaplin (1964) - ❤️

1965 (Jeff Orling) - “Art, Thanks for compiling these reports.  I enjoy having memories of my days, friends and teachers awakened.  Amazing work! I look forward to reading these. Keep up the great work!”

1966 (Allan Silver) - “Art, I look forward to reading each edition of the Newsletter. You do a wonderful job!”

1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “I loved the latest newsletter. Lots of people with memories, and hearing about graduates helping our world is always wonderful.”

1968 (Joel Blumenthal) - “Thanks once more for what you do. It is heroic!”

1968 (David Pinter) - ❤️

1968 (Lori Wallach Marshak) - “Thanks, as always, Art and Keith.”

1970 (Ellen Dellis) - “Thanks for all the effort and time you have donated.”

1971 (Mitch Mudick) - ❤️ “I love what you do, look forward to every issue, and read it cover to cover.”

1971 (Merrie Sesskin) - ❤️

1972 (Sheri Nathan Risolia) - ❤️

1973 (Denise Paine) - “Thank you, Art, for my continuing connection to Wheatley ❤️. I enjoy reading every issue of the Newsletter.”

1976 (Frank Stellato) - “Thank you for all your hard work.”

1977 (Peter Fitzpatrick) - ❤️

1985 (Carol Rosen Lieber) - ❤️

1986 (Fred Abramson) - ❤️

1989 (Joseph Apicella) - “Art…..Thanks for all you do with alumni association. 100 newsletters! Job well done.”

???? (Denise ????) - ❤️

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 100.  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