This is a condensation of the January 2005 newsletters
Newsletter Editor: Frank Barning 1960, fbarning@yahoo.com
How did you decide which foreign language to take at DAHS?
Warren Zaretsky, 1960
I only remember that "someone" said "it's a good thing to take a foreign language." I don't remember who it was or if there was any social, cultural, political, or economic reasons given. It seems it was just a generally accepted idea, like you should eat your vegetables and you don't fart in crowded elevators (well, not out loud anyway).
The choices were Spanish and French and "everyone" said that Spanish was easier. I took Spanish in 9th grade with Mrs. Camiera, a no-nonsense, stern woman with a Castilian lithp. Nevertheless, I fooled around and barely managed a 65. The following year I took French (might as well try the only other option) with Thaddeus Kalinowski -- a bizarrely flamboyant, exuberantly nerdy "piece of work," in natty suits, blue and pink shirts and contrasting bow ties.
I remember him flitting around the room, pounding on students' desks and screaming into our faces, "If I came to your house and woke you up at 3 o'clock in the morning, could you give me the principle parts of the verb vouloire?" Somehow I passed three years with him, and even a semester's worth in college, BUT -- subsequently, when I went to Paris my 3 1/2 years of French was useless, while my 1-year of failed Spanish stood me in good stead in Spain. Of course the main measurement was that: though I got did in Madrid, I had no chance in France.
Melissa Shaffer 1962
I chose French, I think because it seemed more intellectual, you know Descartes, etc. and of course for the appeal of French culture in general. Also took Spanish because I loved languages. Took Russian also in high school because it was unique at the time and that appealed to me. Was able to use all those languages - continued Russian in college, finally got to go to Paris, and have used my Spanish since I went into the Peace Corps in 1967. We have a large Latino population in Connecticut, so I get to use at least a little Spanish daily.
Bob Castro, 1960
I have only vague recollections of the foreign language selection process. It seems to me that the guidance counselors had input to this event. I believe that we were told that completion of a foreign language sequence would enhance our chances of college acceptance and that we would have to take a language in college anyway. So, it would be better to start now and make taking a language in college easier.
For me, the choice of a language was easy since my Dad spoke fluent Spanish. It was with great regret that Senora Cameira failed the only two students in her Spanish 1 class that had a Spanish heritage; me and Louie Lopez. Summer school at Levittown Memorial was not on my original list of things to do that summer, but due to some "urging" from my parents it became my new priority.
I wound up taking 3 years of Spanish and did reasonably well, especially in the Regents exams. Maybe that was because I sat next to Renee Gordon.
Since we were the first class in the school, the administration was
probably "hawking" languages since they had to go out and hire language teachers for Spanish, Latin and French and I'm sure that they wanted to know that they could keep them busy.
Frank Barning, 1960
One of my biggest high school decisions was which language to take: Spanish, French or Latin. I was not the kind of young man who asked others for advice, so like with many other choices in my young life, I had to wing it.
These were my thought (at the time) on the three languages:
Latin…this was for the really smart kids, so that left me out.
Spanish…this was the easiest of the three. Therefore it was for the dumb kids. I was not a dumb kid, so that removed that language from my choices.
French…this was the language for those of us college-bound kids who were neither brilliant nor dumb. So, this was my choice. And it helped that I liked Maurice Chevalier and Brigitte Bardot.
I was asked to choose a language sometime late in eighth grade. When ninth grade started, I was in a French class with some really smart kids. The brilliant Ellen Rees comes to mind. Why wasn't she taking Latin, I wondered? As the early days of our freshman year unfolded, I learned that Ira Selsky was taking Spanish. In my mind, Ira was as smart as Ellen Rees. What the heck was Ira doing taking Spanish, with the dumb kids?
It turns out that I was naive for thinking such stupid things about choosing a language. I wonder how many other absolutely moronic conclusions I reached while at Division.
Dewain Lanfear, 1960
The best I can recall (how's that for a disclaimer from someone not running for office), I was told that many colleges still required Latin as a prerequisite and that many also required a total of 5 years of language. Furthermore, German was for students who were going to major in math or science, French was for those aiming towards the humanities, and Spanish was for everyone else. Based on that I took 3 years of Latin and 2 years of French (doubled up my junior year).
However "bogus" the advice may have been, those choices were excellent ones for me. In 1967 I walked into a language proficiency test for my MA in English and after a two-week refresher in
French, sailed through the exam without a problem. Of course I was aided by the fact that the passage for translation was exactly on my thesis topic, but nevertheless, I believe my DAHS training prepared me
well for that test.
By the way, in college I took 2 years of Russian and retained nearly nothing, but I'm part of a group here in Hartwell, Ga. that will be hosting a group of Russians next year under the Open World program, so I'm brushing up (read that as "learning what I should have learned the first time") on my Russian now. I really believe that nothing we ever learn is wasted. In my case it does seem to come
around again.
Who was your favorite high school teacher?
Tom Toscano, 1961
For me, it was Mr. Jim Amen, our boys phys ed teacher and varsity basketball and baseball coach and in my view, a great man. There were a couple of teachers that I think transcended the "job" in Levittown, who recognized on some level the vast influence they had on young people and who used that power judiciously and well. Mr. Amen was the kind of man that inspired us as athletes and gave us the confidence to push the limits of what we could achieve. He had a great, warm personality and I've always viewed him as a mentor and friend.
Mr. Amen continued to be active in baseball on Long Island for over 35 years after we graduated, coaching at Post and New York Tech and later scouting high school athletes for those schools. I would see him often as he always made a point of stopping to visit with Carl Kielbasa and myself when he was near the Sachem schools. All those years, and despite his protests, we still always called him "Mr. Amen."
In the late 1990s, his health sadly, began to fade and he resided for a time in a nursing home in King's Park. Retired myself at that point, I visited him often to talk about the old days at Division. You should all know that he often asked me to bring my copies of the 1960 and '61 yearbooks, and we would sit for hours, thumbing through them and laughing and at times, getting a little teary eyed.
He remembered fondly, and with some wonderment for example, how Mike Newton could burn the candle at both ends and still pour in 25 a night; or how silky Ernie Villatore's jumper was or how Carl K.'s sharp elbows had Steve Matuson from Plainview (County high scorer at the time) crying one night.
Mr. Amen passed away in early 2000 I believe. I loved him like a father and still do.
Albert Cardamone, 1962
Who was my favorite teacher? For me, that is easy to answer, Mr. Frank Vitale. Mr. Vitale was a music teacher when I was there. I liked him a heck of a lot better than the little old bald guy who preceded him. The only thing that I remember about the little old bald guy is that I gave him a can of glass wax and a toothless comb for Christmas in the 1958-59 school year. With Mr. Vitale, I was able to go to NY State Music competition in 1961 where I took second place in statewide competition singing “Come Sweet Death” by Beethoven as an accapella solo.
In my senior year, I had History, English, PE, Lunch, and all the rest were music classes with Mr. Vitale. First hour was English, Last was History. Mr. Vitale, who had a used car sales business on the side, would let me take whichever car he had driven to school and go running around as long as my English and History grades were at least in the high B range.
I guess the fact that my dad died before my step-dad bought the house in Levittown, and the fact that my step-dad and I got along like H-Rap Brown and Archie Bunker would have, coupled with the way that Mr. Vitale treated me (like a son), made a very lasting impression on me.
Ann Crescenzo Fazzino class of 1961
My favorite had to be my English 12 teacher, Mr. Keating. I sat directly in front of his desk because I had a year-long crush on him. I also liked Mr. Chapman who was my English 11 teacher. Both teachers were relatively young and they related well to their students. They had awesome personalities. Thanks to both of them English became my favorite subject.
Ava Berg, 1960
best teacher was MR. STREB. he made history exciting. he related history & emotions sex, love, hate etc. 2 reasons why things happened.. our history books were basic white man stories- no women out west, only men invented things etc. MR. STREB RELATED EVERYONES STORY IN AN INTERESTING WAY. mr.JEWELL was definitely the best looking guy. Mr. Flynn was the worst. he actually hated me. 10th grade i carried 95average in English and got 10 U-unsatisfactory-he gave me U in homeroom. Mr. Stapleton was another piece of work. i heard he ate his lunch in the men's room--on the toilet. the Levittown teachers mustof did a good job- most of us came out ok.
Bob Castro, 1960
I guess the" short" answer is Mr. Crane. He took a group of seniors who were so interested in having a good time that they were only marginally interested in learning, and made it work. And we're talking Physics, not exactly a subject that inspires debate and interest.
But despite all the distractions of being seniors, he made sure all of us got through what could have been a disastrous subject; and he did it without being "heavy - handed". As a matter of fact, on at least two separate occasions he took us out to play softball because he knew we weren't ready to learn that day. But at the same time, he couldn't be bull sh*tted. We tried to get him to let us do other things, but he put his foot down and the class relented.
The bottom line was a great student/teacher rapport and pretty good
regents scores. And all that in spite the fact that we almost electrocuted him with the static electricity generating globe.
Frank Barning, 1960
Mr. Amen was one of the finest people I have ever known. He was totally there for his students and the boys who played sports. He encouraged people, gave them a pat on the back, taped injuries and was an advisor if you needed help. You name it, Mr. Amen did it.
Louise Nicolosi Hayn, 1960
Mr. Reino 9th grade Science, 10th grade Biology - he was able to hold my interest (not an easy task in those days), made science exciting.
Mr. Chenevey 10th grade Geometry - I actually understood what he was teaching (100 on the Regents), was also very personable outside the classroom.
Mr. Streb 12th grade Cit Ed - never a dull moment, made history come alive (actually looked forward to his classes).
Don Davidson, 1960
My favorite teacher was Warren Lowey. He did not make it to Division, but he was my 4th and 5th grade teacher at Wisdom Lane (the Quonset hut) and then my general science teacher when the district opened Wisdom Lane JHS in 8th grade.
None of my parents or grandparents went far in school. My grand
parents came from Eastern Europe and never went to school. My father dropped out of school in grade 8 and my mother graduated from a Brooklyn trade school.
One day near the end of 4th grade, Mr. Lowey took me aside and told me, “you should become an archeologist or a teacher when you grow up.” Since I could not spell the former, I took to the latter. Mr. Lowey reminded me of his vision all through 5th grade, and in 8th grade science
After graduating from Division, I went to SUNY at Oneonta and graduated with dual certifications: elementary Ed and secondary social studies. My teaching career encompasses grades 5-6, elementary reading consultant, director of secondary reading, National Association of Brain Injured Children at Queens College. While teaching I earned an MS in education at Adelphi, took my doctoral courses at Hofstra, had permanent certification in elementary k-6 instruction, 7-12 social studies, and administration and supervision.
After 8 years of teaching I went into the publishing world and have remained there the rest of my life. Some of the wonderful jobs I had enjoyed are reading-language arts at SRA, National Marketing Manager at IBM, VP sales and marketing for Artesia, senior Group VP for Hachette Publishing (Paris-NYC), Vice President of Jostens Learning Corp, founding Director and VP of Electronic Education (Now Pearson Digital Learning), General Manager of The Learning Company. Presently I am building a new division for Houghton Mifflin known as
Cognitive Concepts.
Bette Connah McErlean, 1961
My favorite teacher, by far, was Mr. Keating. He really made English exciting and he was a great teacher.
Dewain Lanfear, 1960
I had a number who were terrific. Jim Chenevey was excellent. I had him for three years and he gave me a great math foundation. My freshman year in college, my math professor paid me to do the answer book for a text he was writing. Sometime in the middle of that third year he asked us if he was right or left handed. We were unsure because he was ambidextrous and had been writing with either hand for three years. The story was that he could bowl a 200 game with either hand. Clare McGuigan was a feisty foreign language teacher who was in her early 20's and about 4'10 tall, but that didn't stop her. I remember one of the funny moments in high school when she had Bill Goldhammer (over 6' and a solid 200 lbs plus) backed against the corridor wall, shaking her finger at him. He looked scared. She was a good teacher.
Joe Crane was another vertically challenged teacher who was wonderful at what he did. We had him for chemistry and physics and we were all crushed when he was replaced in the middle of our senior year by Monroe Fremed. He was great at balancing humor with work. He also was a lot of fun working on the Senior Follies that we put on.
Jim Amen and Joe DiMaggio were my favorite coaches in an era where coaches were really kings in their domain. I spent most of my teaching career working with Jerry Jewell when he was district AD and I coached. Although we disagreed about some union issues, I liked him a lot.
Dick Streb was the most dynamic teacher I ever had. I loved his approach to history - it was "made" by people who had faults and foibles and these things were what made history come alive.
What I learned from my own experience in education is that no teacher is so flawed that he/she isn't the perfect teacher for someone, and no teacher is so good that some student doesn't think that he/she is an a**hole.
Susan Weldon, 1960
My absolutely favorite teacher was Mr. Chenevey. He was smart and sexy and incidentally a wonderful teacher. I adored Mr. Aiello and was delighted by Mr. Kalinowski and his joie de vivre.
IN MEMORIAM
Class of 1960
Carole Arnesen
Richard Bachman
Diane Brown
Mimi Brunette
Pete Cybriwski
Edward Fink
Carolynn Flohl
Bruce Garabrant
Janet Goldberg
Daniel Huntley
James Kinane
Ann LaMar
Stephen Lilienthal
Louis Lopez
Eileen Maxwell
Sterling Morrison
John Sweeney
Jeanne Tlockzowski
Ray Wenz
Christine Wilkens
Class of 1961
Al Baldwin
Bob Burner
Sheldon Dambrot
Al DiLorenzo
Frederick Ehrlein
Leo Grant
Ken Hefele
Gail Leistman
Linda Merritt
Glen Molyneux
Michael Shaughnessy
Class of 1962
Charles Adams
Janice Becker
Gail Brown
John Connelly
Ralph Del Piano
Gerard Farge
Carolyn Greves Lincer
Joe Hochen
Joe Panarello
Bob Rolston
Teachers, guidance and other recollections
By Howie Whidden, 1962
The picture of Levittown 1949 in a recent “Alumni Scrapbook” brought back memories of what Levittown was like when we first moved in. My wife's family were original 1949 settlers and mine didn't move in until 1951, but I still remember the tiny sapling trees lining the roads, and no fences separating any of the back yards.
The newsletter has had some interesting comments about the lack of guidance in DAHS at the time, and I can only concur about Mr. Rogo. He literally ranked up there along with Dr. "icy fingers" Sherman, people I would rather not have had to see.
How I chose Spanish I don't know, but I did start in 8th grade with Sra. Cameira, and finished Spanish IV to get my Regents diploma in languages. I must have done fairly well, because five years later Uncle Sam decided I was to become a Marine Corps Vietnamese linguist. It was an intense 32 week, 8 hours per day course, but when I look back on it I realize it was the language training (and especially Sra. Miranda!) at DAHS that helped me do as well as I did.
What a world of difference it made to get 'in country,' understanding
the culture and being able to speak the language! After service I became a history teacher, department head, high school vice principal
and principal, and I still found many opportunities where both languages proved useful.
In reading the comments from other alumni, I am struck by the large number of us who became teachers. My sister-n-law, Pat Raynor, and I both graduated in 1962 and my wife, Nancy, graduated in 1966. I can't believe how many of us in these classes became teachers - all three of us did, too.
I know we had many fine examples from among the DAHS faculty, especially Jimmie Amen (he was always my shining example of compassion and encouragement in a teacher, NOT like Jerry Jewell), Larry Lasker and Gladys Eisenhauer.
This retired history teacher will forever be embarrassed for telling her in 10th grade US history that studying the Constitution was boring! But I'll never forget her example of an animated history teacher when she climbed atop her desk and swung an imaginary sword over her head to simulate the leadership of Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox."
John Stalberg (1962) recently mentioned Mr. Graham (a very fine 11th grade English teacher!) in his summer employment, and I can remember what it was like to be a young, underpaid teacher with a family looking for work during the summer "starving time," competing for jobs with all the college guys.
George Smith, DAHS history teacher, worked part time as a department store men's clothing salesman, and I remember how embarrassing it was for both of us when I ran into him as a customer. Thanks for the flood of memories... Keep them coming!
Howie Whidden lives in Vernon, NJ. His email address is thewhids@Warwick.Net
For people who no longer live on L.I.
What do you miss and what don't you miss because you live elsewhere?
Karen Biro Hewson 1960, Stuart, FL
Living in Florida there are things I miss about Long Island. #1 is the
proximity to New York City - I loved going into the City, shopping, eating at any kind of restaurant you could think of (there were always new ones to try), seeing shows and just the vibrant atmosphere of being in the City. I also miss the change of the seasons. I love snow (as long as I don't have to drive in it) but once January is over, I like to see signs of spring -- that never happened on Long Island. I remember one year it snowed on Easter Sunday and most years winter was just toooooo long. I miss the autumn also, so if I'm really in need of seeing leaves turn I go to North Carolina.
Melissa Shaffer Mayernik 1962, Fairfield County, CT
What I really miss about Long Island is the people! I miss their enthusiasm, charm, liveliness, sense of humor, wit/sarcasm, and honesty. I miss the good looks of the men (luckily my husband is from Brooklyn which gives him intensified Long Island traits).
The people in Connecticut are much more reserved, and have different conversational pacing, such that a person from Long Island can appear to be rude due to what may be perceived by them as interruption, or even aggression.
I will always think of Long Island's south shore beaches (i.e., Jones Beach), as the most beautiful in the world. No where else could possibly be more truly “the beach.”
Lilette Levy 1960, Denver, CO
I live in Denver, Colorado. It is the land of the snow capped Rocky
Mountains and the crisp cool lakes, pine trees and aspens. What I miss most about living on the Island is the beach. There are no beaches here in the west. Whenever I go on vacation, I go to a place that has a beach.
I miss the New York accents since people here know right away after I say a few words that I am from NY. I miss the baked goods. Here in Colorado, the altitude affects all the cakes and breads. Everything is dried out minutes after baking. The bagels are different, the pizza is different, even the Chinese food is different.
I miss my friends that I left behind. I miss the New York style of person. New Yorkers talk with their hands, are expressive, get excited, and many of them have ethnic looks. Many people in the Midwest are quiet and reserved. My daughter lives in Westchester which is quite different from the Island. But when I go back to NY and visit my friends on the Island, I fit right in as if I never left.
Andrea Leporati Rago Crawford 1960, New Port Richey, FL
I left long Island in 1976 for Fremont, Cal. (3 yrs). No matter where I have lived I'll always miss Jones Beach... just nothing like it! I always need to be near the ocean, it's my comfort zone. I'm always surprised when I meet someone who has never been to the Atlantic or Pacific. My 3 children were born in Levittown 1971 to 1975 and we could walk everywhere and had those wonderful pools in the summer.
Frank Barning 1960, San Diego, CA
I miss diners with huge menus, delis with great potato salad, seeing old friends, taking the LIRR to NYC for a day of theatre and maybe a basketball game at the Garden and not much else.
San Diego has been my home for 22 years and this area is truly a treasure. When I retired, there was no thought of moving somewhere else. I was already in paradise, the end of the rainbow.
Ann Crescenzo Fazzino class 1961, San Antonio, TX
I miss people who sound like me. I never lost my Italian Long Island/New York accent and I don't believe that I really want to, or ever will. It's part of me and my personal identity! Whenever I go anywhere someone always remarks about my Long Island accent. The only things that anyone here in Texas associates with an Italian New Yorker is Pizza and the Mafia! Both of my daughters and my grand-babies however, do sound Southern with their "ya'll." I still say "youse guys" but I've softened it just a bit with "You guys!" After over twenty years I must admit, sadly, that ya'll is starting to sound a bit normal. The other thing that I miss most is the change of seasons. I miss autumn with its rainbow colored leaves and the crisp coolness in the air. I also miss the first snow storm, especially in Levittown, when our community became a winter wonderland! I remember Rita Cataldo and I always waiting for the first snow storm so that we could start our Christmas shopping. We'd take the bus on Newbridge Road to Mid Island Plaza and it was instantly Christmas to us! It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit in San Antonio when you're wearing shorts. But I don't miss walking to school 2 and 3/4 miles up hill in the snow, or skidding to work on the ice! I believe that Neil Diamond sums up my feelings best, "New York's home but it ain't mine no more!"
John Stalberg 1962, Ventura County, CA
Regarding what I miss: the people. It's the biggest "urban myth" that NYC area folks are not friendly- always in a hurry, pushy, impolite, etc. Really, the NY people are very warm & friendly. Others are superficially nice, but that's (often) all you get. Next is the food- Italian, deli, & the famous Nathan's & Carvel etc. I like the older neighborhoods too.
I don't miss traffic, long lines, and January & February (except for basketball).
I now reside in unincorporated Ventura County, near Thousand Oaks, Calif. & work in Santa Monica. It's a 40-mile commute, but I'm fortunate enough to have a professional driver, & no, I'm neither crippled nor blind. Just more efficient that way. I have a 25 acre avocado/citrus farm- nearest neighbor is half mile away. Love the silence & privacy.
Lou Kuhlman 1960, North Carolina
I, like many others, miss the ocean, but not necessarily the beaches. I also miss that great ultra, thin-crusted, droopy with hot cheese and sauce... New York pizza. I miss those wonderful bagels, great Chinese, and Italian restaurants, and, of course, Carvel.
Speaking in generalities... I miss those things that my memory recalls were at their best on L.I., but, who knows, memories are stored on unstable vapors. Everything in life is constantly changing. We will be going up to the island in a few weeks for a wedding. I only hope that if something has had to change, let it be the cashew chicken and not the egg rolls (they were the best)!
What I don't miss are all the people, or more specifically, the population density and all of its resulting problems. We live in the far western North Carolina mountains, near Franklin. Our community on Corundum Hill covers about 400 acres, with about 30 homes... only six of which are lived in year-round. With a density of about 36 acres per person we enjoy a quite peacefulness here that left Long Island about the time they started building Levittown.
Pete File 1960, Virginia
As the years go by... I seem to miss fewer and fewer things but 2 are still on the list - NY hard rolls and Carvel ice cream. Carol and I occasionally find Carvel ice cream in our travels - but probably shouldn't eat it - and it still tastes as good as the memories. Hard rolls are a NY item only and we bring back a few dozen every time we venture north from the mountains of Virginia.
We moved to Roanoke about 25 years ago by way of Florida and, since all the kids and grandkids - who ever thought about grandkids - are here, we'll be here forever.
Sue Chasin Ross 1962, Florida
My husband and I think we have the perfect life.... 5 months on Fire Island and 7 months in Delray Beach, Fl. When in NY, we are with our wonderful friends, live on one of the best of the Long Island Beaches. We have our favorite LI restaurants and we love THE CITY. It is only an hour away... without traffic, or a quick ride on the LIRR. We have traveled all over Europe and NYC is still the most exciting and energizing city we have ever been too. We love the theater, the stores, the restaurants, the parks, but most of all... we love just walking there. We went up for a week in early December.... we saw a show, ate in our favorite places... and walked and walked. The CITY at the holidays is magical.... we never tire of visiting it, at that time of year.
Having been retired for almost 5 full years, and not having to "do" winter anymore, I can't say that I miss the seasons... yet? The colors in the Fall... up there, are beautiful, the first snow is lovely, a crisp fall day is delightful.... and the trees and flowers blooming in the spring is great.... but I love and always have loved summer. I think it has to do with having been a student through college and always having the summer off. It also has to do with being a teacher for almost 34 years.... and having the summer off. Summer has always symbolized freedom, being carefree, sleeping late, staying up late, doing what I want, no time schedule.... and now I'm living that 12 months a year.
I love Long Island and always have... that's the main reason we still have a house there. Where else would a Long Islander want to spend summer?
I have to say, that during our 7 months in South Florida.... we only miss our friends... not the weather. But, then again, we know we'll be heading North at the end of May.
John Kinstrey 1961, North Carolina
What do I miss? Those absolutely silent snowy nights when Jerry Gippetti (neighbor, ‘63) and I would talk over our “home made” telephone through the windows and the only sound you could hear was the train whistle from the LIRR. What do I not miss? Shoveling all that crap before dad got home.
Arnie Galeota 1961, Florida
I moved from Long Island in 1993 to South Florida, the Hollywood area. I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 until 1998 when LI moved back to Florida. Even with so many great memories of my growing up on L.I., I don't miss the long winters, the heavy traffic and the cost of living. Los Angeles has the same problems, except the weather is much better.
The drawback to Florida is the public school system, one of the worst in the country. Not having any kids of school age anymore, I am very content with Florida living. The severe humidity in the summer is something you have to get use to, or you're living in the wrong place.
Wally Linder 1961, Illinois
I miss the free beaches, and the salt water fishing.
I don't miss the fast pace environment and people.
MEMORIES
Sandy Adams, 1960
I remember attending school in a Quonset hut at Wisdom Lane for one year, third grade. Mr. Meyer was the teacher, I think. I had just moved from Canada, had a funny accent, and thus started my severe shyness.
One of the first days at school at Wisdom Lane, the teacher wrote the words to "O Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" on the blackboard for us to copy and learn to sing each morning. I didn't write anything down at my desk. When Mr. Meyer noticed this and asked my why I wasn't writing, I answered that I hadn't yet learned how to read long hand.
I was then told to stand in the corner of the room - I don't remember for how long - another notch added to my shy syndrome. This is one of my most frequent memories of Levittown Schools.”
Frank Barning, 1960
It is amazing the things we remember from a half-century ago. Emails from classmates stimulate my mind and I find myself drifting back to experiences long forgotten.
During seventh grade, my family moved to Levittown in mid-October. Obviously school had begun, so I was in classes in which was I way behind. About three days into Mr. Reggio's science class, he announced a test for the next day. I pleaded that since I was new, it might be best is he let me skip the exam.
Of course, he made me take the test and I got something like a 36. It took the rest of the year to get my grades up and I remember studying especially hard for the final exam because I wanted to show him that he had made a mistake forcing me to take that first test. Mr. Reggio, one of Division's finest teachers, had certainly motivated me.
John Buller, 1961
One day word got around that two guys were going to settle some dispute with a fight after school. I didn't know the guys involved, but I
joined a group of kids who followed along behind them to watch the fight.
As we walked home the crowd grew larger, and by the time we reached Cornflower Road there were a few dozen kids in addition to the two principals. A site had been chosen for the fight that was neither on school grounds nor private property. It may have been someplace near the Azalea Road drainage sump. As I remember, the fight itself was not a display of much skill on either side. It was mostly clinching and wrestling. But in its own folk-art way it was pretty entertaining.
It had only been going on for a minute or so, when we noticed Tom Mitchko's father approaching. He worked as a mail carrier in Levittown, and was walking along with an empty mailbag over his shoulder, as if he had just finished his route. When some of the spectators saw him coming, they began to walk away, afraid they might get into some sort of trouble, and assuming that he was coming over to break up the fight.
He said, "No, no, that's all right -- I just wanted to watch," and he took up a spot in the ring of spectators. He had a smile on his face as he watched the kids fight, as if he thought it was cute. I suppose in a way it was. The fighters weren't strong enough or vicious enough to hurt each other very much. I think the major damage done was to the clothing of the participants. I don't remember exactly how the fight ended. I think some sort of draw must have been declared. It greatly increased my respect for Tom Mitchko's father
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Melissa Mayernik Shaffer, 1962
Joining the Peace Corps and living in the Darien Jungle (inaccessible by road, telephone, anything at that time) in Panama. However, at the time, I did not consider this a risk. I love changes, so perhaps for me, risk level tends to be low.
Artie Kornfeld, 1960
My two biggest risks: when I gave up college at Adelphi and decided to enter music industry as a songwriter. It worked. My bad risk was the desire to try mind-expanding stuff like pablum and creamsicles.
Don Davidson, 1960
Leaving teaching for the world of business was my biggest risk. Being the first in the family to graduate college and become a teacher was a big deal for us. Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles all repeated the same mantra; “become a teacher and you will always have a job!” “You will have the summer off, lots of free time, and if you marry another teacher she can work and still be home when the kids get back from school.”
They never told you that you would make 80 dollars a week before taxes, have to work 2-3 jobs to save the money to buy a house, and make the same amount of money (or less) than the teacher next to you who was mailing in the job and robbing kids of a year of their life.
So after the graduate work, and the university teaching, and the
administrative certifications, and the tenure to leave to become a salesman was traumatic for the family. I had married a teacher (the first time that is). We both had tenure thus jobs for life. I was working on my doctorate (my mother would go around talking about my son -the doctor-to-be) and writing my thesis, and went over with Lord Vader to the dark side.
Five years later I was the youngest national marketing manager at IBM, and my parents made the 1,000-mile plus drive to the corporate offices in Chicago. They came to visit me at the corporate office off Michigan Avenue, and what followed could have been written by Woody Allen.
My secretary (back then we did not have administrative assistants) showed them in to my office to wait for me as I was in a meeting. I had a corner office with a view of both the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. About 15 minutes after they were settled in and were filling up with soda, cake, candy and coffee from by serving area I arrived. Kisses and hugs were exchanged. The usually comments given about my being too thin and looking too tired where passed. My mother looks around at the big desk, the carpeting, the view from the top of the IBM building and remarks, “So, maybe you can make a living!”
Ann Crescenzo Fazzino, 1961
The biggest risk that I've ever taken was getting married. I was a very late bloomer and didn't date much in high school. After high school I made up for it big time. I dated over fifty guys in three years, and had three steady relationships before meeting my Joe. Believe it or not he was the first Italian guy that I had ever dated. He was also the first guy that was younger than I, by a whole two months.
Joe was unemployed, tall, dark and handsome. But, his very best qualities were that he was very intelligent, honest, sincere and a bit shy. After all of my past dating, I learned quickly that Joe had all the qualities that were most important to me for an intimate, lifetime relationship. It's been forty years since we first met and that twenty-year old girl was right on.
Thomas Smith, 1961
The biggest risk that I have ever taken was when I was serving my tour of duty in Viet Nam. Our unit, the 25th infantry division, was outnumbered three to one and we were being overrun, and a choice, to withdraw from our position, or to hold and fight, was the ultimate decision I ever had to make. Well, with air support, we held our position and finally achieved our goal. The year was 1966.
John Stalberg, 1962
Biggest risk? How about 3 that come to mind? A helicopter ride over Niagara Falls with a pilot not too good-almost hit another copter. Drove from NY to Cal in the winter of 1971- to finish med school- had a 1967 VW beetle- & no brakes- amazing what you can accomplish by downshifting. But the biggest was introducing a certain woman to a "friend" whose nickname was "Hitman." Yep, she got angry & tried to hire him.
Karen Biro, 1960
I guess the biggest risk I have ever taken is at the age of 48 getting
married (for the first time), selling my house and moving to England. You get set in your ways and the older you get the harder it is to break the pattern of your life (rut). I arrived in England on a Thursday and had a job by the following Tuesday - what took me so long? - we had company from Australia about 2 days after I arrived at my new home, rather hectic. I was running on pure adrenalin.
It all worked out though and I'm glad I took the chance, although at the time I really didn't think I was taking a chance - it just seemed like the right thing to do. Everything fell into place - my house sold the same day it went on the market, I temped at a French company
called Mondial Assistance (the AAA of Europe), then for a chartered surveyor and insurance company, eventually moving to a permanent job at the surveyors. Looking back, I'm glad I did it.
Ava Berg, 1960
the biggest risk was leaving NYC, moving 2 PA-HARRISBURG without a job. i worked 4 NYC dept. of welfare 4 10 years. i also made beaded jewelry & traveled 2 craft shows. had a customized van with bed in it. did that til 1979 . took advantage of a program--they sent me to tractor trailer school 4 commercial license & PAID me 2 go.--women in non traditional jobs.made more money yard jockey then with BA from Hofstra. when i moved here in 1977 no one here knew what a bagel was. u could see horses & cows in the country and beautiful mountains & rivers. moved 2 house in 1980--still here. glad i came.
MEMORIES
John Stalberg, 1962
1-In the early 50s there was a mobile food store. For the families & moms w/o cars. It was about as big as a school bus- the driver was the cashier- you actually walked down the aisles & shopped for food. I think we called it "The Traveling market." I wonder how many remember it- I think the Sunrise Markets at the Greens caused its demise.
2-The 1st Levittown library was at the South Green. It was much later-1964? that the library was moved near Hempstead Turnpike. between Center lane & Shelter. I always though it ironic that the best, only?, pool hall was across the street from the library. That pool hall was like The Hustler- smoke hung in the air & pretty good players, well, hustled. Beer was served & the jukebox played doowop.
And for a time there was a traveling library (Bookmobile)- that was cool for kids with no money & no way to get to the South Village Green. I remember my father took me to the library almost weekly. I recall going there to plagiarize, ... er research, ... my valedictory speech- so that helps the time line - it was certainly there in the spring of 1962.
Success for author Michael Haag, 1961: Here is the latest on his current books
London-based Michael reports: THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE DA VINCI CODE is in American shops now. No idea how easy it is to get, nor how it is selling. Over here it went like hotcakes. It arrived in the shops on 22 November; by 31 December it had sold 67,000 copies in Britain and was number eight in the bestseller lists.
Then there is ALEXANDRIA: CITY OF MEMORY, published by Yale in Britain and the US. That too is available in America now. Alas it costs $35. Maybe you could get your local library to order it. Again, no idea how it is doing in America. But in Britain it has been doing well, and has received very good reviews.
Both are available from Amazon.com.
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Newsletter Editor: Frank Barning 1960, fbarning@yahoo.com
posted 2005.07.10 - last edited 2005.07.13
Copyright 2005, blue-dragons.com and Frank Barning
