Subj: LHS reunion afterthoughts
From: PBOTTENS
To: BarryEnd
Hi Barry-
Before I even start on my thoughts from Sunday
night's event, I want to thank you and the rest of the committee
from the bottom of my heart. You all did a heroic job to track
us down and pull us all together, to design and execute such a
fabulous party. It seemed effortless in its fruition although
I can only imagine the amount of effort it took. I think that
that is the hallmark of a perfect party. I do not know when I
enjoyed an evening so much.
I also want to thank Linda and Joel Gallof
for hosting the brunch. It was a lovely morning for us- a great
way to keep up the spirit of camaraderie engendered the evening
before. Linda can come and bake for me anytime. Wow, is she talented!
All the way up in the car, Margie Samuels
and I talked nonstop about who we'd see and the fact that we really
didn't know anyone and wouldn't recognize those we did know. In
the hotel lobby, all the people were our age and we kept trying
to figure out who they were. As it turned out, they weren't LHS
(I asked).
With this in mind, when we went down to the
reunion, walking through the hallway, I said to Margie, there's
Sylvia Tiersten....she hadn't changed a bit....and so it went
from there. People really hadn't changed for the most part. I
am not going to say I wasn't happy to see name tags, and I am
not sure that out of context I would have known them, but for
that magical evening, everyone seemed 17 again.
I honestly do not know when I felt in the
midst of such warmth and I also do not know when I kissed and
hugged so much or was hugged and kissed so much myself. It was
gratifying.
What was most interesting was that so many
of the feelings I had in high school and was never able to share
with anyone before were being openly discussed that evening. It
seems that so many of us thought we were alone in our feelings
and now it appears that we didn't realize we were on common ground.
I could go on and on but I think I've said
quite enough.
Besides thanking the committee, I want to
publicly thank my husband for sweetly enduring all the pre-reunion
chatter, for footing the not inconsiderable bills for reunion,
endless long-distance telephone calls, clothes, hotel, travel
and kenneling, and for graciously being willing and open not only
to attending this reunion but to really enjoying it.
Peggy Berliner Ottens
Rick Mindlin
Subj: Re: congratulations
From: rgsands@ssw.upenn.edu (Roberta G. Sands)
To: barryend@aol.com (Barry Endelson)
Congratulations to the Committee for bringing us back together. It was
very uplifting for me. How great it was to see everyone!
Roberta Sands
Nancy Reinitz Bernstein
Date: 99-10-12 13:15:15 EDT
From: vicmilt@bestweb.net (Victor Milt)
To: barryend@aol.com (BarryEnd)
Hi Barry -
Thanks for a super job, and a great time.
I'm one of the few that can appreciate what an enormous amount of work you
have done on behalf of the class of 59.
I got 108 pictures from the "prom", and have NO IDEA how to go about posting
them on my web site. But right now, I'm in the midst of finishing a TV Spot
for Plaza Memorial Chapel, and a web conversion for Food & Wine. Probably be
done by the end of the week. At that time I'll turn my attention to the
setting up of a web site... (I pay for "interpubco.com", and have never used
a "Victor Milt" at my ISP, so I'm assuming that I should have some space and
a web name available. Then, as per your suggestion, I'll give you a "hot
link" to my meager site... though the pictures are OK (considering the lighting
and the speed, and the vanity of the subjects, themselves (us... that is).
Oi... did everyone in the room look like they should be at a party with our
PARENTS?? Oh well, I guess getting old is still better than being sick... or
dead!
So (philosophy aside)....THANKS!
(Stay in touch)
v.
Subj: To the entire Reunion Committee..... Date: 10/12/99 9:37:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time From: BermanEsq1 To: BarryEnd It is impossible to think that anyone worked harder, longer, or with more dedication than all of you on the Committee! You made old memories come alive....and helped new ones be forged.... From the very first mailing, through your searches for classmates, and the wonderful arrangements, keeping everyone informed of progress on the terrific web site, to the huge success of the party itself, you all worked with the greatest of dedication and love for the project! That dedication and love shone throughout the evening, for all to see! To Joel Gallof and Linda, who opened their hearts and their home to everyone....words would never suffice to say thank you....they and Steve Strauss made Monday the "just can't get enough" of Sunday night the perfect ending (or beginning) of what a reunion is all about! The hugs and kisses will last a long, long time, as will the warm feelings taken from the reunion. I am so glad to have been there! ......Joel Berman
----Original Message-----
From: <elainekones@operanews.com>
To: barbced@email.msn.com <barbced@email.msn.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 10:04 AM
Subject: Reunion aftermath!
Dear Barbara,
I understand that the reunion was wonderful...I knew it would be, and
I was so sorry I was unable to attend.Just from the website alone, it
was obvious how much time and effort the whole committee put into it.
Congratulations!
I am interested in buying a video of the reunion. How do I go about
it? Also, is there an address book that is available?
I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Subj: reunion
Date: 10/16/99 4:25:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: NBJeweler
To: BarryEnd
I have to put my two cents in and let you know that the drive from Pa. to NY was relatively easy including the Belt Parkway. Sorry I could not stay for the brunch. As for the reunion it was a magical evening filled with love and it was wonderful seeing everyone and exchanging stories. I have alittle secret to share, I still feel like I'm 17, I kind of get remind that I'm not when I look in the mirror, thats why I have removed the glass from all my mirrors. My hat off to everyone who was involved in putting the party of the century together. It was a blast.
From: Rickjaym
Hi Barry,
The following might be suitable for inclusion in the "Notes
from Classmates".
Hi Everybody,
The reunion was simply terrific-all those months of planning
and work by the committee paid off in spades. Special thanks and
admiration to Barbara Freifeld, Art Emzig, Barry Endelson, Joel
Galloff, Steve Strauss and the entire committee-for putting on
an Academy Award level affair, a complete triumph.
At the reunion: After 40 yrs., I finally got to dance
with Joan Ostrow, who for my money is still the best looking chick
in the class… And I saw that Vic Milt still has the best
camera of anybody (but no longer the best car--unless he wisely
is still driving that ultra-cool Metropolitan)… I see that
Greta Selkowe is still a Miss Congeniality, and Adrianne Laye
is as ebullient as ever, as is Linda Schack ever effervescent.
It was nice of Owen Francis not to try to "take over"
the whole group (like I heard he takes over entire companies!)…
Jules Cabot was traveling light--didn't bring any of his planes
with him… And Pat Mende is as radiant as ever-and even better
looking now (I think she is also Tippi Hedren, who starred in
"The Birds"). And that Dave Katzky--looked more like
he was attending a 10th. reunion! (If anyone knows how he does
it--looking around 27--call me collect.). [Some of us are already
plotting how we're going to look younger at the 50th. than we
did last Sunday. But not Katzky. He'll just look the same, like
he always does.]..
Speaking of the 50th., hope the committee won't allow
us to bring our 'kids' to that one--that might be depressing (See
the first item on my "Signs of Getting Old").
I see Jerry Lautin is still a wild & crazy guy--only
more so now… And that Marty Mevorach--he is still denying
after 40 years what we all know to be true: that he is the guy
who planted that phony obit about Mr. Kriz (and you can stop blaming
Bobby Weinstein, Marty)… Mike Levy still has it-with the
quick-wit (like about "the shovel")… George Merringer
(The way our group always pronounced it; though it's really Maringer)
couldn't make it, but was nice enough to send his 'grandfather',
whom you all met; quite a resemblance... And Big Ronnie Cohen,
who I know longer than anyone on earth except my mother, looks
like he could get out on that baseball or football field right
now-and look out if he does! (and his beautiful wife Michelle
is looking somehow younger than 30 years ago! How is that done?).
The high achievers really did become the super-successful
ones-just like we knew they would: the Pollaks, the Moshers, the
Edelsons… And Louie Sussman has evolved from being the best
looking guy in the class to the most erudite-with his very insightful
commentary, now etched permanently on the website.
Like I think all of you, I am proud to have been at least
a part of it-the fabulous Lawrence High 40 Year Reunion-a vivid
signpost in all of our times, that will live forever.
--Rick Mindlin Los Angeles, Oct 17, 1999
Subj: reunion
Date: 10/17/99 5:14:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: rne@neurologycenter.com (Richard Edelson, M.D.)
To: barryend@aol.com
Dear Barry,
It was truly a wonderful event and we are all appreciative of the efforts of you and all the committee who put this together. I must say we are a great bunch of people. Certainly the group looked to be more in their 40's than 50's. The atmosphere and camaraderie was warm and positive. I think with a positive bonding experience like the reunion we all would like to start out once again in high school.
As we reflect back we all probably would have liked to have more time to chat and reflect with one another. This will only encourage us to come back for the 50th.
Date: 99-10-18 10:25:08 EDT
From: jbgmsg@yahoo.com (Judith Grebin)
To: BarryEnd@aol.com
Kudos! Kudos! Kudos to the Reunion Committee! Seeing
friends from the past was thrilling. Thank you for
making this memorable event possible. Can't wait for
the next one. Judy Grebin
From: jeri@humboldt.net (jeri)
To: barryend@aol.com (Barry Endelson)
Thank you very much for commemorating the reunion and for the labor of love of taking and posting the photos. I am sorry that I did not have enough reasons to come. Of the people who came, I knew Greta Selkowe a little, Barbara Freifeld a little less, and Barbara Feuerstein even less. But I was glad to look at the photos and see that those three were still recognizable had indeed aged very well and looked attractive and happy. I am in contact with them a little now and if they wish to continue a correspondence, the reunion will have been successful in its intent even as I am concerned who did not go.
sincerely, Jeri Rose
Subj: Class of 1959 Reunion
Date: 10/21/99 3:49:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: TRUDY.AHLBRECHT@chase.com
To: barryend@aol.com
Please give the latest of this note. I wanted to send this the day after the
reunion. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. You and the committee did a great job in
putting this event together. It was done very well and with good taste. I
really enjoyed myself and was glad to see so many of my classmates.
Please thank everyone for me.