HappeningsTWO

On a beautiful July afternoon, Sheila Ehlinger, Joan Goldstein, Allan Johnson, Susan Kurshan Bahary,
Susan Protter and Larry Stillman met for lunch in the Union Square area of Manhattan. Much reminiscing,
recalling old memories and sharing more recent. The Susans graciously endured the four Roosevelters
selectively recounting their idyllic pre-Toaz years, not dwelling on the scary times when harassed by some
schoolmates mates and others.

Then we remembered we came for lunch. Not a hamburger made it to the table! Salads, wraps and
appetizer entrees were the orders of the day. Kudos to Joan for the restaurant selection!

After another round of conversation about our recent and current lives, Joan left to go back to work,
Susan K.for an appointment and Larry for the hourly train to New Milford. Sheila, Susan P.and
Allan detoured to McSorley's Old Ale House a few blocks south, an old sawdust-on-the-floor saloon,
a place which makes Finnegan's look modern and bright. After an hour, we resurfaced to the light of day,
blinded by the bright summer day, which brought back memories of coming out of the movies
on Saturday afternoons years ago. The picture:

l-r: Larry Stillman, Susan Kurshan Bahary, Sue Protter, Sheila Ehlinger, Allan Jahnson, Joan Goldstein

5/30 email from Allan Johnson:
Hi Jack,
Miss Wyeth lived a very long and productive life.I thought she was old when I had her
for Senior English - she was only 48!--Allan

(note: see also the '42/'43 yearbook excerpts in Time Capsule for old photos of teachers--Jack)

Hi From Fran and Doug,
Had a phone call on Sat.(May10) from Richard Klein and his wife Donna that they were going to be passing through
on Sunday on their way home from a week with Donna's son and family at Disney and could we meetfor lunch at
Friendly's at 1pm. Well of course I said yes. It was great to see them both since our mini in Bartow. Of course I
brought along the pictures I had from the reunion. We had a great time but too short of a lunch since they still had a
five hour drive to South Carolina.

I was especially happy to see the both of them. Best wishes to all from the both of us and if you are passing through
Daytona Beach on I-95 give a call and say hi.--Fran Moon and Doug

...a 5/2/03 email from Allan Johnson:

Larry Stillman and I ("Rooseveltians" together since first grade) met for lunch in Manhattan on April 30th.
We somehow managed to find each other among the hundreds who had the same idea of meeting at the
clock in the recently restored Grand Central Station. After lunch in the recently restored Oyster Bar,
we strolled over to the recently restored Bryant Park behind the library on 42nd and 5th. There were
at least a thousand people there enjoying a rare beautiful spring day who had the same idea .
Much male geezer talk - children, grandchildren (Larry's - we're still waiting), ailments, the joys of
retirement, the low points of working in the last years of our careers, the good old days,etc.
We were entertained by two falconers and their hawks hired by the business district to
terrorize the pigeons - which they did!

After such a nice afternoon, Larry and I also felt "recently restored" and we are going to renew that
feeling this summer at the cholesterol-be-damned Carnegie Deli and a Wednesday matinee.

A small part of Grand Central--one of the most beautiful public buildings in the country,and arguably the most
beautiful rail station in the world--no photo can substitute for the reality of actually walking its floors and corridors--J

Here are some pictures of Huntington taken 4/27/03. Evelyn and I thought that the Village looks especially
beautiful this Spring and classmates in far off places might enjoy these photos. The old place with the tower
is also in Huntington and we wondered how many people know where it is.
Regards, Walter & Evelyn (Keith) McCarthy

a 4/7/03 email from George Robedee: Wow.............this is nice!!!!

Picture Drawn by a Young G.I. Waiting to Deploy

On Sunday, 23 March, I had breakfast in Phoenix, AZ with Jim Sweenie. I was once again awed
by how easily we conversed despite the 47 years which had ensued since we last saw one another.
I teased Jim about being in on the beginnings of the 50th reunion idea and still not having submitted
a bio. While I’ve been filled in some on his life since 1956, I don’t know nearly enough! I’m hoping
others will join in with encouraging him. –Elaine

P.S. How did so many of you – Jim included – avoid the white hair issue?

3/30/03
Just can't get away from those Blue Devils!
Took this picture in St. Petersburg while we spent the month of March in Florida.
L to R Joan Keith (Boehmer) HHS 53, Sylvia Hansen (Lester) HHS 54,
Evelyn Keith (McCarthy) HHS 56.

Regards, Walter McCarthy

(3/18/03)--emails from Allan and Larilee Baty, followed by an article from the NY Times and a Photo

from Allan: What a surprise to be having lunch, sitting on my front porch in my tee shirt
and shorts uniform, and seeing Larilee in the Times!
Allan

To: "Allan Johnson"
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003
Subject: Re: "Hey! That's Larilee!"

My goodness, you are right, that is me. Moving up here in December is what kept me from joining you
all in Florida.None of my training equipped me to be one of the resident developers of a 5 million
dollar housing complex.I am learning a lot about septic systems and solid waste disposal and
about sustainable living. You all can check out the project at www.champlainvalleycohousing.org.
Jim McDonough lives in a cohousing complex near DC.Funny how life turn and turns
and turns. Sure, feel free to send it on to Jack. I am glad you and he
and Jane are sparking a revival of HHS spirit. Thanks. Working for peace as hard as I can.
Not too successful this week.
Peace Larilee

----- Original Message -----
From: Allan Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Subject: "Hey! That's Larilee!"
Hi Larilee,
I was having lunch with the NY Times on my front porch here in Florida, reading today's
special section, "Seniors" when I said "Hey! That's Larilee!". So I went to the computer
and found the article on the NY Times website. If OK with you, I'll send the attached
picture and the text of the article to Jack Downing for posting on the website as
a "New York Times Sighting". We had a great get-together on March 1st at Ginger's Club
and on the 2nd at her home! The pictures will be up on the site in the not-too-distant future.
Allan

By MAUREEN MILFORD

THE rapid run-up in house prices in the last two years has brought another dimension to the term "home sweet home.
"Retirees sitting on such handsome nest eggs have probably entertained ideas about cashing out, particularly if their
stock portfolios are offering little comfort. But selling a house is not the same as trading in technology stocks.
For starters, retirees or soon-to-be retirees shouldn't worry about a swift drop in prices similar to those in the
stock market, many experts in housing and financial planning say. Historically, home prices have risen quickly
but declined slowly, if at all.
(Note: Most of the irrelevant parts of this longish article removed--Jack)

Consider Larilee and William Suiter of Vermont. The couple decided years ago that they did not want to retire in
the suburbs of Wilmington, Del., where Mr. Suiter worked in market research and his wife was a psychotherapist.

The Suiters' daughter lives in Vermont and they had spent vacations there, thus their desire to retire in that region.
When it became apparent last summer that the market in Wilmington was the best it had been in decades, the
couple decided to move forward with their plan to live in Vermont.

" We were highly aware it was a good time to sell," said Mrs. Suiter, who is 64. Their ranch house in Delaware,
which they had bought in 1962 for $24,900, sold within weeks for $290,000 last fall.

The Suiters have since moved to Vermont and the life they wanted, and Mrs. Suiter is involved in developing
a co-housing community in Charlotte, not far from Burlington. But divesting themselves of their long-held
home in Delaware — which made the new life possible — was not easy. Besides raising two children in the
house, the Suiters had put their stamp on the house and garden for more than 40 years.

" It is a painful adjustment," Mrs. Suiter said. "It has its moments of deep sadness. But I know that in any
kind of separation, even chosen separation, there's grief. There's grieving for part of your life you have cherished."
She made it clear that the move was not a financial bonanza, and preferred to call it a lateral move.
" The cheapest thing to do would have been to stay put," she said. "But that's not what motivated me."

(Received 2/24--posted 3/5 after the Mini)
My husband, Flip, and I visited Elaine Staber in Pasadena for the RoseParade, which included a midnight
prowl on New Year's Eve to watch work crews put the finishing touches on the floats and drag them into
position on the main street. There were thousands of people camped out along the paraderoute all night,
and no instances of violence were reported!

The floats were amazing, Bill Cosby was the Grand Marshall and rode in an antique car with Mr. Rogers
and Art Linkletter, and the experience was unlike anything I'd ever seen, including the Macy's Parades
of my childhood.

We took over a dozen rolls of film but unfortunately, the one with photos of Elaine, Flip and me were on a
roll which was first misplaced by the developer, then turned out to be slide film, which our scanner is incapable
of reproducing. We're still working on getting some scans made of that roll, and when we do I'll send them in so
you can all gasp and wish you'd been there, too.

Best of all, we got to play with Elaine's puppy, Mechon, and his many toys.It was so generous of Elaine to have
us and we had a wonderful time. Happy New Year to all of you!

...and Betty Ann Sammis' message re Donna Duffy...

Allan,
Just a quick note to let you know that I spoke with Donna during the visitation @ Connell's.I told her as anyone
would about how sorry I was that I didn't meet her at the mini rather than where we were. She said some
others from our class had been in earlier in the day The one she remembered was Judy. So glad some of us could
make it.
Anyway the reason I'm sending this is that I asked if she could get Jim's emails. She said she is not able to get
onto the web or email. I said that people wanted to email her and she said that would be wonderful as they
have a friend that would help her. She would love to hear from one and all. So please pass along to have
however wants to send their sympathies to do her via email . (duffy44@webtv.net) It seems we all get a
lot of healing through our large family of 56er's. I do believe this has had the most tremendous effect on all our
lives from healing to sharing and just being the best family in the world.
After so many years we are still one for all and all for one.

DUFFY-James Francis, Jr., age 64, of Lady Lake, FL, formerly of Huntington, suddenly on February 17, 2003.
Steamfitter's Local #638. Beloved husband of Donna (Frye). Devoted father of Christopher, Timothy, Kevin,
Peter and seven grandchildren. Son of Olga Hunt. Brother of Thomas and the late Carroll Duffy. Visitation, Thursday
7-9pm andFriday 2-5 and 7-9pm at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Ave., Huntington. Mass,
Saturday 9:30am, St. Patrick's RC Church.

From: Allan Johnson
To: janehills@adelphia.net
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 12:25 PM
Subject: Terrible news! Jim Duffy died last night.

*******************************
This morning I opened the following email messages:

From Jim's daughter-in-law Jeanne:" Dad....I Love You and I'll Miss You!!!!!!!!!"

And from his son, Peter:Dad . . I will always love you and you'll always be in my heart forever!!
Saddest day of my life!! your son peter

They apparently used the mailing list from Jim's most recent email to me (and you).

Fearing the worst, I called Jim's home and spoke with Donna who told me Jim died of an apparent massive heart
attack last evening. With Donna at the wheel, they were driving back from town, where Jim had seemed fine,
joking with friends in the square, when he leaned back and then slumped over on her, non-responsive and eyes
closed. She drove straight to the hospital emergency room where, unfortunately, all resuscitative efforts failed.
Jim had been having trouble breathing and I believe she said that his doctor was going to treat him for a possible
respiratory infection. He had no symptoms of heart trouble.

Beyer's Funeral Home in Lady Lake, FL is handling the local arrangements. Connell's will be handling the
Huntington arrangements. Jim will be buried in the family plot in St. Patrick's cemetery. There will be a memorial
service in Lady Lake at a later date. Donna said she will have more details in a few days.

Jim and Donna had four sons, Chris, Tim, Kevin and Peter. Donna's address is:

1408 Carillo Street
Lady Lake, FL 32159

(352) 259-3456

This was Jim's email address: duffy44@webtv.net I don't know if Donna uses it.

What a shame!--Allan

Spent four days in Huntington last week (more stuff from that visit will be forthcoming). After a snowbound day on
Friday, headed out to MD on Saturday. Very nostalgic--up Round Swamp Rd, Northern State to Wantagh Pkwy,
then Southern State to the Belt--everything going swimmingly until...

A bit past JFK on the Belt, a NYPD Swat truck rushed past me in the fast lane...as I came around the bend
I saw that it had stopped in lane, and in the opposing near lane was what looked like an accident...as I pulled abreast of the
truck, this "accident " became something else entirely, as two cops rushed past my car with guns drawn, one with a riot gun...
... before they cleared my car, five or six shots rang out...being a little thick I didn't duck, and as I reached to the next
seat for my camera, I noticed that the other drivers abreast of me (all lanes had come to a screeching halt) hadn't
ducked either--this made me feel better, and I guess that we'd all rather die than miss something...

Anyway, I managed to get this photo through the windshield--the two cops on the right are pointing guns, the outer
one with the riot gun... after a while we ALL squeezed as far right as we could and crept past
(rather than speeding...guess we'd rather be shot than miss something too...always did wonder about the
psychology of rubbernecking)--as we passed, noticed the cops dragging someone out through
the driver's window face down--no idea of the state of his health

By now, mere driving had become somewhat dull, and I tried to remember NY radio
stations, finally locking onto 1010WINS, while simultaneously counting police cruisers rushing
from the city to the "accident" site-- I stopped at 23--By the time I got to the bridge, opposing traffic
was backed up to it and all I ever got on WINS was announcement of a "police presence"on the Belt
--no shit, Tonto!

By the amount of ordinance, I was convinced that it was Osama, or maybe the drug cartel--
-- maybe even Saddam--never did find out. But from proximity, I now have a proprietary
attitude toward it --it's MY bust! And if any of you living on the Island find out, I'd sure as hell
like to know--it'll probably turn out to have been some jerk with a lead foot and a gun
he should have left home...

...and today (2/13/03) Allan answers the question with this
from the ABC7 web site:

Robbery Suspect Wounded in Police Shooting on the Belt Parkway

(New York-WABC, February 8, 2003) — There was a police shoot-out on the Belt Parkway which
closed the road for hours on Saturday. Nina Pineda reports the story.

It all started when police pursued and fired shots at a robbery suspect as he drove on the Belt Parkway.
They eventually wounded the man, and he was later taken to Jamaica Hospital. The chaotic incident started
in Brooklyn and ended in Queens. An NYPD helicopter was called in and hundreds of police officers shut
down the Belt Parkway. Cars were at a standstill on the Parkway in the middle of the day Saturday.

Neighbors in the area said they thought they were watching and hearing a gun battle. The Chevy Lumina
was riddled with bullets; Eight shots were visible in the rear passenger window. On the ground, there were
up to 20 markers for shell casings scattered across the Parkway near the car. The chase ended with the
driver of the Chevy Lumina being shot after hitting several cars while speeding east along the Parkway with
police cruisers and highway patrol in pursuit. Shots were fired after the suspect rammed into a Lexus.
Witnesses say the 42-year-old must have tried to run because they saw him lying in the middle of the
road in the westbound lane.(wrong--unless there were two of them he was being dragged face
down out of the driver's window as I passed--about 40 feet away).

Miriam Costagna, Witness: "He was on the other side. I think he tried to run."
Miriam Costagna was inside her home on 79th Street, when she heard the shots and saw police running
with guns drawn. Miriam Costagna, Witness: "I didn't know what happened. I thought maybe the bullets
were going to fly over into my house because they were just shooting at each other."

Police say the incident started with a car transaction. The victim told police he was buying a Cadillac
Escalade from the suspect: As they were exchanging $50,000, the driver of the Chevy Lumina took
the money and drove off down the Parkway. The victim chased him, and they got in an accident. Then
the suspect continued east on the Parkway until stopped by police.

The suspect at Jamaica Hospital is a 42-year-old man, not yet identified by police. He is out of surgery
and recovering from bullet wound injuries to his chest and leg.

Happened to be in Huntington last week and picked up this photo from Betty Ann, who hadn't yet had time to write it up,
so I said I'd do it. Seems there was a long weekend in Florida on Jan 11, where an old-fashioned Pajama party was held.
A great time was had by all, and reminiscences flowed like wine ( there was no report of wine that flowed like wine).
This photo of the perps is the only one (of many) that they were willing to release for publication,
for some strange reason--I tried, but no luck folks. Here they are, from left: Blanche Mastrole ('59),
Betty Ann, Mimi (Schling) Taylor ('51), and Barbara Conroy Grignon
(guys had pajama parties too, but we called them Camping Trips, during which beer flowed like wine)

from an October 23, 2002 e-mail from Cary Nelson (Kirchner): It is with a sad heart that I write to you with the news
that Joyce, my good friend of 50 years, died of cancer on September 8th 2002. Carl was able to go with me to the
memorial service in Hammondsport. Her daughters, one from Portsmouth, NH & the other from
Hollywood, CA were there as well a family I remember from Melville--Cary

January 17th Email from Jack Olson : "Jack Brunswick passed away. I read his obit somewhere".

January 18th Email from Allan Johnson: "We confirmed that he died on January 22, 2002 through the
Social Security Death Index file and a call to his widow.
She is not yet ready to talk to us about his life since HS".

Condolences and support from the class during this sad time to Cary on the loss of her husband Carl
in December 2002.They were married in 1959

From Fran Moon Webb 12/20/02:

Could you please put a note on the class message board for me. My ex-husband, Jim Webb ('57), whom a lot of '56ers knew, passed away this past Wednesday(Dec.18th) of a heart attack at his home in Lady Lake, Florida. Jim was 63.We were married for over 25 years. Thank you
Fran (Moon)Webb

Just got this photo back--but in October Betty Ann Sammis and her husband Bill Michta,
while visiting relatives in Alexandria,dropped by our house in southern Maryland. We hadn't seen
each other since high school, and had a blast remembering things and people. After a great
lunch, we looked over a bunch of stuff that Betty Ann had brought with her, and was kind
enough to leave with me for possible inclusion in the class website. Much of it was subsequently
put up for your enjoyment...
I think Betty Ann's attic must be about half an acre...

These roots seem to run deep...even with those I didn't hang around with in school, every
time I talk with one of you, memories flood back and the conversation seems at once
new and exciting and the mere continuation of one from yesterday...

John Horn Passes

I received an e-mail this morning from Julie Horn, about Jon Horn's sudden death from a heart attack yesterday.
It was a special shock, since we had just put up his bio and had had an e-mail from him the day before.

I've pasted in here Julie's email:

Hi George - this is Julie, John's wife, and I just wanted to let you know
that John died 12/l5 at 12:47 p.m. He was really looking forward to March
lst and playing golf. He died of an heart attack.
Thanks for everything. Julie Horn

And my response to it:

Julie,
I was stunned and profoundly saddened by your e-mail about John passing so suddenly yesterday, the more so
because of the wonderful way that this amazing class of which he was an integral part has been rediscovering itself
over an intervening gap of decades.

Please know that my words here, however poorly chosen in the face of this event, represent a sadness for John,
overmastered by an affection for him that has never dimmed in memory, and that will be shared by the entire
class of '56. In that, I am certain that I speak for every one of us. We all knew and remember him with
fondness -- and he will be missed.

I will post a notice on the website so all will know, and if you wish to forward any other information such as a
newspaper notice of arrangements for John, please be assured that I will post that promptly as well.

Julie, while we have never met, you are a part of us now--we'll be here to hear from and to support you at any time.
--George Downing

We had just completed putting John's bio up, and the following e-mail was the last
we received from John --making it doubly sad in that he passed away the next day:

At 10:44 AM 12/14/2002 -0600, you wrote:

Hi! Just got done reading all the items on the web site. It sure brings back
a lot of memories. You guys are doing a great job. Looking forward to seeing
a lot of you in Florida. It sure shows that I have missed a lot by not
having contact with classmates over the years.
Thanks again. John

For anyone wishing to e-mail Julie, her e-mail address is the same as John's

Bill and Hildegard Reynolds recently journeyed up to Farmingdale to have lunch with Ford and
Heidi Prime. After touring their place of business, we all went over to the Black Forest Brew Haus
and enjoyed a leisurely meal. As Heidi and Hilde are both natives of Germany, they reminisced about
their earlier days and how they lassoed the two young handsome soldiers, while the men recalled the
old days of Huntington and how their careers moved forward from there. The conversation was lively,
the food was tasty, and a good time was had by all.

from left: Ford and Heidi Prime, Bill and Hildegard Reynolds
(Note: Ford's the only one without a halo--ed.)

From Wendy Moran (Biggs):
Just wanted to say thanks a million times over to all our
classmates who served in the defense of our Country either active duty or as civilians.
How proud we are of them, each and everyone.
GOD BLESS AMERICA wmb.rabbit

Three 56ers were at a wedding at the Harbor club a few weeks ago! (L to R): Evelyn Keith (McCarthy),
Dennis Freres, and Betty Miskisky (Tavernese).
Thought you might be looking for news of your old classmates.
--Walter McCarthy

Forwarded by Peg Agnew Nelson:
When we were kids

You lived as a child in the 50s or the 60s or earlier. Looking back, it's hard to believe that we have lived as
long as we have...

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day
was always a special treat. Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint. We had no childproof lids on
medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. (Not to mention hitchhiking to town
as a young kid!)

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. Horrors. We would spend hours building our go-carts out
of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times we
learned to solve the problem.

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No
one was able to reach us all day. No cell phones. Unthinkable. We played dodgeball and sometimes the ball would
really hurt. We got cut and broke bones and broke teeth and there were no law suits from these accidents. They were
accidents.No one was to blame but us. Remember accidents? We had fights and punched each
other and got black and blue and learned to get over it. We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank sugar soda but
we were never overweight....we were always outside playing. We shared one grape soda with four friends, from
one bottle and no one died from this?

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X Boxes, video games at all, 99 channels on cable, video tape movies,
surround sound, personal cellular phones, Personal Computers, internet chat rooms ... we had friends. We went
outsideand found them. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rung the bell or just
walked in and talked to them. Imagine such a thing. Without asking a parent! By ourselves! Out there in the cold
cruel world! Without a guardian.
How did we do it?

We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not
put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live inside us forever.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.....
Some students weren't as smart as others so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.....Horrors.
Tests were not adjusted for any reason.

Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected. No one to hide behind. The idea of a parent bailing us out if
we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law, imagine that!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors, ever. The past 50 years
has been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
how to deal with it all.

And you're one of them.
Congratulations!

(L to R): Barbara Conroy Grignon, Betty Ann, Jane Asbury Hills at a recent get-together in Florida

JOEL AND PAT SMITH, DURING A RECENT TRIP FROM FLORIDA, DO LUNCH WITH EMILY AND PEG AGNEW
ON OCT 30 IN A GREENPORT HIDEAWAY.
MUCH TIME WAS SPENT RENEWING FRIENDSHIPS. A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!
NOTICE EMILY ASSIGNED SEATS!

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