The Arrival of the USS New York

Wednesday,  November  11,  2009

by Bob Nemser

A History Making Event The USS New York arrived in NY on November 2, 2009 to be commissioned on November 7. Our own Bob Nemser was there to photograph the private ceremony. His photos are the subject of our current slide show. In his own words, Bob explains his feelings: "I went to the arrival and ceremony of the USS New York, made out of World Trade Center Steel, arriving in New York harbor. I thought our fellow classmates, and born and bred New Yorkers, would like to see the photos I took of the arrival and ceremony. Especially the ceremony as it was not open to the public. I was very emotional, especially being so close to the ship that I could touch it. It was a spiritual and emotional experience." The ship was christened on March 1, 2008, and sailed to NY to be commissioned on November 7, 2009. It will mark an important milestone in her military career. The visit to her namesake city is an opportunity for New Yorkers to see her up close, meet her officers and crew and witness the time-honored ceremony of a warship being inducted into the United States fleet. The USS NEW YORK, a Landing Platform Dock (LPD-21), was named to commemorate the lives that were lost to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Her bow, forged from 7.5 tons of twisted metal from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, embodies the strength and determination of the people of New York — to recover, to rally, and to take the fight to the enemy. The ship’s motto is "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget." The ship is docked alongside Pier 88, at 48th Street and 12th Avenue near the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum and is open for public viewing. Sunday, November 8 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday, November 9 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 11 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change; check the official website: ussny.org) Those who plan to go aboard the ship are advised to: -- Arrive early as lines may be long, especially on Sunday, Nov. 8. -- Enter at the West 46th Street and 12th Avenue entranceway. -- Bring a photo ID. -- Wear comfortable shoes. Large packages or backpacks will not be allowed on board. Bob informs us that he plans to be at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday and will send us photos of that event, which will be used to create a new comprehensive slide show.

Monday,  November  30,  2009

Glitter Text Maker - MySpace Layouts The Flowers of November by Dd. Spungin A close look will reward you There are flowers to be found The last roses of summer Bending to the ground A bouquet hand delivered When election votes are counted A wreath laid on the graves Of our veterans, numbers mounting Arrangements, bright in color Yellow, orange, brown Amassed on holiday tables When the turkey wears a crown The trees have gone Van Gogh They'll soon be skeletoned Readying themselves for The inevitable end The flowers of November Later, covered in snow-white Preparing us, please gently, For December's crystal nights. 10/27/09

SAVE THE DATE

Friday,  November  19,  2010

November 19 - 21, 2010 in Hollywood Beach, Florida Hotel reservations can be made Dec.1, 2009 (see below)

You can now tell us if YOU plan to attend our Luau Lovefest. Look for the Undulating Green Arrow below, click the "Register Online" link and your name will be recorded in the "RSVP" list. No money required, yet! Luau: The Next Reunion Dd. Spungin Five more years between us All Seniors become seniors Golden Years, Medicare Gray beneath the colored hair Luaus are for gathering Ladies, gents, remembering Talk about the last big bash Or reach back to our Brooklyn past Meeting to be held so soon Underneath the tropic moon Grab a ticket, hop a horse Grab the golden ring, of course Take a ride to yesteryear Sharing stories, sipping cheer Luau theme, Hawaiian sighs Be there: Our word to the wise! 3/27/09 From the Big Apple to the Pineapple Our 50th Reunion was held in New York, the Big Apple. Our 55th will be held in a tropical setting and the pineapple will be our centerpiece. The pineapple has been a universal symbol of hospitality and welcome for many centuries all over the world. The first account of the pineapple was given by Christopher Columbus and his men, who landed on the island now known as Guadeloupe on their second voyage of discovery. Since it had an abrasive, segmented exterior like a pine cone and a firm interior pulp like an apple it became known as a pineapple. Seafaring captains used to impale fresh pineapples--souvenirs of their lengthy travels to tropical ports--atop the porch railings of their homes when they returned. It was a symbol then that the man of the house was home--albeit briefly--and receiving visitors. During early Colonial days in the United States, families would set a fresh pineapple in the center of the table as a colorful centerpiece of the festive meal, especially when visitors joined them in celebration. This symbolized the utmost in welcome and hospitality to the visitor, and the fruit would be served as a special desert after the meal. Often when the visitor spent the night, he was given the bedroom which had the pineapples carved on the bedposts or headboard--even if the bedroom belonged to the head of the household. Our celebration will be no different. The pineapple will be our centerpiece. As in days of yesteryear, it will symbolize the utmost welcome to you at this major milestone in our lives. And we will celebrate. It is doubtful that the hotel headboards will have pineapples carved into them, but we do plan to have pineapple based drinks to sip and pineapples for dessert. RESERVATIONS The Reunion Committee is delighted to inform you that you will soon be able to make room reservations for our 55th Reunion at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for November 19 to 21, 2010. You can make a reservation starting December 1, 2009. Room Rate- $169 per night whether single or double occupancy. A $15 charge will be made for each adult over two adults per room, per night. This rate is guaranteed until October 19, 2010. This rate is also available for extended stays for two days before and two days after our scheduled weekend. If you wish to stay longer than seven days you need to make a personal request for the same rate, which will most likely be honored. Reservations can be made with the hotel directly Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm by calling 954-454-4334. Reservations can also be made after 5 pm and on weekends via Crowne Plaza Worldwide at 800-227-6963. On-Line reservations can also be made. We will advise you of the booking code, which will be needed to make such reservations. Check in time is 4 pm. Checkout time is 11 am. Early Arrival- All guests that arrive before the scheduled time will be honored as rooms become available. The front desk and bell staff will be happy to provide luggage space in the event rooms are not available. Early Departure and No Shows- In the event a guest checks out prior to the reserved departure date, a fee of 1 night at the reserved rate will be charged. To avoid the early departure fee advise the hotel before check-in of any changes. Cancelling your reservation less than 72 hours prior to arrival time or no showing for your reservation, will result in a charge that is equal to the first night’s stay and the remainder of the reservation will be cancelled. Parking Fees- Overnight valet- $18/day Self Overnight- $14/day Daily or Event Attendees- $10/day Self-Parking- $5/day Make your plans, folks. The Reunion is only 13 months away! Click the "Register Online" link below to tell us that you're coming to the Reunion...or not!

Look Who's Coming!

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Class News

Today's Featured Biography

 
Janice Dworsh Feldman

After Jeff, I spent my years raising two kids. In 1975, I went to work for Cablevision on Long Island as a temporary clerical office worker. It turned out to be quite permanent as I was promoted to supervisor and then manager. In 1988, I was transferred to the newly opened Bronx office where I was served as the First Director of Customer Service. I had five managers reporting to me. Pretty good for a gal without a college education, wouldn't you say?

Now I'm retired and enjoying the fruits of my labor in Boynton Beach, Florida. But, I still remain active in many community services.

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A Review of our 50th Reunion
by Phyllis Hoffman Miller

What do you do when you're having such a great time you don't pay attention to the schedule? Well, what we did was just go on having a great time.

The Class of 1955's 50th reunion Saturday night, Nov. 19, 2005, was such a blast that the ambitious scheduled program went by the wayside as talking, laughing, singing, dancing, eating, drinking--and a few tears--took over. Did anyone mind? Maybe Al Cinamon, the reunion chair who put the program together, but he didn't show it. He just beamed as almost 200 classmates and their guests enjoyed being together again.

This class really looked good. The males had grown from those gangly, awkward boys pictured in the Aurora into men of substance. The females had changed their 50's hairdos and become beautiful women "of a certain age." Maturity was not only kind--it was generous! The items that got the most attention were the name tags, as classmates looked to see what teenager was inside that 60-something body. Then came the exclamations, the hugs and kisses, the laughs and reminiscences. Biggest thrill: actually being recognized by someone you hadn't seen in 50 years before he read your name tag! Questionable thrill: "You haven't changed a bit!" (Oy vey--I looked like this when I was 16???)

It was inspiring to learn that so many of our classmates had earned distinction in a wide variety of fields. This class can boast of several doctors and dentists, professors and teachers, inventors and business executives, artists and writers, and when you put us all together, hundreds of children and hundreds more grandchildren. The tables were decorated in orange and blue, and included packages of Skittles candy, invented by one of our classmates, Stuart Scherr.

Myles Seitz did a lively job as master of ceremonies, removing his suit jacket and donning the orange and blue reunion t-shirt, and Dr. Robert Schain, our social studies teacher and baseball coach and Jeff alum himself, gave salutations.

Then came the awards. The Jeffersonian "celebrities," who were singled out in the 1955 Aurora, received Certificates of Appreciation: Mr. Athlete, Harvey Salz and Gerry Stuckelman; Mr. Best Looking, Lou Shor; Ms. Cutest, Doreen Deutsch Spungin; Mr. Cutest, Norman Becker; Mr. Jefferson (June), Mickey Weiss; Mr. Jefferson (January), Jerry Bialy; Ms. Journalist, Phyllis Hoffman Miller; Mr. Musician, Burt Engel; Mr. Popular (June) Irwin Feller; Mr. Popular (January), Jerry Wolkoff; Ms. Popular, Ruth Yablonsky Becker; Mr. Success, Warren Gilbert; Mr. Versatile, Bert Wellman, and Mr. Wittiest, Harvey Sklar.

Liberty Bell Awards were presented to Paula Mitchell, for most miles traveled to the reunion (she came from Occidental, CA); Dorothy Fish Kutzin, for staying married the longest (50 years!); and James McNicholas for having the most grandchildren, 14 (there was a four-way tie for second place--Beverly Weiner Mogel, Dolores Work Plaxen, Harriet Potashman Portnoy and Doreen Deutsch Spungin each have nine).

The Liberty Bell Award for Outstanding Personal Achievement went to Barry Elbaum, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is chairman of the Department of Dentistry at Monmouth Medical Center, where he received the Pinnacle Award, the highest honor that can be presented to a member of the dental profession.

The Liberty Bell Award for Outstanding Service to New York City and/or State was awarded to Jerry Wolkoff, a Long Island land developer who founded Heartland, a firm that has built thousands of homes and more than nine million square feet of industrial parks, including Heartland Business Center in Edgewood, NY, Heartland Executive Park in Hauppauge, NY, and the Heartland Town Village.

The Liberty Bell Award for Outstanding Service to the United States and/or the World was presented to William Fishbein, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at City College of New York, where his laboratory, the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Sleep, produces research on Alzheimer's Disease.

. We observed a few moments of silence and shed a few tears as the names of our deceased classmates were read. It was hard to look at their smiling faces reprinted from the Aurora of 50 years ago, and realize that the futures they looked forward to were cut much too short.

We have many people to thank for making this 50th reunion an outstanding success. Alex Cinamon coordinated the whole thing, kept us all informed via e-mail, put together "Aurora - 50 Years Later, which contains biographies of most of those who attended, and is in charge of our website, www.classreport.com/usa/ny/brooklyn/tjhs/1955. Bob Bruno chaired the reunion committee, assisted by Charlie Berger, Dorothy Grossberg Baier, Ruth Yablonsky Becker, Roz Silver Binnick, and Eileen Cohen Kleinberg. Bernice Katz Nowack volunteered to read the list of classmates who are no longer with us.

As we left the LaGuardia Airport Marriott Hotel, with more hugs and kisses, everyone stopped to thank Al Cinamon for all he had done, and here is what they said: "Al, I hope you've started working on our 60th!"

Before we get to the sixtieth, we must pass through our 55th

November 19-21, 2010