Jeff
Kamil, Class of 1972, joins us from San Francisco, California (practically
a neighbor) and shares the following.
Hi Skip! First of all, I'd like to thank and congratulate you for this wonderful web site! It's just another great way of using the internet to make the planet a little smaller. I've attached a couple of .gif files that I thought you might want to use on the site. First is one of Playland scanned from a postcard I found from some time in the 60's. The other two are now and then pictures of myself. Yearbook.gif is my graduation picture from the 1972 FRHS yearbook. The now.gif photo is a recent picture of me with my 10 month old daughter, Zoe.
I am currently living in San Francisco, CA. I've been living out here for 8 years now and love it. For those who remember me, I'm still playing the guitar and composing music. To pay the bills, I'm in sales. I have my own web site which is located at the following URL http://www.wco.com/~harryhat/ My wife (Ellyn) and I have just recently started a new online business. It's called "New Baby OnlineTM". It's a service that offers parents an opportunity to have a web page with pictures and sounds of their babies. The URL for this is - http://www.wco.com/~ellynha/newbaby/
If anyone out there would like to get in touch with me, please contact me at my e-mail address.
Keep up the good work!
Jeff can be reached at harryhat@wco.com
Thanks to Jeff for the great photos. This web site is starting to come alive. Jeff, send more if you can find any.
Walter
Rutherford, Class of 1973, joins us from Pompano Beach, Florida
and shares the following. "Thanks for letting be a part (or I hope
so) of the effort. I will have to search my photo albums for photos of
Far Rock but I am sure there are a few that have survived. I graduated
in "73" and still have many fond memeories of that place. I will
search and send them as soon as I can.
Now I have a favor to ask of you. I see by the email you sent that you know a great deal of people. I would like you to cc this info to them if you will and ask them to do the same. Here's the story: In a recent article in PC Magazine, an article spoke of the summer camp in Conn that was founded by Paul Newman. It goes by the name of the HOLE IN THE WALL GANG and they have a special wish list for those who wish to donate. They take children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses and give them a fun summer together with other kids in the same predicament. It seems that when summer is over most of these kids go on to major surgeries and long hospital stays.
I don't know what the recovery rate is but there was a child there who happened to have a lap top. To make a long story short, this child recieved email get wells and support from the camp before and after his surgery. He recovered faster than expected and everyone believes that this was mainly due to the support from his friends and counselors at the camp through his computer. The foundation would like to acquire about 100 to 150 computers to place throughout there system to help their kids. The camp services approx 800 kids per summer in 5 different locations.
So, I thought why not slip a single buck into an envelope and mail it to the foundation. While I am at it, why not e-mail all my friends and ask them to do the same. What's a buck today anyway! Well I did just that and hope that you will too!!!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart and have a wonderful holiday season! Below is the address to send that buck to. Liz Marshall c/o The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp 565 Ashford Center Road Ashford, CT. 06278"
Walter can be reached at sungun@aksi.net
Thanks to Walter for his contribution. Good luck with your fund raising.
Walter, send me those photos. Too many mailbags, not enough pictures!!!
Annie
Wolbrom, Class of 1972, joins us from New York, New York and writes
the following.
"Thanks for creating the web page! I'm sure it will be very popular! I have a photo from the 20th reunion from the class of 1972. There are about 150-200 people in the photo... I'm not sure how well it will scan but I will do my best and send it on to you. I will look around for more interesting photos and stuff for the page.... Thanks again."
Annie can be reached at LadiAnnie@aol.com
Thanks to Annie for writing. I look forward to receiving and posting the 20th reunion photo.
Larry
Schiffer, Class of 1972, joins us from Valley Stream, New York and
writes the following.
"Skip, thanks for taking the ball and running with it with a Rockaway Beach web site. When I first started assisting Barbara Saber and the 100th Anniversary Committee, I thought that there would be enough of us on the Web to spread the word even further than a mass mailing and newspaper advertisements. When I searched for Far Rockaway on the Web I only found the small listing in Classmates (another site where you can register, but no info is posted and you have to pay to get the e-mail addresses of others) and a few folks like Jeff Kamil who have web sites and mention Rockaway.
I searched for reunions, however, and found the Reunion Hall site and Reunion Net. I registered Far Rockaway High School on both sites and found that the Reunion Hall site allowed for the creation of a registration list by school and by class (with comments) and, more importantly, allowed us to create a bulletin board, called the school forum, where I could post updates about alumni activities, especially the 100th Anniversary. For those how forgot to bookmark the site, its at Reunion Forum .
The Student Forum is one of the most important areas on the site and I have been posting updates and announcements fairly regularly. Please encourage everyone to check the site periodically for updates and new information about the 100th Anniversary, as well as other events, like the 25th Anniversary of my class, the class of 1972 (set for August 2, 1997 at the Marriott in Uniondale). Some of the events planned are a grand parade down Central Avenue to the school. We are looking for parade volunteers, trucks, floats, bands, etc. Other events are a football game, school tours, and a Prom on Saturday Night, September 27, 1997, at the Marriott in Uniondale. We need event sponsors, volunteers, MONEY, and services to make the event a great success. A newsletter will be going out soon and I will be e-mailing and posting on the web site info. An alumni directory is being planned (we need EVERYONE's information, even if they are not coming to the Centennial). There also will be a Journal with ad pages for sponsorship.
On other topics, does everyone remember Rockaway's Playland? Well, if you bought cotton candy or popcorn at the stand next to Shoot Out the Star from 1969 to 1972, you probably bought it from me! Unfortunately, Playland is now a vacant lot -- it looks very weird. Other memories are growing up in Dayton Beach (building 3), hanging out at Dayton West (where I was a lifeguard from 1973-1976), playing in the FRHS Band under the direction of the late Fred Ruff, politics at the Regular Democratic Club of the Rockaways, my Boy Scout days, and, of course, the Beach (studying for Regents on the Beach was NOT conducive to high grades and surfing in February was a "frozen" experience). If I get a chance, I will try to dig up some pictures (no scanner here -- sorry).
On a personal note, I live in Valley Stream, NY with my wife Gail (Wachtelkonig), and our two girls Jessica and Jamie. I am a partner in the New York City law firm of Werner & Kennedy, a financial services and insurance boutique, with an international practice in corporate, securities, regulatory, litigation, and arbitration in financial services, insurance, and reinsurance matters, as well as commerical litigation and empoyment litigation. Hope to see many of you at the 100th Anniversary. Skip, thanks again and keep up the good work."
Larry can be reached at larry.schiffer@counsel.com
Thanks to Larry for working so hard along with Barbara Saber and others to make the 100th year reunion a success. Please contact Larry if you can help or have names and address of former FRHS graduates.
Larry, send me some pictures of Playland too. I don't know about New York, but here in California many of the "copy for pay" businesses will scan photos for you at a small cost.. Too many mailbags, not enough pictures!!! Faces, Faces, Faces........
Nancy
Gaines (Gordon), Class of 1972, joins us from Dix Hills, Long Island
and writes the following.
"Hi Skip -- My name is Nancy Gaines (Gordon); I'm a 1972 graduate looking forward to the 25th reunion in August. I grew up in Belle Harbor -- there do not seem to be too many Belle Harborites (P.S. 114 and J.H.S. 180) who have registered on the high school web page.
I currently live in Dix Hills, Long Island and work as an Occupational Therapist servicing developmentally disabled adults. I'm married with 3 boys -- Adam is 11 1/2 and Daniel and Michael (twins) are 8 1/2. Things are always hopping in the Gordon house. I wish I had pictures for you -- most of the ones I have do not show much of the Rockaway scenery; however, I have some photos of my Mom and Dad from the 40's on the beach -- I'll see what I can round up for you. Good luck with your new venture; I'm looking forward to reading about others who graduated with me."
Nancy can be reached at flash33@ix.netcom.com
Thanks to Nancy for her contribution.
Nancy, send me those beach photos and any pictures of yourself from 1972. Also, any current photos would be appreciated. The only way this web site will come alive is with pictures and stories. Thanks
Ron
Krouse, Class of 1971, joins us from Alexandria, VA and writes the
following.
Thanks for memories and putting up the Rockaway home page. It says volumes that few, if any, of us middle class types are still in the Rock. It's a shame. The last time I drove through "town" a few years ago, it nearly broke my heart. Schlock stores and empty storefronts. No crowd at Gino's or Crazy Eddie singing "Barbara Ann" on the corner. It now seems like an ideal time. Living technically in the "city" but having a real sense of community and a town of our own with 3 separate movie theaters. The Boardwalk arcades, Playland, touch football in Wavecrest, PAL baseball leagues, and hanging out on 17th street. All gone.
My mother stayed in the Rock until '92. Before her move, I took one last drive around. The karma was wierd. As I passed FRHS, I swear the Madonna song "This used to be my playground" came on the radio. Driving down Central Ave, 'Barbara Ann indeed came on and I instantly thought I saw Crazy Eddie from the corner of my eye. It was a mere mirage. How strange.
Ron can be reached at aftguy@aol.com
Thanks to Ron for the memories. I had totally forgotten about "Crazy Eddie".
Ron, send me any photos you have. I'd like to put them on the site. Thanks!
Jody
Horne-Leshinsky, Class of 1975, joins us from
South Florida and writes the following.
I have already checked out your web site. I love it! It is great fun to remember. I read the postings every few days on the AOL baby boomer site. I know a lot of the folks out there. I graduated in 1975 and my husband graduated in 1973. There seems to be quite an abundance of grads from those years doing postings. But in the past few weeks the 50s and 60s grads are popping up. I guess it is due to the ease in access and the price in computers dropping a bit.
Anyway, I recently learned how to scan photos in and save as tif and jpeg and gif files. I scanned in some photos of my two daughters (1 and 6 years old) and made it into screen savers for my husband. Cool present! He was surprised! Now he can look at them all day at work.
After checking out your web site, I plan on gathering some of my old photos from Rockaway and sending you some stories, and boy do we have some stories!!!. We are still in touch with quite a few FRHS grads, some who still live in the Rockaways and others that don't. What format do you prefer? Tif, gif or jpeg????
We also plan on attending the reunion. My folks still live in Bayswater. We live in South Florida.
Let me know about the format! Bye for now.
Jody can be reached at Jrl57@aol.com
Thanks to Jody for writing. I look forward to receiving your photos and stories. Please send the photos in either GIF or JPEG. Thanks.
Rich
Wheeler, Class of 1975, joins us from Tacoma,
Washington and writes the following.
Hi, my name is Rich Wheeler. My friends used to call me Twitch. I went to Far Rock from 1971 thru 1975. I moved in 1975 to Gig Harbor, WA. I now live in Tacoma, WA. I lived in a town in New York called Rockaway Point or Breezy Point as some people call it. I went to grade school at St. Francis De Sales in Belle Harbor.
I read that someone asked if anyone remembers Rockaway's Playland. I remember it very well. I worked one summer in the snack bar on the boardwalk behind Playland. I also worked at the McDonald's next to the Cross Bay Bridge for a couple of summers. I am currently working at the Washington State Liquor Warehouse. We supply all the liquor for the state run liquor stores. I have some old photos from the seventies of Rockaway Point if anyone is interested.
Rich can be reached at twitchwhee@aol.com
Thanks to Rich for writing. I look forward to receiving any photos you have. Please send the photos in either GIF or JPEG if you can. Otherwise, mail them to me and I will send them back. Thanks.
Michelle
Maslow, (Miki Strauss) Class of 71 unfortunately not FRHS, joins
us and writes the following.
Dear Alan,
I grew up in Far Rockaway and moved when I was 16. It was traumatic to be moved away from the friends I had for so long. Far Rock has remained what I considered home and I have maintained a few of those long term friendships. This site of yours is great. It has answered the "Do you know what happened to ....."
I can't wait to participate in the reunion. My company's bookkeeper is a graduate of Far Rockaway and so are her children. A picture of Marni Plant! Her dad took me to the one and only pro football game I ever attended ( the Heidi bowl). I could go on and on but most important of all THANKS!!! for the memories, the ability to contact long lost friends, and everything else that goes along with this.
I have never spent so much time on the net! I'm looking forward to visiting this site again.
Michelle can be reached at mmaslow@ix.netcom.com
Thanks to Michelle for writing. We won't hold it against you that you didn't graduate from FRHS. How about a few photos for the web site??? Do you still hear from Marni Plant? Tell her I said hello after all these years........
Shaul
(Steve) Ceder, Class of 1972, joins us from Jerusalem, Israel and
writes the following.
Hi Skip! You asked on the Rockaway Beach Reunion page about when Mr. Tietze had retired. I remember an announcement over the FRHS public address system, which I think was around 1970 or 1971, that Mr. Philip Tietze had passed away while on sabbatical. I also remember that Mr. Alex Fecher and Mr. O'Shea passed away around the same time. That's about all I can recall about them - I hadn't taken any of their classes. Take care.
If anyone can help me find Steven Scholnick, or the twins Alan and Howard Bernstein, I would be very grateful.
Shaul can be reached at ceder@netvision.net.il
Thanks to Shaul for writing. Mr. Tietze was one of my favorite teachers. I think he invented "tough love" because that's just what we got from him. Gus Elia has written a wonderful "typical" Mr. Tietze story for the web site. You can read it if you click in under "Most Memorable Teachers" on the main menu.
Joy
Goldberg (Saldinger), Class of 1973, joins us from Annapolis, MD
and writes the following.
Skip, Thanks for all the work you have done on the web site - it's great. I graduated in 1973 and currently reside in Annapolis, MD with my husband Mark and 7 year old son, Elliott. I have been working for the IRS for the past 18 1/2 years. Currently, I work at the IRS headquarters office in Washington, DC.
My mom still lives in Rockaway (Dayton) and we visit several times a year. I now show my son where I went to school...he thinks it was in the "olden days". It sure does seem like a long time ago; however, the memories make it seem like yesterday.
I would love to hear from anyone living or visiting the Washington, DC - Baltimore area. Folks can visit the family web site at markgoldberg.com/mje.
I look forward to the September reunion.
Joy can be reached at joyg@annap.infi.net
Thanks Joy for writing. I look forward to hearing from you again. How about a graduation photo from the yearbook?
Michele
Grosso, Class of 1973, joins us from Bayridge,
Brooklyn and writes the following.
Hi Skip:
I could have sworn I answered your e-mail back. It went something like this. Yes. I am Michele Grosso. These are my pictures from my Sweet 16 on August 8, 1971. It was held at the American Irish Hall, 1 Shamrock Drive off of Beach Channel Drive, around Beach 80th Street. I just recently drove by there, and it is nothing but a broken down shell of a building. But then again, a lot of Rockaway is now like that. Anyway, my party was on a Sunday afternoon. Many of those who attended were from the class of 1972 and of course, 1973. That is the year I graduated from the "rock". The band that played consisted of Louie Echavaria on drums, class of 1972, John Morales on Lead, Class of 1972, and Scott Lask on bass, Class of 1973.
What else can I tell you. I am currently working on Wall Street for a computer service for about 9 years now. I live in Bayridge, Brooklyn and living happily ever after with my sweetheart of 13 years who is one of New York's Finest. When I was in high school I worked as a waitress at the Wavecrest Corner restaurant. So, I hope you can use the pictures for your web site.
Thanks so much Michele for the letter and the photos. I'm sorry it's taken so long to get them on the web site. It was worth the wait. They're great! I use to go into the Wavecrest Corner all the time. I worked in the supermarket when it was called Food Fair. I'm sure we've met. Do you remember Steve Schwartz? He use to sell stuff from his car right in front of the Wavecrest Corner. He was a real character. One of a kind.
Michele can be reached at micheleg@qv.com
Susan
(Wilsker) Brownstein, Class of 1970, joins
us from Lindenhurst, New York and writes the following.
Hi Skip!
I have finally finished compiling my Rockaway "memories" and wanted to share them with everyone.This is the greatest idea. Thank you for bringing us old "Rockaway-ites" back together in cyberspace and thanks to my husband who insisted we subscribe to the internet!
I graduated in 1970 but you might know my cousin, Steve Wilsker, who I believe graduated in 1963. My husband grew up in Massapequa and S. Merrick and refers to Far Rock as"another planet". If he only knew what a great place it was to grow up in, the way it used to be. We first lived in Sheldon Terrace, then Wavecrest Gardens (20-38 Seagirt Blvd.). I remember going to all 3 building on our side of the terrace on Halloween. Boy, did we get a ton of candy! The "terrace" was great for bikeriding, jumproping, hopscotch and "scully". In 1962 we moved to Grassmere Terrace, across from P.S. 215. I visited the old neighborhood about 10 years ago and was so depressed to see the way it changed. My parents moved to Woodmere in 1974 (father, Butzie, graduated FRHS in 1944).
Now for some memories...I remember going to birthday parties in the back room of Pickwick on Central Ave., probably the only place anyone ever had BD parties outside of home. They were always the same: burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes with a jukebox playing in the background. Everyone sat at a long table. As a teen, I spent every Saturday with my friends going from Gino's to Carvel next store. I remember all of us seeing the first Beatles movies in town, sitting in the front row screaming!! I also remember Colony Cards (owned by family friends, the Horns), Neveloffs and Dr. Cheron, the only optometrist (I think) in town who carried all the "latest" frames for those of us who needed them. I recall Food Fair, Maxi the cop and yes, Crazy Eddie, who never wore a jacket, claiming he had "insulated skin". I remember Wetson's hamburger stand, the "McDonald's" of Far Rockaway.
I loved going to the window painting contests every Election Day during Junior High (I went to 198) where Ellen and Ann Sherman and Bayer Lee always participated. There was nothing like the Rockaway boardwalk with all the food and game concessions and fireworks. I can still smell Jerry's knishes.
In H.S. I was a member of the Iota Gamma Phi sorority and still recall going out of town with them for Muscular Dystrophy conventions. I took piano lessons from Mr. Marcus and when I was very young, took dance lessons from Miss Glady. We were members of Temple Emanuel where my brother Michael (class of 1973)was Bar Mitzvahed and I was confirmed by Rabbi Lowenheim. He also performed my wedding ceremony in 1982!
I noticed that the Far Rock H.S. pages have the most activity of any high schools listed. I think it's because so many of us have fond memories of a place that virtually no longer exists and we want to connect with others with whom we can reminisce. I envy the people I've met in Lindenhurst, where I now reside. Most of them grew up here and are raising their families here as well. If Rockaway had remained as nice as it was, I would have loved to raise my son there.
The years since then have surely passed quickly. It's awesome to realize that by the time of the 100th reunion, I will be 45 years old! After being a stay-at-home mom for 9 years (working only part-time in a nursery school), I finally decided what I want to be when I "grow up" and have almost completed my first year of Graduate School for special education.
My active, 9 year old son is a real "Wilsker" athlete, but I don't think I'll ever be anxious for him to play football!
If I can dig up some pictures, I will be sure to E-mail them. Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from any former schoolmates. Thanks.
Susan can be reached at rbrow@hoflink.com
Thanks Susan for the wonderful memories. I'd forgotten about Neveloffs and Colony Cards. You're right about Rockaway being a wonderful place to grow up. I think we all feel that way. I hope you can send a photo or two for the web site. If you know of anyone who has any photos of the boardwalk from any decade, I would love to have them.
Andrea
Herman Perry, Class of 1970, joins us from New York, New York and
writes the following.
Hi,
I am in tears of joy and sadness that I have found this web page. It sure does bring back fond memories, and wish that Far Rockaway, and Bayswater didn't change so much.
I am a 1970 graduate of FHS, and went to P.S.104, and JHS180. My sister Maxine (Herman) Manara and I toured the old town and we cried. So much waste and rubble. I am looking for my closest friend since 1964, and hadn't seen her since 1973. Her name is Rita Beldock. I had left word around the internet for lost people, but hopefully this site will do the trick.
Thank you so much for the great cry I've had, and my heart does feel lighter. If anyone in 1970 class remembers me, please write.
Andrea can be reached at TruroFish@aol.com
Thanks to Andrea for writing. I had the same reaction when visiting several years ago. About the only thing that reamined the same was the great taste of Gino's pizza.
Scott
(Sticks) Crohn, Class of 1978, joins us and writes the following.
Where are you class of 1978? I see many of my brother's fellow grad's from the class of 1972, but hardly anyone from my class. Boo-Hoo! My name is Scott (Sticks) Crohn. "Sticks" was my nick-name because I played the drums and because I was very tall and skinny. If you remember me, drop me a line at SACROHN@worldnet.att.net.
See you soon fellow FRHS grads.
Scott can be reached at SACROHN@worldnet.att.net
Debbie
Fiore Ruck, Class of 1971, joins us from New York and writes the
following.
Dear Skip,
I graduated FRHS in 1971 and have often wondered what happend to the friends I grew up with. After leaving FRHS, I moved on to Brooklyn College, then LIU to complete my Masters in Special Education. I am currently a Ph.d. candidate at Fordham University in Tarrytown NY.
My fondest memory of living in Rockaway centers on Playland. I lived in the first building of Dayton Towers on 88th Street and my bedroom window faced the rollercoaster. I used to force myself to stay up at night to stare at the rollercoaster waiting for them to turn the lights off. It was better than wishing on a star. I used to make a wish and believed it would come true if I stayed up long enough to actually see the lights go out when they shut the park. I must admit that I fell asleep far more often without seeing it, but I remember the magical feeling I got when I actually caught the lights going out.
Many of my friends lived in Arverne and I traveled back and forth by bus, visiting Roslyn Goldstein, Alan Goldstein, Richard Schwartz, and several others whose faces have stayed with me, but who's names have left.
I am looking for Alan Goldstein (~69), Richard Halpeern(~69), Marlene Libin, and Roslyn Goldstein(71). Anyone with information about the above please drop me a line...
Attached is a picture of me now, for those of you who didn't graduate in 1971. You'll have to guess what I used to look like!
Debbie can be reached at mruck@ix.netcom.com
Thanks Debbie for writing and for the great photo. I too have wonderful memories of Playland and the beach. Some nights I can still smell the salt air. Sorry I missed you on ICQ the other night. Maybe next time.
Ann-Marie
Rooney (Connors), Class of 1974, joins us and writes the following.
I lived in Wavecrest until 1975, and I have four younger brothers and sisters who all attended St. Mary's and graduated from FRHS- (even my dad in 1951.) Living so close to the beach was a dream. We spent all summer long on the beaches going to beach 19th St. where the waters were calm thanks to the peninsula across the channel, and then as we got older we enjoyed the waves at Beach 21st Street--or better yet-Beach 32nd St. bodysurfing especially right before an approaching storm!
August was a beat, because of the Lion's mane jellyfish. But the beginning of September made up for it, because the water was still warm. I remember mom trying to call us in at the end of the day when the waves were up, way past the 4:30 siren, and us begging her, "One more wave!!!" Special thanks to all the great lifeguards who kept an eye on all of us and saved many a struggling swimmer.
"Ice Cream and Orange Drinks, here!" The Good Humor vendors kept us cool. On a clear day you could see the Ambrose light tower, that little thing way out in the ocean up from Playland that looked like the shape of a horse, and who could forget those wonderful fireworks displays every Wednesday night. Rockaway--the Indians name it for "laughing waters." If you sit on the shore and let the rolling waves hypnotize you, you can hear it laughing too.
I would love to hear from Norma Gordon ('74), and Elliott Belferder (''73). Does anyone know how Scott Moses is doing?
Ann-Marie can be reached at pack1@FRONTIERNET.NET
Thanks Ann-Marie for writing and for the great photos. I've already gotten come comments about them. I'll try to get the rest of them on the web site in the near future.
Harriet
Shatzer-Schwarzber, Class of 1971, joins us and writes the following.
This is Harriet Shatzer-Schwarzber, class of 1971 writing. I would love to hear from all the old classmates who are still out there and remember me. Please contact me at my e-mail address.
Harriet can be reached at LilMarv@aol.com
Betty
Pollock Ehrlich, Class of 1971, joins us and writes the following.
This has been a wonderful stroll down memory void lane. So many places are popping back into my mind as I've read about "Gino's, 17th street, Wavecrest", so many good memories.
I was just informed about the reunion from an old ( ha we're all old) friend David Millner and I can't wait to attend. But in the mean time I would love to hear about Joanne Hoffman '71, Lynn Colodney , Ellen Benson , Mitch Sanders, Steven Schwartz, Boney, Albie Ramos, Danny Cecere, or anyone who remembers me kindly from 1971.
Betty can be reached at DocBAE@aol.com
Mitch
Warstadt, Class of 1976, joins us and writes the following.
My name is Mitch Warstadt. I graduated in 1976. I noticed there hasn't been any inquiries for that year. I am looking to get in touch with anyone that remembers me and would liketo e-mail me. Thanks for your help
Mitch can be reached at mwarstad@mill.net
Rory
Simmons, Class of 1973, joins us from Seattle Washington and writes
the following.
Skip,
Hello, my name is Rory Simmons a former FRHS student in the early 1970's. WOW! I really remember quite a few people listed on your page from around 1972 - 1974 because I probably should have graduated sometime around 1973. I believe Michelle Grosso was in a few of my classes! It was quite a hazy time in my life but things have really come together for me since leaving NYC in 1978.
My Far Rockaway experience stems from the Winter of 1960 when my parents moved my brother Dwight and I to Edgemere apartments. We lived at 411 Beach 54th on the top floor. Last time I drove through I was crying at the way things have turned out now. We moved to the Nordeck < sp > co-ops where I stayed with my parents until I left in 1973 to head west. I remember Michelle Simon and her brother < twins > were downstairs neighbors.
After leaving NYC in 1973 to head west for about 3 years I returned home to my parents house in Yonkers, where I stayed until 1978. I again left for the west coast and never returned. I am now a computer consultant working for Boeing in Seattle. I married a very sweet girl I met in SF and we now have a girl 3 and boy 7. My life has really turned out way better then I ever expected it could.
My fond memories of being raised in Far Rockaway include Playland, where I worked for the Geist family for a few Summers. I worked some arcade games, the roller coaster and janotorial duties. Other memories include the YMCA dances < next to FRHS, Falcaros bowling alley until it burned down, fireworks every Wednesday in July, Harry < smoked a fat cigar all the time > the Good Humor man, Pops < I think > hotdog cart at Beach 54th and Beach Channel Drive, Boy Scout troop and Cub Scout pack 409 and Explorer troop 348, Benny the traffic cop on Central Avenue, all the stores along Rockaway Beach Blvd, Mrs Ahearn the crossing guard at PS 105 and many many friends who I palled around with, many I see on your pages.
My e-mail address is rory.simmons@internetmci.com so please take a second and write me if you remember me or my older brother Dwight, dad Morton and mom Adele.
Thanks -- Rory
Rory can be reached at rory.simmons@internetmci.com
Thanks Rory for your letter and memories of Rockaway. I know that those of us who have visited recently, share your feelings about what has become of our childhood playground.
Bambi
Schnall Polk, Class of 1971, joins us from Brooklyn, New York and
writes the following.
Hi! My name is Bambi Schnall Polk, graduate of FRHS, January 1971. I heard about this incredible centennial reunion effort from my great friend since 1961, Ilene Gold Glick. This has been lots of fun browsing the web at this site. I have lost touch with most of my old school and neighborhood friends from Arverne, Edgemere, Nordeck, Dayton, Belle Harbor, FarRockaway, JHS 198 and FRHS. If you remember me from the good old days, please get in touch. I lived in the Arverne Houses uintil I went to college at SUNY at Plattsburgh in Jan, 1971.
Since then I have lived in Florida and then in Brooklyn. I've been married for 17 years and have two daughters ages 15 and 10. I am an Educational Evaluator with the good ol NYC Board of Education. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion in Sept.
Bambi can be reached at marvie123@aol.com
Russell
Dunn, Class of 1975, joins us and writes the following.
Please register me with your web site. I'm a class of 75 FRHS and went to JHS 180. We lived in Belle Harbor. I really enjoy keeping in touch with Rockaway and would appreciate a link from you to my web site which is http://www.cpafla.com
I will also create a link from my page to yours. I'm still developing my site and will be adding a personal page to my business site. My phone number is 954-563-9941. Thanks.
Russell can be reached at rdunncpa@earthlink.net
Mark
Coopersmith, Class of 1973, joins us and writes the following.
Hi Skip,
High shool was great! I had many friends and I'll never forget that part of my life. I'll try and be in Rockaway in September.
Thank you for setting up this site.
Mark can be reached at Isserking@aol.com
