FEBRUARY 28, 2025

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Hi Collectors of Weequahic Recollections, 

Sonny Schaeffer (6/53) and Art Drucks (6/54) tell of alum-chum’s passing:

My good friend and WHS classmate Sheldon Tepper passed away on January 21, 2025. “Tep” was one of a group that included myself, Mickey Ackerman, Marvin Feinblatt, Alan Jacobs, and Ira Kent, among others, We stayed in touch over the years. The trips to Tep’s Villa Roma restaurant in Tahoe, NV and the visits with him were always memorable. He'll be missed. Here is the link to Tep’s obituary:   

Obituary for Shedon Tepper

Sorry to say, lost a real good friend. Ronnie Feiger (52) died a few weeks ago. He was a special person, always there when you’re down or needed uplifting. Rest in peace my friend. Arty

Alan Ginter (64/65) responds to search for WHS alumnus and adds comments about the W-Music Pop Scene in the 60s:

In response to Larry Hellring 6/64) re: search for Tina Stanford (66?), I don't know where she is now but she was so very beautiful and so very, very talented. Thom McCloud (65) and I still talk about her to this day. You can let either one of us know if you find her. After school I would walk with her and Barry Levitt (64) to Barry's house so he could play piano and she would sing. Tina also would come to our outlaw rehearsals after school in the choir room of Ronnie and the Soul Bros. She was part of the auxiliary back-up singers.  

And for those readers of the weekly “WHS Note” who want to know more about my use of the phrase “outlaw rehearsals,” it meant that we were able to enter the choir room after school without permission. I had a copy of band director Scocozza's key to the instrument closet; so after school we would "borrow" the instruments we needed, access the choir room, and rehearse. Not sure of the graduation dates without looking at yearbooks but Ronnie and the Soul Brothers consisted of Ronnie Scruggs (leader; 6/64?) on xylophone and most other instruments; Julliard trained Barry Levitt (64) along with gospel trained Wayne Bell alternating on piano; me and, sometimes, Burt Kopick (65) on bass; Jeff Davis (64/65) on drums; Dave Ginsberg (65) on trumpet; and Bob Stienmark (65) on tenor sax.  

Back-up singers were, among others, Tina Stanford, Phyliss DeLaine, Brenda Harmon, Gwen McClendon, and, I can't believe I can't remember the others). Thom McCloud was on added percussion and there for moral support. Also, we always had some dancers at the rehearsals. Wayne Bell also sang like an angel. The school probably thought that, of course, we had permission. Finally got busted by Joe Nerenberg the P.E. teacher.  

We were the first interracial "pop" band at Weequahic and the only live music at the Weequahic dances since the old Weequahic Dance Band. We played Motown, Stax Records, Atlantic Records, soul jazz which was a thing at the time, as well as Latin jazz numbers. We had kids coming from other schools to Weequahic dances because of us. The staff didn't care for interracial close dancing which meant nothing once Wayne Bell would sing Daddy's Home. 

Brenda Harmon was another singer as was Martha Morgan, I think. Maybe, also Gloria Yates and a girl named Dianne. I'll check the yearbooks tomorrow. The thing is there were so many kids hanging around the choir room rehearsals that the singers were more a question of who was there and who wanted to do the gigs. Kids also came to dance. Nobody could do The Monkey like Rick Herring. 

Memories of Bragaw’s teachers: 

Vivian Rosenberg (66)

We had the best teachers. My first-grade teacher was Mrs. Bloom. I don’t remember the name of the second-grade teacher, but third-grade was Mrs. Chasid who wore pink glasses. Fourth grade teacher, Mr. Gaiter, was my favorite. Fifth was Mrs. Schwartz and sixth, Mrs. Holland. That is where I met my best friend, Linda (Linnie) Rems (now Margolis). We have been best friends ever since along with her twin sister Shirley Rems (now Naso) who was in a separate sixth-grade class. I went to Clinton Place Junior High and thereafter Weequahic.  Vivian

Robert Dubman (6/52)

It is no coincidence that both Marilyn Frank Jacks (6/64) and Allan Markus (66) include Mrs. London in their listing of favorite Bragaw teachers. Mrs. London was my 7th grade teacher and I recall her as a marvelous human being. If I am accepted in Heaven, I would love to meet her again. 

As for the worst teachers, does anyone remember Miss Callahan? I think she taught 6th grade. Miss Callahan was an aged spinster who exhibited vindictive behavior to her class. I, especially, recall her mean spirited approach to a slightly mentally disabled boy. Mrs. London was a wonderful contrast who loved her students. I wish that I could remember more about those three Bragaw years (1946-1948). Bob

Ann Silverstein Souto (67)

To Marilyn Frank Jacks (64) on her comments as to favorite teachers at Bragaw Avenue School. Yes, as to Mrs. Chasid and Mrs. London! Mrs. Chasid was the kind and welcoming 3rd grade teacher when I moved to Bragaw from Peshine. Dennis Souto and I, partners our entire adult lives, met, and had our first crush right there in her 3rd grade classroom!

Mrs. London was an inspiration to our Bragaw Class of 1963. So fortunate to have her for both 6th and 8th grades. She not only taught us to master grammar, she raised the bar, allowed rousing discussions, and encouraged our creativity (ie, to write our own 6th grade class play). Nearly 40 years later, a couple dozen classmates came from across the country and even overseas to attend a Bragaw 63 reunion in NYC. All praised Mrs. London. Most likely due to her, most of us were teachers, writers, and/or into language(s). Ann

Marc Tarabour (6/63)

To everyone who attended Bragaw, I love hearing the stories and remembering the names of the teachers; truly special memories. I highly recommend the book “Willoughby Street” by Grant Worsley Jr. (WHS Class of 1957) which offers an African American perspective on life in the Weequahic section. For Grant it was a predominantly white, mostly Jewish neighborhood during the late 1950s. It discusses experiences attending Bragaw and Weequahic. You can find it on Amazon. Marc

Link to Book

Sharing the Weequahic memories: OK

Mady Bauman Barna (1/56)

We say another goodbye to our Star Ledger which no longer distributes in print form, only online.  

I just had a big birthday over lunch. Our waitress was friendly and we got to talking. I asked if she remembered the Claremont Diner and she replied that she did not. So, never asked about the Weequahic Diner. It was then I realized I and my generation was a part of a past and that I was old. My generation, being the greatest of all, will soon pass on, but, boy what a time we had. My dad’s diners will always be in our hearts. To Leo and Morris Bauman, your fans, and certainly family, will never forget you. Mady 

Pam Scott Threets (66)  

I was in Home Room 205 and Nora Katz, a well-dressed lady, was our teacher. She replaced Mr. Rubin. We had her until graduation. So, Joe Zagorski (66), you were either in HR 204 or 206. In answer to your request for information about her, Mrs. Katz was a resident of Livingston and resided on Rosedale Terrace. I was a mother's helper on Shadowlawn Drive employed by Weequahic alumni Jack and Sarah Stein Doppelt (6/43). So, as we walked through the neighborhood with the dog, we went to the Katz's house. She answered the door. This is how I came to know where she lived. 

I think they since have moved to Florida. Dr. Katz was a dentist. If he practiced there, you may be able to get info from the local Dental Society as to where they lived. I think I read in the Star Ledger long before COVID that Dr. Katz passed.  Pam  

The WHS NOTE is emailed to you by the WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION for the CLASS OF 1963 ASSOCIATION and editor, Jacob Toporek.



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