JANUARY 24, 2025

TO RESPOND WITH A COMMENT OF YOUR OWN, PLEASE CLICK ON WHSALUM63@AOL.COM.

Hi Orators of the Weequahic Story,   

“WHS Note” subscribers’ contact info updates:

John Golden (WHS 59/Millburn 62) -- johngolden45@gmail.com (change)

Pasquale “Pat” Musto (1/60) – pmusto@hotmail.com (new)

Audrey Oxman Silverman (66) – audhms@comcast.net (new)

WHS alumni remembered:

Arnie Kohn (56)

I am sad to report that Sanford “Sandy” Karr, Class of June 1956, passed on December 30, 2024. He was 86 years old. If one met Sandy on the street, he had not changed one bit since our days at Weequahic. Arnie

Myrna Jelling Wasserman (1/53)

I share with you my sister Barbara Jelling Margulis' obituary that appeared in the West Essex Tribune: Obituary for Barbara Margulis. Myrna

Joel Kampf (6/55)

December 15, twelve days before our 65th Anniversary, Isobel Cohen Kampf passed away. The smile she always wore beams in my heart and in the hearts of our family: Cindy (husband Rob), Jeffrey (wife Carol), granddaughters, Sammi and Alexa Singman whom she adored as much as they adored her.  

Iz and I, proud members of WHS’ outstanding class of June 1955, had an adventurous life, living in 5 states (HI-DE-GA- MA- NJ). Iz loved Broadway and still found ways to "give back.” She worked for years at the NJ Woman’s Shelter, and served as President of the Chatham Township League of Woman Voters. She loved working retail at Altman’s and was always smiling. 

We never dated at WHS, but when the West Point Jewish Chapel Choir sang at Cedar Crest College, I arranged to be her date and I asked her to West Point for “ring” weekend. Six months later we married and left the next day for California so the army could ship us to Hawaii. Delays gave us a 10-month honeymoon and a 4-week vacation in Tokyo before I took charge of my platoon. I was a very lucky 2nd Lieutenant. Joel

Larry Hellring (6/64) and Elaine Hersh Krusch (50) seek assistance in locating a high school friend:

I am trying to track down WHS graduate Tina Stanford who I believe graduated in 1966. She was a beautiful girl and a great singer, too. Tried different approaches to find her, all with no luck. Any info or lead would be appreciated. My e-mail is larryhellring@gmail.com. Larry

Does anyone know what happened to Rita Rosenberg whose family owned the store on the corner of Chancellor and Leslie? Any info can be sent to elarkr@aol.com and would be appreciated. Elaine  

Judi Moss Robinovitz (6/63) extends invite to lunch for WHS classmates and alumni:

Some of us from Weequahic High School Classed of 63 and 64 are meeting for lunch at the Capital Grille in Boca Raton, FL on February 10th at noon. All classes welcome! If you’d like to join us, please email me at judi@scoreatthetop.com. Judi

Myra Lawson (70) (Exec. Dir., WHSAA) shares a WHS Alumni Association “Lost & Found” Alert:

Recently received in our mail was this ring (pictured, below) and a note advising that the sender found the ring in Williamsburg, VA between 1977-79 when she was in the 3rd grade. More specifically, she found it in a creek behind the Village Apartments, behind the Fort Magruder Hotel. From what I can tell, the date on the ring is 1967 and it's a WHS ring. If you can provide claim as to ownership or provide additional ownership info, please write to me at weequahicalumni@gmail.com.  Myra

Jac Toporek (6/63) receives responses on inquiry about nostalgia and jukeboxes:  

Howard Spatz (6/64)

Yes, the Indian pizzeria did in fact have a jukebox. I remember most of us playing the famous song by our classmate the late Howard Tepp (RIPP). His band was Richard and the Young Lions. He used the name Richard as lead singer. Many other songs were played over and over again, especially the Four Seasons. Howard

Howard Klein (66)

The Burgerama had jukeboxes; the Bunny Hop did not. Howard

Mike Kessler (1/60)

Many of us spent lots of time on Bergen Street’s at Henry's where they had leather or leatherette booths and a great jukebox (as well as wonderful ice cream). We could go from there to the Park Theatre for a movie and then to JoRaes for delicious pizza. Mike

Michael “Bear” Goldberger (6/64)

I do not believe Jim Amato ever had a jukebox, either at the Hawthorne Avenue location, or on Lyons Avenue. And, a spinach pie would seem rather farfetched and hoity-toity to Jim. Beyond Italian hot dogs, sausage sandwiches and a variant like a veal and pepper sandwich in the iconic pizza bread, the limited menu offered pizza. The meatball sandwich was glorious.

Insofar as jukeboxes back in the hood, the Indian Pizzeria most certainly had one. In fact, it was that jukebox to which Howard Tepp was harmonizing when Larry Brown just happened to walk in, discovered Tepp. Ultimately, Brown whisked him away to a stint with Bob Crewe Productions as Richard of Richard and the Young Lions and a number #1 hit, “Open up Your Door,” in Detroit and a few other cities. Bear

Jac Toporek

Bear, thanks for the memories. But I spent many Friday evenings at Amato’s on Lyons Avenue eating I-dogs, listening to the jukebox box and waiting for two Israeli girls who lived nearby to make an appearance and socialize. Agree, the I-dogs there were a magnificent treat. Jac

W-Memories are made of this: 

Barbara Dubin Blumenfeld Klein (62)

I saw Judi Wodnick Chait’s (62) comment about Mt. Kemble Pool in Morristown and I felt the same way. It seemed like we were driving for hours to get there and now, living in Whippany, it would only be a 15-minute ride! It was a great place where my dad taught me how to swim. Barbara

Miriam Lipson Kaufman (6/53)

I worked as a secretary for Dr. Victor Parsonnet at Beth Israel Hospital in the late 50s. He was a brilliant doctor and a wonderful person. Miriam

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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