NOVEMBER 1, 2024

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Hi Visionaries of the Weequahic Vision, 

Karen Adelman (Union 60; karenadelman@gmail.com) has asked that her “WHS Note” ID (cited a couple of weeks ago) be changed to Karen Goldsmith Adelman.

For those interested only and not for discussion in the “WHS Note,” last week’s Star Ledger included an article entitled “Comparing Philip Roth and Amiri Baraka, Newark's near-exact contemporaries.” The article can be accessed at Link to Article. 

Corrections:

--In last week's “WHS Note,” it was mistakenly indicated that WHS alumni Steve Bogner (66), donates annually to a scholarship on behalf of Al Attles. He actually provides for a scholarship for a student athlete to honor Ed McLucas, a well-respected, long-time faculty member and football coach at Weequahic.

--Notice of Richard Chopin’s (55) passing incorrectly stated that he served in the Korean War and should have noted that his military service included Korea.

Jac Toporek (6/63) responds to question asked of him prior to the WHS Alumni Association’s induction of the 2024 Class of its Hall of Distinction (HOD):

In following up on invitations I extended to classmates to attend the HOD reception at the high school, I was asked by a classmate, “Why a Hall of Distinction? The individual admitted that he knew few of the 71 inductees, nor did most of them mean much to him. The question and my response were the themes of my remarks at the reception highlighting the members of the HOD. My bit too long speech (but not too long) can be accessed at (LINK TO PDF). If you are not into reading speeches, a sense of the response to my fellow graduate appears in the quote from the speech, below.

“So, why not create a recognition award for graduates who made a significant/notable contribution to society after graduation? And not only for fund raising purposes to fund the work of the WHSAA and its scholarship program. But also, to highlight the Weequahic legacy, maintain the Weequahic spirit, continue to raise the Weequahic banner high and make certain that Weequahic will provide the community with women and men who can follow the road that others have successfully walked before them. And, at the same time, helping them become contributing citizens of the communities in which they will live and raise their families.”

Pictures from the Hall of Distinction reception appear, below. Class of June 1963 guests include from left to right, Riva Burnett Saia, Marc Tarabour (WHSAA President), Judy Wilson Schwartz, me (Hall 2019 inductee), Norbert Toporek, Warren Melamed (Hal 2024 inductee), Art Lutzke (WHSAA Board Member).

Photo on left, unveiled portrait of the late Sheila Y. Oliver, Class of 1970, Speaker of NJ General Assembly and NJ Lt. Governor, which portrait will hang in the WHS Media Room. Photo on right, plaque honoring Hall Braff (6/52) for creating the WHS Alumni Association.

In creating the WHS Alumni Association, Hal Braff and Sheldon Bross (55) were motivated by their good will to give back to the school that meant so much to them. I believe the 71 current inductees to the HOD feel the same way, as will all future HOD members. The HOD was meant to be to in its own way help to lift the Weequahic banner “oh so high.” Jac

Jack Lippman (50) shares interesting article on tribal ancestors:

The July 22nd issue of the New Yorker contains an interesting article devoted to the history of the Bronx. Included in it is a reference to the three Native American tribes that inhabited what became the Bronx before European settlers got there. One of the three tribes was the “Wecquaesgeek” which suggests that the borders of the Weequahic section of Newark went further than many believe, possibly even including the site of Yankee Stadium! Imagine 'Wecquaesgeek' with its unnecessary mid-word syllable “es” dropped and the letter “g” pronounced silently as in the English word “through,” and you end up with “Wecquaeek,” which makes the connection even stronger. And that, of course, is much closer to the correct pronunciation than the common “we-quake” mispronunciation. Some reading about the “Wecquaesgeek” can be found at Link to Harlem World Magazine article/ and Link to Irvington Historical Society/.  Jack 

Dwelling on where we dwelled: 

Elaine Hersh Krusch (6/50)

I was impressed by several of my English teachers at Weequahic. So much so that I chose teaching as a career and taught 6th grade at the Pingry School. The lower school was in Short Hills and is still there. Thirty terrific years and I still hear from my former students. Elaine

Carl Greenberg (6/52)

I just celebrated my 90th birthday. I remember hosting a reunion committee meeting at my law office in Short Hills. Many committee members got ticketed for parking in a handicap area but signs were snow covered. Very sad to learn of the passing of Ed Hadley our 1952 Class President. He had a wonderful career and had an extraordinary family.  Carl

Margie Bauman (6/60)

Interesting reading through the October 4^th edition of the “WHS Note” as to the adventures of various classes in the 1950s and 1960s and seeing all those familiar names like Douglas Edwards of CBS News, who was part of Edward R, Murrow’s team in Europe in World War II. I was lucky enough to work at CBS News for months twice in the 1970s as a vacation relief writer, but always ended up leaving to go back to Alaska where I live and can never get enough of. I remember watching Douglas Edwards, who was a hell of a nice guy, patiently changing ribbons on his typewriter, which is what we had to work with back then.

Also enjoyed mentions of the Star Restaurant where I would go with my dad when he would occasionally pick up a pizza. While we were waiting together for it to get done, I would stuff the ballot boxes at the bar with ballots for my pick of the next Miss Reingold. Margie

Steve Epstein (6/63)

To Elliot Braun (1/64), I remember the Chanticleer, but not the incident of the missing silver bowl filled with mints. So, you can cross me off the list of kleptomaniacs. Stay safe and healthy my old friend. Steve 

Arnie Kohn (56_

To Myron Borden (1/52), the Star Restaurant was on 14th Avenue way before Bloomfield Avenue. He was probably referring to Nicastro's, the Kings of sauces.  Arnie

William Pollak (1/53)

I would like to add on some info on the late Norm Hinkes (1/23). My classmate Larry Sosnow, who was an outstanding football player, wrote about his experiences with Norm. After WHS, Norm went on to Upsala College where, as a freshman, he won the job as starting quarterback playing as a part of the 4H backfield which had amazing success. 

The backfield included Fred Hill, who went on to become an outstanding collegiate coach, Bill Holt became a city councilman in East Orange and Tom Henderson, who was successful social worker made up the remaining backfield. In their senior year, they were undefeated going into the season finale. However, with all four of these talented players injured and unable to play, they lost to Tufts University which was led by tackle Don Blotner, a mainstay of the 1951 Weequahic championship team. Hinkes went on to be a successful accountant. Bill 

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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