I have also heard from the cousin and nephew of two members of the Army Air Corps, the predecessor of our Air Force, who were killed in action. I hope to report their stories as well as many of the other ones in future newsletters. I have been less successful in finding the names of those who died in the Korean War. If anyone had any relatives or neighbors who served in Korea and may have died there, I would like to hear from you. So far, the only alumnus that I have found is Gerald Feinstein from the class of 1951.
From the Vietnam War I have the names of Robert Mirrer and Michael DeWitt Swangine. I believe there is another alumnus who died in Vietnam whose name I have forgotten. I believe that he was in the class of January, 1960. All I can remember is that someone from my class (June 1960) who went to either Michigan State or the University of Michigan ran into him there and that he was involved in the Black student movement.
If you have any information that you think would be helpful, please email me at ehinkes@aol.com. Enid
Joe Sager (Hillside 63)
Reading the many comments in the weekly newsletter about those who served in the military motivated me to respond. In August 1963, I enlisted into the Army. After basic, I went to France. In Jun 1964 my brother David (WHS Class of 56 or 57) died. Two months later my father passed away in September of 64. I was transferred to Ft Dix, NJ. My job was Special Assignments.
In August 1965, the president raised the draft and needed personnel at the AFEES (Armed Forces Entrance Examining Station). I put myself in for that assignment. I knew that I would get it. Well, I was the one to approved it. Now I'm stationed on Broad Sreet Newark. Twenty years later I enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard. I was the Retention NCO for the New Jersey Academy. I retired with 21 years of service as a Staff Sgt. Joe
Toby Stein Udine (62) updates some second generational pride:
My son Michael Udine is the Mayor of Broward County, Florida (Michael Udine New Mayor of Broward County). If you fly into Ft Lauderdale Airport you are sure to hear his welcome to the Sunshine state. He has done so much for the community. Weequahic still spreads its wings; Michael loves reading the newsletter. Lol. Toby
More Mosque mentions:
Bette Krupenin Kolodney (6/60)
Esther Gordon's (6/52) memory of the Mosque Theatre triggered, yet, another memory for me. She remembered her piano lessons with Mr. Chiappinelli, the piano teacher on Girard Place in the Clinton Hill Section of Newark. My recollection is of my lack of any artistic talent whatsoever, be it drawing, piano, voice, ballet, or Hebrew school.
At age 12 1/2 my parents and I moved from our attic apartment at 1048 Bergen Street between Lyons and Lehigh Avenues across from Harding Terrace to 755 Clinton Avenue on the corner of South 15th Street across from Girard Place. I met wonderful new friends who are still great friends as we start the “springtime” of our twilight years, the beginning of our ninth decade of life. Among them was the magnificent, talented Paula Mandel who sadly passed away at age 32. She was a student of Mr. Chiappinelli who called her a Swiss Cheese because he said there were still holes in her playing. She also played the base fiddle and was the drum majorette for the WHS Band.
Anyway I, a 12-year-old beginner, was not an appropriate student for Mr. Chiappinelli. Like my stints at ballet and Hebrew schools, these endeavors were happily for me short lived. Next time I will discuss in the “WHS Note” my voice lessons with Mr. D at Madison JHS and Mr. M, the music teacher at WHS. Lest anyone feels sorry for me, please don't worry about my ego. I enjoyed all of my "failures" as really funny situations even as they occurred and even in retrospect. Bette
Dennis Estis (65)
Alan Ginter’s (64) recollection of meeting Zacherle at the Mosque Theater, with my good and oldest friend Tom McCloud (65), refreshed my memory as to one of our lesser known but very interesting Weequahic personalities, Ronald Klugman who graduated from Weequahic with my brother in the Class of 1962. Ron’s parents, Sam and Fanny Klugman, were very good friends of my parents. After Weequahic, Ron went to Emerson College where a lot of radio and TV personalities went back in those days. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in Speech Broadcasting.
Ron was friends with Zacherle. During Ron’s entertainment days, when he wasn’t serving as a radio disc jockey in Pennsylvania, he created an alter ego to Zacherle by the name of Vladimir, who was identified as Zacherle’s son. Ron also went by the name Ron Barry. I remember seeing Ron at one time in complete makeup as either Vladimir or an alternative Zacherle.
I believe that Ron made a record at some point in time starring Vladimir. I have a vague recollection of seeing Ron/Vladimir on Zacherle’s television show, but I may have dreamed this. Unfortunately, Ron died must too young in 1995 at the age of 51. He was a cousin of the actor Jack Klugman. Dennis
Clark Lissner (6/63) takes a step from the Mosque to R&R:
So, from reminiscing about the Mosque/Symphony Hall, we get into recalling the fantastic rock and pop stars that we were so fortunate to have as the musical background to (the beat and heart n' soul) our youth. Naming the greats just goes on and on, and even listing the major labels (Columbia, RCA, Capitol, Philips, Motown, Atlantic, Chess, Sun, Cameo/Parkway, etc.) brings back so many memories.
In the New York metro area, we had the talented and flamboyant Murray (The K) Kaufman, Alan Freed and other DJ's presenting the stars. In the Philly area, Hy Lit and Jerry Blavitt (The Geater with the Heater) did the honors and continued with their dance and golden oldies shows. On TV, we had “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand” showcasing for us the teen idols and new dances. Anyone wanting a 'blast from the past' can access Jerry Blavitt on You Tube and catch interviews with Dion, Connie Francis, Gary U.S. Bonds, the late, great Bobby Rydell, Frankie Valli, Little Steven and more.
Just last week I saw Chicago perform here in Charleston and put on a helluva show featuring so many super hits. But I'll conclude by coming full circle and declaring that my all-time favorite Broadway show has to be "The Jersey Boys” highlighting the great songs of the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Clark
Sharing thoughts of the way things were:
Hesh Goldstein (1/57)
So, one day living on Goodwin Avenue, I had to go downtown. To keep it simple, I used my bike. When I got downtown, I realized that getting back was the mother of all nightmares. What I figured out was that holding on to the back of a bus was the simplest solution. The good news was that the driver never knew I was holding on for dear life. Once was enough! Hesh
Sharon Rous Feinsod (66)
The vegetable man I remember who came to Custer Place and sold off his truck was Ronnie. He had a mustache and wore a hat. I remember my mother saying he kept his finger on the swinging scale. Sharon
Michael Gross (6/63)
To Irwin Millinger (62), probably a typo, but the bus to NY that ran on Lyons Avenue was the #107, not 102 as you typed it. Michael
Matty Benoun (6/62)
To Irwin Millinger (62), I remember those apartments on Elizabeth Avenue where all those gorgeous stewardesses stayed. I went to a few parties. I learned about the “mile high club” they would talk about. Matty
