1. Watch Conviction April 14
by: lfrancis <louise.francis@comcast.net>
2. Re: what about A.P?..and all the other clubs?
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
3. Re: what about A.P?..and all the other clubs?
by: <ECRAM123@aol.com>
4. Human behavior and more....
by: Glenn Martin <gmartin@adelphia.net>
5. KO on the Colbert Report
by: Ed <ewc58@optonline.net>
6. Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: Jim Katzenstein <jimk@starkaywhite.com>
7. Re: Human behavior and more....
by: <Captmando@aol.com>
8. Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: <Jmshillinglaw@aol.com>
9. RE: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: Carpenter, Robert <robert.carpenter@credit-suisse.com>
10. Cheers to this Forum!
by: <Jmshillinglaw@aol.com>
11. RE: Human behavior and more....
by: lfrancis <louise.francis@comcast.net>
12. More Maslow and my AP perspective
by: Alison Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
13. Re: Human behavior and more....
by: Pat Sinatra <psinatra@comcast.net>
14. (no subject)
by: <NYCFD1@aol.com>
15. the whitetail
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
16. Re: Human behavior and more....
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
17. Re: Human behavior and more....
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
18. Re: caribbean ????????.
by: <NYCFD1@aol.com>
19. Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: <smb9220@comcast.net>
20. Re: More Maslow and my AP perspective
by: <dmcquickly@comcast.net>
21. Another Ray memory
by: <faheyfam@optonline.net>
22. Re: (no subject)
by: Jim Katzenstein <jimk@starkaywhite.com>
23. Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: <Jmshillinglaw@aol.com>
24. Re: Another Ray memory
by: <SAPSAM75@aol.com>
25. Re: (no subject)
by: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
26. More on St. Patrick's Day
by: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
27. Diving
by: Glenn Martin <gmartin@adelphia.net>
28. Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
by: <Jmshillinglaw@aol.com>
29. Re: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
by: <WJK1957@aol.com>
30. Re: (no subject)
by: <dave.walters@comcast.net>
31. Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
by: <dave.walters@comcast.net>
32. RE: More Maslow and my AP perspective
by: lfrancis <louise.francis@comcast.net>
33. Re: Diving
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
34. more on AP
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
35. Re: More Maslow and my AP perspective
by: Laurel Parker <lkp5@cornell.edu>
36. dance with AP
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
37. Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
by: <Lotsoffish@aol.com>
38. Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
by: Rick Wester <rick_wester@mac.com>
39. RE: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
by: Mckirgan, Irene <irene.mckirgan@Vanderbilt.Edu>
40. Re: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
by: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
41. Re: Re: Another Ray memory
by: <afine@art-cetera.com>
42. Re: Another Ray memory
by: <Jmshillinglaw@aol.com>
43. Re: Re: Another Ray memory
by: <afine@art-cetera.com>
44. Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
by: <tjtorre@optonline.net>
45. NorCal reunion time and a few other bits
by: Alison Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
46. AP vs. lower than AP
by: Glenn Martin <gmartin@adelphia.net>
47. Re: more on AP
by: Alison Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
48. Re: NorCal reunion time and a few other bits
by: Pat Sinatra <psinatra@comcast.net>
49. Re: Diving
by: <valcivitanogill@optonline.net>
50. Re: Diving
by: <stephanie1759@optonline.net>
51. RE: more on AP
by: lfrancis <louise.francis@comcast.net>
52. Let Mr. Aschmann rest in peace
by: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
53. Heather Schmeltz
by: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
54. Re: AP vs. lower than AP
by: <SAPSAM75@aol.com>
-------------------- 1 --------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 18:47:25 -0800
From: "lfrancis" <louise.francis@comcast.net>
Subject: Watch Conviction April 14
On a completely frivolous and fun note, and particularly for Anita and
anyone else who enjoyed meeting my brother, Paul, at the reunion, if you
watch the new TV series Conviction on Friday night, April 14 on NBC, Paul has
a
small part in a few scenes. I gather he plays a bureaucrat. The
director thought he had the right accent for the part. He had a ball
filming it. I'm sure there's some significance to the fact that his
segment is being broadcast on Good Friday, but I don't know what it is.
- Louise
-------------------- 2 --------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 22:43:46 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: what about A.P?..and all the other clubs?
david...i will send a pic of the 287 lb. halibut i caught up in alaska 2
years ago.....but sorry..i do not possess any wedgie pics.....they might some
day show up on the website....i think joey pagan has a few..wooo..wooo.bro.......
hey ray...whats up?..i havent heard from my twin in a long time... alot of
folks thought we were brothers.....the only way they could tell the difference
is you were an excellent diver..and i could barely
swim...ha......remember?...it probably saved me in nepera park a couple of times.....
...the story i had heard about obrisk was a bit different..out of repect i
would not write the story here without 100% verification... love, cappy
-------------------- 3 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 00:47:58 EST
From: ECRAM123@aol.com (Marce Maicovski Bailes)
Subject: Re: what about A.P?..and all the other clubs?
Even though I did well in my classes, I personally couldn't wait to get the
h__ll out of dodge, so I doubled up my classes and finished up in January.
I just wanted to get on with my life in the "real world" ha ha. I
was tired
of the cliques and never feeling like I belonged to any one of them. I was
ready for the next stage of my life. My mom stipulated she would only agree
to let me do this if I participated in the graduation ceremony at the end of
the year, in June was it? I wasn't going to cheat her out of seeing her
youngest daughter graduating. Education was highly valued in my family. This
was
probably because my father only had a 5th grade education and my mom maybe
three years of schooling. Anyway, unlike some others who've written, I always
felt loved at home. My mother never failed to show that. She may not have
agreed with some of my views, but she always held out the expectation that we
kids would succeed in school and as adults. Though some of us did better
than others, but nobody held that against them.
As for you John, you hid your agenda pretty well. I always thought of you
as one of the popular football players. Is my memory intact? I hope so,
cause I also have more than a year before I hit the big 50.
As for teasing,.....I remember 5th grade when I started developing and the
other cheerleaders (you know who you were) were giving me a hard time cause
I
did not want to wear a "training" bra; "what were they training
for?" If
you can't fill a cup, why bother? After that, I just grew a tougher skin.
Well enough for my catharsis....
I've enjoyed reading all the posts
Marce
-------------------- 4 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 07:51:30 -0500
From: "Glenn Martin" <gmartin@adelphia.net>
Subject: Human behavior and more....
Some very fascinating discussions on human behavior and, "who is to blame?" for one's failure in life. During my career as a prison Superintendent, I have met hundreds of Ray Obriskie's over the years. I have witnessed good people turn bad and bad people get worse. But the most rewarding experiences were seeing those who pointed their finger inward and were determined to make a better life for themselves. Unfortunately for the others, they spent most of their life blaming others for their demise(family members, cops, courts, lawyers, teacher's, society and the list goes on and on.) I never heard of a high school AP teacher be blamed for their neglect, but why not? Someone has to be blamed. We do live in a world where there is so much good and an equal amount of bad. But if you look at our small town of Hastings, those whose fate paralleled that of Ray O., you would find a minuscule percentage compared to similar communities across the nation. Am I writing Ray O. off as an insignificant statistic? No. But our little town produced so much good and for that, I'm sure we are all pretty grateful.
One last note: Ray O. and I had a brief partnership once. He came up with some Volkswagen Beetles, I sold them, he made a few bucks and so did I. I recall Brian Maleska buying one. Like you Greg, Ray scared the crap out of me too. I figured, rather than running, make him a partner. Speaking of scary people, what ever came of Mike Kozell, "c'm here you little kinder, I want to squash your head in my hands and...."
I've enjoyed all the postings.
Glenn
-------------------- 5 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 10:42:53 -0500
From: Ed <ewc58@optonline.net> (Edward Caccia)
Subject: KO on the Colbert Report
Did anyone see Keith Olbermann on the Colbert Report last night?
Gosh, since I watched it, do you think I can expect Commissar Chertoff to
knock on my door?
Colbert: ....why do you have a problem with my hero, poppa bear Bill
O'Reilly? You guys have been going at it hammer and tongs!
Keith: Well Steven....he's an idiot.
Colbert: you, you say that like it's a bad thing- - I think he sees the
world simply, without all your complicated facts.
Here's the clip from Crooksandliars.com, enjoy...
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/TCR-Olbermann.wmv
Go Keith! Go Yellow Jackets!
Best to all,
Ed
'76
-------------------- 6 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 10:23:41 -0500
From: Jim Katzenstein <jimk@starkaywhite.com>
Subject: Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
I had my share of experiences with Ray Obriski but I look back at one in
particular.
I am pretty sure my Biology teacher was Ms. Taylor. I sat in the back of
the room with Ray and Ernie Gracia, Ray being in the middle. Every now
and then he would say "Hey Kinder, want to meet my friend Charlie
Horse?" With that, he would plow his fist into my thigh.
Scientifically this was very enlightening. While everyone else was
learning Biology, Ray was teaching me Physics. The theory was how much
force could Ray exact on my body with out me screaming in pain. As far
as I know, I never did...and neither did Ernie.
Jim K
-------------------- 7 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:32:04 EST
From: Captmando@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: Human behavior and more....
wow glen..a partnership with the obrisk.."yo brath!"....
there he was
perched on the perimeter of society..
he stood looking out over five corners
he smiled, chuckled...to himself
was he thinking of waltzing thru the intersection
in appropriate dress
the cars appropriately waiting for the green light?
or were there thoughts of rolling over one of the smaller
cars and growling at the occupants
we will never know...will we?
-------------------- 8 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:21:30 EST
From: Jmshillinglaw@aol.com (James Shillinglaw)
Subject: Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
Jim,
Yes, it was Ms. Taylor's class in 8th grade...I was in that class, too. And
while Ray O. was putting his fist in your thigh, he was hitting me in the back
of the head with a ruler. Oh what fun!
Funny thing is, I think the guy actually liked us! And I do think he was
intelligent...Ray just somehow went the wrong way. Poor Ray O.
Jamie
-------------------- 9 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 17:23:13 -0000
From: "Carpenter, Robert" <robert.carpenter@credit-suisse.com>
Subject: RE: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
Ah I remember Bio Very Well Thanks Jim for bringing that up.
A Memory just flashed through my mind of Wanda Sponder Banging Kurt Gursky's Head on the desk in 6th Grade while Randy Blackmar shot spitballs through a BIC pen at me
Regards to All I have enjoyed all the posts
-------------------- 10 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:44:23 EST
From: Jmshillinglaw@aol.com (James Shillinglaw)
Subject: Cheers to this Forum!
To all:
This has been an incredibly fascinating, almost catharctic series of emails
over the past few days...somebody should do a study on this! I've been busy
finishing off a monthly magazine, but wanted to mention a few things:
First off, being in AP wasn't always that great. Take it from someone who was
terrorized by Chuck Ashmann into quitting AP English the second year. To be
honest, I never had a college professor who had as difficult a reading list!
Bob Rittner was fun and I certainly wouldn't have missed his class for the
world, but in many respects I think we were still a bit young to really understand
what he was teaching us (at least I was). I ended up taking more European
history in college later and getting a whole lot more out of it (instead of
goofing around in the back of Rittner's class with Jeff Feinstein...then again,
Jeff
is now Rittner reincarnated, no?).
For those of us who took AP courses, in many respects we were expected to by
our parents and our teachers. But the choices were not all that great. When
I
dropped out out of AP English in senior year, the alternative was listening
to
Banks drone on reading Shakespeare...there was no middle ground class for
everyone, which was a shame.
I'm finding the same challenge with my son, who is a sophomore in Irvington.
He's in AP Europe and heading for AP American, but dropped out of AP English,
and is having real challenges with AP Biology. Let's just say that sadly it
really doesn't appear the system has made much progress since we were in school.
Maybe it's impossible, but I still believe there needs to be a way to make
these topics interesting for everybody! Most, if not all of us certainly have
the capacity (certainly Ray O'Briskie did).
Second, on John's point. I always thought he was happy being successful in
sports, popular in school, etc. Hey, if I was 50 pounds heavier at the time
(unfortunately now I am a lot heavier), I would have loved to play football
with
him and Alan. I certainly never saw myself as some kind of educational elite.
And I watched every single HHS football game for six years as a member of the
band.
Well, enough procrastination -- though it's something I learned all too well
at HHS, doing term papers all-night before they were due (something I've never
unlearned). Thanks to everyone for making the past few days so fascinating!
Jamie
-------------------- 11 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 10:31:34 -0800
From: "lfrancis" <louise.francis@comcast.net> (Louise Francis)
Subject: RE: Human behavior and more....
Thanks Glenn for the posting.
Thanks John for the poem -- a good use of your computer.
I'm retreating into a cave for a while to focus on being thankful. I'm
thankful for Hastings, for all the teachers, particularly the ones who
cared about me and pushed me (starting with Mrs. Weiner in 3rd grade
math) but I'm even thankful now for the ones who I felt had it in for me
-- they too, in their way, made me stronger. I'm thankful for having
tough conversations, having friends who are willing to challenge their
assumptions and having the opportunity to know this group better. I'm
thankful for having kids in my life who I can encourage and make strong.
I am thankful for the people in this group who, sometimes unbeknownst to
them, helped me through the tough times (I know, no one believes I have
had them). What's that Edward R. Murrow thing -- In This I Believe? I
believe in the healing effect of faith in ourselves and giving
encouragement to others and the corrosive effect of blame, envy and
focusing on differences, which leads to hatred. I like blogs and emails
when they are in the first category. I'm out of here for a while --
which I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to read. This girl just
wants links to the Keith & Bill show.
Tchau,
Louise
-------------------- 12 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 11:57:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Alison Kraft Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
Subject: More Maslow and my AP perspective
I've really been enjoying the recent posts and I'm particularly
impressed at the tone. I've been on many other maillists that get
downright nasty when any slightly controversial topic rears comes up.
Kudos to all.
I haven't looked at Maslow's triangle in years, but I remember thinking
it was a good model for explaining some behaviors I was seeing at work
(ie folks who feared their job was in jeopardy got pretty
self-centered). Now looking at it again, it seems to have a strong
cultural bias. I have only studied a bit of buddhism, but it seems
that for buddhists, the focus is at the top of the hierarchy even when
not all the physiological needs are met let alone safety, etc. If
that's true, then it's another reminder that we need to take care when
trying to understand someone else's behaviors, attitudes, etc. I guess
it also provides some explanation of why we're more "comfortable"
with
those who are like us - the needs that drive them make sense to us.
As for AP classes, while I didn't take any at HHS, that was because I
did 10-12th grade at another school. Since I'm Class of '75 plus a
year, I am turning 50 soon and I'll use that as my excuse for not
remembering if I took AP classes at Dobbs, LOL.
I am in favor of "tracking" and AP options. I have a daughter who
is
very bright in math, but has ADD and struggles with schoolwork. She
was initially put in the accelerated math class based on high
standardized test scores; within a few months she was telling me she
was stupid and no good at math. By switching to the middle track she's
able to do well and feel competent again.
Putting kids who struggle with academics in with kids for whom it comes
easily is like having the non-athlete competing against the "jock."
If
I had to compete in hurdles every day against natural athletes, I'd
give up and start walking pretty quickly. And yes, if I worked hard
and put in the effort I'm sure I'd get better, but I'm not sure I'd
feel it was worth even trying. Unfortunately, for the first 2 decades
of your life, academic ability is valued very highly. Someone spoke of
the "multiple intelligences" and to the extent that teachers provide
different styles, I think that's made a big improvement. But in
general, our society still rewards the traditional "smart" kids during
the school years much more than the musical, artistic, athletic, social
etc. Guess I've circled around to agreement that family support is key
to helping the non-academic types until their own star qualities are
able to shine. Thanks to all the teachers in this group- you all sound
wonderful and I wish we could clone you so all kids could have a high
level of support in school.
Wow, this got longer than I thought; but the discussion has been so
thought-provoking....
Cheers, Alison Krafft Rempel
-------------------- 13 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:42:14 +0000 GMT
From: "Pat Sinatra" <psinatra@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Human behavior and more....
I agree with you Louise. These posts have not only been entertaining and interesting, but they have brought some of our classmates out of the woodwork. I am truly greatful for my experiences in Hastings. My friends and colleagues think I am going through regression analysis but they are also envious of my childhood experiences.
By the way, I keep in touch with marcine weiner on a regular basis. We went out and visited with them last year. She is the same as ever and lives an active and vibrant life with her husband arty. I also saw mrs plant several years ago. She can sure down a martini...
Pat
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.
-------------------- 14 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:14:57 EST
From: NYCFD1@aol.com (Ray Paletta)
Subject: (no subject)
cappy-
i cant believe you remember me diving !!!!!!!!! i guess i owe it all to kurt
gursky for his lack of fear up on the 3 meter board. i started diving at age
10 brought it to another level at age 12, when sprain ridge pool opened
up,, 3 meter diving,i got really good at it, not to brag but i attracted
crowds mostly girls and adults waiting to see me kill myself, after graduation
i
wanted to bring this to another level so i enrolled at WCC to join their 3
meter diving team. i dove for one semester, took all kinds of trophys, then
i
took it one step further, i went to the cliffs in peekskill and tried 40-50
ft drop.didnt last long until i landed wrong , that was the end of my diving
career, but thanx for remembering
ray
-------------------- 15 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:39:51 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (Ray Paletta)
Subject: the whitetail
i used to hang at sprain too.... remember ray?....there were too many girls
hanging around you for anyone to handle...so as the whitetail deer comes to
the
field after the harvest....
-------------------- 16 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:03:38 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: Human behavior and more....
these posts are wonderful.....i think louise is having fun poking at
me.....louise?.
... we need more of the folks like myself.....who didnt score huge grades in
high school.....well... ..pretty poor grades in high school.....to check
in....getting pushed back from AP into the mainstream again doesnt count.....another
thought.............
what if we were somehow able to organize... and subsidize..a class for
hastings high students falling thru the cracks..or about to??..i know AP is
still
there...but what about putting some money..and time in....to show the kids the
benefits of the learning expierience?....study habits....tricks of the
trade......social behavior ...everything needed to help in school......even
encouragement to go for skilled jobs if need be..my local high school graduate
plumber
makes way more than i do as a college graduate with a degree in marketing and
advertising (minor in environmental science}....we could have awards at
graduation..."back on track awards".....this has all been done before..i
know....but
if some of us could go back..to meet with these kids..once every 2 months or
so.maybe some of them will look forward to seeing us a few times...with that
tiny bit of support.we just might impact a few...break the maslow theory wide
open....what do you say?...is nancy gags out there?...is this possible?..john
cap...GO JACKETS...75 IS STILL ALIVE!...HOOOAHHH!
-------------------- 17 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:07:31 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: Human behavior and more....
we could meet in the caribbean every year to deliberate and make 75 ALIVE
decisions...cappy
-------------------- 18 --------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2006 21:20:29 EST
From: NYCFD1@aol.com (Ray Paletta)
Subject: Re: caribbean ????????.
well john your not alone ,
i my self hated school, i spent most of my time on the steps of school
street, leaving rubber on school st . Failing all subjects, only to go to summer
school and pass with b's -go figure- this used to piss my mom and dad off,-
i think because Dalmas, Graves, Raad and Bub were customers of my dads i was
pushed thru to get my diploma. Regrets? oh yeah---wished i had more
girlfriends !!!!!!!! and a faster mustang !!!!!!!! but after WCC, i was introduced
to Ricki Marcus dad, i started working with him in the dental field, before
you knew it , i was making a lot of money for a 19 year old.in two years i
was making almost 35k a year !!!!!!!! so i decided not to go back to school
and keep the money, Could it have been easier if i stayed in school ?, i don't
know, but i learned a lot pushing myself thru hard times, a marriage that
only lasted 7 years ( a girl from sprain ridge Walter Mclehones girlfriend)
i believe i did the most growing up when i met my second wife of 17 years
now (also a girl from sprain ridge) -- im all for working with the kids,
and as far as meeting in the islands, just say the word, and ill just fit it
in with the engagement party, sweet 16 party, wedding, and Greece for my wifes
50th
Ray
-------------------- 19 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 04:19:42 +0000
From: smb9220@comcast.net (Steven Bass)
Subject: Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
Jim/Jamie -- while Ray was physically abusing you and others (and probably me too but I don't recall anything specific), I do remember the time that he lit up a cigarette and kept it in the desk. The smoke was curling up out of the hole in the top of the desk where the ink well was placed some 50 years earlier. But Ms. Taylor chose, probably wisely, not to notice.
-------------------- 20 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 06:19:27 +0000
From: dmcquickly@comcast.net (Greg Vaughn)
Subject: Re: More Maslow and my AP perspective
Hey, Alison! Good to hear from you.
And let me tell you--I ran hurdles for two years in track, never got better despite trying to do better, still have thin but long scars on both knees where I didn't quite make it over the hurdle, have a Hastings Independent photo of me "winning" a hurdles race--my one and only victory, and that because there was only one heat, and the only other guy racing was just about 2 seconds worse than me, which I never would have thought possible.
What am I saying here...wait, give me a moment, I'll get it...Oh! I remember. (It's actually 2 hours later and I've taken a nap.) (Not really.)
What I'm saying here, in response to your thoughtful email, is that we as parents and adults should recognize that nobody is good at everything, and to stop trying to make children excel at everything. Like you said, we need to learn to value those things our children excel at, and encourage those things.
In therapy I've discovered one significant thing about my own upbringing. That is this: My parents didn't really give me much opportunity to discover what I shine at. Those things in me that I discovered, I discovered pretty much on my own. My parents both expected I'd go into business. Even when I was in radio for a few years, they still believed it was a phase. They didn't actively discourage my pursuit of my own goals, but they certainly didn't do anything to reinforce them, or help make them attainable. When I finally did get into the business world, I absolutely hated it, and believed there was something wrong with me.
I would have loved it if they had said to me, while in high school, that they'd drive me to the radio station in White Plains, even if I were just a janitor there. But no. And when I told my father, in 6th grade, that I wanted to take piano lessons on the piano that sat meaninglessly in our living room, his response was, "We don't have the money for that." In other words, he'd rather have dropped his cash at a bar drinking with his co-workers in NYC than let me discover that musical gift I felt I had.
My parents let me spend one year in Little League, and that was it, although I discovered during that year that I could hit the ball over the fence regularly, had speed enough to chase down fly balls, and a wierd little hiccup in the way my wrist and forearm are attached that creates a natural slider motion when I pitch.
You're right. Kids have innate talents. They have no way of discovering those talents. We adults need to provide the opportunities they need to find out what they're good at and what they aren't good at. Some things they need to get better at, even if they don't like it. Writing, speaking, socializing. But your hurdles example really points out the problem. Why make a kid who can't hurdle and has no interest in doing so, take up hurdling? I was happy to do it, it let me long-jump, which I loved, and it gave me something to improve myself in, small though that improvement may have been. I loved long jumping, was fortunate enough to have had a knack for it, and was successful at it just enough to give me some sense of validity. But when I practiced hurdles, I practiced up there where the baseball team was practicing, and I remember how often I ran by one of the pitching batteries practicing on the side and thinking, "I really wish I were there."
There's a great book, came out about 11 years ago, called "Emotional Intelligence." In the introduction, there's a line in it that reinforces exactly what you are saying, Alison. It says, "Our schools are excellent at producing professors." We do a good job of focusing on academics. Unfortunately, that means the Johnny Caps feel like they've been shunted aside. The fact is, as you say, Alison, John had, and has, something inside him that is just as valid as anyone who successfully and happily passed through an AP course. And look what seems to have happened--some bitterness that he was left out of that group. That's just wrong. John, you were as much a part of our high school lives as anyone else. You were part of the fabric that makes those days happy and miserable in memory, and what's more, you don't seem to have let the experience ruin your relationship with us. That itself is a great thing.
I was talking with someone from our class recently. They've been ghosting here for a while, and these emails have provided an epiphany of sorts. I think the comment our classmate said was something like, "I never knew everyone was going through the same things I was!"
And Louise, and all the rest of you who say you've written too much and you'll step aside to let other people in...please don't. As long as you feel you have something to contribute to what has become an amazing group soul-search, contribute. In my whole life I've never had a group discussion like this. And it's so much easier at our age to do this in the silence of the internet rather than over the din of a bar!
John, and anyone else, when I come back East again, we'll sit at a bar somewhere, or at Jamie's house over barbeque, and talk about these things. As I said, I always enjoy talking with people who have insight.
Okay. Can I go back to sleep now?
Greg
-------------------- 21 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:24:40 -0500
From: faheyfam@optonline.net (Anne Kapfer Fahey)
Subject: Another Ray memory
Wow, Ray O, what a topic. My clearest memory is coming out of steno class, Ray was in the hall with a girl (maybe his girlfriend at the time, I'm not sure). Anyway, she said something that must have provoked him and his comeback was "Shut up, woman. Punch you in the eye, woman." I hightailed it out of that hallway!
-------------------- 22 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:54:07 -0500
From: Jim Katzenstein <jimk@starkaywhite.com>
Subject: Re: (no subject)
Ray,
I don't remember you diving but I do member how you and Dominic would
sit on the chin-up bar in gym and spin around scores of times so fast
you were a blur. You never seemed to get dizzy nor did you ever
projectile vomit afterward (much to the rest of our classes relief)
When it came to diving, Glenn Martin was truly awe inspiring. Once a
bunch of us went up to Croton-on-Hudson where there was this incredible
rope swing .You had to climb this really steep slope to a huge tree
with this rope. Mind you there are boulders everywhere in the river and
we have no idea if the water is 5 feet or five inches. Glenn grabs the
rope, flies out just like Tarzan. He swings down and then back up, lets
go, flips his body into this truly comical frog like dive and plunges
head first into the unknown.
Gee, I truly wonder if our parents really knew what we were up to after
school!
Jim K
-------------------- 23 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 07:23:40 EST
From: Jmshillinglaw@aol.com (James Shillinglaw)
Subject: Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
Steve,
Actually, now that you mention it...I absolutely do remember when Ray lit
that cigarette in Taylor's class! Hope Portland's treating you well....you
certainly got a lot of good press!
Jamie
-------------------- 24 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 08:09:46 EST
From: SAPSAM75@aol.com (Sandy Przymylski Mutter)
Subject: Re: Another Ray memory
Hi All,
Well, these conversations are definitely pulling people out of the woodwork,
case in point, here I am! I just couldn't let all this talk of Ray O. go
without interjecting a little something. I probably had more interaction with
Ray
than most of you since I spent my entire high school experience on school
street, hung out at the youth center and the aqueduct, down by the hudson river,
and was a village kid. Anyway, believe it or not, Ray was capable of being
nice. I know it doesn't sound possible, but he was. I can honestly say that
he
never disrespected me or harrassed me (I believe mostly because he knew my
two older brothers would have killed him if he had even considered disrespecting
me). But my point is that he had the ability to be something else and I saw
glimpses of it. I'm not defending him, I'm just kind of agreeing with John's
point that maybe if a little more attention is given where it is needed, who
knows what would or could happen. Now Ray may have been an extreme example
because he really had his share of problems, but like I said, I saw glimpses.
I
too heard that his life had ended as tragically as it was lived, but I really
don't know what happened.
Anyway, thank you all for the very interesting and thought provoking stories.
I know I didn't hang out with any of you in high school (except for maybe
Ray P. a little bit) but I do know who all of you are and it is very interesting
to see all the names, picture all the faces, and reminisce a little about
HHS.
My best to everyone.
Sandy
-------------------- 25 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:17:40 -0800 (PST)
From: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: (no subject)
Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody! Gotta love those Irish. .. Ms. Gaughran?
Where are you, lass?
Um, I'm back, after some sleepless moments early this morning. I'm probably
oversensitive, but I feel that, as an AP alum, I'm sorta persona non grata in
this discussion -- there's this kind of us vs. them thing going on . . . I want
to present a different perspective of stuff. No one selected, encouraged, or
expected me to take AP English. In fact, in my family and I think, in school,
I was perceived by adults as this sweet, good girl who should do her best to
look pretty and eventually catch a good husband. But from the time I can remember,
I loved to read -- and part of that was because it was an escape from some dysfunctional
family stuff that I won't go into because everyone in my family is still alive
and who knows who's reading this. So I looked forward to taking AP English the
way some kids looked forward to playing Varsity Soccer or Varsity Football or
becoming a cheerleader or running for Student Union president. Mr. Aschmann
actually tried to discourage me at one point
from taking the course -- I think he thought I didn't have the stamina or the
brains. I dropped math and science as soon as I could. I haven't taken a math
class since my junior year. I always look back and wish someone had encouraged
me to try harder in those subjects. I would have so many more choices if I were
a math teacher rather than an English teacher, and I would be doing a lot more
good. . . .Things aren't always what they seem. I was home, lonely, on Saturday
nights most of the time -- reading and writing papers. . . In fact, I was depressed,
but I hid that pretty well.
Back to the AP class, at least the English class: there was more diversity (economic,
class, whatever) than you'd think.
John, dear John, master instigator (YOU should be a teacher), if a teacher had
come up to you (or Ray Obriskie) and said, "I see a lot of potential in
you, young man, and I think you should consider taking an AP course," are
you sure you would have responded positively? Or would you have delivered one
of those classic smirks and said something like, "Sure, just like I'll
consider taking up ballet."?
All I'm saying is that most of us had some shit to deal with beneath whatever
image we cultivated (or was imposed on us) -- even the ones who looked smart
or popular or happy -- and that includes AP students and even AP teachers.
Love to you all, Jan
-------------------- 26 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 05:37:47 -0800 (PST)
From: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
Subject: More on St. Patrick's Day
I just had a flashback of St. Patrick's Day at HHS. For those of you who loved or hated him: Mr. Aschmann always wore an ORANGE tie on St. Patrick's day to show his solidarity with the English. . . .How's that for trying to stir up trouble?
-------------------- 27 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:02:44 -0500
From: "Glenn Martin" <gmartin@adelphia.net>
Subject: Diving
Wow Jim, now there's a memory lost somewhere in my subconsciousness. Thanks
for bringing it back. Maybe I did hit my head on something. I think my high
board antics at the Hillside Pool attracted just as many women as Ray P. I
recall my mother and her lady friends sitting around the pool going "ooooh,
aaaaah!"
There was a brief moment in life when I thought I would join the circus and
be a trapeze artist. Upon sharing this thought with my mother, she shouted
upstairs to my Dad, "George! You wanna bring down that suitcase!"
I decided
to stay put and make my parents life miserable a bit longer.
Jim - I loved your physics lesson with the big O.
Glenn
-------------------- 28 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:51:07 EST
From: Jmshillinglaw@aol.com (James Shillinglaw)
Subject: Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
Jan,
Yes, I certainly remember Aschmann's orange tie...as well as the stories he
told of his perfect evening: A hot bath, a cold beer and a good book (all at
the same time). He was an interesting guy but a little overwhelming for me at
that point in time. He should have been a college professor....again those
reading lists were pretty intense (far too much for someone like me who didn't
want
to spend the summer reading inbetween junior and senior years). He wrote on
my term paper on Robert Louis Stevenson: "You can be a good scholar...if
you
really want to be" (before giving me a B- on something I'd slaved over).
At that
point, however, I don't think I was as interested in that, though now I wish
I'd read all those trilogies (and now I don't have the time). In the end,
Rittner was more my speed as a teacher...
Jamie
-------------------- 29 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:25:37 EST
From: WJK1957@aol.com (Billy Kotiatis)
Subject: Re: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
It's been brought to my attention that, our esteemed fellow classmate, Larry
Kaiser has just been named, General Manager of the "hoity-toity",American
Yacht Club in Rye, N.Y. A prerequisite to his appointment was our 50th birthday
celebration to take place at this fine club. Many thanks Larrue and good luck
in your new job. P,S.,We will be formulating a committee to review the
particulars of the event. STAY TUNED!!!!!! Willie
-------------------- 30 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:37:16 +0000
From: dave.walters@comcast.net
Subject: Re: (no subject)
One the striking differences between our class and the classes these days is how they get to school. In 1975 maybe a dozen or two of us had cars. I felt I had absolutely no need for one. In fact, I didn't even own one until I moved out of NY to Pittsburgh in 1977. All the cars could fit on School street or Mt. Hope. NOW...have you walked around the school? *Everyone* drives. The streets for blocks around are full of Volvos, Toyotas and the occassional Chevy. My, how kids have changed. I'm grateful that my 15 year old, despite being raised here in California, at least for now, has zero interest in acquiring a car.
David
-------------------- 31 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:39:57 +0000
From: dave.walters@comcast.net
Subject: Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
Indeed! And Mr. Hogan was ready to kill him for it!
David
>
> I just had a flashback of St. Patrick's Day at HHS. For those of you who
loved
> or hated him: Mr. Aschmann always wore an ORANGE tie on St. Patrick's day
to
> show his solidarity with the English. . . .How's that for trying to stir
up
> trouble?
-------------------- 32 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 07:46:28 -0800
From: "lfrancis" <louise.francis@comcast.net>
Subject: RE: More Maslow and my AP perspective
John, Alison, Jan & Greg have pulled me back in.
John -- Can't tell if you are poking fun at me in good fun, or if you
think something I wrote was insensitive. As Jan will attest, I don't
poke fun well. A trial advocacy teacher once cut me down for having a
boring, three -note style -- sincere, sincere, sincere. My younger son
screams at me when I try to tease him out of feeling sorry for himself.
I'm REALLY bad at it.
I'm a big believer in writing about things that affect a person like
Ray's death has affected you. I don't critique other people's writing
(It would be easy, but simplistic, to say it's Aschmann's fault; he did
that to me a lot and mortified me each time.) I just encourage people
to write.
Hello Alison! I loved reading your perspective. Sorry we lost touch
after that fun meal we shared several years back. What are you doing?
Are you still in the south bay? Had I quit Heller Ehrman went we met?
Nancy W. are you out there? We should have a reunion dinner of our 1963
neighborhood trio. Funny how all 3 of us ended up in No. Cal.
Greg -- you are a blogger. Thanks for the encouragement. I could write
this week because my older son is in play rehearsals. But that ends
next week, so I may truly have to go back to my cave.
Who else loved the Colbert Report tape? I'd love to send a DVD of that
to my conservative Dad and my even more conservative step-mom. Years ago
they would watch O'Reilly religiously -- now, even they think he's
toxic.
Ciao,
Louise
-------------------- 33 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:52:21 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: Diving
haa...haaa jim....the ultimate physics lesson with the obrisk...you know he
did have a soft side..you would usually see it right after he pummeled your
ass
into the ground......he wasnt a very "smart" footballl player....but
when he
got you.....another lesson in pyhsics ...something to do with a body in
motion......
....one of...if not the... most dangerous football players to come out of
hastings...henry trauma..not sure if the last name spelling is correct...but
it
would be appropriate.... football smarts and mass....alot of trash talking on
the field..but would always be smiling...would help the opponent up after
laying a bone shattering hit on him.....he loved the game....anyone know where
henry is?.....
...the number one smart football player to come out of hastings......GENE
HANNAH..a talker..true.....speed and quickness..lots of it... if you could have
put that head on a larger body..... my God... with the body he had he was at
the top.....cappy
-------------------- 34 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:11:50 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: more on AP
there it is!...the point where the teacher asked me is where the problem
lies!...noone asked me!.....noone asked ray.....there should have been an open
challenge to "try out" for the team...maybe even a requirement...BUT
NO.... these
were closed door selections..how stuffy.....how sefish is/was this?.how would
you like if our governors...our senators..our president!...were "chosen"
in
this way?...i don't think anyone would...[i do however have the opinion that
AP
does set the seed for these selections...but that is another long winded left
wing conversation.]....anyway...OPEN THE DOOR TO ALL STUDENTS!..there would
have been a few surprises there...I JUST KNOW IT!.....I CAN STILL SEE MR
ASHMANN LAUGHING OUT LOUD..YES OUT LOUD.."WELL MR CAPUANO...YET ANOTHER
D FOR
YOU...HAAA.HHAAAA..."...does anyone else remember this?...he might have
been trying
to taunt me into a higher production level..but i do believe he was just rying
to amuse himself at my expense..and what an embarassment...to learn very late
in life ADD had me..i could have kicked him in the ......for all the "other"
children that is....
.....i went out for football....no matter what anyones ability...anyone could
go out for football...[and a side note...i was not that great..average at
best...not enough expirience..whatever....but i played as hard as i could...and
so
did everyone else ..for the most part].....i went out for basketball
too..didnt make the team...but..thats ...okay...i took my shot..i had my shot....cappy
-------------------- 35 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:25:16 -0500
From: Laurel Kiorpes Parker <lkp5@cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: More Maslow and my AP perspective
Thank you for this, Alison! I was one of the students "encouraged"
to take AP and honors courses and I often felt I didn't belong there
-- felt stupid the entire time, but when I went for help was told I
wasn't working hard enough!!! And forget athletics -- I graduated
feeling like the all-time geek non-athlete but not very smart -- I
spent hours on homework just trying to keep up with the others.
Now I'm a silver-level ice dancer and triathlete...after spraining my
back slipping on a patch of icy sidewalk, went for treatment and my
physical therapist referred to me as an "athlete"-- I had to look
around to see who she was talking about before I realized she meant "me"!
Also, my middle son has ADD -- very bright, very gifted athletically
and artistically and very gadget-oriented but he struggles with
organization and he's still trying to find the courses at high school
that suit his learning style (very project-oriented, hands-on) He
unfortunately had an older brother who never seemed to have to work
at his schoolwork and feels "stupid", and I'm not yet convinced that
his high school teachers are doing anything to disabuse him of this
awful self-image (and he won't hear what I have to say -- I'm just his mother).
Loved this forum -- I think schools need to offer a mix of ways for
students to achieve the same level of learning -- not everyone is cut
out to sit in the library...
Laurel Kiorpes Parker, Class of '78
-------------------- 36 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:34:18 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: dance with AP
hey greg...i love your rants.... if you really mean it..i would love to get
together with "you AP guys"...[kidding with the AP thing]..... i do
want to
see this slider though...cappy
p.s....please don't misunderstand me.....i am very fortunate to grow up in
hastings...and recieve the education offered there...the finast.....its just
that more open doors mean more options..for everybody...we all should have been
required to check out AP.....and also rquired to attend all the dance
functions......
...i am just so glad to see all the pieces.......it is wonderful....cappy
-------------------- 37 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:35:37 EST
From: Lotsoffish@aol.com (John Capuano)
Subject: Re: [Suspected Spam] Human behavior and more....
maybe the teacher should have lit one up with ray?
-------------------- 38 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:05:34 -0500
From: Rick Wester <rick_wester@mac.com>
Subject: Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
Tom Hogan had NO use for Aschmann's pomposity or his damned orange tie.
Listen folks - it has been amazing reading all these posts. It feels like listening in to something from another room (part of the Bush Doctrine, maybe?). At any rate, I would like to participate more but there is so much to say about all this. I need time to let it all percolate.
One thing I'll say about Ray though: he was gruff and aggressive and physical but he was protective and did have the ability to reach out to anyone willing to accept him. Playing football with him, it was a relief knowing he was on our side.
More soon (including maybe a short story that features Mike Kozell that I've been writing and ignoring since October).
Back to work.
-R.
Rick Wester
(917) 518-1330
-------------------- 39 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:09:40 -0600
From: "Rusnak Mckirgan, Irene" <irene.mckirgan@Vanderbilt.Edu>
Subject: RE: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
Billy,
Hey - how are you? I went to call you the other day and obviously got
involved in something and then it got too late. How is Jimmy doing? I
hope everyone is doing okay.
So do we have a date yet for the birthday bash? I obviously did not get
home this month as originally planned. Spoke to Alison and she said
they never got anything really organized and then she couldn't go, so I
wasn't sure who was going to be around. Did you see anyone like
Schmidt? I'm in the process of planning a weekend out to LA to visit
Alison within the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to see her.
Let me know how things are - keep in touch. I think of you often
Irene
Irene McKirgan, CHES, BS
Administrative Manager
PhD and Postdoctoral Programs in Nursing Science
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Godchaux Hall, Room 603C
461 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240
(615) 322-7410
(615) 343-7505 (FAX)
Visit our Web site at: www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/nursing
-------------------- 40 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:18:46 -0800 (PST)
From: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: NEWS ALERT !!!!!!!!!
Okay, this is a good opportunity for me to congratulate Larry and thank him
for a kindness that dates back to third grade, and I don't think I've ever told
you about it. At the time I had a problem with warts on my hand (yuk). I was
invited to Abbe Scheiner's birthday party, and the Kaisers lived across the
street and Larry was there. Anyway, we were playing this game that involved
holding hands -- something like red rover, we had to make a chain. And no one
would hold my hand because of the warts. Except Larry. Larry always got a lot
of respect, and his (literally) embracing my (literal) warts gave me some kind
of cred that day when I was feeling totally repulsive and unloveable.
So, Larry, congratulations, not only for your new job, but for being a truly
good guy -- even when you were only nine.
-------------------- 41 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:07:06 -0500
From: <afine@art-cetera.com> (Alan Fine)
Subject: Re: Re: Another Ray memory
Here is another Ray O. memory that the other football players will share.
I think he only played with us for one season. Is that right? (I generally don't remember much, so other members of the football team who read this, please fill in the blanks.)
For all the myth and mystery he seems to have amassed, on the football field, wearing the same identical uniform as the rest, he was just one of us. In fact, when you hit him low and hard, he went down just like everyone else. I remember being surprised at that at first, then comforted.
So what interests me most about Ray after all these years is what we learn about OURSELVES in relation to him. How the specific and selective memories we carry of him reflect who we are.
Alan
-------------------- 42 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:19:02 EST
From: Jmshillinglaw@aol.com (James Shillinglaw)
Subject: Re: Another Ray memory
Alan..
Okay, enough about poor Ray....Can we get back to discussing Heather
Schmeltz? Or was that last year's discussion?
Jamie
-------------------- 43 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:36:13 -0500
From: <afine@art-cetera.com> (Alan Fine)
Subject: Re: Re: Another Ray??? memory
So what interests me most about Heather Schmeltz after all these years is what we learn about OURSELVES in relation to her. How the specific and selective memories we carry of her reflect who we are...
:)
Alan
-------------------- 44 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:37:35 -0500
From: tjtorre@optonline.net (Tom Torre ('74))
Subject: Re: More on St. Patrick's Day
From the outside looking in, I must credit you all. Great stick-to-it-ness as a group...Bravo..And definately some interesting tidbits along the way..Thanks for letting others in...
-------------------- 45 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:39:51 -0800 (PST)
From: Alison Kraft Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
Subject: NorCal reunion time and a few other bits
Louise, Nancy, Pat and whoever else is in the SF Bay area or planning a
visit here-
We definitely need a gathering. With no family around Hastings I never
get back there and I get so envious reading about gatherings.
I'd be happy to host or organize something, but Los Altos may not be
the most convenient unless we can gather in some of the folks who used
to be in Santa Cruz (Rachel Dewey and ???). Or Maybe a Sunday picnic
in a park up the Peninsula? We may not have Maude's, but we generally
have great park weather.
I never took a course from Chuck Aschmann, but I remember Marijke V
(our AFS student from Belgium) complaining bitterly. Can you imagine
an AP course in a second language?!?!?
I knew him from church choir - and he did have a fabulous rich voice.
These posts are so great, I'm not doing my chores, so back to work...
Alison
-------------------- 46 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:59:26 -0500
From: "Glenn Martin" <gmartin@adelphia.net>
Subject: AP vs. lower than AP
Cappy,
Following our last reunion, (and many of us being disappointed by Ralph
Maggi's no-show), I was determined to track him down since he lives not too
far from our home in Virginia. I got his number and we had the most
delightful conversation. Now if anyone can share some insight into pulling
oneself from the trenches of life(and a self-proclaimed member of the "River
Rats"), it's Dr. Ralph. His story is truly an amazing one. Dr. Ralph, where
are you? Enlighten us. Ralph mentioned that he and Henry Trauma were cousins
and I seem to recall him saying that "Hank" had his own tragedy and
is long
longer with us.
And it was good to hear from Sandy Przymylski. Weren't you and Ralph an item
back in HS?
By the way Ralph, we never pulled off that dinner yet. You have my number.
And now I turn the lectern over to Dr. Ralph.....
Glenn
-------------------- 47 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:11:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Alison Kraft Rempel <cmfuzz-alison@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: more on AP
We have two high schools in our district. One (fortunately where my
daughter is) has open enrollment for AP classes; the other requires a
teacher recommendation. I know of parents who choose the other school
because they fear that the AP classes at ours will be "watered down"
so
as not to lose those less prepared. But if you're (god-forbid) a late
bloomer; or struggled with an undiagnosed LD for awhile, or don't
happen to fit your teachers view of a "good" student, or a million
other reasons you can't even try.
Well, isn't it nice we have that much of a choice in our district. I
have no clue whether teachers support kid's making the effort, or
discourage some... a question for another day...
-------------------- 48 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 22:30:23 +0000 GMT
From: "Pat Sinatra" <psinatra@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: NorCal reunion time and a few other bits
Allison,
I am certainly up for us getting together. Anywhere is fine with me. I live
in Burlingame near SFO
Pat
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.
-------------------- 49 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 14:36:19 -0500
From: valcivitanogill@optonline.net (Val Civitano Gill)
Subject: Re: Diving
Hello to all.
I find that in the last several weeks I cannot keep away from checking my email. Yes indeed, many of us have come out of the woodwork.
In my years at Hastings High, I did spend a fair amount of time hanging out the the steps of School Street. There were two different set of steps, and there were two different groups of people on those steps. Not much of a difference, but there was. Let's not forget the bench outside of the gym on School Street. That was a whole other crowd. I did know Ray O. Yes, he was very rough, gruff and tough; however there was a soft side to him, which I have not forgotten.
Getting back to Cappy, Henry Trauma is still around. He lost a lot of that jet black hair. I understand he is living in Dobbs Ferry someplace. Gene Hanna was a terrific athlete. One that did fall through the cracks, in my opinion. He was working in Hastings Hardware. I understand he just recently vanished. Without a trace.
Anyway all, this has been very interesting to me.
VC
-------------------- 50 --------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:18:06 -0500
From: stephanie1759@optonline.net (Stephanie Squillante Giuliano)
Subject: Re: Diving
Hello all,
I'm lucky to still have my job after this past week of thought provoking postings. I have spent a good part of my work week reading them and anxiously waiting for more.
John, I see Henry Trauma often around Dobbs Ferry. He works for a local plumber, I am 99.9% sure he married his high school sweet heart, Luanne from Dobbs Ferry. For those girls out there, he still has he prettiest blue eyes.
I have fond memories of Ray Obriskie, to me he was a teddy bear. He, my brother, Gene Hanna, Henry Trauma were good friends, he treated me like a sister. I was so sad when I learned of his death.
Take care,
Stephanie
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Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:49:44 -0800
From: "lfrancis" <louise.francis@comcast.net>
Subject: RE: more on AP
Sounds like many of us felt being publicly humiliated by Aschmann in
different classes. My memory is that he put in a dig every time he
handed back a paper, which my left brain assures me must be an
exaggeration -- perhaps they were even written and not spoken, but they
always stung. I dreaded that weekly ritual. Bibliography form error:
"Ms. Francis has 1st editions of Jane Austen's work; do tell how your
family acquired such rare treasures." Failed to read the introduction:
"Shall we let Ms. Francis in on our little secret, well, a secret to her
but to no one else -- George Meredith was a she, not a he." In sr. year
AP this ritual was increasing to 2x a week. Amazing how my colitis
improved after I walked in and told him I was dropping his course. My
proudest moment in AP English -- sticking-it-to-the-Aschmann -- was
getting my best Aschmann grade on a comparison of 2 books when I had
only read 1 chapter of each of them. Jonas Wagner's creative writing
class was what I needed; encouragement and support, not competition and
criticism. After HS I came to realize Aschmann was trying to make me
get tougher and push myself harder. But for me that was the wrong
tactic -- I wrote better when I was relaxed -- like when I thought I'd
fail that book report no matter what I did so why not have a little fun?
What interests me most about Aschmann after all these years is what we
learn about OURSELVES in relation to him. How the specific and selective
memories we carry of him reflect who we are. (Originally a beautiful,
moving sentence, which now will be like a white elephant gift --
returning to Alan forever.)
I too wish everyone had gone to the dances -- particularly the Student
Council ones senior year, so Rick & I could have had more help doing the
work at them!
And like Laurel & Alison, I was shocked to find out I had athletic
ability. No one ever encouraged me to participate in sports until
college. I played lacrosse and loved it. Not exactly football, but the
closest I'll get.
These emails have been so much more interesting and uplifting to read
this past week than the newspaper. It's Lent -- time to give up this
guilty pleasure. Somebody taking odds on whether I can resist
responding to John's next email?
Louise
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Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:03:28 -0800 (PST)
From: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
Subject: Let Mr. Aschmann rest in peace
Will you guys please give Charles Aschmann a fucking break?? (Alan, can I
use the f-word on this site?) He died over ten years ago, and I heard that there
were enough people at his funeral to testify to SOME good he did. Ray Obriskie
deserves respect and understanding, so does Charles Aschmann.
People expect too damn much of our schools. And then we have this incredibly
stupid no-child-left-behind act that gives teachers tons of extra meaningless
work. I haven't heard of a single teacher who thinks it's a good idea.
Try putting on five performances a day (that's what it's like teaching a class),
try to know, really know, 100 kids -- that's what our teachers did.
Can we leave Mr. Aschmann alone now?
And being an AP student was no predicter of success . . .
What is success anyway? Let's come up with some meaningful dialogue about that?
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Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:04:41 -0800 (PST)
From: jan sidebotham <sidebothamj@yahoo.com>
Subject: Heather Schmeltz
And Alan, what I learn about myself in relation to Heather Schmeltz after all these years . . . the specific and selective memories I carry?
Huh. I don't remember a lot. A girl in seventh grade, long blond hair, developing,
pubescent body, the mystique and cachet of being new . . .I think you guys have
invested her with all the fantasies you can't find in real women.
And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
Oh, so, what does that say about me?
envious, insecure, a little bitter . . .
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Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:19:52 EST
From: SAPSAM75@aol.com (Sandy Przymylski Mutter)
Subject: Re: AP vs. lower than AP
Glen,
Thanks for the mention. Ralph and I were an "item" but it goes back
just a
little further than high school. We did remain friends all through high school
and I have always had a soft spot for him. Please give my best to Nancy.
Sandy