NEHS Class of '69 Blog

06/24/2009

Elementary School Memories part 8
Now Playing: Solis Cohen, Spruance, Moore, Carnell, Crossan, Farell, Rhawnhurst

From: Coachjoel - Shaffer, Toby (Shpigel)
To: NE69news
Sent: 6/24/2009 10:46:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 5 NE69 update - 6/23/09

Eileen.... I went to Wilson not Fels. My husband, Joel Shpigel, went to Fels. Then he moved to Pine Valley and went to Washington High. He graduated in "69. Had he remained in Oxford Circle and gone to Northeast we would have been in the same homeroom!

Mimi...How are you?! Hedy Goldberg lives in Reston, Virginia. She is married to a guy she met while we were at Penn State. She has twin sons who are about 27 years old. I run into her every once in a while. She is a speech therapist. My favorite memory of you is from Wilson. We were in the same 9th gr. French class with Mrs. McKinney(I think that was her name). We were learning by the Chilton method which didn't have any books, just total immersion in the language. I stunk at it. You sat in back of me and one time the teacher pointed at you to answer a question as to what a phrase meant. You looked at her with a "deer in the headlights look" and very calmly answered, "I don't know...maybe it means Cockymun!" Only those of us who were "members of the tribe" got it and burst into hysterics. It is still one of the funniest answers I have ever heard a student give!

I remember having to bring in milk money in Kindergarten. Does anyone remember the Reisman pretzel box sales at J Hampton Moore?

From: sbravman@verizon.net
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 8:06:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 4 - Elementary School Memories part 6

Thank you everyone for bringing back such happy memories of pink pianos, Japanese shows (I still remember that sakura means cherry tree in Japanese), picnics at Pennypack park, the Cavalier and so much more. I was on Happy the Clown and he pushed me down the slide because I talked too much. I also went to the Big Top show, which is very Topical since Ed McMahon died this week, and he was one of the clowns.

I also remember Miss Ronaghan took us to the shubert to see the Sound of Music. This has brought me a life long love of Broadway musicals. So our elementary school teachers had a big impact on our lives.

In an earlier post, someone asked about the Crest Club. that was when we went to an elementary school to tutor some disadvantaged kids after school.

As for the day Kennedy was shot, they never made an announcement at Wilson. We found out when we were walking home from school and Paula Hoffman told me. That night I was over Ellen Sokolov's house and we watched Walter Cronkite all evening. It was such a stunning thing, especially since most of us has lined Castor avenue a few years before to see his motorcade when he was running for president. A few years ago, I went to the book depository museum in Dallas and it's hard to believe the Warren report.

Sandi (Dodek)Bravman

From: jrmpac@hotmail.com
To: ne69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 7:01:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: RE: 2 NE69 update - 6/23/09

HI All!
Since we were assigned teachers and tended to stay together at Moore, who else was in the following progression : 1st- Belle Labess, 2nd-Mrs. Fletcher, 3-Mrs. Hankin first(she left to have a baby), then--Mrs. Goleman (lady with the gold chalk holder and always wanted her pitcher to have fresh water-4th Miss Meyerowitz(who got married) (Who remembers anthracite and bituminous on our first spelling list for the year?).Who was the 5th grade teacher who was next in the progression? I can't remember her name.
I moved from 1206 Robbins St. (went to Carnell for kindergarten(Mrs. Zigerman)-Robert Charleston was in the class. I got in trouble walking home with him from school. He lived on the other side of Jardell. We had cousins--Yondorf's who found me.) to 1010 Brighton. Who remembers the Labess sisters? I was scarred for life by the one who taught 5th grade. Belle (taught first grade) and Sadie were their names. ( Belle became a principal.) I'm blanking on the name of the nice 5th grade teacher I had. I was a very happy camper until I gave a talk about Columbus in the beginning of 5th grade, in October for Columbus Day. I was even elected gym captain by the class. Then, I was transferred into Miss Labess' class. She was so pissed off that she got three additional students 6 weeks after the start of school...Sam Cohen (there were 2 Samuel Cohens-Sam and Sammy) was one, I was another and I think some one else was transferred too. It's sad when a kid can tell that a teacher doesn't enjoy having them in a class. Ms. Labess had a connection (?) with Morton Sonnenfeld, the teacher on the TV show...(Every day, on WHYY when it was only on for educational programs, )"Let's Speak Spanish." That in itself was very progressive for the 1960's. Everyone in the class was doing great with their language skills. As the three of the transferred students were not given time to catch up, it was very difficult to learn. But I must say that the Spanish I learned in 5th and 6th grades was one of the best experiences a kid can have.(Mrs. Pincus, who's son was in the Peace corp, was our 6th grade teacher.) Joel Gibbs was the star of the class with his Jerry Mahoney puppett. When I was going to Temple U. and I'd pass Moore on my way to and from school. I was so tempted to stop by to tell her how I continued to think about the way she treated a transferred student but I never did. She probably wouldn't have remembered me anyway.
As for the day Kennedy died, Linda Weiss ran into Wilson's gym locker room saying that "Kenny got shot!" (We had a kid in our class named Kenny and I could not imagine how he would have gotten shot.) I remember asking Merle Gay, "Did she say Kenny?" Linda calmed down and said KENNEDY! It was after lunch. I can't remember if the school was dismissed early.Then Lisa Black, Merle and I walked back to Merle's house on Englewood St (Jeffrey Weiner also lived on the same block)and watched Walter Cronkite cry.
Does anyone have the graduation picture of OCJCC's preschool class of 56 or 57 that they could scan and share? We are wearing pillow cases. I know Jeffrey Weiner is in that picture as well. I think Eileen Rudnick (Sugy)is in that one too.
Hey Pete, do you remember how our 7-10 advisory used to torture a substitute teacher(Mrs. Loftus) for Mrs. Twer? Bic Pens and spit balls.
What was the name of the teacher who looked like Walter Mathau's grandfather? We used to bounce rubber stoppers in his room when he turned around to write something on the board.
We were bad.
Does anyone remember when Barry Dankin and another kid played piano and sang, "Louie Louie" on stage in the auditorium at Wilson?
By the way, my family and I just returned from Alaska where we saw the same desks we sat at at Wilson in the Alaskan Heritage Museum...My kids were amazed! They are antiques now! I told them about the gum that was stuck beneath the desk shelves.
Enough from me! Hope to see you all in October.
Janet Rigberg Mayes

From: peaceful97@comcast.net
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 12:14:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 3 NE69 update - 6/23/09

Hi all, from Marlene (Abrams) Rosen,
I remember being in 5th grade @ Solis Cohen in Mr. Bolton's class when the news was announced over that little box in the upper corner (around the classroom door) that the president was assassinated. I'll never forget the look on Mr. Bolton's face. I sat on the front row. Anyone out there remember Mr. Bolton?
Also, is anyone out there that remembers "Camp Hiawatha" and "Camp Council"? Can anyone share some memories from there? I remember being buddies with Joan Sosnov and Rhonda Herring. (Where are you both?) Did I hear about some kind of 'reunion' from these camps? I still remember the "bug juice" served at both camps...I think I remember them serving it both before the day started and before our bus ride home..It was purple..Any feedback would be great!
PS: I also have great memories of "May Day", that silly pole out on the front lawn of Solis Cohen with the pretty streamers tied at the top, with kids holding each ribbon and dancing around the pole to some kind of music! The stencils of "snowmen' and 'winter scenes' that covered the assembly room windows in December and January are still a comforting memory for me...Oh..and those heavy "velvet curtains"...
David Holtzman..Do I remember you @ Hussian School of Art?
take care all,
Marlene

From: cary819@hotmail.com (Caryn Leader)
To: ne69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 11:56:13 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: RE: 1 NE69 update - 6/23/09

I was in 7th grade at Wilson when JFK was shot. Walking home some kids were joking around that the president was shot, "yeah, Lincoln" somebody said. But when I got home my brother-in-law was sitting in the rocking chair my mother had (since she had a bad back, just like JFK) and I asked him if he had heard anything. He turned on the TV and after it warmed up (remember that) Walter Cronkite was on saying that President Johnson would be sworn in as soon as possible. We were stunned and called upstairs to my mother and sister (she just had a baby) and they started to cry. Of course, my nephew started crying too.

Toby I remember you so well from grade school. And also Miss Ronaghan's shows -- didn't we have fun. And who could imagine a bunch of Jewish kids (mostly) singing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". Does anyone remember the trip we took to see a show at the Schubert Theatre. I think it was "The Sound of Music". Boy, those were the days!

From: notification+m2snsqga@facebookmail.com
Reply-to: noreply@facebookmail.com
To: pete013@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 6:48:25 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Merle Abramowitz Steinberg made a comment about your link...

Merle made a comment about your link:

"Just remember in 5th grade 60 Jewish kids dressed in green dancing for St. Patricks day..."

From: notification+m2snsqga@facebookmail.com
Reply-to: noreply@facebookmail.com
To: pete013@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 6:52:12 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Marcie Goldman made a comment about your link...

Marcie made a comment about your link:

"I was walking home from school and Tillie Rubin (Lynn Rubin's) Mom was our crossing guard at the corner of Bustleton and Princeton Aves. She told me as I was walking across the street toward home. Hi! to Everyone and I'll see you all in October."

From: notification+m2snsqga@facebookmail.com
Reply-to: noreply@facebookmail.com
To: pete013@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 7:49:43 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Elaine Soloff Lanick made a comment about your link...

Elaine made a comment about your link:

"Hi everyone from class of 128 I went to Solis Cohen and now work there for the past 10 tears, what a walk down memory lane...........Hope to see everyone in October"

From: notification+m2snsqga@facebookmail.com
Reply-to: noreply@facebookmail.com
To: pete013@aol.com
Sent: 6/24/2009 12:25:10 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Rob Krumm made a comment about your link...

Rob made a comment about your link:

"Nacy, you and I were together for Mrs Myers and Mrs Peterson. I ran into Mrs Peterson about 1975 - she was the principal where a girlfreind of mine, Joyce Millamn, was working. I seem to recall that Mrs Wilson was from the South and that she was in charge of singing in the assembly. I remember she has all the Jews sing "swing Low Sweet Chariot". I had Msr Graham in second grade I think. I think I was also in Mrs Agin - did she have dark hair?. She hate me."

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From: notification+m2snsqga@facebookmail.com
Reply-to: noreply@facebookmail.com
To: pete013@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 11:22:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Merle Abramowitz Steinberg made a comment about your link...

Merle made a comment about your link:

"Love the blog... I was a Moore, Wilson and NE girl. I remember so many of you who have blogged in... hope you are all well and I look forward to seeing you in October."

From: Lndrn1951
To: Pete013
Sent: 6/23/2009 11:37:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Spruance 1st grade

Top row Left to right. Michael Weiss, Tom Gentekos, Mark R. ? Gerald Breyer, Sheldon Segal, Edwin Cohen, Mark Sheinson, Mitchell Gerson, Harvey Rubin

2nd row, ?Mark Segal, Craig? . Steven Parris? Ronnie Berenbaum, Donna Westle, Phyllis Goldstein, Nancy Kauderer, Madeline? Bill Goldman, Bob Silverstein, Ted Kimmelman

Bottom Row, Robin? Bobbie Shaffer, Berna Eisenberg, Benita Singer, Nina ? Louise? , Meryl Fisher, Helene Weinraub, Harriet Miles, Evelyn Servetnick, Bottom row, Skippy Morse in the middle.....

Please correct me if I'm wrong..It's been a long time...

Donna Westle Batterman

From: Lndrn1951
To: NE69news
Sent: 6/23/2009 10:52:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Elementary School Memories

I was a Spruance /Fels kid and remember like it was yesterday 11/22/63. A Friday afternoon, getting out early from class, taking the bus home & finding my mom crying on the phone with my aunt. My history teacher,Mr. Gottlieb, gave us an assignment which did not make my father happy. We had to make a scrapbook of the events of the assassination. My dad didn't want to destroy the newspapers so he said he would do this assignment for me to make sure it was done correctly. I certainly didn't argue & I got an A. Beth Emeth Synagogue had a special memorial service that we all went to on Sunday & then came home to watch Lee Harvey Oswald got shot by Jack Ruby. Spruance Favorite memories was being scared of the Witches Corner at Spruance..Having Mrs Myers for my 4th grade teacher & not writing well enough for her to let me be a member of the "PEN Club"..Bringing Milk Money in ..Definitely Banking Day. Selling Pretzels to raise money. Going to the neighborhood Center for after school activities. Max Myers swimming classes. ..I have found my Kindegarten/1st grade class pictures & will try to figure out how to scan them and send them. By the way, my daughter is a teacher at JHMoore now for a few years. In September she will be in Rm 217 in the old building for those of you who remember that room. I find it very cool that my "Baby girl" is now teaching with old classmates of mine who also teach there ..I keep in touch with Adrienne Pearl and we are both getting blast from this whole thing.

Donna Westle Batterman

From: csopenoff@msn.com
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 9:04:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 1 NE69 update - 6/23/09

More memories of Fels.! I had Mrs. Likach for French. I still think of her saying d'accord! C'est sa. & more idioms that I probably wouldn't spell correctly.

I also had Mr. Norsoph. I remember a young male English teacher who was good. I'm not sure of his name. Mr. Fine? He had damage from polio. I think he used Canadian crutches. Miss Swart was a good American History teacher. She was young.

I also went to Golden Slipper & Camp Council. I was young at Golden Slipper so I didn't remember anyone. I receive e-mail from them but I don't have a connection. I'm not on a Camp Council list. I have a lot of memories from Camp Council.

Cyndi

From: llederer49@comcast.net
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 8:28:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 3 - Elementary School Memories part 6

I was in the Wilson locker room getting my coat when I got into an argument followed by a fight with Tommy Sherer.

Leon Lederer

From: mfpastor@live.com
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 7:01:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 4 - Elementary School Memories part 6

Does anyone remember the Gilbert Spruance School Song?

Hail Gilbert Spruance, all honor to thee

We'll sing thy praises with hearts of loyalty

We'll e'er remember and ne'er forget thy rule

Virtue and brotherhood dear Spruance School

I'm not too sure of the bridge to the song:

We'll sing thy praises and proudly sing (or praise) thy name

Virtue and brotherhood will be ............

We'll e'er remember and ne'er forget thy rule

Virtue and brotherhood dear Spruance School

From: hareres@hotmail.com
To: ne69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 6:58:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: RE: 2 - Elementary School Memories part 6

Susan Hoffman, I can't believe I found you. I remember hanging out at each others houses all the time and
having fun just goofing off in school. How is your sister? I would like to talk to you. You even remembered my nickname.

Paula Hoffman.Gibson.

From: Karedlon
To: NE69news
Sent: 6/23/2009 6:29:50 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 3 NE69 update - 6/23/09

All of the memories about the JFK assasination triggered a related memory. In the middle of the Cuban missle crisis, one day at recess, I recall Thomas Homa telling me in a very serious manner that there would be a nuclear war between Russia and the U.S. I found that a rather astounding idea and quite unbelievable. In addition it was a very unnerving experience because Tom was a very serious fellow who
seemed to know what he was talking about. Mr. Bolten in tears...I never had him as a teacher but the image of this very tough fellow crying, it was incomprehensible. Mrs. Stott, a great teacher but very intimidating. I remember she would read out the grades for the entire class vis-a-vis their performance in math tests. I thought that was cruel.

Ed Moses

From: eileenjy@gmail.com
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 6:02:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 5 NE69 update - 6/23/09

Crest Club (I think) was a tutoring club to assist classmates. I was a member and think I did some tutoring. I think...

Eileen Masover

From: Nancyd2233
To: Pete013, NE69news
Sent: 6/23/2009 5:50:30 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: teachers at Spruance

Does anyone remember these teachers that I had at Spruance?

Kindergarten Mrs. Miller
First Grade Mrs. Kramer
Second Grade Mrs. Wilson
3A Mrs. Agin (her husband was the principal)
3B Mrs. Prone
Fourth Grade Mrs. Myers
5th & 6th Mrs. Peterson

Also, do any girls remember our club, Gamma Sigma Delta, which met every Saturday?

Nancy Kauderer Davis

From: arf@mdrealtycorp.com
To: NE69news@aol.com
Sent: 6/23/2009 5:43:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: 1 NE69 update - 6/23/09

Bette,

Thanks for letting me know I forgot to include my name. Sorry........

Alan Friedman

Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill.

Posted by ne69news at 11:46 PM EDT

Updated: 06/29/2009 7:37 PM EDT

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