The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 141

Lots of Photos
March 14, 2024

Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,

Welcome to The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 141.

According to Substack, in the first 24 hours after publication, Newsletter # 140 was viewed 3,478 times, was “liked” 14 times, and received two comments. In all, 4,744 email addresses received Newsletter # 140.

All underlined text is a link-to-a-link (or, occasionally, an email address). Clicking anywhere on underlined text, and then clicking on the link that pops up, will get you to your on-line destination (or address an email).

The Usual Words of Wisdom

Thanks to our fabulous Webmaster, Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963), you can regale yourself with the first 140 Newsletters (and much other Wheatley data and arcana) at

Wheatley School Alumni Association Website

Also, thanks to Keith is our search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or phrase and, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous Newsletters and other on-site material. I use it frequently; it works usually!

I edit all submissions, even material in quotes, for clarity and concision, without any indication thereof. I cannot and do not vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me, as TWSAA does not have a fact-checking department.

We welcome any and all text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, and/or studied there. Art Engoron, Class of 1967

‘Hood History

Phipps Estates

Writes Carol Jalonack Blum (1961) - “Jeff Orling (1965) writes that the Phipps Estate was near the ‘S’ Section. I believe Jeff is referring to Clark Botanic Gardens, which is just north of I.U. Willets Road. There were two Phipps Estates. One became Old Westbury Gardens, which is close to the other end of I.U. Willets Road, nowhere near the ’S’ Section. The other was off of Red Ground Road in Old Westbury. It is now called Spring Hills Gardens and has been broken up and built on. One of its borders was Hastings Lane (now Hastings Road). They had a horse pasture there. My family lived on Meadowbrook Lane, which was one block long, and ran between Hastings and Kings Drive. Alice Schwartz (1961), Linda Cunningham (1961), and I knew Cynthia "Cinny” Phipps. Alice sometimes rode their horses. We had a number of adventures involving the Phipps estates. I'm sure the statute of limitations has long since run, but I'll leave those stories for another time and place.

That strip mall by the LIE was the Westwood Shopping Center. If we ended up on the late bus from Wheatley, that's where it let us off. We would have to walk the mile or so along the North Service Road and end up at Red Ground Road, where we turned North to Kings Drive.”

Clark Botanic Garden

From Wikipedia.

Type Botanical garden and park Location. Roslyn Heights, New York, Area 12 acres Owned by Town of North Hempstead

Clark Botanic Garden is a 12-acre botanical garden and park located in Roslyn Heights, in Nassau County

The garden, designed by noted garden designer Alice Recknagel Ireys,^[1] was established in 1969 on the former estate of Grenville Clark, a noted attorney, author, and advisor to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 1966, Clark donated his home to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The site now contains approximately 5,000 species of plants, with over 1,000 labeled trees, shrubs, and garden plants arranged in 12 specialty gardens. Collections include native wildflowers, conifers, roses, perennials, daylilies, wetland plants, rock garden plants, herbs, butterfly plants, and medicinal plants.

Athletics and Athletes

First Row - L-R - Charlie Shapiro (with open collar) (1958), Ronald Forman (wearing white pants) (1958), Betsy Shapiro Sasso (1965), Sue Seigel (non-Wheatley), Helen Kritzler (1960), Jeff Philipson’s first wife (non-Wheatley); Jeff Philipson (1958)

Second Row - L-R - Brian Sirota (1958), Julien Hennefeld (1958), Steve Perlin (1958), Rus Karaviotis (non-Wheatley), Alan Gordan (briefly Wheatley 1959), Eddie Kritzler (1958), Kenny Harris (non-Wheatley), Judy Schatzow (non-Wheatley)

Pure Left to Right - Charlie Shapiro (1958), Brian Sirota (1958), Ronald Forman (1958), Julien Hennefeld (1958), Betsy Shapiro Sasso (1965), Sue Seigel (non-Wheatley), Steve Perlin (1958), Rus Karaviotis (non-Wheatley), Helen Kritzler (1960), Alan Gordan (briefly Wheatley 1959), Eddie Kritzler (1958), Kenny Harris (non-Wheatley), Jeff Philipson’s first wife (non-Wheatley), Jeff Philipson (1958), Judy Shatzow (non-Wheatley)

Writes Matt Sanzone (1959) - “The photograph of the Class of 1958 is wonderful. There is, however, one mystery person, and that person is Alan Gordon. Contrary to what is noted in the photo, Alan attended Wheatley at least one year. Russ Karaviotis was a Mineola HS guy, and Kenny Harris was, I believe, a Roslyn HS guy, but “AG,” as Alan was called, was a Wheatley guy for at least one year. He is listed as a member of the Class of 1959 in Aurora 1958. He was on the 8-0 football team, and I will share with you this funny story. At the Plainview game, which was very one-sided, coach Davis sent Alan into the game. He was so excited to get into his first football game that he ran out onto the field forgetting to wear his helmet. Coach Davis called him back, handed him his helmet, and he joined the team! He was also a member of the great Larry Nagler led championship basketball team. He signed my yearbook, adding this cryptic note: “Maybe I’ll see you next year.” I didn’t, and there is no mention of him in Aurora 1959. Perhaps some sleuthing of the official records in needed.”

Graduates

L-R - Ken Martin (1960), Ken’s Wife Cheryle, Mitch’s wife Donna, Mitch Shapiro (1970)

Writes Donna - “Mitch and I visited with Ken and Cheryle Martin while down here in Florida, and they took us out for lunch. My husband and I enjoyed great conversation with two very kind and amazing people.”

Writes Mitch - “It's great to have the chance to reminisce about our years at Wheatley and then to catch up 50 years later and marvel at all that has been accomplished among us."

1964 - Second Notice - A graduate would like to know if anyone plans to organize a 60th-Year reunion. Will anyone step up to the plate? If so, contact Art.

“Arthur F. Engoron” - Wheatley Red Sweatshirt by Aarushi Jain, Class of 2021

1967 - Art Engoron - Outside 60 Centre Street with Former Law Clerk (Now Judge) 3/13/2024

1967 - Jill Simon Forte - “Jeffrey Orling’s (1965) memories were also a big part of my childhood. One was ‘SuperDrug‘ in the place we called ‘Across the Tracks.’ That was practically around the corner from where my family lived on Stirrup Lane. I was so excited when I became old enough to walk there by myself.”

1967 - Benjamin Ross, Mitchell Stephens, Arthur Engoron - Up Against the Wall

1968 - Eva Resnicow - Writes Richard Cohen (1965) - “What a great photo of Eva Resnicow with Art?! I remember Eva’s mother well and think about her often. The resemblance is uncanny! I’m still in touch with her brother Norman, Ron Judkoff, and Ike Evans. Still crazy after all these years.”

1969 - Jill Wattel Stockinger - “Dear Art, I had a poem published recently in a small anthology dedicated to the life of Audre Lorde (1934-1992), titled REMEMBERING AUDRE LORDE, available at www.moonstoneartscenter.org.

1971 - Yearbook for Sale - Writes John Hughes (1981) - “I am selling a 1971 Wheatley Yearbook. I paid $25 for it and would gladly sell it for the same and ship it. I am from the Class of 1981 but stumbled upon it and found it interesting. It is in good condition, with only some writing on the last couple of pages. If someone is interested, they can email me at celticson32@gmail.com. I will send it to the first person that emails me.”

1971 - Samir Touhamy - Writes Danny Reich (1971) - Samir was a very sweet, warm, bright, insightful guy. He played in the sockey games we still play the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year. Many of us in the Class of 1971 will miss him.”

1976 - Michele Finger Young - "I am sad to report that my twin sister, Roberta, passed away of Covid. She was a wonderful support to me my whole life and brought joy, laughter and love to all lucky enough to know her. She is deeply missed.

On a separate note, I have brought together an extraordinary team of doctors and leaders to accelerate the development of vaccines to end breast cancer. It would be truly love if Wheatley alumni with our shared history came together to help end breast cancer. It would be an extraordinary way of coming together years later and in such a good way: Pink Eraser Project.org. Please join me.

'A cancer survivor asking for change': Meet USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree from Ohio

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After beating her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis, Cincinnati attorney Michele Young is determined to put an end...

Writes Claudia - “I just released a single, All Roads, and I am going to be releasing new ones every few months; and then a full album down the road.

Writes Art - “You may have to click several times in different places, and “skip ad,” but it’s worth it, as the song is beautiful and moving. Congrats, Claudia”

Fan Mail

1958 (Barbara Newman) - “Another great issue, Art. I especially loved the wonderful photograph of my 1958 classmates (and other). It brought back many great memories and much affection for my pictured classmates.”

1979 (Laura Abrams Emert) - “Hi Art, I want you to know how much I enjoy reading the Newsletter; it is so well executed. I can’t believe how time flies, I remember high school as though it was yesterday!”

1981 (John Hughes) - “I thank you and Keith for all you do. It's a pleasure to read the Newsletter.”

Closing

That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 141. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.