Bios' and Comments...

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12/1/2008 8:36 PM

from Jim Weisman:

thought it was a great reunion. Thanks to all of you for your hard work.

12/1/2008 3:49 PM

From Gary Stein:
Hi Bet, Joyce, Jimmy and John,

I have been a bit tied up lately and moving at mach 3, but I did want to thank you. The reunion was terrific. It is wonderful to see all those from our youth. Sad that some class mates did not come, and snapped to reality by the necrology.

We grew up with Ozzie and Harriet, before credit cards, before men walked on the moon, and before electric blankets and air conditioners, before fuel shortages, designer jeans, penicillin, pacemakers, and dental implants. We bot 5ct and 10ct stuff at the five and dime store, went to the double feature at the Manor, ate hot dogs at the Hot Puppie Shop followed by a skyscraper rainbow cone at Isalys. Polio inoculations, Xerox and the computer were not yet here. We thot we needed to be married to have a baby. Stem cell research is here now, but wasn't then. On the weekend ,most of us could be found at Y.

But, our parents fresh from memories of WW11, or immigration from eastern Europe motivated, us to be the best that we could be. They always thot that we should go to college, and then on, and most of us did. They wanted us to do better than they did , and we complied. They gave us hope, and they gave us the opportunity to make friends in a friendly neighborhood, and as we moved on to TAHS and those friendships continued. Thanks for bringing us all together again.

A tribute to our class is how meaningful the reunion was, and this is measured by the distance that so many traveled to participate.

Please pass this email on to the others on the committee. Unfortunately, somehow, I lost the prepared booklet-handout of the class members. If there is an extra around, please send it to me.

If you guys are ever passing through Connecticut, please call and visit.. We are three minutes off the Merritt Parkway.

For the future, I wish all good health and your extentions.. At our age there is nothing else, and life is just a game

Gary ( and Sissy).
203-325-8897

11/19/2008 12:43 PM

dear essie,

just a note to thank you and the entire reunion committee for a very good weekend. norman and i are both so glad that we were able to attend (special thanks to carole wolsh for that). it was fun to see old friends and relive some of the good(?) old days.

nancy friedman (karp)

Box 1293
Chautauqua, NY 14722
716-753-2473
716-969-4744 cell
nancynormk@yahoo.com

11/17/2008 7:01 PM

It's so much fun reading everyone's comments. And pictures are great. It would be wonderful to see everyone's High School graduation picture next to a current one.

I was just in Pittsburgh to visit my three sons, Edward, Joseph and David Serbin.

In fact Joe lives in our house on Ridgeville Street in Squirrel Hill.

Ed is 48, Joe is 44, and David is 42. Way too old for someone as young as myself. Just kidding. There are three wives and 7 grandchildren, all brilliant, talented, gorgeous/handsome, etc.: ages: 12,12,11,10,9,5 and 3. Ed has 2 girls: Tulip and Mollie, Joe has two boys Jacob and Michael, and David has Isabelle, Hilary and Isaac.

I almost made to this year's Reunion, but I had to go back to Mill Valley, CA to vote for Obama.

Still working as a Consultant for Non profits in the areas of Board Development, Human Resources, Mentoring and Organizational Development, working part time. Love this work.

Love to hear from you all
Baillee Kleckner Serbin
415.383.6538 phone
baillee@serbin.net

11/15/2008 3:13 PM

From Gail Kruman Kamon

Esther,

At nearly 70, I am still working in the academics advising field at Penn State University. I enjoy my work and the people and students who keep me young.

My Husband, Eliezer Kamon is an Israeli Sabra who loves the green hills of PA and decided to stay 41 years ago. Our children are scattered on both coasts - on in SFBay area of Northern California, another in Southern California in Irvine, and the third in Arlington, MA. We have nice places to visit.

11/11/2008 9:24 AM

Joyce and Jim,

Before I tell you how great the reunion was, I will tellyou that my wife, obviously not a member of the class, thought it was great. I think we all know that reunions can be difficult for spouses, but in this instance the affair and the people overcame that for Ellen. She couldn't wait to tell our kids about it (and those of our 12 grandchildren who are old enough to understand what she was talking about).

You guys and the rest of the committee did a fantastic, first-rate job and deserve the highest commendations.

If I have any regrets, it's that the airlines messed up our travel plans, and we didn't get there in time for the Friday night gettogether, and we couldn't stay for brunch Sunday. But if you do it again in five years, we'll be there.

In the meantime, it was great fun seeing people again after so many years. I was even able to recognize some of them without reading the name tags. I just wish some others I would like to have seen had been there.

The one thing that was bothersome was the length of the "in memoriam" list. I mean there are people on that list I would like to have seen, including the classmate who was my first girl friend in elementary school. Before you ask, I will refrain from identifying her.

Anyway, thanks again for the great affair, and if it's not inappropriate I will conclude by inviting everyone (at least all of the baseball fans) to check out my Web site, murraychass.com. I created it in July after leaving The New York Times after 39 years.

Murray Chass

11/10/2008 7:35 PM

Thank you for going to all that trouble to bring us all together this past weekend. The reunion was one of the nicest parties I've ever been too. I'm sorry I didn't make it to the Friday night gathering, but as to Saturday: I loved the valet parking for starters. And the Concordia Club is a gorgeous place. That was new to me. Coat check, welcome table, easy-to-read name tags, bar, delicious hors'doeuvres, friendly faces everywhere, amusing photo session, quiet music in the background, delicious dinner at decorated tables, funny entertainment, good dance music, and a good 'program' to take home. (I hope I haven't left anything out) I had a wonderful time and I'm glad I made the trip - driving from babysitting in Boston Friday morning, and then back to CT Sunday after a VERY nice breakfast at Panera. I don't get to PIttsburgh very often any more, so it was great to be back

I think Marguerite Calcaterra and I were the only ones there from Mifflin School in Lincoln Place, I saw Doris Bain, Fran Lawson and Jacqueline Kostrub in 1988 when my twin brother Ray died. I haven't heard from one other member of that class of at least 40 or more students since 1956 (except Joyce Hall who was at the 39th reunion). I was glad to see their names and addresses on that list - so many of them in Pittsburgh. If there is a next time, I am offering my services to help try rounding them up.

Pat Todd (Frank)

Guilford, CT

11/4/2008 9:30 PM

All about J. Lynne Matsik (sheehy) Myers

After high school graduation, I was married to Patrick Sheehy; we had 2 daughters: 15 months and 4 months when Patrick was killed in an automobile accident.

Four years later I met my present husband through Loretta Cecere Kelly. We married and while he was in school I worked for Horne's for two years until I became pregnant. I left Horne's and along with Joan Johnson opened a shop in the railroad station in Edgewood. We entered Three Rivers Arts Festival, but our work did not make it.

When I was 8 months pregnant and my husband graduated from Pitt Dental School and we moved to Warren, PA. Chuck opened his practice, and we had three more girls and then a son, bringing our family total of children to 6.

I have always been very interested in the arts, especially when my children were in school, I stayed very involved in the arts program there, and then I got involved with PCB, and the dangers to our water supply. We met with the EPA, DER health officials. We succeeded in getting the PCB out of our area and did a total cleanup. next I represented the county at conferences on toxic waste problems, and approached the county commissions and convinced them that they needed me. I had my own department which had a health study, ground water study with USGS and also had to map out the black fly program. I worked for the county for 4 1/2 years until all the studies were completed and reported to the public. During this time, I was also Chairperson for the Michigan Art Train coming to Warren where we held a week-long celebration of the arts.

During this time I also attended classes at Pitt, Cornell and Goddard Colleges.

In 2005 our family home burned to the ground. It was a difficult time for us losing all of our family treasures that had much meaning to us, but in January 2996 we moved into our new home; we have 43 acres of land and stayed in Spring Creek. This was nothing compared to one of our daughters having a stroke, and another having colon cancer (she is now 10 years free of the disease), so we celebrate and live life and yes, I am 70 but truly feel like I'm in my 50's. It will be wonderful seeing all of you at our reunion.

11/4/2008 9:06 PM

From Melvin Ramey

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of California/Davis

EDUCATION: The Pennsylvania State University and Carnegie Mellon University..Degrees: B.S. , M.S, and Ph.d

Has taught at many prestigious colleges and universities including: Univ. of California/Davis, MIT, Carnegie Mellon University. Mostly, experience is at UC/Davis in both Academic/Professional and administrative. Also, holds membership in many professional societies.

Honors:

Honored as one of the "50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science"-Science Sprectrum Magazine (2004); College of Engineering Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award (2002); Black Engineer of the Year Award (1993); Honorary Member of the Golden Key National Honor Society (1992); Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (1987); Magnar Ronning Award for Teaching Excellence (1985); Inspiration Award presented by UC Davis Black students (1973); Outstanding Teacher (presented by the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers at UC Davis (1974); Outstanding Teacher at Large (presented by the students of the College of Engineering, UC Davis (1973)

Has published twelve + papers in his field.

Melvin can be reached via email at: mrramey@ucdavis.edu

11/4/2008 9:30 PM

From Ed Meszaros:

Background: After leaving high school, I joined the military and served 22 years on active duty. My career in the military took me to assignments and travel to numerous countries including Germany, England, Greece, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines and Malaya. It was a cultural experience and an education that I will never forget, and one you can not get from book.

While stationed on the island of Okinawa (Japan) in the late 50's, I met my wife who was in the Army and working at the US Army Hospital. We were married in October, 1960 and have four children (2 boys and 2 girls).

After retiring from the service we moved to Florida where I was employed by the McDonnell Douglas Corp. as a Product Support Specialist and later as Manager for International Marketing for 13 years. In 1991, I accepted a position as Director of International Marketing for a small Australian company and moved to Canberra, Australia for 3 years. Throughout my military and civilian careers, I lived in 8 countries and visited 32 other countries throughput Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Now fully retired, my wife and I are enjoying our grandchildren who live nearby, and I play golf a few times a week and still root for the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.

Please extend my best wishes to all of our classmates. My e-mail address, should anyone want to contact me is: elmeszaros37@earthlink.net.

10/30/2008 4:34 PM

From Jack Moss

After graduation from Allderdice, I attend Pitt for two years and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Pharmacy. Actually, my family moved to Pompano Beach as I was about to graduate from high school, but I stayed in Pittsburgh because my feet were frozen to Nicholson Street.

I practiced pharmacy for a while, and then was appointed Director of the Broward County (in Fort Lauderdale) Welfare Department, managing social services and the county medical clinics. This is getting too long ...

I was elected to the County Commission in Broward, served two terms, went into the travel business and owned one of the largest travel agencies in Florida, and wound up working for Governor Bush and now Governor Crist, responsible for public assistance and child welfare in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, with a staff of 1000 and budget of $300 million.

Along the way I got a Masters and Doctorate in Public Administration. My wife, Debbie, is a judge. We recently purchased a condo in Ecuador, where we expect to retire. Anyone interested ... just let us know.

10/29/2008 11:35 AM

Hi Essie from Barbara Solomon Rose:

Looking forward to another great weekend at our Reunion.

Shelly (Rose-class of 54) and I celebrated our 50th Anniversary June 1st. We have 3 children 48-48-43 and 6 grandchildren 21-20-18-18-12-10 Our three oldest grandchildren attend colleges in Florida. Two boys are Seminoles(Fl. State)and our granddaughter is a Gator(U.Fl). However, they are still very committed to the Steelers as well as all of the Roses. Our senior high guy is hoping to attend University of Florida too. Our youngest granddaughters are 7th and 5th grades.

We retired from our business in Greensburg over 20 years ago. We moved to Aventura and now live in Boca Raton, Florida and are very fortunate to have our children and grandchildren living very close to us. I have a real estate license, play golf, mah jongg and have been painting on canvas, glass and unique furniture pieces.

Philip H. Ruben D.D.S

A quick biographical note of me is the following: After Taylor Allderdice, I went to Pitt undergrad, Pitt Dental school, was in the Navy program and was in Vietnam '63 and '64, was the dentist for the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. Elaine Kessler, my girlfriend came from McKeesport, PA. She graduated from Chatham and came to Vietnam in 1964 where we were married. Later I did a Post graduate Prosthodontics at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, and I taught there for 30 years, and have been practicing Prosthodontics in the Beverly Hills area. I take care of and have taken care of many Hollywood celebrities (still practicing). I live in Beverly Hills, have two children: Jill who is an attorney, is married and has two little girls, lives in New York, Jason who is an E.R. Doctor in San Francisco.

My main hobby has been antique cars. I have carried it to the extreme and shipped a 1904 Oldsmobile for the London to Brighton run...some boys never change, just the toys do.

10/22/2008 8:12 PM

Ethel Schachter Zeilinger:

Graduated from Pitt with a degree in Speech and English, married in 1960 and moved to a Cleveland, OH suburb. Three sons all married with two children each = six grandchildren ranging in age from 18 to 4 years of age. Later I divorced, but now have a wonderful man in my life.

Worked as a career counselor, etc in Career Services Department at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, and retired in 1998.

Was and am still very active with the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce as a member of the Board of Directors, and chair various committes.

Work now part time at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospital Medical School.

10/22/2008 8:02 PM

From Nancy Friedman Karp:

Norman and I married in 1957 (going to be 52 years in February). We have three kids: Jordan, in Pittsburgh, Michael, in Pittsburgh, and Susan, in Ann Arbor, MI....and six grandchildren.

I worked as a substitute teacher and as a crime victim's advocate in the Armstrong County D.A's office. I attended Pitt, but graduated from Indiana University of PA; We have lived in Pittsburgh, Orlando, FL, Kittanning and now, since 1996, we live at Chautauqua Institution.

Some of the more interesting things in my life have been: a founder of the battered women's shelter and sexual assault survivors' program in Armstrong County, a naturalist at the Nature Conservancy's Bear Mountain Lodge in New Mexico, leader of weekly bird walks at Chautauqua for many years, and our travels often center around nature in general, and birding in specific and we often travel in our Winnebago motor home.

The Laramie Project was a "sea change" for Norman and me: In August 2001, I auditioned for and got a major part in "The Laramie Project" as part of the cast for the Chautauqua Theater Company,(Two community members were cast along with equity actors and the conservatory members to help show that hate crimes can happen anywhere, not just in Laramie.

10/22/2008 7:25 PM

From David Breakstone:

I an a college professor; writer/editor/consultant in Massachusets and the writer/editor of four books.

I've been married to the same woman for 40 years: two sons, age 33 and 27.

My pastimes include writing, reading, traveling and following the baseball adventures of Murray Chass.

10/22/2008 7:25 PM

From Judy Feldstein Smalley:

I'm thankful for having such a happy life and sharing it with my husband, Joel, a son and daughter and their terrific spouses, and sharing all my teaching skills with two grandsons now 7 and 5 years old.

We love traveling and spending time with friends old and new. I still think the class of '56 is the best!

10/22/2008 12:01 PM

Jae Brown-Jobb and Paposi-Jobb, Andor

We are hoping to make the Reunion Party on Saturday, November 8th. We’ll be in Pittsburgh for my husband’s Judo match in Wexford in the afternoon; so if he doesn’t break his neck, we’ll be there.

We live in Emlenton, Pennsylvania a pleasant small town on the Allegheny River in Venango County. I continue to pursue my pleasures – writing, photography and collecting. My husband, Andor, is a retired Professor of Fine Arts from Clarion University. We have been married for ten years, and amazed and pleased to have found one another.

Andor continues his lifetime commitments to painting and Judo. (See his Judo Greats at www.pajudo.com/judogreats .) He is a current, 2008, Pennsylvania, US and Worlds (WMJA) Judo champion. I write for a local newspaper – the Progress NEWS – a column entitled ‘Artists Among Us’ and enjoy web site design. Together we travel to various places in pursuit of judo/juisitsu events; and we work together for our local arts council – Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (www.alleghenyriverstone.org) located in Foxburg, PA

10/18/2008 3:18 PM

Sonia Winer Freedman:

I was married to my high school sweetheart, Stuart (55) for 44 years. I live in Farmington Hills, MI and have two children and four grandchildren

I spent several years as a professional model including runway modeling.

I developed a very successful manufacturing coropration with husband, Stuart, manufacturing women's jackets for all of the National TV soaps.

As CEO of the corporation, I travel world wide and often to Dallas, TX, Atlanta, GA, Las Vegas, NV, Chicago, Il and New York where my collections can be seen.

The Corporation was written up in Women's Wear Daily as one of the outstanding jacket resource in the country.

10/18/2008 3:12 PM

Alan Nathenson:

I have been married for 48 years to Marian Rosner, class of 1958, and have two: a son, daughter and 3 grandchildren.

I am President of Allied Optical Company and in the wholesale optical business for 50 years.

My hobbies are playing tennis and doing crossword puzzles.

10/18/2008 3:12 PM

Larry Keisling:

BS in Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1961; Masters in Urban Planning, Wayne State University 1966.

Seven years City of Detroit: Highway Engineering (2 years), City Planning (5 years)

32 1/2 years: Planning Director: City of Troy, Michigan. Married in 1965 to Betty: Three Children (Kristin, Brian and Laurie) and five grandchildren.

10/18/2008 3:12 PM

Henry (Hank) Solomon:

Married 1963, moved to Miami in 1973. Opened a homeowners & construction rental equipment company. Expanded company to include special events and party equipment rentals. The company has two locations and a central warehouse with a fleet of 10 -12 trucks.

After 35 years in business, the company was sold in July 2008. I enjoy my family, and we have also traveled extensively. It's been some life!

10/18/2008 3:12 PM

Marcia Rubinoff Rosenthal:

Continue to work in my own business as an art consult which means buying and selling art for corporate and private clients. Also, I am certified as a fine art appraiser. I do a lot with photography as an art form.

10/15/2008 10:07 PM

Hi Essie:

Over the last several years I have acguired horses as a hobby, and own and stable 4 of them in the Seven Springs area. I ride 2 to 3 times a week most of the year weather permitting. Bernie Weiss and I have ridden together over the years in Wyoming and Texas as well as here in Pa he also is a horse owner in California as well as once owning an outfitting company in Wyoming.

I would be interested in finding out from the class if anyone else shares this interest in horses.

Please distribute this note for me if possible

. …….Fred Schwartz………fred@tri-arc.com………412-287-3248 c/p

Date: 9/17/2008 4:31PM

From Jill Norwell.

Hi Essie and the rest of the gang,

I guess I was on the missing classmates list for a very long time, but now somehow I am back on the radar screen. I was happy to be contacted recently and invited to the upcoming reunion. I had hoped to be able to get there but it will be impossible for me to attend. Hopefully, I can make the next one. I was just in Pittsburgh in August to visit both my brother and sister who still live there.

For your information, I moved to Ottawa, Ontario Canada, in 1973 and lived there for 5 years. We then relocated to South Florida in 1978 and I am still living here in Delray Beach.

As I am going through the website, I have our graduation year book at my side with all of the farewell notes written next to the photos, and I must tell you that the nostalgic feeling that I am having is overwhelming. The website is great! Please keep me your mailing list.

My fondest regards to all,

Jill Fine Norwell
6304 LaSalle Rd
Delray Beach, FL 33484
e-mail address: norwellj@bellsouth.net

Date: 9/9/2008 10:44 PM

From Richard Zionts.

I would love to be able to attend the TAHS Reunion but have a wedding to perform on Sunday, November 9th and will be unable to come. To bring classmates up to date on me. I am the Founding and Presiding Rabbi of the Har-El institute for Study and Worship in the Reform Tradition, Member, Union for Reform Judaism, in Palm Desert California. I am also an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of the Desert, Palm Springs, CA in the Department of Philosophy and the California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) in Pomona, CA as an Adjunct in Philosophy and Religious Studies. I am Married to Lynda , and we have four children and eight grandchildren. We reside in Palm Springs, CA. I would appreciate classmates keeping in touch. My email is Mtzionts@aol.com.

Date: 9/5/2008 1:26 AM

Dear Rita and Essie,

The class of '56 website is great and since I can't attend the reunion I'm sending a photo to be added to the Classmates' Photos. I hope one of you is the correct person to receive this. Allderdice was a great school and I look back with many fond memories. The attached photo is of my husband Lou and me. Thanks and regards to the class of 1956.

Ruth Picovsky Klein

Date: 9/5/2008 12:15 AM

Hi Esther, how are you??????........I continue to work 5 days a week, but love my two jobs, and having fun.......teaching aqua fitness, floor, and chair exercise classes to seniors thru our Saddleback Jr. College Emeritus Classes.....2 - 50 min. classes each am......then I nanny a 10 yr. old from 2-6pm daily....... I am engaged, to a wonderful man named Carmine Voli who is a graphic designer, and we enjoy each other's company and travel together..............now for one of my high school memories......

There was a English Teacher by the name of Norman, can't remember his last name......I had a crush on him, along with my friends: Rita Calcaterra, Berring, and Pat Cunningham......after school or weekends, or at a pajama party......we would call his home. When he aswered or came to the phone, we took turns making the call, and would simply say,"OHHHHHH NORMAN!!!!!!!, hang up, and laugh ourselves sick ........we kept this up allllll semester.......went to class and sat there so smug, and feeling soooo cool, that we had this secret. Then it was the last day of class, where we had a class party with food, drinks, and records to dance by.......Normand came over , pulled me out of my seat to dance with me.......I was so scarred and nervous, my face flushed and I started to tremble and shake a little......I,m thinking, I cannot believe I am Dancing with my teacher! ......this is tooooo goooood to be true,.....!!!......then I panicked with fear, that some how he knew I had a crush on him ( I was the one who called and bugged him the most)............I would rather die, than for him to know the truth!!!!!!!!!!! Then he looks down into my eyes and smiles, and says, relax , what are you soooo uptight about? ( You see, I was so nervous, I was stiff as a board, and had a death grip on his hand!!!!! ......LOL) .. Then he whispered in my ear, "What would you like to say to me now?"......"Would it be, OHHHHHH NORMAN" !!!!!!!!......SO LIKE A FOOL, I SAY' SO YOU KNEW IT WAS ME?".......AND HE SAYS'" OH YES,....... BABY, ".......( mocking me) .at this point my face got beet red with embarrassment, , my heart was beating in my mouth, and I left the room mortified.......The wonderful secret was exciting and fun, but the reality of the truth, took alllll the fun out of it.......That cured me!!!!!!!

LOL

Rosemary Albrecht Swanson

Date: 9/5/2008 12:14 AM

From John Strauch

. My e-mail address is being changed from the one you had to a new one, which is johnstrauch@sbcglobal.net. Please note that, in addition to the obvious server change, the new address, unlike the old one, has no period between my first and last name.

As far as news is concerned, I have, as of last year, and, I am sure, like most other class members, retired. I was a senior partner in the law firm of Jones Day, with 2,250 attorneys in 16 offices in the United States and 16 offices in Europe and Asia. For the last 13 years of my tenure with the firm. I headed our litigation practice, which had, by the time I retired, grown to just under 1,100 lawyers throughout the world.. My wife, Gail, and I now split our time between our home on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and our home in a suburb east of Cleveland, Ohio.We have two surviving children, a son who practices law in North Carolina and a daughter who is a family therapist in eastern Pennsylvania, and three grandchildren.

Date: Feb-10-2008 16:27:40

Name: donald steele

Comments: I had a great time at the reunion. I am looking forward to seeing fellow class of 1956 students on Nov. 8th. I am keeping active, teaching and being socially active with various activities. My 5 children and 5 grandchlidren also keep me active. 5'11", weight 180lbs. Mother Nature has been good to me. Keep in touch!!!!

If you have questions or comments about this guestbook or website, send email to Esther Latterman Schwartz: essieschwartz@aol.com