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Russell Flammia

Thank you Mike for posting the 9/11 reminder. It's hard to believe, but millions of Americans weren't born when the 9/11 attacks occurred.  If we forget history, it is more likely to repeat itself.

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Well said by "The History Teacher," Russell !  

Let us never forget 9/11 and "All the Brave Men and

Women who were there when it happened: The Victims,

the Firefighters, the Helpers, etc."

We hope incidents like that never happen again!

Allan Forman

Unfortunately Russell we do remember history and we still repeat it anyway. War after war after war. Humans seem to delude themselves about what the outcome will be. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Alan, I always wonder what would happen if representatives of all the Nations of the world got together and "agreed to put an end to War," as the song says.  The United Nations was created for that purpose, but apparently, nobody listens.  There is a new generation of idealistic young people just like we were 60-70      years ago!  How do we get rid of all those who profit off of War?

I keep remembering the quote by Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of Evil is for good men to  do nothing!"

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy New Year to all my Jewish Classmates!   We wish for you a Year full of Hope & Good Health!

Cecile Reynolds (Myers)

So sorry to hear that your sister, Sandra, passed away.  My thoughts and prayers, Sue.

Melvin Katz

Sue:

I am glad we connected on line these past few days. You have been and are a dear friend of ours and we are saddened by your loss.

Barry Steinberg

Dear, Sue,
I just read about Sandra and it was really sad news! I'm so sorry! I hope that her passing was painless and I hope that you will be blessed with the fondest of memories especially some of those from our fun times on Cary Street! Thinking of you and praying that your your coming days will continue to get easier! All my love!

Carolyn (Kay) Grinnan (Drinard)

Dear Sue,
Dan and I were so saddened to hear of the death of your sister. The Antonicks
have indeed had a rough year. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers

and we hope you find comfort in the wonderful memories you have of her. 
With love,

Kay and Dan Grinnan

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Hello Again, my Friends!  We have been rushing along through Fall and I was happy to hear from Penny     Wilson   and Lois Pollard, just one State away in California. Maybe we should schedule the next Reunion in    the Southwest, "for a change of scene!"

Just finished my latest online course on "The Museum!"  It was fascinating!  I finally found a topic for my Term Paper in "the-next-to-the-last-chapter" of my textbook, and spent the rest of the 7-week quarter researching all the "Multicultural Museums" that have sprung up in Arizona.  The oldest one is "The Heard Museum of Native Anerican Art in Phoenix. We visited it last Thursday & they have a brand new Exhibit of Modern Art Installations that are mind-boggling Sculptures, Videos, Photography, and Paintings!  There's also the Northern Arizona Museum in Flagstaff, with gorgeous Handmade Native Blankets, and a similar Museum in Tucson, featuring Native Blankets, Jewelry, and Paintings.  Next are two Latino Art Centers in rennovated buildings in Phoenix and Tucson, with a 3rd starting in San Luis, on the Border. We also have a Jewish Museum in Phoenix, and    the George Washington Carver Museum for Afro-Americans, as well. The "Universal" Phoenix Art Museum is sponsoring another "Asian Art Exhibit" (2nd time since 5 years ago), but apparently, the multi-cultural  Museums are now "standing on their own!"

My new Course is about "18th & 19th Century European Jewelry," and it is the only one of its  kind.  It just started today, but the first assignment was posted online on Saturday night, so I was "ahead," for a change, instead of "behind!"  I am looking at photos of Antique Jewelry and memorizing French words for the second time since my college days!   (This keeps my brain busy so I don't get too flaky!)

Hope the cool weather you are probably having there will float out this way soon!  Although pumpkins are probably available, our tree leaves do NOT turn bright colors, and the temperature is still in the 80's and 90's!  (At least that's down from 110-120!)

Happy Fall !

Mar--

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Kudos to you, Russell, for replacing the plexiglas on the sign for Tee Jay!

I know ALL About Plexiglas!

After one of my Art Exhibits in 2006, I packed up my car, and found carved-up plexiglass

     on about 35 framed Art Prints we had displayed, 16" x 20".

I had to replace ALL the plexiglas!

This shows a very destructive young generation that needs some limit-setting!

I remember calling the Graffiti Hotline & giving them the damaged sheets of Plexiglas!

You can also report an act of vandalism to the Police. 

Russell Flammia

Thanks Marilyn, you're correct some in the younger generation need to grow up. The damage was reported to the police and Rick Pleasants, one of the guys helping with the replacement is a retired police officer who has contacted  the police precinct neareast TJ asking them to make more reequent patrols by the school. I hope we don't have to do this again. But if it's damaged we'll fix it. 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Russell, you are an amazing watchdog!

Tee Jay is lucky to have you as a supporter! 

Mike Floyd

Once again, we gather. Many of us, classmates and spouses, came together at Hollywood Cemetery today for a beautiful graveside service to remember and honor our special high school and forever friend, Billy. Sadly, most of us had not seen each other or been together since pre-covid, though there were many phone conversations with Billy and with each other. As much as we all wanted and needed to greet, hug, and comfort one another, we physically could not. Rest in peace, dear Billy. We will miss you. 💙💙<>>

Harriette & Mike Floyd

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

That's beautiful, Mike!  Well said.  I am sorry I live so far away.  I didn't know Billy well, but I will not forget his kindness to me on that one special occasion. Events like this only bring members of our class closer together.

The next TJ Reunion seems very far away!

Be well, everybody!

Belle Landrum

Dear Mike,  Thank you for writing about the funeral today.  It was a lovely service, one that Billy well deserved.  It was so comforting to see all of our Thomas Jefferson and Westhampton classmate there..  May the warmth of that service stay with us over the next days and months.

Melvin Katz

I certainly echo the comments made by Mike and commented on by many. Yesterday we all gathered in solumn on a hill at Hollywood cemetery, I thought the service was very fitting of Billy by the Priest and as he spoke my mind seemed to wonder back to just a few weeks ago when Billy and I last spoke. The memories of our friend and classmate will alsways be with us.FOREVER

Mary Draney (Murray)

I am in Missouri with my grandchildren, so very much appreciate the posts, all together in spirit. Truly may he rest in peace.

Russell Flammia

As Jackie & I left to attend Billy's funeral, she said let's listen to some of Billy's music & tuned in to Pandora Carolina Beach music on her phone. The very first song they played was 'My Girl' Billy's favorite song and the name of a boat he once owned! The second song was 'Stand by Me' which is exactly what happend to Billy during the past several months.  People stood by him.  As Jimmie, Mike & Melvin said, Billy's classmates were there in numbers,  as a matter of fact I counted 18 that bid him farewell.  God speed our friend.

Jo-Ann Olkowski

I didn't dance at Tantilla, either but I do remember it.  I only vaguely remember the Wigwam but never went there either.  I was able to roller skate at the arena once in awhile and on rare occasions when I had a date there was all the cruising at the various bar-b-ques - Bill's, Shoneys, etc.  I do remember that Shoneys had great strawberry shortcakes/pies.

Russell Flammia

      Hi classmates, today is Thanksgiving--and I have a lot to be thankful for--family, a wife and two wonderful children, a 14 year old grandaughter, wonderful parents who gave my brother and I a home, not just a house, but a home,  bountiful amounts of food, classmates I met at Tee Jay who became lifelong friends, and certainly  our veterans and their families. Thanksgiving, a time to be grateful.

Melvin Katz

I would be very remiss if I did not echo my great friend, Russell's message. Often when I tell freinds how we have all stayed together since High School, they looked amazed that we have, Yes, we had and have a very unique class that all came together at TJ all thise many years ago. I feel very fortunate that in my life, I have been able to sustain such wonderful friendships and GIVE THANKS for what we all have.

Bob Bayliss

Like Russell and Melvin, I am especially thankful for having attended such a special school with great people, many of whom I still call good friends. Lots of different memories including sports, operettas, and even the sound of pennies rolling into the metal chair legs in the study halls held in the auditorium.

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Well, I think it's time for us "girls" to chime in!  So here goes -- not that I have a different point of view when it comes to Tee Jay and our mutual high school experience.  Those three years, start to finish, were extraordinary on every level -- academics to social life and everything in between (sports, choir, commitees, drama, student government, etc.). AND the very fact that so many of us have stayed connected over the course of almost 60 years (!) speaks to just that.  Thank you Mike and thank you Russell for providing all of us with a way to keep those wonderful high school years alive!  

Russell Flammia

Thank you for your kind words Sally. The various things that have been done to keep our class together has had the positive reinforcement and encouragement of many of the ladies in our class too!  Our class is blessed.