Editor's comments: I hope that everyone enjoyed the July Newsletter. I didn't put it on the Web Site because I sent everyone a hard copy along with the complete member listing. I didn't want to put phone numbers and addresses on the Internet.. I had just completed printing out the July Newsletter on my computer when the computer died. It was getting old so I guess it needed a replacement. Luckily I had my data backed up on separate storage devices, so I didn't lose anything. Like "they" say, "It's not a matter IF your computer will die, but when." I hope that everyone checked their listing on the member list and sent me any corrections that were necessary. It has been brought to my attention that many of the wives listed in the mailing list do not have a maiden name which would help many remember the person by the name they had in high school. If you are one of these people, send me the information. Let me know if you have an e-mail address that is not listed on the Main Member List which I recently send to everyone. How do you like this two column format? I thought it might be  easier to read. Let me know.  Just yesterday I had to have a little surgery. It seems they found a small tumor on my bladder. So today I’m taking it easy and hope the soreness goes away. It’s amazing the way they can do surgery these days. Won’t know the results of the biopsy until next week. I guess I’m wearing out, just like my computer did. It comes with old age.

            Later on in this Newsletter there is a letter from Jean Michelene Farley where she proposes having a reunion. I understand that she has received some responses that indicate most people would prefer to have one in Florida. She is open to suggestions. Of course it would be good for me because I could visit my daughter in Largo, FL If you are interested, let me or Jean know. Her address is at the end of this Newsletter. How about calling some of your friends and talk about the reunion. If this one can be anything like the response we had to the Reunion in Savannah, it should be great. I especially enjoyed meeting many classmates whom I had written to or talk to over the years. Let’s “talk up” this reunion among our friends. If you missed the Savannah reunion, you missed a good one. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

 Letter from Jeanne Manna Feiman, '54. 6/18/1919.  Hi Ray, It has been a long time and I hope everything is OK. We are doing as well as can be expected, and enjoy frequent trips to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (from the far away place where we live - Pleasantville. There is a lot of new construction by the river - condos and what looks like more condos, densely packed by the park. Lots of people will soon be enjoying their view of a "sliver of river" - or maybe a whole panorama if they are lucky enough to live right on the water. I've been in touch with a few classmates - Brian Bugbee. who seems to keep up contact with quite a few members of the Class of '54. Janice Prior Payton, and Peter Hall who writes to a lot of us via e-mail; he is a steady correspondent. Here's a check toward expenses. I haven't received a newsletter in a while. Hope you are still enjoying good health, and I'm also sending you my best regards and wishes for your continued well-being. Jeanne Manna Feiman.

E-mail from Dan, '46 and Janet Brown Chabot, '44. 6/22/2008. Hi Classmate, Good idea Jean to have a Florida reunion. Some thoughts for consideration: Maybe Jan-March time period? Have it a luncheon for ease of travel within two hours drive time? Others can extend to the evening and stay over? Have offer for car pooling for those who fear driving? Smallish site so not to be overwhelmed with tourists? Does Orlando have such? (NO). What if at destination that offers something attractive like a Bush Gardens, Spring baseball game? We will be back in Florida in October if we can help. Congrats for the energy and imitative Dan and Jan Chabot.. Cheers. (dchabot948@aol.com) 

Letter from Edgar Cormier, '54, 6/23/2008. Hi Ray! I am including a small check to help with postage and such. I enjoy the Newsletters even though I don't remember some of my classmates. The letters about Tarrytown bring back some great memories of places and times. I also liked the listing of graduates. I hope you can continue for a long time!!. Edgar Cormier.

OBITUARIES   

June Celeste Whiteman Fleary, '46 was born in Harlem on June 7, 1928. She was the younger daughter of Redvers and Ena Whiteman, sister of Elaine Jenkins. June graduated from Washington Irving High School in Tarrytown, NY, received a B.A. from S.U.N.Y., Albany and an M.A. in Mathematics Education from NYU. She taught Math at J.H.S.  258 in Brooklyn and East view Junior High School in White Plains. She was Assistant Principal of Highlands J.H.S., Principal of church St. School and Post Road School. She taught Education at Pace University and was a consultant to the White Plains School District. She is survived by her daughters, Jan de Chambert and Kim Albarino. She was married to George Fleary, deceased.

Stratton Creighton Lee, Sr. '37. was born on Apr. 17 1920 in Tarrytown, NY, the second son of Mae Wheeler lee and Theodore J. Lee, Sr. He departed this life on Jun 24, 2008. Stratton graduated from the City University of New York with a B.S. and Master of Business Administration. He also holds the title "C.P.M. Emeritus (Certified Property Management Manager, a designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management.  "Stratty" was the first instructor of African American History at Adelphi Univ. and Queens College. As a volunteer instructor at the "Malvern Freedom School", he was in the forefront of the fight to end defacto segregation in some Long Island schools. His photograph was on display at the Hempstead African American History Museum during the first year of its operation due to his leadership role in the cause of Equal Opportunity in rental and sale housing in the county of Nassau.  He held numerous executive positions in both public and private sectors, among which are: Housing Manager, NYC  Housing Authority. Vice Pres. Jackie Robinson Mgmt .Corp. Vice Pres. for Admin, Pratt Institute, Present, Arco Metro Property Mgmt.  He married Yvonne Holder McDaniels on Apr. 29, 1978. Stratton was a lector at St. George's Church, Hempstead, NY. In 2005 Stratton & Yvone relocated to Conyers, GA.  He is mourned by his loving wife, Yvonne, several sons, grandsons and granddaughters.

Stratton Lee, ‘’37

 Marvin Levy, oldest son of Belle and Seymour, a lifelong Tarrytown resident, died on Saturday, Jun 21, 2008 after a long illness. Born on March 21, 1926, he graduated from Washington Irving High

School, before going to serve this country during World War II. After earning a degree at Pace University, Marvin became the owner of Greller and Co. a local accounting firm. He also served as Chairman of the Board at the Tarrytown Savings and Loan. Marvin is survived by Olive Shagrin-Levy, his wife of fifty-one years and sons David, Michael and Steven.  Interment was in Sharon Gardens.

Herguth, Edward E.  died suddenly on Jun 26, 2008.. The beloved husband of Candace, devoid father of Andrew and Alexander, son of Henry and the late Katherine Herguth, brother of William and Sally Herguth, all of Tarrytown. A kind  and gentle men, he ws loved by everyone who knew him.

End Obituaries

E-mail from Connie, '53 and Alex MacFadyen,'51. Hi Ray, We received the Newsletter today with the list of alumni. Please note that my name was not included and also please change the zip code and Alex McFadden's to be the same as mine, ie: 39 Woodlands Dr. Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. our thanks to you for doing such a fantastic job. Connie MacFadyen.

E-mail from Janet Thomas Shelden, '55 Hi! One of the people I've met during my mall walks was so crippled with arthritis, she would walk in tiny steps - like Tim Conway, only hers were real. Her arm would be bandaged some days, other times, it was a knee. She had knee replacement and that did help but still she was obviously in pain and not walking right at all. Imagine my shock when the other day she came striding up to me Normally!  She grinned and said God was good and the Dr. put her on a new medicine. Two days later, I saw this article and wondered if it would help any of you. I'm not up to this level yet, but I'm getting there. Here's the article mentioning the very medicine she'd told me about: "The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that combining methotrexate with biologic response modifiers such as etanercept, or infliximab, is particularly effective. These biologic modifiers developed in the last decade, are pivotal because they blunt the inflammation and reduce the likelihood of structural damage."  Hope you don't have to have this info but maybe tuck it away, just in case! Love, Janet.

Letter from John McElroy, '46. 6/25/2008. Dear Ray, Your July 2008 edition of the Alumni Letter arrived today and rather than read it thru and putting it aside with the thought that I wanted to send you a donation to help defray some of your expenses, but somehow I just never followed up with a check. Accordingly please accept the enclosed check with my thanks for all you've done in keeping the old WIHS grads up to date. It doesn't seem possible but I will have been retired from New York telephone Co. for 25 five years in December, most of which was spent publishing telephone directories. After my military service, I went on to graduate from St. Lawrence Univ. in 1953 and then on to "Ma Bell". I married a college classmate from White Plains and we'll be celebrating our 54th wedding anniversary on June 26th of this year. Pat and I had spent a considerable amount of time traveling throughout the United States, England and Europe and really enjoyed our retirement years. I had an accident in June 2006 and severely damaged my right leg so our travels have been limited considerably. Our two sons and a daughter are all married and each has presented us with two grandchildren and we are now attending high school graduations and receiving invitations to attend Grandparents Day at their respective colleges. I guess I've ambled on long enough Ray but in conclusion "thanks a lot for all of your efforts and please keep up the good work for at least another 25 years. Sincerely, John McElroy.

Letter from Harold (Hop) Fox, '53. 6/26/2008. Dear Ray, My wife, Frederica and I always enjoy the latest issues of the W.I. Newsletter. I couldn't help notice that many of the wives names have been left off the mailing list and I wish all of them very best for the future. Thanks again for the great job you do. Enclosed is a check for use any way you see fit. Have a wonderful summer. Best wishes. Harold (Hop) Fox.

E-mail from Barbara Ronngren Sciarpelletti, '59. Hi Ray, I am a graduate of SHHS Class of 59. I attended W.I. from 1954 to 1957. I was told of your wonderful Newsletter by my friend Barbara Shelley Hathaway and I have been looking forward to reading it for about three years now. I am writing to ask your help in locating classmates, some of whom are W.I. and others are from NT. We are planning to hold a 50th reunion on September 26, 2009 and are asking any and all classmates to contact me with their current addresses. They can reach me at 914-631-1184 or 12 Millbrook Ave. Tarrytown NY 10591. or by e-mail at BBSCiarp@aol.colm. I know that some members of our class read your newsletter and hope they will respond. I appreciate your help with this. Thank you so much.         Barbara  Sciarpelletti.

This may come as a surprise to those of  you not living in Las Vegas, but there are more Catholic churches than casinos. Not surprisingly, some worshipers at Sunday services will give casino chips rather than cash when the basket is passed. Since they get chips from many different casinos, the churches have devised a method to collect the offerings. The churches send all their collected chips to a nearby Franciscan monastery for sorting and then the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and cashed in. And of course, This is done by the Chip Monks.

Letter from Edna Esposito Belanich, '53. 6/30/2008. Dear Ray, I received the July issue of the W.I. Newsletter and read it immediately. Such an enjoyment! Thank you for the updated listing, also. Not much happening here in New York except that we've had so much humid weather. We don't have any specific plans for summer right now. Mario and I drove down to Wilmington, NC in April to visit my sister, Antoinette Esposito Loffredo, class of '51. Sad to say, she's not doing too well. We stayed a week and the weather was beautiful. Needless to say, we have to deal with many changes in our lives, good and bad. Ray, have a great summer and I wish you well. Enclosed is a donation to help with expenses of the Newsletter. Sincerely, Edna Esposito Belanich.

Letter from Harold (Hop) Fox, '53, 6/25/2008. Dear Ray, My wife, Frederica, and I always enjoy the latest issue of the W.I. Newsletter. I couldn't help notice that many of the wives names have been left off the mailing lists as well as some long time embers of my class of'53! It is great to still see many of our older members leading very active lives and I wish all of them the very best for the future. Thanks again for the great job you do. Enclosed is a check for use any way you see fit. Have a wonderful summer. Best wishes. Harold Fox.

Letter from Ann D. Phillips, '45, June 30, 2008. Dear Ray, Prompted by Sandra Snape Clark's reminiscence of Herb Lyon, 45 in the July Newsletter, I am sending to you this little history of what ensued after his untimely death in 1066. A committee of friends was formed that winter to consider a tribute for him. Members were Joe Bonney, Joe Pellegrino, Jim Guthrie, Harold Booth, Ed Pearce Ann and Ray Phillips, and friends from U-Penn and Continental Can. The  original hope was to establish a scholarship for a W.I. Senior. But what resulted was, and is continuing to be, the annual Herbert E. Lyon Excalibur award. It is given to that senior who is deemed by the School's Selection Committee, to evidence a potential for leadership. We wanted to commemorate Herb's qualities of empathy for others, initiative, perseverance, and a grand enthusiasm for life, factors which would hopefully lead the recipient to utilize th4e oppor5tunities he faced and make of his life a special meaning. The recipient of the award is given a scroll and a letter describing the intent behind the memorial, and the actual Sword-in-the-Stone resides at Sleepy Hollow HS with each recipient's name inscribed on the exhibition case. Just a reminder that the Excalibur is the legendary sword that young Arthur pulled from the stone as proof of his destiny as the ruler of England. The original Committee has dwindled, but the tradition continues on! Sincerely, Ann D. Phillips

Letter from Marilyn Cohen,;45, June 30, 2008. Dear Ray, I moved from 222 Buck Island Rd. W. Yarmouth Ma to: Marilyn Cohen 1017 Saw Mill River Road Apt. 1443, Ardsley, NY 10502. Phone 1-914-231-6926. Please put this in next Newsletter. My husband, Ray, had his esophagus removed at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on Nov 26, 2007. After 22 years on Cape Cod we moved back to Westchester. I lived 58 years in Tarrytown and graduated WIHS  in June 1945. We are living in a beautiful building for seniors. Our daughter lives in Irvington so we see her and her family very often. Our other daughter lives in Colorado. I'd appreciate you sending the Newsletter to me as I enjoy reading it. Thanks. Marilyn Honey Marshall Cohen.

Note from Henry O'Meara, '42, Dear Ray, Thanks for all the work that you put into the Newsletter. I really do enjoy reading it. Henry O'Meara

Letter from Bob '56 and Julie '57 Stevens. 7/8/2008. Dear Ray, Once again Bob and I poured over the WI Newsletter when it arrived. It started us thinking about our first paying jobs as teenagers in Tarrytown. Bob worked for the Water Dept. cleaning the filters at the Tarrytown Lakes Pump House. I washed dishes at Waltons. I wonder how many others worked for Dottie and Russ? I also remembered how at 8 years old I would take off by myself and play in the woods that ran from behind the houses on Highland Ave. to behind the houses on Rose Hill where the Paulding School is now. One comment, you can remove my name from you mailing list and just send us one copy of the Newsletter addressed to Bob. Enclosed is a donation toward your expenses. Thank you for all your effort. Bob and Julie Stevens.

E-mail from Jean Michelini Farley, '46, 7/07/2008.  Let's have a reunion!! Thos of us who are smart enough to live in Florida, have graduated from WIHS and have e-mails listed in Ray's great Newsletter should try to get together "for ole times sake." We're flexible where it could be and all classes are welcomed as are those who would like an excuse to visit Florida, so reach out to those you know and see what interest you can drum up. Ray's list is full of wonderful information. Then let me know at farpart@yahoo.com or Jean Farley, 941-921-0612.  Waiting to hear from you. Jean Michelini Farley.

E-mail from  Julie Fryatt Gibson. '58. 7/20/2008. Hi Ray, It's been a long time & I am ashamed to admit I forget to go looking on the Web for the Newsletter. Getting together with a couple of classmates this week reminded me how long it has been. So, while reading the May issue I noticed in your list of states represented that AZ is not among them. This means you probably don't have my address any more, so just in case here it is. Julies Fryatt Gibson, 1424 Camino Villa Bonita, Tucson, AZ 85715. Is there any way we can view your complete list of W.I. addresses? I hate to think of mailing it as it must be pretty long by now, but would love to have a copy. Hope you are having a good summer. Our class is having its 50th reunion this September. -doesn't seem possible. Best regards, Julie Fryatt Gibson

Editor's Note: A complete list of all W.I. addresses was mailed along with the July Newsletter. If anyone needs a copy, just let me know and I'll be glad to mail one to you.

E-mail from Robert F. Koenig, '54, 7/21/2008. Ray: I was talking with my cousin last night only to learn that I missed another issue of the Washington Irving Newsletter. So I'm writing today to make sure you have the correct address in your system. I formerly lived in Springfield, VA so that address can be deleted from your database if still listed. Robert F Koenig, 3700 Ashton Woods Dr. Moorefield, WV 26836

Letter from Julie Fryatt Gibson '58. 7/24/2008. Hi Ray, Enclosed is a check to help with expenses of the W.I. Newsletter. You do a fantastic job keeping us all up to date. It is a labor of love and much appreciated by so many of us. I sent you an e-mail yesterday with all my contact info as I'm not sure if I'm still on your list. I will be mailing this from Cape Cod but my Tucson AZ address is the one that should be listed. Wishing you all the best and a good summer.  Sincerely,  Julie Fryatt Gibson.

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court.

Attorney: Are you sexually active? Witness: No, I just lie there.--Attorney What is your date of birth? Witness: July 18th.-- Attorney-What year? - Witness: Every year. –Attorney: How old is your son, the one living with you? --Witness: Thirty eight or thirty five, I can't remember which.--Attorney: How long has he lived with you? --Witness: Forty five years.                       

Letter from Pete Drahos, NT, 7/31/2008. Dear Ray,  How are you doing? Fine I hope. I was talking to my  brother, Paul, and his wife Ginny about your letter. They were very impressed and would like to be included - receiving the W.I. Newsletter. I'm enclosing their names, address and e-mail. (Paul and Virginia Pace Drahos, '56, 2662 Arugula Dr., Northport, FL 34289. Also Pat Rico, '51 NT,  89 Lexington Dr. Croton-on-Hudson, NY 

 Letter from Harry Fitzgerald, ’51 8/5/2008. Dear Ray, Enclosed is a check to help with your expenses. We had a small W.I. Reunion in Hillsboro, OR. My sister, Peg and her husband flew out for a visit and we met Helen Ott Conover and her sister Madeline Ott Schulz met for lunch. Peg brought an Alhambra, a good choice. Madeline was wondering what she had said years ago. This reunion could not have happened if it were not for your Newsletter. It is great. Harry Fitzgerald Regards

Harry Fitzgerald and friends.

 

 This is from newshound Dave Barry’s colonoscopy journal. I called my friend , a gastroenteritis, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy. Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis. Andy explained the procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner. But I didn’t hear anything he said because my brain was shrieking, “quote he’s going to stick a tube 17,000 feet up your behind!” I left his office with a prescription for a product called ‘MoviPrep, which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. As the time approached for preparation, I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous. Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. All I had to eat was chicken broth. “Then in the evening, I took the Movi Pep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug then fill it with lukewarm water.  (for those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons.) MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. Have you ever seen a space shuttle take off with you as the shuttle. Then there are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt.  The next day at the clinic they led me into a room full of other colonoscopy people, when I went inside a little curtained space and took off my cloths and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked. When everything was ready, I was wheeled into the procedure room where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000- foot tube, but I knew they had it hidden around there. Andy had me roll over on my left side and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you’re squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you in explicit detail, exactly what it was like. I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. The next moment I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.  I felt excellent, even more excellent when Andy told me that it was all over and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.

The W. I. Alumni