Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: September 6, 2012

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Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: September 6, 2012

Written by Stanley Greenberg Friday, 07 September 2012 00:00

Mel and Elaine

When I was growing up, Golden Anniversaries—50 years of wedded bliss—were quite rare. Nowadays, they seem to come about almost every weekend. Is it because people are living longer, or because marriage is a better way to spend a lifetime? I am not sure.

Lorraine and I introduced Mel (my close friend) to Elaine (Lorraine’s college sorority sister) in 1961. Last week, we attended their 50th anniversary party in Annandale, Virginia. Tempus fugit.

Their engagement, like my own, took place over Eastern Airlines (remember them?) and Bell Telephone. Mel and I lived in the East Bronx and Lorraine and Elaine lived in Maryland and northern Virginia.

Also like my own, their wedding was held in Washington D.C. Theirs was at the famous Willard Hotel, where Abraham Lincoln and family stayed before his March 4, 1861 inauguration.

I kidnapped Lorraine and brought her to New York; Elaine and Mel made their life together in Virginia. We are all in our 70s and we are all still vertical. They have two lovely daughters, Jamie and Gwen, and three grandchildren.

At the party, I was designated opening speaker. I tried to recapture a memory and give the attending guests a “slice of life” of the East Bronx that Mel and I grew up in. I am not sure that I conveyed the true picture to my listening audience.

I did however mention that Mel had the most beautiful pompadour hair at 13 years of age. Somehow it’s all gone now, but Mel is one of the most virile men I know (ala Yul Brynner).

Elaine and Melvin are more beautiful than ever and their relationship has evolved and matured. Lorraine and I are proud that we introduced them, and proud to be counted among their friends.

News

Wellness Walk

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Eighth-12th grade volunteers from Building Future Leaders; Gayle Jukofsky, Mid Island JCC; Rick Lewis, Executive Director, Mid-Island JCC; David Glassman; and Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Joe Pinto. Legislator Judy Jacobs, (D-Woodbury) attended the recent Plainview-Old Bethpage CARES Project PACE NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) Walk sponsored by the Mid Island Jewish Community Center in Plainview. This Wellness Walk was filled with family activities, including face painting and a bouncy house. There was a community expo, a 50/50 raffle, live music and refreshments.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come out, walk, get fit and have fun,” said Jacobs.

15 Get Tenure

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Board of Education unanimously approved of 15 tenure recommendations during a school board meeting last week. The boardroom was packed with family and friends of each tenure recipient. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Timothy Eagen commended them for the employees’ “efforts, hard work with our children and professionalism.”

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Jill Gierasch (l) and recipient Jennifer Hoffman. From JFK High School, guidance counselor Christina Rivas-Laline and teachers Owen Dugan, Michael Horun and Jennifer Santorello were recommended; teacher Linda Curran from H.B. Mattlin Middle School and JFK; teacher Amanda Gundling from POB Middle School and H.B. Mattlin Middle School; teacher Rachel Quattrocchi from POB Middle School; teacher Risa Henkel from POB Middle School and JFK High School; teacher Brian Gurney from POB Middle School; social worker Marc Galloway from Parkway School and Old Bethpage School; District Psychologist Jennifer Strangio-Lott, district teacher Jennifer Hoffman; teacher Dina Futterman from Stratford Road School; teacher Tara Gaudreault from Pasadena School and teacher Debra Lovett from Parkway School.