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

Syosset's BDG Bids For Nassau Coliseum

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Syosset’s Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG), headed by Ed Blumenfeld, has proposed a $200 million design to demolish Nassau Coliseum and build a new arena and state-of-the-art exhibition center for the 21st century.

“The existing facility cannot be effectively retrofitted,” said Brad Blumenfeld, BDG Vice President, adding “Our team is committed to building a new, preeminent facility—other proposals only call for renovations to the existing arena.”

Tensions Spark At School Board Meeting

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

During a Syosset school board meeting last week, tension arose between Superintendent of Schools Carole Hankin, Trustee Joshua Lafazan, and Fred Gang, a resident speaker on transparency and accusations made against the district.

During public comment, Gang expressed disapproval of the district’s proposed budget for 2013-14, and inquired about reports of the district’s use of software to target various community members with the objective of increasing voter turnouts — which is illegal under New York State election law as Gang pointed out.

Sports

Syosset Lacrosse Defeats MacArthur

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In the last of three quarter-final games at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium on Wednesday evening last week, the Syosset Braves boys’ lacrosse was victorious over the MacArthur Generals in a hard fought 5-4 victory that went into triple-overtime.

With both teams playing their hearts out for possession of the ball, it was Syosset freshman Mac Okeefe who found the hole necessary in MacArthur’s tight defense, and delivered the win for his team.

USTA Honors Syosset and Woodbury Tennis Players

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The U.S. Tennis Association’s Long Island Region recognized several area residents, including New York State’s top male and female high school singles players, for their tennis playing or volunteer achievements.

Syosset’s Josh Levine was a New York State and Nassau County Boys’ Singles Champ at Cold Spring Harbor High School. This was Levine’s second consecutive year winning the New York State championship. Peggy Gluck and Nadine Netter won the Women’s 60s Doubles Eastern, and Flo Levine was the Adult Volunteer of the Year.