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Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other
Interested Persons,
Welcome to the Wheatley School
Alumni Association Newsletter # 262.
Mitch Mudick (1971) Writes -
"This past weekend, my wife Molly and I attended
the Wheatley-themed events at Rich Weissman’s (Class of 1972, graduated in
1971) home in Palm Springs, California. The Alumni Newsletter has written
about this event several times as a coming attraction, and some readers were
lucky enough to have attended, but I am moved to write this review for
reasons that should become apparent if you read it. WARNING: WHAT FOLLOWS IS
EXTREMELY POSITIVE. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ SOMETHING EXTREMELY POSITIVE,
SKIP THIS REVIEW.
Rich and his husband, J.D. Horn, have a beautiful home in Palm Springs. They
hosted a catered buffet dinner on Saturday, complete with hors d’oeuvres and
open bar, for 80-ish people, followed by entertainment performed by Wheatley
graduate Sheli Nan (Hershcopf) (1968), who played a few piano pieces she
wrote, and Nicholas King (plus his piano accompanist), singing show tunes
that spanned 60-or-so years. But that recital hardly does justice to the vibe
Rich created. Sure, he made all of the obvious arrangements; but he also
addressed every minor issue one could imagine. Directions and parking were
flawless. You were greeted upon entry and encouraged to wear a name tag that
included your year of graduation, if applicable. Rich and J.D. wore
pre-printed “host” tags, and there were also pre-printed signs above the name
tag table and for every food item offered (which accommodated vegetarians,
gluten-free diets, etc.). There were printed menus and a playbill advising of
the entertainment to come. We all knew how to access the bathrooms and,
despite the unseasonably warm weather, were encouraged to wander around the
premises both inside and outside. The catering staff were unobtrusive and
omnipresent. The food was delicious, and the champagne, wine, soft drinks,
and water flowed. There was ample time for visiting with old friends and
making new ones.
When it was time for the entertainment portion of the evening, rows of white
chairs magically appeared, and the living room became a small performance
venue. Rich made clear from the get-go that even though Wheatley was the
common theme, the purpose of the weekend was enjoyment - of each other, of
ourselves, and of the activities we were sharing. The event was an
unqualified success.
I want to spend a little time talking about Nicholas King. If you read the
last few Newsletters, you know that Rich and J.D. heard and met him in Mexico
recently, loved his sound, and ‘had’ to have him at the Wheatley event. Rich
hyped him shamelessly and, quite frankly, I expected someone of lounge-singer
quality. Boy was I wrong! EVERYTHING Rich said about him is true. He is not
only a fantastic singer and entertainer, but he is a delightful person and
seemed genuinely happy to be there. He even spent the night and came to
brunch the next day in his civvies. Just one of the crowd. And what an
enhancement to an event that already rated a 10 out of 10.
Speaking of the next day, Rich and J.D. hosted a catered brunch that
encouraged more schmoozing, along with access to their lovely pool and
backyard. And I was no longer surprised to be handed a print-out with the
words of Wheatley’s alma mater (written by Dr. Godfrey Wills and sung at
every assembly that I attended during my six years at Wheatley). Of course,
it was sung with gusto!
Bottom line: The weekend was one for the ages, and I shudder to think how
much thought and expense it must have taken to pull it off. The generosity of
Rich and J.D. cannot be overstated. I am so glad I attended and, should the
opportunity ever arise for you to go to a Rich Weissman-sponsored Wheatley
(or other) event, I urge you to do so!”
Wendy McClure (1979) writes - “
I’m so grateful for the amazing Wheatley All-Class
gathering in Palm Springs, California last Saturday & Sunday.
Rich Weissman (1972)
& his husband, J.D. Horn, were the ultimate hosts, and the live music
presented by Sheli Nan (Hershcopf) (1968), and Broadway star Nicholas King
(and his accompanist) was thrilling!
What a beautiful
experience!
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L-R - Wendy
McClure (1979), Broadway star Nicholas King, Beth Malsky-Peisic (1979)
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L-R - Wendy
McClure (1979) and Wendy Shapiro (1975)
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L-R - Lilly
Marazzo Anderson (1972), Wendy McClure (1979), Beth Malsky Peisic (1979)
Hey Everyone, The
Wheatley School Alumni Association Website has all sorts of goodies.
The Wheatley School Alumni Association Website
One of those goodies is a
listing of all Wildcats who married Wildcats.
The Wheatley School - Wheatley-Wheatley Marriages
We hope that some of
those couples will tell us how it all began (and continued).
Richard Schwarz (1967) Writes - “
I found
Steve Ehre’s
historical summary
of anti-Semitism on Long Island intriguing but not surprising. As many know,
anti-Semitism in America is as old as the formation of our nation and is
still prevalent today! Even in my yearbook, a few of the classmates who
signed it made anti-Semitic comments. I’m sure Mr. Ehre’s summary is very
accurate. He was such a good history/social studies teacher at Wheatley!
This brings me to another
personal experience at Wheatley and life in those years. Figuratively, I was
asleep most of my junior high and high school years. I had what was then an
unknown condition widely known today as “Attention Deficit Disorder” (ADD).
But Mr. Ehre refused to let me sleep in his class. However, instead of
reprimanding me, he tried to keep me focused by attempting to bring out my
potential. I believe he saw my interest in history and economics. It wasn’t
just that Steve Ehre was an excellent and inspiring teacher, but he also
cared about his students and wanted them to succeed! As a result, I got a 98
on the history/social studies Regents exam.
Unfortunately, for the
most part, I went back to sleep for the balance of my high school classroom
experience, and I did not exactly graduate at the top of my class. But as
life went on and the ADD subsided, I graduated from college and went on to
graduate school at Northeastern University, in Boston. Despite some early
challenges, I believe my life has been successful: wonderful marriage;
children and grandchildren; and a principal in a successful business.
As I reflect back on Mr.
Ehre’s class, though a short lived part of my life, his encouragement of some
potential and refusal to let me sleep definitely played a part in who I am
today.
Thank you Mr. Ehre!
Richard Schwarz
1958 and 1963 - Steve Nelson and
Donna Kenton - Book Report
Donna Writes - “Hi Art,
This is in response to
Steve
Nelson (1958)
. For at least a decade, I’ve been telling
anyone who would listen that we’re witnessing the infancy of the next stage
of evolution. As the air, the water and the food supply become toxic or less
available, we humans must adjust, which is what evolution is all about.
Survival of the fittest. I love that Steve calls the next stage “homo
electric”! I have hip and shoulder replacements. We’ve come closer to bionic
hearts. There’s been talk about a wire being implanted in our brains that
will act as our phones and computers act now. It’s obvious to me that we’re
merging with machines and computers in order to survive. I’m looking forward
to reading Steve’s book. Thanks!
Donna Kenton ‘63
1964 and 1965 - John Corwin and
Laurie Woods - Origin Story Appreciated
Bob Berta (1974) Writes -
“In the most recent Newsletter, I especially enjoyed
the story of
John Corwin and Laurie Woods
- “In the Beginning.”
Everyone is a sucker for a good love story, and this one was well-written.
They have the joy of living the novel.”
1965 - Jonathan Silver - Deceased -
Details to follow
1966 - Angel Di Benedetto
Jeanne Petti, Owner and
Publisher of Stroll Old Westbury, writes as follows: “Angel Di Benedetto is
publishing an 8-part memoir series in
Stroll Old Westbury
. Drawing on her
Old Westbury roots, she blends personal memories with fiction to capture the
village’s unique character.
Part 5 will appear in the
April issue, and links to past installments are below.
Links to past
installments
here
.
Angel Di Benedetto Old Westbury Stroll Articles
Jeanne Petti, Owner &
Publisher, Stroll Old Westbury
M: 516.456.9507
1967 - Friends
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L-R - Richard
Schwarz, Robert Scandurra, Paul Nissenfeld (all 1967)
1967 and 1968 - Art Engoron and
Leslie Wolowitz - Greek Food on the East Side
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L-R - Art Engoron (1967)
and Leslie Wolowitz (1968) at Anatoli 56 Greek Taverna, 1066 2nd Avenue, New
York, NY on March 19, 2026.
1968 - Andrew Forstenzer -
“The Fourth Annual Wheatley Class of 1968 Golf Outing
featured Joel Blumenthal and Andy Forstenzer completing a full round of 18
holes before a torrential downpour began minutes after they holed their final
putts on the 18th green. As has become somewhat of a pattern, Joel upheld the
Willets Road winning streak with a stellar round of almost all pars and
bogeys for a total score of 84. While Andy played better than he has in
recent years, his low 90’s score wasn’t nearly sufficient to put North Side’s
team into the win column.
Joel and his wife Donna
were fabulous hosts to a weekend with several enjoyable group meals,
culminating with a magnificent Sunday morning brunch with mimosas and other
cocktails at their Vero Beach, FL club (picture below).
Plans are underway for
yet another match, in 2027, and perhaps even a Summer reunion in the
Northeast added to the upcoming schedule. As always, if other Wheatley Class
of 1968 graduates wish to join in future celebrations, we would welcome the
addition to our annual gathering.
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Left to Right:
Cindy Pinter, David Pinter, Andy Forstenzer, Debbie Forstenzer, Donna
Shirreffs Blumenthal, Joel Blumenthal
1968 - Asoka Bandarage -
Dear Friends,
Here’s my latest piece on
the evolving global crisis.
.
https://www.ipsnews.net/2026/03/a-world-order-in-crisis-war-power-and-resistance
Best Wishes,
Asoka
1971 - Phillip Halpern - Robin
Halpern (1970) Writes -
“My
brother,
Phil Halpern (1971),
has recently started a substack
about his journey with blood cancer, which might be of interest. As he puts
it: ‘It’s not a medical chronicle, although medicine is everywhere in it.
It’s an effort to be honest about the experience itself—the uncertainty, the
waiting, the occasional clarity, and, at times, even humor (well, my idea of
humor anyway). I originally wrote it for family and close friends, but I’ve
come to think it might be worth sharing more broadly.’
There's no cost to
receive Phil’s Substack articles. People can subscribe for FREE. Comments are
both welcome and appreciated.
He also recently created
a website that some alumni might find of interest.
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Bill Kirchick (1969)
Writes - “
Hi Art – – this is for
the pet gallery in the Wheatley Newsletter. Let’s see how many 21
st
-century
graduates know after whom these felines are named.
Regards, Bill K//”
1966 (Peter Siegel) -
“Thanks for all your work on the Newsletter and for the
various ways you have kept Wheatley alumni involved.”
1974 (Bob Berta)
- “Great Newsletter, as always. Nothing I know of like
it. Keep up the wonderful work.”
1980 (Todd Cooper)
-
❤️
1981 (Brian Seidman) - “
I love the Newsletter. What you do for all of us alums
is great.”
All underlined text is a
link-to-a-link or a link-to-an-email-address. Clicking anywhere on underlined
text, and then clicking on the text that pops up will get you to your on-line
destination or will address an email.
Thanks to our fabulous
Webmaster,
Keith Aufhauser (Class of 1963),
you can regale
yourself with the first 255 Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletters
(and much other Wheatley data and arcana) at our website:
The Wheatley School Alumni Association Website
Also thanks to Keith is
our search engine, prominently displayed on our home page: type in a word or
phrase and, wow!, you’ll find every place it exists in all previous
Newsletters and other on-site material.
I edit all submissions,
even material in quotes, for clarity and concision, without any indication
thereof. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of what people tell me, as TWSAA
does not have a
New Yorker
style Fact-Checking Department.
We welcome any and all
text and photos relevant to The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury,
NY 11568, and the people who administered, taught, worked, performed, and/or
studied there.
Art Engoron, Class of 1967
That’s it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 262. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary.
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Arthur Friedrichs Engoron, Class of 1967 WheatleyAlumni@aol.com ArtEngoron@gmail.com www.wheatleyalumni.org +1 (646) 872-4833 |
