Dear Wheatley Wildcats and Other Interested Persons,
Welcome to the Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 287.
A Wheatley Theater Club (WTC) Production
Class of 1996 Reunion Early Next Year
(((ICYMI - In case you missed it)))
Joanna Holzman (1996) Writes - Wheatley Class of 1996: Save the date for our 30-ish reunion! Saturday, March 6th, 2027, details TBD. Spread the word! Stay informed by filling out our reunion planning form here: Class of 1996 Reunion Form
Judy Collins Concert at Wheatley
Mark Bagdon (1965) Writes - “I was interested to read about Judy Collins singing at Wheatley. I have been telling people about that for years, but I was never sure whether or not I made it up. As I remember, we were sitting on the bleachers in the girls' side of the gym for the concert.”
Hilary Wallach (1968) Writes - “Linda Caterino (1967) - thank you! That Noxzema jingle sung by Judy Collins has been an on and off earworm for years. I did everything I could think of to find out where I heard it. If only I had done my schoolwork with the same ardor. I even spoke to Judy's secretary, who both looked it up in the archives and asked Judy about it. No dice. Then I wrote to Noxzema, which was folded into CoverGirl many years ago. Nothing there. I wrote to the Wheatley Alumni Newsletter - no bites. I gave up. I remember all the words, the tune...Now I never have to think about it again!”
(((After some sleuthing (remember, we're going back approximately 65 years), as best I can figure out, the advertising jingle that Hilary is referring to was based on a 17th century (now we're going back 300 years) British Isles folk song titled “I Once Loved a Lass” (or a “Lad,” depending upon the version) from which the Noxzema (or, AI says, Cover Girl, both owned by Noxell)) commercial was adapted. Judy Collins apparently sung the song (I'm sue that she didn't sing an advertising jingle) at the subject hootenanny, and Hilary never forgot the tune.)))
Diane Berg (1970) Writes - “As there has been so much recent attention to Judy Collins having performed at Wheatley, I thought I would add an interesting tidbit. My sister, Linda Berg (Class of 1968; graduated in 1967) (deceased in 2008 from pancreatic cancer), attended a music camp called Indian Hill in the Berkshires, run by Woody Guthrie's ex-wife and mother of Arlo Guthrie, Marjorie Mazia. Linda was in junior high at the time. Arlo Guthrie was one of Linda's fellow campers, and Judy Collins was her counselor. This was just before Judy's career took off. Linda and one of her Wheatley classmates visited Judy to her apartment in Manhattan sometime after that summer.”
The Old 'Hood
Diane Sharrock Moretti (1971) Writes - “Yes, the neighborhood comprising Rex and Jay Courts, Greentree Road, and Shortridge, Pembrook and Crandall Drives, technically in Mineola, was called “Birchwood.” On the Hillside Avenue side there was a decorative swoop of wall with that name on it. The entrance to the other side, on Jericho Turnpike, was flanked by a gas station and Bill's candy store/newsstand. The latter was in a strip of stores anchored by King Kullen.”
Roger Gimbel - Author
Gerry Gersh (1969) Writes - “My friend Roger Gimbel (1969) a great (and funny) writer?…..who knew??? Roger was always quite a character. I remember his loud chuckles when we schmoozed.”
Faculty: Music Master Dr. Godfrey Wills
Claude Lévy (1966) Writes - “During the assemblies, I sometimes carried the American flag, which may have seemed surprising and ironic, as I was an exchange student from France. In fact, it was due to the tact and understanding of Doc (Dr. Wills), who, aware that I did not know the national anthem, did not want me to be in trouble by giving the impression that I did not want to sing it. As he wanted to integrate me as much as possible into school life, he had solved the problem by having me be a flag bearer...
I also discovered Doc in another setting. At the age of 17, coming from France and from an environment in which a solid border was drawn between the classical world and that of variety music, I did not imagine that a music teacher could play in a piano bar. Imagine my surprise when, going to such a place with George Galloway and Bob Jenness (both 1966), I noticed that the piano entertain was provided by Doc! Icing on the cake, he welcomed me by playing La Marseillaise and even invited me to sit in for a few moments. Another good example of a teacher wanting to give a student every opportunity to live pre-professional experiences...
We loved him so much that we made a collection to give him end-of-term gifts, including a bottle of good French wine.”
The Senior Social Space Brouhaha
“The readers of Newsletter No. 285 may have wondered how the Senior Social Space crisis ended. On December 3, a senior assembly was convened to decide how to unblock the situation.
At the gymnasium, the four officers of the class shared with us a proposed crisis resolution in which the idea of volunteer monitors was introduced, responsible for making the call of those present and reporting any inappropriate behavior. It would be forbidden to introduce food, guitars, transistors and even card games into the social space. Opponents of this proposal believed that with such rules, the social space was losing its nature, but the officers argued that it would be better than nothing and would already constitute a privilege over other schools by offering a place where one could talk and help each learn. The proposal was adopted.
And during the assembly of the last school day of the quarter, Mr. Wathey told us that his end-of-year gift was the reopening of the social space...”
Graduates
Jerome (“Jerry”) Mintz - Deceased
The Oceanside Table Tennis Club Writes - “Our club mourns the passing of Jerry Mintz.
We have known and loved Jerry since the club opening. A highly ranked and competitive player, he always volunteered to coach our beginners. Even despite recent health setbacks, Jerry's perseverance and positive attitude were legendary.
Jerry devoted much of his life to education, and founded the AERO (Alternative Education Research Organization) school system. He gave a number of spirited talks and interviews about it -- check them out, he highlights table tennis in some.
We remember Jerry Mintz as a caring coach, skilled and passionate player, and great sport”
1966 - The Class of 1966 had a wonderful 60th-Year Reunion on 10/17/26. Full coverage will be in future editions of the Newsletter.
Class of 1966 60th-Year Reunion Video
1966 - Two Exchange Students - Claude Lévy (France) - Marta Pesa (Argentina)
Marta and Claude on the campus of Columbia University, i/f/o Butler Library 10/2026
Some Reunion Photos
L-R - Beverly Berman Hornick, Alison Kent Bermant, Janet Lagattuta Maffei, Diana Noble Rubinger, Marta Pesa
L-R - Glen Greenbaum, Alison Kent Bermant, Steve Hornick, Beverly Berman Hornick
Marta Pesa, Preston Winters, Mitch Kushner, Jane Rosengarten Rosenof
Marta Pesa, Robert Sarnoff, Beverly Berman Hornick
1966 - Angel Di Benedetto (“Angela DiBenedetto” at Wheatley) - “Dear Fellow Wheatley Class of 1966 Classmates,
Sixty years! How on earth did that happen?
Looking back, when I arrived at Wheatley in ninth grade, fresh from the city and new to Old Westbury, I felt like a fish out of water.
Everything seemed different, from the way the girls dressed to the friendships already formed. But gradually, I found my footing, traded my teased bouffant for a flip, swapped my dark clothes for more colorful outfits, made friends, and created memories that still make me smile.
What made me feel especially welcome were our Friday night recreation dances in the gymnasium. I will always remember dancing with Bob Stange (1966) and winning the Mashed Potato contest!
And it was in ninth grade that I met senior Stan Grom (1963), the handsome, record-breaking hurdler who looked like Lloyd Bridges, drove a baby blue 1959 Ford Fairlane, and became my hopelessly devoted boyfriend until after graduation.
Before long, I had found my own tribe, a colorful bunch of rebellious characters who could have stepped right out of the movie Grease. We had our share of adventures, including skipping class and escaping across that vacant field to the Mineola Diner!
I also recall watching the seniors arrive in their shiny new cars with envy, dreaming of the day I'd proudly drive my own black 1960 Thunderbird to the front entrance of the school.
Some friendships faded, while others endured. I'm especially grateful for my dear sister from another mother, Nanci Wasserstrom, now Nanci Smith (1966), with whom I remain as close as ever, and Frank Lamitola, affectionately known as Franny (1966), with whom I'm still in touch.
My last reunion was our 40th, and I remember with great fondness reconnecting with classmates on the grounds of Wheatley itself. It was especially meaningful to see my former husband, the late Charlie Trantum (1966), whom I ran into two years after graduation and married one year later. I didn't really 'know' Charlie in high school as we traveled in different circles and never even had classes together. We were both astonished that we were attracted to each other at that time, as there was absolutely no interest in one another during high school.
I remember the laughter, the friendships, and those wonderfully carefree moments of our youth.
Here's to the Wheatley Class of 1966! Sixty years older, and hopefully not entirely grown up!
And may we all be together again for our 65th!
With warmest wishes,
Angel Di Benedetto”
Charlie and Angel in 1969 and 1970
1967 - Back in the Classroom
L-R - Amy Pastarnack Hughes, Scott Geery, Judy Orgel Meilinger, and Howard Senft
1973 - Edward B. Ryder - “Thanks for describing Roger Gimbel's (1969) new book in the previous Newsletter. I got to know his sister, Gail Gimbel (1973), as a classmate at Wheatley. Then, her NJ cousin, Robert Gimbel, was randomly assigned as my junior year college roommate at American University. I came to know of Roger, as we were both involved with careers centered on printing and graphics. He was an industry expert and wunderkind, and I was an executive in a print franchise. Wildcats do age, but they can still roar their approval and congratulations when they read the Newsletter.”
1975 - Board of Governors - October 7, 2026
From the Photo Archives
L-R: Paul Hennessy (1960), Jean Walsh (1972), Kathy Walsh (1966), John Moncure (1960)
Some additions and some corrections!!!
Thanks to Peter Siegel (1966), Dan Silver and Scott Frishman (both 1967), Laurel Brandt (1968), and Jo Ann Bregman Miles (1972), we are further along. The following identifications are problematic/questionable, some more than others.
Front row (sitting): ???, ???, Barry Gold, ???, Steve Miller or Steven Miller
Second Row: ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, Judy Bregman, Pam Siegel(1966)
Third Row: ???, Steve Rosenthal, Michael Brandt, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, ???, Howard Senft, George Krauss
Fourth Row: ???, Steve Wechselblatt, Gary Mayne, Kenny Janowitz, ???, ???
Further identifications, anyone?
Fan Mail
1964 (Richard Ilsley) - 💙
1967 (Jill Simon Forte) - “I got my morning smile by reading about and remembering my young days at Wheatley. 😄💙☮”
1968 (Peter Barrow) - “Art - Thanks for all your work sustaining the Newsletter. I, and I'm sure all the recipients, eagerly open it when it appears in my inbox. Hello to all in the Class of 1968, especially Laurel 'Lolly' Brandt.”
1968 (Laurel “Lolly” Brandt replies) - “At about age 5, Peter Barrow and I were roller skating buddies on the sidewalks of the Roslyn Country Club. Our parents were friends from college where, if I recall correctly what I was told, my father may have dated his aunt before he met my mother.”
1970 (Diane Berg) - “Thanks for all of your hard work keeping us connected through the Newsletter.”
1971 (Diane Sharrock Moretti) - “I appreciate your efforts putting the newsletter together. Attending The Wheatley School and Northside was a gift I didn't fully appreciate until I experienced high school in FL.”
1980 (Mark Carroll) - 💙
The Usual Words of Wisdom
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 286 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
Closing
That's it for The Wheatley School Alumni Association Newsletter # 287. Please send me your autobiography before someone else sends me your obituary. ⏳
Art