Lunch with Meryl

I know...I say this every time I connect with yet another classmate, but the thing that continues to strike me is how easy and how natural these connections are. I had lunch with Meryl today. She was in Long Branch...her mom has a summer place on the beach, and I work at Monmouth University. So we met at one of my favorite Jersey Shore casual eateries...Surf Taco. I walked in and scoured the joint, looking for Meryl, and I didn't think I saw her. Went outside to wait, and moments later she came looking for me from inside. I didn't recognize her because her hair is much lighter than I remember. Other than that...she's still the Meryl I remember from 6th grade. Oh...except that she's taller than me now!

Her mom is almost as into this reunion as we are, and had given Meryl an envelope of pictures from her Bat Mitzvah. My, but we were adorable! I meant to grab a copy to scan so I could put them up here, but I forgot to take them.

We just talked and talked....funny how this many years later we're still learning new things about each other. Meryl told me...and of course I have to confirm this with my dad....but Meryl told me that her mother told her that she had dated my dad....and that in fact, my dad had proposed to her mother. Interesting to wonder what sort of offspring that coupling would have produced. The one thing I can guarantee...there'd be no height!

I had to cut the lunch short; I had a meeting back on campus, but I really enjoyed my lunch with Meryl.

No news is no news...

I'm still here. Just nothing going on (reunion-wise, that is) to report.

Unless you count me hounding Pomerantz to send a check as news.

The sun is shining in Jersey...Pompano is calling my name.

I'd rather be blogging...

Just back from vacation. I should be paying bills. But I quickly sorted out the reunion stuff from the pile of bills, so I could post an update.

While I was away I got Larry Zarra's check and a lovely note from him! He'll be staying Friday and Saturday nights, so the party Friday night just got a little bigger. Still no definite plans...but we'll keep everyone posted once we have them. Suffice it to say, we'll be doing something.

I made yet another appeal to Steven Kornfeld. Still nothing back from him, so if anyone who follows this blog has a way of being in touch with him, please do it.

Several people have indicated their interest in attending, but aren't yet able to make a commitment, and that's okay for now. Final numbers and payment need to be presented to Charlie's the last week of September. We won't be equipped to handle money the night of the event, so please.....if you're coming....get your check to me.

We've also had several inquiries from folks who didn't graduate with us; either other graduating years, or other graduating grammar schools. While we very much appreciate the interest our event has garnered, the Committee met and unanimously agreed that this particular event is strictly for the Union Avenue Class of '69. For those of you interested in reconnecting, perhaps consider coming to the brunch on Sunday morning at Ocean Place?

More Greetings from Cherry Grove....

Every time I think I'm done.....something new happens. Today, it was an email from Sherry Hurewitz. She certainly hadn't fallen off our radar; Fran spoke to her early on in the planning stages, but I'd sent several emails and not gotten any replies. In our email exchange today, Sherry filled me in briefly on her life (married, 2 sons - 25 and 20, Urgent Care Nurse) and let me know that she'd like to attend the reunion, but that she won't be able to make a commitment until early September. I'll make the appropriate changes to the roster and keep you updated!

Greetings from Cherry Grove...

I didn't expect to be blogging this week. I'm on vacation. I'm not getting mail. I truly didn't anticipate any reunion activity. But I called home today for messages and had a very pleasant surprise!

I've tried to reach John Ficula on several occasions. I'd originally gotten a mailing address for him from Howard Jaffe, and then later, a phone number for him from Bill Boub. I'd about given up hope of hearing from him, and had planned to move him to the "not attending" category, where, by the way, I believe Howard Jaffe is going. But Saturday, he left a message on my home phone, apologizing for not getting back to me sooner, and also, asking that I move him to the "hopes to attend but can't make a commitment yet" category. John explained that he travels extensively for his job, and doesn't know yet where he'll be then.

I can't remember anything else that John said...I was at dinner with my family and our friends (Kathy and Tommy, and their daughter Jesse, who, like David is adopted from Korea. We met when we were waiting for our babies to travel home, and have been friends since), and since John's message was like 16 on the machine, it'll have to wait til I get home to replay it. Check the roster, though....I'm moving John. I'm going to hold off on Howard until I hear from him directly that he's not coming.

Once again, I have to thank my husband for his indulgence. As I said, we were at dinner while I was checking messages and thinking about reunion stuff, and I was distracted by my bb. I ordered in haste, and made the absolutely wrong decision. Mike noticed that I wasn't happy with my dinner, and halfway through he changed plates with me.

Now that's what I call a happy ending!

And the prize for distance travelled goes to....

Larry Zarra...coming from Texas! I had an email from Larry earlier this week! It seems that the 4oth anniversary celebration of the moon landing stirred other folks' memories, as well as my own. While Larry is a bit fuzzy on the details, Fran remembers sharing the event with Larry and his family during the summer of '69. Apparently, something Fran, or I, or Michael said struck a nerve with Larry, because he's decided that "The more I think about the reunion, the more I realized that I just have to be there." That seems to be the prevailing feeling among the people I talk to.

I haven't given up totally yet on some of our other out-of-towners. Joey (Texas)still doesn't have his schedule for October, Shelley Rosenbloom (Minnesota) isn't a flat out no, I keep hoping Tad Boub (Southern California...sure winner if he comes!) responds to an email, and we haven't heard from Sherry Hurewitz (Georgia?) in a while. So Larry...enjoy your current status, but be prepared to step aside!

Other news for the week: I made another sneaky roster change earlier this week. Two actually. After receiving an email from Paul Goldenberg, I moved him into the "plans to attend" group, and I'd moved Larry yesterday, as soon as I got the aforementioned email. I anticipate receiving both checks this week, but my feet will be buried in Myrtle Beach sand, so I won't be able to confirm them until next weekend! ;=)

...One Giant Leap For Mankind

July 20th

Celebrating the 40th
anniversary of Neil Armstrong's moon walk

among other things....;=)