SOUTH SHORE NEWS SPOT   February 2007    © 2007 by CMA Publishing

By Caryn Lazar Amster

Hello everyone - I appreciate all your comments and memories.  Keep them coming. Welcome new subscribers. GO BEARS!

This is the biggest issue yet thanks to all of you!  Word count for this issue is 7798 words.  Total read time about 23 minutes.

Well……at 2 p.m. on February 6th is the 37th anniversary of the murder of the Pied Piper of South Shore in his Wee Folks toy store.  Can you all take a moment to remember a great guy who loved toys, his family and his community so much….The owner of Wee Folks, The Pied Piper of South Shore, Manny Lazar……and my dad.

This month we feature even more reunions, more people seeking old friends, the story of one terrific teacher, updates on famous South Shore people and much more! 

Don’t just forward this newsletter. Your friends can get their own copy by emailing me at caryn@cmapublishing.net

MANY THANKS

 

FOR NEWSLETTER NEWCOMERS

Many requests are coming in to receive the News Spot. I am really gratified.  But it seems that many people do not know about my South Shore book that started all this. The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago is my true family, true crime Chicago social history set in South Shore from the 1940’s -1970’s.  My family owned Wee Folks Toy Store for 25 years on 79th Street.  The book takes readers from Russian persecution to American freedom, from murder to trial, from hula hoops to hit men.  It is a story of two children of immigrants, their American dream and their richly diverse neighborhood in which each fell prey to the brutality of gangs.  The foreword is by Tony and Emmy award winning singer/actor Mandy Patinkin and a long time customer who thanks Mr. and Mrs. Lazar for providing a place to dream.  The cover is by Bowen graduate and artist Mitch Markovitz who also did the poster of the cover. 

 

The Pied Piper of South Shore, Toys and Tragedy in Chicago won an award in the 13th Annual Writer’s Digest Magazine’s International Self-Published Book Awards.  The judge’s review said. “The author is a very good writer.  She knows how to “show” (not tell).  Though this book is the personal account of her father’s life, death and impact on a Chicago neighborhood, the author keeps the reader engaged with vivid story-telling. The Pied Piper of South Shore contained the best writing (in terms of craft) of the entries this judge received.  It’s a moving, vivid story of a terrible crime, its causes and aftermath, and of one family’s ability to preserve a decent hard-working, life-impacting man’s legacy.”  The book won the USA Book News "Best of 2004" award in the True Crime category and received an all "5" top rating from the 12th Annual Writer's Digest Magazine’s International Self-Published book award contest. It has received rave reviews from local and national newspapers, publications, book groups and audiences.

You can purchase books and posters of the cover at my website www.cmapublishing.net or by calling me direct toll free at 1-866-50-PIPER (74737) 

We are over 1,650 strong now!  If you change your email address please send me your new one.  Once they bounce I take you off the list. .   

GOOD TO MEET YOU

When we correspond through the newsletter I never know where you live.  This month I had the privilege of meeting several of my readers in places other than book signings and talks. One lady identified me at the beauty shop. A man wrote me who turned out to be a priest in a parish right down the street from my house. We had lunch.   I have met readers at stores and movies.  I feel like a celebrity.  Thanks so much.

WEBSITES/BLOGS OF THE MONTH

In order to make things easier for the new Overflow South Shore chat room members they set up a 'gateway' site.  This site is for people who are interested in joining the Overflow.  There are pages with News, F.A.Q.s (frequently asked questions), links and more. Here is the link: http://overflowat79th.googlepages.com/

LATE BREAKING NEWS - Note from Tim, moderator of The Overflow - Google has decided to modify the web interface to Google Groups.  This change is not optional and affects all groups.  * What is new about this?  I'll let Google explain. 

Go to http://groups.google.com/intl/en/googlegroups/tour3/index.html?utm_source=en-blog-groups3&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=en for a tour of the new interface.  There are many new features that will allow more customization, web pages etc. We won't use all of them but we will be able to add new features. If you read messages by email there should be no changes.  However, you will not have access to the website features if you only view email. Watch for more news. If you want to read messages on the website, just bookmark this link: http://groups.google.com/group/Overflow/topics

      

 “EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME”- SEEKING LOST FRIENDS

Looking for lost South Shoreites?  Email caryn@cmapublishing.net and I will try to put you in touch.  If you want me to use your request/memory in the newsletter, please include permission to use your name and email address in your correspondence. 

 

The South Shore logo is Great!  Well done. I am still looking for a friend, Ralph Clark. GO TARS!! Ron Persson SSHS Jan. 64 r.persson@comcast.net

 

How about hearing from Hyde Park-ers?

I have received several correspondences asking for Hyde Parkers to start writing into the forum.  How about it Hyde Parkers? 

 

I love getting notes about SS. George Bachouros   Gbachouros@aol.com

 

I enjoy the newsletter tremendously even though I'm a Hyde Park graduate (1958).  How could this communiqué be widened to include those people north of 71st?  Inez Levy (Butterman) inezlevy@rcn.com

 

I grew up at 68th and Paxton and graduated from O’Keeffe in 1959 and Hyde Park High School in 1963. I have been retired since 2004 and splitting my time between Miami Beach, FL and Vail, CO. I run a website for Hyde Park High School – www.aitchpe.com (The Aitchpe is the name of the Hyde Park yearbook, and pronounced H P).  It started as a means of organizing a reunion in 2000 and grew from there.  Bill Multack bmultack@bellsouth.net

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You are magic.  At the same time I read your newsletter I had an email from someone looking for my brother Dan.  My brother Herb (hlang624) wants Al Saper to know he is still alive and kicking. TsepeD@aol.com

 

Your newsletter is great – as usual.  Please tell anyone that might remember Steve Wasserman (SSHS Class of ’61) that I am alive and well.  I graduated in ’61 but was supposed to be in the winter class of ’62 (graduated from Bryn Mawr in ‘58).  Unfortunately, my younger brother, Hank, passed away a number of years ago, so that may be the cause of the confusion.  But if anyone is planning a reunion or trying to communicate with classmates please be sure to include me on the list of the living from both classes.  As Mark Twain said, “The report of my death was an exaggeration”.  Steve Wasserman (smw@wassermangroup.com)

 

It would be interesting to find out if any of my class from is out there.  Much of my class at O’Keeffe moved across the 71st Street border after grammar school so that they could attend South Shore High School. I read the forward and preface of the book and am excited to start it as soon as I finish the book I am currently reading.  We had a summer home in Michiana Shores for over twenty years.  My fondest memories of that place are when my parents moved from the south side in 1964 with my two younger brothers until they relocated to Miami in 1970.  I still have been going back almost every year for the last five or so to visit my aunt who had owned her home there since 1956.  Bill Multack Bill Multack bmultack@bellsouth.net 

 

Does anyone remember goldfish in a pond at the Avalon Theatre lobby?  It made a big impression on me when I was a little girl.  When I ask anyone about it, they tell me I am mistaken and must be remembering the Southtown Theatre, but I know my parents never took me there.  I recall vividly riding the streetcar with them down Stony Island Avenue and getting off at 79th Street so in my mind it had to be the Avalon. I am looking for someone else to agree with me so I don't have to admit to having a faulty memory! It would have been back in the 1940's.  Perhaps the goldfish were only there briefly and died, never to be restocked?  Perhaps there were other things to attract the attention of the moviegoers and they were overlooked?   Maybe I was dreaming?  What do you think?  Were they ever there?  People have told me The Shouthtown even had ducks and swans.  There's no way I would ever have forgotten that had I ever been taken there!  But it was nice for kids who did see a movie there.  Barbara Wotanek mrswo@sbcglobal.net

 

I graduated from Horace Mann in 1959 and South Shore in 1961. Ruth Cortilet gave me your book and sent me your newsletter. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, (actually I cried) that the book gave me and am sharing it with others raised on the south side. I am still friends with Carol Halter, Betty Lazaroff, and Dorothy Garb. I would like to know if you or any of your readers know the whereabouts of Barbara Click or Linda Silverman.

Sheila Schwalb, sheilaschwalb@comcast.net

 

I am a 1958 South Shore High graduate.  I would like to know about plans for a reunion.  My friend Charlene Bloom Mindock is trying to locate Ingrid Carlson Beebe. Florence Robinson, Wenatchee, Wa   easyst@earthlink.net

Here's another search for you and your readers.  She's Sara Moore, a SS Grad of '55.  She resided next door to me after I graduated HS.  I lived at 7327 Luella.  Are there any clues out there?  Margo Bourbules Hershberger    marigo@core.com

My family loves your newsletter. We were in South Shore in the 40's until the early 70's. My father, Don Milcarek, would love to hear from any South Shore High School people from the mid 40's-Yikes!! They can e mail me, his daughter, Marcia Chami at lynncham@aol.com and I will pass the information on to him. Marcia Chami

 

Camp Martin Johnson memories

Several people wrote about their fond memories of Camp Martin Johnson.  There are websites to visit now with memories for anyone who attended the camp.  Those who did not attend the camp may see lots of their old friends there. 

http://groups.msn.com/CampMartinJohnson/_homepage.msnw?pgmarket=en-us.  This is the Camp Martin Johnson web site.  It was a Hyde Park YMCA camp in Michigan and was well attended by the Wee Folks clientele.  Rick Trock rick@trockmedia.com

 

Dan Schultz theschultzes@verizon.net manages the CMJ website and holds the key to the locks. (An aside: The staff used to send new CMJ campers to the waterfront to get 10 feet of shore line or the keys to the oar locks.) Bob Levi   boblevi@sbcglobal.net

 

Check out the website at http://groups.msn.com/campmartinjohnson/_whatsnew.msnw

As you know, there are a number of South Shore residents that attended CMJ including my own brother in law, Larry Hefter, who attended in the late forties. I was brought there in 1962 by a South Shore friend, Jeff Stern. I realize that you have a Mandy Patinkin connection. Mandy and I attended Rodfei Zedek together although he was two years younger. My mother was the Rodfei librarian at the time. He was in AZA with a lot of CMJers including Rick Weinberg and Mitch Karlin. I had thought that Mandy had attended CMJ but am not sure. My sister, Susan Schultz Hefter, graduated from Hyde Park in 1959 and was in BBG out of Hyde Park High. Don't know if you knew her. Dan Schultz theschultzes@verizon.net

 

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.
Bob Hope

 

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
Mark Twain

PIED PIPER SAYS BYE BYE TO BOOKSTORES –You can no longer purchase The Pied Piper of South Shore book in bookstores or on Amazon unless they already had them. But you can always get them at my website www.cmapublishing.net or by calling me direct toll free at 1-866-50-PIPER (74737) 

Note to readers!  My website is getting moved to a new server in early February so if you are unable to order online please just call me toll free at 1- 866-507-4737

LESS THAN 400 COPIES REMAIN OF THE PIED PIPER –We are extending the BUY TWO GET ONE F*REE offer until 3/31/07 for books and posters.  BUY TWO BOOKS AND GET ONE F*REE OR BUY TWO PIED PIPER POSTERS BY MITCH MARKOVITZ AND GET ONE F*REE.  This offer will not be in stores or on the Pied Piper website.  The only way to take advantage of this offer is to call me toll f*ree at 1-866-50-PIPER (74737) (any day 9am to 7 pm Chicago time please) or mail me at CMA Publishing, P.O. Box 366 Medinah, Ill 60157-0366. You can order from my website at www.cmapublishing.net   I will autograph copies, gift wrap upon request, and ship them to you or your recipient. Shipping is $7 for three books to one location.  Or we can arrange to ship one gift wrapped book to each giftee. Poster shipping is $7.50 (for 1-3 posters sent together). Books are $19.95 each & posters $29.95 each.  Illinois residents add 8.75% sales tax on the merchandise only.  We take Visa, Master Card and Discover.

STORIES TO SHARE

Thanks for connecting me to Rick Trock.  I spoke to him for a while and it's my brother that he really knew. He was happy that I called him. On another note, Jerry Frey mentioned in the last newsletter used to perform magic at kid’s birthday parties when I was a kid. So I emailed him as he did his magic at a number of my birthdays. Boy did he get a kick out of that! Mitch Markovitz   art.mark@usa.net

I lived there from 1941-1975.  Yes, my family and I stayed till the bitter end.  I taught at Bryn Mawr and Horace Mann after college.  Attended Hyde Park H.S., and went to my 50th reunion in 2002 and found all of my old friends.  We are now e-mail pals and that is how we came to remember Wee Folks and the Avalon Theatre   Sandra Steinberg-BestSpnkySndy@aol.com

 

I am reading your book right now and really enjoying it.  We lived at 7917 Oglesby.  I was the baby in the family, born in 1956, and my remembrances of Wee Folks are snippets.  I recall the play space and that I always wanted to go in there.  I remember the movie promotions.  I loved those Saturday mornings at the movies.  My favorite toy was the James Bond camera that was really a gun.  At the push of the button the barrel came out and the handle dropped down so you had a pistol.  I got the drop on many of my friends with that spy tool.

 

We were among the later white families to leave South Shore.  My mother, Natalie, was a librarian at South Shore High School and a liberal in the best sense of the word.  She and her sister, Harriett Cahnmann (about the last to leave, from her home at 80th and Jeffery) really believed that running to Skokie wasn't the right thing to do.  She was sure we could all get along and for the most part, we did get along fine with our neighbors.  But quality was declining at Horace Mann and the teachers that had taught my sisters were leaving.  As a kid, I recall, the day I was walking with my big German Shepard and was mugged by a kid with two dogs.  We moved to Florida, where my sister was living, in 1971.  I wouldn't have recalled your father’s murder without your book.  Your remembrance is a mitzvah in its delightfully loving history of your family and South Shore.  Thank you for sharing it and for stirring so many memories. This publication must be a grand and emotional trip for you!  .

 

I guess there are still communities where relatives live near each other, and where you had a community of friends and relatives around you, but the change in South Shore was really kind of heartbreaking.  When I was born, my mother's brother and sister both had families living within a mile of us on 81st and Yates and 83rd and Luella.  Two of my father's three siblings also had family nearby, on 78th and Clyde and 80th and Bennett.  All the cousins were around and all the aunt's houses were open.  By my 14th birthday, they were all gone to the north side.

 

So here's the weird thing about that community.  In Gainesville, FL in 1978, I met my late wife, Judy Hoodwin (South Shore High, 1969).  I sort of knew that a South Shore friend of mine had a cousin in Gainesville.  When I saw the girl in the Hyde Park Herald sweatshirt I took a guess and asked if she was my friend's cousin.  The connections with this stranger were pretty deep.  Her cousins lived right behind my cousins.  They use to baby-sit me.  She was a bit older, but was close friends with my cousin's cousin, who also happened to be my camp counselor.  Her aunt went to Hyde Park High School with my mom.  Her grandparents were founders of South Shore Temple, where my family attended.  Though our families weren't close, we easily found connections going back generations.    I met this stranger in Gainesville, but she was immediately like family because of the South Shore Community.  Rick Trock   rick@trockmedia.com

 

The News Spots does get a lot of readers and I certainly applaud Caryn for bringing back so many memories. I did receive an E-mail from George Bachouros (spelling?).  He graduated in '56. I graduated in '54. There were four guys on that team about '48 or '49 that went on to Illinois and all started, Ill. won the Big 10 that year, about '52 and beat Stanford 47-7 in the Rose Bowl. The four players were Tommy O'Connell, QB, Pete Bachouros, half back, Rex Smith, end and Danny Sabino, center. What brought this to my attention was an article in our local paper about Tommy O'Connell. The article mentioned that Lou Groza insisted that Tommy hold the ball for him when he kicked a field goal or extra point. Tommy had broken his leg badly, was in a cast and could not get a football shoe on his foot but Groza said I want you to hold the ball so Tommy limped on the field and wore a tennis shoe on one foot and held the ball. We all saw how important the holder can be in the Dallas-Seattle game last week. George wrote in his E-mail that his brother Pete passed away last year and Tommy, Rex and Danny all attended his funeral. I also remember Bob Lydick(SP) who lived on Constance near the school and also across the street from Rex Smith. Lydick had twin sisters about my age and Rex had a sister Pat about a year behind me. We all lived within a couple of blocks of one another. In those days we knew most of our neighbors. That has certainly changed since '54. I have heard from at least a half dozen alumni of SSHS that knew the O'Connell family very well. The majority of my information came from George Bacharous the younger brother of Pete, who played with Tommy O'Connell at SSHS and then on to Ill. These men are all 5 or 6 years older than I am so I did not know them personally. I'm convinced of two things, #1, your news spot is being read by many alumni and #2. I find that we can run into our South Shore friends at most any place. I learned this week that the organist at our church here in West Palm Beach lived at 74th and Merrill before she started to school, she attended HS in Hinsdale where her family moved during the early 50's. I have shared your book with her.  Don Gibbs DonaldG561@aol.com

I remember while at Bradwell in the '40's that a nurse (probably from the Health Dept.) would come to the school and check everybody for ringworm.  We had to sit under an ultraviolet lamp and if they found someone who had ringworm, they would shave their head, put medication on, and the student would have to wear a "hat" made of the top of a nylon stocking with a knot tied on top.  They would be checked periodically until it cleared up.  I never had to do this but I remember some boys who did.  Isn't it something that we never hear about this anymore?  Kids nowadays would never believe it! Sure!  It was quite traumatic to the kids when they knew they were going to be checked.  It's very vivid in my mind and I remember seeing the kids wearing the "caps" and now as I think about it, it must have been so embarrassing for them.  At my age, it's great to be able to remember some things.  Gets kind of scary! (smile)  I LOVE getting the letter.   MARLENE VANTUYL m.vantuyl@sbcglobal.net

A SOUTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP REQUEST

From the article in the newsletter last month, Jerry Frey has already received several donations for South Shore High School scholarships.  To reach his goal of $2,000 or four $500 scholarships he is extending the deadline to February 15, 2007.  The funds will be presented to the top students at their graduation ceremony next year.  The contributors will have their name inscribed on a permanent plaque to be hung in the administration office of the school. This scholarship will be the legacy former graduates are leaving to the future leaders of our beloved community of South Shore.Thank you, Jerry R. Frey, CMC, CPC, CPCM, Senior Partner, Development Resource Consultants, P.O. Box 118, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729, (909) 902-7655, Fax (909) 476-6942, Email DRCLLC@MSN.COM
 

BOOK/TV  RECOMMENDATION

Last Fall I saw a local newspaper notice that the show's producer wanted to get photos, home movies, memorabilia, etc. of local content from the 1950s and 1960s. Besides taking my family 8mm films of various kiddielands, Santa's Village, zoos, etc., I also gave the producer a DVD related to SSHS. One of our classmates had taken movies during January 1954 of various graduating class functions. There were shots of the school itself, the Senior Class Day, our prom and graduation night. For our 50th reunion, we had the film converted to DVDs and gave them to our classmates. I gave that DVD to the Remembering Chicago producer. As of this writing, I have no idea what she will or won't be using, but your readers in the area or those who have family members in Chicagoland might want to watch/tape/TiVo the show.  One additional thing: That date might be during their fund raising campaign so the taping time should be expanded. "Check your local listings for more."  Bob Levi

 

This item is from the show's producer: 

Hi Everyone: Please set your TIVOs for Sunday, March 4th at 7pm when REMEMBERING CHICAGO: The Boomer Years will premiere On Ch. 11!  This is the Chicago information.  Other states should check their PBS listings to see if it will be in your area.  Thanks to Bob Levi for this item.

 

From Caryn – Remember to support your local public television station

 

I suggest two other books for your readers, both are non-fiction

Bill Multack  bmultack@bellsouth.net

 

SUCCESSES BY FORMER SOUTH SHOREITES    Anyone have a special event showcasing them that is open to the public, a new book launch or the scoop on famous people who were former South Shoreites?

 

A famous South Shore spot bites the dust

Thanks for the great newsletter. I love to read it every month. I thought you might like to know that Mitchell's Ice Cream Shop closed its door on Dec 31 in Homewood, IL. The original owner decided to retire. Cunis’s is still up and running with its original owners in South Holland, IL. They still make their own ice cream and home made candy.

Shelley Stelzer-Ritter friedmatzoh@sbcglobal.net

 

Not a person but a famous place

The south suburbs of Chicago have gone into mourning with the closing of Mitchell’s Ice Cream Parlor originally located on 71st Street. We don't know how we'll cope without the delicious hot fudge and chocolate chip ice cream, as well as their other treats. Mitchell’s had been located in Homewood for 35 years. George Mitchell wanted to sell the business including equipment and recipes, but was unsuccessful.  When the closing date was announced, there was a mad dash to stock up. He sold out quickly. I was too late for my favorite hot fudge, but was able to score 2 jars of butterscotch topping and a large box of my family's favorite mixed nuts. Marty Hutchins, Class of June, 1962 marty40_0@hotmail.com

 

Wasn't Tommy O'Connell the quarterback for the University of Illinois when they won the Rose Bowl around 1950? I'm an HP 56 Graduate so I might be wrong but some of your South Shore classmates should be able to confirm this. Jerry Barich   jtbarich@cox.net

 

I also have knowledge of a couple of South Shore graduates.  Marty Sol ’68 lives in Aventura, FL.  He is an attorney that teaches and does mediation.  Ken Adelman ’68 (I think) lives in Washington, DC.  He is a professor of Shakespeare at GWU, but better known for being Assistant Secretary of Defense under Donald Rumsfeld in the Reagan administration, and Reagan’s arms negotiator with the Russians.  A Google search on him will turn up over a half million hits. –Bill Multack   bmultack@bellsouth.net

 

In the January South Shore newsletter, a reader asked a couple of questions about Mandy Patinkin.  The reader asked when Mandy Patinkin graduated from South Shore.  Mandy attended South Shore, but I believe he transferred to another high school.  I believe his graduation date, from whatever high school he graduated from, would be 1970. Although Mandy plays the piano and he may also play other instruments, he is known for singing and acting (musicals on Broadway, TV shows, etc.) rather than as a musician.  If you go to see him in concert, he will be singing rather than playing an instrument.  He is known primarily for singing Broadway musical show tunes and popular ballads. Dan Nolan, SSHS 1969   d.p.nolan@att.net

 

Note from Caryn – This is a note I received from a new friend, Ray Hanania, who I met because of my book.  He lived in South Shore and is a Bowen Graduate.  He is a wonderful writer, columnist and comedian.  He was named 2006/2007 National “Best Ethnic Columnist" by New America Media.  Ray Hanania is a Palestinian-American standup comedian and an award-winning columnist for publications such as Yediot Ahronoth's English website ynetnews.com. One of the most-written about Arab and Palestinian comedians in America today, he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Today Show, CBS, CNN, ABC and more.

 

Hi Caryn, I'm going to Israel to do some comedy shows and wanted to let you know in case you have friends or relatives there ... the info is below – We are planning a tour through the US in April-May and I'll let you know.  Best regards Ray Hanania  rayhanania@aol.com

 

RAY HANANIA

Chicagoland politics ... Arab American History ... defining the moderate voice, www.Hanania.com | www.ArabAmericanTVOnline.com | www.SWNewsHerald.com | www.NAAJA-US.com , Editor & Publisher on Hanania's columns http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/syndicate_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003525405    Join Ray Hanania's MySpace community (Click link):
http://www1.myspace.com/reloc.cfm?c=2&id=84B9929E-4C95-46D1-A141-38C577B834FB - Subscribe to Ray Hanania's Columns & Online-TV email Newsletter (click link): mailto:eTelevision-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

My name is Ray Hanania and I am both a journalist and standup comedian based in Chicago (USA). I am coming to do comedy shows in Israel Jan. 24 through Feb. 1 ... with three Israeli comedians Shachar Chason, Charley Warady and Yisrael Campbell ... we have shows booked in Jerusalem and more in other cities  If you know groups that might be interested in hosting a show  during this period have them contact our organizer Daniel Sierdarski - director@matzat.org.il,  http://matzat.org.il, +1 646 257 3972 –

Here is the info on our tour so far Palestinian-Israeli comedians Share Stage with shows in Israel Jan 23-Feb. 1, The Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour is set for Jan. 24 - Feb. 2 - Details on each show is at www.IPComedyTour.com - We have more shows planned and dates and locations will be posted on the web site.

The Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour

Ray Hanania, Charley Warady, Yisrael Campbell, Aaron Freeman
Emcee: Shachar Chason (Channel 10 Israel TV)

The performance will be filmed for the forthcoming documentary. Charley Warady headlined comedy clubs and colleges all across the US, appearing on both NBC and Comedy Central, before emigrating to Israel ten years ago. He has continued his career in Israel, performing in English as part of the Off The Wall Comedy series, targeting every aspect of life and politics in Israel. The Israeli-Palestinian Comedy Tour is co-sponsored by Corner Prophets, an initiative which promotes coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians through the creative arts.

 

A British publisher has contracted me to write a book on world affairs. It is well along.  The manuscript is to be submitted at the end of February. There's likely a second, longer one in the works since the publisher has responded very positively to an outline submitted. John Chuckman   doverbeach2@sympatico.ca

 

THE POWER OF KEEPING IN TOUCH – REUNIONS - If your class is planning a reunion please email me and I will include it in the newsletter.  We have lots of planning going on now.  Add yours to the list!

Bowen High School – Class of 1960 is having a 65th Birthday Bash on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the Fountain Blue in Des Plaines (3 minutes from the airport). This is to celebrate that the members of this class have all reached the age of 65.  If graduates have not heard from them yet, please contact Linda Shlaes Schiffman at 847-251-7383 or lischiffman@aol.com or Stanley Cohen at Cohencpa@ix.netcom.com.  Even those who cannot attend will get updates on classmates and a reunion book.   Responses have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, so don't miss out.

Bowen High School – Class of 1967 – July 7, 2007 is the date for the 40th Bowen reunion at the Cubby Bear in Chicago.  The cost is $50.  Email any questions to Adriane Bernstein at surveylady@comcast.net or send your check to “Class of ‘67’ Reunion Fund”, c/o Adriane Harris Bernstein, 381 Kelburn Road, #315, Deerfield, Ill 60015 or email her at surveylady@comcast.net.

 

Bradwell Grammar School – Class of “67” – reunion for our 40th will occur in summer of 2007. Anyone who has not connected with us moved or changed e-mail addresses in the last couple of years e-mail Sheri at skcjd2@aol.com, Thanks. Sheri Kessler   


CVS High School – Class of 1957 - Caryn, your newsletter is amazing as it pertains to putting people in touch after a forty or fifty year gap.  It helped me make contact with former employers Ken & Shonnie Johnson after fifty-one years.  Last week I received a phone call from John Sanford, who found me in your publication.  He was a graduate from SSHS in class of June 1958.  We were roommates in freshman year at NIU in 1959 along with Gerald Liebmann (January '58 SSHS).  I feel that this will continue making more reconnections as time goes along.  Thank you for all the work you invest in this endeavor.  In my own way, I guess I am doing something similar by tracking down people for reunions.  I held a reunion for the June 1953 class of Parkside Elementary over a year ago and had 20 people show up after 52 years.  I held a reunion in Nashville the same month for 41 Army buddies I located from our days in Germany in 1960-61.  I am now working on the 50 year reunion of the 1957 classes from CVS to be held in October, 2007.  I have built a database of 561 of the 752 classmates to date.  It keeps me out of trouble.  I will have to find a new hobby once they are all finished. 

Stan Fish (scottdolph@kc.rr.com)

 

Note from Caryn - You can reach Stan at his cell number - 708-466-8566 or at his address - 6729 W. 126th Court, Overland Park, KS 66209.

 

South Shore High School - Class of 1957 - A huge pre-reunion of the SSHS class of 1957 is planned in Anaheim, CA during the weekend of January 27, 2007.  Doug Malewicki sent me some additional information for contacts for this event and the Chicago reunion will be on June 30, 2007.  Contact Douglas J. Malewicki · President/Chief Scientist · AeroVisions, Inc., 14962 Merced Circle, Irvine, CA 92604 · Phone/ FAX: (949) 559-7113, email: DMalewicki@cox.net  - Jan 07 - Fiftieth High School Reunion Invitation: www.sshs57.com

 

South Shore High School – Class of June 1957 is holding its 50th reunion.  Al Telser and Allen Rosenston are working on setting up a low-key/casual 50th Reunion for either Saturday June 30 or Sunday July 1, the date dependent on facility availability at an acceptable price.  If classmates from the June 1957 class or friends of June 1957 classmates did not receive an email letter and spreadsheet please contact Al Telser, 1704 Cleveland, Evanston, IL   60202, phone - 847-866-8466, Email: agt@northwestern.edu – and Allen M Rosenston, 45 Prairie Park Dr. #409, Wheeling, IL 60090-2729 - Tel: 847-459-6527, Fax: 847-459-6525, Cell: 847-347-8114 allen@rosenston.com

 

South Shore High School – Class of June 1958 – My name is Phyllis (Kramer) Witt, class of June 1958.  Arlene Freya Blitstein and I are in the process of starting the 50th reunion of SSHS.  Anyone who is interested in being on the committee, please e-mail me at pooksw77@sbcglobal.net.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone, talking about old times and having a great reunion. 

 

South Shore High School – Class of 1959 – A January and June Classes Reunion ~ Do you know someone who graduated from SSHS in January or June 1959?  Calling all 1959 Graduates of South Shore High School (January and June)!  We are in the planning phases of a 50th reunion in 2009. A “Steerage” (not steering) committee is forming.  If you or someone you know was a member of  these classes please have them email me at caryn@cmapublishing.net or the new class email at SS59reunion@comcast.net

 

Ralph Parisi family benefit - We are having a benefit for my brother’s family on April 28, 2007. My brother Ralph Parisi was born deaf and struggled all his life. He is now on permanent disability and his eyesight is failing. Both of his children were born deaf, are legally blind, and have juvenile diabetes. Ralph's wife Sharon was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in August. The children, Jason and Ashley, were both born deaf, are legally blind without glasses and have diabetes insipidus.  It was recently determined that they suffer from WOLFRAM Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects only 1 in 500,000 children worldwide. We need silent auction items, donations etc. The event will be at 115 Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park, IL. (Around 115th & Pulaski) and will be $20.00 donation per person. We are requesting your help in making this fundraiser a success. The family faces huge medical bills on all fronts and increasing concerns about their survival in the future. We have room for 1000. Thanks! Frank Parisi parisif@prodigy.net

 

REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE

I am trying to pick up where I left off and give the Pied Pier of South Shore more national exposure.  If anyone knows an agent or publisher in the memoir, social history or true crime genre please let me know. Many thanks for your support of my book and your encouragement for spreading the word on this story.  Caryn Amster caryn@cmapublishing.net

 

Illinois house and trailer need new owners 

My daughter Kim who lost her husband last years when he was only 45, is trying to sell her house and a large motorcycle hauling/camping trailer – The house is in Bartlett Illinois.  Right now it is for sale on www.buyowner.com    See it at   www.buyowner.com and use ID # Chi 12742 – the reduced asking price $384,500 – will co-op with realtors

 

She also has a barely used motorcycle hauling/camping trailer - 26ft long - 16ft living quarters and 10ft garage (2 sts motorcycle wheel choks already installed, holds 2 bikes) bathroom/shower, kitchen w/stove, fridge, and microwave built in. 2 fold down twin bed, in-house stereo system, tons of cabinets and storage. – The garage area has vinyl flooring and diamond plate tailgate, plus added-on screen panel for back tailgate door.

MINT CONDITION. - Hardly used, bought new in spring of 2005.  $16,500 obo

Call her at 630-776-3047 or email her at rocz63@comcast.net

 

Stop now and forward this newsletter to friends.  If you are reading someone else’s copy and want your own emailed every month, email caryn@cmapublishing.net.

 

CONDOLENCES …………and  MY FAVORIE TEACHER 

Do you know of someone special who passed away and you want to share their memory and story with my readers?  Email me at caryn@cmapublishing.net

 

SSHS Biology teacher Richard Boyajian – rest in peace! This is a letter from Mr. Boyajian’s daughter Holly. 

 

I do not know if my father was able to contact any of his former students who so kindly sent messages and well wishes at the time of his retirement. He was suffering from severe back trouble at the time, which we now know was the beginning of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and could not hold his head up to look easily at a computer screen. I do know my mother printed out the messages for him to read, and he was touched that you all remembered him. I am sorry to inform you that he passed away just 2 weeks ago. He was persistent in teaching to the end giving workshops in jewelry making and Sudoku puzzle techniques to the residents of the retirement community. I am putting together a photo display for his memorial service. There are some pictures of students at work in a biology class that might be South Shore High or the Lab School. The following is the long version of an obituary.  Holly Boyajian. My personal e-mail is hboyajian@msn.com)

 

Richard John Boyajian, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend died on December 23, 2006 of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He lived a long and fruitful life as biology teacher, shopkeeper, world traveler, pacifist, recycler, naturalist, and philosopher. Richard was born on March 19, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois to Dikran and Zarouhi Boyajian, immigrants from Armenia. Chicago was his home for 82 years and he loved to share the history and landmarks of his city with visitors. Richard learned to cherish the natural world through his experiences as a Boy Scout. He passed on his knowledge and love of nature to his children and students. The family enjoyed many summer camping trips around the U.S. and internationally. He believed in using the Earth’s resources carefully, and arranged recycling in his neighborhood long before it was popular. He cut up cereal boxes to make index cards and picked up trash on whatever sidewalk or road he was traveling. Service in the military during World War II convinced Richard that armed combat among human beings could never bring us to a world of peace and justice. Seeking another way and people of like mind, he found the Society of Friends (Quakers) at the 57th Street Meeting in Chicago. There he also met Polly Gildersleeve, his companion for life. They were married at Quaker House on December 26, 1955.

 

The G.I. bill enabled Richard to attend the University of Chicago where he earned a masters degree in biochemistry and a teaching certificate. He taught biology at South Shore High School and at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. In 1968 and ‘69 Richard was invited to India to share teaching methods with fellow educators in Alwaye, Kerala. There he became interested in handcrafts and folk arts which led to his second career as a shopkeeper. He began taking international handcrafts to street fairs and organized a yearly fundraiser for UNICEF. He also participated annually in a Milwaukee Friends benefit for the American Friends Service Committee. Richard opened Boyajian’s Bazaar on 53rd Street in 1980, operating along cottage industry principles he discovered while studying the beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi during his teaching assignment in India. He was dedicated to his store, and spent long hours there. He formed warm relationships with his customers and suppliers, and taught many people how to make and repair jewelry.  For Richard, working together with other people for common ideals became central to his life. He joined several cooperatives during his college years, he and Polly raised their family in a cooperative apartment building (Evergreen Co-op) in Hyde Park, and are lifetime members of Circle Pines Center, a cooperative family camp in Michigan. Richard loved singing and folk dancing at Circle Pines. He danced with his children on his shoulders. During the 1970s and 80s he sang with the Chicago Community Renewal Chorus and went on several Friendship Ambassador tours with the Chorus to Eastern and Western Europe, including the U.S.S.R. At Panorama, their home in Washington State, Richard joined a group that went to the Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center to sing for the residents. He remained active in his community even as he struggled to walk and to swallow as the illness sapped his strength.

 

Richard’s adventurous spirit led him around the world and into the homes and hearts of people of many cultures. His inquisitive mind was always learning and questioning. As a teacher he drew others into the thrill of discovery both in and out of the classroom. His playful nature endeared him to children who raced with him over sand dunes or discovered magical marbles and spinning coins in his shop. Richard’s generosity came from a deeply held belief that sharing ones resources and convictions would help make the world a better place. He served on the Peace and Social Justice committees of the 57th Street (Chicago) and Olympia Quaker Meetings. The week before his death he attended a meeting of the committee for alternatives to the death penalty sponsored by the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation with which he and Polly were active since their move to Olympia 2 years prior. He was dedicated to speaking his mind and changing the world. Contributions made in his memory may be sent to the American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org.   You may contact Holly Boyajian at hboyajian@msn.com and she will forward the contacts to her mother. 

 

Note from Caryn – I remember Mr. “B” to this day and I was inspired to go into the field of science because of him. A beautiful article was printed in the Chicago Tribune on January 12, 2007.  It shows a photo of Mr. Boyajian in his later years.  To me he looks the same.  Readers may be able to get a copy online.  What a wonderful life he had.  Caryn

 

Janice Brown - Several weeks ago, my best friend since freshman year at the South Shore Branch (1967) passed away.  Janice Brown went to Bradwell and then stayed for freshman year before going to South Shore. We had wonderful times on the South Side and in Phi Omega sorority. Dances, hayrides, the "Sing", Rainbow beach...She went on to the Circle and became a teacher (as I did) until our children were born. We raised our children together living only blocks apart and danced at our children's weddings in July. She died of lymphoma leaving her husband Howard (a north sider), two sons and a daughter in law. Janis Dunn Levinson larlene@aol.com

 

Peter Bachouros - My brother Peter Bachouros was the halfback, Dan Sabino the center and Rex Smith was an end. After SS they all (4) went on to the University of Illinois. They had a great team and it included winning the Rose Bowl game in 1952 versus Stanford. The score was 7-0 Stanford at half-time. After my brother scored the first Illinois touchdown they went on to win 40-7. My brother died last year in Cleveland and the other 3 attended the funeral. I also played for SS (56) but our team was not as great  - I love getting notes about SS. Thanks, George Bachouros   Gbachouros@aol.com

 

DATES IN 2007! 

Visit my website Calendar of Events for more detailed information on my upcoming events. www.cmapublishing.net – I am now booking talks and book signings into 2007 at such places as libraries, business associations, chambers of commerce and women’s groups.  Do you know a group that needs a speaker in the greater Chicagoland area?  Please have them contact me.

 

ACCOLADES AND ATTA GIRLS – These are some of the many emails I have received about my book and newsletter.  Many thanks!

 

An old friend from SSHS was at my home this evening. I read the newsletter, and would love to be on your list.  It was great reading the blurbs, and I am looking forward to more information from my past.  Thanks for doing a great job. Lois Gollay Veit Class of June 1956   nanalois@bellsouth.net

 

I attended South Shore and graduated with Ruth in 1961. My family had a small restaurant on 75th and Yates called Ted’s Snack Shop and we lived on 75th and Luella.  It was a family owned business, and my sisters and I worked in it just as you did at your father’s business. I also read your book and enjoyed it very much. You were so detailed in presenting your family’s story going as far back as your grandparents. Bonnie (Zafferas) Selimos    bselimos@polyformproducts.com

 

Hi Caryn,       Yahoo!!!!  I called Sharon Caputo this evening. She indeed was the Rinella from South Shore.  She was very receptive and we had a nice conversation. She said her sister Pam lives In Florida.  They took my email address and hopefully Pam will contact me. This is just too cool. I absolutely love finding old friends from South Shore.

 

I really am amazed at the power of your newsletter. The fact that far removed,

South Shore refugees, separated by time and space can get together and make a connection.  It is really cool that the one reader was looking for Pam and then I responded saying I would also like to talk to her and then a third offered info on her sister. Then you contacted me with Sharon's possible whereabouts. Then I used the internet and get Sharon's phone number. I called Sharon and she did not know me from Adam, but we had a fabulous conversation. She was very warm, friendly.  So I am truly in awe of the service you provide for old friends that are scattered across the country but are bound by a common thread of a life long ago in South Shore. Keep up the good work.

Mark Fitzsimmons   Mark_Fitzsimmons@bmc.com

 

Thank you all for forwarding copies of this newsletter to friends and family and thank you for your support of the South Shore News Spot Newsletter and the Pied Piper book and art work.

 

Many thanks to my husband Bill a non South Shoreite who diligently proof reads this newsletter every month.  He has heard ALL the stories by now.

 

Many and More and More Happy Memories ………………Caryn

 

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Caryn Lazar Amster, (The Pied Piper's

Daughter) is the award winning author of the

debut book The Pied Piper of South Shore,

Toys and Tragedy in Chicago.  This true

family true crime social history is set in

Chicago's South Shore in the 1950's and '60s. It

won the USA Book News "Best of 2004" in the

True Crime category.  It garnered an

all "5" rating in 2004 from Writer's Digest

International Self Publishers Contest in the Non-

Fiction category and Honorable Mention in the

Family Stories category from the same

magazine in 2005. ISBN: 0-9758928-0    LOC:

4108342

CMA Publishing is a divison of CMA Marketing

Group, Inc. P.O. Box Sig366,  Medinah, Ill 60157

mailto:caryn@cmapublishing.net    1-866-50-

PIPER (74737)

To purchase books and posters of cover

http://www.chicagospiedpiper.com

Amster is a Chicago area marketing

specialist, President of CMA Marketing Group,

Inc. and a speaker and trainer.

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