Diane Stillman's Comments

Hi Diane, NIce to hear from you! Hope all's well with you. Good luck with the new laptop! As far as the reunion goes, I'm pretty sure I told Anne that I was not coming to the reunion. It would be fun, I'm sure, but it just wasn't a trip I felt I could do at that time. Are you going? I suppose I have time to change my mind. How's everything else going for you? Still at the preschool? Take care. Adrienne

Hi Diane,
I thought I might have seen you in Wynmoor, Friday 1/15/2010. Was that you I passed walking? I left messages at all the Stillman's in the Wynmoor directory. I'm leaving today (Sunday), may be back around Feb. 20. Jerry em: gutdoctor@yahoo.com

Hi Diane, I can't believe a month has gone by since you wrote. I hope you're feeling better now that the nicer weather is here. I assume it's getting nice out there in Seattle. Not much new to tell you. I've been busy with all the end of year events at the college--honors ceremonies, scholarship night, etc. I can't wait until graduation; after that we have our annual golf tournament which is always fun and then things quiet down for the summer. Does the preschool you work at stay open all summer? Adrienne

Hi Diane, Just want to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow. I will always remember your birthday since it is the same day as my mom's. I hope you have a very happy day and a wonderful year!! Adrienne

Diane, My name is Ann Hirschfeld McGilly. I did graudate the same year and I think we were in some of the same classes thru out 164. I am currently lingin in Bridgewater NJ with my son Josh. Would love to hear from you. Ann

Hi Diane, So, today was your first day of work at the preschool. How did it go?

Let's see, you asked me all kinds of questions so here goes. As for the upcoming holidays, we're not doing much. David's birthday is tomorrow so it always feels like our holiday starts with his birthday. We have a little surprise for him at home but it won't be a big deal. Otherwise, we'll be staying around CT for the first part of it. Having friends over for Christmas Eve (we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah). Later in the week I will bring Spencer to NYC to spend a couple of days with my dad. I think they'll both have a very good time. Dave and I will drive in on New Year's Eve day and spend the evening with my dad, his ladyfriend, and Spencer.

As for where I've lived, went to college in VT, then moved to Boston for two years, went out to Oberlin, OH for two years (worked at Oberlin College), moved out to Eugene, OR for three years, moved to PA for about four years, back to NYC for 10 years, and then up here to CT. I wasn't crazy about Boston, eventhough most people really love it, but I was working full time and in school part time so I didn't have time for too much fun. I also didn't like Ohio. I do miss NYC but at least with my dad there we can go in without too much difficulty. CT has been really great for us, though, and there is lots to do culturally, it's near good skiing, great for Spencer. Take care for now and stay in touch. I'm enjoying reconnecting with you!! Adrienne

Hi Diane, got a kick out of your note. I hear Washington is beautiful. I live in Forest Hills not 10 minutes away from the old neighborhood. I remember playing at your house a lot and we sometimes did Man from U.N.C.L.E. acting or make believe. I remember your mom so say hi for me. My parents are both gone now; it's only me and my brother Larry. But we each have 3 kids so life goes on. My son Michael is at St. John's U, my daughter Sharon is in her senior year at Forest Hills H.S. and Monica is in her sophomore year. I started late. Well keep in touch. Regards, Joanne

diane,
btw, the correct spelling of my sister Peggy's (do you remember her?) name is as written. after moving out of Queens she changed it to PeggIE. and, yes, putting "IGC" on a resume would only work for potential employers who went to school in nyc when we did. i seem to remember you as maybe a little shy; was surprised you were never a full-fledged hang-out person like so many others on or near our block. our house was a congregating point; our parents being less anxious about kids wrecking up the place and they liked the activity as well. and, yes, had a good x/giving with Peggy in Wilmington, Delaware. tell me some more about the old days (or new) if you're in the mood. it is odd how i remember everything from those days - you included even though you were in the periphery w/the mosseries (sp), occasionally playing w/me when they were around. i thought you were snobby because of IGC, and, although not a grudge holder or a person with much attitude, i was a little mad (please don't take any of this too seriously, it is "fun" reminiscence stuff) because i felt shut-out/snubbed re: not being included in IGC.

Hi Diane, Yes, my mom lives in Wynmoor. I saw Bruce on my last visit in October. I have no plans yet for a Winter visit but I was thinking I might also go in February. Let me know when your plans develop! Jerry

Hi Diane, Sorry to hear about the car accident. I hope it was just the car that got hurt and not you as well! Things like that are always lousy. I hope the preschool job goes well for you. I have attended a number of conferences over the past two years dealing with education at all levels and they just emphasize more and more how critical it is that we give preschoolers the best possible education. What they learn at these early ages really sets the stage for what comes later.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. My meal came out great so that made me happy. It was a small group with some friends of ours joining the three of us for dinner but we all had a good time. My son somehow got into some poison sumac, however, and he was red, swollen, and itchy all over his neck and chin. Don't even begin to ask how this happened!! Anyway, he's doing much better now. Take care for now. Adrienne

Hi, Peter; guess I never really thought about the Buckos' status, although I suppose they were more "working class" than others in the neighborhood. The main difference I knew of was more of one of religion: they were Catholic, the kids didn't go to public school, and I believe Mrs. Bucko was active at Queen of Peace; and as I recall, they used to invite my brother and me over to their house during the holidays to see their Christmas tree, knowing that, of course, we didn't have anything like that! So I don't know, I don't think I characterized the boys as "greasers," or anything else. They were simply my next door neighbors. They were kind and hardworking people -- I also just remembered that Mrs. Bucko sewed, and made me clothes for my Barbie doll -- and the older boys were nice to me. Most importantly, Bobby was one of the best squash players around. Those were my priorities!

diane,
re: IDing Bobby Bucko a greaser. spoke with my mother the other day (she is interested in the 164 site and actually unsuccessfully tried to log in) and she remembered him as such as well. distinctly remember white t-shirt with the sleeve rolled up with a pack of Marlboro.

my sister peggie was very good friends with Claire and Joanie, they were at our house almost every day. remember Joanie as especially nice. their bangs were cut frequently and very short.

remember you in IGC (quite an isolating academic environment for 164) and i was always angry i wasn't. believe it was something to do with me making fun of everybody (probably "hitting home" too - and that mostly included the teachers). but, from 1st grade i was always the smartest kid in the class, and did not suffer gladly all the dumber kids. would have loved learning French and all the other perks the IGC got. peggie was IGC

in 6th grae when i made SP, Mrs. Teicher (filling in for Mr. Gulkin who had a heart attack) made the announcement to me and the class that i would not be allowed to enter Special Progress unless i stopped making fun of everybody (including her...)

i remember the shade of your red hair as being lighter, not dark red like Gerri Savitz who was in alot of my classes and on the site. you were a little stand-offish w/me, preferring to play only with the girls.

anyway, we moved just before 6th grade graduation to Great Neck, Long Island.

i was a little bit successful as a photographer and artist up until 10 years ago with a few feature stories for the Sunday New York Times, and Conde Naste , etc. wasn't a good fit working editorial, but continue to have a minor art career with museum and gallery shows.

i have an investment accounting firm in the city
give me a call
212 486-5500

hi Diane
how is your brother lee doing

Hi Diane, You still have that pretty red hair. I remember you lived on 73rd Terrace. I used to love riding my bike down that hill and I also used to use the "pass through" to Park Drive East which you referred to as the "Silver Gate". Yes, we all have lots of stories! Jerry Cohen

Hi, Peter, Mr.Bucko was our gardener as well; they were a nice family. Claire stayed in touch with my mother for many years, and I believe still drops her a line from time to time. I used to play squash a lot with Bobby, the older brother, at 164. My dad was a stock broker; he must be spinning in his grave over what's going on!
Regards, Diane

hi diane,
i asked what your father did because there were interesting class and economic differences in our immediate neighborhood. my father invented and started the Tensor Lamp company, The Buckos father was the local gardener, The Schlingenzeiben's (next door to us) was the head chef of some fancy restaurant in the city. There was a Cadillac dealer at the end of the block whose wife used to give out dimes for halloween (that was really alot in those days). i remember you as more toward the upper-middle class like us or the Mosserres. My sister was friendly with Corey.
I think i remember the older Bucko brothers as being greasers - of course that could be my jewish prejudice.
fun remembering all this...
peter

diane,
well, i remember you well although we were never friends, only did things when andre mossari was part of the crew. i called the "silver gate" the "Short Cut" and our maid/day-worker Agnes worked at the house next to it. i would wave to her through that kitchen window as i was "short-cutting" and she was doing the dishes. the buckos (claire and joanne my sister's friends) father was our gardener. what did your father do? mine had a consumer electronics manufacturing company in Brooklyn.
regards,
peter

Hi Diane, I remember hearing you had married Jack and were in the publishing industry. Sorry to hear you've split up. My first marriage ended in divorce but my second marriage is pretty solid. We'll be celebrating our 17th anniversary next month. We have an 11 year old named Spencer. I've spent my life after college (University of Vermont, anthropology major) working in higher education administration. Went on for some advanced degrees--which is why I was out in Oregon--and have held various positions in academic affairs, student affairs, and human resources all in higher education. I'm at Middlesex Community College right now which is in Middletown, CT. We're living in West Hartford, CT and have been pretty happy there. My mom died of breast cancer nearly 20 years ago but my dad is still very active and is living in Manhattan.

It's funny you mentioned in your note to Peter about the honeysuckle in the fence on the path to Park Drive East. I used to stop and linger there all the time just smelling the honeysuckle before continuing on to the park.

Hi, Peter, yes, I am the red-haired girl from around the corner (actually, it was 73rd Terrace, not Avenue), and in fact lived next door to the Buckos. I don't remember you as well, although I remember your name; and I do remember your sister Peggie. Great picture of Park Drive East! I used to go there a lot, and called the cut-through, the Silver Gate ("I'm going down the Silver Gate," I would call out to my parents when I was heading to Park Drive East to play). I remember honeysuckles poking through the chain-link fence along the way.

the "Park Drive East" image is on page 4, 5 or maybe 6. i just remembered i definitely remember you since i saw Joanne Fox's comment about Andrea Mosseri...

peter