Randi Weinerman's Comments

Hi Randi,
Just wanted to say it was great seeing you and everyone Saturday. Sorry we didn't talk much. Can't find your new email. Send me a note.
Leora

Hi there----remember I will (or we will) be seeing you all soon...Jefff just love hanging with the girls!!!! oye oye oye, what a woman he is---speak soon send love Jay!!!!

Randi,
Sorry it took me a while to respond. I recently received a message from Gail Ginsburg who lived on Jewel Avenue - all of this is quite strange trying to remember names and everything from so long ago. And then it seems it really isnt that long ago but it really is. Age - old age, could be worse.
About me and what I have been doing (in a few words) - single (almost married years ago until I called it off), no children (I think I am an excellent uncle to my sisters daughter who is now in college, 2nd year), got my Bach. Science degree in Landscape Architecture and have been doing that for many years along with a period of time being a bookstore manager. I have an apartment in Forest Hills where I lived (a block off of Queens Blvd near the 75th Ave subway stop) for many years until I moved to East Patchogue on the south shore of Long Island. I have driven through the neighborhood about once a year to go to Forest Hills for the yearly coop board meetings. Some of those names sort of sound familiar and others dont - still looking for photographs myself but I lost many things in a flood in my basement (4 ft of water) just a few years ago.

You're welcome.Sorry I couldn't help you

Thank you anyway. Appreciate the quick response.

Hi Randi-I graduated 164 in 1969. I was just doing some reading and noticed something said about Michele Grunberg passing away. Was her brother Ronald as we were friends? Thanks.

Hi Randi: I too will e-mail you next time. Why gerber in your e-mail address? Is that your married name? I also love movies. Have enjoyed them since I was a teenager. I remember going to movies almost every week between the ages of 16 and 21. Sometimes I went with friends, sometimes on a date, sometimes even alone. I like almost all kinds of movies except horror. I haven't seen Taken. The last movies I've seen are "Revolutionary Road" (Liked it but it was kinda a downer), "Doubt" (Thought the acting was excellent), and "Benjamin Button" (Entertaining, but not as good as I expected).

Sorry to hear about the reunion. But it sounds like you'll probably have fun even if the reunion is cancelled. I haven't been back to NYC or Queens since 2001. I was close a few years ago when I was in upstate NY during a trip that included Niagara Falls and Canada. You know, I've never been to Florida either. Closest I've come was a trip that took me through Atlanta. What part of the state are you in? Are you near any big city I'd know?

Take care.
Stewart

Randi,
Wow, those names are familiar but please remember there have been many many years between so if you have a photograph please put the names next to the person. And that would include a photograph of me too! I think I didnt change that much but I am sure I did. I even found the other day a photograph of when I was in summer camp back in 1964 and it did take me a little while to figure out who I was. I didnt have a few grey hairs back then. But the names of Ivy and Renee sure sound familiar. I ended up getting a page on that facebook internet site since a friend of mine put her vacation pictures on and to see them I had to open my own page. And now I ended up finding 1 person I went to junior high school and high school with (Richard Berliner) and 2 people I worked with over 20 years ago. Trying to remember some of the teachers back then - not easy at all. I saw that Leora ( I think that is her name) is on this website - I do remember her if my memory is correct (wouldnt bet on it) did she have black hair and a long braided ponytail? I think I remember her doing a painting of a beach scene with a setting sun and a bird. Of all things to remember!?! I am having a hard time remembering other names but we were young back then werent we?

Hi Randi: I think I understand what your saying. This website has opened up a separate and distinct part of our lives from out of the past. The connections that I had to people back in school in New York seem like they occurred another lifetime ago. I've been living a life completely separate from those experiences for the past 30 years.

I do have a very clear image in my head of what you looked like in 4th grade and in high school. My image may not be completely accurate, but I can definetly visualize you. If you come up with any photos of yourself, let me know. I would be interested to compare the photos to my mental image.

Well, since we're friends, tell me more about your life. What did you do after you graduated high school? How did you meet your husband? How do you enjoy spending your time? Have you had a satisfying life? You can continue to e-mail me on the website or, if it would be easier, you can e-mail me directly at smf6000@aol.com.

Take care.
Stewart

Hi Randi: I hope it was the 1st grade picture. I found out that Yvonne Dressler has posted my 2nd grade picture on this website, and, in that picture, my eyes are closed. I'm guessing it was my first grade picture because Cindy wasn't in my second grade class. I'm glad you remember me. I'm pretty sure I remember you even though I haven't seen a picture. Speaking of pictures, I found my Hillcrest High School yearbook. You're not in it because I guess you left before you graduated. But Sharon is in it. Her hair looks black in the picture (although it is a black and white photo). Her hair goes down a little past her shoulders and she's wearing a check shirt. Under career goal it says elementary school teacher. Did she ever become a teacher?

Your mini reunion does sound cool. Sorry, I couldn't be there. If I ever figure out how to take and send digital pictures, maybe I'll post some. My wife just bought a digital camera. I do have regular photos which I guess could be scanned in, but again there's a learning curve for doing that. Do you look much different than you did in 4th grade. I know that some people really change while others look remarkably the same.

Take care.
Stewart

Hi Randi: You were busting my chops about coming to the reunion, but that's o.k., I figured that you must be really curious to see this guy who you haven't seen since fourth grade. It's funny, we've become better friends online than we were in school together. Maybe that's because it's fun to talk over childhood experiences with someone who had many of the same experiences.

Speaking of childhood experiences, did girls in grade school tease each other mercilessly about liking a boy. I remember liking a girl in 2nd or 3rd grade named Janet. She hung around near me in the playground during recess. The guys teased me really badly about Janet liking me because she hung around near me. When the teasing got real bad, I told Janet to get away from me. She got angry, pushed me over and bit my arm. I pulled her hair. I thought fighting with her would stop the teasing, but it only made it worse. My friends kidded me the next day about the bite being a love mark. Just wondered if girls did the same thing to other girls.

Have fun with Cindy. Let me know if she has any pictures of you or of me from PS 164.

Take Care
Stewart

Hi Randi: I guess my memory is not as good as I thought. I do remember you having short straight brown hair and being athletic, but I didn't remember you being super skinny. I was also sure that Sharon had black hair. You probably don't remember what I look like. At PS 164 I was on the short side, medium build, short black hair. In high school, I was about 5'7" about 155 lbs, long wavy black hair, wore a lot of flannel shirts (still do).

I played a lot of sports growing up in my neighborhood. I was never blessed with great athletic ability, but I had good hand to eye coordination and was usually a smary player. Played some baseball and softball, touch football, basketball, punch ball, tennis. I'm lucky that I haven't suffered any serious sports injury other than beingI hit in the face on a throw with a softball. I needed surgery for that.

I've enjoyed talking with you on this website and it would be fun to see you and Sharon, but I just don't think I can make it in June. I have commitments at work and I'm also committed to accompanying my wife to Austin Texas for a conference. I'm also trying to save up money to send my son to college next year. I guess I'll just have to figure out something else to do for your birthday.

Take care.
Stewart

Hi Randi: I'm guessing it's tough to walk in Florida. I like walking best when the temperature is in the 50s. You warm up after a while but don't come home dripping with sweat. But, I guess Florida temps are usually 70s or higher. I'm not really in the mountains in Missouri, but we do get deer, turtles, rabbits, and the ocassional wild turkey. I've been to Colorado, Southern Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona. The mountains and hills really are breathtaking and the Grand Canyon was spectacular. It's great that you were able to go out west. One thing I've noticed is that some New Yorkers hardly ever go anywhere outside of the east coast. My family was like that thinking that New York was the center of the universe and ignoring the rest of the country.

It is fun remembering those days back in school. And I'm amazed at how much I still remember. Cindy's distintive freckles, Ivy's blonde poneytails. I remember you having dark hair, being of medium height and build and athletic looking. (Is my memory close?) I also remember you and Sharon being practically inseparable. And I remember Sharon having jet black hair. Who else do you remember from those days?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Stewart

Hi Randi: Low 50's to high 70's is also my favorite weather. Perfect for walking. Walking is my main form of exercise except for a little softball in the summer. Used to play tennis regularly, but haven't played much in recent years. I remember Cindy Adams very well. She was in a lot of my classes. And her freckles were so distinctive that I can still visualize them now. I have a vague recollection of Ivy Orenstein. Wasn't she a small blonde girl with pony tails? Renee Willner I don't know at all. I'd be interested in seeing some pictures if Cindy has any. Maybe she can post them on the website. I have very few pictures from those years.

How come Sharon doesn't join this website? Does she still live in the same neighborhood in Queens? My brother still lives in the same apartment we grew up in. He took over the apartment from my parents. It's just off of Main Street and Union Turnpike.

Take care.
Stewart

Hi Randi: What you did for the man coming into the bagel place was really terrific. I can't envy you the weather anymore because it was over 70 degrees outside yesterday. I took a long walk and saw some deer and rabbits. Hope you have a great 2009.

Stewart

Randi: Sorry that I haven't written lately. I've been really busy at work and preparing for the holidays. I share your love of dogs. I had dogs growing up, but unfortunately my wife is allergic so I haven't had a dog for a while. For some reason, dogs have always taken to me. Perhaps they can sense the people who really enjoy their company. Too bad that your dog grooming experienced turned out so bad. But working at a bagel place doesn't sound so bad. I know the money must not be great, but it sounds like fun.

Have a happy holliday.
Stewart

Randi,
You really remember me? But then again, wasnt it just yesterday? I tend to use a calculator to figure out how many years ago all of this was. And then to look at some of the class photos too - amazing.
Yes, I remember Mrs Goldblatt and how she wiped the corners of her mouth - I thought I was the only one who remembered that! And how Mr Edelson always kept papers and envelopes in his suit jacket inner pocket. Whenever I put anything in my pocket I think I will be turning into him. He was nice though. I saw that Cindy Adams (who I told I remembered when she brought something in for 'Show and Tell') named many people on class photos - what a memory! But then I saw that she wrote (I guess I should ask her) next to Michelle Grunbergs name (rest in peace) - what happened ? I remember sitting next to her in the front row in the middle. Scary how I could remember that. I drove by PS173 a few months ago and also went pass Bowne (where I went instead of Hillcrest) and Campbell (now the law school for CUNY) but it was a few years ago that I drove past 164.
Hope all is well - Richard Waldman

Hi Randi: Sorry to hear that you were feeling so bad, but I'm glad you are doing better. You mentioned being at work. What do you do? Did you go to college, and if so where did you attend? I went to law school in Missouri and have been living there ever since. I envy you being in Florida. I've been on the road for the last few days to be in court on a case that's in a town about 150 miles from my home. I've had to deal with ice and snow and sleet.

At Hillcrest, did you have any social studies classes with Mr. Walters or Mr. Oilman? I seem to remember you in one of my classes and I was thinking it was with one of those teachers.

Good to hear from you. Take care.
Stewart

Hi there Randi---I went onto class pictures from this site and tried to identify some of the students from the pictures Yvonne put up on the site...You know what is really scary...I remembered lots of name of the people!!!! Speak soon---Best regards, CINDY