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Retired Members' & Active Teachers' Updates

 

This is the page on which we can share life events, both happy and sad. Pictures are welcome, too! Email them to the webmaster as an attachment or send via snail mail and they'll be scanned and returned. We can announce births, christenings, bar/bat mitzvahs, confirmations, graduations, engagements, weddings, trips, retirements, etc. Everyone loves to see each other's family pictures! If someone is ill, it helps to know that, too. And, of course, it is important to hear of deaths of friends/family members/colleagues. If there is a write-up in a newspaper it can be shared here, especially with those who live far from Port Washington and wouldn't otherwise hear more than a name of someone who has passed away.

If you want to share, email the Webmaster or contact Mary Anne or Tessa with the info.

 

Jo Papaleo has informed us that Bill Rueck, Carla's husband and her brother-in-law, passed quietly on March 28 in his sleep. There will be no funeral now. A memorial will be planned for the summer. We will share details when they are available.

We send our love and prayers to Carla, their son, Billy, his wife Addy, their granddaughter, Louise, as well as the rest of their big, loving family and many friends.

 

Mary Anne Cariello is sharing the following information with all of you.  It is from the Peer Support Line from NYSUT:

'Road to Wellness' Webinar Series

Peer specialists from the Peer Support Line will be hosting a "Road to Wellness" webinar series.

This series will detail steps that can be taken to improve wellness and resilience. All NYSUT members and their loved ones are welcome to attend.

There will be a special offering for retirees on June 17. Check it out here.

About the Peer Support Line:
Staffed by trained in-service and retired peers who understand the unique professional and personal challenges of NYSUT members, the Peer Support Line is a free confidential helpline provided through Member Benefits that is available to all NYSUT members and their loved ones.

 

We received the sad news that Bob Kovach passed away. We extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to his wife, Nancy, their family and friends.

 

Dave Hinchliffe shares some exciting personal news:

"I want to share the most exciting development of my entire life. I have been actively working at a recovery from the effects of childhood traumas. It's been a roller coaster of emotions, but I'm better regulating my emotions and feeling like the best version of myself ever. What a thrilling ride! Here are two digital presences I have developed:

Website: www.hinchthewriter.com. and a substack presence at substack.com/@davidhinchliffe

I'm 2 years into a book effort of flash memoir. It is to be titled: From Trauma to Triumph: A Memoir. And people can ask me questions via email at hinchliffe3450@gmail.com.

I'm also doing speaking engagements and teaching expressive writing to adults. I'm doin' my thing."

We're all very happy and excited for you, Dave!

 

From Barbara Mayer - Harriet Englander and her family and many friends celebrated her milestone 90th birthday with a party at the Swan Club recently. Her son, Shep and daughter, Carrie, said that this was the FIRST party that Harriet had allowed them to make for her. Many people spoke about what a special person Harriet is and how active she used to be and still is! She was always helping others then, which she continues to do today.

Her grandson, Jake, described her in my favorite way, calling her a "badass!" And her childhood friend, Margi, graciously shared the text of her birthday toast to Harriet. Read it here:

"Harriet and I come from the generation that used the whole term “best friends” which sounds a lot more important than the current terms of BFF or bestie. But then again, we no longer travel with valises because they and grips have become bags, and our long ago pocketbooks have been replaced with purses and backpacks. But that’s just a very few of the changes that Harriet and I have experienced during our three quarters of a century of friendship.

During high school, we participated in various sports- croquet, badminton, tennis and ice skating- and both of us were content to be enthusiastic amateurs in all four endeavors. But it was all about fun- no teams, no tournaments, no thoughts of whether these activities would improve our health, or gain us college athletic scholarships. Other than pained conversations about our lack of math comprehension, I think we mostly talked about Saturday night dates- whether we’d get asked out and, if yes, then “Tell me all about it”.

But on the serious side, Harriet urged me and other girls to volunteer for the Councilettes, the then teen program connected with the National Council of Jewish Women. Harriet was always an advocate for liberal causes and has written a fascinating story about her experience as a freedom rider during the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, one of Harriet’s many talents is writing short stories and, if any of you haven’t read her work, I can recommend them. For me, they have been an illuminating window into Harriet’s early family home life.

In addition to her writing skill, I want to mention Harriet’s ability to create and organize her amazing “culture tours”. Last year, Harriet arranged for us to begin our stay in Florida by attending the Florida Literary Society’s Annual Seminar in Key West and then at the end of the season invited me to Sarasota for a week of culture. I’ll never forget six nights with only one night for rest that included the Paul Taylor Dance Group, a theatre production of “Dial M for Murder,” two Chamber Music concerts, Joshua Bell in concert, and the opera "Luisa Miller”. Wonderful trips as they were at the time, I view them as “memory builders” for the future when Harriet and I get older and do more sitting on rocking chairs.

John Leonard, the author & culture critic, wrote “It takes a long time to grow an old friend”. And dear Harriet, I am so lucky, as we all are, to be in your garden, which we know is filled with beauty, diversity and surprises each year. I toast you my longtime friend and wish you as many years as you would like to have."

 

Some of Harriet's PWRE friends and active Port teachers attended this happy gathering and we took this group photo and thanked Harriet for providing us with such a lovely afternoon to reunite!

 

 

Barbara & Joe Mayer were thrilled to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Ruby Mayer. Ruby's dad, Jason, was in the Schreiber Class of 1994. Kim is Ruby's mom, and her older brother, Max, is 15.

 

 

Tessa Jordan, Mary Anne Cariello, and Christine Vasilev, shown here, represented the PWRE at the PWTA Milestone Party. Others at the party included Paul Kosiba, who took this photo, as well as Kathy Reilly, Marilyn Gilbert, and Fredda Meltzer. If you were also there, and we missed your name, please let me know!

 

Marilyn Gilbert shares exciting news about her niece's honor! Good genes, Marilyn:)

 

From Barbara Mayer: Dave Pehlke sent a beautiful In Memoriam card for Karen. With his blessing, I am sharing it here for all the see. Karen and I were close friends, but I still learned a lot about her when I read this and saw the special photos that are included. I miss her.

 

We received this description of a position with the Port Washington Library from Rachel Fox, Director of Children services at the Library. She thought the job might appeal to one of our members. 

The Port Washington Public Library needs to fill a part-time position that they think might be ideal for a retired teacher. The position is with the Homegrown Readers program (HGR), an innovative, home-based literacy and parenting program serving families challenged by poverty, low levels of education, and language barriers. The person would need to be bilingual and willing to go into people's homes (a driver's license is required).  It isn't many hours a week (max about 6 hours a week). It is a 27-week session. It is mostly role modeling how to use specific toys, books, crafts for parents of preschoolers.  Here is more specific information: https://pwpl.org/children/familyplace/home-grown-readers/

Anyone who is interested should contact:

Rachel Fox

Director of Children's Services

Port Washington Public Library

One Library Drive

Port Washington, NY 11050

foxr@pwpl.org

516-883-4400 ext. 1600

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Elaine Labrocca: "I thought our readers might enjoy this picture! The 70s hairdos are exquisite!"

You are SO right, Elaine! So, take the challenge, friends...How many can YOU name?! Send your list to the webmaster, and I'll post it here:)

 

 

 

 

A group of "warm weather friends" enjoyed a chatty and delicious luncheon in Florida. Thanks to Carla for organizing us. It was great to see everyone: Carla Rueck, JoAnn McLoughlin, Fred Buchman, Jackie Marshall, Barbara Schmidt, Jean Lahey, and your webmaster, Barbara Mayer!