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Paul Fazio’s Living Eulogy for his 100th Birthday
We’re all teachers here, some of us administrators as well. I’d like to say a few words about someone who’s both.
Glenn Baldwin, September 21, 2023
This person’s first administrative experience was as president of his HS class.
College did not follow high school for him. Instead, he flew a B-27 bomber during the war and received admission to SUNY Cortland thereafter.
Changed majors from Phys Ed to Health when hit in head by a baseball.
His second administrative experience was president of his class of 1st graduating Health majors.
His third administrative job was being the first elected president of NY Health Educators.
He became a guidance counselor, then his fourth administrative role as Npt HS’s single AP.
Only this man could succeed in those two roles. He was always supportive of students and ready to listen to them. His discipline was “strong, but not harsh.” He understood what was best for kids.
Soon he was given duties of a principal, including observing teachers. As AP, he instituted teacher aids and remembers Jackie Frederickson fondly.
This school disciplinarian was honored with a yearbook dedication, not once but twice, in ’61 and ’64.
Time came for a third jr. high school to open in our district, since the baby boomers were becoming teenagers.
Superintendent Bernie Schneider selected this proven and valuable professional to be Middleville’s principal, his 5th administrative position. He was sent around the country to observe its top schools in preparation. Any administrative course would pale in comparison.
Another preparation was recruiting staff members. He sought out teachers with energy and commitment, not only locally but from afar, like Massachusetts and Florida. He was building the best faculty possible.
Middleville became a vibrant place, with a leader who was demanding, honest, and supportive, expecting the best from teachers and students alike and giving his own best every day. The climate was not me vs. you, but we together working together toward common goals. This translated well into the classroom with our students. Faculty friendships and bonding grew, both inside and outside of school.
There was the Activity Program, a mid-day period where academics were paused briefly for anything fun and positive that students and teachers would enjoy together: mastering the frisbee, playing chess or rock ‘n roll, starting a PA radio station, you name it.
Field trips extended the curricula, be it a Shakespeare movie playing locally, or an overnighter to Williamsburg or Boston for 8th graders studying American History.
Another innovation was the Time Out Room, maintaining the discipline for misbehavior that was strong, but not harsh.
Yet Middleville students performed quite well on standardized tests. The school carried the highest attendance record in the district for teachers and students. A New York accreditation committee visited, observed, and pronounced Middleville “One of the best in the state.”
Obviously the man I’m speaking of did not accomplish all this alone. He assembled and nurtured a staff that made it happen together. He was not only an educator of teenagers, but an educator of teachers.
Eulogies are usually delivered at funerals and memorial services. Nice, but not very helpful to the departed. Why not say nice things to honor someone who’s still with us? On his 100th birthday, Paul Fazio deserves this living eulogy and all the respect, affection, gratitude, and friendship we have for him.
I’m about to turn 90 but feel like I’m 70. Have great memories about some of the great staff I had at Larkfield and 5th. Ave. Many students and staff have contacted me over the years. Lost my great wife Dorothy five years ago. She loved her years in the Time Out Room at NHS. Of the fine staff I hired, perhaps Chris Pendergast was one of the best. We were close friends until his recent passing. I support the UTN-R scholarship program each year. Still play golf 2-3 times per week.
Note: Jerry would love to hear from you. His email address can be found in the password protected, online Member Directory. If you need the password please send email retiredUTN@gmail.com with your full name.
Jerry Bradnick
My wife Susan and I have donated our relief checks to several causes: A local soup kitchen, Wounded Warriors, St. Jude, The Salvation Army, K-9 heroes, St. Joseph’s Indian School and others. We feel very fortunate to be able to do this, and encourage others who can, to do the same.
Alan Drysdale
Math teacher at Northport Jr. and Northport Middle for 33 years.
This winter I broke my record for catching the most mice in our basement – so as not to engender jealousy, I won’t say the exact number. One mouse got so impatient for a new trap that he came upstairs looking for me.
Howard Blue
I’ve also been carrying out my duties as Town Historian for Copake, NY. You can see some of my stories — about Liberace; Walt Whitman’s brother, Emile Griffith; murders; a one legged veteran of the Battle of Gettysburg; an alleged Nazi spy; and the test flight of a plane for the Navy — all in little old in Copake. See the Copake History Facebook page to read more. Finally, I’m just about done with the writing of my book: The Man Who Sold Superman (Comic Books) to the World, and a publisher’s interested.
Northport High School
Social Studies Department
&
School 1129 Moscow
English Department
A note from Chris Pendergast – December 3, 2019
I have some news to share. My manuscript, Blink Spoken Here : Tales from the Journey to Within and the Lessons They Taught was accepted for publication by Apprentice House Press of Loyola University. It will be out in late summer or fall. The book chronicles my 25 year journey with ALS. The contents are split between personal stories, and stories from the ALS Ride for Life, many about things or people from our school community.
Much of the 70000 words were written using my eyes and specialized computer following the loss of my ability to speak.
The foreword will be by New York Times best seller list author and Lou Gehrig biographer, Johnathan Eig. Endorsements will be written by David Cone of the NY Yankees and Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein of Johns Hopkins University, a world renowned ALS scientist. .
I hope the book does justice to the myriad of Northport community who helped make the Ride for Life possible. I also hope it informs and inspires.
Chris Pendergast.
MARY MOORE, retired Norwood Avenue School teacher, reports that her granddaughter, Allie Long, is a member of the USA women’s professional soccer team that won the World Cup Games last June. She started playing soccer in Northport at age 7, played for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on an athletic scholarship and turned professional after graduation. She plays with the NWSL in Seattle, as well as the USA team. Allie is looking forward to playing in her second Olympics in Japan next summer.
ROD JENNINGS, retired Northport music and theatre arts teacher, has been busy writing and directing plays locally in West Palm Beach, Florida. At 84, he recently stopped directing, but is still writing plays. Rod is a fan of the Dreyfus School of the Arts that provides a broad spectrum of arts education to locally talented high school students who audition for entry into the program. After seeing their recent production of Crazy for You, Rod rated it a four-star production, reporting that the choreography and tap dancing was on par with what one might expect to see on Broadway.
LINDA TROTT DICKMANN, retired elementary school librarian, reports that her third book of poetry, Road Trip, won first prize in the Local Gems Press “NaPoWriMo” (National Poetry Writing Month) Contest. The book will be published in January of 2020. Her poem, “Willow” will be in the fall issue of an international poetry journal, Pratik, curated by Himalayan Poet and Columbia University professor Yuyutsu Sharma. “Willow” will also appear in the Fall Issue of this journal. Linda is currently the facilitator of poetry for the Northport Arts Coalition at the Café Portofino in Northport, NY.
GLENN BALDWIN, retired Northport High School English teacher, continues as a volunteer with ALS Ride for Life as a co-presenter, with CHRIS PENDERGAST and other ALS patients, to students of all ages attending schools and colleges throughout Long Island. Last year, Glenn received the Ride for Life’s Keeper of the Light of Hope Award for his volunteer work. He also serves as a driver and piano player when needed. He and his bandmates played at the last two September picnics at the Vanderbilt Museum!
November 18, 2019
Frank Kondrich was awarded five blue ribbons at the Long Island Chrysanthemum Show in October.
I have been a member of the Bonsai Society of Greater New York for ten years now. Two years ago, my friend at the BSGNY got me involved with growing small chrysanthemum cultivars that are suitable for bonsai, and I became a member of the Long Island Chrysanthemum Society. Last year as a “Novice,” I won blue ribbons ( Think of getting an “A” on an essay.) at the LICS show and a “Best Novice” Award at the National Chrysanthemum Society show in Virginia. This year, with the NCS show in California, I only competed in the LICS show in the “Open” division and was awarded five blue ribbons out of six entries.
Each spring brings new plants and a chance to build on what I have learned. For me, this is a very relaxing and challenging hobby. I have had to come out of my comfort zone and learn the science of horticulture and how it blends with art. If anyone is interested in learning more about either club, please feel free to contact me for more information.
Frank Kondrich
July 31, 2019
A photograph by R–UTN member Linda Quinn is included in the 5th International Phone-ography Competition Exhibition at fotofoto gallery, 14 West Carver Street in Huntington. • Exhibit Dates: July 31 – Aug. 24, 2019 • A RECEPTION was held on Saturday, August 3rd from 5-7pm
• Juror Sandra Carrion, Photographer, and President of Image Factory Experimental Photography Workshops, selected 3 winners and a total of 30 photographs from 439 submissions.
A note of thanks from Alan Drysdale …
I am now living in Prescott, Az., and at age 84 after 22 years of retirement, I am finally sending out a much overdue thank you to all who participated in making my retirement such a happy memory for me.
First of all I again thank the art ladies Linda and Nancy for capturing the real essence of me in their fabulous caricature. From my glasses all the way down to my earth shoes, including the NEWSDAY headline “Phantom Retires”, my golf club and the brown sports jacket that I wore on the brown days.
Not only did my Northport Middle colleagues sign with well wishes, but my rival baseball coach Don Barkley signed as he cleared his conscience by admitting to using a couple 17 year olds the year he beat my team. I also thank the Board of Ed, some special students, Fran Zunno the great parent of great kids, and even a close friend of my wife’s for their well wishes. I periodically read different sections of the comments and each time that I do I clear my tear ducts for feeling so lucky.
I have that famed poster hanging in my office and it reminds me every day just how lucky I was to have so many great friends and wonderful colleagues.
The amount of time and effort of those who created the poster, and those who got all these signatures without my ever getting a hint or suspecting just amazes me. I am very grateful to all who participated in this endeavor so that I can have this treasure of memory.
Sincerely, Alan Drysdale
August 11, 2019
Pam Waldroup Exhibit Announcement
Member and webmaster Linda Quinn has a photograph, titled Cartographer, on exhibit in fotofoto Gallery’s 4th Annual International Phone-ography Competition Exhibit from August 1 – 25. The gallery is located at 14 West Carver Street, Huntington. The opening reception is Saturday, August 4 from 5-7 p.m.
Members Margaret Minardi, Pamela Waldroup and Linda Quinn are exhibiting their art work in the Salmagundi 2018 Annual Photography & Graphics Exhibition for Non-Members, on view from July 23 – August 3. The closing reception for the exhibit is Friday, August 3 from 6-9 p.m. at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue at 12th Street in New York City.
Margaret has two pieces in the Graphics Exhibition, Grackle and Juliet. Pamela’s photo, Café Reflections, Corning Glass Museum, and Linda’s photo, Through the Passenger Window, are included in the Photography Exhibition. Click on the images below for a larger view.
Member Pamela Waldroup’s photographs are part of a two-person show, Photographs & Memories, at the South Huntington Public Library, on display from February 3 through 28, with an opening reception on Saturday, February 3 from to 2 – 4 p.m.
Judy Bensimon and Miriam Feinstein invite everyone to see Making Adjustments. Performances are free, but call the libraries to learn if reservations are necessary. Download the flyer for dates and times.
Charlotte Koons will be playing the part of ABBY, a woman with a secret, in a delightful romp about legacies and relationships in Christopher Howard’s The Late Christopher Bean, on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 7 p.m.at the Huntington Public Library. The library is located at 388 Main Street, telephone 631-427-5165. The performance is free, but you may wish to pre-register with the Library
Membership Chair Judy Bensimon wanted to share a few of the comments she received on this year’s membership renewals:
Many members thank the Executive Board members for the work we do.
Eileen Finkelstein sent an apology for delay in responding – unnecessary because folks in Naples, Florida were kind of busy with hurricane Irma.
Anne Crandall writes that this is her 26th year as a volunteer at St. Catherine’s hospital.
Doris Maury’s daughter Debbie wrote to let us know that her mother continues to do well. She is in Memory Care in Florida where she is happy and participates in various activities. “Going out for ice cream remains her favorite!”
From Pamela Waldroup — Hello All R-UTN Members!
What a wonderful surprise to see so many friends at the Vanderbilt luncheon!
I had a great time. Nicely done! Thank you to everyone who was involved in putting the event together.
After reconnecting with so many of you, I want to share some good news!
I am so excited and proud to announce my first solo photography exhibit in fotofoto gallery as a fotofoto gallery artist!
Pamela Waldroup: A Solo Photography Show
“OBSESSED WITH DETAILS: MUSEUM SPACES”
Reception: Saturday, October 14, 5-7pm
Exhibit Dates: Sept 27-Oct 28, 2017
fotofoto gallery, 14 West Carver St, Huntington NY
If you’re in Huntington, on Sat, Oct 14 I’d love to see you. The gallery is just around the corner fromthe Paramount.
Best regards
Pamela WaldroupFine Art Photographer and Retired Art Educator, Northport High School
From Mary O’Donnell — The family and I have just returned last night from a ten day trip to my favorite place in the world-Hawaii. During the Vietnam War, my husband and I lived there for over four years; our daughter, Jackie, was born there in the same hospital as the former President Obama- yes, he was born in America! On various occasions and with any excuse, I have been there at least six times. What a thrill for me to return to visit five islands this time and to soak up the sun and the magic of the aqua blue beaches and the magnificent music of my favorite state. There were eight of us in our family group. If only my son, Kenneth O’Donnell, had lived long enough to join us . As some of you know, Ken passed away on October 18, 2016 of a massive heart attack. He had gone to college in Pennsylvania, returned to teach multi-handicapped children for 8 years in New York, and then had returned to Pa. for eight years to start his own construction business there as he had done in New York. Prior to his death, he was in the process of purchasing his seventh home in P.A.(He had bought, renovated and rented or sold 10 homes in New York prior to that.) He loved what he was doing! I know that Ken loved the children of the district, as well as the teachers, and I know that he is in heaven now, wishing you all the joys that this life can bring. Wish he were here. Aloha and Mahalo! Mary O’Donnell- High School
On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun and Charlotte Koons will fulfill a lifelong dream of riding in a hot air balloon. The balloon ride is a late birthday present and Charlotte is very excited. We expect photos in the days to follow!
A photograph by Linda Quinn has been awarded 2nd place in the Third Annual International Phone-Ography Competition at FotoFoto Gallery in Huntington.
Joy Schmidt responded to Bobbi’s email correcting the date of the Winter Luncheon.
How many times have we all “made mistakes”?????I live in Pittsfield, Ma. So I will not be there but I will be thinking of you all. When I see names from my past and I tell my 2 kids, we love it.
Andrew, makes maple syrup,he has 270 chickens and we all sell eggs. He also has goats and cows etc. His wife cuts 45 lawns a week and their son is now 4 years old. Kristie is a teacher/librarian in the school district in Connecticut. She taught AP writing and decided to leave teaching, she was exhausted. The principal and Supt. begged her to be the librarian. We’ll see about that.
Have fun! JOY Schmidt
Ed and Doris Nostrand recently checked off two bucket-list adventures …
First was a seven day upper Mississippi River ‘cruise’ aboard the American Queen. This is a stern paddle – wheeled steamboat. It traveled from St. Paul, MO to the twin cities of St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN. Followed by a visit to the Mall of American, Bloomington, MN
2nd International Phone-ography Exhibition in Huntington …
A photograph by Linda Quinn, retired NHS Art teacher, is part of the 2nd International Phone-ography Exhibition at the FotoFoto Gallery, 14 W. Carver Street in Huntington. Thirty photographs were chosen for a four week exhibition from a field of 604 submissions. The exhibition runs from August 3 – August 27. Check out the web gallery of the exhibition here.
Gary Nagel, former Business Education teacher, shares his thoughts on the passing of Ernie Taub …
I was very sad to hear of Ernie’s passing today. I worked with Ernie at the High School for 27 years and never once had a teacher-administrator conflict. Ernie was always looking after my department with a forward and wise approach in all we were trying to accomplish. In my 33 years in secondary education Mr. Taub was the administrator I wanted to go to with any concerns or problems that would surface. Ernie was a friend & colleague who worked with you and not against you. Rest in Peace Ernest Taub, and thank you for your support and guidance at Northport High School. Gary Nagel, Bus Ed Dept 1969-2002
Retirees: Read Anything Great lately? Selma Firestone shares her love of reading:
One of the joys of my life is the Great Books group at the Locust Valley Library, which meets at typically two week intervals to discuss fascinating and challenging readings. Originally started years ago to read the Great Books list, we expanded to include prize winning, international, and acclaimed authors who have things to say that prompt far ranging and mind opening ideas. No best sellers, but the best at opening and expanding our minds to ideas for discussion. Chinua Achebe, Robertson Davies, Herman Melville, Charles Dickens, Charles Spencer, Charlotte Bronte, Jean Rhys, Thomas Hardy, Marguerite Yourcenar, Lytton Strachey, Joseph Roth and Shakespeare have provided fuel this year. Still to come: Flann OBrien: At Swim-Two-Birds March 17 Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man April 7 Saul Bellow: Herzog April 21 Henry Adams: The Education of Henry Adams May 5 Homer: The Odyssey
Carlos Fuentes: The Death of Artemis Cruz June 2
Meetings held from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Library’s Community Room. NO BOOKS TO BUY. THE LIBRARIAN GETS COPIES FOR US. Call the locust valley library OR EMAIL ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
R-UTN member Joan Wingerter invites you to the Annual Spring Musicale at the Stony Brook Community Church on Sunday, April 3rd at 3:00 where she will be performing, along with the Harp Duo – “Happy Harps”, coloratura soprano Rachel Schutz and French Horn player Edward House. It should be a very enjoyable afternoon.
The Stony Brook Community Church is located at 216 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook. Tickets are $15, Seniors $12, Students $5.
Irene Eckert presents — Italian Cultural Month Film Series
October 2 — Marriage, Italian Style , Huntington Public Library
October 9 — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, South Huntington Public Library
October 15 — Priest’s Wife, Harborfields Public Library
October 16 — Too Bad, She’s Bad, South Huntington Public Library
October 23 — Two Women, Huntington Public Library
October 30 — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Sayville Public Library
Programs begin at 6:30 p.m. with an introduction by film historian Irene Eckert, who will also lead a post discussion.
Other Member News for October
Ann Crandall was among the volunteers honored at the the St. Catherine of Sienna Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. Anne has volunteered at the hospital for an amazing 141,861 hours of service.
Barbara DeGere has a new name and new address, but she is the same Barbara. She has moved to Bayshore and is using her maiden name of Barbara VanBourgondien.
Rosemary and Jim Dunphy are heading to Europe for their son’s wedding in Spain and a month-long visit to Italy.
Olga Welsh sends her regards from the southland. She tells us she has been a southerner for 22 years and “like all Southern ladies, I play a lot of bridge.”
John Kobel wanted everyone to know that he missed the picnic for a very good reason — he and his wife Phyllis ver in Vancouver for the birth of their granddaughter.
Debbie Tuite and her husband Larry have moved from Kings Park to Temecula, California to live near their grandchildren.