[We'll post a complete list of alumni who attended!]

MORT KLAYMAN & PETER DEMMIN
TO ATTEND BOOMER REUNION
DINNER & CABARET SHOW!

We're thrilled to announce that two more hugely popular former Amherst teachers -- Mort Klayman and Peter Demmin -- will join Woody Friedrich and Beck Brown as special guests of honor at the Boomer Reunion's Reception, Dinner & Cabaret Show this Friday, June 24th at Samuel's Grande Manor! At the Dinner, all four of these outstanding teachers will be recognized for their substantial impact upon an entire generation of Boomer Alumni -- and each of them will impart some sage advice & wisdom ... and no doubt some humor as well ... to their adoring former students! 

MORTON ("MORT") KLAYMAN: Mort served in the Army Air Corps during WW II, and flew 15 bombing missions over Europe as a B-24 Navigator. He graduated from Ithaca College in 1946 with an honors degree in Theater Arts. During his 31 year tenure at Amherst High School (1952 - 1983), Mort taught Dramatics & Speech, directed dozens of class plays, plus 31 outstanding musical productions (including many in collaboration with Walter Reitz), served as the Thespian Society's Faculty Advisor & took a one-year leave of absence to earn his Ph.D. in Theater at the University of Michigan. Even after "retiring" in 1983, Mort returned to Amherst to direct 7 more musicals. He was also actively involved for many years as Director of the Amherst Players, and he continued to direct stage productions until 2008. With his late wife of 41 years -- Dr. Norma Enea,  who taught French at Amherst --  Mort  traveled the globe (including to China, Russia and South Africa), and they spent a portion of each winter in Arizona. He lives in Amherst.

PETER DEMMIN: Peter earned a University of Buffalo Bachelors Degree in Science, a Masters Degree in Chemistry, & an Ed.D. in Education. During his 36 years at Amherst High School (1959 - 1995) he taught Chemistry, served as the Stage Crew's Faculty Advisor, and co-authored two high school chemistry textbooks (published by Prentice Hall). Remarkably -- between 1986 and 1995 -- 4 of Peter's chemistry students were recognized as being among the top 4 high school Chemistry students in the Nation through their selection to the 4-person U.S. International Chemistry Olympiad Team. Last April, he was chosen by the Chemistry Olympiad to come to Washington, DC to help score the National Chemistry Olympiad Exam. Currently, he's still writing Chemistry questions for the New York State Regents Exam, and he also conducts workshops for the College Board Institute at St. Johnsbury College in Vermont. Peter and his wife Ruth live in Amherst and also love to travel.

We're honored & delighted to announce that our beloved former Amherst American History, Economics & Sociology Teacher & Debate Team Adviser Truman "Beck" Brown will be joining us in time for dessert, coffee & the Cabaret Show at the Boomer Reunion's Welcoming Dinner at Samuel's Grande Manor this coming Friday night!

Many alums still fondly recall the fantastic "Ph.D. Gang" of Truman Brown, George Kay & Edward Larson, who -- together with other outstanding teachers including Richard Reed, Robert Rowland, Clarence Spitzer, Byron Bair & others -- constituted the finest high school History & Social Studies Department in New York State ... and certainly in the U.S.A.! Beck continued teaching at Amherst until '91. In '81, he also opened a financial planning business & became active with the Educational Testing Service's Advanced Placement Program. He lives in Williamsville.

In more recent years, Mr. Brown has been an active participant in a prominent Canadian choral group, "Chorus Niagara," in which he's the only American member! Last year, this fabulous group set a 'YouTube' record when it performed a famous "Flash Mob" at the Seaway Mall in Welland, Ontario. (A "flash mob" is a large group that assembles suddenly in a public place, briefly performs, & then quickly leaves). The video has been viewed over 3 million times on You Tube! You can check it out at http://www.chorusniagara.ca/  & http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/offbeat/Local-chorus-video-becomes-YouTube-hit

We are likewise honored & thrilled that beloved former Amherst Math Teacher, JV Soccer Coach & Varsity Rifle Team Coach Elwood "Woody" Friedrich will also be one of our special guests at the Welcoming Cocktail Reception, Dinner & Cabaret Show this coming Friday, June 24th from 7PM - midnight at Samuel's Grande Manor! His daughter Susan Friedrich Davis ('81) says that her Dad still has that easy-going, friendly manner and that memorable and infectious smile that endeared him to so many of us, and that he loves to reminisce about his former students. Mr. Friedrich has written to tell us that he's looking forward with much excitement to seeing many of his former Class of '63 - '70 students again!

We've invited several other former teachers - stay tuned for further announcements! 

 

CABARET SHOW STARS!

 

                                                                        
DON CROLL

DON CROLL ('65) of Dallas, TX - We're likewise honored & ecstatic that one of Amherst's most beloved theatrical alums -- a talented actor, singer & performer -- will be the "Master of Ceremonies" of the fabulous Cabaret Show at the Welcoming Cocktail Reception & Dinner on Friday, June 24th. Don was a major all-star of the ACHS stage in"Music Man" (Profesesor Harold Hill), "Oklahoma" (Will Parker) & "Little Abner." He performed both on and off Broadway, & most recently has been starring in his own one-man show "Songs of the Redhead: The Music of Danny Kaye," which has taken Dallas, San Francisco & other venues by storm. He's also a distinguished Dallas synagogue cantor. Like the other Cabaret Show performers, Don is bursting with energy, chutzpah & creative theatrical ideas that are sure to help make the show a smashing success!  

                                             LINDA BAUMLER (KOZIOL)

LINDA BAUMLER (KOZIOL) ('67) of Lancaster, NY is the "point person" for the organizaton of the Cabaret Show. She was a wonderful star of the ACHS productions of "Brigadoon" (Meg Brockie), "Carousel" (Nettie Fowler), & "Imaginary Invalid" (Beline), & is now a prominent WNY vocal music instructor. She earned her BA in Voice Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music & a graduate degree from UB!

 

                                                      GRANT GOLDEN

GRANT GOLDEN, MD ('68) - A graduate of Brown & UB Med School, Grant is a radiologist & a prominent member of the Buffalo musical, theatrical & cultural scene. He has directed several cabaret performances; sings; writes fabulous original theater music, lyrics & libretto; & is a longtime theater & film reviewer (WBEN, WBFO & Buffalorising.com)! Grant's original theater productions include "The Other Island," "Nobody's Inn," and "Izzy." His new show, "Me II," is scheduled to open in June, 2012 at The New Phoenix Theater on the Park -- Buffalo's premier alternative theater. In '83, he founded Buffalo's only film society, the "Old Chestnut" -- now in its 28th season and going strong! 

                                        VICKI FORBES (DUECK)

VICKI FORBES (DUECK) ('66) -  We're thrilled that Vicki, who was a fantastic leading lady as Fiona MacLaren in the '66 ACHS "Brigadoon" show & played Mrs. Paroo in "Music Man" --& who's a fabulous musician, pianist, & prominent voice & piano instructor in Grand Island, NY -- will be the June 24th Boomer Reunion Cabaret Show's accompanist and will also sing! She earned her BFA in Piano Performance from SUNY Buffalo!

BOB BAKERT ('68) - We're delighted that noted Atlanta singer, songwriter & guitarist Bob Bakert ('68) has kindly agreed to replace Del Goldfarb ('68) in the June 24th Cabaret Show. Del informed us that he was such a smash hit at this month's big folk festival in Israel that he has decided to stay there ... & we're thrilled that Bob has kindly agreed fill in! Like Del, Bob is a terrific musician. At the Cabaret Show, he will perform several beloved 60's folk songs --with full sing-along participation by the Boomer Alumni audience! 

Legendary H.S. Baseball Coach

JERRY GASZ
('65)

Jerry is looking forward to seeing everyone at the “Boomer Reunion” in June – where he has kindly volunteered to organize an "extra-soft" co-ed softball game at the Picnic at Ellicott Creek Park on Saturday,  June 25th!

After graduating from Amherst in 1965, Jerry received Bachelors, Masters and Administrative degrees from Buffalo State. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Drill Sergeant for 6 years. His  career in education -- as a teacher/administrator/coach -- spanned 37 years in the Williamsville Central School District.

Although Jerry's retired, he's in his unprecedented 42nd year as the Varsity Baseball Coach at Williamsville East High School.  Amazingly, 19 of his players (between his high school & summer teams) have signed professional baseball contracts! He particularly enjoys helping his players in the college recruitment process.

As a coach, Jerry has had an incredibly successful career because of the many dedicated players, great parents and administrators who have been supportive of his baseball program. His Williamsville East baseball program has won 19 conference titles and 9 sectional titles during his tenure as their only coach. Over the years he's won 616 games, which ranks 6th all time in N.Y. State, and 3rd among active coaches. He's second in WNY in wins!

In 1994, Jerry was elected to the Williamsville East Coach's Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was a recipient of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Award for contributions to the youth in the Town of Amherst. He was selected as a finalist in 2009 for National (U.S.) High School Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association, & was a presenter that year at its National Convention. He was also honored with an award that year by the New York State Coach's Association!

                                                 YIKES!

JAMES K. DAVIS
('63)

 You DEFINITELY don't want to
miss this video ... & this guy!
 
SMOKIN' HOT, HANDSOME CELEBRITY AMHERST ALUM
COMING TO BOOMER REUNION!

                              www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CF3efb62lo

Click on the YouTube link above to watch hysterical video
celebrating Jim's 50 years in radio broadcasting ---->

"Sexy, foolish but delicious, old but hot, gorgeous, very big guy, nice abs, thick lips, hairy apeman, biggie, nicest eyes I've ever seen, a hunk of burnin' love, would like to have a beer with him, crazy, creepy, scary, attractive for an old guy, bozo, overrated, great singer, can't sing, loved him when I was young ... don't like him now, scary airplane pilot, what would it be like being next to him on his plane riding shotgun? ... It would be scary, but I'd buckle up & go take that ride ... I think it'd be fast, & I'd put my hand on his leg ... I'd have to tighten up my seatbelt really tight ... egotistical, occasionally derailed by attitude, I have 2 words for you ... one's a verb & one's a noun!"

Quotes from video "Working for James K. Davis!" Jim lives in Vero Beach, FL; runs 5 radio stations along the Treasure Coast; participates in his company's fiber optic cable company in Port St. Lucie; enjoys flying, boating & camping; & fondly recalls lugging his tuba around Amherst with its bell sticking out of his VW's sun-roof!