Jacob Fishman

College at New Paltz was a "trip", and my plan when I graduated was to be a full time Catskill Mountain Hotel bellhop. My introduction to the person I later married was "Jack is the name, bellhopping is the game". She thought I was funny (but something of an eyesore). She would not marry a bellhop, so I did what others at that time who had no clue on what to do did, I went to laws chool.

Good grades in college was not my strong suit, so after a nationwide search I found a lawschool that had open enrollment-the admission requrements were a college diploma and cash or charge card for the first semester tuition. To my surprise, I was good at memorizing, so after the first semester, I transfered to a real lawschool.

Everything has been uphill since, but Letty does not laugh at my shtick any more. And I have a hard time remembering jokes.

We have lived in South Florida since 1976, raised 2 great kids, and life is good. We are getting back to our "roots"-my dream of having a place in the Catskills has come to pass, so you may run into me when I am riding my bike around Gardiner, NY. Better yet, pass me or stop; dont run into me.

I look forward to the reunion.

I remember laughing all of the time but I cannot remember what was so funny.

I remember that asshole track coach "Mr. Schwartz" kicking the shit out of me in the "room". That was not so funny.

Benny Laverando was funny. Even his name was funny.

I remember signing Simon and Garfunkel tunes in the gym shower after practice every day with Danny Travers, Lenny Ciavarella, Gary Hecht and others. We sounded good but looked like shit. That was funny.

I remember the day before graduation Mrs. Sherman called me to the school and accused me (with the principal present) of cheating on the Engilish regents because I got the highest grade in her classes and that was "impossible" in view of my mediocre performance all year. I told Mrs. Sherman to calm herself, that I agreed that it was impossible for me to do so well,especially when considering the level of her teaching skills,that she probably graded the wrong test, that she should give me a "D" so that I could graduate, not the promised "A", and thanked her for her wonderful expression of confidence in my ablility to succeed. The principal did not say a word, and the head of the department who was present at the meeting, said my essays were excellent and in my handwriting, and laughed. This experience was not funny. I think Mrs. Sherman took "asshole" courses with Mr. Schwartz.

I remember the great music in the lunchroom every day-the same song (I'll Be There-Four Tops I think) played at the same time every day for 3 months ("Just look over your shoulder!!!")

I sing the Gotham Ave. school song to my kids on a regular basis (Hail to Gotham, Hail to Gotham, Gotham Avenue, We pay tribute to you Gotham this we gladly do ooh ooh ooh; etc.) They do not want to hear it, but I am the father so they have to listen.

My memory is not so good these days, so if I think of something, I will amend this, if I remember.

I just read everything I wrote, and one thing has not changed over the years, I cannot shut up.