Lisa Marks (Fisher)

So much uncertainty.. I checked the option to postpone, and yet... I'm open to the possibilities, should things improve in six months ... 

Sheryl Handler

Hi Vicki and All

For our 40th we had multiple events planned. 

Do we have any other events planned other than the 50th Reunion Saturday night? 

Thanks

Sheryl Handler

Edward Reiff

It’s great to hear all the comments.  The posts bring back a lot of memories.  Andy, we’ll miss seeing you.  I wish you the best in your new life in Connecticut. 

I wanted to mention Mike Ryan, who passed away a few years ago.  When I moved to the Elm Place school district in 7th grade Mike and others, including Mike Tremulus and Jon Marder (both of whom passed away young) befriended me.  Ryan was a star of the HP basketball team, being 6’4” and an athlete.  He was also an intellectual and he could act too (he had one of the leads in Mrs. Greener’s production of Death of a Salesman).  By the end of high school we weren’t very close, but we had history, and he showed up at my door one summer evening when I was in college.  I believe he was traveling, I’m not sure where, and we spent a day or so hanging out.  I ran into him once in Chicago and we met for dinner, but that’s the last time I saw him.  When Mike died a few years ago I went to his memorial on the southwest side of Chicago (or maybe it was a suburb) where he had lived.  I saw Tom and Marcia Fraerman there.  I saw his wife and family, who obviously loved him very much.  Several of his friends spoke, each claiming to be his best friend, and spoke in a very heartfelt way about how much he had meant to them and how much he had impacted their lives.   

Patti Brown

I'm very sorry to hear about Mike.  My memory is that he was a very good guy and part of that trimuvirate that died way too young.  Thank you Ed. 

Julie Shlensky (Somech)

Just heard about the terrible tragedy at the July 4th parade.  Hope that everyone is safe.  What a shock to hear that even quiet little Highland Park is in the news.

Karen Sanders (Cunniff)

I am far away in Washington State but my heart has returned to Highland Park upon hearing of the tragic events yesterday. Such sad news!

Hilary Frooman

I am horrified at the Highland park 4th of July parade tragedy.  I went many times with my mother and my sister and I often marched in the marade in a variety of costumes.  I pray that no one in our class of 72 was shot, but unfortunately, our safety fails to lessen the misery of all those who are suffering--Hilary Frooman

Gary Fields

Vikki [and Friends],

Thanks for your heartfelt message, sent in the midst of the moment.  Central Avenue, where this incident took place, will likely assume a new set of meanings for all of us.  I know it will for me. 

I remember as a 12-year, marching in this parade alongside my coach in Little League, an inspiring young soul by the name of Mike McKillip, who asked me to help him on behalf of our team sponsor, the Kiwanis, to throw candies to spectators along the parade route.  I recall vividly taking special pleasure pitching the sweets to surprised onlookers on Central Ave.  It’s difficult for me to grasp how that street, embedded in my own memory with a certain experience, has now become known across the world for something so vastly different. 

Many of us are probably still trying to puzzle through the question of how this could happen in HP.  Forgive me if my own response to this puzzle sounds a bit clinical, but a few of you know me as an “activist” type – I’ve joked with some of you that my work would probably disqualify me from any job with the City of HP – and therefore I can’t help but look at Central Avenue through the prism of a wide-angle lens. 

Much like the grim reaper knocking at the door of his next victim in Bergman’s Seventh Seal, fate has somehow brought HP face-to-face with just how macabre this so-called, “right to bear arms” really is, and how sinister the politicians are who promote it, including that cabal of political operatives in the Supreme Court who are hell-bent on extending this "freedom" even further .  I’m furious about all of it -- and I know that I am not alone in this outrage.  When does grief and sorrow – “thoughts and prayers” -- become so intolerable that it forces things to change?    

It’s awkward to come to some finality here, but I just hope there is some way that the sorrow visited upon our town can give rise to something better. 

Fran Goldman

Gary, thank you so much for your post.    I expect that each of us who grrew up in HP has specific memories of being in the July 4th parade or watching it.  And, of course, memories of walking, shopping, eating, or working along Central Ave.  I agree wholeheartedly with your position on gun violence and the Supreme Court's attack on our freedoms, but you said it much better than I could.  (I live in Washington DC and have spent WAY too much time protesting there over the last few years and especially the last few weeks!)  Yes, let's hope -- and work for -- change so that this deep sorrow can give rise to something better. 

Helene Verin (Verin)

Heartfelt thanks, Gary, for writing so eloquently.  As our song says, "Highland Park we're loyal ever...be it bright or stormy weather..."

Is there anything we can do to stop the madness?

Helene Verin

helene.verin@gmail.com

917.880.8275

Scott Shutan

Hi Vicki, Steve and the entire reunion committee,

I would like to offer my great appreciation for all the time, effort and resources you have all put into this 50th gathering. So many unseen issues over the past two years but yet here we are just 6 days away and the excitment I am sure is building. Thank you for the constant communication, reminders and overall good spirits your emails have offered all of us. You're a great asset to our "Class of 72" so thanks again.

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend Saturday night as I have a prior family committment with my daughters and all my grandkids early that Sunday. I will however golf on Friday and stop by for the night get together at Tannous where I hope to see many friendly faces.

Hope everyone enjoys and see you at the next go around :)

Scott Shutan

Terry Schwartz

Thanks to everyone on the committee for a wonderful evening and event.   So glad I attended and reconnected with so many.    P.S.  Fantastic photographer,  how did he make us all look so fabulous!!!!!

Terri Ori (Sherony)

Paula Schneiderman

Thank you so much to the committee for planning the best reunion EVER!  The truth is I was reluctant to attend, but was urged (forced?) by my father and sister who had attended theirs.  I was thrilled to see and reconnect with SO MANY of our classmates, even if we only had two minutes to catch up.  As Andi Goldfine said, "it was like "speed dating" for reconnecting.

Special thanks to Vikki, the face/signature of the gentle reminders and updates and clearly never sleeps.  You got to take all the pushback from all the responders and responsibility for the multiple emails the website couldn't tame.  Then there was that AMAZING, breathtaking dessert spread fulfilling everyone's  sweet tooth dreams.

Thank you to all our classmates, especially the ones who traveled from far flung places.  I was happy to see you ALL and to hear a wee bit about events that have shaped your lives over the past 50 years, including the truly tragic and the fortunate.

Sandy Emalfarb (Zisman)

Just wanted to put a shout out to the entire reunion committee! You all worked so hard to show us a fabulous time! Vicki might have been the face  she obviously had a lot of help! We all faced several obstacles to attend! I for one am so happy I was able to participate! Hoping fun times were had by all! Until next time my old friends!

Lynn Bogen (Sanders)

My deepest gratitude to the reunion committee and Vikki for creating this magnificent 50th Reunion Celebration.  I was so thrilled to be able to see and reconnect with classmates.  We not only were treated to delicious food, beverages and desserts, but there was a loving energy in the room that was so uplifting.  Harris did a great job in speaking to us all from his heart. And we got to hear from Dave Liebman who honored Vikki, the angel in our midst who brought her heart into this event with such grace and elegance.  I also appreciate being able to see the pictures and names of those who have passed.  It was so sad, and made me realize how quickly time flies.  I want to be able to stay in touch and see people more often.

Before I left, I heard someone ask, "When will we have another reunion... do we have to wait until our 60th?"  Another person answered, "I think we might have something at our 55th..."  I'd love to be able to get together again in the not too distant future... even as a picnic at Sunset Park.  We have a wonderful Class of '72, and I hope we can all get together again in the not-too-distant future.

Jeffrey Levant

Guffy Levan

First of all many thanks to Vicki and the rest of the committee for their dogged prodding, shaming, and coercing, to all those on the who might have been reluctant to attend; for if "the more the merrier" was ever so true it was for our HPHS 50th. I was concerned that the horrific tragedy of the 4th might dampen the mood, but it certainly did not. There was a a joyous buzz in the air all night that surely everyone felt. It was especially great to see the Braeside and Edgewood people. We were so lucky to share living in such an idyllic setting for out formative years, and that bond was eveident even after so many decades.  Truly a magical night!

Daniel Thuente

I think we all could have benefitted by learning the phrase "Yes Vicky" sooner. Less stress worrying should I or shouldn't I go. Great job to the whole commitee. You promised and delivered a great experience! Thanks also to Harris for his speech. I think community and friendship are two other words we should live by. Thanks for a great evening.

Hilary Frooman

From Hilary Frooman:

The 50 year reunion of the class of 1972 reunion was truly memorable.  The entire committee organized the reunion beautifully; it was well worth the trip.

On Saturday night I thought it was a joke when I heard that Vicki did all the baking  of the fabulous cookies.  I thought such comments were intended to indicate she arranged for the dessert table.  I now recognize Vicki  ACTUALLY baked everything.  The cookies were as perfect and professional as  those on any dessert table at a wedding or bar or bat mitzvah.  I want to especially thank Vicki and make certain she was reimbursed for the cost which I can only hope was considered when the committee set the price. 

Janet Brusslan (Lubetkin)

Thank you Vikki and the entire committee for organizing and executing a wonderful 50th reunion. In spite of some formidable obstacles you pulled off a fun and memorable evening for our classmates. Kudos!

--Janet Lubetkin

Patty Goodman (Pell)

What a wonderful evening!  I also thank those who planned Friday and Sunday as well.  It was a brief encounter with each, but so well worth it.  I appreciate all who came in for our reunion.  I am in great favor of a reunion in 5 years and will help work to make that happen.  The timing of our reunion ended up being better than anyone could have predicted.  Being a Highland Parker, we needed to be together.  It was fun seeing so many faces and talking to new people.  

Patty Goodman Pell

Bill Brichta

Hi Vikki! Do you have any more of those brownies? Asking for a friend...  BILL

PS Thanks to you and the whole committee for a great reunion! Please send brownies.

Jim Skidmore

Gayle Schwarzbach (Kagen)

Vicki and the entire reunion committee, thank you again.  I thought this was a very healing event. It was wonderful seeing our class so cohesive, and with so much compassion. I thought it was also very moving for those of us who went uptown Sunday morning to visit the memorials. It was so inspiring seeing “HP Strong” painted in our school colors on the business windows, and reading all the chalk messages on the sidewalks. The timing of this event seemed perfect!......Gayle

Janet Fisher

Wow, what an event! Thank you to the entire committee for making it so wonderful. I'm sorry I had to leave so early missing visits with so many of you, and missing the PHOTO!, but you are none the less in my thoughts! I heard the desserts were spectacular and that Harris was his amazing, touching self that we all know, speaking for all our hearts, thank you Harris! The evening connecting with so many was a much needed boost. Yes, let's please do this again in 5 years, I'll happily do my best to help make it happen however I can.