Submitted by Elaine Benjamin

Erick ("Ricky") Rienth grow up on my street, Louisa Court in Northport. His family was one of the originals who moved into the new development along with my family back in the 1950s. I didn't get too involved with the boys on the street back then, but I always thought Ricky was friendly and he seemed to get along well with the other boys on the block. They would play softball and kickball either out in front of my house or down in the grassy circle at the cul de sac. The boys would also build forts in the woods behind the Rienth's house. His mother was a lovely person. She was very active in the PTA, etc. In elementary school (Dickinson Avenue) she dressed up as a clown called "Mrs. Pockets" and would attend parades and fund-raisers for the school. She was an expert seamstress and made the outfit herself. It was a typical baggy clown outfit but with lots of colorful pockets all over. In the pockets would be little prizes. Mrs. Rienth helped me with sewing when I took up Home Economics in Jr. High and she gave me some material that I made into a skirt. Mr.and Mrs. Rienth just had the two boys and I think she enjoyed doing girly things with my sisters and I. As a matter of fact, in 6th grade when we girls got the "talk" about the birds and the bees, Mrs. Rienth asked my mother if she could go to stand in for her as my mother was a teacher in another school. I thought that was very sweet of her as the other girls had their mothers with them. My sister Pam and I stayed at least one night at the Rienth's house when my baby sister June was born. I remember Mrs. Rienth set us up in their finished basement and she made breakfast for us with honey for our toast, which was a real treat for me. I heard that Ricky died many years ago. I didn't know Ricky after high school and am not clear on what happened to him only that he left us much too young. Other kids in the Class of 1970 who grew up on my street were Tim Murphy, Joe Casserta, Robyn Stanjones, Diane McDermott, and Lisa Deiches, Tim Murphy is now gone as well. We had a wonderful childhood on Louisa Court with great block parties, etc. I have fond memories of growing up with all the Louisa Court gang!