White Plains High School, Class of '55

WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF '55!

White Plains

High School

Class of '55

[ Page update of 4-05-05 ]

Cover from the 40th Reunion Booklet, 1995

This website is devoted to the Class of '55 of White Plains High School, White Plains, NY. There's lots here - everything from mementos of the past to current information about classmates to information about the upcoming 50th Reunion (more)

You'll find the 40th Reunion Booklet, which contains a class list (as of '95) and news and addresses for many classmates. You'll also find wonderful photographs from the 40th reunion, and the program and a news article from the 1955 graduation exercises. Also included are all the senior class photos from the 1955 Oracle, along with photos of our teachers:

As more of us retire, we're quickly scattering all around the country. However, by using e-mail and the internet it's getting easier to locate our friends and classmate. By sharing e-mail addresses, and forwarding those addresses to be listed here, we can use this site as a free and easy way for classmates to find each other.

We're now compiling a current list of classmates on the internet, and would appreciate receiving your e-mail address and home page URL if available. The commercial service http://www.classmates.com already lists some of our classmates, and we're contacting them to add them to our list here. Temporarily, we'll put incoming comments and information into the e-mail/URL list below. Note that we replace the @ symbols in e-mail addresses with the characters (AT) before posting the addresses here, to keep spam-web-crawlers from finding those addresses. Be sure to change the (AT) in an e-mail address back to @ before using the address.

We hope to gradually build an updated class list like the one in the Reunion Booklet, with more current news and addresses. We've also included a "Looking For Classmates" section below that contains messages from folks who hoping that site readers can help locate their friends.



wwporterfield(AT)hotmail.com
Univ. of Michigan, 152 ATL Bldg., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2110 lynn(AT)ieee.org


If you have any suggestions for things to include in this site, please let us know. We hope you enjoy this site!

The 50th Reunion is now scheduled!

The Reunion Website is now online too!

(click here)

To obtain more information and to get on the reunion e-mail list,

contact Art Scheffer <art1125(AT)aol.com>

From: "Jane Slaughter"

To: "Lynn Conway"

Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 5:28 PM

Subject: '55 Reunion

Hi Lynn --

Great news!!!! The reunion committee is working hard and already seems very organized under the able leadership of Mary Briante. I met with them when we were up in NY on 10/19, and everyone is very enthusiastic.

The reunion weekend is scheduled for October 21/22/23, 2005. The Saturday night festivities are going to be held at the old WP Hotel ballroom, with other activities during Friday and Sunday. I just attended Dick's 50th reunion in WP two weeks ago, and it was FABULOUS!

One of the highlights for us was a bus tour of WP on a Stotz Company school bus given by Barbara Thornton Vrooman. She is very active in all civic things in WP and gave a wonderful 1-1/2 hour tour. Downtown WP has really changed -- you wouldn't know it! I strongly suggested to the committee that they hold the tour (actually, two tours because so many people wanted to go), and Barbara said she would give them if any one from our class wanted to do so.

When the reservations are opened, my suggestion would be to save a place immediately, because I think the only problem will be that the ballroom doesn't hold as many people as the Crowne Plaza did and they may have to close reservations at 200 (Dick's class had 254 attend). I'm not sure of the last piece of information, but I know I'm going to send my money in immediately.

I think Art Scheffer is keeping the list of classmates for the committee. He is also very enthusiastic about this reunion. Will send you anything of interest that comes my way if I see you haven't gotten it from anyone else. Keep in touch with the committee -- I know they can use all the help offered.

Jane

From: "Jane Slaughter" <janeslau(AT)comcast.net>
To: "Briante, Mary" <mjbriante(AT)msn.com>, "Hecht, Betty"
<hechtfam30(AT)aol.com>, "Scheffer, Arthur" <art1125(AT)aol.com>
"Porterfield, Wendy W." <wwporterfield(AT)hotmail.com>
Subject: Reunion poem from Nancy McCauley
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 08:50:11 -0400

I thought this poem from Nancy <nancymp(AT)erols.com> would be fabulous posted on our WPHS'55

website! Enjoy!!!!

Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.

I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.

It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.

At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.

And now I can't wait; they've set the date;

Our fiftieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall

At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.

Author Unknown

From: "Jane Slaughter" <janeslau(AT)comcast.net>

Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Subject: '55 Reunion

This brought back many memories...

Jane

A KEEPER

I grew up in the fifties and sixties with practical parents -- a mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, and then reused it.

She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, T- shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dish towel in the other.

It was the time for fixing things -- a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life. And sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing,

I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, > >> in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "any more."

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.

So...while we have it...it's best we love it.....and care for it.....and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick.

This is true.....for marriage and old cars.....and children with bad report cards....and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents.....and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away -- >> or -- a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special..... and so, we keep them close!

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance!!!




Class of '55 E-Mail Addresses, URL's and recent information:


Burt Ahrens <bahrens(AT)edgehillcorp.com>
"Please include my email. Another reunion would be fun."


Werner Ahrenstedt <werner.ahrenstedt(AT)AIG.com>
7 Jay Court, Islip, N.Y. 11751 Home: Phone: 631-581-7418; Fax: 631-224-7434; E-mail: ingorex(AT)optonline.net Work: Phone: 212-770-3696; E-mail: werner.ahrenstedt(AT)AIG.com


Bob Ball <bobball(AT)chartermi.net>
5270 Paradise Drive, Reading MI 49274 "I've been a journalist for most of the last 40 years, fortunate to be able to put to use everything I ever learned and did -- even WPHS plane geometry, physics and history. If you're in south central Michigan, come visit."


Ruthann Batchie Scheffer <grandmopps(AT)aol.com>
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. What memories came back to us. After the 1995 reunion, Art Scheffer and I took up where we left off 42 years ago and began a long-term "courtship" -- I was in Vermont at the time. Cupid got the best of it -- I moved back to Yorktown Heights in 1996 and Art and I were married in February of 1997. We have 5 children between us (my 4 guys and his 1 gal and her NYPD husband). We also have 2 grandchildren compliments of my son Matt and his wife Helen. My Mom is still around at age 88, doesn't remember much of what goes on day-to-day, but does remember so many of our classmates, especially when they used to come to the house. We would love to hear about what's going on with our fellow classmates, so please include us on your e-mail list. - - - All the best to everyone, and be happy and safe. - - - Ruthann


Ira Bernstein <Bernstein(AT)uta.edu>
"What a wonderful web page; I hope I can see you all at our 50th. I am a professor with no immediate thoughts of retirement. My wife (soon to be married 40 years) and I have lived in Dallas since 1965 and we have two wonderful daughters, both lawyers who live in Austin, TX and (soon) San Antonio, TX. My avocation is still jazz - - I have hosted radio shows on three local stations since 1975."
Ira H. Bernstein, Ph. D., Professor of Psychology, UT-Arlington
http://www.uta.edu/psychology/faculty/bernstein/index.html


Bob Cagliostro <Twocags(AT)aol.com> Sam Cambriello <Sampa8(AT)aol.com>
Robert Chin <Robert.Chin(AT)us.army.mil> It would be nice to see some former High School Classmates - Could you keep me informed about the next (2005) Reunion, as I'd like to attend. Also, please add me to the WPHS Class of 1955 Website. I am currently working for the Department of the Army as a civilian employee (Electronics Engineer) at Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703,and reside in Eatontown, NJ 07724. I am divorced. After graduating from WPHS in 1955, I attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY along with Douglas Bowden, John Lindsay and Joseph Stearns and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (B.E.E.) Degree. I served on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy in 1963-64, and was Honorably Discharged.
Lynn Conway <conway(AT)umich.edu>
I recently retired from the University of Michigan, where I worked as Professor of EECS and also as Assoc. Dean of the College of Engineering. Earlier in my career, I worked at IBM Research, Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. I became pretty well known in Silicon Valley and high-tech circles for innovation in the 1970's of VLSI microchip design-methods now used worldwide, and for some basic inventions in computer architecture. I've always been a bit of an adventuress, over the years doing lots of rock climbing, whitewater slalom racing and motocross racing. My husband Charlie and I now live on some wonderful country property in rural Jackson County, Michigan. For some photos you can check out my website at:
http://www.lynnconway.com


Sandi Edelman Ginsberg <mysadie(AT)bellsouth.net>
"Received your message and it was great to see all of the gang from school. I am now married, last name is Ginsberg. Jack & I just moved to Norcross, Ga from Westtown, NY where we lived for many years. I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. My address is: 905 Hampton Ridge Road, Norcross, GA 30093. We have moved in January and we are slowly getting used to the south."


Carol Furcolowe Scarcello <favauntcs(AT)cox.net>
"Thanks for the message and info. I love it. I attended the 40th Reunion and am really looking forward to our 50th. The photos are fun. I am married to Tony Scarcello, who is originally from Des Moines, IA, and formerly to Ron Sullivan (WPHS 1954) and before that to George Raim (WPHS 1953). Between us Tony & I have 11 living children, one deceased, and at last count 23 grandchildren. We live in Phoenix, AZ and love it, although the summers are rough. We have been retired now for the last 11 years. Golf is big in our lives, but mostly our huge family, many of which live here. I hope to hear from some more classmates now that we have this avenue. Thanks again."


Margie Goldmith Radens <margdave(AT)mindspring.com>
Hey Wendy. I just found the website about our class. It is pretty neat to know that people want to stay connected. I went to the 25th reunion and then got out of the loop. I'd love to be in touch with a number of people in our class. Hope this note finds you well. I am living in St. Petersburg, Florida and having a good time. May be about to be employed again after retiring from the St. Petersburg Times a few years ago. Hope you can help me reconnect with our people. Marg

Lynn: thanks for maintaining a lively website for our class. I got in contact with Art Plotnik and wrote this short bio to bring him up to date. Thanks for getting us organized. Margie.
Waking up today I tried to think about how to put some particulars about myself into e-bites. I went to the University of Rochester and then the University of Chicago. I went to the March on Washington, a reference experience. While I was on the Mall listening to Martin, Dave Radens was taking care of Carl, our son, who was just honored for having 100 patents at IBM this year. In 1969 we joined with another family to form what we styled “an expanded family” . We pooled resources and lived experimentally with them in New Hampshire for four years. They are still our close friends. They had four boys and my daughter, Jessie, is still recovering from being raised for a time with five brothers--four of them older than her.
I got a Master’s Degree in Education in 1978 from the University of New Hampshire and taught around for about 20 years. My most recent job has been with the St. Petersburg Times, Research and Creative Services groups. Dave and I retired in 1998 and spent a month in Belize. Hung out in the jungle, discovered caves and got to dive in the reef water that we love. One thing I am looking forward to today is giving a piano lesson to a first grader who lives in the neighborhood. Music and play are always central to my agenda.---so there’s a thumbnail sketch of about 45 years.



Ralph Isley <RISLEYJR(AT)AOL.COM>


*Susan Jantzen Ransom <pwransom(AT)capecod.net>


J John <jj(AT)winning.com>
"What a delightful surprise to see the 40th Reunion Memory Book, a copy of which I have, because I was there also, in 1995. It's a very big gift to have all the picture of the classmates and teachers as well. My "Orange" disappeared a number of years ago."


Ted Lee <mortgician(AT)aol.com>
Theodore Lee, 153 Fisher Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606-2302. Licensed Funeral Director. Married: 2 children.
"Travel to most major cities within the U.S. mostly; hobby is magic; interests are funeral, magic and record conventions, swimming; comments on life -- God gives life and takes life. I've seen life and death. I'm not afraid to die. Do what you can between life and death, by living life one day at a time, doing something for others, enjoy life, love your family, 'work while it's day,' smile and be a friend."


Alan Lees <lemkoman(AT)hotmail.com>
Alan Lees, 9280 East Sutton Drive, Scottsdale AZ 85260 (480)860-2149 came to AZ in 1990 after living in PA, VA, CA, Germany, DE, Germany (9 yrs), PA since graduation. Saw and did a lot since '55. Wife, Christa is from Munich. Be glad to hear from anyone.


Elizabeth "Bettie" Mayers Cagliostro <Twocags(AT)aol.com>
"HI LYNN , SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU. MY HUSBAND, ALSO A MEMBER OF THE WPHS CLASS OF 55 WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR CLASSMATES - - - THANKS SO MUCH - - - BETTIE AND BOB CAGLIOSTRO"


Nancy McCauley Engle <NancyEngle3(AT)msn.com> Nancy Engle, 15 Silver Hollow, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-297-5438
Gretchen Chris Myers Voorhees <cvoorhees(AT)triad.rr.com>


Catherine Perritano Izzo <CIZZO(AT)webtv.net> "Thanks for all these wonderful memories. I was at the 40th reunion and hope to be at the 50th. I am a retired nurse and enjoying every moment. I have two sons and 4 grandchildren. I still live in good old White Plains; my new address is 41 Barker Ave White Plains, N.Y. 10601"


Arthur Plotnik <BaronPlot(AT)aol.com>
http://hometown.aol.com/baronplot/Arthur.html


Arnold Projansky <aprojansky(AT)aol.com>


Herbert Richter <herbertrichter(AT)msn.com>
"I would like very much to be included in the web site. I loved our 40th reunion. I'm not technically a 55er, but I went to school with so many for 11 years before taking my senior year at a military prep school. I've missed not having any follow-up since the reunion, except for a brief note from the Scheffers. I'm in Albuquerque and just retired from teaching High SChool after a previous 21 year career in the Navy. I was a Naval Academy classmate of Guy Parsons. My address is: 13301 Desert Flower NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. The address and the rest of pertinent data is also listed in our 40th reunion directory. Thanks for your work on developing contacts and info."


"Emmanuel 'Doc' Robinson" <ThaDocta1833579(AT)aol.com>
Doc's step-daughter KiKi McIntyre-Montoya wrote to us on 11-28-03:
"My dad Emmanuel " Doc " Robinson class of 1955 was one of the Mastertones along with Charlie "Stoney" Dimbo, Clarence "Pops" Gray, George " Bronx" Rivers and Frank Tyrone McCray who on Bruce Record Label recorded "Tell Me" and "What'll You Do". Only Doc Robinson and Stoney Dimbo are still alive and well however the group was just on Jan. 25th, 2003 was awarded a pressing of the record they recorded in 1954 at The UGHA in Lodi, NJ. Only Doc Robinson was present. Also awarded for their recordings was Steamboat Records own The Swans out of White Plains High School as well. Those members were Donald Sledge, Leon Carter, Clifford James, James Bradham, Charlie Sharrock,Buddy Lucas Jr., and a few more. Collectively all of these guys at one time or another has sang together in many groups like The Drones, Partners, The Hearts, The five Sounds with Russ Wiley, The Mastertones, The Swans, just to name a few. Attached is a picture from the UGHA Show on Sat. Jan. 25th, 2003 where my dad Doc Robinson, Clifford James and Donald Sledge were given their awards by UGHA own President Ronnie Italiano. More pictures and information can be found on: http://www.ugha.org. Thank You Very Much for making my dad's music shine," "KiKi McIntyre-Montoya" <Egunhillrd(AT)aol.com>
[For more information about Doc, see "THE LOST LEGENDS OF RYTHYM AND BLUES" by Jerry Skokandich]


Art Scheffer <art1125(AT)aol.com>


Andrew Sinauer <andy(AT)sinauer.com>
"Just spent several minutes scrolling through all the WPHS stuff you assembled. Good fun and poignant too. Thanks for doing this. Too bad more classmates can't enjoy it. Hope all goes well for you and that someone will be enterprising and organize another class reunion." http://www.webcom.com/~sinauer/saw/


Bill Slingland <wmshawk(AT)comcast.net> or <wmshawk(AT)sbcglobal.net>


Lou Speed <plannerperson(AT)prodigy.net>


*James Swan <jswan(AT)fcc.net>


Catherine Walker Budyach <hawaii1020(AT)aol.com>


Roger Bruce Wentworth (e-mail via his wife Elizabeth's account ) <Delanolady(AT)onemain.com>


Wendy Williams Porterfield <wwporterfield(AT)hotmail.com>


Dottie Winslow Holme <DotHolme(AT)aol.com>
"Dottie Winslow Holme from Scottsdale and summer place in Flagstaff, Arizona would like to be posted on the web site - Thanks!"


*Trudy Yannerio Dibello <dibello(AT)hargray.com>
"Thanks for the webpage tip. Really enjoyed the trip down memory lane. I am no longer in Massachusetts. My husband and I retired to South Carolina about 4 years ago and really love it here. My address is: DiBello, 101 General Hardee Way, Bluffton, SC 29910. Maybe we'll finally be able to make the next reunion. We have four kids - two boys married and living in Mass and one unmarried daughter there. Another unmarried daughter followed us to SC to continue her education. Will keep in touch with web page and see latest updates."


*Note: We need updates for these e-mail addresses.





LOOKING FOR WPHS CLASSMATES:



EMMANUEL "DOC" ROBINSON, CLASS OF '55, IS LOOKING FOR OLD FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES

Doc's step-daughter KiKi McIntyre-Montoya writes:
"My dad Emmanuel " Doc " Robinson class of 1955 was one of the Mastertones along with Charlie "Stoney" Dimbo, Clarence "Pops" Gray, George " Bronx" Rivers and Frank Tyrone McCray who on Bruce Record Label recorded "Tell Me" and "What'll You Do". Only Doc Robinson and Stoney Dimbo are still alive and well however the group was just on Jan. 25th, 2003 was awarded a pressing of the record they recorded in 1954 at The UGHA in Lodi, NJ. Also awarded for their recordings was Steamboat Records own The Swans out of White Plains High School as well. Those members were Donald Sledge, Leon Carter, Clifford James, James Bradham, Charlie Sharrock,Buddy Lucas Jr., and a few more. Collectively all of these guys at one time or another has sang together in many groups like The Drones, Partners, The Hearts, The five Sounds with Russ Wiley, The Mastertones, The Swans, just to name a few.
More pictures and information can be found on: http://www.ugha.org. "KiKi McIntyre-Montoya" <Egunhillrd(AT)aol.com>

Doc is very interested in locating as many of those band members and WPHS friends and classmates as possible. He can be reached at:
"Emmanuel 'Doc' Robinson" <ThaDocta1833579(AT)aol.com>
[For more information about Doc, see "THE LOST LEGENDS OF RYTHYM AND BLUES" by Jerry Skokandich]




'54 CLASSMATES LOOKING FOR JOHN G. FLETCHER

From: "George Brewer" <gbrewer(AT)starband.net>

Good Morning Lynn........ Some college friends and I have been looking for John G. Fletcher who graduated from White Plains High in 1954 (or possibly later, in '56). We have been looking for him for the past 30 years. We found your name on the W P High web site. John's undergrad was received from Parsons College in Fairfield Iowa in 1959. Our information leads us to believe that his graduate degree was obtained from New York University in the early 1970's. Do you know of a web site for White Plains for the Class of 54? Do you have any information that might help us?
Thanks for the effort, George H. Brewer, Principal G.H. Brewer Ent., 1-800-635-2939




MESSAGE FROM A DAUGHTER SEEKING '55 CLASSMATES WHO KNEW HER DAD, HAL O'CONNOR

I found your website relating to the class of '55 of WPHS. My dad (deceased in 1975 at at age 38, went to your hight school. He joined the USAF at age 17, so I am not sure he actually graduated, in fact, he got his GED in the AF, but he was there until age 17.) How could I find any info on a website, such as a yearbook picture? He was on the track team and broke a record for the mile I belive. His name was Harold James O'Connor, better known as Hal O'Connor. I am trying to find anyone who knew my dad who could tell me anything about his high school years, etc. I was only 16 when he died, and am writing a family history and would love any info I can get.

Thanks,
Diana O'Connor
Sacramento, CA

IF YOU KNEW HAL, PLEASE CONTACT DIANA AT: ladylavendar(AT)earthlink.net

Website maintained by Lynn Conway.

Please E-mail comments, suggestions and information for this website to Lynn at:

lynn(AT)ieee.org

http://www.lynnconway.com