Hicksville High School Newsletter

Hicksville, New York

December 2021
Around Hicksville
Devashish Basnet

is someone to be proud of! A Rhodes Scholar coming from

Hicksville and this is the second one in two years!

Hicksville Schools Welcome Back Students

High School Musicians
Joanne Kuhl Moeller class of 1978

October 27
Best of luck Hicksville Marching Comets!!
Bernadette McDermott Costas

Good luck

Ed Hodkinson class of 1991

Good luck!!!
Michael Adamo class of 1965

Best of luck

Joanne Karman Dwyer class of 1972, Holy Trinity

Go Comets
Nancy Zimpelman Rosen class of 1980

Good luck

Randy Schiavone

Good luck guys. My daughter was in the Hicksville band and graduated from
Syracuse.
Mario Tirado

Go get ‘em kids. I was in the drum line in ‘83!

Paula Eichler Baron class of 1969

Go comets
Jim Peck class of 1966

Mike Rosenwasser class of 1961

I was once, a half century and more ago, a member of this august group. No
contests for us. Just a syncopated March across the football fields of the post
war years. Best of luck to the Marching Comets.

Jean Jacobsen Pius class of 1965

Good luck everyone

Gail Roedig Krysinsky class of 1970

Best of luck!
Jane LaGatta class of 1985

Go Comets!!!! Best of Luck!!!I played the flute and piccolo throughout my

high school years. Had the best time in Marching Band! A lot of fond
memories.

Hand on Fall Fun

Chuck Coutieri class of 1970

Today the HICKSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT, represented by Chief Joseph

Di Fronzo, Commissioners William Blazo , Dennis Mulligan, Ex-Chief
Anthony Wigdzinski, and Ex-Captain Mike Kretz , held their annual Fire
Prevention Poster Awards. Special thanks to Nassau Legislator Rose Walker.
Congratulations to all the winners from each elementary school as well as
the middle school and high school.
Lydia Ricker Butler

Former Teacher at Hicksville Public Schools, Former School Librarian at

Hicksville Public Schools
Love this!

Chuck Coutieri
It's been going on since I was in school.

Susan Ames Beresk class of 1974

Congrats! I won for Woodland Ave. I think I was in 2nd grade, 1963, I think.

Congrats to all the winners from former

Hicksville classmates
Carol Seif Ueland class of 1971
Margaret Noll class of 1976

Kelly Jacobson
Kim Bruckner Smith class of 1971

Raymond Scelzi class of 1974

Patricia Magee

Jim Peck class of 1966

Mary Flynn Gull

Brian R. Fey Sr. class of 1978

Mary Connolly Adams class of 1971

Mary Hickey Schmidt

Richard Bowra class of 1968

Jim Rodecker class of 1966

Jon Gruber class of 1971

Kelly Delia Gilhuley class of 1996

Janice Caputo-Carroll
Mike Kretz class of 1977

Matthew Keyer class of 2004

Gary Wicks class of 1972

Susan Steuer class of 1968

Rich Wicker class of 1974

Kathleen White class of 1970

Michael Murray class of 1969

Cindy DiStefano Sayre class of 1985

Bill Boiko class of 1991

Terri Cucci Znack class of 1982

Richard Markey class of 1986

Mary Sarnelli Steunenberg class of 1980

I am researching my family's genealogy. I am going through photographs

and trying to identify as much about them as possible. My Father is Marcus T.
Dodge and he passed away back in 1994 He grew up in Hicksville, NY. I have
his cap and gown photo, which is undated. Another photo is of my Father's
Hicksville High School Reunion, the date is unknown. Based on his year of
birth, I'm guessing he graduated in either 1933 or 1934.
I found the "HixNews" website and was hoping there was information on past
graduating classes but did not see anything going back that far. I'd like to
know if any of you are aware of where I might find any more information on
his graduating class and date or perhaps if yearbooks have been made
available online anywhere? I would appreciate any help you can provide.
Thank you in advance.
Warm regards,
Aileen M. Dodge
Brunswick, GA

Hi, Aileen,
I'm a contributing editor to Hixnews.com, and also an amateur genealogist
with regard to my own family. From looking at digitized old newspapers, I
can tell you that Marcus Dodge graduated in 1935.
Although the Hicksville Public Library offers digital access to past yearbooks
of Hicksville High School, the earliest year digitized appears to be 1938.
Similarly, the HHS yearbooks at Ancestry.com begin with 1950. I know
someone who belongs to the Hicksville Historical Society; I'll ask her if any
of its members have (or know about) earlier editions. Also, it MAY be the
case that the Public Library has some early non-digitized editions; you could
call them and ask at (516) 931-1417.
My newspaper search listed a few other mentions of your father; I'll send them
to you this evening. In case you're interested, this URL (from the December
2019 issue of Hixnews.com) is a link to an article I wrote about the attack on
Pearl Harbor, which in part features Cleveland Dodge, Jr., your father's
brother: http://hixnews.com/1912/Hixtory.htm
Cheers,
Ron Wencer
Toronto, Ontario
Cheryl Gries Brown is at Levittown Hall

I went to vote early today for local Nassau County and TOB elections at
Levittown Hall. A unique midcentury modern building which I love.
Unfortunately, they don’t build them like this anymore.
Sue Galke Cummins class of 1967
Remember going there with my mom to get our pool tag. Summer at the West
Village Green. Wonderful memories.
Dennis Kearney class of 1961

Terrific photos. I grew up right near there. Learned to swim in the Parkway
Pool. I recognize the interior of the building, especially that unique colored
brick walls.

Carl Feinman class of 1972

Always loved this modern building, especially the multi-colored brick and
angled windows facing the pool! I have fond memories of my nursery school
days there! This is the architect's original rendering. Levitt's head designer
was a Pratt Institute graduate and was very much influenced by Frank Lloyd
Wright.
Mary DeNicola class of 1975

LOVE that it's called Levittown Hall on Levittown Parkway in Hicksville.

Cheryl Gries Brown class of 1972
…and maintained by the Town of Hempstead.
Angela Becker Guenther Class of 1997

I love this building

Laurie Hunt Catanzarita Class of 1970

I spent every summer day at the pool there. Saw my first movie in the hall
when I was tiny.
Ann Cassese Costantino class of 1961

it was also used as a church before Holy Family Church was built.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Shelley Garb London 1968

Thank you all for the card, and for thinking of us on our anniversary. It was
much appreciated. All the best and Happy Holidays!
Angela & James Carpinone 1972

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Linda Frimmer DiBlasi 1958

Hi Bob, Thank you so much for the very thoughtful anniversary card!

Lorrie & Charlie Brooks 1965

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Ginny Wills Wyer 1963

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Barbara Leek Favero 1965

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. As
you know Ronnie has passed on October 18th. Ronnie & I both enjoyed
getting your cards over the years, it meant a lot to us. Thank You.
Bob Birk 1952

Hi Robert…Thank you for the both the anniversary and birthday cards this
month. It's appreciated muchly.

Marianne Carine Ebbitt Hoerner 1968

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Les Coles 1965

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Doreen Jakabek Wittig 1965

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Rudy and Debbie Caruso
Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Joan Komar Langlois 1961

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Bob Masone 1962

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Paula Jargo Bruckner 1972

Thank you for the card, and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.

Lorraine Tully 1967

Facebook
Class of 1971Marsha Anker & Norman Sperling are both on Facebook. I’m
not sure how to let the people looking for them to know.
Lynne Lombardi.1971

Flashback
To all my LI friends: With all the snow we have had of late, I can remember
on this day, 2/9/1969, we had 20 inches of snow in the NY area. It was also
Sunday, and everything was shut down, except the post office, where I
worked at the time. I did not go to work anyway, as the roads were shut down.
I was living on James Street, where I had to walk everywhere I needed to go.
It was quite a trudge through the snow, but I was able to spend the day with
someone that I truly cared for. A terrible day snow wise, but it ended up with
fond memories.
Tom Steedman 1960

Julia Weiss
This Levitt house was our home in 1952

32 Boulder Lane, $7500. Later, my father had a dormer added for my brother
and I w/ Bathroom along with living room doubled in size, extra bdrm. We
lived an Idyllic childhood in Hicksville. Julia White HHS 1963
Years later, the house was further modified…
Hi Bob…I just noticed that my name and my husband's name are not listed
as members. Other than our graduating class, is there another prerequisite for
the listing. We participated in many mini reunions and the mega 50th reunion
in 2011 for our class, 1961.
Rosa Szendy Patterson Class of 1961
Paul Patterson Class of 1955
Paul and I, we are married 56 years.
I do not use the Classmates site, but they send a note about finding out about a
class reunion. I think it is just to get me to sign up. So, I am wondering if there
will be a reunion for the classes of 1961 and/or '55?
See below, some pins that I have saved from the summer playground program
at the Fork Lane Elementary school.
Rosa attended

Nicholai Street school for 2nd grade, then

Fork Lane for 3rd & 4th grades. I was at

Lee Avenue for 5th grade then back to Nicholai Street for 6th grade. Then 7th
and 8th grades at the new High school (temporarily Junior High).

9th grade was at Jerusalem Avenue, the old High School and then, finally 10th,
11th,12th grades at the new

Division Avenue High school. There were so many changes as the population
grew in Hicksville. Remembering the good old days!
Thank you for all you and the Hixnews crew do for those of us who love to
look back at our school days, great friends and many memories.

Rosa Szendy Patterson Paul Patterson

Mark Mickey Madden

The price I paid for a 1958 Corvette from Robert Chevrolet!

Lynn Olson Barnett class of 1963
Omg that’s crazy; down payment was almost the price of the car.

Rick Budinich class of 1975

Add 2 zeros to the number and you can own it again

Suzanne Giannelli Ridenour class of 1964

…probably considered expensive at the time!!

Bill Rogers

Funny! Just paid $78,000 for my new mid-engine.

Gail Allen Barone Brosch class of 1966

Hey Mickey; hope all is well with you. Don’t get to see you or talk much
anymore.

Barbara McGeever-Grillo class of 1963

My first Chevy impala in 1963 was $3,000 dollars; boy have things changed!

Lou Zabbia class of 1961

Good deal Mickey. I bought three cars there myself but paid more than you.

Mike Melody class of 1965

I wonder what that Vette would go for today? Wishing you all the best!!

Anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 +

Mark Nathan
Wish you still had it? We all do when we look back and remember.

Harry Wuest Class of 1962 Lasalle Military Academy, Oakdale, NY

A note from Diane Ciuffo

What a great photo of Buffalo Bob!
October 4, 1969
Billy Joel
Hicksville High Teacher shares
Personal 9/11 Experience
A Day of Remembrance for 9/11
Debra Fischer Dowdell class of 1973

Woodland Ave. Kindergarten 1961. I believe the teacher is Mrs. Cronin. I

only know one other person in this picture. I went to St. Ignatius after this. If
you recognize anyone, please feel free to name them. I am in front with the
ABC book.
Jean O'Keefe Hansen

Philip Cody, second boy next to the teacher?

Patricia Cody class of 1971

Yes, he was my brother.

Paula Laudicina Caiazzo class of 1973

Felicia Gippi front bottom left, shown below

Steven Finn

Frank Kramer (shown below)

next to Philip. Knew both of them and went to their houses growing up
Dennis Kearney class of 1961
Abe Levitt Field was on the property which eventually also housed Dutch
Lane School which did not yet exist.
In the News
Hicksville Senior honored at
LI Scholar Artist program
Early morning Cross Sound Ferry, Orient Point heading toward New
London just underway…
Bob Bittner 1968

School Details (2019-2020 school year)

County: Nassau County schools in county
Locale: Suburb: Large (21) Total Students: 1,691
Magnet: No Classroom Teachers (FTE): 144.90
Title I School: No Student/Teacher Ratio: 11.67
Title I School-Wide Program: â€
Enrollment Characteristics (2019-2020 school year)
Enrollment by Grade:
PK KG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ungraded
Students 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 404 414 404 435 34
Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity:
American Native
Two or
Indian/ Hawaiian/
Asian Black Hispanic White More
Alaska Pacific
Races
Native Islander
Students 1 585 47 524 0 513 21
Enrollment by Gender:
Male Female
Students 869 822
1. The unduplicated number of students who are eligible to participate in the Free Lunch and Reduced-Price
Lunch Programs
2. under the National School Lunch Act of 1946.
3. The unduplicated number of students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
through direct
 4. certification (e.g., children that are in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP)
5. or other assistance).
6. Please see this blog post for more information regarding free or reduced-price lunch and direct
certification eligibility counts in CCD.

Cheryl Gries Brown class of 1972

Always available at the Hicksville Sweet Shop

Lawrence Braun

I have breakfast there after Mass every Saturday, and now I'm wondering why
I never have one of those bad boys, even though I'm in the midst of one of the
great ice cream sundae MECCAS on Long Island!!

Jerry D'Amura class of 1963

Back in 1963 when I worked there 75 cents: 3 scoops of homemade ice cream,
syrup and whipped cream.
Dan Rafuse class of 1972

You’re killin me Cheryl!! Now what am I supposed to do? Guess I’ll just have
to hit the freezer and whip something up myself.

Bill Becker class of 1973

Reminds me of Jahn's banana split.

Hicksville Street Fair
Tax Exempt Workshop
1st Ever Pharmaceutical Take Back Day
New Readers
Hi…Wonder if we could be added to the list. Maiden names are in
parenthesis.
My name is Carol (Tavormina) Nill. I graduated in 1960.

My dear friend Yolanda (Koplar) DeFelice also graduated in 1960.

My sister Janice (Tavormina) Ruggiero graduated in 1957.

Love the HixNews site. Wonderful memories!!
Thanks
Carol Tavormina Nill

Passages
Hi Bob, hope all is ok with you, with a broken heart I must tell you that
Ronnie Gilson Birk class of 1961, my wonderful wife of 58 years passed away
on October 18th of massive heart failure.
Regards,

Bob Birk 1952

Veronica Ellen Birk age 78 on October 18th, 2021 of Patchogue (formerly of

Medford) survived by her husband Robert F. Birk, three daughters Lori
Reitzel, Lynn Faithfull and Tracey Birk, and one son Brian Birk; Sister of
Denise Lebrecht and Cyndi Fitzgerald, She also has nine grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren.
Funeral mass was held at 9:30 am on Friday, October 29th,2021 at St.
Sylvester R.C. Church, 68 Ohio Avenue, Medford, NY. Interment will be
held following the mass at Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd.,
Calverton, NY.
Bob Willis class of 1978

Hey everyone. There will celebration of life for Hicksville’s own

John Pinto, class of 1978. Everyone who remembers John knew what a great
person he was. The celebration of life was held at Easterlin Park at 1000 NW
38th St. Oakland Park, FL 33309 on November 21st. If anyone needs more
information, please PM me.

Gail Thornton class of 1972

I didn’t know him but if this in Oakland Park, Florida, I live right there

Bill White class of 1975

Knew John in High School
RIP

A note about the passing of Karen Andreone

Miss A was a class human. My daughter had the privilege of attending OLMA
with her as teacher and coach. Karen was also head of the NSCHSSA for
many years, the ruling body of high level Catholic High School sports. The
picture is from 2004 when OLMA when the NY State Volleyball
Championship.

(Miss A is facing us arms extended celebrating with her asst jn back, leaving
the girls including my daughter in the mosh pit)

As Miss A told my daughter and her teammates afterwards, “you girls will
always have a bond for a lifetime for what you achieved together―.

Karen, my daughter will always have a bond with you for the life lessons you
taught her, as you helped mold them into young women.

There are probably thousands of women who knew her that would say the
same. RIP Karen Andreone.

People Looking for People

Hi Bob and Editors,
I saw a photo in HixNews about my old friend and classmate from HHS 1961,
Danella Schiffer. Please send her my Email
Dar4san@bellsouth.net. Would love to hear from her!
Thanks!
Doris Fischman Roth
Pompano Beach, Fl.

Hi HixNews Editors,
Looking for

Vincent Piacenti (1965) He was a great friend and across the street neighbor.
Love to get in touch with him.
Sincerely,

Roy Eismann 1964

I saw in the Latest HixNews that Roy Eisemann class of 1964 was looking
for me. Please give him my email…Vin Piacenti
Piacenve@charter.net

The Newsletter
Dear Classmates:
The November issue of the Hicksville High School Newsletter (HixNews)
is live and can be viewed by going to http://hixnews.com This will bring you
to the home page. There is a menu at the top of the home page and just click
on “Newsletter” and check out what is going on in Hicksville. There are other
menu items of interest, Photo Gallery, Ancient HiXtory, Memory Lane,
Casales’ Corner, Humor Page and check out the “Honoring Our Vets” page. If
you are viewing the newsletter portion, and see a name in blue, you can click
on the name and be whisked to the Facebook page for that person. There is an
archive section that contains almost every issue of HixNews published since
2000. The editors would appreciate some feedback to let
us know if we are doing a good job. Send a note to
editors@hixnews.com
Thanks, and enjoy!!!
Hello Bob…How does one get in touch with the editors to tell them what a
marvelous job you are doing?
Regards,

Danella Schiffer 1961

editor note… please send a note to editors@hixnews.com

Hello to all…This is just to say that I look forward each month to receiving
HixNews. Bob Casale has done a superb job in keeping us all up to date.
Thank you all for supporting this effort.
Regards,
Danella

Hello Bob, just a note to say I appreciate receiving the monthly newsletter.
This is the only connection I have to LI having left after graduating from St.
John’s University back in 1965. My wife and me, we are retired since 2005
and are enjoying Florida. FYI we are at 4744 Sable Ridge Ct., Leesburg, Fl.
34748.

Jack Curcia 1961

Hi Bob,
You guys are doing a great job with the monthly issue of HixNews!

Dot Hoffmann Salzberg Class of 1957

We really enjoy HixNews Thanks for all your work.

Thomas Murphy & Barbara Mathews Murphy 1960

My name is Lynn Hnatuk Clair class of 1964

Thanks Bob, really enjoy HixNews!

Bob & the gang at HixNews…it’s always a pleasure to read the monthly issue
of the Hicksville High School Newsletter.

Julia White Weiss 1963

Thank you. A labor of love for you & the others. Much appreciated. It’s
wonderful to read about home from Southwest Florida.

Craig Bruckner 1971

Videos On the Internet

Million Dollar Homes
https://biggeekdad.com/2021/10/million-dollar-homes/
Cat Kingdom
https://biggeekdad.com/2021/11/the-cat-kingdom/

Ticket Without a Seat

https://biggeekdad.com/2020/10/ticket-without-a-seat/

The Jetsons
https://biggeekdad.com/2021/10/everyone-is-a-pilot/

Northern Lights
https://biggeekdad.com/2012/04/northern-lights/

The beautiful views of Mother Nature as seen through the lens of one man’s
camera in Western North Carolina. When you live in the Blue Ridge
Mountains in North Carolina, Mother Nature always provides something
beautiful for you to see if you look for it. Original Text and Narration
provided by Roy Lamont, who lives in Western North Carolina.
https://biggeekdad.com/2019/12/the-beauty-of-mother-nature/

Vietnam Memorial at the Junior High School (Middle School)

Photo below taken in 2015 before the memorial was completed

Bill Walden in front of the Memorial on Veterans Day 11/11/19

Bill showing the Memorial after2019 Veterans Day ceremonies to state,
county & local dignitaries that were present. From left to right, with Bill, are
NY State Senator Jim Gaughran, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe
Salandino & Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker.