From John Hinde

I recently visited Jim Schwartz in Elk River, Idaho. What a great place he has….Bottled Water and Growing Trees!

Highway to Love by Dani Burke

Our prolific class--we have another published author!

Just found out Danielle (Nanni) Berkemeir published her first novel in July, Highway to Love (pen name Dani Burke). www.daniburke.com Here's some info about the book:

Soon-to-be-married Alexis Parker and her flirty friend, Stephanie Bradford, find more than they dreamed of when Alexis' Lexus sputters and dies on a Chicago expressway. The hilarious and disconcerting events that follow introduce both of them to construction workers Joe Baker and Mike Murphy. Readers bounce up and down on their bumpy road to love. 

Stephanie Bradford's attraction to Joe Baker initially blinds her recognition of Mike Murphy's charms. When Joe and Alexis arrange a “by chance” meeting, their romance is kindled.

Alexis Parker's engagement to Richard Churchfield causes her to ignore his selfishness and personality flaws and repeatedly question her attraction to very generous and noble Joe Baker. Highway to Love takes the reader on a pothole-filled journey as Alex repeatedly denies Joe’s love and her own feelings. Joe possesses the extraordinary patience of a man in love. His kind and charismatic friend, Carolyn, often shares her feminine perspective with him along the way. As Alex's emotional and moral beliefs are tested, she is forced to create a new and more appropriate definition of true love as she sprints to the finish line. 

Available at Amazon.com,  Barnesandnoble.com and Indiebound.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   Dani Burke has always been an avid fan of women's fiction. She finally decided it was time to try her hand at a little story telling of her own. Having resided in the Chicago area the better part of her life, it seemed appropriate to use this location as the setting for Highway to Love. Dani has spent her career with various legal teams in several real estate industry related companies. Currently she is a Legal Administrative Assistant for a Chicago real estate developer and resides with the love of her life in a Chicago suburb. 

A Very Little Mini-Reunion

Eleven of us dined together Wednesday evening thanks to Linda Verin while visiting from Birmingham, sort of a 45 year mini-reunion. Once again the years seem to mostly disappear when we talked about important things like Andy Simon's Rambler seats that collapsed all the way back; and Kay Speyer and Susie Shure seeing the Beatles 1964 concert at the Amphitheatre.

Some Elm Place alumni have already started planning for a 50 year celebration in 2013. Will Edgewood and Northwood follow?

Richard Rosen's Latest Essay: Al Rosen & Me

Hi Folks --

        I wanted to share with you a front-page essay I have today on sbnation.com, a big sports site. Hope you can share it with others. Thanks! Richard

And here's a direct link to the essay:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2012/9/25/3403920/jewish-baseball-players-al-rosen

Suzy Eckmann Needs Our Help, Love and Prayers -- Message from Sari Kadison-Shapiro

Hi Fred...
I wrote you a couple of weeks ago to let you know about Suzy. This is an appeal to everyone and I'm addressing it specifically to you because of the great job you did gathering everyone's email addresses and keeping them up to date, and also in acknowledgement of Sooz being your prom date all those years ago. I've communicated with a few people about this, but not many. And now that I realize that I'm addressing everyone that I can possibly reach through email, it's just about the most difficult thing that I've done in recent memory.


Richie Rosen's eloquent eulogy for Stan Katz inspired me....especially the part about our looking out for each other.Our classmate and my dear friend, confidante and godmother of my son (as much as a Jewish kid can have a godmother), Suzy Eckmann, has been diagnosed with stage 3-4 non-Hodgekins Lymphoma and unfortunately has no health insurance.


Suzy has worked all her life as many of you might know. She worked at Howard Johnson's in high school and worked very hard to be a headliner in Student Stunts as a freshman. (Remember?) She was in Second City (with John Belushi and the Murray brothers, Brian Doyle and Bill) and then the Proposition in Boston with Jane Curtin.


Her comedy partner John Monteith was in Toronto's Second City with Gilda Radner, Dan Ackroyd and John Candy. Together they had their own Off-Broadway show, attended by many
show busisness luminaries and then the show moved to Broadway and was produced by Jim Lipton (of The Actor's Workshop.) During that time, I got to meet Robin Williams, Norman Lear, Carol Channing, Sylvia Sims, Andy Warhol and others who came to their shows. I have to say that Suzy was even more thrilled when old friends she knew from Highland Park came backstage to see her.


No one becomes a comedian for the money and anyone over 35 can't keep up with the demands of the comedy circuit. So what happens to our childhood friends who make us laugh and keeps us entertained?


We count on them to lift our spirits and put a smile on our face. One way we can give back is buy one "ticket" to all the shows we never paid for and for all the memories of good times past and present. We gotta be able to laugh in a decade where daily life is no laughing matter. Even just among friends from HP this could be a great way for friends to help friends.


Last year, the company Suzy was doing catering for cut all their employees back to part time, which meant no benefits. It's quite difficult to pay rent in New York City on an hourly wage. And now that she is ill, she cannot work at all. The doctor she went to said she could use a PET scan, but since she had no insurance she would have to make do with a CT scan. It hurts my heart to think that her care could be compromised because of a lack of funds.


During this time of the Jewish High Holidays, even those of us who are not religiously observant look back on the past year and think of the friends, family members and/or acquaintances we have lost. Like Richie said, we are so fortunate to have our friends from school in our lives. Even if you're not religious, please say a prayer for Suzanne to be written in the "book of life" for the coming year.


Perhaps if we all can contribute a small amount or whatever we can afford, we can help Sooz get the care she needs....or at the very least help ease some of her very real financial worries while she fights for her life.

I've set up a fund at WePay.com called "No Laughing Matter". Here's a link to it:  https://www.wepay.com/donate/no_laughing_matter

Thanks to everyone....for your generosity of spirit and being in my life. Stay well.


Love, Sari

Sad News - Stan Katz

Stan Katz died of a heart attack Friday.  Funeral is Tuesday, August 9 (details below).


I knew Stan from the time we were five when we attended Tamarack Camp together. Stan and I talked many times over the following 57 years, becoming closer in the last few years. We got together several times following his therapy at the Chicago Rehab Institute.


Stan was a great guy. He was fortunate to follow his passion of bridge for so many years, eventually serving in a professional capacity with the American Contract Bridge league.


Fred

STANLEY B. KATZ 

  |   Visit Guest Book

Stanley B. Katz, 62, beloved brother of Ellen (David) Block; devoted son of the late William and Ruthie Katz; dear uncle of Joshua (Allison) Mora, Aaron (Nicole) Block, Benji Block and Emily Block; fond grand-uncle of Charlotte Mora, Julianne Mora, Brody Block and Raquel Block; loving cousin and cherished friend to many. Retired Chief Accounting Officer of the American Contract Bridge League and Diamond Life Master at contract bridge. Funeral services Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Ruthie & Bill Katz Archive Fund, North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL 60022, or Make-A-Wish Foundation, 640 N. LaSalle St., Suite 280, Chicago, IL 606010. Info: PISER FUNERAL SERVICES, 847-679-4740, or www.piserfuneralservices.com. 

Steve Ettlinger Makes the E-plunge!

Dear Friends,

Well, I've gone and done it -- leapt into the e-book fray with the digital publication of my FIRST book, yes, the infamous Hardware Stores book from 1988(!). Just couldn't hold out any longer.

After 23 years in print in various formata -- a new one roughly every five years -- The Complete Illustrated Guide To Everything Sold in Hardware Stores is now available on-line through the major e-retailers, including:

- Apple iBookstore
- Kindle
- Barnes and Noble.com
- and the Sony e-reader store, too.

I just couldn't resist letting all my friends know about it. If you want more information about it, you can check out its web site, www.everythingsoldinhardwarestores.com. What the heck.

And now you can rest assured that I have no new books to bother you about, at least for a while...

Cheers, Steve

Terre Cohen and Rich Maisel: Premiere of Terre's One-Woman Show, June 5

Terre Cohen returns to the Skokie Theatre June 5 for the Premiere of her 
One-Woman Show

"I'm Still Here!"

A Life Survival Guide in Song
Produced and Directed by Ascap Award-Winner *Rich Maisel*

Experience an afternoon filled with Love, Light, and Song, as Terre explores the roller coaster of Life’s Emotions. She will be drawing on her long and varied career as a professional Singer/Actor, her work as a Psychotherapist, and her reflections as a Lymphoma survivor.

Terre's truly amazing Voice is only equaled by her Beauty, her Heart, and her Spirit.

This will be a memorable occasion for those lucky enough to be in attendance.

Rich and Terre will be joined by
Ben Jammin' Johnson on drums and
Tom Krol on guitar and
Mike Fiorino on bass.

Tickets $20 in advance  $25 at door

Available @ www.skokietheatre.com

20% of proceeds will Benefit the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society

Here's Lookin' At You Highland Park!

Stan Katz posted a connection to this Highland Park Historical Society video on his Facebook site.  Hope you enjoy watching it, seeing some familiar faces and places.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150092032604947&oid=73390528702&comments

Our "Ronda Kay" on Internet radio talking about gifts for grandchildren

Here's a great opportunity to hear Ronda interviewed by Sandra Levitin, host of Kalon Women in Business, discussing Grandgifting, giving the best gifts for grandchildren.

To listen click: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kalon-women/2010/11/08/ronda-kay--how-to-keep-out-of-the-holiday-how-to-g


Here's the interview topic and description from Kalon's website:

Ronda Kay - How to Keep Out of the Holiday How-to-Get-Gifts-for-Grandkids Horror Zone

Do you dread buying gifts at holiday time for grandkids and other precious children in your life? The pressure of finding great kid gifts can easily take the fun out of giving. In the Holiday Gift Horror Zone, anxiety can build to terror as we struggle with: “What’s hot? What’s not? Where can I find it? Who has time to shop? How will they react? Will they like it? Will it be a ‘Blooper’ or ‘Super’?” And even “Why am I doing this?” and “Will they love me?” Join me for answers and a refreshing look 


To visit Ronda's website: Grandgifting.com

Richard Rosen Reminiscing About Football At Wrigley Field

Richard wrote a story, published yesterday, for ESPN Chicago.  Here's the link

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/columns/story?id=5797658

Our Favorite YouTube Star Georgette aka Gigi

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rhinestonegirl1 has shared a video with you on YouTube: "I Need You Now" needs you now to view this awesome video and if you have the time, please leave a youtube comment, that is if you liked it! Need You Now - Lady Antebellum - The Priceless One Another Priceless performance by Gigi, The Priceless One, TP1, with a special guest, Steve C, Lady Antebellum

Heard from Debbie Soglin, Class of '68

Hey Friends,

I am writing to put in a plug for my younger son, Zach (Appelman). He'll be appearing in Romeo and Juliet at the Chicago Shakespeare theater (why had I never heard of it before???), beginning Sept 15. He's there now in rehearsal phase.

http://www.chicagoshakes.com/main.taf?p=2,47,1,11

I'm so excited that he'll get to know our city -  He's playing Tybalt, so will be dead by intermission, but he promises a spectacular fight scene. We hope to get to see a few performances, though unsure when.

Debbie

Summer 2010 message from Gigi

Wishing everyone a great summer!  Sharing with you my first "greatest hits" medley.

Love & Happiness always, Gigi (Jacobs) Mitrovic

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rhinestonegirl1 has shared a video with you on YouTube:  Check this out! It's awesome! Gigi The Priceless One :: TP1 Medley Believe, Private Dancer, Dove L'Amore, and Eyes On Me. All together!!! Amazing performances by Gigi, The Priceless One.

From Ronda Kay (Server) Wasser

Hi HPHS Friends,

I've reached the exciting point of beta launching my new venture -- my website, Grandgifting.com, and I'd love a little bit of your input!

After months of working to get all the pieces together, now it is time to 'go live'.  My goal for Grandgifting is to provide Grandparents remarkable resources to enhance relationships with their kids' kids -- in a funny, engaging way.  For this first round, I'm turning to trusted friends and family for a candid review -- Grandparents or not! 

So please jump in for a few minutes and test the site for me -- Your feedback will be very valuable!

Here's what to do:

1.     First sign in:  Go to Grandgifting.com, and sign in your 'name and email' in the opt-in box, to joined my mailing list.  [You can unsubscribe at any time with one-click.]

2.     Then Poke Around: Please explore the Grandgifting.com site from the viewpoint of a grandparent or parent. Check out where things are, and go where you feel compelled to go.

3.     And Take the Survey: Two days after you sign in I will send you an email with a link to a quick survey to get your feedback on points like whether the site is easy to use, if content is of interest or not, what is missing, etc.  (You are welcomed to send me an email at any time, too!)

4.     Share with Care:  If you like, pass this along to three or four people you think will enjoy critiquing the site.  I appreciate your referral to a few 'friendly critics', as I work out the kinks in this introductory phase.

Having feedback on your experience of Grandgifting.com and response on the survey, will be an invaluable gift to me, and so helpful in making the site helpful for others.  Thank you SO MUCH, in advance!

I'm excited to share this part of my Grand Journey with you -- See you inside!

All the best, 

Ronda Kay 

Ronda Kay Wasser

Thank you David Smith for your videos

youtube now accepts avi files which means i can post our 40th high school reunion video. my home page is here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/glider2834

would you please post a notice on our high school website so all may view? simply scroll down to find the video on the right. friends may also want to view, "ravinia school" and "a ravinia christmas."

thanks and i hope all is well with you!

david smith

Richard Kanter passes

I just learned today that my oldest friend died Thursday in Dusseldorf, Germany. I've known Richard since middle school. I know he put up with huge amounts of derision from the casual cruelty that passed for coolness among adolescents. As I recall, most of us could've been the target for similar barbs, but for some reason Richard was singled out all too often to be the class pinata. He was a very loving person, a devoted friend and enthusiastic father to two small children. Richard's first marriage, to Japanese woman, ended in divorce, but a few years ago he met Lily, when he was stationed in Bulgaria with the Commerce Department. He wanted very much to have a family and had far too little time to enjoy them. I believe his posting in Dusseldorf was to be his last in the Foreign Service, and he was looking forward to the next phase of his life.

Bob Roseth

Update from Rachael Cantor Koch

Just updated the directory with new information Rachael sent us.

From our youtube star, Gigi

By now, most of you have already celebrated your 50th (Oops! I meant the other number) Birthdays. I just did on Nov. 15th.

At my party we also premiered my latest video! Yep! That's right. Another one! Anyway, I would love to share it with you now. Remember, it was only made for fun but the end result is pretty awesome! I hope you enjoy watching it and by all means pass it around to anyone else you think would to!

Ciao for now. Love & Happiness always, Gigi (Jacobs) Mitrovic

p.s. if any of you have trouble opening the video, you can go to youtube and put these words in the search box

priceless one eyes on me

And then click on the photo of me. I'm wearing pink like the photo I attached to this email.

---

Subject: wastedtalentusa sent you a video: "Eyes On Me by The Priceless One"
From: service@youtube.com
To: thepinkscorpion@msn.com
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:57:02 -0800

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wastedtalentusa has shared a video with you on YouTube: Eyes On Me by The Priceless One The Priceless One new performance, Eyes On Me. If you loved Believe and Dove, you will love this one.

Northwood Jr. High 1961-62. Mr. Rakestraw's 7th grade homeroom

Names I remember:

front row: Danielle Nanni, Phil Grabar (me), Sandy Crokell, Steve Brody, Linda Rosedale, ?, Jamie Pellar. Middle row: Max Dowd, Sandy Mason, Lynn Berkson, Rivera, Patti Engle, Steve Pagliai, Rachel Cantor, ?, ?, Mr. Rakestraw. Back row: Lyle Taplin, ?, Margie Graff, ?, Barb Waarala, Gerald Pozen, Mary Ann Yurkonis, Gwen George, ?.

Phil Grabar