Around Hicksville

Dutch Lane PTA is having a Penny Auction In March. Any local businesses willing to
help? Received a gift you won’t ever use? Also looking for baskets! Please consider
donating to help raise money for our students! I will gladly pickup. Please pm me.
Thanks! Tickets for this event will go on sale next month. I will post the flyer then!
Tina Garbacki (shown above with husband Tom and children)
Who was your 1st grade teacher? What school?
Cheryl Gries Brown 1972

I had Miss Rothstein, Kindergarten, Mrs. Jabout, 1st grade and Miss Holzer, 2nd grade.
I would love it if I could get some class photos from Burns Avenue 1960-61.
Mindy Moscowitz Brintz 1973

Did anyone have Miss Wells for 4th grade at Old Country Road? She was one tough
SOB.
Peter Rocco, Westbury High School 1972

I had her in sixth grade. She was tough but a good teacher!
Linda Parrell Ruggiero 1973
She was a witch. But for some reason she loved my brother Jason.
Nadine Priceman 1971

I don't remember who I had for 4th, but I had Mrs. Omeleanoff for 6th. She was very
tough. I remember Mr. Duncan, the Principal with such fondness.
Doris Schuster Gray 1970

My brother Jimmy had Omeleanoff. Had some problems and she actually came to our
house to talk to my parents. Remember we had 2 Mr. Bakers? And Mr. Monfredo
(spelling) drove that Karmann Gia and flirted with the music teacher (name?)
Joan Picciano Mello

Mr. R. Baker and J. Baker. Miss Williams was that music teacher. She was so
nice and very pretty.
Shari Sullivan, Warwick High School, Newport News, VA, 1978

4th grade was Mrs. Roberts at Lee Ave.

Barbara Kargauer Castonguay 1970 (shown with pregnant Danielle before and with
baby after)

For 4th grade I had Mrs.Gloger at Woodland Ave. By far the meanest teacher I had in
elementary school.I don't think she liked boys....or maybe it was just me.
Mike Endsley (shown with Janine)
You're right Mike. She was just a bitter old hag. She hated her job and us “Little
bastards”.
Bruce Danielsen 1972

Miss Gloger was one of the nastiest teachers - she was in the wrong profession.
Jessica Klauber 1972

Anyone have Mrs. Converse in Burns Ave. strict!!

Donna Treutler Daniels 1970

I had her in 5th and on the last day of school she asked me to help carry things to her new
6th grade classroom for the coming year. Yep! Back to back. Her daughter, Lisbeth, was
a classmate.
Richie Bowra 1968

Does anyone remember any of the 5th grade men teachers at Lee Avenue - 1954-55?
Julia Walsh Funfgeld

Mr. Savalas and Mr. Darienzo

Christine Chwalisz

Thank you. I remember all my elementary teachers but just couldn't remember 5th grade.
I can see his face, but just couldn't remember Mr. Darienzo, if that's who I had. Lol who
were 6th grade?
Julia

Mrs. Kneally and I think Mrs. Beams?

Christine
6th grade..Mr Foley, Mrs Beames, Mr Light, Mr Ogrady, Mr Magrane, ..5th. Mr Quinn,
Mrs Talbot, Mr Aaron, Mrs Simpson?, and Mr G, whose was a great guy...remembered
me 20 years later at Adelphi.
Bob Slowey 1968

I had mrs converse for 5th. I was so scared of her I got hives all over right before school
started. But it turned out she was strict but nice
Kathleen Kramer Smith 1970

Miss Higgins: 1956, Fork Lane School.

Scott Blanshan, Holy Family 1964
I can't help but notice that the thread in all of these comments is that for the most part, our
teachers were not kind, life affirming, "kid friendly", caring individuals. Perhaps they
were unhappy people themselves. That is sure different from the teachers I know today
who are incredibly dedicated individuals who really strive to be good role models and
supports to their students. It's a wonder we turned out to be as functional as we all did!
Wonder how much better we all could have been if we had had caring and dedicated
teachers!
Roberta Siegel 1971

I went to Lee Ave in the 70s. Can't think of a single negative thing to say. Actually ran
into my first grade teacher a few years back. Not only remembered me but my folks as
well. Guess I was fortunate.
Kevin Carroll, Holy Trinity 1989 (shown above with Ginny)
I had the exact opposite experience. Every grade was filled with caring, life affirming
wonderful teachers.
Peter Lamia

I had wonderful teachers all throughout my years. Some were tougher than others but we
learned from each one. 8 years in St. Ignatius and 4 years in public school at HHS. I
loved school.
Cheryl Gries Brown

I had wonderful, caring teachers and believe I got a wonderful education and did well.
Lynne Lombardi 1971

Went to Burns Avenue School, long time ago, but I think it was Miss Trout.1961.
Bill Cohen 1972
Burns Ave.... 61'-68' K-Robbins , 1-Deluca , 2_Blabaur , 3-Lockhart , 4-Goldberg , 5-
Mandell , 6-Mellilo . I loved Elementary School and have run Fork Lane Cafeteria for 25
years. Same building lay out as Burns . What a trip ! I guess I got carried away. LOL
Linda Turchiano Parisi 1974
Just heard the Sears Store in Hicksville will close in the spring. This was my first real job
in the 70’s and I met some great people while working there.
Maureen Yorke 1977

Heard that last year, the year before and the one before that.
Robert Francis 1979

I heard they just signed a new 3 yr lease. Not sure they are going anywhere just yet.
Liz Hearon

Really?? How do you know they will close in the Spring?

Lisa Papocchia Masseria East Meadow 1984

January 4, 2018
The Sears department store in Hicksville will close in early April, and its owner is
seeking permission to transform the site into a new complex of nearly 600 apartments,
retail stores and 5 acres of green space.
Sears included the Hicksville store and auto center on a list of store closings posted on its
website Thursday. The auto center is expected to close by late January, the list shows.
A Sears spokesman said the majority of jobs at the store are part-time, and that workers
will receive severance and will be able to apply for jobs at other Sears and Kmart stores.
He said the number of jobs affected by the closure is “not available.”

A rendering shows a proposed development in Hicksville at the site of a Sears

department store, which is scheduled to close in April.

A 600 Apartment Complex??? Really? What are they going to do about the traffic? You
can't pass the Mall now!
Cheryl Thomas 1973
I thought it had closed already. Yeah.....can you say TRAFFIC ?
Mike Endsley 1972

I have no idea about the pending traffic dilemma. I do know there are some civic
meetings about it in Hicksville. It’s just sad.
Annamay Thomas Adams 1975 (shown above with Rich holding buzz left and Annamay
holding Marty)
It's getting like Manhattan, so much traffic...but progress is in process. I’m going to miss
Sears a lot and it's been there so long. Our family moved here from Brooklyn in the 50's.
Who remembers the Sears Catalog we used to get in the mail??? SEARS WILL BE
MISSED by many people.
Linda Mastrosanti Aragoncillo 1961

My first job was at the key kiosk in 1980. Then in the credit department.
Kat Ann
My father who opened that store was in the cast of characters called new employees.
Started working in the paint department and then went to sporting goods.
Ruth Geiger 1971

Worked in the catalog dept. when they opened in ‘64... Then managed fabrics and notions
for a few years. Fond memories!!! Loved the candy counter.
Bette Harrison Germain 1964

Do you remember Fred Geiger from sporting goods?

Ruth

I think I do but, at this age, I’m lucky I remember my name. There were a bunch of us
around the same age from Hicksville that worked there.
Bette
Worked there changing tires and installing air conditioning in cars at a rate of $2.00 per
hour!!
Jim Rodecker 1966

My second job was at Newberrys at $1.00 per hour. First job was at the Sunrise
Supermarket at the West Village Green at .90 cents an hour. During the 1960-1961
period, I worked at Cross Island Oil Terminal.
Robert Casale 1961

I worked there in the 80s. Many good friends and I met my future wife there. It will be
strange when it’s gone.
John Genzale
Got all my concert tickets there at Ticketron in the basement.
Mary Relling Jager 1979

My first job to, worked there in the 80’s. Remember throwing cabbage patch dolls into
the crowd, LOL!
Kim Regateiro Heis 1983
Ticketron and the coffee shop. And paying my car insurance at the Allstate desk. Sad it’s
leaving.
Debbie Fischer Dowdell 1973

Sears also just closed at our local mall here in Greeley, Colorado. I think that they've lost
their niche in the world of Target, Wal-Mart, Kohls, and the other big box stores. But sad,
nonetheless.
Bruce Hoppe

So sad! The one thing I will always remember is the mural by the stairs of Long Island
and Walt Whitman. Is that being salvaged?
Michelle Piscitelli-McCann

Has anybody attempted to get the Long Island Mural in the stairway? Such an iconic LI
memory. I'm no longer in the area to look into it.
Deb Di Turi Dini
I worked in the credit Central in the early ‘80’s there! The office was downstairs behind
catalog! Really good people!!!!
Christine Vitiello Madigan

I worked for Sears Hicksville from 1971 to 1987. Then went on with a wonderful career
with Sears until 2003. Sears was a great company because of all the wonderful people.
Donna Bragg

They had a great cafeteria.

Tina Kwiatkowski 1969
I learned to drive on Sundays in the parking lot in my parents 1959 Cadillac with the big
fins.
Linda Kramer Keane

Used to go there with my mom all the time growing up & learned to drive in their parking
lot before stores were opened on Sundays.
Jeannie Kaplan Toplin 1969

You and I both can't tell you how many times my dad made me drive around the building
before he'd allow me on the road. Over and over. until he thought I was ready to drive on
the street. Then we had to go to Suffolk county to practice... You couldn't drive in Nassau
County with a learner's permit if you weren't taking Driver's Ed. Plus I wasn't old enough.
I graduated from Hicksville High when I was Sweet 16.
Joanna Capper Osterman 1975

I learned to drive there, too, when I first got a learners permit. I had a Craftsman outboard
on a small boat I used to take fishing in the sound and I used to get most of my fishing
tackle there too unless I bought it at Herman's, also long gone.
Ed Smith

We all learned to drive at Sears’s parking lot. Sears was closed on Sunday back in the day
like all stores!
Theresa Dunn 1974

I worked there when i was in 12 th grade ..I would walk from Hicksville high school to
sears in the afternoon......Until I got my first car of course, a used Dodge Dart !!
Diane Snyder Gould 1964
Worked at Food Fair, bought my prom dress at Lerners on the first Lay-away because I
could only afford a couple dollars a week.
Lorraine Kirwan 1964 (shown above with Husband BrigGen Bob Cheeseman)

Watched many a fireworks there.

Thomas Hellrigel 1970
 Maryanne …marriage in 1970 to Jim Dolan Jim & Maryanne

Maryanne & Jim Jim & Marianne Jim & Marianne

Grandkids Brian & Makayla

My first job at age 16 was at Sears. Many memories. It was my first introduction into the
adult workplace even though I was still in high school. So cool that many of us share the
Sears junior department work experience. Sears was a first rate store for everything back
in the 60's and 70's everything from fashion to paint, tires, furniture, appliances. So sad to
see the decline and now failure. Sears Hicksville was a real standout among Sears stores
nationwide. They even had the Allstate booth to buy insurance. The slogan back then was
"Sears has Everything"
Maryann Johnson Dolan 1967
Editor Note… Maryann…I'm doing an article for HixNews about Sears closing in April.
I saw a note from Maryann Dolan on Facebook. I'm asking if that note was from you??
Please advise. Thanks
Buffalo Bob Casale
A note from Maryann… Bob…Yes that was me Maryann Dolan (Maryann Johnston
HHS class of 67). I, along with my sisters

Kathleen Johnston (aka Kitty) HHS Class of 1969 and baby sister Nancy Johnston Holy
Trinity Class of 1969, all worked part- time at Sears during our High School/College
years.
My Sears employment had a significant impact on my entire life. I started in the Junior
Department, beginning my JR year at HHS and continued as I went on to college. During
my first year of college in the Spring 1968, I went out after work on a Friday night with a
group of Sears friends/co-workers to the Wayside,one of my Sears friends ran into her
cousin Jim Dolan (HHS Class 1966), as the night continued the group met up with more
HHS grads on college break. We all had a great time connecting with everyone. Jim and I
became friends that night and a week later had our first date to the Roosevelt Raceway!
We had never known each other before that night even though we both went to Hicksville
High School. We continued dating through that summer and in 1969 became engaged.
We married in 1970, and still together. The young Sears workers had a lot of fun after
work and were always up to arranging after work parties. The parties became so popular
many non-Sears people would even show up. The Highway Tavern, the Tigers Tale were
some of the night spots the Sears group would go to.
Sears gave many young people an opportunity for employment and professional
development. I actually became a buyer in Sears Corporate office in NYC after college it
was my first post- college job. I was able to transfer to Sears Commercial/Government
Contract division in Anchorage, Alaska when I joined my husband Jim during his service
in the US Army Fort Richardson, Alaska. We did return to New York and I was later able
to use my Sears experience towards my 30 career as an business administrator at Stony
Brook University.
So without a doubt my first job at Sears Hicksville had a significant impact on my
personal and professional life!
A note from the Buff…Thanks for the great reply. I would ask permission to use your
response in the February issue of HixNews? Are you familiar with the Hicksville High
Newsletter? We have an active list of 2,000 that are on the Google master mailing list.
I did not see your name. What a great story.
I spent 9 years in the navy and was ready to reenlist. My wife, Joyce, said if I had orders
to Kami Seya, Japan, she would not leave me and go home. She hated the military.
Anyhow, I was stationed in Sonoma, California as a navy instructor. I was due for
transfer and they sent me orders to go to Adak, Alaska. So much for harmony with the
wife. I decided to get out to save my marriage. We wound up divorcing and remained
good friends for the sake of our children.

We would climb the snow banks there before Sears was built. Amazing…we walked
there by ourselves without our folks (we lived by Willet Ave School).
Deborah Morse Ackley, Holy Trinity High School 1972

1st customer with my Mom at the Grand Opening. 1st job. Great place to walk through
on the way to Mid Island Plaza. Warm up in the Winter. Cool off in the Summer
Karyn Endres MacDonald 1973 (shown above with daughter)
My first real job when I graduated in 1976. Worked there for almost 11 years.
Christine Gutekunst Finn 1976

Me too, what department?

Donna Carter Lafferty & Scott Lafferty 1977

Receiving, then the office, then we were put with accounting. I was Christine Gutekunst
then.
My first real job was there in the infant department. Met my husband there.
Annette Sardi Whidden 1979

I remember when they built it back around '64 or '65. At the time, it was touted as the
world's largest Sears store. Coincidentally, I was just in that store last week, and I live in
Manhattan.
David Teitel 1968

I purchased a Craftsman lawnmower there. That mower lasted 24 yrs. In the end, the
motor was fine; it was the body that rusted out. Two things that come to mind; online
sales by Amazon and others are eating all department store's lunches. Plus, the land these
buildings are on is worth much more than the net revenue they are generating.
Kevin McCarthy, Holy Trinity High School 1971
Christmas season 1973 I clerked in the men's dept for $1.95/hr minimum wage. I used to
say I was in men's underwear.
Beverly Schillinger Slater 1974

Sad. However, that store hasn't done well for many years and is a dinosaur. The Sear's
company in general hasn't exactly kept up with changing times and the competition.
Personally, I remember when that Hicksville store was first being built. Sounds like the
repurposing of the store's site and property will be interesting.
Artie Schwartz

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Jack Devaul 1956

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Harvey Olitsky 1958
Thanks for a lovely card. Very appreciated on a difficult day.
Love…Eileen Walter Toscano 1959

Thank you for the birthday card and for thinking of me. This was my 75 th. I remember
when I thought that was old. Thank you, too, for all the work that goes into producing the
newsletter each month.
Rosemary Olivari 1960
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Joyce Van De Merlen Landau 1959

With a January birthday, I was one of the youngest members of the class of 1960. I
remember getting my license after most of my classmates. Now that I’m 75 years old,
I’m comforted by knowing I’m still younger than most of my classmates who are still on
this side of the grass. Thanks for the card.
Tom Phon 1960
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Joe Posillico 1961 (shown with Pat Bilancia Posillico class of 1962)

Thank you for the anniversary card and for thinking of us. It has been a wonderful 51
years. It was much appreciated.
Joe Germain 1960 & Diane Cuti 1962
Thank you for the anniversary card and for thinking of us on this very special
anniversary. We’ll definitely give a note on our favorite of them all very soon.
Sharon & Joe Carfora 1962
Note from Joe… Today, January 6, is a very special day for me and Sharon, my bride of
50 years! It was a very cold day in Schenectady, NY the Saturday we got married in
1968, but we missed all the snow that came the day after! I Love You with All My Heart
Sweetheart!

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Herbie Pearce 1962
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Rob McCotter 1962

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Robert Pietras 1962 (shown above with Vicki

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Leona O’Hanley Schilling 1963
Thank you for the card and for thinking of me. My most memorable birthday was a
weekend my husband and I spent in the Poconos at the Summit. When we went out of our
cabin to go to breakfast, it was snowing. I love snow on my birthday!
Eileen Wieditz Moore 1963

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Anthony Masi 1963

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Stephanie Hill Vetter 1964

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Jim Fischer 1965

Thanks for the anniversary card and for thinking of us. It was much appreciated. We’re
looking at the big “50” next January.
Linda & Bill Walden 1965
Greta Dixon & Bob Dean 1965

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Jewel Olitsky Umanski 1965
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
David Spector 1966

I decided to stop calling the bathroom the "John" and renamed it the "Jim" I feel
so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Maxene Frimmer Grove 1968
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. Not only
do I share my birthday with my 100 year old father, with Elvis Presley and David Bowie
I just found out I share it with Kim Jung Un. Lucky Me!
David Teitel 1968

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. It reminds
me of summer. Even in Tennessee, it has been a very cold January so far.
Karen Armstrong Krautsack 1969
Thank you for the anniversary card and for thinking of us on our 45 th. Five years ago, on
our 40th, our son and daughter invited some close friends and had a surprise party for us
here in Florida.
Brenda & Jeff Feierstein 1969

Thanks for the anniversary card and for thinking of us. It was much appreciated.
Kerry & Ron Landau 1969
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Judy Pugliese Alfano 1970

Thanks to you and the gang at HixNews for making my day extra special.
James Carpinone 1972
Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Chris Composto 1979

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated.
Cheryl Schaeffer 1979

Thanks for the birthday card and for thinking of me. It was much appreciated. Hope you
are staying warm.
Ann Gambaro 1983

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would have placed them on my knees.

E-Mail Address Changes

Mike Rozos

from the class of 1968 has a new email address. Anyone wishing to contact Mike, send an
email to editors@hixnews.com and we will put you in touch!!!

Hi…This is to let you know that I changed my email address, but forgot to notify you
sooner. The new address is (concealed). Please update your information because I’ve
missed receiving the newsletter. Thanks. Happy New Year!

Jack Gould 1960

Editor Note…Updated in the master spreadsheet. Jack, the newsletter is always online
with the latest edition at hixnews.com
Roger Whitaker, webmaster for hixnews.com
Animals looking to stay warm when winter is in high gear

Flashback
Did you know someone who marched in the St. Ignatius Drum and Bugle Corps?
Originally an all girl band that was absolutely fabulous in their day! It migrated to a
mixed corps that was called New Image Drum & Bugle Corps.
The Corps eventually disbanded but I cannot remember when?
Donna Carter Lafferty
I was in it 1976 and 1977 and made life-long friends while a member. Was a great
experience.
Joanne Russo 1977

Thought of you Joanne the minute I posted.

Donna

I joined at age 9 and last year I was 17. Travelled up and down the East Coast, Canada
and through to The Rockies. Great memories and experiences. Lifelong friends, despite
great distances! Very lucky to have grown up in this Corps!
Debbie Guckenberger Anschau
St. Ignatius Girls was the best thing that happened to me as a teen. Marched with them
from 1973-1977. The children today would greatly benefit from such activities. Thank
you for posting.
Deb Di Turi-Dini

Best experience of my childhood! Go Iggies!!

Carolyn Waters Funaro 1978
Joined in 1973 and went to 1979. Very good memories!
Therese Sauerland Anderson 1980

Wonderful memories. My cousins son was marching with Spirit of Atlanta up until three
years ago, it brought back so many fabulous memories when we went to see him in a
competition in PA. My mom, Jeanne Boyens, was one of our Corp Mom and traveled
with us up until 1970.
Ann Boyens Bouchard 1972
Both my sisters were members and being the younger brother, I got to help loading the
equipment truck at competitions! While working for the Orlando Police Department, I
work the Drum Corp International at the Orlando Citrus Bowl! Picked up a guidebook
and low and behold, there were pictures of my sisters in from St. Ignatius.
Edward Boyens 1975

My sisters and I all marched. I want to say from 1969 thru to the 80’s. I personally
marched from 1970-1978.
Maureen Kelley Conlon 1978
Loved listening to them practice at Cantiague from my house on Meade Avenue. Loved
going to their tournaments at the high school. Great times.
Bill Dalton 1979

OMG!!! What a surprise ! I was in the Corps, Color Guard, for years with Maria Costa as
our Drum Major & Carmen as our Drill Instructor!! Competed all over & beat out some
of the best corps!! We were the best all girls drum & Bugle corps. Kratchi, the O’Briens,
Roemers and all the rest of those great girls. We kicked ass back in those days. Proud to
be an Iggy. Best experience of my life!!
Carol Ann Howe 1968
Best and worst thing that ever happened to me. Best because it literally saved my life,
more than once, and I was inspired by almost every person involved in all the years I
marched. The worst because, at age 52, I’m still doing this!
Holly Marino, Holy Trinity High School 1983

It’s an Addiction that’s in your blood...Once a cadet, always a cadet!!

Carol Ann

I was in from 1981-1984. Lived at the entrance to Cantiague on Kuhl Avenue and loved
hearing them practice. That's what drew me in.
Christina Markey 1990
My Big Sister, Carol Ann, led the Troop!
Brian Howe 1973
Best thing to happen to me!! Marched from 1973 through 1978!!
Patricia Jackson Von Holten 1979 (Pat is in the center)

I was in it for three months. I was a flutist at school but that was not an instrument I could
play in the Drum and bugle corps. Started with the soprano horn and had to change to
Baritone horn because it messed up my lips for playing the flute. Baritone horn too heavy
to March with. Had to stop and stick with the flute and piccolo with my school marching
band.
Jane LaGatta 1985
I marched from 1973-1978 or maybe through 1979? I played 1st Soprano 1st year than
Solo rest. Best Experience of my life.
Donna Gonta Mortimer Dean 1982
Ted “Smith” Swedalla was a student in Hicksville High School back in the late 30’s.
Yep, the 30’s!!! Ted lettered in 4 sports while a
student…Football…Basketball…Baseball…Track & Field. I nominated Ted for the
Hicksville High School Hall of Fame this year and he was not selected. Why is Ted
different from other candidates for Hall of Fame recognition??? Ted had one arm. He lost
his left arm at the age of 7 when a broken arm turned gangrenous and had to be
amputated. This handicap did not stop Ted from doing what he wanted to do.
Ted was recruited into a pilot program at Republic Aviation in 1938. The program was
designed to incorporate handicapped individuals into the workforce. Ted accepted the
challenge and began working at Republic despite believing he was not handicapped.
His life was a wonderful journey that found him playing semi-professional baseball and
football right out of high school. He was a well-respected journeyman who used his
position at Republic to advance his goals.
He was a recognized fastpitch softball player feared by many who had to face him. When
he took the mound, he was ferocious. His motto was to win every game. That was not
reality but he won the majority of games when he was on the mound.
Republic played in the Jones Beach Softball League for many years when Ted was their
star pitcher. In 1951, he was chosen as the Most Valuable Player in the league. A coveted
honor that laid the groundwork for his induction into the Long Island Softball Hall of
Fame in 1977.
Ted Smith had two sons who graduated from Hicksville High…Ted, Jr. in 1964 and Peter
in 1969. I plan to nominate Ted again in 2018. Anyone who views the attached video I
created to honor Ted Smith and wants to see Ted inducted into the Hicksville High
School Hall of Fame, please respond via Facebook. I will save all your comments.
Teddy “Smith” Swedalla
http://youtu.be/c5kz0y6HKQQ
Bob…Read your post and watched your video on Swedalla.
Do you know if he ever made any of the pro baseball teams for which he tried out?
The high school currently has a Professional Wall of Fame (athletes who played at the
professional level or attained the highest level in a non pro sport). Currently no Athlete
Hall of Fame, and the other hall of Fame is voted on by students. I’ll mention to the
principal however. Thanks!
Kevin Carroll

Kevin…He never made it to the professional stage. I nominated him for the Hicksville
High School of Fame last year, but there was no one inducted. I'm going to do it again
this year, assuming the school is going ahead, but with plenty of endorsements from
former students. I've attached a file with the endorsements. Not wanting you to read them
but scroll down and see how many!!! Thanks for your interest.
Buffalo Bob

Thanks Bob. If he had played at all or had a contract with Rochester we could at least get
him on the athletic wall. Probably should be some sort of recognition. I do believe we
will have a hall of fame recipient this year. Last year we did not due to Billy Joel.
Kevin Carroll

Here are several of the 72 endorsements submitted for inclusion with his nomination
this year…

What a man Mr. Swedalla was and still is an inspiration to all. With all his
accomplishments, this man would surely be a worthy and great addition to the HHS Hall
of Fame.
Diane Snyder Gould 1964

I did not know Hicksville had a hall of fame. Can anyone provide information on where
to submit a nominee. I would like to make recommendations from my class of 1978.
Thanks.
Michael Nestor Palahnuk

Many who saw the piece I did on Ted Smith Swedalla and my attempt to get him
into the Hicksville High School Hall of Fame did not know there was a Hall of Fame.
I went to the Hall of Fame website and completed a listing of all who have been
inducted. If you want to see if one of your classmates has been inducted, go to my
website http://buffalobobcasale.com/ and click on the menu where it says, Hicksville
Hall of Fame
Buffalo Bob Casale,

This is an amazing story.....and I had never heard of him before......he so deserves to be in

the Hall of Fame.....this story is basically the definition for me of what a Hall of Fame
inductee should represent....determination, passion, and perseverance despite whatever
life may throw your way. I think his story is a great inspiration for all. Just so people
don't get confused....it's not the school who accepts or declines nominees, it is each
individual senior class....the district asks for bios to be submitted, and then
representatives from the senior class review these bios and select the recipient....I think
Mr. Casale has a great idea asking for comments, etc., that could be submitted with the
bio.....I believe the deadline for submission is sometime in March/April
Dolores Oehler Garger 1977 (shown above with Jim O’Connell at 40 yr reunion)
I lived across the street from him. He was an amazing man both for what he
accomplished and for the wonderful personality he had. He was an inspiration to all the
kids in the neighborhood. He raised two amazing boys and don't know why he wasn't
selected to be honored for what he accomplished. He has my vote 100%.
Linda Knipper DeLaura 1967

Household Tips
Many house fires start due to an extreme accumulation of lint in the dryers lint
trap. It’s a good policy to check the trap before doing a load of wash. A good
reminder clean the trap…put your bounce on top of the lint trap door. Why is
this box here???

In The News
UNION GAP, Washington — Jackie Rodriguez drives by the crack at about 9:30 p.m.
most nights, as she heads home from her evening classes in dental hygienics, past the big
spotlights aimed up at the mountain. She says it spooks her just about every time.
“You know that queasy feeling you get in your stomach?” she said.
The fissure was first spotted in October on Rattlesnake Ridge in south central
Washington State, overlooking Interstate 82 and the Yakima River. Since then, a 20-acre
chunk of mountainside — roughly four million cubic yards of rock, enough to fill 25
football stadiums to the top of the bleachers, eight stories up — has been sliding
downhill. Geologists can measure its current speed — about two and a half inches a day
— but they cannot say for certain when, or if, it might accelerate into a catastrophe. And
they are powerless to stop it.
“The mountain is moving, and at some point this slide will happen — it’s just a matter of
when,” said Arlene Fisher-Maurer, the city manager in Union Gap, population about
7,000, just north of the ridge.
“So we wait and see and prepare,” said Ms. Fisher-Maurer, who keeps a police scanner
on her desk for alerts. “The preparation has been key, and I think it’s going to do us
well.”
The usual course of events when nature comes unhinged is for researchers and responders
to look back in time, trying to understand what happened, as they assess and address the
damage done. Here it is precisely the opposite: They are looking forward in time at a
disaster in waiting, in which all is still potential and nothing is certain.
The worst-case scenarios — considered unlikely but possible — have the slide breaking
loose suddenly and roaring down toward the Yakima River, blocking the channel and
flooding the valley, or burying the interstate that runs along the river, carrying 30,000
vehicles a day. Either would mean big trouble for a rich agricultural district where apples
and hops are king, about two and a half hours’ drive from Seattle.

New Readers
Peter Pan & Tweety Bird
On The Internet
Hi Bob and staff! Hoping all is well. Bob would you please forward me the past news
emails for November and December. Thank you.
Richard Speciale 1963

Rich
Go to the home page http://hixnews.com and in the menu at the top of the page with the
photo gallery, memory lane, humor, etc. sections, there is a section called Archives.
Almost every newsletter published since 2000 is stored there!
The next to top line is 2017 Newsletters -
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | August | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
Click on Nov and you can view that issue...then December.
Enjoy
Hope you are well
regards
Bob
Passages
Roger… While checking up on some 1959 classmates I was very dismayed to come
across two obituaries.
Kenneth Foran…was an attorney in Alexandria Virginia,
William Goebel…was an attorney in Syosset, New York.
Please make note in the next issue of Hixnews. Thank you,
Carl Probst 1959

Videos On The Internet

Amazing Card Trick
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xh9GaDgRWX4?rel=0

Best Ever Levi Jeans Commercial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqcthqw5Tg

Happy New Year

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Rtajxo8d7js?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0

Vietnam POW’s reunite after 40 years

https://www.youtube.com/embed/LemllfcAY8A

Vietnam Memorial Update