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| updated Sept.. 26, 2005 |
| Valley Stream South Class of '70 Class News - Page 7. This page contains postingsfrom classmates. The postings are alphabetical -- and others follow on subsequent pages. Items in RED indicate new postings since the last publication. Click on the photo links in blue to view the corresponding photos. |
| Kassak, Jon (posted Aug. 3 1, 2005)
Jonathan (“Jonny”) Kassak resides on Manhattan’s luxurious Upper West Side. Well, ok, so my (tiny) apartment is off-Broadway and does not border Central Park. It is quaint (ahem) and cozy, nonetheless. He has lived (I like writing in the third person) in Manhattan since 1981 and has worked exclusively (for the most part) in NYC in a series of increasingly responsible and demanding positions (oops, this is not my resume) in the health care sector. And, quite a sector it is (as he raises his eyebrow a la Groucho Marx). For the past five years, I’ve been with the Hospital For Special Surgery (an orthopedic hospital). I work as a business and information systems person in the Perioperative Services Department. Ummm, well, I’m not sure what that means, but just let it go, ok. One benefit for the very cerebral Kassak is that our surgeons are the MDs for the Mets and the (football) Giants. HIPPA requirements, however, prohibit me from naming names of patients – so please don’t ask. Thank you. Prior to that I was a health care consultant for a few years, but the travel became a bit too demanding. Remember, I am an AARP member now and probably a bit older (no I was not left back) than most of you. Jonathan met his first wife in 1982 (wait, I am still married to this first wife) while working together at the same institution, er, hospital, in NYC. Wife Linda is from New England (Franklin, Mass doncha know) and anyone that can tolerate my form of humor (oh, is that what it is called) must be pretty decent. We were married in Naragansett, RI in 1985. We have no children and I miss that (and no, I don’t want any of yours, thank you very much). We often return to the scene of the crime (Rhode Island) especially to our cottage (actually a small no frills “camp”) in the South County where jimmies are sprinkles and bubblas are water fountains. I had to give up playing basketball many years ago because, out of nowhere it seemed, everyone that I was playing with was much younger than me (or is it much younger than I) and I was getting too many injuries. I switched over to tennis and play often at Central Park. I am no John McEnroe though; and Steve Cahn, Steve Lockwood and Don Gemson would probably not allow me on the same court with them. It is wonderful reading all of your notes and I am hoping that I will receive an invite to the reunion. I am not certain if this event is open to everyone. I would ask that you consider me if you think there will be enough space. My very best to all of you. I look forward to “seeing” you - either in person or via e-mail or phone. My email is on the site (I think) and if you care to write or inquire about a total knee replacement or scope shoulder please let me know. JKassak@nyc.rr.com If possible, and this is just a request mind you, I would like to have a seat next to Kathi Rossi, or Susan Berkowitz, or Ginny Stockdale or Claudia Kushner or Jennifer Lopez or Ms. Black or Ms. Gunther or Ms. Walsh if they attend. Thank you very much. J Kaufman, Cyndy (posted Aug. 31, 2005) For the last eighteen years, I’ve been living in Alexandria, VA, outside Washington, DC. My life is rich with a great guy by my side, family close by, an abundance of arts and culture, and the beauty and tranquility of the Chesapeake Bay to sail. The first half of the last 35 years, I enjoyed a rewarding career in Student Affairs administration—mostly in student center and activities. Marketing communications, public relations and special events were always a major part of my job, so in 1993, I decided to follow this career track 100 percent. I’ve worked with both universities and Fortune 500 companies, and today I am creating a strategic communications program for an internal division at a company called VeriSign. In my spare time, I’m a clay artist. I have enjoyed some notoriety as the first wheel-thrown potter to exhibit in the Torpedo Factory’s Art League Bin Gallery and have won several awards for my Raku vessels. I am also an avid sailor—as a racer and a cruiser. (See photo 12) |