Larry Mass with Barry Kantrowitz and Jordan Kantrowitz provide notice of alumni passing:
Arnie Kantrowitz, Class of January 1958, passed away. A “professor (Chair, English Department, College of Staten Island), author and pioneer,” Arnie is memorialized at Arnie Kantrowitz Obituary.
Please mark your calendars for Arnie's Memorial Service, a Zoom event to be held on Tuesday, March 15, at 5 pm. A URL link to the event will be posted in Arnie's listing with Reddens Funeral Home. All are welcome. For those unable to attend or who may wish otherwise to offer comments or condolences, you can leave a remembrance, reflection and/or photo at Arnie Kantrowitz service information. Larry, Barry & Jordan
Jacqueline Kaufer Klein’s Xmas in Newark memories were acknowledged:
Barbara Steinberg Shanker (1/59)
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful memories of Weequahic, Maple Avenue School, the Park Theater (I also remember Charlie), Bamberger’s at Christmas time and the Radio City Christmas Show. Too bad my grandchildren will never know the kind of joy we knew then. Barbara
Jerry Krotenberg (1/60; faculty 1964-70)
During the Christmas season, the merchants would pay for the lights that were strung across the street from Lyons Avenue. My father, who had a store on Bergen Street (Baby Needs Service; "We deliver everything but the baby") would be in charge of turning the lights on at night. My job was to walk the street with a big wooden pole and push the lever on the box that turned on the lights. I felt so important doing this as a kid. How such small memories stick in your mind? Now, where did Marcy say we are going to eat tonight? Jerry
Barry Gold (1/58)
I read some of the comments about riding around looking at the Xmas decorations on some local homes. if you did not go to Wyoming Avenue in South Orange, then you never saw the best decorations of all. There were huge candlesticks each having a flame coming out of them. And the most beautiful lights decorated some of the most beautiful homes. Then we went to Grunings on the Hill for hot choc. Great memories of a great time growing up in the best years. Barry
Alberto Diaz (67) seeks assist in finding WHS friend:
I would like to know if anyone knows the whereabouts of Mark Bialek. I don’t remember when he graduated, but it should have been in the late 60s. Information is welcome at ardiazcpa@diaz-tax.com. Alberto
Marty Friedman (1/47) talks “Weequahicites’ Nostalgia:”
Maybe it's time to add thoughts from my class of January 1947. And my email address for anyone interested in a class reunion or communication contact me at martyfriedmanpres@gmail.com.
We lived on Wainwright Street between Lyons and Chancellor Avenue with the benefit of being close to Chancellor Avenue School, the #8 bus on Lyons Avenue, the #14 bus on Chancellor and the #6 on Fabian Place (for the ride to School's Stadium for football games). It was a treat to eat lunch at the Chinese restaurant across the street from Chancellor Avenue School where, usually, I would have a delicious chow mein dish in a little baked cup. Then, when in high school, there was Syd's, the store that made candy that you could smell from far away, and the sports store with the trophies. I walked the 5 blocks to school every day and always said hello to the friendly cop, Al, who was stationed on Chancellor and Summit Avenues.
When it snowed and school was closed, we would sleigh ride for hours on the very steep hill on the empty lot, later called Untermann Field. When the snow was really heavy, we would sleigh ride down Keer Avenue from Summit Avenue to Bayview, Crescent, Aldine and to Clinton Place. Dangerous because cars kept coming, but loads of fun. That was 1942-1946.
We marched with Boy Scouts Troop 22 on Broad Street in a major parade with the marching bands from all the Newark high schools; Exciting! Before the Troop 22 meetings in the basement at the grammar school, there was the Forest Patrol in the same place with uniforms and training just like the Boy Scouts.
Wonderful memories of an era where children were taught to respect parents, adults, teachers, the police and taught that, in order to achieve financial success in life, you had to work harder than other people. There were quotas limiting to probably 5% as to who could get into a medical or dental School. Therefore, only students with the very best grades would be accepted.
Weequahic High had many top students with great grades. I was not one of them. Honor Roll and Super Honor Roll was what it was called. Our homeroom class 222 had more than most with about 20 students in that category. Our Class President, Eddie Werfel, made the grade and became a dentist. Our VP, Mickey Panzer, became an MD. I became an optometrist and then a businessman. And because I exercised, watched my diet and was lucky, I am 92 and still very active, and regularly shoot my age in golf. Marty
Going to the movies:
Jack Lippman (50)
I think the “Charlie,” who Arthur Schechner (49) recalls from the Park Theatre, was actually the manager. I think he had a mustache. He had two red-headed daughters who were "Twirlers" at WHS and I think their last name was McMinnim or something like that. Jack
Sandra Serbin Dresdner (56)
Didn’t we call Charlie, who patrolled the aisles of the Park Theater, "Nails?" Sandra
Nate Himelstein (South Side 1/55)
To Jac Toporek (6/63), “The Ten Commandments” was first shown at the Adams Theater and it was reserve seats with two performances each day. Nate
Jac Toporek (6/63)
Viewed many a concert at the Mosque Theater, especially serving as an usher, but cannot recall if the venue was ever used as a movie theater. Anyone have an answer they wish to share? Jac
Trudy Burakof Slater (64)
The Park Theater was our go to neighborhood movie house. And Charlie the usher, or manager, was always shing his flashlight to see who was causing trouble!
Great memories of the #107 and of Downtown Newark. Too bad the younger generation won’t know the special place it was.
And, totally agree about combining classes for WHS reunions. Trudy
More “shmears” of “everything” for the bagel:
Ira Wiss (68)
I loved Watson Bagel. It was in Irvington just over the Newark border. They were open 24/7 and the best thing is that you were always able to get fresh hot bagels at all hours. The smell and taste were intoxicating. Ira
Ann Kosser Branfman (Chancellor/Battin 71)
The bagel bakery on Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth was indeed called "Elmora Bagel Bakery." I believe it was owned by Sonny Amster who owned all the "Watson Bagel" stores. Does anyone remember the name of the appetizing store next to or a few stores away from Silver's Bakery? Ann
Dennis Estis (65)
Well, Jeff Golden (6/63) was right and wrong as to my characterization of the bagel shop on Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth being Watson Bagels. It was not called Watson Bagels as Jeff noted, but it was owned by Sonny Amster and used the same method of production.
The following can be found on the internet from Nat Bodian, the famous historian of everything Jewish in the City of Newark, who unfortunately died at the age of 80, confirming my statements.
“While the Watson Bagel name is no longer in use, the crusty Watson Bagel formula continues to be widely used in Amster-owned or Amster-related operations.
Using the same ingredients and baking procedures, Amster had opened two other solely-owned bagel-making operations earlier: Elmora Bagels at 183 Elmora Avenue in the heart of Elizabeth's Jewish residential district -- opened in 1970, and Sonny's Bagels at 123 South Orange Avenue in South Orange -- opened in 1971…
A third generation of the Amster family also is in the bagel business in a big way. Sonny Amster's son Harlan, the oldest of his four children, who had learned the bagel business working for his father at Watson Bagel, now owns and operates fifteen "Bagels-4-U" stores in various suburban locations. They, too, are in the Watson Bagel style.
In a conversation with Sonny Amster before writing this "Memory," he told me "I still own the Watson Bagel name, but I am not using it at present, although the bagels in my operations are made the same way, with the same ingredients.”
I invite all of you to go into the “Bagels-4-U” store on Morris Avenue in Short Hills and look up at the menu board. You will be astonished by the different menu entrees, all of which have some relationship to the Weequahic section including my former street, Renner Avenue. I will take a picture of the Board and send it to Jac for publication in a future newsletter. Thank you, Harlan! Dennis
Barry Koblentz (2/62)
When I became a Floridian 3 years ago, I learned that Florida bagels and bread are horrible. I have since discovered Bagel Bros. in Tradition. Their motto on their tee shirts and their trucks is, “It ain’t the water.” I have found this to be accurate. Now, if only I could find real Kaiser rolls and rye bread it would be wonderful, although the onion rolls in Publix are OK. The closest decent delis are in Delray or Boca, an hour south of Port St. Lucie. Barry
Steve Radin (1/53)
If you are seeking a good bagel, stay away from North or Central California. There just ain’t no eatable bagels for hundreds of miles. I haven’t been to LA recently, but I assume you might get one there that doesn’t taste like a hockey puck. Steve
