GOLDEN MOMENTS
Next week I head to New Rochelle, New York, for my 50th
high school reunion. My reunion is not
just with old classmates, but also with my hometown, a mid-size suburban city
just north of Manhattan—and the setting for the residence of Rob and Laura
Petrie of the Dick Van Dyke Show.
I have been back to New Rochelle countless times, but primarily
to see family. This time, I hope to:
…see my first New York baseball game in, yes, 50 years. In June
of 1965, despite losing 70 games already that season, the Miracle Mets were only
four years away from winning the World Series. The Mets’ home, Shea Stadium, was torn down in
2008 and replaced by Citi Field. Entering
a major league park for the first time is always a thrill—just like the 100th
time.
…go back to Roosevelt Elementary School where I spent six years being
reprimanded by teachers for my reprobate behavior. I’d like to sit in the
principal’s office again, just as I did most days after school, except I’d
probably be in someone’s bedroom. Roosevelt School was renovated into Roosevelt
Condominiums about 20 years ago.
…go back to Walter’s Hot Dogs, a family-owned business that
has been grilling franks in a small Chinese pagoda for almost 100 years. I’ll
buy two hot dogs (on perfectly grilled buns with mustard relish) and tell the
girl behind the register that I remember when the dogs were two for 45 cents.
She’ll say “whatever,” and I’ll walk away feeling very, very old…until I take
that first bite.
…go back to the pricey country club where I was a soda jerk.
On Mondays they used to let the kitchen staff and caddies play golf, and that’s
when I got my first hole-in-one back in 1965. I’ll tell the golf pro the story
and ask if I can go back and play that hole again 50 years later. He’ll remind
me that I’m not a member, and I’ll say “whatever,” and I’ll wish I had never stopped
by.
…go back to the former site of Sickles Field, the small
baseball diamond in downtown New Rochelle where we played Little League ball—where
we wore woolen uniforms in 100-degree weather and were told not to drink water
when we were hot because it would make us sick. The New York Daily News said I was the best Little League center
fielder in the state. When I got to high school, I didn’t make the team. I hope
no one remembers that at the reunion.
…and I hope I’ll see Larry, part of our inseparable friends trio.
All of us aspired to be professional wrestlers. We dressed the part, rehearsed
the body slams and gave performances on the beach, fake blood and all. Larry
and I will talk about Steve, who passed away last month and will be remembered
as the most courageous and inspirational member of the class. A football star
in high school, he was recruited by Colgate University and during the first
week of practice 50 years ago this week, was the victim of an unnecessary (and now
illegal) head tackle. Steve spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. A
successful attorney, devoted partner and father, he will be the talk of the
reunion.
After the reunion, Larry and I will want to go back to our
favorite pizza place to talk more about Steve.
Well, we would, but I think there’s a Walmart there now.
