John Bowne High School Class of 1969
Messages from non-classmates
Jimmy Barnes <xnyckid@yahoo.com> writes [October 25 2007]
I am a JBHS 1972 grad--an aggie as well--and my 1st day at Bowne actually began July 1, 1969--as an ag--that should say it all. About 55 of us started out, and about 30 of us left at Colden June 72..I have always been the 'go-to-guy' for 72 ag info, and happily keep us in touch.
MY connection to the JBHS 69 class is also that Clare Burger of Rego Park was my cousin. She was the 1st-ever female admitted to CornellU vet school, and it was partially on the strength of this that in Feb 1969 my on-site interview/grilling by Ag Dept Chair George Chrein (room 138) I was accepted to the JBHS ag program when it was still in its infancy..Mr Chrein died Oct 1999, BTW, you might wish to add that to your 'in memorium' faculty section.
Below attached is a letter I sent earlier today to 'Regan', who posted on your site.
In 1969 my biology class (Mr Jerome Schoen) was on the 3rd floor facing the Manhattan skyline, and so I got to see the WTC being built. And traveling to Bowne from the Rockaways daily via subway I saw it all as well. Sigh. Michelle Zapken (72) lost her hubby Alvin Bergsohn at Cantor-Fitz on 9/11. Undoubtedly there were other Bowne connections which remain essentially unknown to us.
Via www.psk12.com I am able to see the current ethnic makeup of NYC schools--and it somehow leaves me uneasy to see that JBHS is now only 5% Caucasian. It's not a racial rant by me, just an observation that the times have indeed changed...
I've had friends who went to Far Rock HS, Erasmus Hall HS, New Utrecht HS, John Dewey HS, Stuyvesant HS---all these NYC HSs have truly excellent web sites of THEIR OWN (let me emphasize that) that keep alumni in touch. Sadly, Bowne offers nothing but photos and proclamations etc. Not even a 'contact' for feedback. To see the modern day 'rules' on ID cards and clothing etc is sad, and says a lot. I'm still stunned that the Ag Dept Chair/Ass't Prin Steve Perry is an ag grad (1977) which is AFTER I graduated!
As stated to Regan below, I'm also happy to provide you with whatever Bowne alumni info I can.
And trivia-
1--Did you know that Herbert Stempel of the 1950s quiz scandals later taught at Bowne in the late 70s?
2--Several Bownies have Hollywood creds, ask and ye shall receive.
3--While JBHS had no football team, we did excel in city-wide baseball..TWO ex-Bownies have made the major leagues--Steve Ratzer and Heathcliff Slocumb.
All help on alumni I can provide to you--I'll gladly do so, just ask and ye shall receive. I'm just a younger pup alumni but I was there too.
Sincerely, james bryan (jimmy) barnes Bowne 72 ag
jimmy barnes <xnyckid@yahoo.com> wrote:
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:36:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: jimmy barnes <xnyckid@yahoo.com>
Subject: Bowne and Donlon
To: ramandamac@sbcglobal.net
Hello Regan,
My name is James Barnes and I am a 1972 Bowne graduate, an agriculture class grad there as well.
I was reading your comments about Mike Donlon and felt I should reply to you.
Mr Donlon was my soph English class teacher from Sept 1969-Jan 1970. That of course was when the Mets were in the World Series, which
was played during the day back then. I had to subtly listen to my transistor radio for most teachers, but Mr D actually wheeled in a big tv from the A-V dept and we all watched in class. He instantly became my favorite Bowne teacher. i kept in touch with him occasionally, especially after I was in Madison Wisconsin in the summer of 77 and saw him as a contestant on the $25,000 Pyramid.
My yearbook had been destroyed in a flood and around 1990 he actually xeroxed every page of his and sent me a copy. What a swell guy!
So I sent him a box of smoked salmon from here on the Pacific Coast, where I reside. He too was like the dad I never had.
It's been about 7 yrs since I contacted him but I guess I will after this...last I knew he was substitute teaching in Palm Bch..
His address is 6381 Osprey Terrace, Coconut Creek Fla 33073
Last email I had for him was mjd1940@bellsouth.net --tell him Jimmy Barnes sent ya! I know he treasures hearing from former Bowne students.
You didn't say if you graduated Bowne in 1971---I knew most of the 1971 ag grads--Jay Levine, Stephanie Black, Scott Blackman, et.al..
I have a Bowne alumni address book that goes up to 1994--no email addresses of course, but suffice to say many of the entries are still valid. I'm in it but didn't see your name. In any event, if you wish any info on your former Bowne classmates just ask and I'll be happy to help if possible.
Sincerely, jimmy barnes Bowne72
Juan Lizarra <laser@centennialpr.net> writes [Tue, 13 Jun 2006]:
hello my name is juan lizarra i studeid in bown back in 82' and i just completly lovedit my best years of my life were in john bown they call me mike, please if theres anyone out there that was in that same year please scream!!!
Regan MacBannon-Mason <ramandamac@sbcglobal.net> writes [Sun, 23 Apr 2006]:
I went to John Bowne from '69 to '71... Michael Donlon
was my favorite English teacher... [he] treated me like a human being.
I felt that someone cared about me and he was an excellent role model,
one the father I had was not. I think of John Bowne often and it angers
me that people are treating each other so ruthlessly now.
I am not surprised at the violence that goes on there. The 60s ushered
in the worst humanity had to offer. There is no respect or regard for
life or each other and I am just sick of it. The funny thing is that technically
one could call me a "minority," I am female and legally blind.
But of late I have come to despise the attitudes of so-called "minority"
groups who think that they have a human right to violate other people.
Diversity is another tool to divide people and pit them against each other.
We are all either victims or perpetrators. When we steal someone else's
cell phone and attack them, nobody has the right to excuse it by calling
him/herself a victim for doing it.
I loved John Bown and call New York my home. One thing that I can relate
to you about 1969 is this: The majestic Twin Towers were being built then.
Jhemyni@aol.com writes [Sun, 10 Jul 2005]:
i am a senior at John Bowne high school, and over the years I've been on the school for 4 years and seen some outragous things in the school. I've seen people get jumped and people leave on security purpose. I've deal with people with anger problems and family problems. i had pregnate teens ask for advice and other who wanted to turn away from it already. help me with my problems
abcdbowie@aol.com writes [Tue, 12 Jul 2005]:
Marion - I graduated in '70, but had transferred to another
school. Is JOYCE VOGEL the math teacher, and is ALICE GROSS the English
teacher? Other names I recall are Mr. Bogner (bio) and Mr. Neideroder
(?) (shop?).
Thanks. God in your heart!
In the ReNewer
David
Dr. David B. Bowie
341 Hickory Haven Terrace
Suwanee, GA 30024-6413
678-923-1001 (cell)
678-714-9164 (home/fax)
Pastor
Rice Memorial Presbyterian Church
1515 Brewer Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30024
404-752-7471
404-752-5880 (fax)
á é í ó ú ü ñ ¡
Houseofstrang@aol.com writes [Thu, 23 Jun 2005]:
Dear Sophomore,
Sometimes those of us in the first graduating class forget that there
were others who followed in our footsteps. You probably never knew me,
although you can find me in the '67 yearbook if you have one. I even took
a sophomore to Senior prom ( did you know Peaches? also known as Beatrice).
I went to college at the University of Illinois and except for a couple
of summers ('68 and "69) I only came back at Christmas time and for
a few reunions, including the one at Bowne many years ago with the classes
of 68 and 69. Hope all is well , I am actively involved with the Bowne
"67 site.
Best Regards, Phil Strang
<vinjlo@optonline.net> writes: [ Fri, 18 Nov 2005 ]
Hi
My name is Andrea and I was in class of 70,but knew a good handful of
people from the class of 69.
If I recall, didn't Mr. Vidakovich dress up as nauga for Sing that year?
Best wishes to all members of the class of 69.
dennis.falsetti@dilbeck.com writes: [29 Nov 2005]
Hello!
My name is Dennis Falsetti. I was born in Corona, Queens and moved to Flushing (around Kissena Park) in October of 1960.
I graduated from Campbell Junior High School in June of 1964 and entered the brand new John Bowne High School in September of that year.
I remember that we freshmen were the only class in the entire school!
This was a very tumultuous time in my life and I did not graduate in 68 (the first graduating year I believe). Shortly thereafter I did complete my education elsewhere.
I have lived in Los Angeles since 1977 and recently have corresponded with many of my old classmates from Bowne.
I was wondering if you knew of any way to acquire a copy of the 1968 yearbook. It would be such a joy for me to see those fresh faces from an innocent time that seems so long ago.
"Jan S. Rothman" <jsr154@optonline.net>[Wed, 30 Nov 2005] wrote:
Hi:
Trying to organize a reunion of people who lived in Lefrak City in the
late 60's. Three of our friends went to Bowne - graduated in 1969. Would
appreciate if you could furnish me with email addresses of the following
people, if you have them:
Allen Bader
Jeffrey Rosoff
Karen Meislich (Rosoff)
If you feel funny about forwarding their email addresses to me, could
you please write to them and ask them to get in touch with me?
Thanks.
site
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Marion Leeds Carroll
bowne@leedscarroll.com
last updated 12/13/13