Fourth Street Beat - December 1998

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Update

Nancy Northgraves did lose her father. He passed away Dec. 11th and will be missed. Wo enjoyed sharing holidays with them…will continue with Gloria (Nancy's mother), for sure.

Great Thanksgiving holiday with the Bob Janises and other family. Few details: Wed. Mom, Dad, Bob, Cathy, Amy arrived mid- afternoon. Hugs all around and were so happy to see each other! Around dinner time, Ed, Karyl, little Peyton (14 mos) and baby Eisabella (6 weeks) arrived. Beautiful little baby. Peyton a bit shy, but he warmed up eventually. When Joan, Mike, Katie and her NEW finance arrived, Peyton was quite taken with the hugging of everyone - his Grammy hugging these strangers!! Katie's engagement brand new and all were delighted! Bob played guitar and Peyton loved dancing to his songs. We got to hear one of Eddie's original songs recorded by a band member…very good. Billy, Nancy, Grace and Abby arrived in time for pizza and Bill, Cathy and Amy went to pick up Jeff at the Framingham shuttle bus. More delighted greetings! Katie and Michael had to leave (dog in car) and others stayed quite late - 10 or so? A wonderful evening together.

Thurs. a.m., turkey cookin' everyone up leisurely help with rest of food prep while I set table, etc. Fun doin' it together. Billy and Nancy, girls over at 1:30. Sit down at 2-ish. After dinner we read the wonderful "I'm thankful for(s)…" about each other that each had written. Cathy had sent forms with everyone's name who would be at table and we were to say what we were thankful for about each person. It was terrific… serious, funny, enlightening…Grace enjoyed hearing about herself. Abby slept! More music after Bob and Jeff on guitars, Dad played harmonica, girls on piano and directing their "band" having passed out instruments to all. Just a lovely, musical time together!! Played games w/Grace…talked to Debbie and boys…missed Peter, who cooked a smoked turkey at home in Atlanta. Fri. was gloriously mild - as all our November days have been and another busy, family filled day. John, Betty Poltrack (with turkey form their TWO turkeys) and Sharrie arrived around 11:30. We had beef stew right away at kitchen table…just about finished some pie for dessert and Susan, Brad, Stephanie and Jesse arrived (with turkey from their TWO turkeys). It was fun! They ate and we settled downstairs with Bob, Jeff and John on guitars. Lovely couple of hours singing and listening…like old times! Sharrie cutting loose to "Frankie & Johnny". Bob and John obviously enjoying each other. Jeff did one of his originals - very good and finished with a hymn that came to Bob in a dream that he accompanied himself on at the piano… several tears as it was quite beautiful!!! Billy, Grace and Abby over….Nancy at hospital. Carr's had to leave around 4. Bill made his famous "italian" sandwiches and it the others departed. Great, great days in all.

Andee and Steve took Helene to the Stamford Diner and met Adeline and Ed Poltrack for early dinner on T-day. Many laughs and a good time by all. Festive and fun. Andee reported that Adeline looked "terrific" despite her hospital stay and was great at conversation, "We had laughs, too". Saturday, all the G kids, their others, plus grandsons, and 5 dogs converged. Weather was spectacular and much good fun and laughter. "FAMILY!" as Andee put it. CalJan's joined them in evening and all the young ones went out "on the town"…playing riotous game of Pictionary at the bar at "Gates" in downtown N.C.

And the Terry Poltrack's were in Paris, France! with Marianne's brother. Very exciting. In Terry's words, "no matter where I am, though, I will be trying to replicate the warmth of the holidays past. It's important to me that the kids have what I had….I can still remember hiding under the table while the men played poker, Henry rubbing my head for good luck…the talk in the kitchen mixed with marvelous smells…feeling proud just for getting taller…anxious to find out what Marilyn and Pat had been up to since last I saw them. I love the fact that e-mail helps answer that last wonder every day."

And as Marilyn said, "I have tried many times to explain (to friends) how our family get- togethers were and people are always amazed".

From Regina: They went to Regina's sister's in Marblehead, MA for Thanksgiving. Could've bopped over to see Bob Janis clan. Regina made a Boston Cream Pie from scratch. "Xmas? Xmas Eve we're hosting my family's tradition of 50 years standing! Spaghetti & squid sauce for 23 w/shrimp cocktail to start (remember it used to be a fast day)."

Following in the family tradition, Susan Spiegelberg is an extra in a movie. She's one of a thousand brides in a movie called "The Bachelor". Has had a great deal of fun filming and has taken some pictures to share at a later date! More to follow as movie nears completion.

Harry wrote that he and Patti had a new grandson, who arrived from Russie in mid- November. His parents are Patti's children, Terri and Rick and the baby's name is Matthew.

Heard from Libby Wood that Chris had a Holiday Pops in early December and she had a dance recital. She also played Mary in church Christmas shows.
Sharrie played piano at local nursing for PWP carols! She got thru it very nicely, I'm sure. People just keep singin' and appreciate that you are just there!!

Education Beat

Adam got straight A's (and 2 A+s) on his report card. We're really proud of his maturity and commitment to school. He wants to be a major league baseball player and as a side profession because we all know a sports star career is short, a real estate lawyer like his Uncle Steve (because he doesn't want to defend individuals who are blatantly guilty). Brendan got straight B's and is doing fine (although he carps about the demands of his "job" which is attending 4th grade!).

Sarah had a great beginning at Providence. In a room designed for 3 and there are 4 of them in a small space. Once she left for college, Katie went into her room and filled her bulletin board with pictures and reminders of Sarah. Worked on the room until it had the "essence" of Sarah…a labor of love.

In the Fall, Katie Dworak received the Charles Dickens award for literature….earned for her
freshman year performance in English.

Katie Janis to receive her masters' in May.

Jeff Janis (2nd year) and Stephanie Brink (3rd year) doing well at Duke and Bryn Mawr, respectively. Jeff's acapella group from Duke performed at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village, NYC on October 12th. Cathy's sister went in and said they sounded like Manhattan Transfer. Jeff did two solos, one being a song he wrote. Bob and Cathy went to Duke for Parents Weekend Oct. 23-25 got to hear the choir (did a Cole Porter tribute) and a basketball scrimmage at the "hallowed" Duke fieldhouse, Cameron Indoor Stadium. Went in and took seats in the closest area (it being a reserved section 2 rows up from the floor right behind the bench). They expected to be moved, but were not and had a great time! Hard NOT to be a fan when there. Okay, okay - I'll repeat the rest of their experience! At the choir concert, they sat a few rows behind Tom Watson, the pro golfer (remember, Bob is a BIG golfer person!!) His daughter, Meg, is in one of the singing groups. She's also in Jeff's music class (was not aware of Meg's "parentage"!).

Susan Spiegelberg In Holliston, MA for Christmas. Dec. 22nd and 23rd she and Cyn to look at about 6 colleges with possible master's program in mind. Also considering a drastic, fun change…flight attendant with Southwest Airlines or some other (inferior) airline. It's time this gal had some fun - enough of serious pursuits at this young age, for awhile. In September, John helped move Matthew up to Rochester, NY to RIT.

Job Beat

Pat Poltrack has been working all hours on the yk2k for the millennium…setting it up so there will be no glitches! John going to Houston, Texas in late Nov. Will see Pat, but not stay with her (not close enough to his business call).

Billy Northgraves (in training for Regional Manager of Furon) was in North Carolina training someone and met up with brother, Peter, also traveling. They hooked up for dinner, stayed in the same hotel w/adjoining rooms, and after breakfast together, went their separate ways.

Bill Northgraves, loyal to his company which has undergone great change and downsizing this past year, feels they have turned the corner. New approach and having great success luring customers away from competition. Hope his hard work and persistence pay off. Now traveling quite a bit - Mexico in early Dec.

Michael Dumont received a promotion. He supervises 22 people on the weekends from the home office in Woburn, MA. These folks are out on surveillance's and have to answer to him. He still does surveillance himself during the week.

Amy Dumont Leclerc has a special ed class of 17 kids. She and Steve bought Steve's mother's house in Florida.

Regina's a year at KPMG, publishing a technology newsletter and web site and "I think have finally stopped missing Prodigy -- but I see their ads on national TV now. Wrote a firm- wide announcement the other day (means this is mailed to 22,000 individuals) that flew through approvals untouched. That's unheard of!"

Jim's a very valued employee where he is at Software Corporation of America. He coached the Yorktown 11 year old Travel Baseball Team to the Championship this year validating his incredible knowledge of the game and superior judgment on all counts!

After NOT getting the job 6 years ago, Susan saw the same position advertised in July and GOT the job as health teacher at Souhegan HS in Amherst, NH. Likes the high school level. Souhegan is an "essential school" (one of 60 in the country) and it's mission is a change of structure and instruction in education. A lot of it has to do with formulating "essential questions" about your content area and teaching kids how to be life long learners. It's a new frontier and Susan likes being part of it. Finds the students very impressive.

Jim Trischitta is a sales engineer for PARLANCE, a sound recognition program which operates a business' incoming telephone system. Has many big clients already, i.e. American Home Products, Hewitt Associates, NBC, Deloit and Touche. His office # is [redacted]. Should you have a business lead for him and call, just say "Jim Trischitta" when asked by the voice.

Health Beat

Ed Janis in the hospital as of this writing, with pneumonia. Due to the illness, his Parkinson's has made him immobile. Some frightening moments when he realized he couldn't move and Lil feels they're in for a tough road. Your thoughts and prayers appreciated.

Adeline hospitalized week before Thanksgiving. She called Lillian at 4:30 a.m. w/dizziness, felt faint, pain in neck…Lil and Ed went to Stamford and got her to the hospital. Not a heart attack. Hospitalized again right after Thanksgiving - fell, but no damage. Hospitalized briefly AFTER Thanksgiving following a fall. Nothing broken and very okay now.

Anthony fell out of his wheelchair at the nursing home. Cut his ear and had to go to the ER (6 hours!) He had a pressure bandage and things are fine now.

Of Interest

Terry Poltrack won the Folio award for editorial excellence for his publications. Going way back, note from Barbara Dworak. They got to travel often this past summer! Camping trip to Grafton, VT to hear the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and watch fireworks. Time at friend's lake house in Eastford, CT. Then Captiva Island in Florida with same friends for 10 days. And finally, to the Cape in August. Enjoyed Provincetown Carnival Parade with Steve and Gael. Had nice dinner with them afterward at Puccis. Beverly and Ron lost their luggage and Bev brought a cough that turned out to be pneumonia.Jim Poltrack turned 50 August 25th and Bob Janis turned 50 October 16th! Anyone else?

Then there was John Poltrack and his see- through ruse of a get together over Labor Day? at Steve and Gael's? his words "sorry if I confused anyone about a labor day event, it's not happening…I think a Columbus Day (renamed Poltrack Day) reunion is a great idea." Of course we all know John CREATED the idea - passed the word along and so, there was a bash!

Oh these Poltracks know how to have a good time! Many, many at Steve and Gael's and rather than list them, a picture is in this issue. It was a wonderful time…met Gael's daughter, son in law and 2 absolutely adorable grandchildren. Sadly for Lisa, she had to leave briefly for a friend's wake. Great sing along with John P. on guitar and the children loving it (Deedee's boys, etc.)

Much discussed was "Horror at Party Beach" as it had just appeared on the scifi channel! Even saw a very old promotional clipping with Henry and Ed's picture! If ANYONE has it on tape and has the ability to copy tape-to-tape, the Northgraves branch would love a copy. Ed and Lil have yet to see this epic film.

Email Address list [redacted]

The newsletter concludes with a discussion of the meaning behind the The Twelve Days of Christmas.

T'il next time

Love you, bless you

Cynthia