Fourth Street Beat - Volume 11, May 1998

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Memorial to Mary Dorothea Poltrack

Following is the obit as it appeared in the New Canaan paper.

Mary Poltrack, a lifelong resident of Stamford, died Tuesday, March 10 at the Medi-Plex in Stamford after a long illness. She was 83. Born on August 1, 1914 to the late Anthony and Emilia Kowaleski Poltrack, Ms. Poltrack was employed as teacher's aid in the Stamford Public schools before her retirement. She attended the University of Connecticut, Columbia University and Southern Teacher
College. In addition to her work in the schools, Ms. Poltrack also taught ballet and tap dancing, volunteered for the Girls Club and the Yerwood Center, and was an aide at Stamford Hospital. During the Great Depression, she was the recipient of a government grant to promote arts in the Stamford schools.
She is survived by two brothers, Anthony
Poltrack of New Boston, NH, and Edward
Poltrack of Stamford; three sisters, Adeline Poltrack of Stamford, and Lillian Janis and Helene Romako of New Canaan; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Henry
and Francis Poltrack.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Restoration Fund, 4 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT 06902.

New Canaan Paper

There were many shared stories, some heartwarming surprises, such as the 2 gals who had been Mary's students in 1974. They said she had made such an impact on them and when they saw the paper they said "that has to be OUR Miss Poltrack. We have to go." (Bob Janis said all the way down from Massachusetts the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" kept running thru his head.) Many old neighbors and friends…and so many of us! nieces, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces…a wonderful tribute.
Bob Janis felt is was providential that he happened to be east and able to arrange to be at some part of the tribute. Went home feeling very "connected" - as we all did. Being right behind the hearse w/Mom and Dad, he made an observation and wanted to share it:
"We were on Schofieldtown Road and had just passed one of the stop signs. I noticed a car coming the opposite direction, to see the driver, a man in his sixties, pull off his hat and bow his head.
It just struck me as right that Aunt Mary should receive a prayer from someone unknown. An ultimate respect."

Update

5/15/98 - We lose a life and another comes along. Stephen Paul Trischitta came into the world this day at 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 1/2". He gave his mother NO time to think about it. She woke up at 3:00 a.m., got to the hospital at 3:29 (so says the log) and Stephen was born at 3:31 a.m. All are doing just fine.  Andee and Steve will have his brothers for awhile.
2/20/98 - thanks, Patricia, and others of you, for kudos re: last issue.
Bill and I went to the Home Show in Boston on Saturday, the 21st. Had lunch at 4:00 pm next door to John Ferguson's "Duckworth Lane". Didn't open until 5:00 and John doesn't work on Sat. We peeked in and checked out the menu outside! Looks like a "neat" spot.
4/8/98 - HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY to Regina and Jim.
3/2/98 - According to Uncle Ed, Beverly and Ron survived the Calif. rains. When it rains, it causes riverlets, but no slides as coast has had. Bev has encountered driving thru some pretty concerning high water in streets. They went on a hasty trip to Amsterdam thru UCLA. Ron went to make a sales pitch for some courses being offered and Bev with Meredith were invited to join them. See card w/picture.

Palm Sunday weekend, Andee and Steve had 26 family for a gathering. I was down for the day only that Monday and Mom, Dad and I had Marilyn, Elizabeth, Chris and Helene for lunch visit. Marilyn's children are growing up so much! Libby a young lady and beautiful. They most recently had Andrew for 4 days as Deedee had broncitis. Due date is June 4th. Good luck.
Bob and Cathy sent post cards from Japan of the To-ji Temple. "Having an amazing time!"
Bill and I are just back from a week in Disney Land with Debbie, John, Drew, Sean and Jack. Peter joined us for the Easter Sunday weekend. It was a glorious week, perfect weather, and we had a wonderful time. Very crowded, but we learned early on to leave later in the day and stay into the night (open til midnight Easter week). There were no lines then. Beverly and Ron took Meredith on a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland where she got to meet and hug Pooh & Tigger and Cinderella (though she was terrified of her…). We found the same thing regarding the lack of "wandering" characters.
And a week later, Billy, Nancy, Grace and Abigail visited Debbie in Arizona (and Nancy's sister who is on the other side of Phoenix). Love that family visiting. Debbie and family coming east for a Boston College friend's wedding May 30th. I'll fly back to AZ with Deb and the boys and stay the week (a short one as want to be back for the weekend of June 6th.)

5/12/98 - Brad Carr is traveling in Tibet until the end of June. Susan has forwarded some of his notes home. Says Tibet is wonderful. Finding it very hot, polluted and poverty stricken, but is delighted with the architecture and people. He is climbing monasteries and visiting palaces built B.C. Quite an experience. His bag was lost between Taipei and Kathmandu…4 days later it was found (a relief to have clean clothes). He misses the regular showers. Rainy in Kathmandu (as it was here - 10 straight days of it)…monsoon season started early. One morning he got up at 3:00 a.m. and took a hired car 20 miles up into the hills to watch the sun rise on the Himalayas and it was hazy. Could just make out the faint outline of Mt. Everest. Buddha's Birthday celebration with lots of lamas and people out in the streets, very colorful. Brad also reports that people throw their garbage in the street in piles where the cows and mangy dogs eat it. Open sewage, big piles of sacred cow dung in the streets and they lose power several times a week. Charming place.
The Henry Poltrack's got together in New Canaan at the Roger Sherman Inn for Mother's Day dinner. Great dinner.
All's well with Sharrie. She's helping me and a small internet (because we're from all over the country) committee to plan our 40th high school in October. Actually, Andee and Steve are involved too. It's great fun.

Education Beat

Brendan Poltrack asked to participate in the Johns Hopkins testing program for children who scored over 90% on standardized tests. He tested in the 99 percentile. On a special test, he scored as well as 1/2 the children in 2 grade levels above him! Brendan's First Year playing baseball…he finds it, with his father coaching "acceptable".
Adam's an "all-american"…set his 6th grade record for a "2-laps around a football field length distance"…good in school… good in sports… well-liked by everyone and he likes everyone and is interested in everything!
Matthew Poltrack continues on Honor Roll at Franklin Pierce. Considering a transfer as looking for strong computer graphics courses. Was part of a television ad, but will probably be viewed on local cable.
Emily still interested in sports. Suffering from budget-cut syndrome and travels up to UNH to run on their indoor track. Had a great Fall season as goalie for the field hockey team. Would Joshua's "adventure" to Washington area, visit with Terry and Marianne and bail-out by Uncle Ed qualify as educational?? Josh is working in Burger King in Milford, NH.

Sarah Dworak has been accepted at U-Conn (honors program), Connecticut College as a Lawrence Scholar, and Providence College. She was offered good merit scholarships at both UConn and Providence so decision making time is upon them. What a nice position to be in- Sarah is to be congratulated for her academic achievements. She has chosen Providence. She also broke her school record at the CT State Class S Tournament held at Yale in the long jump. She jumped 16'5 1/2". 5/14/98-This just in, via email (her first attempt) from Barbara. Both Sarah and Katie are having a good outdoor track season. Kate had a first in the high jump at her freshman invitational. Sarah has been first in the high, long, triple jumps and the 200 at most local meets. Kate enjoyed bumping into Susan at an 1-95 McDonald's. Kate was on her way to a
Broadway show, and Susan was headed to D.C.

Job Beat

When did Regina leave Prodigy and go to work at Peat Marwick?? Jim's job good, company is thriving. Regina's brother has recently joined the same Software Corporation of America as a Project Manager.
Both Emily and Matt work part time at the Victory Supermarket, while Joshua works at Burger King in Milford.
Stephanie is planning/hoping to work at the Cape this summer. Has gone job hunting.

Health Beat

Aunt Betty's preventive chemo gives her terrible bowel problems. She took a 2 week break and started back May 14. Hopefully this time she'll be able to tolerate it. She has some precancerous skin lesions on her face that the dermatologist is treating.
Uncle Tony the same. Eats well and responds to very little. Part of that is probably his anti- seizure medication (very numbing).
Uncle Ed Janis has same kind of skin lesions on the top of his head. Been treated.

Of Interest

Susan Spiegelberg had major big-time problems with a mentally unstable room mate so moved out in the dead of night, so to speak, and is living with her Uncle Carl on weekends and sympathetic teachers during the week.

Poems

Contributed by Sharrie. From the book, "Songs of the Free: Anthology of Post-War Poetry" published in 1947. "Sgt. Francis J. Poltrack, Conn., was one of America's younger poets the full extent of whose talents never will be known. He had served in the Marine Corps four years and a day, when he met death in action at Peleliu, after three years in the Pacific."

The stage is set,
It's spring back home. The sky has washed its dome, And the trees and fields are still wet.
The old folks are beginning to remember That all is not infernal,
And life is not all December But Peace and Hope eternal.
I hear a shaky quavering song
Growing in its melodic might Till a nation with its surging throng Throws joy into a hurtful fight.
And the cause of all this fuss In fierce savagery is clawing At a protesting, recalcitrant cuss - With a worm, his beak is see-sawing.
It's spring back home.
The town is bright with dawning. Wish I didn't have to roam, Would be 'neath a tree, yawning.

Carving a path to freedom and glory, Silver spray from the ocean's swell, Armed with wrath and tradition's story, The little boat moaned a monotonous knell.
Through thunder and fire to golden sands They stream with a yell to the fore

And as they reach this sandy beach It gleams red with the men of the Corps.
The battle goes on, the firing is faint. The day is dying and in death once more The sky is tinged with nature's paint - Red and gold for the men of the Corps.
In the quiet of dusk the sea is still The sand shining in the setting sun. The waters roll, a gentle hill In hushed trickle, its work is done.
The water is faint with a tinge of paint By man, the color it wore With the beach and the foam, it colors their home,
With the red and gold of the Corps.
And as they marched into the sky They wondered not at the color it bore For they knew now they'd never die - For the red and gold of the Corps.

Francis Poltrack

From the book, "Songs of the Fre: Anthology of Post-War Poetry" published in 1947.