Classmate Reactions to Clay Pasternack's Posting on
the JFK Assassination:
ANDREA PORTER LINGENFELTER
I was in eighth grade at Campus School in Buffalo. I came to Amherst High School in tenth grade. I remember the loudspeaker in hallway announcing that school would be letting out early because the president had been shot......do not think we knew he was dead. It seems to me that it was before noon but he was shot about 1:00, I think so my recollections must be inaccurate.
I was just happy about getting out early but also shocked at the reason. Why I say it is a female memory is that I may be one of very few women who know the exact date of the start of her first menstrual cycle: When I got home from school after hearing about Kennedy, I went to use the bathroom and had begun my first menstruation. I sometimes wonder if the emotional trauma of the day was the catalyst for the onset. Hope I didn't offend anyone with this story but it has been of interest throughout my life in terms of medical history as all women know. So that is forever my association with JFK's assassination!
BARB QUINN MULLEN
How do I ever begin to share thoughts after your beautifully written narrative! What detail!
All I can say is I was at Christ the King School. President Kennedy was Irish Catholic- that was significant. I watched TV all weekend as I will do tonight with all the special broadcasts. It does seem so long ago. Are we really that old?
BARB GLICKSTEIN SANDY
I just remember being in Mr. Czyrny’s (spelling??) Unified class (Joe Czyrny – a one year wonder at ACJHS). After that confusing life altering announcement on the PA system, Mr. Czyrny asked...does anyone know of any other presidents that have been assassinated? I remember looking around and many kids praying, on their knees crying. No one answered so he went to the encyclopedia to check out his answer. I believe he was only there for one year. I, too, remember going to the assembly and a dance was canceled for that evening. What a sad assembly...teachers and students crying and wondering just why that happened.
I also remember my brother picking me up after Hebrew School on Sunday when he told me about Lee Harvey Oswald. We chuckled thinking that we, too would have liked to have done that...but didn't realize that he had died. A lot of history went down with that murder...
Thanks for letting us share our memories of such an important time in our lives. I am looking forward to reading everyone's memory of that day.
DONNA RUSSELL MARTIN
I was sitting in the library - can't remember the librarian's name, but she was a formidable presence I know - (Miss Mary Jane Carter). The phone rang, she listened for a minute, and then to everyone's huge surprise she started to cry (she was clearly not the type to cry over much of anything). She listened for a time longer and then gently put the phone down. She then looked up at those of us who were watching her and said "President Kennedy has been shot and it does not look like he will live" - dead silence.
The only other thing I remember is our assembly that day where the dance at Christ the King, scheduled for that night, was cancelled and Laurie Steinmetz could not keep from crying - I think lots and lots of us could not keep from crying also - but somehow I remember vividly Laurie's anguish. Funny what things stick in our memory.
GAIL SINGER RUHLMAN
Loved your story. I felt like I was right there as I was reading. Who's Bar Mitzvah was it? (answer – Robbie Wolf from
Williamsville HS). I was in Home Ec class and remember hearing the announcement over the P.A system. I was really upset and remember looking out the window and crying. I also remember going home and being glued to the TV. I was so upset! That's all I remember.
ILENE ROSENBLAT GELBER
This month is an interesting month for me and having you bring up 1963 sure opened up a floodgate of memories. First of all I am only mentioning this because you knew my dad - he passed away 22 years ago today. Boy the years fly by. Back to 1963 - do you know where you were that day? I was in Mrs. Fleischmann's math class. The announcement came over the PA and Ron Eisenberg was talking so she had to go ask another teacher what happened. She came back into the room crying. We know the rest is history. The strange things we all remember. I used to think that she was very old - it must have been very early in her career because I ran into her at math meetings when I began my career. She was only in
her 40's then!!!
JEFF PAGE
Thanks so much for compiling this and sending it out, especially to those of us who were unable to attend this year's reunion. November 22nd, 50 years ago! I was in Mr. Knickerbocker's music class when the announcement came over the loudspeaker in the room. I believe it was 2:10PM that memorable day.
As always, I send a heartfelt hello to all of the great classmates from 1968. May you all prosper in all of your endeavors! If ever in the Pacific Northwest, please let me know, as I live in Washington State - [email protected]
JOANNE HUTCHISON WILKINSON
Your recollections of what happened on Nov 22nd were so amazingly detailed. My memories are hazier. I just remember being in science class and the message coming over the loudspeaker. I know that none of us could believe what we had heard. There was a feeling of being totally overwhelmed.
Instinctively you knew to divert yourself by listening to the Canadian radio station. You even remember the songs that
were being played. Thanks for sharing your memories with all of us.
KATHY AYERS MELOON
I enjoyed reading about your memories. I'm impressed by the details that you remember. I was in Mrs. Paeplow's home economics class. We had finished our sewing unit and were modeling our "outfits" that day. We heard a commotion in the parking lot and someone in our class opened the window. A person in the parking lot called up to us with the news, just
before that PA announcement. I remember spending the weekend glued to our b&w TV set.
I currently volunteer at the Niagara County History Center, doing children's programs. On Veterans' Day we did a 3-hour program on JFK. Since the kids are only ages 7-11, we concentrated more on what life was like in 1963 - JFK's USA. We played games from the 60s (Twister, Toss Across, the limbo), sorted picture cards of foods, toys, inventions, etc. as to whether they first appeared before the 60s, during the 60s, or after the 60s. The kids also played "Guess the Price". We gave them the 2013 price and they had to guess the 1963 price. We did a little on the USA/USSR space race, too. We only spent about 20 minutes on JFK's life and death, due to the ages of the kids. I've attached the answer keys for the before-during-after activity and the guess the price activity. Hope you enjoy visiting a happier part of 1963.
MARGO DAVIS (SMALLWOOD CLASS OF 1962, PARK SCHOOL CLASS OF 1968)
Thank you for sharing this. When I think of the TV portion, I think of Lorne Greene and remember wondering why he of all folks seemed to be at the narrating at the helm.
I can still hear the drone of the caissons and the boots backwards in the stirrups of the horse.
TOM MCCRAY
I, too, have vivid recollections of that day…although not to the point of Clay Pasternack. You even remember the room you were in??? I was also in math class with Mrs. Fleishman (ROOM 243)…and I recall that when they played the radio report over our PA, she dissolved in tears. None of us knew what to say or do. Of course, then I recall coming home from church the following Sunday morning, turning on the TV and witnessing Oswald being murdered on live television. But I think the other part that sticks with me was the funeral procession a couple days later with that constant repetitive drum beat. It was haunting. Best wishes to the class of ’68 and Happy Holidays!
RICH MORIN
I was in Glee Club when President Kennedy was shot. I remember that there was an announcement over the PA system that said that the President had been shot and all classes are dismissed. I remember walking out in the hall and seeing many people that were very upset. Some were crying and others really did not know how to react to such a sudden turn of events. I remember that I was very confused and I wanted to go home and talk to my parents which I did.
PAUL FIDEN
Thanks for the memories. I remember sitting is some class, I think History and hearing the message, but I don't remember an assembly at all. I'm luck to remember what happened yesterday. All the best and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Fritz
PAUL OLDACH
Okay, so you claim that I ran up and down the hallway yelling "the president had been shot" and you say 30 seconds before it was broadcast to the rest of the school..... How can that be? Did I have an inside source? (APPARENTLY YOU
DID!) Are you saying that I was part of some kind of "conspiracy "? Sorry I missed the reunion, I had business in Las Vegas and just could not change plans. I hope to attend next one. Nice to hear from you. I am actually sitting in Sky Harbor waiting on a flight to Las Vegas again for business.
BOB GERLACH
Hi Clay,
I remember where I was standing (in Shop Class) when the announcement came over the PA, and I remember where I sat in the subsequent assembly. My impression is the assembly program did not proceed as planned and was cut short, but I remember very little of what was said or how people reacted.
What I remember most, however, is watching on TV the Lee Harvey Oswald shooting Sunday morning live as it happened. I ran into the breakfast room to tell my Mom. She was on the phone, and I remember her telling me, and telling the person on the phone, that I was confused, and it must have been a rebroadcast of Friday’s shooting.
JERRY TOKARS
Great note, Clay. I remember I was in shop class at the time, can’t remember which shop we took in 8th grade. The first indication I remember (which was before it came on the PA system) was that someone said the teacher was grumpy, possibly because he had heard that the president was shot.
the JFK Assassination:
ANDREA PORTER LINGENFELTER
I was in eighth grade at Campus School in Buffalo. I came to Amherst High School in tenth grade. I remember the loudspeaker in hallway announcing that school would be letting out early because the president had been shot......do not think we knew he was dead. It seems to me that it was before noon but he was shot about 1:00, I think so my recollections must be inaccurate.
I was just happy about getting out early but also shocked at the reason. Why I say it is a female memory is that I may be one of very few women who know the exact date of the start of her first menstrual cycle: When I got home from school after hearing about Kennedy, I went to use the bathroom and had begun my first menstruation. I sometimes wonder if the emotional trauma of the day was the catalyst for the onset. Hope I didn't offend anyone with this story but it has been of interest throughout my life in terms of medical history as all women know. So that is forever my association with JFK's assassination!
BARB QUINN MULLEN
How do I ever begin to share thoughts after your beautifully written narrative! What detail!
All I can say is I was at Christ the King School. President Kennedy was Irish Catholic- that was significant. I watched TV all weekend as I will do tonight with all the special broadcasts. It does seem so long ago. Are we really that old?
BARB GLICKSTEIN SANDY
I just remember being in Mr. Czyrny’s (spelling??) Unified class (Joe Czyrny – a one year wonder at ACJHS). After that confusing life altering announcement on the PA system, Mr. Czyrny asked...does anyone know of any other presidents that have been assassinated? I remember looking around and many kids praying, on their knees crying. No one answered so he went to the encyclopedia to check out his answer. I believe he was only there for one year. I, too, remember going to the assembly and a dance was canceled for that evening. What a sad assembly...teachers and students crying and wondering just why that happened.
I also remember my brother picking me up after Hebrew School on Sunday when he told me about Lee Harvey Oswald. We chuckled thinking that we, too would have liked to have done that...but didn't realize that he had died. A lot of history went down with that murder...
Thanks for letting us share our memories of such an important time in our lives. I am looking forward to reading everyone's memory of that day.
DONNA RUSSELL MARTIN
I was sitting in the library - can't remember the librarian's name, but she was a formidable presence I know - (Miss Mary Jane Carter). The phone rang, she listened for a minute, and then to everyone's huge surprise she started to cry (she was clearly not the type to cry over much of anything). She listened for a time longer and then gently put the phone down. She then looked up at those of us who were watching her and said "President Kennedy has been shot and it does not look like he will live" - dead silence.
The only other thing I remember is our assembly that day where the dance at Christ the King, scheduled for that night, was cancelled and Laurie Steinmetz could not keep from crying - I think lots and lots of us could not keep from crying also - but somehow I remember vividly Laurie's anguish. Funny what things stick in our memory.
GAIL SINGER RUHLMAN
Loved your story. I felt like I was right there as I was reading. Who's Bar Mitzvah was it? (answer – Robbie Wolf from
Williamsville HS). I was in Home Ec class and remember hearing the announcement over the P.A system. I was really upset and remember looking out the window and crying. I also remember going home and being glued to the TV. I was so upset! That's all I remember.
ILENE ROSENBLAT GELBER
This month is an interesting month for me and having you bring up 1963 sure opened up a floodgate of memories. First of all I am only mentioning this because you knew my dad - he passed away 22 years ago today. Boy the years fly by. Back to 1963 - do you know where you were that day? I was in Mrs. Fleischmann's math class. The announcement came over the PA and Ron Eisenberg was talking so she had to go ask another teacher what happened. She came back into the room crying. We know the rest is history. The strange things we all remember. I used to think that she was very old - it must have been very early in her career because I ran into her at math meetings when I began my career. She was only in
her 40's then!!!
JEFF PAGE
Thanks so much for compiling this and sending it out, especially to those of us who were unable to attend this year's reunion. November 22nd, 50 years ago! I was in Mr. Knickerbocker's music class when the announcement came over the loudspeaker in the room. I believe it was 2:10PM that memorable day.
As always, I send a heartfelt hello to all of the great classmates from 1968. May you all prosper in all of your endeavors! If ever in the Pacific Northwest, please let me know, as I live in Washington State - [email protected]
JOANNE HUTCHISON WILKINSON
Your recollections of what happened on Nov 22nd were so amazingly detailed. My memories are hazier. I just remember being in science class and the message coming over the loudspeaker. I know that none of us could believe what we had heard. There was a feeling of being totally overwhelmed.
Instinctively you knew to divert yourself by listening to the Canadian radio station. You even remember the songs that
were being played. Thanks for sharing your memories with all of us.
KATHY AYERS MELOON
I enjoyed reading about your memories. I'm impressed by the details that you remember. I was in Mrs. Paeplow's home economics class. We had finished our sewing unit and were modeling our "outfits" that day. We heard a commotion in the parking lot and someone in our class opened the window. A person in the parking lot called up to us with the news, just
before that PA announcement. I remember spending the weekend glued to our b&w TV set.
I currently volunteer at the Niagara County History Center, doing children's programs. On Veterans' Day we did a 3-hour program on JFK. Since the kids are only ages 7-11, we concentrated more on what life was like in 1963 - JFK's USA. We played games from the 60s (Twister, Toss Across, the limbo), sorted picture cards of foods, toys, inventions, etc. as to whether they first appeared before the 60s, during the 60s, or after the 60s. The kids also played "Guess the Price". We gave them the 2013 price and they had to guess the 1963 price. We did a little on the USA/USSR space race, too. We only spent about 20 minutes on JFK's life and death, due to the ages of the kids. I've attached the answer keys for the before-during-after activity and the guess the price activity. Hope you enjoy visiting a happier part of 1963.
MARGO DAVIS (SMALLWOOD CLASS OF 1962, PARK SCHOOL CLASS OF 1968)
Thank you for sharing this. When I think of the TV portion, I think of Lorne Greene and remember wondering why he of all folks seemed to be at the narrating at the helm.
I can still hear the drone of the caissons and the boots backwards in the stirrups of the horse.
TOM MCCRAY
I, too, have vivid recollections of that day…although not to the point of Clay Pasternack. You even remember the room you were in??? I was also in math class with Mrs. Fleishman (ROOM 243)…and I recall that when they played the radio report over our PA, she dissolved in tears. None of us knew what to say or do. Of course, then I recall coming home from church the following Sunday morning, turning on the TV and witnessing Oswald being murdered on live television. But I think the other part that sticks with me was the funeral procession a couple days later with that constant repetitive drum beat. It was haunting. Best wishes to the class of ’68 and Happy Holidays!
RICH MORIN
I was in Glee Club when President Kennedy was shot. I remember that there was an announcement over the PA system that said that the President had been shot and all classes are dismissed. I remember walking out in the hall and seeing many people that were very upset. Some were crying and others really did not know how to react to such a sudden turn of events. I remember that I was very confused and I wanted to go home and talk to my parents which I did.
PAUL FIDEN
Thanks for the memories. I remember sitting is some class, I think History and hearing the message, but I don't remember an assembly at all. I'm luck to remember what happened yesterday. All the best and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Fritz
PAUL OLDACH
Okay, so you claim that I ran up and down the hallway yelling "the president had been shot" and you say 30 seconds before it was broadcast to the rest of the school..... How can that be? Did I have an inside source? (APPARENTLY YOU
DID!) Are you saying that I was part of some kind of "conspiracy "? Sorry I missed the reunion, I had business in Las Vegas and just could not change plans. I hope to attend next one. Nice to hear from you. I am actually sitting in Sky Harbor waiting on a flight to Las Vegas again for business.
BOB GERLACH
Hi Clay,
I remember where I was standing (in Shop Class) when the announcement came over the PA, and I remember where I sat in the subsequent assembly. My impression is the assembly program did not proceed as planned and was cut short, but I remember very little of what was said or how people reacted.
What I remember most, however, is watching on TV the Lee Harvey Oswald shooting Sunday morning live as it happened. I ran into the breakfast room to tell my Mom. She was on the phone, and I remember her telling me, and telling the person on the phone, that I was confused, and it must have been a rebroadcast of Friday’s shooting.
JERRY TOKARS
Great note, Clay. I remember I was in shop class at the time, can’t remember which shop we took in 8th grade. The first indication I remember (which was before it came on the PA system) was that someone said the teacher was grumpy, possibly because he had heard that the president was shot.
...and some comments on Clay's Posting about Beatlemania:
DON HOUCK
Looking at the December 1963 Top 10 list reaffirms how different Top 40 radio was then as opposed to now. What an eclectic mix of artists and styles represented in those 10 spots. There was no doubt that the Lettermen, Barbara Streisand, folk singers like PP&M and other disparate artists/styles would also appear on the same list. Today the look seems to be more focused, more narrow, and probably a reflection of a lack of local ownership and the concentration of station ownership in the hands of national corporations. No doubt this can be traced back to the FCC loosening regulatory control and restraint and deep pockets encouraging those decisions. As Kurt Vonnegut would say, "So it goes."
EMERSON R. (STEVE) STEVENS
Thanks for thinking of me, CKEY was on 590 khz. It's now The FAN 590.
Kindest regards,
Steve Stevens
JOANNE HUTCHINSON WILKINSON
It seems hard to believe that it is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles invasion. I remember sitting in my living room on N. Ivyhurst Rd., and the Ed Sullivan show came on TV. The Beatles came on the show and I started screaming. My father looked at me in a bewildered way and asked why I was screaming. I did not know exactly - the Beatles just made us all feel something exciting. It is interesting that you went into the music industry.
DEBBIE LARSON AUSTIN
Many thank you’s for writing this and all that you, and Jeff, do to help our aging memories. As I read this i couldn't help but sing some of those old Beatle songs. When my granddaughter screams and belts out the songs of "One Direction" I have to remind myself that I did the same once also. Again, thank you and Happy New Year
BOB GERLACH
I must admit, I don’t recall ever listening to KB, but I can still sing the jingle, so it must have been everywhere in the
environment.
The two things I remember most about radio were before 1963: I distinctly remember listening to Bill Mazur reenact the Bison baseball games in the studio from ticker tape messages from the ball park. You would hear a flurry of ticking in the background and the excitement would build waiting to hear what he would say. The other thing I remember was being fascinated by the classical musical station, WNED, which came on at sunrise and went off the air at sunset.
LANA (DERBSCH) RICUPITO
November '63 was a time of contrasting events with the devastating news of JFK's death. It was also a time I will always remember as my introduction to a new musical band from Britain that was being featured one evening on television. I wasn't all that concerned about listening to them, but curious enough to do my homework within earshot when the band came on. My parents had Jack Paar on and as the group appeared and began to sing, I instantly dropped the homework and watched in delight, enthralled with this wonderful new music. I was totally hooked!
During the next few weeks we all heard more and more Beatles songs. Their songs quickly rose to the top of the charts and I was a Beatle fan for life. Incredibly enough, my conservative, anti rock-and-roll dad presented me with two tickets to
see the Beatles perform at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto in August of 1965. Wow! Truly one of the greatest surprises of my life. My dad knew how much my friend Jean (Gibeau) Jacobson and I loved them and their music. We bought every album we could along with Beatles posters that we hung from the ceiling with strings over the bed. Each time my dad would enter my room, a new poster would be plastered to the wall or hanging from the ceiling.
We made an overnight trip to Toronto with my folks and it was truly a wonderful experience. My parents dropped us off, two fifteen year old wide-eyed girls, in this mad rush of screaming fans. Unfortunately, we could only hear a din and nothing else. But the joy of this day was one I will never forget. Listening to Beatles music is one of the best natural highs you could hope for.
My husband and I have enjoyed seeing Paul McCartney and his band in Toronto in '89 and '90 and listening to his music over the last 50 years. It was a prerequisite that he be a Beatle fan! It all started in 1963, the beginning of a wonderful lifetime of enjoying their music.
DON HOUCK
Looking at the December 1963 Top 10 list reaffirms how different Top 40 radio was then as opposed to now. What an eclectic mix of artists and styles represented in those 10 spots. There was no doubt that the Lettermen, Barbara Streisand, folk singers like PP&M and other disparate artists/styles would also appear on the same list. Today the look seems to be more focused, more narrow, and probably a reflection of a lack of local ownership and the concentration of station ownership in the hands of national corporations. No doubt this can be traced back to the FCC loosening regulatory control and restraint and deep pockets encouraging those decisions. As Kurt Vonnegut would say, "So it goes."
EMERSON R. (STEVE) STEVENS
Thanks for thinking of me, CKEY was on 590 khz. It's now The FAN 590.
Kindest regards,
Steve Stevens
JOANNE HUTCHINSON WILKINSON
It seems hard to believe that it is the 50th anniversary of the Beatles invasion. I remember sitting in my living room on N. Ivyhurst Rd., and the Ed Sullivan show came on TV. The Beatles came on the show and I started screaming. My father looked at me in a bewildered way and asked why I was screaming. I did not know exactly - the Beatles just made us all feel something exciting. It is interesting that you went into the music industry.
DEBBIE LARSON AUSTIN
Many thank you’s for writing this and all that you, and Jeff, do to help our aging memories. As I read this i couldn't help but sing some of those old Beatle songs. When my granddaughter screams and belts out the songs of "One Direction" I have to remind myself that I did the same once also. Again, thank you and Happy New Year
BOB GERLACH
I must admit, I don’t recall ever listening to KB, but I can still sing the jingle, so it must have been everywhere in the
environment.
The two things I remember most about radio were before 1963: I distinctly remember listening to Bill Mazur reenact the Bison baseball games in the studio from ticker tape messages from the ball park. You would hear a flurry of ticking in the background and the excitement would build waiting to hear what he would say. The other thing I remember was being fascinated by the classical musical station, WNED, which came on at sunrise and went off the air at sunset.
LANA (DERBSCH) RICUPITO
November '63 was a time of contrasting events with the devastating news of JFK's death. It was also a time I will always remember as my introduction to a new musical band from Britain that was being featured one evening on television. I wasn't all that concerned about listening to them, but curious enough to do my homework within earshot when the band came on. My parents had Jack Paar on and as the group appeared and began to sing, I instantly dropped the homework and watched in delight, enthralled with this wonderful new music. I was totally hooked!
During the next few weeks we all heard more and more Beatles songs. Their songs quickly rose to the top of the charts and I was a Beatle fan for life. Incredibly enough, my conservative, anti rock-and-roll dad presented me with two tickets to
see the Beatles perform at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto in August of 1965. Wow! Truly one of the greatest surprises of my life. My dad knew how much my friend Jean (Gibeau) Jacobson and I loved them and their music. We bought every album we could along with Beatles posters that we hung from the ceiling with strings over the bed. Each time my dad would enter my room, a new poster would be plastered to the wall or hanging from the ceiling.
We made an overnight trip to Toronto with my folks and it was truly a wonderful experience. My parents dropped us off, two fifteen year old wide-eyed girls, in this mad rush of screaming fans. Unfortunately, we could only hear a din and nothing else. But the joy of this day was one I will never forget. Listening to Beatles music is one of the best natural highs you could hope for.
My husband and I have enjoyed seeing Paul McCartney and his band in Toronto in '89 and '90 and listening to his music over the last 50 years. It was a prerequisite that he be a Beatle fan! It all started in 1963, the beginning of a wonderful lifetime of enjoying their music.
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