BHNf09

F a l l 2 0 0 9

T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f a

d e c r e p i t p l a c e a n d

t h e p e o p l e w h o l o v e i t

How shocking to learn of Diane’s untimely passing. To me it

was so sudden and way too soon. It’s still difficult to grasp I no

longer can share her wit or enjoy her obvious affection for us

all. At my request, her sister Susan tells us about our Didi:

-------------

Everyone who was lucky enough to know Diane loved her.

You couldn’t help it.

She had a sweetness and vulnerability coupled with a keen

intelligence, rapier wit and personal integrity. Her emotions ran

very deep and when she loved - it was unconditional and un-

wavering. She was deeply compassionate, and always lis-

tened with interest to everything said to her. If you were

happy, she was happy for you. If you were in pain, she would

share that pain with you.

Her laugh was contagious and her sense of humor rich and

constant. When I first came back to the arms of my family in

the late 70s, we had our problems. Trying to build a better

relationship, we scheduled a Scrabble and noodles and

cheese evening. We played for blood – when halfway through

the game – I asked her what the score was. She looked

around, and we both dissolved into spasms of laughter - when

we realized we forgot to keep score. That was our big break-

through and we became the most supportive, loving sisters

and best friends imaginable. Our mom was thrilled and our

times together were filled with love and laughter.

Our Didi had an overwhelming love for her family – she loved

her cousins, aunts and uncles as much as she loved me and

Diane Beth Brustman

1952 — 2009

Ida Brustman Haber

1920 — 2009

Aunt Ida was one of those good-natured souls you were always

glad to see. She loved us all and you just knew she was like-

wise glad to see us. Those of my generation were lucky to have

her as an aunt. For nearly 60 years, like her sisters, she was a

constant presence at the Brustman House. How fortunate we

were.

To me, and I assume most of us, she and Max are an integral

part of the wellspring of memories that rise when visiting the

House. If I find myself alone in the living room, dining room or

wherever, I look around and something stirs an amusing old

movie in my head. Aunt Ida starred in her share of those loving-

ly nostalgic scenes. In some I am ten years old, and in others

fifty. The point being she was always there at every stage.

Memories of her make me long, in a good way, for the old days.

Her passing marks a brave new world for us in that we lost one

of our last great connections to both the near and distant past.

That bridge is one of the many reasons we'll miss her. I know

each of us has more than a few fond memories of Aunt Ida. I

asked Rita and Toby if they could say something. Here is what

they told me.

From Toby:

Ida was our beautiful mother and grandma, who loved us

with all her heart. She was a kind, friendly, and considerate

person. She was an innate caretaker, putting other's needs

first before her own. She didn't impose herself and she didn't

demand attention. She was simply sweet, with that great

Brustman sense of humor. She was shy, but could be

(Continued on page 3)

(Continued on page 2)

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 2

Fall 2009

her mom – and though she hated to fly – would often sur-

mount that fear to come to Sharon and share her love with

the Brustmanites. Many of you will remember the surprise

visit she paid to her dad when he was ill with cancer and

traveled to Sharon one last time. The smiles and light on

every photo resonate with the love felt all around.

After her mom died, she had a very hard time adjusting to

life. She adopted her aunt Elsie as a surrogate mom, talk-

ing on the phone with her every week, finding comfort and

cherishing every moment they spent together. Her cousin

Toby was her best friend, and she had a special bond with

her Aunt Idie, too. When Toby went through her time of ill-

ness, Diane was there to help her stay positive and on the

path to health and happiness. She always talked about the

magical day they stopped to buy a lottery ticket and Toby

tuned into the spirits and picked a series of numbers that

netted them $5,000! She looked forward each year to the

annual winter foray of the Heinbach cousins to Delray and

never missed a chance to laugh, fress and kvetch with Hen-

ry, Billy and Larry.

Everything she did she did well and with great passion.

When her health was deteriorating and she moved in with

her mom and went back to school to get a teaching degree

– she graduated cum laude. During her internship she

taught two children who had learning disabilities to read and

to speak in full sentences, for the first time in their lives.

On the business front, she was a talented legal administra-

tor – Twenty years ago, she created a newsletter for her

professional organization, the Association of Legal Adminis-

trators that lives on today. She also spearheaded a charity

mission to raise funds for Children’s Home Society, raising

thousands of dollars from law firms that went to help disad-

vantaged kids, a cause close to her heart.

She loved her mother – perhaps too deeply – and her cop-

ing skills and sense of joy were seriously depleted when she

died. Nevertheless, she marched on with a rare sense of

grace, trying to find her path. So in closing, I join everyone

who knew her and send our love to our Didi, embracing a

thought that gives me comfort: The heart is never big

enough for the journey – one always ends before the

other.

Diane Beth Brustman (continued)

About ten years ago, in the course of some genealogic re-

search, I discovered a Jewish Brustman family living in Aus-

tralia. I made contact with John and we explored our roots,

reviewed the available official records, and discussed our

respective familes’ lore. We found our antecedents came

from the same small corner of Europe, family tales of the

old country were consistent, and the records seem to indi-

cate a common ancestor in the mid-eighteen hundreds. We

even shared physical resemblances. Though never 100%

certain, the odds heavily indicated he and I were second

cousins. So we went with the odds and became not only

cousins but also friends.

Over the decade John and his wife Helsie became part of

our family's cast of characters. Several of us Americans vis-

ited them in Australia, and twice they came to the United

States and visited with us. He even connected with Dan

Brustman in China while on a business trip. John was, as

his obituary observed, a gentle man with a golden heart.

Helsie and John last visited in June of 2008, reconnecting

with family members they already met, and meeting many

more for the first time. They saw family in Los Angeles, in

NYC and in Boston. They even came upstate, but did not

get to the Brustman House. Given the House's dubitable

reputation for funkiness, they flinched and instead elected

to stay in Lake George. (Funk is definitely not their style.)

The Australian Brustmans seemed to enjoy that visit im-

mensely and said they would return the following year to

see us all again. They hoped to add Miami and Philadelphia

to that itinerary so they could meet family there. Alas, that

was not to be: over the winter John was diagnosed with

melanoma cancer. Despite fighting it fiercely he succumbed

this summer. He had no children but, in addition to Helsie,

he leaves behind his mother, a sister, in-laws and nieces

and nephews.

Besides family and, of course, Helsie, John had two pas-

sions. One was Australian Jewish affairs and the other was

sports, particularly Australian rules football. He and Helsie

were deeply involved in the Melbourne Jewish Community

and he was so dedicated to the Ajax Football Club that the

team called him Mr. Ajax. At his funeral the press reported it

"was the one of the largest many can recall. The huge

crowd represented a snapshot of the Melbourne Jewish

community. Black-hatted Chabadniks mingled with AJAX

footballers in their club tracksuit tops. Most Melbourne Jew-

ish community organisations were represented, and in

many cases by the top brass."

John Brustman and that wonderful Australian accent are

gone. But those of us who met him in person or spoke to

him (on a speakerphone call each reunion) surely will re-

member his enthusiasm, easy humor and good nature.

John Brustman

1943 — 2009

“Mr Ajax”

watching his

team

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 3

Fall 2009

coaxed into performances of "Roseanna" and "Barnacle Bill

the Sailor" at family reunions, giving us all some good

laughs and tears. Mostly, Ida loved to please ... if she could

make us happy, then she was happy.

Sadly, Ida's passing marks the end of an era we all remem-

ber fondly. We were fortunate to have had her for so many

good years. I miss her dearly, but I'm so grateful for the spe-

cial memories of her (and Max) that our family shares. Ran-

dy, Brad, Steve and I will cherish those in our hearts for as

long as we live.

From Rita, sent on Aunt Ida's birthday, November 12th:

I miss my mother (and my father) every single day of my life.

I miss my Mom's big smile and her laugh.

I miss her voice.

I miss her phone calls asking about "the boys."

I miss taking Mom to the mall and buying a new blouse

and a slice of pizza.

I miss her telling me about her volunteering downstairs

and how she enjoyed being active.

I miss her unconditional love for her family. She loved us

all equally and deeply.

I miss her selflessness; we came first, she came last,

always.

I miss my Mom's fortitude; she never gave up. Right to the

end, she never gave up.

Happy 89th birthday, Mom. I love you and miss you forever.

-----------------

Life took Aunt Ida from the Lower East Side to Miami via

Brooklyn, Her roles were mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt

and grandma, and she relished them all.

Of course, as Toby mentioned, Aunt Ida will forever be associ-

ated with "Roseanna," It was family lore. Nearly ten years ago

there was a newsletter story about it. So, I am reprinting the

story and the poem below. Aunt Ida, this one is for you! And

Thanks.

Ida Brustman Haber (Continued)

The courtroom was crowded, the judge and jury there

While a little girl, ragged and barefoot, was placed upon a chair.

"Your honor, your honor," she cried and burst into tears.

"Brace up," the judge said, "you need have no fears!

"But answer -- are you guilty?"

"Yes judge I am -- but are pearls, diamonds and rubies grand

"Better than one's life in this courtroom?

"My mother lays sick, sick near to death,

"Dying and gasping for want of breath.

"I knew something had to be done,

"So off to the doctors I started to run.

"As I was about to ring the doctor's bell,

"A beautiful lady stepped from her car and entered the Waldorf hotel.

"Around her neck were pearls, diamonds and rubies grand,

"And in her hair were jewels rare.

"I thought of the money those jewels could bring,

"The doctor would be paid and the food it would bring.

"So I followed her up to the place where she dined --

"Ripped them from her neck and thought they were mine!

"But I felt a cold icy hand upon my wrist

"And I saw a policeman shaking his fist!

"-- Oh, judge, if you're a human you must understand,

" I need a doctor, judge -- A DOCTOR!"

Just then a messenger who was sent from her home stepped in.

"I'm sorry, sorry Roseanna, but your mother is dead."

"My mother dead? Oh, judge, May I go to her now?

"God won't let you put me in prison, I vow."

The judge knelt. Her long tresses he stroke,

While Roseanna's eyes closed and her little heart broke.

Roseanna so, with her mother had fled.

Roseanna in the courtroom lay dead.

The story behind Roseanna

Recitation of “Roseanna” has become a

Brustman Family tradition. None of us

know by who or when the poem was writ-

ten, but we are pretty sure it wasn’t by

Alan Ginsburg. Nevertheless, Aunt Ida’s

performance is part of family lore.

Ida first heard Roseanna about 1930

when she entered a local elocution con-

test for grade school children. Another

contestant, her friend Sylvia, recited the

poem, a maudlin work that brought the

audience to tears. Ida was affected by the

poem, and apparently so were the judg-

es: Sylvia won the prize.

This was during the Great Depression, a

time of poverty and despair. In hard times

people relate to sad themes, and the pop-

ulace of New York’s Lower East Side was

no exception. Ida was impressed by how

her peers were so moved by this sad tale.

Two or three years later Ida entered an-

other elocution contest. Knowing how

people reacted to the pathos in

“Roseanna,” she decided to memorize

and use it. Ida was certain she had a

surefire winner. Alas, to her shock, this

brilliant strategy failed and she lost the

contest.

The poem, however, now committed to

memory, stayed with her. About 1950, for

some reason, she told “Roseanna” to

nine-year-old Henry Heinbach. He cried,

she said. Perhaps more significantly, a

new generation now knew of Ida’s ability

to emote over this poem.

In the ensuing years, when the family

gathered and wanted impromptu enter-

tainment, Ida’s poem was plugged into

the bill. Beseeching her to recite

“Roseanna” became routine. Now, at ev-

ery reunion, this sappily sentimental po-

em is told with magnificent feeling and the

audience bawls exaggeratedly at its close.

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 4

Fall 2009

There hasn't been much been happening in

the development of the Adler and bath-

house properties. An on-line Blog called

"Slums Along the Mohawk" reports that

about a year ago the new Korean owners

lost a bidding war to buy Howe Caverns, to

add it as an attraction in luring tourists to

the village. The blog worries the Adler, with

its doors closed, is deteriorating and sus-

taining vandalism. The interior has already

been hit with graffiti.

The blog goes on to say the investment

group has "lost credibility with their lack of

actions, lack of substantive plans, and ever

expanding grandiose plans that failed to

make sense." Then it wonders aloud, "at

what point would there be a mysterious fire

and up goes the Adler. None of the proper-

ties are being protected, let alone even the

most basic efforts in preservation."

Then, this September New York State an-

nounced its intention to grant $1,000,000 to

restore the Bathhouse. Given the State's

budget woes, it'll be seen whether this

comes through. Here is the text of the an-

nouncement:

The project aims to rehabilitate the historic Im-

perial Bathhouse (circa 1927) into a modern

luxury spa which will re-establish Sharon

Springs as a spa destination. The village of Sha-

ron Springs has a rich history as a health spa

destination that can count former presidents and

captains of industry as guests due to its unparal-

leled natural mineral waters. The rehabilitation

will create 41,200 square feet of spa and thera-

py area and 6,400 square feet of outdoor bath-

ing facilities. The total renovated square

footage, including all amenities such as restau-

rants and gift shops, will be 50,000 square feet.

In conjunction with numerous nearby tourist

attractions in Schoharie and Otsego Counties ,

the Imperial Bathhouse expects 40,000 visitors

annually. In addition, with its exclusive rela-

tionship with DongBu Tour and Travel, the

largest Korean travel agency on the east coast,

the Imperial will attract over 80,000 internation-

al visitors yearly. It is anticipated that, once

complete, the project could lead to the creation

of 100 new jobs.

The New York Bicycling Coalition's News-

letter mentioned "A Schoharie County bicy-

clist recounted an episode at the Sharon

Springs branch of NBT Bank: 'When the

bank opened its drive-in window they de-

nied me service on my trusty two-wheel

steed. In my most civil manner I pointed out

that bicycles were considered vehicles sub-

ject to NYS traffic regulation, and no law

forbade their use for accessing bank ser-

vice. Upon my next up-hill bank encounter,

I was courteously invited to use the outside

window. Is that class or what?!'" The bicy-

clist was none other than Seth Many.

2009 Reunion Report

The festivities started Friday, July 31 with the early arrivers:

Henry and Lucy, Brad and Leslie, Stevie and Eric, Richie and

Loretta, Henry H, and Susan M. The weather was wet, with

heavy downpours at times.

Dinner was, as now cus-

tomary, simply pizza, Salad,

cake and ice cream. After-

wards, the "kids" took a

walk about the village while

the "adults" did some porch-

ing. Then Julie and Mike,

and Lynn and Barak ar-

rived. Later in the evening,

the dining room saw a dis-

cussion of the then current

incident between a black

Harvard Professor and a

police officer. It was quite

lively, with a lawyer, police-

man and others present

passionately weighing in on

the case. People started

going to bed about 11 PM. (We are either getting older or wimpier!)

Saturday, a beautiful sunny day, the older folk sat around

schmoozing. Henry S took his daily dose of sulfur water at the

"Temple." The younger folk went off to Wintergreen George

where the waterfalls, swollen from recent heavy rain, were quite

the sight. Billy, Rosa and Karen, Larry, Claire, Jeff and Loren

drove up to the House in the afternoon. We posed for the annual

reunion photo and went off to the Charter House in Fort Plain for

a Group dinner. On the way back everyone seemed to be stop-

ping on errands -- Super market, Drug Store, Liquor Store or ice

cream at Sunny Crest Farms. We all had desert back at the

House and resumed schmoozing late into the evening.

Sunday, August 2, saw

morning rain and some af-

ternoon sun. In the morn-

ing Toby phoned the

House to tell us that Aunt

Ida died the previous eve-

ning. The news, of course,

was greeted with great

sadness. Two of Ida's

grandsons, Stevie and

Brad were with us and took

condolences. Stevie, who

was to return to California,

rebooked his flight to Flori-

da. The balance of the day

was spent mostly on the

front porch and some

strolling about the village.

The mood wasn't morbid, despite the news of Aunt Ida. Towards

evening some packed up for the trek back home and the regular

world. The rest went to Cobleskill for dinner at the Red Apple

Chinese restaurant. Porching resumed after dinner, with chatting

going into the night. Then reunion was official over. Most attend-

ees left Sharon by Tuesday.

Cousins wading on one of Wintergreen Gorge’s Falls

The Sharon Report

Brustman House Blog

Last year I set up a Brustman House Blog. If you have Internet access you can

view the blog by going to:

http://brustman.wordpress.com

The site includes the family history, “Shtetl to Sharon, How the Brustmans came

from Russia to New York City and Sharon Springs,” a booklet I published several

years ago. To see it, click on “History.”

At the blog you can find contact information for family members and add or change

your own listing. There is also a place for you to leave a note on any news you

want to share. You can also leave a brief biography of yourself, which will help me

if I ever get around to recompiling the family tree.

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 5

Fall 2009

The family suffered great loses since the

Spring Newsletter. Three people passed

away, leaving us bereft. Diane, Aunt Ida

and John are gone. These milestones are

the most painful, and the first three pages of

this issue were devoted to marking them.

After their mother's passing in August, Rita

and Toby decided to do a sister's getaway

after things settled. They did it in October,

going to North Carolina.

Rita writes, "Hello family and friends! Toby

and I took a much needed vacation to

Asheville NC during peak fall color season.

We stayed at a great hotel with a very

unique underground spa and felt our mind

and bodies let go and relax. The weather

was perfection; cool and crisp combined

with warm sunshine. The leaves on the Blue

Ridge Pkwy were ablaze with color. We

drove up to Mount Mitchell, which I think is

the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Got

to throw a couple of snowballs. The view of

the Blue Ridge mountain range was spec-

tacular; them thar mountains are blue! We

also spent a lovely day touring The Biltmore

Estate (The Vanderbilts). It was a great va-

cation at just the right time. More important,

sharing it with my sister made it all the more

special."

She continues, "Toby and Randy are host-

ing Thanksgiving dinner in their beautifully

remodeled home. My favorite holiday. To

all, our wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiv-

ing, Christmas and Hanukah."

And Rita offered some thoughts about

cousin Diane... "A beautiful face and heart

with the most infectious laugh. Diane was

the great communicator; she knew how to

have a real conversation with someone (it

was never about Diane; it was always about

you or the world at large). Susie created a

very personal and most special send-off for

her sister. I was privileged to be there. My

heart hurts from this great loss."

Jeff, Rita's son, says, "There isn't much

news from me. The only thing of signifi-

cance is that I've been living in Iraq for the

last four months. I'm looking forward to go-

ing home for vacation in November, and

then it's another seven months back in the

desert. I'll be taking a vacation in Europe

(haven't decided where yet) some time in

March/April."

Toby also mentioned the sisters' getaway:

"In October, Rita and I spent a few days in

Ashville, NC at the fabulous Grove Park Inn

and Spa. We were pampered with lovely

spa treatments and some welcome girlie

time together. We toured the amazing Bilt-

more Estate, and saw beautiful fall scenery

driving the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. We

hope to go somewhere special again next

year, g-d willing."

Toby adds, "A few days after I returned feel-

ing rested and renewed, Brad had a terrible

car crash while on patrol in Orlando. It was

a scary situation until we knew he had no

internal injuries. We spent long hours in the

hospital before and after the surgery to re-

pair his elbow. Also, during that time, came

the terrible news of cousin Diane's sudden

death. What a shock and so heartbreaking

for Susie and all of us. I have so many great

memories growing up together and of her

visits with us throughout the years. She was

so special, always giving encouragement,

but never a burden with her problems. She

was smart, funny and beautiful inside and

out, with the most generous heart I've ever

known. I miss my cousin Didi terribly."

Toby concludes with, "Randy and I are look-

ing forward to hosting Thanksgiving with our

(finally finished) remodeled kitchen. Attend-

ing, so far, are Brad & Lesley, Steve, Rita,

Jeff and (hopefully) Drew & Brettanie.

Though it's been a tough year, we have

much to be thankful for. Love to all the fami-

ly and a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving

to us all."

Brad, mangler of patrol cars, says, "Lesley

and I closed on our first house the end of

September. It worked out perfectly because

our lease ended October 31

. That gave us

approximately one month to do mild renova-

tions. Between her parents and my parents,

the house interior completely painted and

the pool was maintained completely. We

moved in around the middle of October,

slept in our new house for one night, and

left for Minnesota for the weekend. We

came back and our house was completely

unpacked and decorated. Lesley’s father,

mother, and aunt spent a couple of days

making our place into a model home. I im-

mediately went back to work that Monday

night and got in a pretty bad car crash. I

mangled up my elbow and strained my an-

kle. They transported me to the ER where I

met with Lesley and my parents. “Oh what a

night”. I later had to have surgery on my

elbow to fix some damage. I recently went

back to work on limited desk duty, which is

SO boring. I literally fall asleep at the sta-

tion. Anyhow, I should be back on full duty

in about two months."

Brad continues, "Right now, I’m just con-

centrating on being a new homeowner.

There is always a little project that I take on.

We can’t wait to show this place off to our

family. Here’s our new, and permanent ad-

dress: 1803 Shadyhill Terrace, Winter Park,

FL 32792. Lesley also started a new job for

the same department as me, as a 911 Dis-

patcher. She’s training right now and having

a great time at her new job."

Finally, Brad adds, "We also recently had the

passing of my grandmother. We all came

together and had a wonderful celebration of

her life. She was a great woman and we will

always love and miss her. I am sorry to hear

about Diane. She was a wonderful person

and I always looked up to her for being

such a professional woman, not only in her

career, but in life. I’m sorry that I could not

make the funeral; she will be missed."

From California, Holly tells us, "As you've

heard, we had a baby! On October 28th, we

welcomed Nathaniel Andrew Brody (yes,

Andrew is after our dear Andy). He was big

— 8 pounds 15 ounces and 21 inches long.

It was a wonderful birth experience and we

News, Notes and Milestones

The sisters at the Biltmore

The Brustman House Newsletter is pub-

lished twice each year by the Brustman

Cousins’ Eating and Schmoozing Society.

The society convenes at Sharon Springs,

New York, each summer. Newsletter cir-

culation is to direct descendants of Louis

and Dora Brustman, their spouses, other

relatives, their friends, and anybody who

requests it. The idea is to keep everyone

minimally in touch as the family grows

and disperses over the land. Send articles,

address changes, news or whatever to the

editor, Richard Brustman, (518) 356-

2563, at 313 West Highland Drive,

Schenectady, New York 12303, e-mail:

[email protected]

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 6

Fall 2009

are so amazed at how lucky we are to have

another healthy, beautiful son."

Holly notes, "Milo is such a sweet, helpful

big brother. He will turn four in December

and is attending a Waldorf preschool. We

will have another big change as we move

from our apartment of 12 years to a lovely

house with a yard in the foothills of the San

Gabriel Mountains. As of December 1st, our

new address will be: 2247 Glen Canyon

Rd., Altadena, CA 91001. Jon is still em-

ployed by the Walt Disney Co. and I am

lucky to be a stay-at-home mama. Grandma

Alice has been a best friend to Milo and has

been a great support for our growing family.

Our love and regards to everyone."

Grandma Alice notes Nathaniel is a Scor-

pio, had a 100% natural birth, has dark hair,

and is perfect.

Susan McMillen, who went to a workshop in

Arcosanti, a desert community under con-

struction, reports, "I am in Arizona. I left

Syracuse November 7th. It's very beautiful

here with incredible sunrises and sunsets

every day. I think I am being housed in the

complex that Soren helped to build back in

2002. How ironic is that? It's much quieter

than I remembered it but again it is Nov.

and I think most of the young people have

gone back to their lives in the outside world.

The original thinkers and doers of this place

are keeping us busy introducing us to the

ideas of this place. That's all well and fine

but I just want them to give me a hammer

and saw and let me mix up some cement

already. This workshop consists of 9 peo-

ple, 6 have signed on for the 5 weeks and 3

are here for 2 weeks. We still haven't met

the head honcho (Paolo Soleri), which will

be tomorrow."

Susan goes on to say, "I've been in touch

with Tristan and it looks like he's coming to

Arcosanti for Thanksgiving. We hope to

travel around and see the sights. Soren and

Todd might come out a little later and we'll

do a little more sightseeing. After my time

here I've been thinking of heading west for

another week and checking up on the rest

of the Schoenfeld/Brody clan. That's still in

the early stages of planning, but I hope to

make it happen. I should be back in the

east coast before Christmas. And then, who

knows what? Well it's getting late and we

start our day at around 6:30. (It's really not

so bad I keep telling myself.)

Soren vacationed with Todd in Oregon early

summer. Before going she noted, "We've

already booked most of our stay. Oregon

State Parks are known for their yurts - so

that was one of my goals — to stay in a yurt

near the ocean. We got one for a couple of

days and I hope it lives up to the romantic

mystique I've already assigned it!" In Sep-

tember they and Tristan came for a visit to

Sharon. Since I live near the airport, Henry

H and Susan M came by after Tristan, So-

ren and Todd flew in. We all spent the after-

noon in Loretta's and my backyard

schmoozing.

Lucy writes from near DC, "My little [dog]

Moe died of bone cancer, very, very sad for

me. I finally found a hairdresser I like. I've

been working like a doggie, paying off den-

tal work and maintaining the Florida house.

Hope nothing predatory has found a bed in

my yard since last I've been there. Henry

and I go down south for two weeks the first

of Nov. My sister Holly has also moved to

Safety Harbor, FL. She and my sister Blair

have joined the spa, they call and taunt me

from poolside. One more year until I can get

out of here for the tropics and use up all

their guest passes."

Mikey writes, "I'm finishing up my last year

of school. Working at the Alexandria, VA

public defenders office this semester, and I

will be taking a law clerk position with the

Service Employees International Union in

the winter. I'm very much enjoying gaining

real world experience, it's much more pleas-

ant than daydreaming through class all day.

Ashley and I love living in the city, but we're

usually too broke to enjoy any of the servic-

es, so instead we find creative ways to en-

tertain each other, like watching our cat eat

broccoli.

Willie tells us that, "I started a new job as a

Staff Officer for the Department of Defense

at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington

D.C. I am now a federal employee and no

longer among the ranks of the beltway ban-

dits. Debbie is still working as a nurse at

Walter Reed Hospital and continues to love

the great support and advice she receives

from her supervisors. We are both still work-

ing towards our Masters Degrees at night.

Debbie will be done this spring, I have a

little longer to go."

Cousin Henry H wrote after closing the

House, "Things are coming along nicely

now that heat has been restored to my apt

in Manhattan. Life's ironic isn't it — I leave

Sharon because it's getting unseasonably

cold, only to find no heat at home"

Andrea writes, "First, I want to say how very

sorry I was to hear of Diane's recent pass-

ing. Diane was a beautiful, warm and spe-

cial lady. My father, I know, will greatly miss

they times they enjoyed together during his

"snow bird" months in Florida. My heart

goes out especially to Susan, and we all

send her our love and support."

Andrea continues, "On the health front, I

wish Uncle Larry and Fred Brustman both

speedy recoveries. As the family knows,

Uncle Larry underwent treatment for early

stage prostate cancer and he took the treat-

ment like a trooper. Fred had heart surgery

(his "Grand Opening"). I saw Fred shortly

after his ordeal and he looked well. We

walked for a bit in his neighborhood and

had a nice chat before he went "night-

nights." I wish you both (and the whole fam-

ily) good health!"

Then she adds, "All is well with Mark, Shay-

na, Sadie and me. I am about to start my

first paying job in 10 years! (No, the love of

my family does not count as currency). My

friend is the Director of the JCC in our town

and I happened to ask if she needs help.

One day later I was on the payroll. I will be

working in the school; only part time. It will

allow me to be home when the girls are not

in school and continue my volunteer work.

So, we'll see how it goes."

In Andreas note she then greets our newest

cousin, Nathanial Brody. Then says her

"girls enjoyed Halloween — the were a

"Goth" Pirate and Honey Bee. We are head-

ing to the Heinbachs in PA for Thanksgiving

and I am looking forward to our time togeth-

er. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving,

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a

Happy, Healthy New Year!"

Cousin Billy tells us, "We're fine. Rosa is

working. Julie is a kindergarten teacher in

East Brunswick NJ; Karen is an adult group

counselor in Cherry Hill,NJ; Lynn works in a

public library and is looking for ways to use

her arts interest. I'm OK too with not much

new to report — except for Cousin Diane. I

think of her a lot: her love, her warmth, her

intelligence, her smile, her concern, her

compassion, her laugh, her everything. Too

soon, gone. I miss her already. I hope Su-

san and all of us recover as much as possi-

ble from this loss. Combined with Aunt Ida's

recent passing, and Andy's, and John's,

along with various hospitalizations and ill-

nesses of other relatives, it's very sobering.

Of course, I was happy to get news of Na-

thaniel Andrew's birth, and the continued

The Rita Report

This year the Cousins contributed

$3295 in dues and rents towards the

Brustman House’s 2009 upkeep.

That’s a record. Thank you, contribu-

tors! As you know, this is greatly ap-

preciated.

More than ever, these contributions

may make the difference in whether the

House remains a family treasure or be-

comes some stranger’s fix-up project.

Send in your annual dues, still a bar-

gain at $100. Affirm your “familyship.”

As usual, please make your check out

to THE BRUSTMAN HOUSE and send

to:

Rita Layson

803 Shallow Brook Ave

Winter Springs FL 32708

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 7

Fall 2009

well-being of the next generation. So I

guess it balances out-more or less."

Lynn offered good wishes to Fred, and also

wrote, "I'm still in pretty much the same po-

sition as last Newsletter. Still working at the

library, still looking for a job elsewhere. It

could be a lot worse. The Met has had a

hiring freeze since last spring, although

they've been replacing people who leave.

Recently-as in two days ago- they started

hiring again, so I'm hoping things will get

better from now on. I had my first solo art

show at my alma mater, Ramapo, which is

scheduled to come down October 24th. I was

allowed to have the show as a reward for

winning my Senior Art Prize during my last

semester at college. In November I'll be

bringing the work from that show and hope-

fully some new and even old stuff to my

workplace, the Metuchen Library. I hope

people enjoy it, but I feel a little weird know-

ing that a big painting of my face will be on

the wall behind me while I'm working. Earlier

this month, Barak and I celebrated our five-

year anniversary with a trip to the Catskills. I

think all the extra rain from the spring and

summer made the foliage a little too brown

this year. But it was still a lovely weekend.

This Sunday [10/25] I'll be celebrating the

birthdays of my dad, Karen, and Julie's boy-

friend Mike—should be fun! Love to all."

Karen writes, "Things are going well, and

I'm adjusting to being a therapist with a full

caseload. Some days it's great, and other

days I just want to scream, 'SHUT UP,

JUST SHUT UP!' Aside from a few doozies

(like my multiple personality client — now

known as dissociative identity disorder) I do

enjoy it and most clients are great to work

with. It's good to have nice coworkers too —

it makes the day a little brighter when you

hear about their 40-year-old client showing

up for appointments in a baby bonnet.

Karen adds, "Over the summer, Julie and I

took an amazing trip including Italy, Greece,

Turkey, and Egypt. It was beyond words! I

couldn't believe I actually set foot on the

continent of Africa. And I did get my touristy

thumbs-up picture in front of the Pyramids,

so mission accomplished!"

Karen ends with, "Other than that, I'm

in the process of buying my first

new(er) car and I completed another

rite of passage — I no longer fall into

the 18-25 age range!

Larry checks in saying, "We, thankful-

ly are well. It seem that time flies any-

more. I thank everyone who

contacted me, showed concern,

prayed for me and sent good wishes

for my health. I am happy to report

my treatment has been concluded

and hopefully successful. The treat-

ment was at most, an inconvenience.

No major side affects and I was able

to go to work daily. It was so comforting to

know that a lot of people were in my corner.

I find the older we are getting, the closer the

majority of us have become.

Larry continues, "I, in turn, felt terrible that I

was not able to attend and personally pay

my respects at the funerals of Aunt Ida and

Diane. I do hope to do so when we visit

Florida this winter. I feel their losses quite

badly, but have so many happy memories

of each. When I think of them, I see a smil-

ing snapshot of their faces and this is how

I'll always remember them."

He adds, "On a happier note, Claire, myself,

Richie and Loretta will be doing our (what

seems to be becoming) annual cruise in

January. This one to the Panama Canal out

of Ft. Lauderdale on Princess Lines. I think

there is still availability on board and all are

invited to join us for a happy occasion.

Larry notes, "The kids, now 25, are all well

and living hectic lives. Loren has been

home with us since finishing her teaching

commitment in DC and is now pursuing ap-

plication to grad school. Eric and Jeff are

tearing up the city of Philadelphia as two

most eligible bachelors. And, by the way,

thanks to all who helped propel Jeff into be-

coming "Philadelphia's Sexiest Nerd". He

won by a landslide and don't let the title fool

you. It was a nice compliment and accom-

plishment. Eric, thankfully unhurt, was re-

cently rear-ended by an 18-wheeler

carrying a tankerful of gasoline at a corner

in Philly. He claims to be fine, but his car is

not. We are waiting to hear if it will be fixed

or totaled.

Larry ends with, "We are looking forward to

the Thanksgiving holiday coming up be-

cause we will all be together, both Claire's

and my immediate families. Always a good

time, and a lot to be thankful for. I wish all of

you good health and happiness. Special

wishes to Fred and Brad for rapid and com-

plete recovery."

Jeff H says, "I'm still working and living in

Philadelphia. Eric is still working as an offi-

cer at a juvenile detention facility in West

Chester, PA, and is living in Manayunk. Lo-

ren has finished up her two-year tour for

"Teach For America" and is currently work-

ing in Philadelphia as a secretary's assis-

tant at a school. My parents are both doing

well. My mother just celebrated her birthday

yesterday [11/6]; we all got together and went

out to a very lovely dinner. It was nice to have

all of the family together. It was also great to

see everybody over the reunion, some of

whom I haven't seen in over a decade."

Jeff continues, "I'm still nerdy, Philadel-

phian, and allegedly (and, I concede, con-

firmed by a majority vote) "hot." I'm still

unsure as to whether or not my social life

supports or belies election statistics. I'll get

back to you on that. Anyway, the propulsive

force behind my nerdiness has, for as long

as I can remember, been inadvertent, but at

least now I can wear it as a badge of honor,

if anybody is looking. Regardless, I thank

you for your votes. I intend to compose a

"Nerdist Manifesto" in the near future."

Joan Brustman says, "Glad to hear Fred is

doing well. Jay, Allison, Marci and I are doing

well. Allison is having a great soccer season

at Solomon Schechter High School. She has

scored 12 goals so far this season. Marci is a

featured dancer in the upcoming JCC per-

formance of Once Upon a Mattress. She will

also be playing the role of Lady Susanah.

Fred writes to say, "The big news here is

my heart surgery. The Doc went in on my

right side, slicing me open from sternum to

spine between two ribs, so he could get his

size 7½ hands inside. He mentioned that so

I’d feel good his hands weren’t any larger.

My rib cage still aches 3+ weeks after-

wards. But I have a brand new mitral valve

made of the finest plastic and with a lifetime

guarantee too. While he was in there he

also did a maze procedure (scaring the

heart tissue) that, later on, will hopefully be

an aid in overcoming the atrial fibrillation I

developed this spring. Joan was there with

me at Mass General Hospital during and

after the surgery and every day until they

finally set me free. All this was made practi-

cal because Rich and Loretta, along with

Joan, came into Newton on my re-

lease to care for me during my first

week and a half out of the hospital.

I still live off the meals they pre-

pared and left behind. Rich took me

walking regularly, prepared to catch

me if I keeled over. It was reassur-

ing to have him by my side on

those first walks (they were really

shuffles, but who’d tell?). Anyway

the important thing is I feel better

and get stronger every day. My

thanks to everyone for wishing me

a successful operation and speedy

recovery. Thanks too, to cousin

Andrea for dropping by to visit me

at home.

Julie and Karen at the Pyramids

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 8

Fall 2009

Fred continues, "Stevie Merrill Moschera,

my grand daughter, and her husband Kyle

had a baby girl. Gosh, that will make me a

great grand father already and make aunt

Martha a great, great grand mother. WOW!

And Fred concludes with, "Despite the de-

bilitation of a leaky, out of synch, heart I got

in some great sailing this summer. We did

have one close call though. In marginal

weather we left Point Judith, RI for Matta-

poisett, MA without a reliable engine. Dumb.

We sailed off with the invincibility of twenty

year olds and the stamina of seventy year

olds. It should be the other way around.

Eight hours out a large fishing trawler nearly

ran us down. The first we knew about it was

when, miles at sea, we hear someone on

top of us spewing curses at “f…ing dumb

sailors”. Too close! That might have been a

closer call than the surgery."

Richie (that's me!) has been busy. Aside

from our time in Boston to keep Fred post-

surgery company, Loretta and I had been

taking short trips through NY and New Eng-

land. In June, our whole family got together,

with the Gilberts flying in from Nevada and

Dan and his girlfriend, Jun-Pei, coming from

China. It's the first time we had everyone

under the same roof at the same time. One

of the days all went off to Sharon Springs

for a day — Maya's and Junpei's first visit to

the House. They also all visited Saul and

Martha in NYC. Caroline's family returned

again in October to take in the foliage. We

picked apples and did other good fall stuff

while they were here. Loretta and I go out to

Nevada next month.

For January, Loretta and I are visiting Flori-

da and then taking a cruise again with Larry

and Claire. It's part of my grand plan to be

away from the cold as much as possible. Any

cousin who wants to book on the same ship

is welcome. If so, Contact me for details.

Finally, I want to tell Susan, Helsie, the Lay-

sons and the Smiths how much I'll miss Di-

ane, John, and Aunt Ida. Their loss, I'm

sure they know, saddens us all greatly.

My mother, Aunt Martha, is getting frailer.

She and Saul are well into their 90s and still

hanging in there. However, it's become so

difficult to go out she started having someone

come to her apartment to cut her hair. Her last

haircut was so nice she decided to show it off.

She used the building hallway as her fash-

ion runway, going back and forth with her

walker and posing for the imaginary crowd.

Because my mom likes to worry, Fred's sur-

gery gave her lots of opportunity. Despite

our assurances he was recovering extreme-

ly well, she felt we were just trying to spare

her bad news. I even had to take a photo of

Fred holding a post surgery Boston Globe

(like the terrorist pictures of hostages) to

prove to her he hadn't died on the operating

table.

Dan writes from China: "I've been quite

busy the last few months playing music in

Beijing along with a fair amount of travel

around China with various groups."

He continues, "Last May/June, my girlfriend

and I came to the US for a trip. Although

she had been to America before, it was her

first time in New York City. She found the

city to be very exciting and cleaner than ex-

pected. She also declared Martha and Saul

were "very cool."

Then Dan adds, "We then spent some time

at my parents house with Caroline and the

kids and made the pilgrimage to Sharon

Springs. It was a great trip and we hope to

do it again next year."

Just after arriving home in Beijing, he told

me about the return trip: "Our flight was a

disaster. We sat on the tarmac at JFK for

two hours before taking off. Immediately

after takeoff, some guy in the row in front of

us thought he had swine flu and started

having a major panic attack. The flight at-

tendants kept taking his temperature and

reassuring him he didn't have a fever. Peo-

ple in nearby seats all scrambled to find oth-

er places on the plane to sit. He eventually

went to sleep. Later, a woman in the row

behind us called to have her small son's

temperature taken. He DID have a fever. I

spent the next 10 hours worrying we would

be thrown into quarantine as soon as we

touched down."

"Upon arrival in Beijing, a team in hazmat

suits boarded the plane, took the mother

and child off the plane. We all had to fill out

forms detailing where we will be for the next

seven days, contact info, etc. This took

about two hours. The guy who had the pan-

ic attack started yelling at the officials say-

ing he was in a hurry and wanted to

deplane, if you can believe it. Finally, they

let us off the plane."

"This morning, some doctor from some gov-

ernment agency called us and said they

would come by to give us self-monitoring

kits, which I imagine is a just bag of ther-

mometers. I just hope they don't show up at

the apartment in hazmat suits and freak the

neighbors out. I'm assuming the kid didn't

test positive for H1N1, otherwise we'd have

already been rounded up and quarantined.

Who knows?"

He adds, "Junpei's Chinese colleagues re-

quested she not come into the office until

next Monday, which she is absolutely

thrilled about. I suppose that's the silver lin-

ing."

Three weeks later Dan, the musician, told

me he played at a fancy Jewish wedding.

Curious, I asked him about it and he wrote

back: "The wedding was certainly interest-

ing. The groom turns out to be Liu Ye, a

very famous actor in China. You may know

him as the Chinese grad student in the Hol-

lywood movie Dark Matter with Meryl

Streep. Anyhow, a lot of Chinese celebrities

attended and outside the place was crawl-

ing with paparazzi. Photos of the wedding

were up on the celebrity gossip websites

before the reception was even finished."

"The rabbi was American. The service was

in English and Chinese. The bride's family

must be very wealthy; 70 people flew in

from France to attend even though they will

do a ceremony in Paris next month. We

played four Klezmer songs: Mazel Tov, Od

Yishama, Hava Nagila and Siman Tov."

Dan added that the French music (his spe-

cialty) part of the program was rained out.

Helsie writes from Australia, "It is now

spring here and on Dec 1 it will be summer.

I hope this finds you all well. I really like

communicating with you all. Family is so

important to me. Since the last newsletter

my beloved John, diagnosed with melano-

ma cancer in January, passed away June

16 at 65 years. He never was ill in his life

and got this out of the blue. It was shocking.

John was a warm, superb human being,

loved and admired by thousands, as evi-

dent at his funeral where about 1500 people

came. During shiva my home was packed

with hundreds of people every day. John’s

Mum, Sadie came from Queensland, where

she lives, just before he passed away. She

is 89, and this was tough for her as he was

a wonderful son. She and I, together with

John's sister Glenys, were overwhelmed by

so many paying tributes. I have huge sup-

port and feel blessed by it. Friends have

taken me out for dinner every night since he

passed away. The kindness of thousands is

No, he’s not a hostage. Fred holds

post-surgery newspaper for his wor-

ried Jewish mother, Martha, who de-

manded proof he’s still alive.

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 9

Fall 2009

helping me heal. The consecration

[unveiling] was Sun Nov 8."

She adds, "I miss John dreadfully, and have

had to learn so much. He sold his linen

business the day before he passed away.

Those of you who met him knew how much

he loved the Brustman family, and he was

so happy to meet many of you in the USA

over the past few years. Despite missing

him, I continue with my Jewish communal

activities, which is organising major events.

I love doing this. Most of the events involve

Israel-Australia relations. Australian Jewry,

over 100,000, is passionate about Israel. So

my work is so important to me, now more

than ever. I am strong, and grateful to G-d

John did not suffer."

Continuing, she notes, "The support of so

many of you has been simply amazing, and

so appreciated. I am on line with Richard,

which is great, and Billy Heinbach, and Lar-

ry and Claire, I hope to again come to the

U.S. within a few years. John and I wanted

to go back to upstate New York which we

loved, and I promise you I will come up

there again. We also talked of visiting Claire

and Larry, which I plan to do, I am also

keen to meet Susan Brustman, who sounds

like fun."

Helsie concludes by saying "I wish you all

good health and happiness for 2010, and

wish you a happy Chanukah. Please stay in

touch, and come to Australia to visit me. It

would be just the best."

Dan and Junpei in

Brustman House backyard

In the call for input to this newsletter, this

question asked of cousins: What was the

oddest moment you've had with a Scho-

harie County local who wasn't a rela-

tive? I know there are some great stories

that include relatives, but I won't go there.

Here are the answers that came back.

Lynn Heinbach: My strangest experience

with a Schoharie native may not count be-

cause she wasn't really a native - but her

family also had a house in Sharon Springs.

One day when I was in my senior year of

high school, my friend told me our Spanish

teacher mentioned Sharon Springs earlier

that day (my friend had her class in the

morning; I had it in the afternoon). So after

I had her class that day I asked my teacher

about it. Apparently, Mrs. Padrusch's maid-

en name was Bellen - not sure if that's

spelled correctly. So her name was Ellen

Bellen. Her grandparents had operated a

house similar to the Brustman House and

she also spent her summers in Sharon

Springs. In fact, she remembered my dad

and his brothers as well as some of the

cousins. She told me about accidentally

splashing my dad in the pool during sum-

mer day camp about fifty years ago. Upon

hearing this, my dad and Uncle Larry de-

cided to make a trip to my high school dur-

ing a school day to talk to my Spanish

teacher about Sharon Springs. I ran into

them in the hallway between classes. So

did my boyfriend of the time. It was a little

surreal, actually. I guess one always imag-

ines that the worlds of school, family,

friends, Sharon Springs, etc. are so distinct

that when they do overlap, it's a little like

Bizarro world.

Jeff Heinbach: I guess a strange encoun-

ter with a Schoharie County resident might

come from childhood, down by the sulfur

parks, when we were trying to catch frogs.

Some of the Chassids would accuse us of

trying to capture and kill the frogs (the for-

mer is true, the latter false.) They explained

that the frogs were good because they ate

the mosquitoes Their English was fractured

and brash. Ours was high-pitched and re-

pudiative. Little was accomplished, except

maybe in their minds there was the small

victory that the frogs got to live to see an-

other day.

Brad Smith: The oddest moment I’ve had

with a Schoharie County local was definite-

ly with Yachove (sp?), our neighbor from

across the street with his loud barking poo-

dle. I remember as a kid playing soccer

and football in the street. The ball would

often hit his car and land in his yard. He’d

sit on his porch and yell and scream at us. I

also remember one time trying to retrieve

the ball from underneath his car. When he

found us sneaking around his car, he went

postal on us.

Richie Brustman: About 40 years ago I

came up from New York for a visit. Up the

hill I was making small talk with someone.

He told me he was a local farmer. After a

while he asked where I came from. "The

City," I said. His eyes lit up and he told me

he heard about it and hoped to someday

go there and see the sights. Then he sadly

added, "But I don't think I'll ever get to see

Albany."

Lucy Schoenfeld: The oddest moment I

had was when I told Henry H. my fantasy

of taking over the 3 downstairs rooms of

the Brustman House, and spending the

summers there, along with Henry, my sister

Blair and best friend Taffy. I thought he

was going to plotz. I've since reconsidered.

Oddest Moments in Sharon

August 2009

The Brustman House Newsletter

Page 10

Fall 2009

By Henry Heinbach

No that's not my Brooklyn accent nor is it a

misprint.

Often among families wishing to commemo-

rate the loss of loved ones, surviving mem-

bers will sometimes erect monuments -- be it

in stone or an earthen mound -- or place

name plaques on benches or choose to plant

willow trees. In this fashion an attempt is

made not solely to pay respectful tribute but

also to hold dear for us the tangible pres-

ence of those whom death has separated.

These acts of remembrance continue to be

the Brustman House custom that our family

has followed in Sharon Springs for more

than a generation.

Sadly, in August we parted with our beloved

Aunt Ida, the last surviving child of grandma

and grandpa Dora and Louis Brustman. All

of us who follow family relationships know

how Aunt Ida's loving fondness for her sis-

ters Elsie and Fersh generated light and

sometimes sparks, which always lent great

warmth to our unheated summer home.

Their lasting bond continues to pervade and

endure the passage of time. With certainty

it is fitting for our family to continue to pay

tribute to them and to all the wonderful peo-

ple who were for so long the heart, soul and

focal point of each summers' happy gather-

ing.

Mindful of that objective, the idea of planting

commemorative trees for Aunts' Fersh, El-

sie and Ida occurred soon after the family

reunion concluded. As Susan McMillen and

I sat "porching" and watching a fresh coat of

paint dry on the old boards of the Brustman

House, Susan --inspirationally I thought--

suggested that it should be fruit trees that we

plant in their honor because everyone who

knew the ladies understood them to be truly

generous and nurturing and like the sisters

themselves, fruit trees will continue to pro-

vide sweet sustenance.

Sometime after Labor Day a purchase of 3

trees was made: a green gage plum, a gala

apple and a frutiana plum tree. I'm told that

the plum trees will yield: yellow fruit from the

green gage (go figure) and reddish purple

fruit from the frutiana -- the gala apple will

have an anticipated red to yellow hue. With

the use of our house painter Carl Weaver's

pick up truck we transported the 3 year old

plants from Sunnycrest Orchards located a

few miles north of Sharon on route 10 to

their new location, the west side of the Brust-

man House midway between the side and

rear porches. Susan, Tristan and I scouted

out this spot for it's maximum sunlight and

pleasing venue.

Together, Susan and I -- even as the foliage

prepared for Fall dormancy -- dug, bermed

the holes and watered the trees, eventually

wrapping the bark in the mosquito netting

available from the time that it hung on the

side porch. Since the trees are semi-dwarf

and will grow to an anticipated height mea-

suring between 15-20 feet -- their canopy

spreading out within the same limited dimen-

sions -- they were placed in an equilateral

triangular pattern, close to one another but

with sufficient room to grow but not to be

stepping on each others toes, sound famil-

iar?

I love the way the trees look together and in

fact am reminded of a very early photo I saw

recently at Toby and Randy's Smith's home,

of the three sisters taken in our nation's capi-

tol when they were in their early 20's. In the

picture each young lady was similarly

dressed in a bright white blouse and as they

sat next to each other, attractively smiling

into the camera -- their hair done just so --

they appeared very happy, youthful and

lovely -- just starting out in life with their fu-

ture undetermined and their whole lives to

look forward to. They looked, as Elsie would

say, "gorgeous mamenu".

It's hard for me to describe the feeling of sat-

isfaction derived from this recent labor of

love; thinking of the photo and looking at our

newly created arbor -- it seems everything

mercifully just fell into place. What now re-

mains is to think good thoughts, bake a few

pies and envision the years to come as be-

ing ones in which the sister's cherished

memory will be kept alive by those who know

the history of the trees.

The Tree Sisters: Elsie, Ida, Fersh

Written on the back of this snapshot is,

"Taken in Wash, DC Capitol. Bill snapped

this picture Decoration Day 1937."

Ida is age 17, Fersh 22, and Elsie 19.

My Brustman House

Random memories

by Alice

Uncle Mac, the piano and the ear thing

Harry Cutler and the shit in the shower

Bingo, Band Concerts and Ice Cream So-

cials (Watermelon Head)

The Cast Iron Stove, the woodshed and the

coal scuttle and the daddy long legs –

Adrian Kivort taking away the stove

Larry Appleman

Larry Heinbach and I’m not eatin’ it

The fish store and the butcher with sawdust

on the floor and the giant scale hanging

in the middle from the middle of the roof

Harry Gurrel, the newsstand and the limo

service

The bus station when the buses came with

everyone scrambling to get customers.

the wooden hand painted sign in the

bus station with the names of all the ho-

tels and rooming houses

Helen up the hill, Helen down on Division

Street

Stevie Carr singing funny songs

The shortcut

The brook

Abie Garche and the watercress

Spearmint watercress

Corn man and Rita yelling corn

The Nobles and Nora Norcus

Barry Barton

Coach

Coach smacking everybody

Vinnie Hayes and the broken neck

George Papadi

The Bermans and the soda fountain

The movies

Marlene Bramson

Peggy the cocker spaniel and the bro-

ken bottle

The brothers

Klezmer on sat night at the Columbia

and the Washington

The Adler amateur hour

The hasids

The bakery with the bow ties

Minnie’s soda fountain

The swimming pond