| Score 1 for This Project - 1994 - 2014 By John M. Sherin |
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There have been several similar undertakings but never one comparable to the manner in which our History Project chronicled lives and careers of Brentwood’s public servants and educators. 2014 was the year we called it a ‘Wrap’. Maybe you participated as a subject, as a participant volunteer or as a member of the one of many live audiences that viewed the accounts that we shared over the years. This was the Golden Age of Brentwood. This was our history; the first person account stories that bridged both halves of the twentieth century. They linked Modern Times and old Brentwood with the School District’s present and future. The year 1932 in which our chronology begins also began the famous Eight Year Study which concluded as World War II got serious. Again, in May of 1964 a film called “Seven Up” followed lives of seven year old British children for 7 years. It is today a series. More recently “BOYHOOD”, starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette had its New York Premiere. Filmed over 12 years it follows the character of Mason as he transforms from a chubby cheeked 7-year-old into a doe-eyed college freshman. |
Each project encompassing the years they took to make have stood alone. All might never have been completed but for the commitment of individuals in their projects. The unexpected happens over extended periods. Forty seven of our friends and colleagues died during those 20 years. Jack Zuckerman who appeared in the first of our 153 interviews left us as did his wife Dorothy whose personal vision contributed to launching our History Project.
We look forward now to celebrating with ROBS when we formerly present the digitized collection to Hofstra University and The Brentwood Public Library in the coming months. An invitation will be forthcoming to all available subjects, family members and friends in our community to gather for an historic group photograph at the local Library. Watch ROBS Newsletters and www.robsny.org for details.
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Announcement Flier from Brentwood Public Library
Celebration Event Program |
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The Story Behind the History Project |
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Why did we do it? By John M. Sherin What was our purpose in taking on such an open ended “History Project”; for which we evolved a script of questions and got answers from over 150 subjects for two decades? We couldn’t answer the question in 1994 when people would ask “What are you going to do with the interviews?” All we could say was that for educational purposes we had to document our record now or lose the chance to preserve so many poignant accounts, funny stories and touching tales told by exemplary educators. We knew these dedicated public servants might shortly, for reasons yet unknown, be leaving Brentwood for good. So, we decided to let time sort out the details. We began scheduling appointments. We asked questions and listened saving for generations the essence of what it meant to have been an educator or employed, in this large public school system during the second half of the 20th century. Brentwood remains an exemplar to all others; a diverse microcosm of America reflecting 124 districts on Long Island while simultaneously resembling thousands across the U.S. We’ve accomplished something here to be proud of. Whether we were interviewed or not, ours is a claim of service that few professionals in the State of New York or elsewhere have positioned themselves to share in the way we have. |
INITIALLY the practice of sitting with a subject for an hour and giving them a hundred percent focused attention seemed somewhat daunting to a number of friends and colleagues. So much so in fact that many declined our repeated invitations to speak with us as they left careers or retired from full employment. Despite all assurances that we were not about investigative journalism or invading privacy, they deferred. Now, twenty years after we began, some are saying they may be ready. “Better late than never” we say. However, to all among you who were willing to share not only your classroom experiences and personal stories, but precious memories from your lives along with your fondest hopes for the future, we say “Thanks”. Thanks for allowing us to continue the process by paying it forward as we share these interviews with the Brentwood community and countless professionals and researchers near and far. Through an acceptance of ROBS offer of collaboration with Archivist Dr. Geri Solomon and The Long Island Studies Institute at Hofstra University our History Project lives on in academia as well as in the collection of the Brentwood Public Library, thanks to Director, Thomas A. Tarantowicz. Enjoy unlimited visits to www.robsny.org where you can watch and listen to segments from featured Interviews in the ROBS History Project Section on our Announcements Page each month. Return here to listen and learn again and again. |
History Project Slide Presentation
Group Photo of Interviewees or Their Family Members Present at Celebration.
(Seated L to R) Eli Acosta, Toni Acunzo, Ronda Brooks, Fran Brida, Cheryl Castano, Carmela Criscione, Mary Cuneen, June Dawson, Helen DeBellis (Wife of Michael Debellis), Claudia DeBellis, Grace DiRiggi. (2nd Row L to R) John Sherin, Estelle Hoyt, Donald Hayes (Kitty Hayes's Son), Gloria Hannemann, Phyllis Goodwin, Moses Greene, Bobbe Frankel, Maureen Finnigan, Edith Filosa, Amy Leftenant, David Efron (Marty Efron’s son), Nick Siciliano (3rd Row L to R) George Klein, Patti Munson, Barbara McNicholas, Ruth McCalla, Diana Mallon, Harriet Pepine, Harriet Helman (4th Row L to R) Bianca Piro, Jim Nanos, Herb Laub, Joe Purcell, Sue DeMaci (Daughter of Anita Silverman), Evelyn Sekac, Frank Spencer, Hank Salerno, Chris Veech, Kathy Williams, Geri Burget (Daughter of Dot and Jack Zuckerman, Letty & Sheila Sustrin
(Seated L to R) Eli Acosta, Toni Acunzo, Ronda Brooks, Fran Brida, Cheryl Castano, Carmela Criscione, Mary Cuneen, June Dawson, Helen DeBellis (Wife of Michael Debellis), Claudia DeBellis, Grace DiRiggi. (2nd Row L to R) John Sherin, Estelle Hoyt, Donald Hayes (Kitty Hayes's Son), Gloria Hannemann, Phyllis Goodwin, Moses Greene, Bobbe Frankel, Maureen Finnigan, Edith Filosa, Amy Leftenant, David Efron (Marty Efron’s son), Nick Siciliano (3rd Row L to R) George Klein, Patti Munson, Barbara McNicholas, Ruth McCalla, Diana Mallon, Harriet Pepine, Harriet Helman (4th Row L to R) Bianca Piro, Jim Nanos, Herb Laub, Joe Purcell, Sue DeMaci (Daughter of Anita Silverman), Evelyn Sekac, Frank Spencer, Hank Salerno, Chris Veech, Kathy Williams, Geri Burget (Daughter of Dot and Jack Zuckerman, Letty & Sheila Sustrin
(Seated L to R) Eli Acosta, Toni Acunzo, Ronda Brooks, Fran Brida, Cheryl Castano, Carmela Criscione, Mary Cuneen, June Dawson, Helen DeBellis (Wife of Michael DeBellis), Claudia DeBellis, Grace DiRiggi. (2nd Row L to R) Estelle Hoyt, Donald Hayes (Kitty Hayes's Son), Gloria Hannemann, Phyllis Goodwin, Moses Greene, Bobbe Frankel, Maureen Finnigan, Edith Filosa, Amy Leftenant, David Efron (Marty Efron’s son), Nick Siciliano (3rd Row L to R) George Klein, Patti Munson, Barbara McNicholas, Ruth McCalla, Diana Mallon, Harriet Pepine, Harriet Helman (4th Row L to R) Bianca Piro, Jim Nanos, Herb Laub, Joe Purcell, Sue DeMaci (Daughter of Anita Silverman), Evelyn Sekac, Frank Spencer, Hank Salerno, Chris Veech, Kathy Williams Ging, Geri Burget (Daughter of Dot and Jack Zuckerman, Letty & Sheila Sustrin
(L to R) Ruth McCalla, Geri Burget - Daughter of Dot and Jack Zuckerman
(L to R) Ruth McCalla and Geri Burget, Daughter of Dot and Jack Zuckerman
Robert Rosenthal, (Son of Eric, Grandson of Ruth Rosenthal)
Donald Hayes (Kitty Hayes's Son)
Mary Cuneen (Widow of Ray)
