To all my beach bum friends,

"Happy New Year". May you know that you are all forever in my heart and my soul.

Love,

Mama Pfeff (Laurie)    1/8/06

The best summer of my teenage years, I was 16 and hitch hiking all over with Bruce Bandler and Laurie Pfeiffer (sorry if I misspelled Lauries last name). Bruce used his hitching sign with a page for each frequently visited location, and a few innuendoes for the mean people who wouldn't pick us up. (I thought this sign should be bronzed.) Pete the Freak, who made everyone he met feel welcome. Anyway - thanks to all of you for the best summer of my teenage life!

Michele    1/17/06

Hello to all of the Beach Bums.

I came upon your website once before, just surfing the Internet. I returned this time to enjoy it once again. I live in Oklahoma, but I have been to Jones Beach once in July of 2000. I am about the same age as the Bums, 49 now. I grew up in the same "hippie era" and would have gone to the beach too.

We had a place called Memorial Park in Oklahoma City, where I hung out in the early 1970's. That park will always be a part of who I am, and I will always be just an ole hippie at heart.

I love your website photos, it is like taking a trip back in time. LOL. I enjoy your website very much and would have loved to have been a Beach Bum too.

Peace and Love Always, from:

the Groovy Granny,

Joan   1/21/06

Dear Beach Bums and Family(s),

I hope everyone is getting through the Winter all right (you Southern Bums can skip this part) - I know we'll all be happy when Spring is here again. I've been talking to Shari, Robbie, and others about the fact that we trace our "history" together of a 'band of friends' back to 1971. Now different people met us at different times, but if you ever (even remotely) considered yourself a Beach Bum (even if you wouldn't admit that in PUBLIC), then you are a proud member of a proud group of FRIENDS that turns 35 years old this year, 2006. Though we all finally grew up, we can always be proud of what we all created. We welcomed everyone; we laughed and partied together, and at times, you know, we all cried together. We hitchhiked and sang and played and bonded together. We were more then friends, we became a "band of brothers & sisters" that attracted people by including everyone as equals, and just caring about each other. All we asked of each other was to be KIND.

That was then and this is now. If you can still smile when you think of how it was, then it was all worth it. This website is something we never could have imagined, and it is a true gift. So many of you have traveled far from Long Island, yet through this site we can still connect periodically with each other.

We look forward to our reunion each summer. There has been talk of trying to make a weekend out of it, or a short Cruise-To-Nowhere, or taking over part of a nice local Hotel, and other ideas. But the reality is this would take a LOT of planning and some very dedicated organizers, like back in '91. If any group of people want to try to put something together that would be awesome. I'd love to hear what people think, and if you think we could still pull it off for this summer.

I would just like to repeat what I told Shari, and that is what a thrill I feel each time I check the DIRECTORY, and see another long, lost Bum has come HOME, at least to OUR website (Cindy Gregg, I'm thinking of you). For our 35th year, let's just 'go crazy' (reminds me of Tommy) trying to reach out, track-down, SEARCH, or whatever you want to call it; find our long-lost Beach Bum friends. If we could only notify them of our website, the rest is up to them. My goal is that they will join the directory, and just say HELLO here on the message board. Jungle Jim, you have my Bum's Book, so we'll have to work together. Let's all get started, trying to re-unite the tribe, even if it's only for a Moment in Cyberspace; (whatever happened to Space-Cadet, Rowdy-Mike?)

Peace and Love to all of you and yours, from me and mine!

Uncle Scotty    3/13/06

weekend away sounds awesome!!!... would it be the last weekend in july, when we usually get together?... need a heads up on which weekend you're planning on....

donna m.   3/17/06

I just had a "flashback" memory of a Scott Hershfield party in like
November. Of course everyone I am certain remembers that food was always hard to come by at these parties that used to house 20-30 overnight guests. Scott and I had an epiphany that we would go duck hunting on some island not far from his house. We got on his skiff in the back yard and drove to the island. Pulled the boat up to ensure that it didn't float away while we were being the great hunters. Of course, as was typical in those days, not too well thought out plan. We bagged no ducks, but the island bagged us - in freezing damp November cold, the tide went out. We and the boat were marooned on this island. The boat was so far on land that we couldn't come close to pushing it back to the water. We were freezing for 4-5 hours before the water level got to a point where we could get the boat back in the water and drive back to the house. That made the bakery around the corner early in the morning a much better plan. Eggs & toast & french toast for ummmm . . . 25 sound good?

Howie "Surf's Up"    3/19/06

I like Scott's idea of a 35th reunion, but realistically it could be difficult to organize & get confirmations for a weekend event... Too many different schedules and financial considerations for such a diverse group. Perhaps a park day at a State Park in Suffolk or Nassau that accepts group reservations. It could be an organized contributory meal or catered. What did Jimmy and Pete do to organize at the beach? If enough people are interested, I will try to get info on availability at some locations. Any ideas for the P.M.? I am interested in hearing other ideas... it's already March!

Irene    3/21/06

Does anyone remember "Roberta"?
Well, Roberta & I used to Hitch from Wantagh to be with you guys. It was SOOOOO much fun !!!! I miss those days. I'm trying to get Roberta to come with me to the next Reunion.

Julie    3/29/06

Yes Julie, I definitately remember Roberta and I think I remember you too! Those days were so much fun.
It would be fantastic if you both came to the reunion...please do!

Shari    4/1/06

Hey all, think Irene's idea is a great one. We all used to hang out at "THE PARK" lol. Why not a big BBQ somewhere?. There are a lot of parks all over long island. and Julie, Hi , i remember roberta and you, hope to see you at the next reunion.
Hugs to all. Peace.

Me    4/2/06

HI BEACH BUMS MY NAME IS JEANNIE OHLRICH. MY BROTHER WAS JOHNNY OHLRICH HE WAS A BEACH BUM. I LOVE THE OLD PHOTO IF ANYONE HAS ANY MORE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM.

MY E-MAIL - JOHLRICH@ARKWIN.COM

THANKS    4/3/06

Hi everyone!

As far as I'm concerned, the only place the Jones Beach Bums reunion should be held is the one and only Jones Beach. Of course, I'm definitely up for something in addition to that, but the atmosphere of being where we used to be, with the people we used to be with, is what adds to the amazing nostalgic feeling and memories in my head on the last Sat in July! See you all then!

Ginger    4/9/06

Hey peeps :)

I agree with Ginger, it's only once a year so lets keep it a "Beach Bums" thing. How about a bbq after at "the Park", really make it like old times, lol. That was the order back then, right - 1)Beach, 2)Park 3)Party at the Hirshfield Hilton. :) How about it Scotty, open up the Hilton for a night, lol. (Anyone still have Gas Mask :))

Peace all,

Andy G    5/7/06

Just curious, has anyone heard from Little Ritchie Hayes? We need to track down some more of the gang. I've tried but have had no luck. Maybe if we all get on it, someone will have some success. Oh yeah, where are the Cinnamin Bros? And lets not forget Millie B. She was in San Diego many years ago. Andy Fienstien (mirror man), Ronnie Gladstone - let's get to work gang.

Peace,
Andy G    5/16/06

Roberta Potraka (daughter of the lively Sophie from the Plainedge Potraka's) lives in Florida now. She has been married for many years and loving her life in FLA. She sent me an e-mail as she found me on Classmates.com. (she listed herself as a freind at several neighboring schools so that she could do searches) (but I no longer have her e-mail address).

Randi    5/20/06

Hi everyone, this is roberta friedland (potraker.) I had email from shari fuller at classmates.com and she said she saw my name on this message board. so I emailed her back and thought I would check this out. this website is amazing and brings back so many wonderful memories. unfortunately we lost my lovely and wonderful sophie 2 years ago. and I live in florida and never go to the beach. ironic huh? maybe I'll be able to get to a reunion some time.

Chow for now,

Roberta   5/23/06

Hi Everyone! Time to get moving on making plans to come to the Reunion at the beach this year!

I sent an Evite invitation to all the email addresses I could find. If you notice that anyone is missing please feel free to contact me to send them an Evite. Virginiaduff@aol.com is best email for this.

Looking forward to all the fun!

Gigi   5/29/06

Looking forward to seeing everyone, fun in the sun, songs by the sea, an evening with old and dear friends!

Laurie (Grasshopper) Wills    6/20/06

Hope to see every one of you lovable lunatics at the 2006 Reunion.
I haven't seen ya'll since the 1991 reunion!

Dave Title     7/16/06

Hey all,
Looking forward to the the reunion and seeing everybody. I will be in N.Y. on this monday and may need a ride. Anyone out by Northport? By the way Andy, Mike Chapnick just found me again and I am waiting to hear back from him to see where he's at.

DEBBY (MUNCHKIN) LORBER   7/23/06

To my OLD buddy Andy G. This is a flash from the past, it's Mike Chapnick. I only found out about the web site today, I found Debby Lorber on my classmates and emailed her my phone#. She called we spoke and here I am. I am still married to Suzie 30 years, 4 kids - 31, 28, 26, 11 (the last is God's Joke on me), 4 grandkids - 6, 5, 2, 7 mo's. I would love to hear from you. By the way I'm in Port Richey, Florida.

Love ya!

Mike Chapnick    7/23/06

Hi All,

Ira Weiss here. I was never a full fledged Beach Bum, I was always on the fringe. I was used to hang out with Andy Gay, Quin Werthauer, Jeff Kjellgren, Aly Rosen, Ken Doppel (I was the last keyboard player in Molly Bloom), Mike Chapnick, Fred Botway, Ronnie and Joanne Lancaster. Laurie Pjeffer was my sister in law for a long time. I was at many of the parties and hung out at the park and Middle Earth a little, but never at the beach. Anyway, every year I plan to go to the reunion and something always comes up. This year, once again, my band was booked to play at a block party, so I could not make it to the beach.

Fortunately, Jeff was gracious enough to host an after-party which I was able to get to around midnight. It was wonderful to see people that I hadn't seen for about 30 years. I had a great time visiting and making music until around 3:30 AM.

Thank you Jeff!!! It was wonderful!!!

Love to All,

Ira     8/1/06

I got to the site quite accidentally. I googled John and meant to google Mike Ohlrich. Seeing the photo of John on your site brought back some good childhood memories. I met John by hanging out with his brother Mike. I met the Ohlrich family in the fall of 1970. Mike and I were in junior high and John was in HS. They lived not far from me, walking distant four blocks or so. It was great living in East Meadow. Seemed like there were neighbor kids all over, where small to large groups near and far could get together and have some fun or play ball. The beach-going started for me in the summer of '71. Summers were fun and special. Walk to Wantagh Parkway and put out your thumb. There was always someone going to the beach. There were even drivers that drove like a taxi service...just requesting donations for the toll. That was the summer that I went out boating with them. They had a 1958 Thompson. All wood. It was my first time water skiing. I remember boating to the first bridge (Wantagh Parkway) and Mike went ashore and dove off the bridge from the roadway, as we were listening to Simon and Garfunkle's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." I never did get to see the hydroplane boat that they were building in the garage float in the water. Then there was the time we spent the night on a marsh island by Zack's Bay. We called it Rat Island. I don't think that was the name, however there were rats there. Things that I do recall of John's house were his little sister. I don't remember her name. Nor do I remember his older brother's name. Though I remember to not touch his reel to reel tape recorder, tapes or records. They had a small dog and a rabbit in the back yard. John and Mike had a room together. They had a bumper pool table with a card table board for the top of it. Oh Hell was the popular game. 21 and poker (3card) were regular games too. That's where many parties were then and that was were I had seen John last before he had went out on June 2, 1972. The parties were then over, but the beach still had me.

I had a lot of fun just hanging at Jones Beach and to this day I still measure the good years by the tan I get on the tops of my feet.

George Holzmann    8/4/06

Hi Bums, Missed you guys this year....couldn't do the reunion....I hear it was great. I was going through my poetry (over 250 of them) and wanted to share this one.

Jones Beach Bums
July 20, 2004

Coconut oil blaring as loud as the radios
perfect and imperfect bodies alike
baring their skin but not their souls

While we are huddled together
with guitars and dope and jeans
blaring our indifference to their schemes
singing Rock and Roll to their irritation
restlessly absorbed in our indignation
thinking ourselves to be the Woodstock Nation
awash in a cloud of marihuana smoke
bumming spare change as if we were dead broke

We had something to say
as we look back
with our pot bellies and our somewhat broken family
hoping somewhere in that cloud of confusion
we planted some good seeds

Love and Peace,

Harlan    9/22/06

Robbie, please see what you can find out about someone named Nina Marie.

Please send me a letter with any info.

Peter Ruggiero
385 Allview Ave.
Brewster, NY 10509

Pete    10/26/06

Has anyone considered a winter reunion On Long Island? It gets awfully lonely, cold and dreary over the winter. A cold beer, guitars and old friends sounds wonderful. What do you think?

Alan (Leo) Cohn    12/5/06

To Andy, Jeff and any one else that knows me ( Mike Chapnick) and my wife Suzie, this is just to let you know that Suzie passed away on Nov. 24, 2006. She was happy that I was able to talk to you guys after so long apart, and we started making plans to come to the next reunion.

To all who read this, Have very Happy Holidays, and a safe and Happy New Year's.

With all of God's Love and Blessings to You and Yours,

Pastor Mike Chapnick    12/19/06