Mike,

I am so sorry to hear about Suzie. Don't forget to lean on your
friends, brother.

Peace,

Andy    1/25/07

Hey All,

Just found this and was amazed at some of the names (and faces) - wow! Not sure if any of you will remember me (I was one of the original Wheat
Chips and Bums too)
Most knew me as IGGY.
I'll check back soon.

TJ (IGGY) Cormier    3/9/07

Hey all, I'm siting here with my Mom, Mrs. Rackovitch, and we're surfing through the site. Mom says she feels so gratetful that Tommy had all of you! She says those years Tommy had with all of you I'm sure were some of the happiest of his life. And when she thinks about all of you in those glorious summer days, she will always feel that you all and Tommy will always be "forever Young". Dad wants to know how we can buy a few of those great 2006 T-shirts ?

Judi Rackovitch    3/18/07
judirocks10@aol.com

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd share my great news with you - I am the grand prize winner of the "Meet and Greet MeatLoaf" package!! I am a major fan, so winning this contest is by far my wildest dream!! Since the show is in NY, my best friend from Memphis, whom I haven't seen, is being flown in with her daughter. (A lot of you met them when we"bumped" into the reunion in '91.) We will stay at the Grand Hyatt with limo, 2 nights, and we'll be in the front row!! I am soooo excited, and just wanted to share it with all of you!!

Rock and roll dreams come true!!

Keep Rockin',

Ginger    3/18/07

Hi All,

I was wondering of anyone has heard from Nan Groden (her maiden name). She was from Seaford. We used to date back in the old days. I know she attended Goucher college in MD and became a doctor, I believe her married name was Lohr. If anyone talks please let her know I'd like to say hi.

Thanks!

Mike Westman    5/3/07

Hi Beach Bums,

I'm writing you just to let you know that I've written the first history of Jones Beach. It's just out now, already getting good reviews. I invite you to check out the website for more info--and I hope you might consider joining me at one of my upcoming speaking engagements about the history of Jones Beach.

FYI the books is titled "Jones Beach: An Illustrated History" by John Hanc. Publisher: Globe Pequot Press.
www.jonesbeachmemories.com

It's always nice to meet people who know and love the beach, the way you guys obviously do!

Thanks,

John Hanc    5/6/07

Hi Everybody!

I'm reaching out to everyone I know about a situation I'm in. After MeatLoaf got an ear infection and the concert was postponed till July (still can't wait though), I found out that they sold the land where my trailer is in Syosset. Which means I'm facing losing my home, and I am devastated. It's been featured on Eyewitness News 12 and the Times, so far. Anyway, here's my question - does anyone have any connections whatsoever to any officials in the Town of Oyster Bay, or civil right's attornies...80 families are getting evicted...you never know...any advice on this matter, please e-mail me.

Thanks!

Ginger    5/13/07

HI THERE BEACH BUMS,

I ATTENDED 2005 & 2006 REUNIONS. LOOKING FORWARD TO 2007!

REMEMBERING MY PAST: PAUL & RONNIE LANDCASTER, ALICE-MARY GRUNINGER, GIGI & SCOTTY. FRED BOTWAY, AND HIS SISTER ANDREA. I'M NOT SURE IF I KNOW MIKE CHAPNICK, BUT I LIVE IN PORT RICHEY, FLA TOO! ( IN THE WINTER)

I GREW UP IN NORTH BELLMORE, BELLMORE RD & JERUSALEM AVE. DORIS AVE. I HAD PARTIES IN MY BASEMENT. LOTS OF BLACK LIGHT POSTERS. JONES BEACH PLAYING WINKY DINK, LOVED IT!! I WONDER WHY? WRESTLING BOYS! THEN TO EISENHOWER PARK, WATCHING CONCERTS, OR JUST HANGING OUT...

TO BE CONTINUED AS MY MEMORIES GET SPARKED.
PLEASE HELP ME SPARK THEM! MY E-MAIL: TANZONITE1@YAHOO.COM

CINDY DEITCHMAN    5/14/07

P.S. IF U NEED TO SEE A BEFORE PIC, I SUBMITTED ONE. SO CHECK IT OUT, AND IF U REMEMBER ME, LET ME KNOW.

I can't wait to see the Newsday article by John Hanc. The Jones Beach Bums website reminds me of the piercing illuminating beacon of a LIGHTHOUSE that is always shining brightly, day and night, and which is capable of being seen by wandering Internet travelers such as John Hanc and sometimes even by 'Long-Lost Bums' who just happen to "Google" the words "Jones Beach". It is so much fun to see the Bums evolving and growing again in new and unexpected ways.

Uncle Scotty    5/20/07

Hi. I just found the website. I remember a lot of good times at Eisenhower Park and Jones Beach. I remember hanging out with Mitch the Prabbi, Danny Calvagna, Joe Satriani, Steve Muller, Laurie Pfeffer.

Mike Verow    5/22/07

sign up for the directory and email me.

I didn't hang out with you guys, but I do remember seeing all of you there when I was a kid with my family. By 1977 ( when I was 13 ) our bunch were there!

God I love taking my kids there and driving them crazy with stories of my past at Jones Beach. Not all of it. :-)

I still go there for lunch on my motorcycle almost everyday (weather permitting). I also take Ocean Parkway home every night to start my evenings. It just makes me feel good...the smell of it calms me down while crossing the bridges.

Joe Mulligan     5/26/07

I read the article in the paper today, then went to this website. I went through the pictures, and saw lots of familiar faces. I probably know people more from Salisbury Park and playing music than from the beach itself, never was much of a beach person. I graduated East Meadow HS in '73. Definitely remember Dave Mucci and Scott Weiss , and I remember jamming with Don Morrell a few times. I'm in the middle of renovating my basement and my old photos are boxed, but I'll dig them out asap and send you some. Bet you'll be getting some response from the article.

Great job on the website.

Jeff Goldstein    5/26/07

My sister Debbie & my best friends Kerrie, Mary, June, & Nancy hung out at Central Mall every single day! We would hitch to the beach and use our $1.20 Rt bus fare to buy 2 packs of cigarettes. I remember Andy playing his guitar, and us all having a major crush on him. Does anyone remember Louie from East Meadow, who used to play Bob Dylan songs with his guitar and harmonica? Crash the lifeguard? Grubbing for money? Eisenhower Park's Battle of the Bands and 4th of Julys there?

For me it all started in the "Summer of 71".

Bernadette (Bernie) Urbano-Baker   5/27/07

Hi. I am Michael Davitt, a '74 Massapequa grad. Jeff and Jon Ellis, Bruce Fifield and I used to spend a lot of time at West End II. We did a lot of bodysurfing with the Churchill fins in the summers of '75 and '76. I recall watching the World Trade Centers go up in the distance on those beautiful, clear days. Once I saw the Concord fly over... awesome sights and sounds.
I recall the name, "East Coast Bodysurfing Association" was used to refer to the guys who hung out at that beach. Anyone out there remember that name... those summers?
I'm in Raleigh for the past fourteen years. I know Sharyn Fuller. I'll be in Europe for the next seven weeks, but will be up in NY late July and August. My best to you all. Love Jones Beach.

Mike Davitt    5/27/07
mtdavitt@nc.rr.com

The cool thing is that the beach can have such a deep meaning, a different meaning to everybody....long after the beach bums had scattered away from field 4. It was the place I would also go to, especially in the fall. It was always such a great place to come to for prayer, reflection, to work out whatever was confusing me. I remember bringing my kids there when they were little. I think we were so lucky and blessed to have been able to have the beach be part of our lives!

Alison (Turner) Flanagan    5/28/07

It's been a long time coming. I follow the web site and all the additions but for so many years have been so busy and so have not written. The years following the 1991 reunion I worked as a computer programmer; then had two children, now 7 and 10, and changed careers. We moved a couple of times and are now in Sandpoint, Idaho. I am a Waldorf teacher, teaching second grade this year. Each year I move with my class up through the grades until eighth grade, so next year I will be teaching third grade with the same class. Waldorf teaching is a calling as much as it is a vocation and reflects my passionate pursuit of life. Life is good and life is full. It's great to read the messages and perhaps someday I'll make it back east for another reunion.

Take care,

Michael (Mike) Seifert   5/28/07

Hey Bums,

Sorry I will miss the reunion this year. I wanted to share one of my favorite goofy bum stories. We used to spare change it at the concession stand. A bunch of us from United Mutations (including myself, Scot Weiss, and Mark Kross) took a bunch of the money we bummed at the concession stand with us the next day to the toll plaza for Field 4 at the Wantagh Parkway. We pulled up to the toll attendant and told him we were paying for the next 5 cars. He was incredulous and couldn't understand why. We pulled over and watched the expressions on the untrusting NY'ers who couldn't get why some grungy hippies in a banged up mutation wagon were paying for their tolls. It was some great theater!

Love,

Harlan Sparer     5/31/07

Hi Everyone, Shari...I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your hard work with this website. I can't believe the memories and feelings it can evoke. I enjoy checking in and getting the updates from all who participate.

The last reunion I went to was 1991, and I look forward to this year's. I hope to see you all there. I grew up in Plainview, and have great memories of hanging out with all the Bums.

Mara (Swerdling) Schoenberg    6/3/07

My name is Marc Kantrowitz, and I worked at Jones Beach from 1969-1976.

I would like to get a Jones Beach Alumni Association up and running.
If you worked at the beach, please contact me:
Bobcats1972@comcast.net

Hope to hear from you!

Marc    6/6/07

I saw the Newsday article & had to check out the site. I was surprised and
touched to see the memorial for David Black, my "child" husband. I still
think of him & it was so nice to see that other people remember him too.

Karen Michelini    6/7/07

I've been keeping up with the JBB site and goings on.... looks like it's been a busy few months. My mother actually made a comment about the recent article... she reminded me that I got arrested for playing guitar on the beach and she had to come down and get me out of "jail". Apparently, Scott Weiss organized a protest and the little JBB Police shack was surrounded. Heh. I completely forgot about that.

Peace - Don Morrell    6/9/07

OMG!! I spent the 14th, 15th and 16th year of my life hitching down Wantagh Pkwy to hang with everyone...me and my friends Dave and Pete were probably the youngest, but you welcomed us with open arms...I remember playing guitar and having a great time every single day....and then night at Salisbury Park....especially a place we used to call "Hash Hill"........thanks for this website!!

Al    7/10/07

Just stumbled onto this web site. WOW, what great and vast friendships. Reminds me of times I had in the late 70s & 80s. Sites like this make me LOVE living in the USA! Going to look up some old friends before its too late.
God Bless
Live Free!

ED    7/24/07

As I was speaking to a Levittown friend who realized that he met me at "Salisbury" Park and not Jones Beach (for those of you who do not know, we were Jones Beach Bums by day and were on top of the hill - some called it Hash Hill - at Salisbury Park to watch the free concerts, really Opera or Ethnic music nights), he mentioned a group of teens that were a pre-cursor to the Bums. Does anyone remember the Wheat Chips? All I
remember is that two of them were twins from Hicksville and/or Plainview,
one named Kenny and that some of us hung out at Mid-Island Plaza too?

Randi C.   7/28/07

Hi Shari, I just wanted to tell you that you are doing a great job with the site. So many of us remember those times as some of the best of our lives, with some of the best people we have ever known. I have been all over the world as a musician and have always told the stories of being a Bum, and so many of the people I talk to I tell them to just go to the site. I want to tell you how impressed they are with our history. You are solely responsible for the good vibrations we still give off through the site. Thank you.

Danny    8/2/07

Hi All,
Sorry I couldn't be at the re-union this year but I was there in spirit. I thought by now I would get to read about what a great time you all had and I am looking forward to seeing the pictures! Hope you all had a great time and that Karen and Pete didn't go home as red as lobsters.
Love ya's!

Debby Lorber (Munchkin)    8/6/07

Mark Kross again...
just to help you remember me:
I just found a picture of me - in the Park... last picture scrolling to the right. I'm the guy having his hair fondled. No idea who the other two are. Anybody know?

Mark (Sweetkeys)   9/6/07

Note to Mark....Dave Mucci (aka Big Bird) and Scott Weiss! ~Shari

Wow! (or as we used to say, "Wowie Zowie").

Mark Kross here ("Sweetkeys" in the Magic Lepers). I was just googling myself (admit it - you've all done it) and ran across Harlan's story about the Wantagh Parkway. I had no idea this site existed. Reading through brought up some names from the past:
Dave Title - it was your house I found myself the first night I fell in with the bums... I remember playing"bullshit" at the top of our lungs on your front porch
Andy Bear, in the Mutations (I think he drew a picture in my JFK yearbook)
Fred Botway, etc, etc.

I'll have to see when the next reunion is.. who knows if I can make it. These days I'm a jazz musician and educator in Boston - been here a looong time.

And... to keep the record straight:
The name of the band was The Magic Lepers (named for Scot Weiss - where is he? - and his skin rash we called leprosy). The second year we had the band we changed the name to "The New and Improved Son of the Magic Lepers, with FT 490, Orchestra and Chorus". It was never Captain Pollack and the Magic Lepers.
Personnel:
Scot "the Leper" Weiss - vocals
Harlan "Golden Lips" Sparer - vocals
Mark "Sweetkeys" Kross - Farfisa organ
Jeff "Uncle Cheeseburger" Pollack - guitar
Jan "The Skunk Brothers and Tick" Sasson - guitar
Steve "The Straight Man of the Group" - alto and soprano sax
Glenn "Kneecaps" Kurlander - tenor sax
Larry "The Lung" Davis - drums
Tony "Toenails" Velardi - drums, but then road manager
I think we had some occasional girl singers (and Andy Bear) but I'm not sure. I remember the Stony Brook gig that never happened. And our auspicious debut at the Calhoun HS "Rap and Rec", where we needed a police escort to get out alive.

Such fond memories of my Bumhood - I was recently at the beach (and found out who Jones was), and I was thinking about those days. I seem to recall we hung out by the boardwalk but never went in the water... is this possible?

Of course, when we weren't at the beach, we were at the Planting Fields, no?
Does anybody remember Officer Foley, NCPD's finest?
If anybody remembers me, give a shout.

Later

'Keys    9/6/07

Mark Kross again...
just to help you remember me:
I just found a picture of me - in the Park... last picture scrolling to the right. I'm the guy having his hair fondled. No idea who the other two are. Anybody know?

Mark (Sweetkeys)   9/6/07

Note to Mark....Dave Mucci (aka Big Bird) and Scott Weiss! ~Shari

Hey Randi,

I remember the Wheat Chips. John Cobb from Hicksville was King Wheat Chip.

Don't remember much more. Long time ago. He married a rich girl and moved to Brookville. Go figure :)

Mitch (Mini-Mole)    9/1//07

I just saw this message that someone was looking for Danny Calvagna. Well, I'm looking for his wife Kathy, who I grew up with, and I have also been trying to find her for over 20 years.

I grew up in Forest Hills, Queens so I don't know any of you, but maybe there is someone that knows Kathy as well?

Jeannie    9/23/07

Jeannie,

You didn't give me a way to respond back to you. My email is dc_tarsus@yahoo.com. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

While I am here - Hey to all my Bum brothers and sisters.
Hope you are all well.

Peace,

Danny   9/26/07

I grew up with Dave Beechel, and all of the Beechels. I would love to
get in touch with Robert, Debbie, Donna and Mom (Dottie).

If anyone has any info, please pass it on to them... I would love to hear from them - Thank you.

Respectfully,

Chris Fischer  11/14/07
cfe144@yahoo.com

Shari - here is some good news - Larry & I got married.

Randi Crovets   11/26/07

Shari - I haven't visited the website in awhile so I didn't know you were
going to be on "Buy Me". Imagine my surprise when I turned on HGTV and
there you were!! You did such a great job. They should give you your own
show. :)

Fran (Diamondstein) Schuler    11/27/07

Dear Bums,

Tommy Rackovitch's "little sister" (he so fondly called me) Judi here with a few comments. Since Tommy passed away I try my best to read your website as often as I remember, which (honestly) is not as often as I would like because it always, without fail, makes me smile. After Tommy's funeral I was able to connect with Bob Beechill (I call him Beach), but lost his number and do not know where he lives, so if anyone has connected with him and/or knows how to reach him, please let me know!

Here is something for you to get a visual on - every morning when I drive over the Long Beach bridge to get to the Wantagh Parkway, I say say out loud (depending on how pretty the day is, I might say it pretty loud), "MORNING TOMMY".
Thought you all would appreciate that!

Have a beautiful and Blessed holiday, and I hope to one day get to one of your reunions........Hi to the Vanderhalls and Lancasters.............!

Hugs,

Judi (Tommy's baby sister)    12/9/07

Randi,

OMG!!! I can't tell you how happy I am for both of you. Good luck and
future blessings.

Paul   12/18/07

HI JUDI,

GOOD MORNING TOMMY!

the Lancasters    12/18/07

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a Very Happy Holiday Season.

Love,

Ptr
Peter Chelsea (Maher)    12/22/07

Wishing all the Jones Beachs Bums and their families a Happy Happy Christmas and a Merry Merry New Year

Love Daria (another Tom sister)   12/22/07

RANDI,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE,

ROBERTA     12/14/07

Wishing you all a very Happy and healthy New Year. To all that don't know
yet I am back in New York and living in Huntington.

Love to all

Danny    12/29/07