Arlene Gibson-Wenz, class of 1961
I really love reading everyone's stories. I appreciate all the great memories that I had long forgotten.
Damon Solomon, class of 1960
What you do for all your old friends, like me, is priceless. Please keep it up. Your blog is the first thing that I check for every day.
Armand Tarantelli (Mr. T), long-time Division Avenue teacher
I think you have become the DAHS chief archivist. You have made
Levittown alive and vibrant after 60 years. Doesn't it seem like yesterday?
Barnet Silver, class of 1966
A Levittown childhood friend and neighbor from Swallow Lane recently shared your blog on early Levittown with me.
I just had to drop you a note and say how touched and emotionally moved I was reading the background stories, seeing the photos, and reading the comments. Never have I seen a more sensitive picture painted about our lives, It could have only been done by a Levittown native son. I too moved from Queens and attended 6th grade at Northside then grades 7-12 at good old Division Avenue.
I don't know why but the feeling from the photo of the appliances in the kitchen washed over me like a warm rain. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to that innocent time and the life experience that bonds all of us who grew up there.
Cliff Fromm, class of 1960
You know the age old question, "who was influential in high school?". In reading this letter from Barnet Silver it made me think that the question should be, "who is influential after high school?" As I thought of this the name "Frank Barning" was prominent in my mind.
You have done more with your blogs and being a damn nice guy than anyone else from school. You are truly the catalyst that has brought people together from the class of 1960 and subsequent classes. Because of you people have connected and reconnected.
It is because of your blog and giving so many of us the opportunity to respond and give input to it that we discovered there are so many of our schoolmates who all have a common bond, not just the same school but are warm, good-hearted people, none of whom play the game of one-upmanship.
Thank you, Frank, for all you've done and for all the unknown hours of work and dedication you put into this.
Your classmate, and more importantly, your friend.
Bob Bond, class of 1960
As the song goes....Thanks for the memories.
Jackie Bernstein Karp, early Levittowner
Every time I read your blog it brings back such memories. My memories are like a big puzzle and I am finding all the lost pieces and it has been just great. Everyday when I check my emails the first thing I look for is your blog.
Brian Fisher class of 1961
Frank, I love what you are doing by keeping Division Avenue High School alive, especially for us old timers who grew up in Levittown. Keep up the good work. I really enjoy the blog stories very much.
Bob Gifford, class of 1962
Add me to what I'm sure is a long list of former classmates who appreciate and applaud you for this undertaking.
Daria Marusevich, class of 1961
You have resurrected so many people and memories it is a wonder. You have re-introduced a very special moment in time that we will never be again. It was a time of family, respect for authority, wonder; yes I do think we all clapped for Tinker Bell and purity of heart. We actually had a childhood and that was called Levittown.
Tom Paturzo Baker, class of 1960
I realize that I have acknowledged your efforts in the past ... however, I must tell you that I continue to be amazed by your talents and dedication to preserving our history. I am indebted to you for your efforts ... a legacy in the highest tradition. Early Levittown blog is a work of art.
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July 11 marks our first anniversary. The blog has received nearly 50,000 hits in that time, 377 stories have been posted and is seen around the world. A big thank you to all who made comments, shared photos and those talented folks who have submitted stories.
