I sent an email a while back to Shari thanking her for this website. It's great to see and hear that everyone is still keeping in touch. You all probably don't remember me. I'm the one who came to the beach with Sue Algore, Maureen Dugan, Joanne Harris. Yes, and I'm the one who studdered (Lois Teer . . . now Lois Teer-Lowery)! Living in Hollywood, FL with my husband of 5 years, three birds, and 1 dog. The last time I sent a message, I sent the wrong email address. The correct one is loislowery@bellsouth.net. CAIO !

Lois    1/9/05

HI!

I'm Pamm, Ed Liss' sister. When we were on the phone tonight, he told me about this site. He's totally computer illiterate so I thought I'd join up and let him know what's happening with y'all.

Pamm    1/10/05

HELLO TO ALL THE BEACH BUMS..THIS IS DONNA..TOM RACKOVITCH'S OLDEST SISTER. JUST A NOTE THAT TOM NOW HAS HIS FIRST OFFICIAL JOB IN HEAVEN~~ HE WILL BE WATCHING OVER HIS NIECE..LEAH KEEAN..WHO JUST RETURNED TO IRAQ FOR HER SECOND TOUR. (FEB.1ST) SO ANYONE WHO PRAYS MAKE ALL PRAYERS DIRECTED TO TOM ....I AM SURE HE IS LISTENING....GOSH I MISS HIM. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN THE NEXT PARTY IS, AS I KNOW JUDI, KIM AND I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND.

REGARDS,

DONNA   2/2/05

Hi everyone! I first came to this site a few months ago and was very grateful for it. It brought out memories of very good times. I sat and looked through the pictures with my daughter Lisa (24 years old) and she couldn't believe what hippies we all were. I raised the cookie cutter joc. It was fun sharing that time of my life with her. Well I've been married 28 years in May - had 3 children - my oldest is 26 (today 2/5) and a cop - yes, I raised a cop. My daughter graduated college in 02 and is the Athletic Trainer at our local highschool and going to school full time to become a cardiologist. My youngest is 19 and a sophmore in college - studying engineering - he is also an emt. And for me, I am very excited to tell you all that I graduated college in Aug 04 and became a Registered Nurse. The kid who never opened a book in high school got a degree!!! I hope you all have a wonderful 2005. If anyone has seen or heard from June Savile (?on spelling) or Cathy Pomerico (again spelling) please send them my way.

Thanks,

Jean (Laguzzi) Osuch - jospoon2003@yahoo.com    2/5/05

I was only with you guys for a short time, I read the article in Newsday and it brought back memories. I remember playing winky dink. I remember Howie Weinstein (red hair) and the Lancaster brothers. I think one of them worked at Orbach's with me. And Hi to Lois!! and Joanne I will contact you to go out to dinner soon.

Donna (Jahn) Moodie    2/12/05

Hi to Ronnie Lancaster, Paul Lancaster, Steve Gillman (where the %^&* are U) and all the other great people I grew up with. These were the best of times and the wildest of times. I always think of them fondly.

Really nice site. If you ever need anything artistically, to contribute to the cause... contact me.   Guitar Lady     artcovers.com    Keep Smilin...

All the best...

Janet Perlow (Jan)      2/22/05

Yes... I still play musak...

The Bums. Unbelievable. This site has brought back some wonderful memories. Some are a bit hazy... but not my memories of Tommy, Bonnie, Dave, Dave and Fred. Though I haven't thought of them in many years, they are imprinted in my mind as they were back in the 70's: sweet, fun, rowdy and full of life. So sad to discover this site and then immediately be reminded that life is fleeting.

It will be interesting to read about the many paths all of us have gone down.

Peace - Don Morrell    3/6/05

Hi, my name is Cindy Deitchman. I know Gigi Farley, Paul & Ron Landcaster, Fred and Andrea Botway, and I'm sure more but I need to have my memory refreshed. My e-mail is tanzonite1@yahoo.com

Cindy Deitchman   3/20/05

Hi Bums, So....I made plans and will be at the reunion this year with my 14 yr old daughter Aurora. She's curious about my teenage yrs. I'm sure she'll have an eyefull and an earful!!!

I'm just finishing up 24 songs for a new Sci Fi Comedy Western Musical I cowrote with one of my pals in Sedona. Its called "Cowboys and Aliens."

I've been practicing Wholistic Non Force Chiropractic for the last 25 yrs, the last 15 in beautiful Sedona, AZ.

I have a 4 month old granddaughter named Coral who I am the foster parent of....cute, but certainly causes a reality shift!

I'm looking forward to seeing you on the 31st. Who knows, maybe Captain Pollack and the Magic Lepers could have a reunion concert at this rate!

Keep Mutating!

Harlan    3/24/05

Judi, Donna, Daria, Kim,

I am so sorry to hear about Tommy, please give my love to them. It's been a long time but I still think about you guys.

Erik    3/28/05

Daria here, Tom's sister.....I know that you knew Tom but I do not
remember you.....e-mail me at dkowal1279@juno.com

Daria     4/26/05

PS - It have been a great sorce of pleasure to know that Tom had such great friends and people who cared so much for him.

Mike Westman    6/28/05

The beginning days, not quite fitting in with the people in town. Looking for something else. Knowing there was more out there. Ronnie and I decided to go to Jones beach. Field 3, because that's where the bus stopped. We meet Tommy Rack on the bus. Being kids we didn't have money, but we had thumbs.

What can you say? Young, sun and pretty girls in bathing suits. What more would ya want? Well, more friends! That's when we meet the Plainview boys, Bruce and Scott. Together we were like " the Boys of Summer". Hanging out with the Tambourine Girl. Walking all the way to the concession stand just to find out you didn't have enough money. That's when Ronnie started panhandling. Bruce caught him one day and said, "You're a bum, Ronnie. No! You're a Jones Beach bum!" You know the rest.

So, Tommy Rack was out exploring the different beaches. He came back one day and said, "Hey! Ya wouldn't believe what I found. Babes all over the place and ya don't have to walk far to get something to eat". After much discussion we decided to go and met Baby Huey. You know the rest.

However, the Park - Eisenhower or Salisbury, what ever you called it - this was our place at night in the summer. The musicians, the singers everybody wanted to join or just be a part of it. Never has a generation had so much in common. The people we would meet, the Wheat Chip tribe, the Bellmore gang, the Levittown girls, Wantagh gang, Seaford and who could forget the United Mutations. We would throw "May Day Festivals" at the Park and meet even more people. I tellin' ya, it was huge. The fall was great too. Play'in football with the Hofstra football team, or was it a pro arena football team, whatever. It was great! Remember " Dave Shores"? We would grub money and buy French fries and hot chocolate. We drove the poor manger crazy! The park is where we learned to play 'dink'. The Cinnamon twins introduced it one day, and we've been playing it ever since.

Then the parties...I can feel everybody's mind just thinking about their experience of a party. The " Hirschfield Hilton" was the most infamous. However, there was the Mitch Rich party which was an weekender, but Mitch wasn't even there. He decided that he wanted to hitch hike across America, and he did it in 3 days. Then panhandled the money to fly back. Dave Title had a few to remember. But it was also a time some of us were getting worried. The influx of people, the being watched by the police (and some thought the FBI). Some of us just didn't want the bums to lose that innocence. The fact is, we were growing up before our own eyes, and we still wanted to live in Neverland. I'll leave that there.

There are so many things I've left out, because I forgot them (I hear ya Robbie). Nevertheless, to use a more - dare I say it - more modern phase: "Its all good".

Paul Lancaster    7/30/05

What a great reunion!!

First the beach, and then Mitch's house, just awesome!

We shared old memories and made new ones. It was one of the nicest days I've had in a long time.

Thanks so much to Shari and Gigi for helping to organize it and run the E-vites. And thank you so much to Mitch, Patty, and Caitlyn for sharing their beautiful home with us.

We were honored by the presence of Daria and Kim (Rackovitch) who helped us remember and keep Tommy's spirit close to our hearts.

The memorial candle Mitch lit at night to help remember all our dear friends was especially touching.

Today, August 1st, my sister Bonnie would have turned 49.

The beauty of the Bums (now), is that we don't just look at the past, but we accept that we're not 18 anymore, and we live for the present and the future.

We're already starting to plan for next years reunion. Up till now, we always refer to the '91 reunion as the Big One. But next year, 2006, is 35 years! That should be the Real Big One. Let's start hearing some ideas and geting some volunteers to start putting something together. We've already had ideas about a 3-day weekend centered around a hotel-environment. Or we could go back to Pt. Lookout (is that right?) where we were in '91.

Have a great rest of the summer!

Love from Uncle Scotty & Claire (Aunt Clara)   8/1/05

Robbie, how are you buddy?
Great site Keep up the memories...

Joey P     8/2/05

Hey everyone...

I don't know any of you, but would love to get in touch with my cousin Danny Calvagna. The last time I saw him was at Salsbury listening to the Good Rats/Blood Sweat/Tears.

Cheers,

Ross Calvagna    8/8/05
rac24@tampabay.rr.com

Hi Shari...I am not a Jones Beach Bum, nor have I ever been. My maiden name is Carol Frigo, and I'm a life-long resident of Long Island...born and raised in Deer Park on Long Island. From the looks of things, I'm about 5 years or so younger than you and your dear friends. My sister, on the other hand, could have fit right in with you and your friends. Her name is Sue and she's almost 49. When I see the JBBs, they remind me of the people I looked up to when I was a kid. For your information, I'm 45 years young!

As an avid fan of Ed Lowe, I came across you and your friends through the two articles he wrote about people he met who happen to belong to the JBBs in their youth. I loved the story of the friends meeting in NY and going to the beach on the very same day as one of the reunions. It's the kind of stuff that makes you believe in a power stronger than "luck", right? It was a great story, and Ed Lowe was the perfect person to tell it.

I've been reading your website for quite a while now. I love the photos and the opening page with the lighthouse, telling the tale of all the people without a specific direction in life; the ones that were a little "left of center" (if you will) that became life-long friends by hanging out at the beach. I'm married and living in Lindenhurst now, and I know all the places where you've spent your youth. Although I became more familiar with Nassau County in my 30's, I ate lunch all the time in Eisenhower Park and watched the kids hang out...they still play guitar and sun bathe, but their hair is significantly shorter! The '70s were such a different time...in many ways it was easier to be a teenager then than it is now, don't you think?

I did spot someone I know in your photos. I believe I saw Erica Newman in the 2001 photos, and we went to school together. That's about as close as I get to being a JBB. I just love reading about you and your friends, and I can certainly do that as an outsider, too. It's great to have someone (this means you!) archive the information and house the photos. I have a lot of friends who live very far away now, and I love to see their photos and hear about their lives during that holiday-card time of year!

May I wish you much success with your website, and hope you continue your reunions!

Regards,

Carol Pizzingrillo     8/18/05

Hi All,

It was great seeing everyone at the reunion. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to Mitch's house for the evening festivities. I am looking forward to
next year's BIG 35 year reunion. Peace & Love to all.

Mike Westman    8/22/05

I just wanted to let everyone know that Ed Liss is recovering from surgery and could probably use some good wishes from his old friends. I believe his address is listed in the directory. The report that I have from Peter Chelsea (Mahar) is that he is doing fine, though I've yet to speak to him myself.

Ed, Pete and I had a "mini-reunion" here on the west coast; even went to see Joe (Satriani) together. It is a trip to see my "big brothers" again after all these years. It's amazing that our connection is still the same and we have picked up our friendships as if barely any time had passed.

Anyone who knew me well knows I had a very "vagrant" life as a teen - my mom moving us from town to town pretty much every year or so, which made sustaining friendships challenging at best. I lost touch with Ed when he ran off to join a carnival (quite funny that I actually know someone that did that!!) and Peter when I finally moved away from New York in 1977. By 1978 I had pretty much lost touch with everyone I knew from Long Island and have lived all these years sort of like a person with no country. (Don't get me wrong - my life has turned out amazingly well despite it's unfortunate beginning, but I have always regretted not having those old, dear friends to reminisce with.)

I have thanked Shari privately for this, but I will say publicly that her putting this site up was such a tremendous act of love and kindness. She is truly the Guardian Angel of all us Bums far and near. I know how much it has meant to Ed, Peter & I to reconnect, as we were (are) really like family.

Anyway, I WAY digress. The upshot is that I consider it a great gift born of this website for us to have reconnected in a time when friends are needed so.

Please send Ed a card or note. I know he will give me a hard time for doing this, but I truly think he would love to hear from any and all of you.

Love,

Carol (Ercolono) Espinoza    9/20/05

Looking for Mike Chapnick.

Becky   9/24/05

HELLO BEACH BUMS...

THIS IS TOM'S OLDEST SISTER DONNA (RACKOVITCH) KEENAN.
WHAT I NEED IS A FAVOR.
TOM'S FAMILY IS READY TO HAVE HIS TOMBSTONE ENGRAVED, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE JONES BEACH PENCIL BUT WE NEED A CLEAR PICTURE...DOES ANYONE HAVE ONE AVAILABLE?
I TRIED... SEARCHED CAN NOT FIND ONE.
IF ANYONE HAS A GOOD CLEAR PICTURE, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
PLEASE SEND TO DONNAYAYA51@ HOTMAIL... MANY THANKS

Hello bums... Tom's sister here once again..I need to know how to post a
picture of Tom's gravestone..it is really cool. we were able to have a
picture of the jones beach pencil on the granite...just have no idea how
to post it so u may see it.. please email Donnayaya51@hotmail.com... ty
and happy holidays

12/4/05

Click here to see Tommy's gravestone.

Shari    12/5/05

Sharyn...I can't thank you enough for the site...nice job...Happy Holidays
to all !! Be safe...

Donna ( Rackovitch)   12/5/05

Hey there all you wonderfully crazy people!

I just finished school and thought being a beach-bum would be a pretty fun experience, browsing around on the net I found your site. I must say this is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. I hope my buddies and I will still be as tight as you all still seem to be when we start getting grey and old. I love this.. thank you, really needed to see something like this!

"mag jul vriendskap altyd opreg bly"
liefde en vrede - love and peace

Elmien Grobler
South Africa    12/14/05

Merry ChristmaHannaKwanzaRamadanakah to everybody!

Dave Title   12/14/05

Just a special thank you to Shari and all the wonderful Jones Beach Bums. What great memories, great people, wonderful women, fantastic parties, great drugs. We were innocent, young, idealistic and loving. Maybe it was the chemistry, maybe the times, the era, the weather, beautiful Long Island. The Beach, the Planting Fields, Eisenhower park, playing Frisbee, hitchhiking, playing guitar, doing the "winky dink". Wow, and I miss it! Many of you write much better than I do - how about writing a book about the Jones Beach Bums? Many of us could write a chapter. Some like Paul, Uncle Scotty, Bruce, Shari could write the entire book. What do you think? I can't wait for the next reunion! I love all of you and consider many of you my closest friends.

Leo (Alan Cohn)    12/18/05

Just a quick note to wish a joyous Holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year to all my dear Beach Bum friends and their families!

Love from

Uncle Scotty    12/23/05