This is a place to post comments, photos, whatever...about growing up in the Hialeah Area...or anything else that is on your mind. In the past, we've been using our individual webpages for this purpose, but now we have a dedicated forum on our website. Please note that this forum is "not secure" and that comments you make are available to anyone that visits this website.  

If you post a comment about a deceased classmate in this section, please also post one on the classmate's "In Memory" page. Your comments here get lost in the many other comments over time while whatever you post on a classmate's "In Memory" page can easily be found by our classmates and family members of the deceased. 

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

The information I posted sounded so plausible, but Pat Gispert sent me an email saying...not so fast. Jack Krouskroup suggessted I run it by Wayne Case before posting it, but I though nah, it was just so logical it had to be authentic. Evidently the article I posted, which has been widely circulated, did not come from Johns Hopkins University. To see why it is fake, check this out: https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/04/03/coronavirus-misinformation-rumors-social-media/ . Sorry...in future I'll make sure I clear all medical information, like this, through our class medical authority...Dr. Wayne Case...before posting it. 

Melvin "Jack" Krouskroup

I agree Vinny it did seem plausable, I do NOT use Facebook or any of the othersocial media platforms. The artical came from a friend who forewarded it to me. Sorry for the miss-information. I was right about UV though on the news the other night it showed a circular collection of UV bulbs in the center of a covid room killing the virus.

As an asside, the eateries and bars opened last week. I went to my favorite resturant for lunch the outside was somewhat busy I was the only person eating inside, it was nice to be waited on.

Shooting trap twice a week, the game uses social distance, shooters stand on a line about 6 feet apart.and it's outdoors.

Stay safe my friend, Jack

Patricia Hermansader (Brandt)

As a long time (now retired) RN, there is nothing on that list that is inaccurate and it's all quite helpful. I guess the only thing questionable is the source, so ignoring that, I think that it was great information to share. Neither one of you should be the least concerned about having shared it. Everyone stay safe!

Margaret Meister

there is nothing on that list that is inaccurate and it's all quite helpful. I guess the only thing questionable is the source,

Bill Coffeen

The issue of passing along fake stuff is that it is believable... either similar posts have proved true ... or it is reasonable that a person or thing to be true ...

looks like a duck ... walks like a duck ... must be a duck!

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

You might be wondering how many of our classmates actually visit our class website. Below is a chart showing the number of classmates, not guests, that have logged on during the past month. Surely the emails you receive that indicate someone has posted something new generates curiosity and hence you logon. However, we have many days when there are no email notifications and still we have many classmates who login to make sure they don't miss any of the comments you might have been posted. And from the explanation of the numbers located below the graph, the numbers are not one person logging in several times a day, but individual classmates who have logged in during a 24 hour period. Also, we've had 117 classmates logon at least one time during the past week and 145 logon during the past month.  It's great to see so many of us reconnecting with our high school classmates! 

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

I must admit that I don't know what is real or "fake" news anymore nor whether a picture is authentic or has been "Photoshopped." So, believing this is real, I would like to pass on an article I found in Yahoo News that had photos showing not only spectators going to sporting events wearing masks, but also the players and the referees (umpire in the photo). Here is the entire article if you are interested in reading it: https://sports.yahoo.com/coronavirus-heres-what-sports-looked-like-during-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-184042838.html . Maybe this is how we start to get back to some semblance of normalcy..maybe our new normal? I'm okay with wearing a mask...keeps my glasses fogged...but if wearing a mask for a while might save my life and the lives of others, I'm all in. 

Ted Mack

The "very interesting facts" article that Vinnie posted from Jack probably had some accurate facts but you can't tell which are accurate and which aren't without more research. I went directly to Snopes when I saw the claim that Listerine is 65% alcohol, which is ridiculous. Snopes did not say what, if anything in the article was false or true, it just said that the information was "misattributed", which indicates the author was trying to give credence to his/her "facts" by attributing them to a knowledgeable source. That's a sleazy thing to do and immediately discredits the entire article even if some of it may be true. I hate it when people do that and wish there were some way to ban them from the internet, especially now when we are all seeking guidance. So, in an effort to be helpful I suggest taking a moment to read this good article from a reliable source. I think after reading you will realize it just takes a lot of common sense and care to protect yourself and others:

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

Genevieve "Dev" Perkis (Steffen)

Vinny I'm with you wearing a mask and doing the safe distancing. No big crowd but I do go out and walk.

Thank you Ted Mack for that last article. Had good believable information. Most is common sense but there are so many people out there in the world that don't have common sense.

Stay safe everyone as the the "Normal" world opens up for most of the United States. 

Melvin "Jack" Krouskroup

Thanks Ted, I do all the recomended precautions, that being said...I'm..74? who knew. A wise old country friend in NC once told me (and it's true) there are two times in your life when you brag about your age : 1- when your very young and 2-when your very old. be safe so you can brag about #2

Gloria Doubrava (Jahnke)

So what is the truth?

These are difficult times, with conspiracy theories and potential Covid-19 cures or preventions rampant. Hackers and people wanting to profit from our gullibility are out there. Johns Hopkins has had its share: their Covid-19 Dashboard provided fodder for hackers to use an “almost correct” url to reach the same site—and install malware to those who were misdirected. I am a DVM toxicologist and work at NIEHS (NIH) in cancer research and have to be ever-vigilant of these types of issues and separating opinions, theories, speculations, from facts. Here are some ways we evaluate information on the web or from other sources—I hope this will provide some guidance (there is more on the web!).

Look at the url – authoritative information will be on a .edu or .gov site or from an authoritative source (eg, WHO); .org or .com sites can have good information, but also may have more bias attached to what they are promoting. If a “factual” statement is made, there should be a reference or link to the study (ideally a peer-reviewed study with available data), otherwise, it is an opinion. Also, check the date the information was published and if it is a preliminary report (often found in “breaking’ news articles), as information may change as more data are available.

CDC has a lot of Covid-19 /SARS-2 (an RNA virus) information on its site about the virus and how to stay safe. It’s an evolving story and speculations need to be tested. Although the news often lends to sensationalism and predictions about future economies and disease outcomes that make for stimulating reading, we won’t know the outcome until we get there.

Staying safe during these uncertain times is a priority for all of us.

Best wishes, Gloria Doubrava Jahnke, DVM, DABT

Nancy Lundblom (Blizzard)

Ted, that was a great article.  I've been staying home for over 2 months and am one of the people who is anxious to go out and re-open businesses, etc.  The only times I have been out are to doctor appointments and once to Publix where I needed a couple of things and was in and out in about 5 minutes.  I was surprised at how few people were wearing masks!  I am concerned about the impact of re-opening if people do not take the neccessary precautions.  We all need to be responsible for the impact we have on others.

Ted Mack

From everything I've seen, unless you have one of those serious medical-grade masks, the masks we all have access to aren't totally effective at protecting us from breathing in the virus if it is in the air near us. What they really do well is stop the virus from being spread by someone who may be infected. So someone not wearing a mask in enclosed spaces is a potential threat to those around them. It's not an expression of their rights, it's an expression of their disregard for others. It's sad that at a time of uncertainty about this serious disease some people can't take the time or effort to do such a simple act of good.

Kathy Zeller (Hyden)

Gloria Doubrava Jahnke and I have been Best Buds since High School, Roommates at FSU and are still Best Friends (remotely) with her in NC and me in NY!   We stay in touch every week and I have to say if I have either a question on Health or Pets (as she is also a Vet) I get in touch.  There is no one who's judgment I trust more than Glo.  As a BioScientist she is cautious and careful on making any pronouncements and her advice is valued throughout the scientific community.  So I value her contribution in this hectic time to our HHS family and our quest to stay healthy.  Please all, Be Safe, Be Healthy!  

Lyn Curry (Craver)

I live Albuquerque, NM.  We are in Phase One of opening our state.  The governor has made it mandatory to wear a mask in public places.  I have only been out two times in two months.  The most recent yesterday to a nursery, and everyone was wearing mask which made me feel very comfortable.  My next outing will be to the grocery store.  I have been having my grocery delivered or my son will drop some things off that I need.

Stay safe and healthy everyone.

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

So, what’s on my mind? We’re hearing less and less about the novel coronavirus and more and more about the protests, rioting and looting instigated by the actions of Minnesota police officers that resulted in the unfortunate death of George Floyd.

I remember my first day of history class and Mr. Tripp’s first lesson when he said that we need to remember that “history repeats itself.” Quite frankly I cannot remember whether it was an American or World History class, but I do remember him telling us that truism.

Today’s protests (and rioting and looting) deal with the same racial issues that existed when we were growing up. History is obviously, again, repeating itself…hear that Mr. Tripp…I did listen!

I know everyone remembers seeing this photo:

This incident actually occurred 50 years ago…almost to the day. From the article in the link below, “The shootings turned the tide of public opinion against the Vietnam War, and some political officials even argued that it played a role in the downfall of the Nixon administration. Today, the incident symbolizes the political and social divides brought on by the Vietnam War.”https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/04/us/kent-state-shooting-50th-anniversary-trnd/index.html . Hopefully, our elected officials will think about the ramifications of this particular incident (history repeats itself) before calling up their National Guard or our active-duty military to quell riots or looting. Many cities are looking at major reforms in the way they handle "policing." We lived in England for a number of years and, at the time, I don't ever recall seeing one of their Bobbies (their name for cops) carrying a weapon. Today, would you believe, only 10 percent of their police force carry weapons: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/why-london-won-t-arm-all-police-despite-severe-terror-n737551. I don't know if having unarmed police would work in America, but it certainly should be part of the today's discussion on how best to police our communities. 

What I really had on my mind was providing a bit of trivia...that the young lady kneeling in this very iconic picture, who was 14 years old at the time, was actually a runaway from her home in Opa-locka where she attended Westview Junior High School.  More on her in this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ann_Vecchio

Melvin "Jack" Krouskroup

Vinny speaking of 50ish events, some odd years ago, I recently had an experience of the worst kind!!!!! I needed a pair of dress shoes, I went to Walmart figuring I'd have a great selection. WELL, as it turns out I'm not only weird in the head, BUT (and maybe it's not a coincidence) I have a weird foot size!! 91/2 narrow. 

That brought me to the realization I MISS Tom McAnn on 49th Street. Picture this in your wayback machine....A real salesman measuring your foot and pulling shoes after shoes in all kinds of designs untill " you " found a pair.

I miss those days..........(This is a foot note.) Jack of the sloppy shoes.

Brenda Becker (Egles)

Jack I totally agree.  I miss Thom Mcan shoe store.  For a short time I woud find some in K Mart.  Now KMart stores are closing.  I have trouble finding shoes also. I'm not crazy about ordering on line.  I like trying them on.  And yes I would like a salesman to help I think my feet are growing.Ha Ha

Vince "Vinny" Rusinak

Mike Wills provided this:

It’s a mess out there now. But for a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900.  

On your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people perish in that war. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.

On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.

When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. And don’t try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war.

Smallpox was an epidemic until you were in your 40’s, as it killed 300 million people during your lifetime.

At 50, the Korean War starts. 5 million perish. From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of Polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and being paralyzed and/or die.

At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesn’t end for 20 years. 4 million people perish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.

Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did they   endure all of that? 

When you were a kid in 1985 and didn’t think your 85 year old grandparent understood how hard school was. And how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above.

Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening as time goes on. Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Your parents and/or grandparents were called to endure all of the above – you are called to stay home and sit on your  couch.

Barry Evans is a Villager and columnist for Villages-News.com

James Ward

wow we have it made

James Ward

that was awesome Mike

Steve Jenkins

Mike,

Hat's off to you!!

Michael "Mike" Wills

Hey All: just be sure you realize that I just found that in a local paper by a local writer. I certainly didn't come up with that on my own - but,  the guy really says a lot.

Richard M Hankin

I'm so sorry for not keeping in touch.  Many things have happened.  I guess I just went into seclusion.  That does not suit my personality.  I wish all my classmates and friends the best of the year and Stay Healthy.  God Bless You All.  Rich

James Ward

welcome back we missed you