April 2025: Volume 25 - Issue 7

Dear Readers, 

Old Westbury Gardens

  by Susan Schuler Nolan, Class of 1977

Old Westbury Gardens, by Spring, is by far the most unpredictable season for gardens.  It’s hard to say what a “typical” spring even looks like anymore here on Long Island. 

The Andromeda is currently in full bloom at Old Westbury Gardens, a historic estate where my husband and I have been volunteer docents for over 40 years.  In previous years, it would have long faded by April. This uncertainty makes planning difficult for the gardeners, but it also brings a sense ofJapanese Andromeda Courtesy of Hicks Nursery excitement—every walk through the garden reveals something new, another sign of the season unfolding.

Two of my favorite spots in the garden in April are the Woodland Walk and the Primrose Path.  The Woodland Walk is where Woodland Pathbirdsong is a constant companion, and early spring ephemerals flourish. Daffodils are everywhere.  Snowdrops and Chionodoxa spread naturally year after year, carried by woodland creatures to unexpected corners. Later in the month, Trillium and Virginia Bluebells emerge, thriving in the dappled shade along the Lake Trail. There is also a lovely Japanese bridge you can cross and a Temple of Love by the lake. 

Along the Primrose Path, the Primroses themselves are charming, but they share the space with Forget-me-nots, Anemones, and Azaleas, which line the brick path in a way that feels both natural and unstructured. Unlike the more formal Walled and Cottage Gardens—where the tallest plants stand neatly in the back and the smallest in front—the Primrose Path follows its own rhythm. A Foxglove might take root in the foreground, and the gardeners allow it to bloom where it chooses. Here, nature and the gardener work together in an ongoing, evolving collaboration, creating a space that feels a littleLake Walk different every year.

That is what I love about the gardens.  They are always changing.  Although beautiful every season, I think they’re most thrilling in mid to late spring.  As spring progresses, our huge rhododendron banks, alleles of trees, tulips, and roses all come alive with color.

It is no surprise this beautiful garden on Long Island has been used in so many famous movies and TV shows.  Such classic films as North By Northwest, Love Story and Age of Innocence all filmed here, to name a few.  More recently, some of your favorite TV shows can be seen filming here.

If you are on Long Island feel free to stop by some Sunday afternoon.  I’d be happy to provide you a tour of the house and gardens.  May even catch up on our memories of Hicksville High School. (I graduated 1977.)  Hope to see you there. OWG HouseBridge with Sue Schuler Nolan

For more information check out oldwestburygardens.org.

OWG Temple of Love

We All Scream for Ice Cream

 by Stefanie Cedar Shames, Class of 1977

There was just ice cream in the days before, soy, oat, and lactose-free. The Carvel on Jerusalem Avenue was always a favorite! Whenever my sister and I were in the car with my father, we would "hijack" him to stop at Carvel, and he always took us there because he loved it, too! I always liked the chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles! This is the same Carvel that was damaged during the Hicksville tornado of 1976 where classmates were injured.

In addition to Carvel, we had Baskin Robbins' 31 Flavors on Hicksville Road. Even though I loved Rocky Road ice cream, I didn't like it enough to go out in cold weather. My father and sister would go out in all kinds of weather, including blizzards, to get ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

 Late at night, Mister Softee would drive around with that unmistakable music. A few months ago, I was waiting for the Toyota dealer in Orlando to finish servicing my car, and a Mister Softee truck drove into the parking lot! I couldn't believe my eyes! I asked a salesman if it was there for service or sales and if customers could also buy. Needless to say, I ran across the parking lot and got a chocolate soft-serve cone with chocolate sprinkles, and it was delicious!!! My husband got the vanilla with the colored sprinkles, and we took this picture to send to my sister. 

The Good Humor truck would drive around also. We would hear the music, run out of the house, and yell, "Hold it!" Some kids thought it was actually called "Hold it." The Good Humor Man would wear a white uniform. My favorite was the chocolate eclair with a piece of dark chocolate in the middle. I still see Good Humor displays and chocolate eclairs, but I haven't found any with the piece of chocolate inside anymore. 

Sometimes, we would leave the neighborhood for sit-down ice cream. We would either go to Howard Johnson's or Friendly's. For some reason, we loved french fries with our ice cream! I would get a chocolate ice cream soda with coffee ice cream. At Friendly's, my father would get the "Jim Dandy," and when we really splurged, we would get the banana split. When we really wanted to drive further, we would go to Jahn's in Levittown or Farrell's in Massapequa. Matchbook cover from Hicksville Motor Lodge showing Howard Johnson's in the front, located on Old Country Rd. and the Wantagh Parkway

I need to stick with soy ice cream these days, but the memories of those places and flavors remain. Write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your memories of ice cream and ice cream places!

Thanks to HixNews Webmaster Matt Kennedy, Class of 2008, we have these photos of what is in the locations now. Some of the addresses may not match what used to be there, but if you have photos and memories, email us, and we will publish them! 

419 Jerusalem Ave - site of Carvel.   This is also near where the Carvel was located..  Howard Johnson's Location Now in front of an Econolodge-429 Duffy Avenue  Site of Original Baskin Robbins

Credits to:

Ron Wencer, Class of 1964, for locating the matchbook above.

1976-06/02 - Storm/Tornado Damage, Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, NY, by RSB Image Works, Storm/Tornado Damage Hicksville area of Long Island, New York, Nassau County Police Dept., 8th Pct., Wednesday, June 2, 1976, Photography By & ©Robert Berkowitz / RSB Image Works www.RSBImageWorks.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Etcetera for April 2025

Editor's Note: In the February 2025 issue of HixNews, we ran a story about  Walt Staehle, Class of 1972, who needs a kidney, hoping to help get the word out. If you click the link to the article, you can find the contact information if you know someone who can help Walt. We received this update from his classmate:

Hi editor!
I’m just checking in about the article I submitted a few months ago.
It’s the “Walt Needs a Kidney” story in “Misc Articles”
He’s still waiting. He’s in an assisted living facility currently, fighting his numerous health issues. He’s still upbeat, hoping for a miracle. It all comes down to a kidney. That would enable him to go home again, and help his faithful wife Loran with preparing for their retirement move. He’s the kind of guy who gave back his whole life, and will continue to do so for as long as he’s able.
Thanks for reading his story.
Kurt Spielmann

Notes from Readers

Hi,
I graduated from HHS in 1960. My wife (not a HHS grad) and I attended my Class’ 50th reunion. It was a lot of fun and a memorable event. As the years go on, naturally, there are fewer of us left. However, I wonder if enough of the 1960 graduates are left to explore organizing another reunion - perhaps in conjunction with another class or two. Please add me to your mailing list.
Thanks.
Jack Gould, Class of 1960
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Below is a comment we received from a reader. Remember, if you are signed in, you can leave a comment on an article.

* The Battle of Long Island - From Eugene Lewan: "The Antifederalists were worried that the President would be an elected monarch who would develop small groups of secret plotters that would go against the government. They worried that the pardon power and the veto power would be abused. A prophetic appraisal that seems to be playing out right before our eyes".

*Hicksville High School Dedication Centennial - From Eugene Lewan: "Thank you for posting this, Stefanie. I read Ron Wencer’s article and was dismayed that we can be so easily duped by vile organizations and individuals. I’m sure Ron, when writing his article in 2018, wouldn’t have thought these repugnant ideologies would again be bolstered in our community. As a recently retired veteran of the military, I am afraid that this seems to be the course our country is taking. I served to protect the rights of all people. And those rights are human rights. They are applicable worldwide. There is no bravery in persecuting those most vulnerable. There is no honor in violating civil rights. Fear and lies are being used to enflame the ignorant and repress the ideals of our country. Anything that instills hate and bigotry is contemptible. The title of a book by Omar El Akkad sums it up in the title "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This." I hope we wise up and stop being fooled into repeating the past."

* Dr. Giedré Kumpikas - From Eugene Lewan: "What an incredible life story. Thank you for contributing this article, Ron".

In Memoriam

*Edward Zwisler, Class of 1977, passed March 24, 2025

*James "Jimmy" Santos, Class of 1979, submitted by his friend Ray Luisi: He should have been Class of 1979 but he moved to California ( Huntington Beach, CA ). He went to Hicksville Jr. High School, some of HHS and Lee Ave Elementary School, and Dutch Lane for 3rd Grade. Jimmy was the "Keyser Soza" of Long Island. If you mentioned his name, they would say, "I’ve heard of him." Jimmy and I laughed about that all the time. Feel free to tell that story to honor him. He was a true legend.

*Ralph Sirico, Class of 1965, passed March 2025

They are trying to compile the addresses of alumni. Please send your address, regardless of whether you can or cannot go in a Facebook PM, to either of them. Or email Donna Smith Weston at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Janette Teplin-Marvelli at  jani91167@gmail. Classmates who can read this, please post it on your pages as well. If you also are in touch with anyone NOT on FB, reach out to them ASAP! SO looking forward to this wonderful night!

Class of 1975 50th Reunion Updated with Hotel Information

Join us for a special evening where the most popular phrase will be “Remember when…”! Yes! We are celebrating our 50^th anniversary as the class of 1975 from our beloved Hicksville High School. And what a class we were. Come share friendships, laughs, cries and hugs as we travel down memory lane together. How many more opportunities do we have to get together as a class? The realistic answer is not many, that’s why this one is a special one and we ask that we all put our political views aside to secure a very special evening. So, if you’re on the fence about this event…jump off and come celebrate with us!

Editor's Note: Ted Urban posted this on Facebook and gave us permission to post this here.