“Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine?” ~ Mitch Albom

Last week, I was saddened to learn of the passing of a most cherished teacher, mentor and friend, Mr. Elsesser - “Harry” as he signed the yearly Christmas cards we exchanged. They say that some people leave footprints on your heart… this was most certainly true of the man who took me under his wing way back in 4th grade, and helped me to soar to new heights I never thought possible.

Rosemarie Kupencow – “Rosie,” as I always affectionately called her – was the very first friend I made when I started working here at South Bay’s Neighbor Newspapers, just about 11 years ago. The resident proofreader, she introduced herself to me right away, and made sure I felt welcome in this new, unfamiliar setting, showing me the ins and outs of the newspaper she had come to call home for close to a decade at that point.

May God always watch over you (me too). Be careful, and always be good.
Love You, Your Pal Forever
Grandpa
P.S. Did not cheat!

…An excerpt from the inscription my Grandpa, my “Pal,” wrote in the pages of my senior high school yearbook, after some gentle, good-natured prodding that, after all, he couldn’t always just leave these things to Grandma.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

So the saying goes, and so the sentiment is reinforced every time news is received of the untimely passing of a loved one, friend, or even a celebrity or complete stranger. You just never know what goes on beneath the façade. Especially in this day and age of social media and what some might consider too much “sharing,” it is striking to note that the public profile rarely matches the internal struggle for many.

Goodbyes are never easy. In fact, they may be among the most difficult tasks we are forced to contend with in life, as we become so used to having those we love surround us, as a part of our world. And when they leave, well, that world comes crumbling down.

They say you shouldn’t write when you’re angry. But I am angry. Angry that a beautiful girl with a promising future was taken so suddenly and senselessly from us by the stupidity and carelessness of another human being. Angry that all the hope and promise that came with her graduation from high school just two days earlier vanished in the blink of an eye. And completely devastated by the fact that I knew this girl personally.

Almost exactly five years ago, in February of 2006, Lillian Nolin announced her retirement as the Editor of South Bay’s Neighbor Newspapers, or “South Bay News,” as she still fondly referred to it. I remember the day that she “gave notice” to me, an editorial assistant about 60 years her junior who had only begun working at the paper myself less than a year earlier – one of those “moments” destined to forever shape your life, whether you realize it or not at the time.

How do you encapsulate an entire life, in a column? It was something Ed Lowe did every single week, for years. Somehow, amidst the details, the quotes, the anecdotes – at times touching, at times humorous – he managed to boil it all down to the essence of the person. He was a master storyteller, in a class all his own.

“Forever”
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom and make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. Some people stay in our lives awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” – Flavia

I normally don't write profiles. I guess because, outside of the subject's immediate circle, there are relatively few whose stories are compelling enough to be worthy of the attention of the general public. With that qualifier, allow me to introduce: Albert Capraro, Lindenhurst High School Class of 1961, Bicentennial Designer of the Year for 1976, and personal designer of choice to none other than First Lady Betty Ford. I'd say his story has mass appeal, wouldn't you?

Lillian Nolin, columnist, editor and news writer for South Bay's “Neighbor” Newspaper is retiring after 33 years at the paper and 65 years in the field of journalism. How grateful am I that my brief time here overlapped with hers. How fortunate am I to have been exposed to a true “original,” in every sense of the word.

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article in tribute to my Uncle Al. It was published on November 16th. On Sunday, November 20th, Uncle Al passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. A copy of my column hung on the bulletin board in the hospital room.

People often ask me where I find the inspiration for my weekly columns. Often, I will write about a person of great significance to me, a recent memorable event, or sometimes just a random thought that seems at once entertaining and/or newsworthy. And then there is this column, written by special request, for my Uncle Al.

Every now and then, a person will come along who manages to touch your life in some indescribable way.  

Mr. Lee Paseltiner is one of those people. He retired in June of 2004 after teaching Advanced Placement Biology at Lindenhurst High School for 47 years.