Bob Silverman (Chicago/Springfield, IL/Scottsdale, AZ 59-62, 64, 67) wrote a quick note about The Keylog: “Always look forward to the Spring and Fall editions. They bring back lots of laughs, a few tears, and always a smile. I was hoping to get to the 90th reunion, but my wife had back surgery, and I didn’t think she would have appreciated my leaving. Planning on being there in 10 years. Trying to convince my one grandson to check out CN. Thanks for all you do.” Bob moved from Chicago to Springfield more than four decades ago, along with their then-eight-month-old son. He now splits time between Springfield — where he frequently sees Jamie Myers (Springfield 61, 66) –and Scottsdale.
Sally Lorber Stein and Nardie Stein (St. Louis/Minneapolis/Lake Nebagamon) sent an update on their big move: “In 2018 our children helped us decide that the time had come for us to adapt to the realities of aging and to move closer to one of them. We picked Minneapolis because of its proximity to Euan and Jane Stein Kerr and also its proximity to Lake Nebagamon. Though we sorely miss our St. Louis roots, we have been happy in our new home, even when snowbound part of the winter. We have a roomy apartment in a small (90 units) senior facility in Minneapolis—the Waters on 50th,. It is in an attractive urban setting, provides excellent programming, cultural and fitness opportunities, and we have found some fine new friends here. Our exodus to our Lake Nebagamon home remains the same. We plan to be there from mid-May to early October.”
The Keylog obtained a letter from school directors at Blake School in Minneapolis announcing the official retirement of Frank Sachs (St. Louis/Apple Valley, MN 62-65, 68-99, 07). It included the following: “Frank’s departure marks the end of 37 years of remarkable commitment to the Blake community, during which he also held numerous local, state and national professional leadership roles. Frank joined Blake in 1982 and has worn many hats, including athletic coach, Upper School Counselor, Assistant Upper School Director, Director of College Counseling, Forum Co-chair, and Quiz Bowl Coach. But he reports he has cherished his time in the social studies classroom the most, teaching Constitutional Studies, AP Government and U.S. History electives. In recent years, he has rediscovered a zeal for the Founding Fathers, attending the Gilder Lehrman Institutes at Mount Vernon and in New York City for the past two summers. Frank’s deep well of guest speakers, authentic learning projects and expert understanding of U.S. politics have galvanized our students and deepened connections within and beyond the department.”
Dan Polster (Shaker Heights, OH 62-66), a federal district court judge in Cleveland, Ohio since 1998, recently corresponded with Nardie and Sally Stein about his current role overseeing Multidistrict Litigation (a special federal legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling complex cases) brought by cities, counties and Native American tribes against the manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids. “The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, comprised of seven judges, decides whether to create an MDL by consolidating for pretrial case management a number of similar cases before judges around the country,” he wrote, “At the end of 2017 when they created the Opioid MDL there were about 100 cases; there are now more than 1700. My colleagues asked me to take this assignment, most likely because Ohio is in the epicenter of the opioid epidemic and I had previously handled a large MDL. While I knew it would be incredibly difficult, I said yes. I was raised to believe that not succeeding is not failing, but not trying is.” Be seated.
Back in December 2017, Randy Haspel (Memphis 58-61) posted a couple of old photos on Facebook that featured him and Bob Simon (Memphis/Willits, CA 59-63, 67, 70) playing guitars and singing in front of a camp audience during a GTC (see photo at right). Randy added a note: “1st gig with Bob Simon (the encore) 1959. Photo discovered in the archives of Camp Nebagamon. I was 11, Bob was 10.” A year later, Randy posted a photo of former GTC singing-and-strumming duo Bud Herzog and Al Goldman standing in front of the rec hall. He wrote (to Bud), “Hello Zog. I never forgot you. I’ve had a career in music because I heard you and Alan Goldman sing ‘Play Shrine.’”
Bud became an insurance broker. Alan became a pediatrician. But Haspel and Simon? They became a songwriting duo at the heart of a garage band called Randy and the Radiants (Randy on guitar and lead vocals; Bob on rhythm guitar). They were signed by Sam Phillips at Sun Records (who had launched Elvis Presley’s career), recorded their first single in 1965, and even opened for the Dave Clark Five at the Mid-South Coliseum. Their second single, “My Way of Thinking,” became a #1 hit for WGMN in Memphis before Randy and the Radiants disbanded. The old band later reunited and remained active until 1985, its last gig being an appearance at the Hard Rock Café in New York.
Randy started his own music publishing company and has continued to write and play music, publishing over 250 songs. He airs two radio programs in Memphis. Bob’s songwriting career has included penning tunes for Reba McIntyre, notably “What Am I Going to Do About You.” And it all started with a GTC in the Northwoods. Take a listen to “My Way of Thinking” here.