WAPO Article on Harriet Fridkin (12/8/'17)

This is a powerful article about Jerry Fridkin's wife, Harriet and her loyal friends.  Allison Klein, This sick woman’s friends have kept their promise to visit her every day — for 21 years and counting (WAPO 12/7/17), here.

From the opening:

It’s been 40 years since Harriet Fridkin has had full use of her body. Multiple Sclerosis slowly has seized her, leaving her unable to move any part of herself except her head. So, five nights a week in her Potomac, Md. home, Fridkin, 75, plays gracious host to her friends. They arrive to visit, always on schedule, sometimes to give her a therapeutic massage, sometimes to feed her, sometimes to unload about their day and get her time-tested advice for an hour or two. 

It’s been this way for 21 years. 

“I like to talk to people,” said Fridkin, her voice softer than it used to be. “If people have problems I like to help solve them.” 

Her friends, who have called themselves “Harriet’s Harem” since 1996, have created a support group remarkable in its loyalty and longevity. A calendar goes out once a month, each day is assigned to a friend, and there’s never a day that’s left open.

There's also a picture of Harriet and Jerry on their wedding day.

Tribute Booklet for Myron C. ("Mike") Baum (6/1/15)

In going through some old files, I found the tribute booklet for Mike Baum and share it in pdf format with the alumni.  The booklet is here.

The contributors are (in order presented):

Robert M. Baum
John F. Murray
Edie & David Tael
Sheldon S. Cohen
Fred B. Ugast
Herbert N. Beller
Claire Fallon
Griffin B. Bell (letter of 8/7/79)
Nancy Stanley
Cathy Livingston
Tom Troyer
Stan Krysa
Mortimer Caplin
Carleton Powell
Leonard Van Slyke
Beth Kaufman
Thad Williams
Cecilia Sqarlata
Shirley Peterson

Team Feffer Fundraiser for Parkinsons (9/18/13)

I received the communication below from Monique Yingling, Jerry Feffer's widow, regarding fundraising to honor Jerry in the Parkinson's Walk.  I thought Alumni might be interested in the information:

Dear Family and Friends, 

As you know, I lost my beloved husband and Andy, Johnny and Casey’s devoted father, Jerry, to complications from Parkinson’s disease earlier this year.  Parkinson’s is a cruel and devastating illness, and currently there is no cure.  For the last two years, Jerry participated in the annual Washington, D.C. Parkinson’s Walk and he worked tirelessly to help raise awareness and critical funds to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, education and outreach.  Many of you supported him in this effort by walking with him, contributing to Team Feffer or both.  Jerry was so proud that for the first two years of the Walk, Team Feffer was the top fundraiser, raising more than $60,000 each year. Andy, Johnny, Casey and I wish to carry on Jerry’s work to find a cure for Parkinson’s by participating in the Washington, D.C. Moving Day Walk for 2013, and we have registered Team Feffer in loving memory of Jerry. Jerry’s law firm, William’s & Connolly, made an extraordinarily generous gift to the Parkinson Foundation in memory of Jerry, and the top fundraiser at the Walk will be recognized in Jerry’s name.  

This year, the Washington, D.C. Moving Day Walk will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Nationals Park.  I hope you can walk with Team Feffer at this event.  If not, you can support Team Feffer by making a tax-deductible contribution.  If you plan to attend the Walk and join our team, click on the following link (Join team).  If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation please use the following link (Donate Team).  If you would prefer you can make your contribution by check payable to the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area. 

Mail the check to my attention (Monique Yingling) at
3000 Garrison Street, NW
Washington DC 20008
Please be sure to put Team Feffer in the Memo field on the check. 

We all miss Jerry terribly, but are determined to honor his memory by carrying on the important work to which he was so devoted. Please support me in honoring Jerry in this way. Your tax-deductible gift makes a difference in the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s through research and makes a difference to Andy, Johnny, Casey and me personally.   

For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation and its work, please visit www.parkinson.org. For information about the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area and its services, please visit www.parkinsonfoundation.org. 

Sincerely, 

Monique

Abraham Zapruder Film of President Kennedy Assassination (1/13/13)

Many of the alumni will remember Henry Zapruder who died in 2006.  I came across this article on the famous film footage his father, Abraham, made of President Kennedy's assassination and thought some of the alumni might be interested.

Alex Pasternak, The Other Shooter: The Saddest and Most Expensive 26 Seconds of Amateur Film Ever Made (Motherboard 11/23/12), here.