George Trapp

Incredibly blessed to see another year tick off my personal calendar. Wishing all of the 290 or so of us still above ground a beautiful Christmas or whatever you are celebrating. 
For those of you who were at Chelt Elem or frequented the playground on Asbury Ave, I spoke last week to Dora Bressi Crawford. She was a college student working the playground when I first met her. I was about 8.  She then taught primary grades at Chelt Elem when we were in 5 or 6. 
Over time she became totally blind, relying heavily on her husband Ed. If you are a praying person, Ed is being treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center for ear cancer. They are both around 90.

Also if you were at that playground you might remember Gerhart and Eugene Mounty who lived across the street. They maintained and drove a Model T Ford Flivver . One recently died and the other is not well. Both worked at the Sunoco station owned by the wetherbee family at 5th and Cheltenham Ave on the Phila side.

George Trapp

Adding to yesterday's comment--- when I first met Dora Bressi she was working the playground with Dr Gill. Believe more of you knew Dr Gill as I think he was a principal in Elkins Park , maybe even at the old CHS ? After a couple years Dr Gill left and was replaced by Ed Balchunas ... Mr Bal. If you went to EPJHS you knew Mr Bal. Many happy hours on the playground .
 

Robert Macfarland

I believe Dr. Gill was the superintendent. He lived in Laverock and his son, John Gail was in our class. I lived in Laverock and remember going to Dr. Gill's house on a snowy night a CHS friend and piling snow up on his front porch so he might close the schools in the morning. Didn't work. ☹️

George Trapp

Good thought Bob but should have piled it all at the Duckloe house. Busses drive snow days. In some places like eastern NC school is sometimes cancelled at 2" due to a lack of plows and salting equipment. So many other factors like timing of snowfall also in play. As a kid brain was only wired for the bottom line.

Camp Hill School District only cancels in blizzard conditions. Small borough where all students are within walking distance. Sucks !

Remember the days of hanging on the TV or radio praying that Chelt schools would be closed. What a difference for kids today who can go back to bed or out to play the moment decision posts on the website.

Dr Gill, Mr Bal and the great bulk of our teachers and administrators were really fine people and teachers which helps account for the extraordinary successes that many of the CHS students from the day became.

Barton Solow

It's all true; they were fine folks and provided excellent direction...I can still recall Mr. duckaloe driving his

bus...

Ruth Weisel (Guthrie)

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that Lauren Oldak Howard died last month as a consequence of the glioblastoma brain tumor with which she was diagnosed last December. Her obituary can be found online (Lauren Ruth Howard, Washington, D.C.).  She led a full life and had a distinguished career.  Yet another of our talented classmates gone too soon.

Janet Hoffman

So sorry to hear about Lauren.  She was always so full of life!  We spent a lot  of time together at the Elkins Park Junior High Friday night dance parties, sharing David Fertik as our dance partner.  David thought I was a pretty good dancer but he said that Lauren was amazing - Incredible dance moves and balance.  I couldn't agree more!  What fun we had.  Lauren and I shared a room at our 50th reunion and did a lot of catching up.  That weekend has now become especially precious.  

George Trapp

Very sorry to learn Lauren has passed. Lots of grades and classes together over schooldays. Will be sure to check out her obit.

Lauren Oldak (Howard)

Lauren's obituary can be found at Obituary information for Lauren Ruth Howard.

Glen Howard - Lauren's husband

Tom Israel

There will be a celebration of Lauren Oldak Howard's life on Sunday, March 16th at 3PM at Temple Sinai, 3100 Military Rd, NW Washington, DC. Please email Glen Howard at glenshoward@gmail.com for more information and to advise if you plan to attend. Tom Israel

Jessica Lobel (Kahn)

Tom Brogan died on Tuesday March 4. He was my dear friend. 

His sister Meg is arranging a birthday party plus wake for April 22, which would have been his 80th birthday. It will take place in Alameda, California. 

If you want to write something to be read at that event, contact me and I'll give you Meg's address....

Barbara Brownstein (Schonberger)

I'm so sorry to hear the news about Tom.  I was good friends with him.  Kind of lost touch over the years but never forgot his friendship.

George Roesser

Jessica, my sincerest condolences...Tom was an incredibly memorable person, and I know you stayed in touch with him, all these years. When I read your note, I looked up the original Broadway cast. Led by Helen Hayes, the cast was an All Star Line-Up. I do not remember which "bad guy" Tom was, but on Broadway, Poisen Eddy's partners were Fred Gwynne and Irwin Corey (yes, the Professor!). Tom played the role at CHS brilliantly, and through out his life, he was always an All Star.

Please underline with Tom's family that he was loved and honored by me, and many Cheltenham High School friends. Tom will always be remembered as doing anything to make others happy! Thanks, George 

George Trapp

This is a sad morning for everyone of the Jewish faith and for every true Christian. Unfortunately religious persecution is now and always has been a fact of life. There are nearly 4 million Christians living under persecution every day, but not much here. 
My wish and my prayer is that persecution of Jews, spell that anti semitism, here and worldwide would cease. I state frequently that I do not recognize the USA Today as the country I grew up in.                                                      
In no sense of the word am I liberal. I am sickened by the cold blooded murder of the young Israeli couple in DC last night. The only human justice for the perpetrator would be a back hoe, a ditch and a .308 bullet. This will not happen, but one day he will face the One Righteous Judge.                                                                                 
I am also sickened by the anti semitism I witness on the news as extremely misguided and misled American youth protest on college and university campuses. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, and was crucified a Jew. Every early believer of Jesus was Jewish. It was only by God's grace that Gentiles were granted the opportunity , the invitation to be included in the Faith.                                                                    
Every true Jew and every true Christian ought to be loudly and frequently condemning anti semitism whenever and wherever it appears.                                                                                                                                             
I look forward to your response to this post, whether of not you agree. My next birthday is the big 80. I am far too close to the end of my life on earth to worry about causing offense and realized long ago that criticism or embarrassment will not alter my life or it's length.                                                                                                    

You might find it interesting to find Mark Levin's comments this morning. I listen to him from time to time. In my view , he "gets it".    

Gary Hoffman

George,

Well stated and I fully agree!

More people need to speak out in opposing such disgusting bigotry and anti-semitism!

Gary

Ginger Abrams (Lane)

Thank you George for your post.I appreciate what you wrote. We are living in very frightenong times.

Virginia Webster Hilligoss (Patton)

Thank you George for your message.  I certainly agree.

Joan Rosenau (Tannebaum)

I'm not sure if this has been posted on the website, but Harriet Frankel  Withstanley died unexpectedly  on 7/21/25  We had recently reconnected, and I was able to meet  her for lunch a few times and she had joined my book club. We were goid friends in junior high in high school and she will be very missed. 

Jessica Lobel (Kahn)

So sorry to hear about Harriet.... 

Sunny Ingber (Drohan)

So very sorry to learn about Harriet's unexpected death. I remember her well. 

Robert Macfarland

I am sorry to hear about Harriet.  I reconnected with her many years ago at Bell when she was an attorney supporting our business unit.  A wonderful woman and outstanding attorney.

Daniel Bronson

I was in touch with Harriet on Facebook until a few weeks ago. And I will always remember Chemistry class senior year, when Harriet, Helen Bart and Nancy Ernst were my lab partners. I'm not sure how much we learned, but we had a lot of fun.

Phyllis Redman

Really sorry to hear about Harriet. Such a lovely woman!

Elaine Carmosin (Radbill)

I remember Harriet from our days at shoemaker through to cheltenham. She was always so nice. 

George Trapp

Every one of the 110 or so who were members of our class at one time or another, but are no longer with us , has left a mark. Some marks quite large, others much more modest. Each had family, friends and others in their lives who felt and may still be feeling the loss. Our nation was built on the Judeo-Christian ethic that every life has value. What a blessing to be an American. Allow me to suggest reading Psalm 103 in memory of those who  pre deceased us.