Lorenzen, Arleen Luick

I was a member of the first graduating class ever, at BHS, class of 1956. There were quite a few of us who knew each other from the beginning, in the kindergarten class, at the old Powell Avenue School. I was then Arleen Luick, and knew Robert Schmeiser, Ina Lombardi, Freddy Ippolito, Lucille Perri, Bob and Ed Ceraso, Rosalie Walsh (after first grade). The Broadway School was the first high school.

My dad, Fred C. Luick, worked for Grumman from about 1939 to about 1968. His badge number was 555. He was a mock-up co-ordinator for the LEM moon vehicle. He met all the astronauts, and had their autographed photos in his scrapbook. Those photographs are now in the possession of my son, Jan Karl Lorenzen, who designes aircraft interiors for Jet Blue, and now lives in Greepoint, Brooklyn, in a restored 1800's house. Dad spoke with Dr. Werner Von Braun, as well, in his native tongue. Dad also was foreman in Plant #5 during the WWII, and worked many long hours getting those fighters out. He also worked as foreman in the construction of the hydroplane Dennison. When he retired to Florida, to the Tarpon Springs area, a local newspaper interviewed him right after the moon landing, with the headline, "Local Man Helps Astronauts Reach Moon".

We have many fond memories of the annual Grumman picnic, out east on L. I., where carloads of families ran a gauntlet of gifts being handed into the cars as we approached the picnic grounds. The annual turkey distribution was a big event as well.

Memories of Broadway being lined on both sides by huge trees from about Powell Avenue to the intersection where Broadway met the light and turn towards the new post office is still in my fondest thoughts.

Many of our class played in the marching band, and we wore blue uniforms. Karl Hupprich was our director, and he marched in a white uniform beside us. We loved to hear the Grumman Marching Band (a Navy group?) as they were excellent. The Gold star mothers rode in the big open convertible in the parade. After the parade, we met at the memorial rock at the Powell Avenue school grounds, for prayers and a song by Walter.

Steam trains were always a big event, as you could hear them for miles, whistles blowing. Other memories: postal delivery twice daily, vegetable trucks with fresh goods came around through the streeets. The knife grinder also made weekly trips, clanging his flat bell. The menfolk in the "Hollywood" area, off Stewart Avenue, played bocce on the weekends, children were shooed away. The big carnival set up in the field where a parking lot now stands behind the VFW Hall. I remember when gas was $.25 a gallon, and we could cruise for an afternoon on one dollar.

Information from CPHS Newsletter - September, 2009.