Memories of ‘The Kluggers’
Milton Mintz was kind enough to send me the accompanyingphoto that I found especially interesting and which brought back so many memories to me. First of all, Milton addressed the picture of “The Kluggers” to “Dear Rene (High Command)” — which was what my hubby, Jimmy Wisch, called me. I always enjoyed the salutation because if there ever was a high command in the Wisch household, it was Jimmy. He was our kingpin and, willingly and lovingly, our lord and master. I think Jimmy had three loves in his life: his family, the TJP, and his poker game and buddies, “The Kluggers.” In case you’ve never heard of “The Kluggers,” it was a group of diehard poker players that, close to 60 years ago, got together weekly to test their luck and play the game.
Most times my memory is better than my forgettery, and yet there are always other times when there’s a blank in what I remember and what I would like to remember. But I do recollect some of the old-timers that played in the early days of “The Kluggers.” They’re all gone now but I do recall the late Jake “Pop” Gachman, Jake Luskey, Abe Applebaum, Ernest Friedson, George Weinstein, Sam Laves, Morris Antweil, Doc Antweil, Sidney Raimey, Irv Leva, Sid Klemow, Gary Baum, Allen Klotzman, Louis Luskey, Max Shapiro and Gary Luskey. Then there are those who for one reason or another have dropped out of the game: Irv Robinson, Milton Hamill, and Shuggie Cohen. Bernie Appel, among others, fills in every once in a while. In the meantime, “The Kluggers” become history each week at host Milton Mintz’s Franklin Park abode; along with veteran player Paul Nudleman, David Beckerman, Al Sankary, Mike Singer, David Canter and Easer Rovinsky participate.
And I know, inadvertently, I’ve missed a few good guys!
Designer eyewear show comes to Fort Worth
On Sunday, Aug. 30 from noon until 4 p.m. you will have the opportunity to be up close and personal with famous designers like Anne Klein, Ferragamo, Prada, Versace and many others when Congregation Ahavath Sholom, in conjunction with Pearle Vision, hosts its premier Eyewear Trunk Show. Event Chair Alex Nason points out, “This will be a great opportunity for the Fort Worth community to see the latest styles of eyewear from the industry’s top designers all in one place. With hundreds of frames on display there will be something for everyone at a variety of price points.” Trunk Show special offers include $50 off complete pairs of prescription glasses and — for the kids — a complete pair of Nickelodeon kids’ glasses (frame and single-vision plastic lenses) for the unbelievably low price of only $99.
“The timing of the Trunk Show couldn’t be better,” adds Co-Chair Debby Rice. “As parents prepare to send their children back to school, new glasses often top the list of things to buy. The Eyewear Trunk Show will be one-stop shopping for glasses for the whole family.”
Eyewear professionals will be on hand to help with the selection and fitting of glasses, and refreshments will be available. Nason and Rice agree that “there is value to the community in providing this service especially at this time of year.” Pearle Vision agrees and is donating 20 percent of the profits earned at the event back to Congregation Ahavath Sholom. Stop by and see how buying new glasses can be fun, economical and of benefit to the community all at the same time.
For questions, call Congregation Ahavath Sholom at 817-731-4721.
More sign up for ‘Daytimers’ trip to Winstar Casino
The “Daytimers” are heading to Winstar Casino, Wednesday, Aug. 19, in a luxurious restroom-equipped bus. The bus will load at the Beth-El Congregation parking lot at 7:45 a.m. and depart at 8. The group has far passed the minimum 40, and is getting close to the 55 limit for the bus. Cost is only $5 per person and must be paid in advance.
Announced last week were Mark Abramowitz, Adele Arensberg, Bob Clemmer, Abe and Lee Cohen, Ellie Cooper, Roberta Corder, Yetta Gresky, Shirley Herman, Ted and Rita Hoffman, Alex Hoffman, Cookie Kaftan, Peter and Carmen Lederman, Rosanne and Bill Margolis, Peggy Norris, Sandy Richard, Rosalyn Rosenthal, Barbara Rubin, Seyman Rubinson, Rosalie Schwartz, Howard and Laura Seltzer, Ina Singer, LeRoy and Rhoda Solomon, Fanette Sonkin and Sonja Stein. New attendees include Bettye Baccus, Kaylynn Dubinsky, Mimi and Hal Klotz, Sheryl Levy, Roz Micklin, Sal and Vicky Mitrani, Evelyne Neimand, Esther Rosen, Danny Russakov, Rose Sankary, Dr. Louis Schultz and Carol Schwartz.
The group will board the bus to return at about 4 p.m. Information that is required in advance for bus manifest is: Name (as it appears on your driver’s license), Address, Phone, Date of Birth, and Do You have a Winstar Player’s Card?
For reservations, call Barbara Rubin, 817-927-2736, or Sylvia Wexler, 817-294-1129, or $5 checks can be mailed to Daytimers, Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
The Sylvia Wolens “Daytimers” is a program of Congregation Beth-El with financial support from the Jewish Federation.
News and notes
Annette and Mitchell Smith and daughters Melanie and Courtney are just back from a fabulous Hawaiian vacation. It’s good news that Harry Kahn’s sister, Annie, a Chicago resident and frequent visitor here, is recuperating after her recent illness. Harry and pal Rich Hollander postponed their trip to Israel for after the High Holy Days so that Harry could be with Annie in Chicago. It couldn’t happen to nicer people than grandparents Suzie and Ben Herman and great-grandmother Gerry Brown, walking on air since the birth of twins, Lillian and Asher, to their children, Sean and Sarah Herman of Dallas. Carmen and Pia Lederman are thrilled with the birth of their grandson Joseph Paul Rodriquez, who delighted his parents with his arrival on June 5. Joseph Paul weighed in at a just-right 7 lbs. 4 oz. Rabbi Baruch and Graciela Zeilicovich shared their annual vacation retreat in Aruba with their parents, Mrs. Clara Zeilicovich of Israel and Argentineans Isaac and Carlota Lev-Vainstein. Anniversary couples who came in for recognition at Shabbat services at Ahavath Shalom last week included Shirley and Earl Givant, Rita and Ted Hoffman, Marian and Julian Haber and Lee and Abe Cohen. Mazel tov to all!
