Happy Birthdays! That can't be a recent picture?! Wendy, you look the same as the day I met you in, hmmm, '96 (ish), and great as usual.
You probably don't know what a wonderful influence you've been on my life so I'll go on for a bit here. You taught me about family, tradition, child (teen) rearing, and staying active, among many other things. You still come up in conversation with my husband (and 8-month old!) and my parents, who remain grateful for you all having been part of my life during the formative college years. By the way, I'm a full fledged tennis player now - we play a few times a week. Couldn't teach my old-dog husband new volleyball tricks so I switched. You're lucky to have such a wonderful husband and David and Laura are gems. I miss you all. Enjoy your big year...
Cheers!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
From Joel Pett
Hi, I'm Joel Pett. Stuart and I worked on a series of "educational" materials back in the seventies. Strictly propaganda. Stuff like energy conservation and political science. The energy stuff was particularly effective, and we're both very proud of how Indiana and America have embraced the concept in the ensuing decades.
Stu was the writer, and I was the artist. Among the material we cranked out was a full-length comic book on, believe it or not, global warming (this was 1975 or so) I have waited thirty-three years to divulge that it was STUART LAZARUS who asked me to draw in the marijuana references, the roach clips, the hemp plants, all that stuff. I would never have done it on my own, nor would any cartoonist of that era. It was Stuart. Stuart Lazarus. Somebody call homeland security. Or Cheney. Or Brownie. Somebody please call somebody. Thanks so much for letting me get this off my chest. My apologies to all the Indiana secondary students who apparently went on to get so high all the time they forgot to conserve energy.
joel pett
ps--happy birthday
Stu was the writer, and I was the artist. Among the material we cranked out was a full-length comic book on, believe it or not, global warming (this was 1975 or so) I have waited thirty-three years to divulge that it was STUART LAZARUS who asked me to draw in the marijuana references, the roach clips, the hemp plants, all that stuff. I would never have done it on my own, nor would any cartoonist of that era. It was Stuart. Stuart Lazarus. Somebody call homeland security. Or Cheney. Or Brownie. Somebody please call somebody. Thanks so much for letting me get this off my chest. My apologies to all the Indiana secondary students who apparently went on to get so high all the time they forgot to conserve energy.
joel pett
ps--happy birthday
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
From Peggy Pizzo
Dear Wendy,
Happy birthday! And happy birthday to Stu as well.
I can't believe you're turning 60 -- -- you've always seemed the least 10 years younger than me -- -- full of vitality, verve and figah. Clearly you have what the Chinese call "good chi" -- -- which means you should be around and involved with us for many decades to come. Hooray!
I remember well when I first met you, Wendy. It was probably around 1977, when the very first iteration of the Children's Defense Fund was being launched in Washington, DC by the likes of Wendy Lazarus, Harley Frankel and some other fabulous souls. Children's Defense Fund was housed in this narrow old townhouse right off of Dupont Circle -- -- which was then the at the center for public interest do-gooders who had come to Washington in the 60s and 70s to influence policy and make the world a better place.
Of course, little did I know when I first met Wendy just how much she was going to go on to influence policy and help millions of children have better lives. I should have guessed because you seemed so smart and dedicated, Wendy, from the very first moment that I met you -- -- and yet not in the least bit pretentious. I felt at ease with you from the very beginning of our initial conversations -- -- and I suspect that's how many of your friends felt right from the start with you. You were always the kind and generous colleague and I learned a lot from you during our years together in Washington.
I think one of the things I liked about you from the beginning was your really dry sense of humor and your strong loyalty to your friends. I'm glad for that characteristic, because when that sad day came and you and Harley had to move out of town, first halfway across the country and then clear across the country, I was so glad that we could continue to stay in touch. The times I was able to visit you in Santa Monica were fantastic and I watched with amazement as you juggled the raising of two fabulous youngsters -- -- Laura and David -- -- with your continuing commitment to helping disadvantaged children through policy and advocacy.
Of course, one of the ways I've kept up with your successes is through Harley's periodic e-mail updates in which he lets me and about 2500 other people know about your latest accomplishment, honor or recognition and continued momentum on behalf of kids and families! And I'm really glad he does this because I know you're far too modest to tell us yourself.
I greatly admire, Wendy, how you have stayed so dedicated to your own core goals. It's not easy to stay involved in child advocacy for so many years -- -- there's so many struggles and losses and setbacks along the way. But you've done it -- -- and created a thriving family and sustained a whole network of friends who care about you simultaneously. Not a bad accomplishment for your first 60 years!
Many thanks for your friendship and I look forward to seeing you and being in good communication with you in the years ahead.
Happy birthday! And happy birthday to Stu as well.
I can't believe you're turning 60 -- -- you've always seemed the least 10 years younger than me -- -- full of vitality, verve and figah. Clearly you have what the Chinese call "good chi" -- -- which means you should be around and involved with us for many decades to come. Hooray!
I remember well when I first met you, Wendy. It was probably around 1977, when the very first iteration of the Children's Defense Fund was being launched in Washington, DC by the likes of Wendy Lazarus, Harley Frankel and some other fabulous souls. Children's Defense Fund was housed in this narrow old townhouse right off of Dupont Circle -- -- which was then the at the center for public interest do-gooders who had come to Washington in the 60s and 70s to influence policy and make the world a better place.
Of course, little did I know when I first met Wendy just how much she was going to go on to influence policy and help millions of children have better lives. I should have guessed because you seemed so smart and dedicated, Wendy, from the very first moment that I met you -- -- and yet not in the least bit pretentious. I felt at ease with you from the very beginning of our initial conversations -- -- and I suspect that's how many of your friends felt right from the start with you. You were always the kind and generous colleague and I learned a lot from you during our years together in Washington.
I think one of the things I liked about you from the beginning was your really dry sense of humor and your strong loyalty to your friends. I'm glad for that characteristic, because when that sad day came and you and Harley had to move out of town, first halfway across the country and then clear across the country, I was so glad that we could continue to stay in touch. The times I was able to visit you in Santa Monica were fantastic and I watched with amazement as you juggled the raising of two fabulous youngsters -- -- Laura and David -- -- with your continuing commitment to helping disadvantaged children through policy and advocacy.
Of course, one of the ways I've kept up with your successes is through Harley's periodic e-mail updates in which he lets me and about 2500 other people know about your latest accomplishment, honor or recognition and continued momentum on behalf of kids and families! And I'm really glad he does this because I know you're far too modest to tell us yourself.
I greatly admire, Wendy, how you have stayed so dedicated to your own core goals. It's not easy to stay involved in child advocacy for so many years -- -- there's so many struggles and losses and setbacks along the way. But you've done it -- -- and created a thriving family and sustained a whole network of friends who care about you simultaneously. Not a bad accomplishment for your first 60 years!
Many thanks for your friendship and I look forward to seeing you and being in good communication with you in the years ahead.
Friday, January 16, 2009
From John Cunningham
Hard to imagine Stu is 60 years old.
It seems just a short while ago that I met "young Stuart" in his freshman year at Union College. Early in his first term, Stu strategically decided to develop his running and pool shooting skills at the expense of his academic studies. As a long range planner, he clearly knew that forty years later his running capabilities would equip him well for his current responsibilities!
I'll leave it to Stu to tell anyone interested how he developed his pool skills, but I feel its appropriate to expose the roots of Stu's running expertise.
While it would be natural to assume that Stu took the conventional path of joining and working out with the college cross country team, it would also be wrong. Like alot of things about Stu, nothing is simple. In fact, Stu preferred to take another path...he would take any "dare" from his fellow students to "prove" his capabilities. In this case, Stu took a dare to run naked in 10 degree weather over an improvised half-mile course to demonstrate he was "the man". To this day Stu still holds the "naked - running record" at Union so I guess he is still "the man". However, his immediate reward was a painful case of frost bite.
As you can imagine, Stu took quite a bit of ribbing from his classmates....but nothing compared to the harrassment he took about his pool game.....ask Stu to tell you about these experiences, I'm sure he'll be delighted to tell you all about it.
Happy Birthday Stu and Wendy. I wish you good health and 60 more birthdays.
It seems just a short while ago that I met "young Stuart" in his freshman year at Union College. Early in his first term, Stu strategically decided to develop his running and pool shooting skills at the expense of his academic studies. As a long range planner, he clearly knew that forty years later his running capabilities would equip him well for his current responsibilities!
I'll leave it to Stu to tell anyone interested how he developed his pool skills, but I feel its appropriate to expose the roots of Stu's running expertise.
While it would be natural to assume that Stu took the conventional path of joining and working out with the college cross country team, it would also be wrong. Like alot of things about Stu, nothing is simple. In fact, Stu preferred to take another path...he would take any "dare" from his fellow students to "prove" his capabilities. In this case, Stu took a dare to run naked in 10 degree weather over an improvised half-mile course to demonstrate he was "the man". To this day Stu still holds the "naked - running record" at Union so I guess he is still "the man". However, his immediate reward was a painful case of frost bite.
As you can imagine, Stu took quite a bit of ribbing from his classmates....but nothing compared to the harrassment he took about his pool game.....ask Stu to tell you about these experiences, I'm sure he'll be delighted to tell you all about it.
Happy Birthday Stu and Wendy. I wish you good health and 60 more birthdays.
From Susan Rothstein
Wendy, Our time together at Children Now seems of another lifetime. You and Laurie were the best part of that era for me - I consider you both to be lifelong friends, even though our paths don't cross often these days. I'm trying to think of a funny story but all I can come up with is how you and Harley used to hide the junk food from David and Laura - only to bring it out after they were in bed. How bad is that?? But otherwise, you are a person of great integrity and I can't wait to see what you do with the next 60 years!
From Swati
Wendy, I just can't believe you are almost 60. You are so youthful. I just know it's all that chocolate you ate for the first 55 years. I feel so blessed to have you as a friend and loved the years we worked together at Children Now. Those were truly great days. I want you to know how much of the work I do in Oregon has been influenced by your mentoring. I learned so much from you and respect your commitment and hard work to making things better for children. It looks like the issue to which you've devoted decades -- making sure all kids have health coverage -- will happen soon with Obama as President and wouldn't it be something if it happens in your birthday month. It would be fitting.
I hope your birthday is absolutely magical and I hope you throw all practicality aside (from one Capricorn to another) and stop working so hard and treat yourself to as extended a celebration as possible and please make sure to have lots of champagne and chocolate.
Thanks for all you've taught me Wendy about work and motherhood. I treasure our friendship.
Lots of love and birthday wishes,
Swati
I hope your birthday is absolutely magical and I hope you throw all practicality aside (from one Capricorn to another) and stop working so hard and treat yourself to as extended a celebration as possible and please make sure to have lots of champagne and chocolate.
Thanks for all you've taught me Wendy about work and motherhood. I treasure our friendship.
Lots of love and birthday wishes,
Swati
Thursday, January 15, 2009
From Tim Hodson
There once was a girl called Wendy
Who should have been called Shorty
With her sparkling eyes
She won Harley the prize
And off they went off to Cincy.
Wendy the Ohio dynamo
Meet Ruth and ice cream jamoca.
Then the coast beckoned
Woof got fed chicken
And both wound up in Sacto
But I got the double prize
For with Ruth’s love in my eyes
Came Harley and Shorty
Bagels and walks beachy
All great good friends and allies
Excluded from sisterhood hikes
Harley and I smile alike
With news and Bulgars
Under Tahoe bowers
Till our true loves come down the pike
So Happy Birthday Wendy
I am a poet so windy
Tis time to stop now
Ere I to the hoosegow
I’m sent for crimes poetry
Who should have been called Shorty
With her sparkling eyes
She won Harley the prize
And off they went off to Cincy.
Wendy the Ohio dynamo
Meet Ruth and ice cream jamoca.
Then the coast beckoned
Woof got fed chicken
And both wound up in Sacto
But I got the double prize
For with Ruth’s love in my eyes
Came Harley and Shorty
Bagels and walks beachy
All great good friends and allies
Excluded from sisterhood hikes
Harley and I smile alike
With news and Bulgars
Under Tahoe bowers
Till our true loves come down the pike
So Happy Birthday Wendy
I am a poet so windy
Tis time to stop now
Ere I to the hoosegow
I’m sent for crimes poetry
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
From Ned Van Woert
Somewhere I have a college pic of Stu "turtling". I can't find it, but it's probably embarassing enough just to mention it. One night at UCol Stu and I drove back from skiing, listening to "Best of Cream", only to discover when we got to our apartment that we'd never secured the skis in the ski rack. After 1.5 hours @ 70 mph miraculously the skis were still there! In our senior year, we joined Mr. & Mrs. Lazarus to celebrate Wendy & Stu's 21st birthday in New Haven. We went to a performance where a guy was playing very "psychedelic" Ravie Shankar-type music on this giant sitar. After about 20 minutes, Chuck leaned over to me, nodded to the performer, and whispered "don't ever get like that!" Stu and Wendy -- 39 years later, happy birthday!
Monday, January 12, 2009
From Deborah Ellwood
Dearest Wendell,
It's been 15 years (!) since we did our last Children Now Report Card together but you still make the grade with me:
Smarts -- A
Savvy -- A
Strategic Thinking -- A
Sense of Humor -- A
Kindness and Class -- A++
I was a freshly minted policy wonk and you set me on my way. Thank you!
It was wonderful to catch up in the Pittsburgh airport last year.
All the best to you and Stuart.
Much love,
Debby-Lou and Andy
And special hugs from Ned and Logan, the adorable boys you know only from pictures
It's been 15 years (!) since we did our last Children Now Report Card together but you still make the grade with me:
Smarts -- A
Savvy -- A
Strategic Thinking -- A
Sense of Humor -- A
Kindness and Class -- A++
I was a freshly minted policy wonk and you set me on my way. Thank you!
It was wonderful to catch up in the Pittsburgh airport last year.
All the best to you and Stuart.
Much love,
Debby-Lou and Andy
And special hugs from Ned and Logan, the adorable boys you know only from pictures
From Meg Herman
Very Best wishes Stuart and Wendy!
As January 11th, 2009 draws to a close, and you both enter your 61st year of life, I feel I must reveal myself and share well wishes.
Stuart and I met online in late 2004. From that very first e-mail, I was drawn to his energy, wit and enthusiasm. Our mostly electronic relationship continued until... 2006, when we began meeting in central ohio coffee shops, primarily in Lima and Columbus, chosen usually for the strength of the wireless signal and the brew. Our relationship blossomed! We now sometimes even meet for a wacky "healty carb" runner lunch.
Am I the other woman?
No, yet, from that very first Run to Remember E-Mail in 2004, I understood that Stuart was a truly special person.
Today, I know Stuart as mentor, teacher, boss, running consultant, stand in dad, and thankfully, friend. I have grown used to the fact that he arrives for every appointment 15-30 minutes early! And daily, I am inspired by his dedication to hospice care and his tenacious attention to building Run to Remember into a premier athletic fundraising force. And with you, Stuart, it will "get wings".
Stuart, thank you for sharing your passion, creativity, patience, generosity, ZEST, professionalism, and dedication with me. You are a gift to me and to all who know you.
As January 11th, 2009 draws to a close, and you both enter your 61st year of life, I feel I must reveal myself and share well wishes.
Stuart and I met online in late 2004. From that very first e-mail, I was drawn to his energy, wit and enthusiasm. Our mostly electronic relationship continued until... 2006, when we began meeting in central ohio coffee shops, primarily in Lima and Columbus, chosen usually for the strength of the wireless signal and the brew. Our relationship blossomed! We now sometimes even meet for a wacky "healty carb" runner lunch.
Am I the other woman?
No, yet, from that very first Run to Remember E-Mail in 2004, I understood that Stuart was a truly special person.
Today, I know Stuart as mentor, teacher, boss, running consultant, stand in dad, and thankfully, friend. I have grown used to the fact that he arrives for every appointment 15-30 minutes early! And daily, I am inspired by his dedication to hospice care and his tenacious attention to building Run to Remember into a premier athletic fundraising force. And with you, Stuart, it will "get wings".
Stuart, thank you for sharing your passion, creativity, patience, generosity, ZEST, professionalism, and dedication with me. You are a gift to me and to all who know you.
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