Donald Brian Long:  

Life Pet: believe it or not, my "daughter's" skunk, Toni (lives with me) ! I take care of it during the week, my daughter has the pleasure of that duty on the weekends and school breaks (Momma can't tolerate it !) Actually one of the best pets I have ever had - its a Cat/Dog ! Kids: 2 ,son 23 - shock value but brilliant,studying for real estate rep license while working inbound customer service co.; daughter almost 17 - NASCAR and adopted "red-neck rebel", black belt in karate (we spend a lot of time watchin' the races. Took her to Daytona Pepsi 400 last year). Included some of my bio with profile, but: I was born in Johnson City, New York. We moved just outside Binghamton to Chenango Bridge when I was 5 into an already 50 -80(?) yr old farm house. Fond memories with dogs, cats, snow, coal, vegetable gardens, girlfriend from second grade on, long walks, hiking the hills, halloweens, christmases. Too much detail for this space. Moved to Fort Lauderdale in '57 due to Grandfather's quest to move his electrical wholesale business to Florida, by buying the assets of McDonald Distributors. I attended South Side and North Side Elementaries. Hated South, loved North, 6th grade teacher Mrs. Anderson my favorite. Remember: Freezing waiting for the bus both ways the year temp went down to 30 degrees, and they decided to cancel school after I got there; principals office for imitating Curly Joe out in the hallway during some other class! Attended Sunrise Jr. High; remembering "accelerated" classes: Mr.Ball's English and political science (communism and the Cuban Crisis); Mr. Weatherhead's Science; Spanish and welcoming mexican Jorge to school; and especially starting with Jr. Theater extracurricular activities. Musical Theater played a big role in my life from Jr. High through Sr. High and into college years. Mostly summers but it shaped my avocational life forever. Participated in Lil Abner, Calamity Jane, Carousel, and My Fair Lady productions. Found and retained great friends from that community to this day. Sr. High years pretty much covered in profile. (Oh yeah, our graduation in '66 was delayed due to an early hurricane!) Strong participation and learning in teenage Kirksingers at First Presbyterian of Ft.Laud under direction of Richard & Charlotte Mitten. led to touring and solos with the select Kirksinger group and eventually to college at Westminster Choir College. While I was interested in a performance degree, the best available at the time was Bachelor of Music Education. Remembering great experiences in the choirs singing with Leopold Stokowski, William Steinberg, Leonard Bernstein, Loren Mazel, and other greats! As told in my profile, joined the family business after college, but also participate in Musical Theater of Broward County and directed the Boys Club Chorus in the summers during and after college. Dad and Uncle ended up running the business after Gramps (Sr) had a massive stroke. Expanded the business from one to five houses while I immersed myself in running and developing computer and informations systems for the business. My cousin and I understudied and were to take over the business. The dad's just could not quit and they retained so much experience. The business succumbed to multiple competitive and financial pressures. I went into a forced retirement and have survived well on a fixed income while singing and consulting free lance up to now. Living in Lake Worth trying to keep a nice house. Of course for more details you can always check out my AOL hometown sites and soon a myspace will have more interesting things to offer. (spelling and corrections later.. geesh!) 5-21-07 School HS: Fort Lauderdale Flying "L's" ! I have gone to the yearbooks more so in the last 5 years than ever before. Attended both of the last two reunions (35th and 40th-whew!) What's so good to see is all the f...Expand for more