Larry Lapka:
CLASS OF 1971
Benjamin Schlesinger Intermediate SchoolClass of 1971
Jamaica, NY
Dowling CollegeClass of 1979
Oakdale, NY
Massapequa High SchoolClass of 1975
Massapequa, NY
Queens Public School 30Class of 1968
Jamaica, NY
Edith K. Bergtraum Public School 165Class of 1968
Flushing, NY
Larry's Story
I was a regular on the old Delphi Forum board for Rochdale Village. With the dissolution of that board, I have decided to come here. I have spoken with most of you on this board from Rochdale Village in the past, but I have listed my other schools just in case.
My first school isn't even on this board, and probably doesn't even exist anymore. It is P.S. 165, which was in Kew Garden Hills, Queens, N.Y. I went there in kindergarten and first grade, I guess from 1962-1964.
In 1964, we moved to Rochdale Village, a controversial co-op project which was developed on the old Jamaica Racetrack acreage. I first went to P.S. 30 there, from 1964-1968 or so, and then went to the fabled (I'm joking, it was horrible) I.S. 72 from about 1968 to 1971. That was an experience I will never forget, nor will anyone who went there, whether they want to admit to it or not.
I lived there until 1971, when during the summer, we moved to Long Island and I went to Massapequa High School from 1971 to 1975. I had a horrible four years there.
I then went to Dowling College from 1975-1979, and I received my undergraduate d...Expand for more
egree, a B.S. in English, from that institution.
From 1979-1983, I went to C.W. Post College, where I received my M.S. degree reflecting a double major in English and Education.
I taught briefly, and I have been a professional writer for a good part of my adult life. Since 1996, I have worked for a trade publisher on Long Island.
I am married, have a daughter from my first marriage and a son from my marriage to Elena, who is also on this site. She is a graduate of Far Rockaway High School, and I love her, and my kids and family, dearly.
My Rochdale Village years were my best and worst all rolled into one, as it was for just about anybody who grew up in that development from 1964-1971. I am very open about my experience there, and while I agree people see what they want to see, we saw a lot in Rochdale Village during that time, more than any kids really should have seen.
I will talk about Rochdale Village or any other place I have lived or gone to school at with anyone at just about any time, and I will give you straight answers, unlike lots of other people I have dealt with over the years.
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