Anyone deserving of an 'Honorable Menschen,' can contact Howard Berger via his e-mail: Howardberger9798@aol.com or by fax: 822-3670.

Just as the late Lillian Levy was the cultural icon for three decades, Abigail Kursheedt Hoffman was the classical and Judaic music icon in the mid-20th century years as founder of the Ventnor Summer Music Festival, AC Community Concerts and the Judean Choir ( I sang in that choir). She passed away at age 97 last week so only a few of us remember her and had the honor of working with her. She and her late attorney husband, Nathan, and three children lived in Ventnor; she left here years ago eventually becoming professor of music at Jersey City College. Her final journey here was to be interred in the Beth Israel cemetery. Herbert and Faith Stern were among her supporters and founders of Community Concerts. Also remembering Abi was her lifetime friend, retired opera diva, Ruth Stein (Margate). Abi's successor was Margate resident Joan Miller. Mildred Swartz (Ventnor), retired ACHS teacher, and I handled Abi's PR for the Festival, which brought the NY Philharmonic here, directed by the then-young legendary conductor,

Leonard Bernstein. "Besides being a devout musician, she was a strong advocate for the enjoyment of classical music," declared Stern. Miller, successor to Abi, said, "Among many South Jersey residents affiliated with classical music, she was a significant voice for the arts." Adding her thoughts was 60-year friend, mezzo soprano, Ruth Stein: "Abi was a dedicated musician and the icon of her era." One of her two sons, Monty, is a member of the Buffalo (NY) Philharmonic. George is retired, and her daughter, Jane, is a retired teacher. Abi, small in stature, was huge in her life and in her musical accomplishments.

PARLEZ VOUS FRANCAIS - EASY TO LEARN

Being a polyglot (master of many languages) is a sign of brilliance, which properly describes linguist Nancy Wiesenfeld (Margate) who speaks Yiddish, Hebrew (limited), Russian, French and Spanish. She works as a full time French and Spanish teacher at Pleasantville High School and tutors in both languages. She prides herself on being a Zamler, collecting Yiddish books on behalf of "Mama Loshen," preserving the slowly fading Yiddish language. Her background is fascinating. Born and raised in Philadelphia, her first spoken language was Yiddish then Russian since her grandmother could not speak English. At age five she was sent to the "Workman's Circle" when there were no ESL classes in those days. Academically, she studied French in high school and went on to major in French and Spanish and minor in German at Temple, studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. She obtained her master's at Villanova. Since many area residents enjoy vacationing in French Canada, which is easy to reach from NJ via the Parkway and NY Thruway, knowing a bissel French, is helpful, especially in Quebec. To help travelers going to French Canada, Nancy started a beginners' class this week to Nov. 3 and conversational French 2, from November 10 to Dec. 8 at Margate's Ross School, sponsored by the Margate Recreation Dept. Advanced registration is required by calling 823-6658 ext. 371. She will conduct a College Night for Parents to offer advice on the college process and how to obtain scholarships. "I love using my foreign language skills," she told HM, adding that enrollment is still open.

AUDIOLOGIST MONA TROCKIOZLEK HAS EXPERTISE ON IMPROVING YOUR HEARING

Whether it's boom box music or rock 'n roll, we are subjected to what has become a very loud society. There are many reasons so many people we know suffer from hearing loss - from blaring televisions to loud, excessive noise from public places such as restaurants, to physical causes. The good news is that hearing aids can help correct hearing problems, and in some cases audiologists or ear physicians, through corrective steps, can even help prevent extensive hearing loss for some people. These days, there is no longer a stigma attached to wearing a hearing device. One such hearing expert in our community is Mona Trocki-Ozlek of the well-known Trocki family. Born and raised locally, Mona has dual degrees in Audiology and Speech Therapy from Hahnemann and has been a dispensing audiologist for 28 years with her Better Hearing offices at 637 Tilton Rd., Northfield. "I provide a complete audiological evaluation, including hearing tests, hearing aids, ear molds, etc," she told HM, "And I meet my patients needs with lots of TLC." To that end she will conduct a free Educational Consumer Seminar, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Twp. Guest speaker will be a leading auditory expert Michael Dougherty, Au.D., from the Widex Hearing Aid Co. You can sign up by calling 645-3055.

MARGATE PET SALON'S CHUCK SIMONS LEADS U.S. GROOM TEAM TO WORLD TITLE

In a follow-up to a recent HM article on Chuck Simons, HM would like to note that this leading pet groomer's U.S. Groom Team has captured the world title against top competition in Germany. Simons operates the Pet Salon in Margate. His unit competed against teams from 12 nations. His reaction was, "This is a tremendous achievement honoring the artistry, expertise and hard work of our team members facing the very best groomers in the world." Mazel Tov to Chuck and his team.