The Original Members of HOB - Photo 1960
Photo supplied by Barry Lubart

Queens College Yearbook

HOUSE OF BAMBOO Begins House of Bamboo was founded in 1960. The first president was Bob Abrahams. "Members have contributed to the college by accepting such responsible positions as the Student Court, the Class Council of June 1963, the executive committee of CHP, the Champagne Ball planning committee, the CHP publicity Council, editors and reporters for the CHP Castle and Phoenix. Alan Grossman was elected President of CHP. The houseplan has members on the Dean's List, Debating Team, the Chemistry Honor Society, and the Bridge Club. This year the House of Bamboo is in charge of the Sports Jamboree. Last year the House of Bamboo along with its sister houseplan, Hilltop House, was the top houseplan in the Follies. HOB, in conjunction with Hilltop House, raised enough money to pay for an ambulance for the Flushing Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Bob Abrahams, our 1st President was honored as Alumnus of the Year at QC in 1978. The House of Bamboo participates in all Q.C. sponsored functions. To aid the community the House of Bamboo has been doing volunteer work with an Ambulance Corps." ************************************************************ HOW IT ALL BEGAN Bob Abrahams recalls to the best of his recollection is that the "Founding Father's of HoB" were a group that came together having come to QC from Jamaica HS and Van Buren HS including Bob, himself, Spencer Curtis, Paul Silk, Frank DeStefano, Joel Berman, Dave Eizenman, Herbie Stein and possibly Bruce Garrison. Allen Hausman brought his circle of high school friends living in Flushing/Whitestone to HOB: Larry Feld, Howie Brenowitz, Alan Grossman, Warren Lieberman – his classmates from Stuyvesant H.S., and Eddie Lieberman, Warren’s twin brother. Several of these guys attended schools other than Q.C., like Howie who was going to NYU, and Warren to CCNY Allen was Publicity Chairman and Sports Editor for Castle Magazine Marty Greenberg (was our Hunter College member and designer of the original sweater emblem). Here are a list of original member names provided by Bob Abrahams, our first president, to the best of his recollection: Bob Abrahams (1st Pres.), Dave Eizenman (1st V.P), Spencer Curtis, Joel Berman, Herb Stein, Allen Hausman, Barry Weiss, Barry Lubart, Alan Grossman, Larry Feld, Richie Schlossberg, Pete Weissman, Eddie Goldstein, Sidney Mitchell, Frank DeStefano, Gary Reinstein, Bruce Garrison, Gary Kessler, Paul Silk, Norm Fagen. These members will be classified as ORIGINAL MEMBERS and a will be next to their photo in profile section ("The Present" Tab) If you are an original member and find an error or know of someone else, please email me (trustwizlv@gmail.com)

Queens College Today Queens College consists of 5 fraternities and 4 sororities. Houseplans are gone! Since Queens College is primarily a commuter school, there is not a Frat house exclusively for Greek life; so Greek Organizations usually meet in the Student Union or the Q-Side Café on campus (which is known as the "Greek Cafe" or the "Greek Corner," an area in which most fraternities and sororities spend their time). However, certain fraternities or sororities are said to have an “off-school” Frat house, in which night life festivities usually take place. The Greek organizations at Queens College have several ongoing activities throughout the year, such as rush week, charity events, banquets, festivities, barbecues, picnics and annual Greek week in which most fraternities and sororities set to compete against one another in a tournament-style setting as they partake in various contests such as pie eating, capture the flag and sporting events to name a few. For more info: CLICK HERE

House of Bamboo - by Andy Williams When House of Bamboo began in 1960, Andy Williams had a hit song, "House of Bamboo" which became our theme song: Lyrics may be found by clicking on the record player" (Andy started singing in 1953, later went solo, and his really big hit was "Moon River". He has continued to record hundreds of songs over 5 decades.) By the way, interestingly, Paul Simon (AEPi) attended and performed at Queens College in the early 60's, getting together with Garfunkel, who went to CCNY. Barry Weiss - original member

"THE HOB" 10th Anniversary Issue in 1969
by Richie Schecter

When I became a member of HOB in 1964, it was a comparatively small organization consisting of about forty members. There was no actual "house" which we could call our own, instead we used a small and inadequate recreation hall located a few blocks from Queens College. Since that time, the House of Bamboo has made remarkable strides forward. Its members have gained social prominence and athletic power, in addition to, financial security. Our first house was a small 3 1/2 room apartment in a rather convenient location on Northern Blvd. Our parties were delightfully crowded , and at that time, it suited our purpose.

But as time rolled on, Bamboo grew out of its infancy, and truly began to expand. An apartment was no longer adequate. We moved into our first real house. It was immense in comparison to its predecessor, with six bedrooms, two living rooms, and no neighbors. A unique combination of further expansion and a great tragedy necessitated a move in the summer of 1967 into our next and present house. It was located at 144-20 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing and was larger and better equipped than anyone could have hoped for. As far back as I can remember, Bamboo has been one off the major athletic powers among houseplans, especially in the spring terms. But, here too, we are undergoing change. Where we used to powerful in such individual sports as table tennis, tennis, and badminton, and weak in the major sports, the opposite is now the case. Last year, we did exceedingly and surprisingly well in football, volleyball,softball, and track. Our hopes for this year are sky-high in the aforementioned sports, as well as in bowling, golf, and swimming. Socially, Bamboo is very strong. No other houseplan can make the following statement: In our ten years, we have participated in eight Follies and every Frolics. We have been in Carnival every year since our creation. Last year, we won the event with Desiree. Every Friday night, there is either a stag party or a blind-date function. Every few Saturday nights, there is a dated event. We have a Special Events Committee which, in the past, has produced and directed memorable functions such as our Las Vegas Nites, nights at the Red Garter, the Fireplace, Knick and Ranger games, and our annual New Year's Eve gala event. In fact, the very first event by the committee, a Bear Mountain Hike in 1965, became a CHP event the following spring. Eight of our June graduates will be married to girls they met at a Bamboo event, by the time this paper reaches print. However, a winning skit or a clutch touchdown alone does not produce a great houseplan. Bamboo takes pride in the closeness of its members. Even before we had a house, we were the closest of friends. We have undergone tragedies, seen members come and go, and had our share of disagreements. But through it all, one thing always remained intact. At HOB, it is all for one and one for all. I have graduated, and am leaving Bamboo after five years. I will always have fond memories of great times and lifelong friends with whom I shared my college experience. Up-to-date info: We have recently learned that Glenn Seidman was the last House of Bamboo President and that HOB ended in 1973. The two-family house on 149th and Roosevelt Ave. burned down … a very dramatic ending indeed! But a house is just a house. The HOUSE OF BAMBOO will live on forever in our hearts and in our minds!