Class of 1977 | 2014 | Issue 1

Here we are just a couple of days before Thanksgiving and outside here, in Lexington Center, the holiday lights are being strewn in most of the trees on Massachusetts Avenue, along with garlands being wrapped around the historically appropriate light posts. And if that were not enough, a gentle snow is falling. All of this to remind me that another year is winding down and that it is time to connect with friends and family, in appreciation for what this past year has brought.

Wendy Brown Giardina wrote en route to the States to celebrate her first Thanksgiving in many years. Wendy stopped work this year in favor of great books, writing, and long nature walks. Home is still in Switzerland, near her grown daughters. Joel Backon continues work at Choate; he will be on sabbatical next year to write a book with the working title of Clarity: Understanding the Real World. Joel’s son, Jacob, was married last year and teaches at St. Marks School. Joel plans, himself, to be married this spring to the woman he met eight years ago. Congratulations on all fronts! Deb Mercer wrote about her empty nest being a bit fuller this holiday with the return of her actor/writer son, Garrett. Deb, as board president for a Rhode Island Arts Center is busy fundraising for a chair lift to make her facility accessible. Jonathan Gertler and family are doing well. Jonathan is working on a second CD of original material “working with great musicians and fulfilling his musical fantasies.” He has been in touch with Ellen Gendler, Bob Krakower, Tom Kovar ’76, and Susan Davis Pereira. Business life continues to be busy in Boston and abroad as CEO of his consulting and advisory firm serving the biotech, pharma, and med tech community. Arnie Alpert forwarded me an article by William Greider in The Nation, mentioning Ron Bloom as a good candidate to be nominated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Jason Baron wrote in that he has retired as director of litigations at the National Archives, only to begin work as “of counsel” at a Washington, D.C., law firm. He and his wife, Robin, have celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary and their daughter, Rachel, is a freshman at Bowdoin. Jason is in touch with Helen Taenzer Lott, Peter Stack, Bruce Kaplan, Jerry Stouck, and Drew Kaplan. Jason would like to be in contact with Foss Hill 5 alums and others. Contact Jason at jrbaron3@gmail.com. Hope Neiman’s job has been taking her to Asia recently, without much sightseeing time. Her daughter graduates from Wesleyan in 2014. Hope is encouraging fellow classmates to work with the Career Center to help place Wesleyan graduates. Don Spencer continues his work from home with his private equity firm and with his local volunteer fire department (every youngster’s dream!). His eldest daughter, Jocelyn, is a “Teach for China” fellow in rural China; his younger daughter, Alyssa, is a freshman at Clark University. Me? Well, my life this year has been divided, like so many of you, into many different parts. In spring, I assumed the role of board chair at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum here outside Boston. It is an exciting time learning about the workings of a not-for-profit and motivating a board and staff into creating something which is greater than the sum of its parts. With over 28 acres, the place has the opportunity, and is poised, to do some amazing things with its location not far from Walden Pond. Not having relinquished my day job, the architecture business seems to be booming with our office fortunate to maintain a variety of types of projects. I continue to further my religious buildings portfolio. The “spiritual” designs contrast with the large residential component to my business, from single family to congregate housing. During the past year I was delighted to visit Chicago, at the subtle urging of my great friend Iddy Olson. As an eastern snob, I couldn’t imagine what the Midwest could offer during the summer. Boy, what a dope; Chicago was beautiful. We had a great time exploring the wonders of Lake Michigan and touring the vast architecture of this incredible city. Iddy has carved out a charming life incorporating all past and present periods in it: from her childhood, college, adult and professional periods. Currently she is spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Hawaii with her two kids.

That is it for now. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful 2014.

Gerry Frank
Gfrank@bfearc.com