CLASS OF 1969 | 2025 | SPRING ISSUE
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Fritz Wiecking wrote, “After an interesting and varied work life, I am currently retired in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and contemplating a move to Costa Rica in a few months. I’ve worked as an Episcopal priest, as an economist in several think tanks and public interest groups, for unions, and [in] politics. I’m currently spending time as a painter.”
John de Miranda said, “Still teaching aspiring addiction counselors virtually through UC San Diego. My son, Colin, and his partner, Alice, are living with us and saving for a home they are building in Merida, Yucatan. Glad to be healthy and living in Northern California with my wife, Carol-Ann. Her nursing training is very useful at this stage of life. Watching the new Bob Dylan movie yesterday brought back tons of memories of the ’60s.”
Steve Knox contributed, “In 2020, Bonnie and I moved to Asheville, North Carolina. Since then, we have been living here along with our kids and grandkids. In September, Asheville was devastated by Hurricane Helene. The River Arts District and many homes and small businesses were washed away. The nearby North Carolina Arboretum lost 5,000 trees. Fortunately, we suffered no property damage or personal injuries. Many of our friends and neighbors were not so lucky. We did lose utilities and water and had to leave town for a while. Our lives are back to normal now, but I suspect it will take years to clean up the mess.”
Stuart Blackburn said: “Remember the Vietnam draft lottery of December 1969? It’s the centerpiece of my new novel, Luck of the Draw. I hope many in the Classes of ’69 and ’68 will find it interesting.”
Michael Fink wrote, “2024 was an interesting year for our family. I had 3 level cervical spine surgery on March 7, which resulted in bilateral C5 palsy incident to the surgery. That meant paralysis of both shoulders, which eliminated use of my arms from shoulders to elbows. Pretty radical. Now nine grueling months of two-times-per-week PT later, my brain has relearned how to communicate with my shoulders, and I’ve regained mobility. Further strengthening still ongoing but making strong (pun intended) progress. Our daughters, son-in-law, and live-in significant other for daughter Becca, joined Susan and me for two weeks in Portugal in late August. A great time was had by all. ‘We travel as a pack.’ Our middle daughter is now . . . pregnant after arduous IVF process, and we expect our first grandchild (boy) about third week of June; Jenni’s doing great. 2024 was a good year, except for the palsy, and 2025 looking to be outstanding. Wishing all of us a healthy, joyous, and constructive 2025.—Michael”
Tony Mohr shared, “It was [a] year for traveling on cruise ships. In July, as part of a longer trip to Europe, Beverly and I took a seven-day cruise from Venice to Athens. Then in November–December, we cruised from Lisbon to Cape Town, 24 days visiting Morocco, Cabo Verde, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Sao Tome, Namibia, and South Africa. The trip was an eye-opener, an education we’re glad we had the chance to experience.
“I’m still sitting on the bench part time and still helping to edit the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Social Impact Review. We’re always looking for good material. If anyone is interested in contributing, please reach out to me.”
Jim Weinstein wished everyone a happy New Year.
Peter Arenella wrote, “Knees and hips require care. Mia and I live in a rural Mexican village. Watch a lot of Netflix and have almost 13K followers on X where I post about why and how our democracy has fallen into a potentially fatal abyss. Mia is a certified California court interpreter working remotely. She is brilliant and beautiful. The kids are well and thriving. Dave, because of birth complications, listens to a different drummer. His daily call is a highlight because he’s so content with his job. Kay has a PhD in clinical psychology and teaches it in LA.” [INSERT PHOTO]
Nick Browning said, “I’m blessed beyond any merit. Grandkids visit us in Vermont. No more basketball or tennis, now it’s pickleball. I’m constantly whipsawed between the good fortune and comfort of my life and the terrible news presented by the media. Our world is spiraling toward crisis state.”
In 2024 Jeff Richards saw three Broadway productions on The New York Times Best Ten List: Purlie Victorious, Maybe Happy Ending, and Our Town. Spring plans include David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, with Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr. “I find it difficult to believe it’s the 60th anniversary of our freshmen arrival. The line from Wilder’s play is in my head. ‘Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute.’ I remember many of those minutes from my Wesleyan days with great fondness.”
Jack Burtch’s book, Raising the Bar: The Mentor Guidebook for New Lawyers, helps young lawyers adapt to law firm life. “Susie and I celebrated our 55th anniversary. I’m an associate in my son’s law firm but not billing much.”
Ken and Visakha Kawasaki are saints in their constant efforts to bring peace and justice to Southeast Asia.
Robert Dombroski wrote, “While diligently chronicling my history as a ’69er, I dug up on an obscure website the precise date of the Janis Joplin concert at McConaughy: March 9, 1968. What else happened on that date is trivia now.” Does anyone remember this concert? Let us know!
Deb is part of several women’s groups that take wonderful care of their sisters. She bakes and gives away dozens of small chocolate chip cookies weekly. Annie is a therapist based in Yardley, Pennsylvania, and rescues mini-Doxies. Liz, Josh, and three children—nine, 14, and 16—live in Dundee, Michigan. Grandchildren warm New England hearts. I read large print, watch TV, hang out with Deb, cook soups in a crockpot, cobble together artwork, and exercise at the Saybrook Point Health Club. Nick is right. We are blessed beyond expectation. Before sleep, not counting sheep, I thank my relatives.
CHARLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow47@gmail.com
11 Coulter St., #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475