Steven Ossad ’70, a historian and biographer, won the 2018 Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award for Biography for his book Omar Nelson Bradley: America’s GI General. The book offers an account of Bradley’s formative years, his decorated career, and his postwar life. Ossad, who has focused his writing career on biography and command, under-studied heroes and battles, the lessons of failure, and considering applicable military leadership-training models for the C-suite, was recognized at an awards dinner during the society’s annual meeting. A philosophy major at Wesleyan, he earned graduate degrees from the New School and Harvard University.
Aloha, all. Thanks to those who responded to the (again) delayed Lyris message requesting news. Seems Lyris doesn’t play well with Yahoo or Firefox or something.
First to reply was Steve Ingraham. Steve was off to Nepal with wife Sheila: “We will do some very comfortable trekking in the hills of the Annapurnas, eventually going off grid to the little hill village where I lived as a Peace Corps volunteer. Sweeping changes in politics and lifestyles in Kathmandu and other urban areas, but what about way off-grid, up in the hills? I’m excited to go back, back, back to the future. Retirement makes this bucket list trip possible. Wishing you and all of your loyal readers the very best!” Hope it was a great trip.
Roger Mann, who lives in Florida, wrote: “Tessa and I were dead on-target for Hurricane Irma. All of our relatives implored us to obey the mandatory evacuation order. The phone calls, texts, and e-mails were non-stop. We live on the ground floor of a two-story building less than a mile from the gulf. We were told to expect a 12-15 foot storm surge. In fact, the eye did pass right over us. There was wind damage and downed trees everywhere, but the storm surge never came to our neighborhood. We lost electricity, phone, cell, wi-fi, air conditioning, and potable water for a week, but Irma did not harm us.” Very good news. I hope you evacuate next time, though, just to be sure.
O’ahu islander Bill Tam wrote: “Retired from managing the Hawaii State Water Commission. Hiking in New Zealand, Nakasendo trail in Japan, Glacier National Park, Jasper, and, next month, in southern China. Wrestling my yard into shape, but forgot we are 69 and need a more thoughtful pace. Spent July in Oxford researching and writing chapters on water and natural resource management. Attended concerts almost nightly. Blackwells, the pubs, and the countryside were wonderful. Good health is everything. Aloha.” Thanks, Bill. Traveling vicariously. “I was so much other then. I’m younger than that now.”
Speaking of trying to keep fit, Marcos Goodman, who holds his high school shot put record and the number two spot at Wes, is really “going for it.” Check out his video here. Says Marcos, “In the video, I walked 15 miles and did 60 pull-ups in each of two consecutive days, touring Manhattan workout parks. The next week, I did 100 pull-ups in one day. Maybe I should figure out a better hobby?” I have a lot of tall grass, invasive trees, and nasty vines that you could attack.
KNK brother Jerry Cerasale sent a note. “I’m fine here on Cape Cod. Jan and I are expecting our first granddaughter in November to add to our four grandsons. We love visiting them. I have to run for the Housing Authority in Eastham again, but with the anti-incumbent sentiment who knows. No matter what, I’ll still love retirement.” Good luck. If you have any spare time, see if you can stop the people who send spam texts to our phones. Mahalo.
Cap’n Shef—aka John Sheffield—has a new career “getting off the ground slowly.”
I know what you mean; getting up isn’t as easy as it used to be. Seriously, he’s a yacht delivery captain. So far, he’s had “…one voyage this year from Houston (before Harvey) to New Orleans to Key West to Marsh Harbor, Bahamas. Grandson-raising is a great joy. Great 70th birthday party for 25 alumni of high school Class of 1965 in Cooperstown, N.Y., and frequent contact with other family members.”
Always good to hear from Steve Talbot, another one of the few of us it seems who is still working. Says Steve, “An article I wrote for KQED-TV’s website…Leave it to Beaver and the U.S. war in Vietnam…during our years at Wesleyan (here). I’m still in San Francisco, still married (Pippa Gordon), and still working for public television—these days as a producer for ITVS, the group that runs the PBS documentary series, Independent Lens. Right on, Steve.
Had a long note from Maurice Hakim (still very busy with the beverage business: organic teas and lemonades for high-end stores) that I need to edit pretty seriously for length. (Sorry, Maurice.) He and Carol bought an 18th-century cottage in Clinton, Conn., near the beach. They spend a long winter in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Maurice keeps in touch with Nancy and JeremySerwer in Woodstock, Conn. (they just acquired a second horse), and with Dave Geller who is still in Brookline, Mass., and took Maurice and Carol to Fenway recently.
Maurice also sees Charlie Farrow ’69 and Phil Dundas “who spends a few months in Westbrook when he and his wife are not in Abu Dhabi or Korea. Just last night we had dinner at his beachside house, along with Jack Frost and his wife Carol “Chip” Frost. Jack is a retired banker and spends nearly all of his time helping the Special Olympics and working towards improving government programs for children with disabilities.”
Thanks for all the news, Maurice.
I wish all of you well in the upcoming year. It seems that between natural disasters and insanity in the world, “stay safe” is broadly appropriate, too, unfortunately.
Aloha, all. First, my apologies for the late request for news. As far as I can determine, it was attributable to some technical glitch that prevented my receiving the reminder a week or so before a second reminder, which somehow did reach my inbox.
Nonetheless, I had e-mails from a few of our classmates, so here goes.
Charlie Holbrook is starting his 14th year teaching history at Beaufort High School in Beaufort, S.C. “Leslie and I spend June and July at our cottage in South Lyme, Conn., and I am auditing a history course at Wesleyan by Professor Nathanael Greene. He is still teaching and hasn’t missed a step! When the issue of retirement comes up, Leslie reminds me that Professor Greene is still teaching! Once a teacher always a teacher. Also, Gene Legg is teaching at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, Va.”
John Sheffield wrote, “Almost 48 years of a great marriage, two happy grown-up daughters, one excellent 4-year-old grandson, recent crewing opportunities on sailing vessels—Honolulu-Vancouver and Houston-New Orleans-Key West-Bahamas—make life worth living.” I have to say I’m a bit envious, John, having wanted to sail like that, but never having done it.
Jim Pickering posted the following on Facebook: “This will sound silly, and I may well have suggested it before, but as quickly as classmates are passing on, and in honor of the fact that our senior year was never completed, why not have our 50th WesTech Reunion a year or two early? Having reconnected with a number of classmates through this medium I think it would be cool to hang out in person, tell lies, and maybe pound a few Budweisers all these years later.” I put it out to you, classmates. What do you think?
Lawrence Madlock wrote: “I retired from the University of Tennessee on February 1. I am going to Ghana for two months to help build a clinic and classroom in a village with Crossroads Africa, the same organization that got me started doing these trips 50 years ago at Wesleyan. My wife, Yvonne MAT’72, just got back from a graduation at Wellesley where we had dinner and pictures with Hillary. My middle daughter got her PhD in clinical psychology from George Washington University. Edwin Sanders ’69 and I visited Thurman Northcross ’71. He’s hanging tough.” Thanks for that update. Our thoughts are with you, Thurman.
Just returned from a semi-annual trip to Maryland to visit with my incredible mom, still active at 94. On the way back, I had some time in Seattle, so I jumped on the light rail to downtown and then walked uphill to visit REI, armed with my 35-year-old REI camera bag purchased at that wonderful old warehouse store. While browsing through what seems to be very upscale stuff for outdoor activities, I was approached by a gentleman who, noticing my Red Sox cap, the team jacket over my arm, and my Wesleyan shirt, asked if I was lost. Turned out to be Silas Wild ’69, one of the incredible group of runners during our Wes years. Silas remembers Bill Rodgers very fondly, mentioned Bill Tam and the other Punahou boys, and spoke well of Dave Davis ’93 and his TV work. He couldn’t shed any light on the whereabouts of his Beta brother Pete Weber, my freshman-year roommate. Moral: Wear your Wesleyan shirt while traveling.
Was unable to see Bill Rodgers in Boston on the way home from the visit in Maryland, he needing to rest after having just run two races, one in Green Bay, Wis., and one in Rutland, Vt. He mentioned that another Wes runner, Bart Wendell, lives nearby. One of these days, I expect Bill to show up for the Kaua’i Marathon.
The trip to see Mom and family began to turn into a baseball odyssey of sorts: Had tickets for a game in Baltimore (versus the Red Sox) a few hours after flying in, then we went to another game a few days later. I already had decided that I needed to address an item that’s long been on my bucket list—get to Fenway Park—so I had booked a flight from Baltimore to Boston as part of my return trip from Maryland. Got to Fenway after a long flight delay. Detroit won that one, so I decided to go to a game the next night, despite my early-morning return flight the following morning. It was a good game, with exactly the same RHE stats well into the game, and it went to the bottom of the 11th inning before Pedroia hit a run-scoring single that brought with it an incredible slide into home plate. Anyway, the lesson learned is two-fold: Follow that dream, even if it means starting a 20-hour travel day on three hours’ sleep, and all the time I spent chasing young women in Boston in our college years was wasted. I’d have been better off going to Fenway for ballgames.
Aloha, all. Despite short notice from me, I received some news to share, and here it is:
Marcos Goodman wrote from the Appalachian Trail shortly after the last column’s deadline to report that he was averaging 12 miles a day, getting in shape, losing eight pounds, meeting “good folks,” and finished three audiobooks. However, Marcos had a stroke on the trail and lost some vision. He reports, “All’s better than good enough. I’m obsessed with single-limb pull-ups, pushups, and squats, as they have the ability to wipe me out sufficiently that I’m unable to think about things!” He’s turned the obsession into a plan to develop “the most thorough analyses of the simplest movements,” explaining that “[t]he idea of learning the single-limbed versions as significant strength skills, almost like a personal sport, appeals to me. They’re very similar to the shot put, in which as far as I know, I still have the Wes freshman team record. One of the true high points of my life! That is, before I got tired of throwing a heavy ball around.”
Gerald Everett Jones wrote, “My whitepaper, ‘Deconstructing the Scandalous Narrative of the Baptism,’ was featured in the Fall 2015 issue of The Journal of Art Crime. This research is the basis for my historical novel, Bonfire of the Vanderbilts, which was published last year. I’m now hosting the GetPublished! radio show on KNNN-FM in Northern California, [also] via iTunes as a regular podcast. It’s all about the First Amendment. What we need these days are fresh ideas—book-length and thoughtful, not just blogged snippets and cute pictures of cats, not that I won’t watch them.”
Another California resident, Elliot Daum, pointed out that he learned at Wes “…that I would never be able to do anything ‘sooner than possible.’” Elliot was about to have dinner with Jacob Scherr, who as most of you probably know, has retired after years of important work for the NRDC, and with Jacob’s wife, Carole, who retired from PBS. Elliot says, “I will be joining them in retirement at the end of the year with major travel plans, some of which include our four children and four grandchildren. Life is great out here on the left coast and while our 50th looms, I am still eager to connect with members of the class who journey this way.”
Congratulations to you both. I imagine Jacob has mixed feelings, leaving at this point in the proceedings when the incoming administration potentially poses the greatest challenges to the environment of our lifetimes. I salute you for your great efforts and hope the younger folks carry the torch as well as you have. Elliot, I’m sure it’s been fascinating but enjoy the next phase, too.
The fast responders also included Jeremy Serwer in Connecticut. He wrote, “For those classmates not overly pleased with decisions by Wesleyan these days (I know, we’re a minority, right?), I’ve discovered a giving method that directly impacts some of the most worthy of Wesleyan students. This year, after a number of years of either not giving or only contributing a token to keep our class participation up, Nancy and I are sponsoring a summer internship for one of Wesleyan’s Posse Veteran Scholars. These are the Iraq/Afghanistan military veterans attending Wes U via the Posse Foundation program. If any of you attended the seminar at Reunion where these folks spoke, you’ll know they are the best of the best. Regardless of political persuasions, these folks both need and deserve our support.
“Quite a change from the Viet Nam years, but a grand one at that. It’s about time. Do consider supporting probably Wesleyan’s best policy decision of recent years. I’m sure the development office would love to hear from you. As always, if you’re coming to or through Connecticut, our JJ Farm awaits you. 860-928-7660.”
Rob Baker checked in with this news: “I got seriously injured surfing last year, and I had my hip replaced last month. Everything is better now, but I haven’t been spending as much time in Hawaii. I did attend my 50th Gilman School reunion in Baltimore, and I was glad I did.My daughter, Emily (Whitman College ’00), is getting married in San Diego. We’ve finished building a new house in Park City, Utah, and I can’t imagine ever doing that again.” Rob sends his best wishes to all of you and noted that it’s only three years to our 50th Reunion.
The other Russell, Russell Bradshaw, sent this: “[E]njoying retirement. Well, sort of! Presenting a paper at the annual conference of International the Cultic Studies Association in Bordeaux in June, if anyone is in the vicinity (or emigrating to Europe). Recruitment into High Demand/High Control Groups: A Developmental Psychology Perspective (Erikson, Maslow & Cialdini) is the working title.” His new address is: Russell & Gunilla Bradshaw, Vigelsjöhöjden 3A, 76152 Norrtälje Sweden.
Colin Kitchens, very active politically online, wrote from California: “Enjoying my wife and three dogs, some California rain, and doing some writing. Very proud of the fact that I was in the class with Jacob Scherr, who is doing wonderful work.”
Lastly, David White wrote in from Martha’s Vineyard: “I first have to say that the 45th Reunion macadamia nut key ring is holding up well, perhaps better than the rest of us in the Trump era. I continue to be the artistic director/executive producer of The Yard, an artist research residency, performance, and education center dedicated to contemporary and dance and related art forms. Classmate Tony Balis is on and off the island (his family has some roots here, and he did a Wes photo thesis about the place). He pursues his humanity.org world peace effort that, among other things, now has put out the first in a line of teas (Ahimsa: Infusions of Peace), produced by the venerable tea company, Harney and Sons. I note that the ingredients are: organic rooibos, cinnamon, and hibiscus—the perfect kick-back with a slug of rum for any islander anywhere.
“The island is awash with Wes reprobates from around our year (1969-1974, and later): Canny attorney Rick Gross is back and forth between Philadelphia and Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard with abstract painter and wife Bobbi. Interestingly enough, he is also the lawyer for The Yard. Former Alvin Ailey dancer Peter Woodin ’71, springs back and forth from his current career in arbitration (he worked at one time with the legendary Kenneth Feinberg) and his ridiculously challenging mountain-biking regime from Lambert’s Cove to Chilmark and beyond, exhausts the rest of us, including his wife, Beryl, who, interestingly enough, is a board member of The Yard as well as a legal eagle at Brooklyn Law School.
“Also, Blake Allison ’71, John Abrams ’75, Bob Julier ’71, and a summer cameo appearance in the summer time from Gene Borgida ’71, and occasional Class of ’71 friends. And a Smith alum, Colin Dayan recently arrived for a year’s sabbatical from her professorship at Vanderbilt. In 1970, her name was Joan Dayan, taking courses in the previous year’s transitional, careful introduction of women. A good friend of Jed Marcus ’71, she worked with Jed and I, and many others, in creating Open Summer in Middletown, the community free university and children’s day camp that follow the National Student Strike and graduation.
“As for me, I have come from recently producing Le Patin Libre, a renegade skate-dance company from Montreal (definitely not your grandmother’s Icecapades), and Tanya Tagaq, an electrifying proto-punk Inuit throat-singer and First Nation social activist from Nunavut, the winner of every possible Canadian music award, and recently four stars in Rolling Stone for her latest album, Retribution. Now dance is on the horizon for our Yard Arts season running mid-May to September. Feel free to stop by (free tix if you do, as well as libations). You can see what we’re up to at dancetheyard.org.”
Send news when you read this so I don’t have to rush the next column!
Aloha, all. Bill Kordas was inspired by the Boston Marathon to write and send links to articles about classmate Bill Rodgers and a photo of Bill with our late classmate George von der Lippe (Kordas says, “AKA ‘Vondo’ “) with Wes runners Silas Ward and Amby Burfoot: rw.runnersworld.com/selects/images/boston-billy-most-likely.jpg for the photo and rw.runnersworld.com/selects/boston-billy.html for a good article about Bill—with a great photo and interesting things about him.
O’ahu resident Elbridge Smith is still active in his legal practice which “has grown a bit, including a son. We continue to represent only federal employees, focusing in wrongful termination, discrimination, and whistle-blower cases.” Elbridge enjoys daily time with an 18-month-old grandson. Wife Diane helps out with law office business. Elbridge enjoys attending annual national legal conventions, allowing him to take in a couple of MLB games each year. He was planning to make his annual trip to N.Y. state to see his mom—still living in the family home at age 100—and to visit Cooperstown.
I ran into Steve Ching, MD, at the end of a local music event. It was late and he had a long drive to the southwest side ahead of him, so we didn’t get to chat long, but it was good seeing him.
Jeremy Serwer wrote from the farm near East Woodstock, Conn. He wanted to remind all of you to visit at the JJ Farm. “It’s been four-plus years now, and country life has more than agreed with us: the path to a relaxed and balanced life has indeed been discovered.” He reports that Carol and Maurice Hakim have visited and hopes David Geller will come this year. Jeremy and Nancy are recovering from injuries (shoulder and ankle respectively) and commend the local physical therapists. “Our major go-forward: we’re adding a second equine to the family, so balancing work and play towards retirement has become the paramount goal. Still loving both, however, so we consider ourselves most fortunate.” Jeremy invites e-mail at jeremy@theserwercompany.com.
A note from Ed Castorina says he’s “now a resident of Durham, N.C., home of Duke University and Burt’s Bees.” Ed is “the general counsel for Reichhold, a very old and responsible chemical company.” Says, too, that he “attended a Wes alumni function at UNC-Chapel Hill last summer and was stunned at not being the oldest alumnus.”
Meanwhile from the other coast, Dave Davis wrote, “My youngest daughter, Eva, graduates from Whitman College next month, and then hopes to go on to medical school, following in the footsteps of my physician wife, Cindy Talbot (sister of Steve Talbot). I still work at Oregon Public Broadcasting, the PBS affiliate here in Oregon (nearly 20 years), and am still enjoying the good life in Oregon.”
Occasional Kaua’i visitor Rob Baker wrote, “Sandy and I are happy to have finished our (last) building project and to be settling into another house. After going to my 50th high school reunion in Baltimore, we’ll go back to Kauai for a while. Our daughter, Emily, is getting married in San Diego this January, so there’s a lot to look forward to.” (Rob has an interest in a home that’s probably less than three miles as the crow flies from our lot. He’s up on the ridge; we’re in the valley. It’s amazing to me that three of us Wes folks—the third being class notes correspondent Neil Clendennin ’71—have roots so close together here.)
Gerald Jones writes from California about the “latest on my efforts to reinvent myself!” prleap.com/pr/244943/getpublished-radio-listeners-will-finally-get
Al Zimmermann is trying for a record. He says he’s retired for the third time. “I think this time it’s going to take. But, although retired, I’m still plying my trade—just not remuneratively. I’m doing pro bono work for the Lucille Lortel Foundation in NYC, rebuilding the Internet Off-Broadway Database (iobdb.com).” Just in case you didn’t think he was busy enough, Al also reports he’s “taking acting classes, writing a play and running Internet-based computer programming contests (azspcs.com). My wife, Leslie, and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last summer. Life is good.”
Blackburne “Blackie” Costin retired, as a partner, from Deloitte Consulting a couple of years ago. He opened up his own LLC and says “business has been quite good.” He’s really enjoying coaching youth hockey. Both his sons played hockey for Loyola Marymount University. Oldest son, Hunter, works for Tesla. Second son, Parker, is at LMU and working a paid internship between junior and senior years. Blackie says, “I’m doing fine. Creaking around a bit more than I would like but that’s just the way it is.” Roger that.
Bob Stone reports he’s enjoying retirement from his law practice and spending time with grandchildren. “Also some volunteer nonprofit board participation, overseas and domestic travel, more pleasure reading than I’ve ever done, seemingly futile efforts to improve my golf game, and reconnecting with friends and extended family. My wife, Nancy, and I have been married over 42 years, and now we’re heavily into checking off items on the bucket list. Some of those items have included spending time with close friends from my Wesleyan days. We’ve taken trips to France, Italy, and the Baltic nations with David Klatell and his wife, Nancy, and will be going to Vietnam and Cambodia with them in January. (I guess there’s some irony in the fact that after working so hard to avoid going to Southeast Asia 46 years ago, we’re paying lots of money to go there now.)” Stoney also reports being hosted by Jeannie and Marc Pickard at their Vancouver condo last summer. He says, “David continues his work as a professor and dean at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Marc is happily retired from a long and successful career as a television reporter and anchor, most of it in the Atlanta area.”
From Beaufort, S.C., Charlie Holbrook: “Just finishing my 12th year teaching history at Beaufort High School. Leslie and I are enjoying the mild winters in Beaufort and stay in Old Lyme for seven weeks in June and July.” He’s looking forward to taking another course from Professor Greene.
I’ve just finished my fifth year at a local middle school, where I get assigned to teach classes both within and without my “highly-qualified” fields. This year, it was eighth grade U.S. history and science. The highlight for me was teaching students how to analyze scenarios for constitutional issues and how to make arguments for both sides of the issue. Who knows what the highlight was for them? Meanwhile, I edited the second edition of a second book for a local author. Taylor Camp is about a little social experiment on Kaua’i in the 1970s, a small community of treehouses on Elizabeth Taylor’s brother’s property, and the clash with local authorities. After many months of rain, it looks like construction of our house will begin in earnest. We have lots of materials on-site and the beginning of a driveway, so the heavy equipment doesn’t sink. I’m going to need more lucrative work to pay the mortgage!
Aloha, all. I haven’t had a lot of response to the call for news for this column, but here we go, anyway.
Had this from Colin Kitchens: “Somehow I find myself still alive after all this time. Yet I am still almost as devoid of sense about why as I was when we were roommates. I did see Peter Pfeiffer ’69 on his farm in Maine. He is living off the grid, pretty much like Thoreau, and he has done this since we graduated. I have seen Jamie Kirkpatrick at Landon School, from which he is now retired. He’s traveling. He and his wife have posted incredible pictures of their trips, especially to Scotland. Stephen Talbot is working in San Francisco and making documentaries, and always has a word about something extremely worth seeing. I am working on my house and writing some.”
And this shortie from Gordon Fain: “Had a nice phone ’mini reunion’ with Mark Lerner ’71, who is now a ranking attorney in OSHA federal appeals in D.C.”
And then there was a rather odd e-mail discussion about columns. I don’t recall how it began, but it involved Stephen Voorhies ’71, John Yurechko, Jeffrey Nye, Jeffrey Sarles, Mark Mintz, George Ward, Michael Robinson ’73, and Ted Reed. The subject was “Kidnapped by the Ancients In the Desert?”, I think. I believe John Y. is to blame for this. Something to do with some photos that I think he posted on WesConnect involving Roman columns. In any case, it will get all their names into print. It’s all pretty dated now, as there was a reference by Ted to going to the basement to watch the resurging Mets on a small television, pre-playoffs. A pretty good series, especially the first game (14 innings, if you missed it) and that double in the last game that scored all three runners on base at the time. I was very impressed with a score all the way from first base on a double. Wish I still could run without my back acting up, much less that fast!
Well, that has to be about the weirdest paragraph I’ve written in this column in the 30 years (total) I’ve written it. So I have to follow it up with something even weirder: After six years of trying to get construction on our little house in the valley started, we finally signed the construction loan. The first supplies are on order (the solar energy system, including a stand-alone rack) and we anticipate breaking ground within the month, depending on shipping times and the condition of the valley road. Cannot believe we’ll be taking out a huge mortgage at this time in life. If interested, check out my FB photos or e-mail me.
Last thing I have for you is that Rob Baker was sighted on Kaua’i recently, visiting with friends and doing a little construction on a property not far, as the crow flies, from our lot in Kalihiwai Valley or from Neil Clendeninn’s ’71 place. Hope to visit with him when he next comes and hope to see many of you here in the coming years.
Meanwhile, all of you take care of yourselves and each other.
Aloha, all. The alumni office just informed me that William Steinhurst died last July. He worked for the State of Vermont for more than 30 years, most notably as director of regulated utility planning from 1986–2003, then worked in the private sector. He was active in the arts and as a volunteer. See more here.
Right after Reunion, Mark Fuller sent in a note that John Haury had died on May 16. And Nathan Heilweil reported Pete Panciera ’71 also died. Condolences to the families.
This issue is primarily Reunion news. There were, as always, a lot of activities. In my opinion, there are too many to allow enough time for classmates to schmooze. (Also, it’s hard to visit when we’re all sitting at tables. Whine, whine). ’65 did their Reunion right, with high attendance and lots of class activities, beginning on Thursday, a good model for our 2020 reunion. (I’m suggesting “I Can See Clearly Now” as our theme.)
I apologize if I missed anyone, but some don’t register and some don’t show up at class events. I know I didn’t see everyone. For example, I now know that Gordon Fain was there at least on Friday night, as he sent me a report about Phil Dundas.
On Friday, first I ran into Maurice Hakim and later David Geller and Miles Siegel, who continued the tradition of political discussion. In the evening, I attended a president’s reception for recipients of service awards, but unfortunately, there was no president and there were no announcements. I learned, however, that Alan Dachs, who I saw there, received the Baldwin Medal, the highest honor the Alumni Association awards.
ongratulations! As is the case with several classmates, Alan appeared briefly here and there during the Reunion. (It’s this tendency, too, that makes it particularly hard to keep track of all the classmates and to chat will them all.)
Jim Elston provided wine (and cheese!) again for the Friday night reception. Thanks! Note for next time: More activities of this type, or more hours of this one, please. This is a great opportunity to talk with no other agenda.
Saturday was mostly seminars and picnics, which is to say folks scattered all over the place. Diana Diamond, who attended with hubby John Alschuler, coordinated a WeSeminar about co-education, with a panel that included Elliot Daum, who, along with four-year roommate Harvey Yazijian, were the first men at Conn. College, in the spring of 1969. Among those there was Alan Wallace, still the champion of retained hair.
The big class activity on Saturday was the dinner. John Alschuler was M.C. Seth Kaufman presented the financial report with his usual droll humor, having also provided three choices of t-shirts for us, and having continued, as always, to ask us to give money to Wes. He made a pitch for need-blind scholarships (the policy has changed) and tying our contributions to the old policy. A discussion ensued. Contact Seth for more on this.
I saw Josh Barrett and Brian Silvestro briefly, but didn’t get to chat. John Griffin, Darryl Hazel, Bob Murphy and Chip Conley were on the registration list but I didn’t see them. I saw Steve Ingraham, and Davey Jones just briefly. Both are still busy helping others. Lawrence Madlock shared a story of dealing with his draft board, who insisted he couldn’t be Quaker. The stories never end on this topic. Jeremy Serwer seems to be enjoying a scaled-down lifestyle. Marshall Webb continues in the dairy business in Vermont, which seems to suit him very well.
David White, still busy in the arts world, showed his continued political commitment in a discussion of need-blind scholarships at the class dinner on Saturday night, as did Chuck Bosk. Randy Miller is still busy as mayor of Beverly City, N.J. Chatted with Eddie Walker (aka Sachin Hazen), pyscho- and hypnotherapist, just relocating from several years on Maui. Also at the class dinner was Tony Balis, still operating The Humanity Initiative. Jacob Scherr, now a “Senior Adviser” with the NRDC International Program, predictably seen at a WESeminar on climate change, is still quite busy. Phil Dundas has been oil and gas lawyering in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) for most of the time since graduation. He’s now consulting.
In non-Reunion news, Rob Baker recently visited Kaua’i, where he has a second home. He lives in Park City, Utah, with Sandra, his spouse of 38 years. He’s had an interesting career, combining law practice with IT issues, eventually as CLO of a healthcare IT company. Judging from our discussions while we were Jeeping, Rob’s keeping up with issues that concern lots of us. Meanwhile, he’s dedicated to staying in shape while keeping his hand in his healthcare IT investing and consulting.
Heard from Robby Laitos in March. He, Guy Prevost, and Mark Fuller skied Snowmass (Colo.), reporting, “Had a great time and the three of us actually made it safely down Upper Snowmass’ ‘Cirque Headwall,’ a rather heart-in-your-throat ski run. (Mark and Guy actually skied the Headwall; I kind of slid down it.) The three of us reminisced about Wesleyan West in Aspen in the early ’70s, when many of us (Guy, Mark, Miles Siegel, Arden Reed, Katy Butler ’71, etc.) headed out there after graduation.” Robby reports that Guy is still script writing in L.A., and that Mark will retire soon after 19 years as “executive director of the Independence Pass Foundation (one of the Western U.S.’s most innovative and respected environmental organizations).”
Jerry Cerasale reports, “I’m living on Cape Cod doing the best job I’ve ever had, retirement. I even loved this past winter. When you don’t have to get out to go to the office, the snow is beautiful. In fact, the frozen Cape Cod Bay was amazing, particularly at sunset. At 66, I was dumb enough to run for office. The nice thing is that I was unopposed. So I now have a certificate of election as a member of the Eastham, Mass., Housing Authority.”
Had a newsy report from Bart Wendell. He, too, lives in Mass., but somewhat near Amherst. Says he’s expecting Eric Strobel to visit and had been hoping for a reunion of roommates George Glassanos and Lew McCreary ’71, as well. Bart advises CEOs, founders, boards, and high schools. He’s replaced running with road cycling. More online.
I reported a few issues back that John Yurechko enjoys Civil War reenactments. He’s now taken his interest in military history to another level. Seems he was traveling in Europe when he came across the filming of a documentary and reports that “I was captured by both the Romans (Legio II) and the Carthaginians.” Hope he posted the photos.
Great to hear from you and glad you got in touch. Totally coincidentally, I went skiing last week in Aspen with two other Wesleyan ’70 grads, and I’m attaching the photo here – I’m in the middle and Guy Prevost is on the left, and Mark Fuller on the right. Great time. All the best. Robby Laitos.
Aloha, all. We approach our 45th Reunion (May 21-24). See WesConnect for more. Meanwhile, here’s some news from some of your classmates.
We begin by offering our sympathies to Bruce Williams, who lost his mother just before Christmas. The surviving parents of our classmates are getting up there. I know some of us cringe a bit whenever the phone rings at late hours. Let’s wish the parents well.
Thanks to Jerry Schwartz, who, I believe, was last in New Britain. He continued to say he’s officially retired but still managing websites “here and there.” Also says, “I’ve been editing other people’s fiction, and have an item or two of my own almost ready to publish. I do audio and video editing, too. All of that is just for fun. In other words, it doesn’t bring in any money.” Jerry also wrote, “I’m in touch with Al Zimmermann, who lives in NYC. We get together a few times a year for dinner and theater. I also get to see Jerry Barton once a year, when he comes back from Austria for a visit. Jerry Barton is a wonderful photographer, and just had a 2015 photo calendar published.” There’s much more, but space limits prevail, so look on WesConnect.
And then, as if by magic, I also heard from Al Zimmermann: “Having failed Retirement 101 twice, I’m trying yet again. Mostly I’m now spending my time managing software development projects on a pro bono basis for theater-related nonprofit entities. It’s still work but, because I’m not getting paid, I can claim to have finally gotten at least part of this retirement thing right. My current project is the re-development of the Internet Off-Broadway Database (iobdb.org) for the Lucille Lortel Foundation.” Well, on behalf of those for whom retirement isn’t in sight, enjoy it for us!
Had an “out of office” e-mail from David Ouimette, who is practicing law. He’s in Phoenix. Still trying to get more details.
Prince Chambliss writes, “Although Lawrence Madlock (long time medical doctor), Thurman Northcross ’71 (continuing his work with business trends), and I all live here in Memphis and share many of the same circles of friends and activities, we don’t get together and share news about WesU nearly as much as we should. I just saw both of them within the past week.” Prince also wrote, “I spent some quality time with Harvey Yazijian in Boston a few months ago when I had occasion to be there for a law school class reunion. I know he and a few others plan to be present in Middletown for our 45th. I look forward to seeing you there.” I’m sure he means the plural “you,” so be there or be square. See more on WesConnect.
It’s been ages since we heard from Brian Silvestro, who practices law, coaches high school basketball, and resides in Southport, Conn. He has four sons “living in four different time zones. John is a captain in the USMC and stationed in San Diego as a C-130 pilot. Tyler is in Brooklyn and is a landscape architect. Jamie is in Chicago and is an architect, and Mike is in Colorado Springs where he works in the hotel business. Jane and I are first-time grandparents to Brooke and Ben born 7/4/14 in Colorado. Life goes on. No complaints. Very blessed.” Brian also mentioned that he “could not get any of my boys to go to Wes.” He’s actually a bit amused by it, except for the costs of college. Congratulations on the grandchild and all else.
Meanwhile, in France, Ward Rinehart is busy with his editing company (“WHO is our chief client, but we are also working for a number of other organizations that work in international health.”) but not too busy to take time out for eye surgery (which, in typical Ward style, led to some interesting versions of the Snellen eye chart) and not too serious to overlook a new story of Boris, the snow-loving cat, entitled Boris Takes a Hike. (Obviously aimed at a generation which doesn’t think of Natasha, Rocky, and Bullwinkle at the mention of Boris.) See jura-eds.com/boristakesahike.html. If you’re interested in the Snellen chart “riffs,” as Ward calls them, you could “Google” the phrase “Jura Snellen,” but that gets you an image of coffee makers or something. (Weird.) Try this link instead: every10miles.com/eye-chart-riffs/.
Not too far away, in Norway, Brad Matthews continues “consulting internationally on productive collaborative innovation and change readiness.” He plans to “spend more time in 2015 and beyond sculpting for fun and profit.” Brad says he’s “staying in close touch with Bill Davis ’71 and Eric Buergers.” He wishes everyone “good living ahead.” Well said. I asked Brad if learning Norwegian wasn’t quite challenging and he replied, “Norwegian is not simply challenging to learn. Add in hearing that’s not as good as it used to be, and memory challenged to remember the English vocabulary that was second nature to me previously, and you have a largely disabling mix.” As they don’t say in Norwegian, I assume, oy.
And speaking of Yiddish, fun-loving Mark Goodman is preparing to travel in Europe after converting a camper. He’s consulted Elliot Daum, who reportedly goes to Burning Man festivals in a motor home, and plans to enlist the help of Andy Leonard, who Mark describes as “pretty knowledgeable in vehicular matters.” Mark also has consulted with David Cantor in Brussels and others. As he puts it, “More meshuggene escapades!”
Sheila and Steve Ingraham visited Kaua’i in October, and Steve wrote this account: “My bride Sheila and I are still glowing from a fall trip to Kaua’i. After surviving the obligatory helicopter ride (doorless!), we met up with a colorful local: an Alaskan transplant, our very own agent Russ Josephson. Not content with merely being the hub in our Wesleyan wheel, he led us through bumpy back country, past flowery vines, singing birds, and waterfalls to his personal paradise: a verdant plot of red earth and palm trees where, one day, he and Vera will put on stilts the most ecofriendly place imaginable. It may even make Ben Stiller, his neighbor on a nearby hill, blush. Just don’t expect Russ to throw out a date for completion. As with Jefferson’s Monticello, projects of this magnitude take time. And anyway, as was drilled into us at Wes, it’s really about the journey, the process, and not the product. Right, Russ? He was a fine guide.” All I did was drive them the .8 mile up the iffy road to our housesite, I promise you.
Embarrassed by undue attention, I prodded and Steve added: “I could also write about the King Kong mountain emerging from the mists. Or about the sea turtles that bounced around in the Poi’pu surf just below our condo. Or about hiking along those spectacular bluffs and walking those gorgeous beaches . . . all of it so therapeutic. But maybe what I miss most are those ocean breezes that were always with us. They never disappoint.” A career in travel writing may await, Steve.
And finally, this from Maurice Hakim: “I am still very active professionally. In fact, I have two companies, Teacrest and Mr. Mo’s Beverages. The former manufactures ready-to-drink organic teas (T42), the latter, organic lemonades (Mr. Mo’s). Most of our business centers on private label. Customers are high-end grocery chains such as Earth Fare, Heinen’s, and Kings Supermarkets.
“My wife and I moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 11 years ago from Bedford, N.Y. We are now in Jupiter, alongside the beach. Those who attended may remember the birth of our daughter Alexandra just before our 20th Reunion. Wow, she is now 24 (!), lives in Manhattan and works at Bloomberg in the marketing department. She loves it.
“Since our 40th, I have kept close contact with Jim Elston and his lovely wife, Meckle. They now reside full time in S. Bristol, Maine. For the past two summers we have rented a cottage there and have enjoyed spending time with them. Dinner at their house is an extravaganza. Jim, as you know, has a very successful wine importing business. His house has fabulous cellar stocked with some of the best French wines, which he is never reluctant to share with his guests. Always professorial, Jim will guide you through his cellar and provide insight into every bottle.
“I miss being up North, especially during the spring and fall. We’re looking for a cottage along the Connecticut shore, specifically, Clinton or Stonington.”
Listening to music from our college years as I write. I propose “My Back Pages” (Byrds’ version, 1967) as a theme for our 45th Reunion.
Russ Josephson | russ_josephson@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 1151, Kilauea, HI 96754
Aloha, all. We don’t have a lot of news this time, unfortunately, but here’s what we have:
Stephen Policoff (“The Poet is In”—Hewitt Hall, 1966) wrote what sounds like a heart-wrenching tale of problems with our health care system. Here’s Stephen’s news: “My memoir about my late wife’s journey through New York Hospital Hell, Sixteen Scenes From a Film I Never Wanted to See, was published by Monkey Puzzle Press last January (and yes, it is just as frothy a read as it sounds). An excerpt from my second novel is in the current (summer) issue of the hipster dad magazine Kindling Quarterly. Another excerpt is in the upcoming issue of Provincetown Arts. The novel itself, Come Away, will be published in November by Dzanc Books.” Thanks for the news, Stephen. My heart goes out to you.
This time around we have a double first for this column, in my memory, at least. Two of you sent photos. It’s a sign of the times, for sure. Look for them online at classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu/.
One of the photos is from Jeff Sarles. Seems he and Gary Hill took in a Yankees-White Sox game. Says Jeff, “Russ: Attached is a photo of Gary Hill (on the left) and me (on the right) (both class of 1970) at a Yankees-White Sox game on August 23 at Yankee Stadium. If you run this, please be sure to note that Gary is a Mets fan and that I’m a White Sox fan so that no one mistakes us for Yankee fans.” Consider that gauntlet thrown down, Jeff. You didn’t mention the score, but I checked and it was 5-3 Yankees. As it happens, I watched a White Sox-Orioles game in June in Baltimore. With the storm break in the middle, the game went into 12 innings before the Os took it 5-4. Fourth row, just past third base. Great game! (Last-minute word: Congratulations to S.F. Giants fans for winning a well-played World Series against the K.C. Royals.)
And speaking of baseball, turns out fellow fan Ted Reed exercised his editing powers helping our own Dr. John (Yurechko) write the following piece, accompanied by a photo: “How I Spent the 4th of July 2014:
“My Revolutionary War re-enactment unit participated in the July 4th festivities at Mt. Vernon, Va. I assumed guard duty near a strategic storage shed. I had my photo taken more than 300 times. Photos first with the wife, then husband. Photos with families of two, no three, four, five children. Mass photos with busloads of teenagers and busloads of veterans. People from China, France, the Philippines, India, numerous African nations, even Canadians and Brits. People who claimed to be relatives of John Paul Jones, Genghis Khan, the Saracens and rock’n’roll stars. Tall people, short people, fat people, skinny people. White, black, brown, tan, red people. Pregnant women. Women who wanted to be pregnant and women who did not want to be pregnant. Little old ladies who pinched me, wanting two . . .’C’mon Sweetie’ . . . no three, four pictures. Grandfathers who did not know how to take a cell phone photo. Boys with dreadlocks in attitude poses, arms crossed, chests puffed out. I did ‘Selfies’ with pre-pubescents. Action shots with bearded guys and blond gals wearing baseball hats or football jerseys. People from every state in the Union and a good percent of the United Nations. Kids with mothers threatening: ‘Bradley! Stand next to that nice soldier for a picture or else you won’t get any food for three weeks!’ Or ‘I’m a state senator from Illinois. How about a picture?’ One couple insisted I pose with their two dogs. What was I supposed to say? No? Sixteen tourists asked me if I was George Washington. Four of those asked me where my tomb was. ‘Did anyone ever tell you look like George Washington?’ Only two people asked me where the toilets were. There were Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, atheists and polytheists. Click, click, click! I was dragged into a portrait shot of an extended family from Puerto Rico, with me in the middle. I was captured by every type of camera imaginable: old Polaroids, Instamatics, brightly colored cell phones and lap tops, disposables, $3,000 professional lenses. That storage shed stood at a crossroads for a procession of All of Humanity. I’m now posted on various crannies of the Information vacation world—your very own July 4th photograph. That nice soldier who was not George Washington.” [Signed] “John Yurechko (Class of 1970), 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, McLean, Virginia.”
John, that’s a terrific account. I never understood reenactments—still don’t—but I was totally transported by your piece.
Expecting Steve Ingraham in a few weeks. News on that in the next column.
I thought we had more news this time, but I’m not finding it on my computer, so I guess I’ll end with best wishes for the upcoming fall season. Not too soon to plan to attend the class Reunion next May. Unless some miracle occurs, I can’t see making it; it falls close to the end of our school year, but I hope many of you will get there.
Don’t forget we have a Facebook page and that you can post news on WesConnect.
Take care of yourselves and don’t forget: We like visitors.
Russ Josephson | russ_josephson@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 1151, Kilauea, HI 96754
PAUL F. MACRI, an attorney and founding member of the Maine Music Society, died Apr. 9, 2014, at age 65. He received his law degree from the University of Maine School of Law, where he was an editor of the Maine Law Review. After law school he clerked for the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. For many years he was a partner in Berman and Simmons in Lewiston, Maine. He was a fellow of the Maine Bar Foundation, the Maine Board of Bar Examiners, the State Court Library Committee, and a trustee of the Androscoggin County Law Library. In 2005 he became only the third Maine lawyer to be inducted into the American Academy of Appellate Attorneys. For a number of years he wrote a legal column for the Sun Journal newspaper. Music was also his passion, and he sang with the Androscoggin Chorale as well as with the a cappella group Top Forty. Survivors include his wife, Joan McKenty Macri; his daughter, Anne Macri ’02; his son; one grandson; his mother and stepfather; two siblings; an aunt; several nieces, including Elena M. Schilder ’07; and a large extended family.
