1978

"And remember, exercise can be fun, even if you can't yet tie your shoes," Richard Simmons squealed to the audience at home. "We'll be right back after a message from Snickers candy bars." As the camera panned across the studio health nuts, I spotted a familiar body oscillating rhythmically to the Donna Summers tune. Despite the heavy sweat I recognized the angular features Knud. There he was, Eric Englestead, on the Richard Simmons show!

Chatting with Knud later, at the wedding of Charlie Vieth '79, I learned the real reason. Studio dancers were being paid $50 apiece. Knud was saving his cash for the Falkland Island Relief Fund, in line with his new girlfriend's request. At the same affair, GeorgeVieth got a chance to test his new toast-making abilities, which he honed to a science at a Dale Carnegie course. George, no fool, has started dating a doctoral student in foreign languages, who some day may be able to translate for him.

Homecoming this year brought back many of the former stars from the class who never saw an Ivy League championship. Gregg Robinson, who was recently named to the Ivy League Quarter-Century All-Star team, topped the list. Chris Lynch and his wife Patty were spending a relating weekend in Hanover, after recently utilizing declining interest rates to purchase a home in Boston. Andy Ebbott, comparing his toils on the offensive line to the excitement of bookkeeping at Arthur Andersen, confirmed that he could still be a star. Tony Cort and his new wife made the trip east from Chicago, as he had promised to show her Jay Murphy. Mark "Golden Toe" Sweetser took some time away from his new venture to attend; the fact that he has stayed alive in this economy confirms that he is better at business than he was at punting. George McDavid, the new barrister, was staying close to Rocky O'Conner in the hope of picking up personal injury clients. George left his new gal in Philadelphia, but he wanted to make sure you all knew he had one.

Although Scott Axford abandoned a promising career as a linebacker to work at Thayer, he still returned for Homecoming. He was just one of many members of the class council who met before the game. Californian Charles Wise, , new oil and gas czar, was back in Hanover and is providing valuable support in reunion planning. Cathy "First Year Honors" Cates took time away from her busy recruiting schedule to give us the benefits of her M.B.A. - without billing, I hope. Mindy Kassen, now a lawyer in Los Angeles, made the trek, as did Judy Osher and Wendy Thurber from the Boston area. I am happy to report that Sally Eastman was unharmed in her brief junket to Kenya this summer. The same can be said for Hamp Bekarian, who fortunately is in Boston and not practicing shuttle diplomacy a la Philip Habib.

Jerry Widdicombe'j reunion reminders what to do if rooming next to Jack Kiernan: If, by virtue of having an unfavorable comparison to all your peers except one, you are rooming in the Wigs next to Jack (and God knows who else), do not immediately give Jerry a call. The situation will be short-lived. I have no doubt that Jack will be pulled instinctively to Skidmore by Friday night. Some things never change.

At last count we had almost 300 classmates lined up for reunion - and that only counts AXA. This is a record pace, so stay the course and sign up now!

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