1983

Monday morning, a day in the life. Mark Trauner awoke at his usual hour 11:00 a.m. As usual, he lay supine, fantasizing about his fledgling pro golf career: "The miracle kid, at Augusta, hits a nine iron . . .it's in the hole!!!" Momentarily, he panicked. The soaps started in less than two hours and he hadn't even eaten breakfast. Soon it was 4:00 p.m., time to plan the night's activities. Mark dialed information, learned he was in Providence, R. I., then called Howie Brick in Boston. "I'm lonely and want to hang out with you tonight," said Mark. But Howie, who works for a living, had to demur. In Providence, a gloomy, thin rain began falling on Mark as he headed for the bowling alley to eat dinner alone. Such are the glories of an athlete on the road.

Sandwiches were invented by the Earl of Sandwich, popcorn was invented by the Earl of Popcorn, and salad dressing by the Oil of Vinegar. The moon invented natural rhythm. Civilization uninvented it. ConnieRing Gregg would have liked to reinvent it, but she worked at a bank in Chicago and didn't know how. Then she moved to Boston, married class president-emeritus Jimmy Gregg and rhythm was restored. Congrats to you both, and apologies to Tom Robbins.

In Cambridge, Mass.,Naomi Bindman has finally found peace. The television cameras are gone, the newspaper editorials are disappearing. Naomi, who comes from a long line of teachers, designed her own major at Dartmouth (education and democracy in the U.S.), and has been in the classroom ever since. Last year, Naomi moved into the spotlight when several of her ninth-grade students began actively studying the impact of discrimination against homosexuals and she supplied them with a book for adolescents about sexuality. The Cambridge Board of Education disapproved of the book's issuance and rescinded Naomi's tenure. However, an immediate groundswell of support for Naomi forced the Board to reconsider its action and she was formally reinstated. Happily, Naomi is back in school this year, enthusiastic as ever, teaching rare qualities such as inquisitiveness, respect, and wisdom.

Some people go five years without writing, then, for mysterious reasons, suddenly tire of hearing about Alpha Chi '83s in this column and send me news. So here's an update on Clare Curley from the Big Apple. Clare works in the municipal bond insurance industry by day and is a nocturnal student at Columbia's executive M.B.A. program. She also competes in triathlons and needs training partners. The line forms to the left.

From the Windy City Ellen Malinin Carpenter reports that she conquered UChicago's neurobiology Ph.D. program and headed for the University of Utah for postdoctoral work in the Biology Department. Meanwhile, Mark Bandeen wants to talk about leveraged acquisitions. Mark lives happily in Menlo Park, Calif.,with his wife and son, not too far from Peter Swann, who's begun a three-year residence in family medicine after wrapping up his M.D. at Tufts.

When are words ever enough? Will Shue died in an awful swimming accident in Maine last August. Jane Awad '86, married to Shawn Borgeson, was overcome by cancer and passed away in Seattle the same month. It is impossible to adequately convey the sense of sadness and tragedy that accompanies these events. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Will, Jane and Shawn.

Kenneth M.Johnson, 85 Hosmer Street #A1, Acton, MA 01720