1983

Andy Davilman is back from his trip around the planet and has filed a summary report. "The world really is round. Paris is death in August. Kangaroos box better than they jump. Potato chips taste terrible in London, but the policemen are pretty friendly. Acapulco, on the other hand, is overrated." Those of you planning a trip, take note. Andy, sadly, has relinquished his role as Class Nomad and arrived in Gotham City for a stint at Shearson's institutional sales/trading group, a training center for aspiring Masters of the Universe. "We have a very disciplined investment Process," says Andy. "It's called 'have a hunch, bet a bunch.' "

Time moves on and you will notice a subtle shift in emphasis in this column from weddings to babies. Well, weddings are fun to write about, but children! Children present an altogether new dimension of reporting. I can now chronicle simple events ("Bobby rolled over today." "Jenny swallowed a june bug." "Johnny has the hiccups.") which convey tremendous meaning. Finally, a bond between writer and reader. Anyway, it pleases me greatly to tell you that Kate Drislane-Howe and husband Steve are now blessed by son Dennis. Daveand Mary Beth Crane raised the ante when they brought Kasey into this world as daughter #1. "Matthew (son #1) wanted some company," explains Cranie. "He was getting bored with me." At last look, Dave and Mary Beth needed a station wagon and a golden retriever named Max to become the quintessential American family.

Mark Flessel has joined the matrimonial ranks, by virtue of his saying "yes" to Laura Stelutto in Gloucester, Mass., last July. Mark and Laura were serenaded by Jim andConnie Gregg, Debbie Ellsworth, MarkStein, Deb Robbins, and Kelly and AndreHunter, among others. I also know that Alan Eagle served as best man, which is mildly exasperating because Eags has a terrible habit of sneaking in and out of the Greater Boston area without notifying any of the local color. To gain Al's attention, I'll pose the following sports trivia: Who is the only major leaguer to have at least 500 base hits with four teams? Hah!

Update on the Peter Barry situation: Between years at Northwestern B-School, Pete worked with United Airlines, marketing their new Hong Kong/Pakistan route. Personally, I wish he'd focused on bringing back triple mileage for frequent flyers.

Quietly, Jim and Loren BachelderMitchell have become a dynamic force down in Bangor, Maine. Jim and Loren have set up Mitchell & Mitchell, a marketing and public relations firm, which already has an extremely impressive client base including Procter & Gamble, Maine Maritime Academy, and Katahdin Corporation. Both Jim and Loren have terrific marketing backgrounds and appear poised to do some great things in the future. Dave Hendren is now an associate with the Boston law firm Milgrim, Thomajen & Lee, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and hi-tech companies. And, Shelley Drake has just married Jim Hawks on the plains of Oklahoma. Kathy Bowler Mitchell says everything was "mah-velous."

One more thing. Please read Professor Michael Dorris's new book The Broken Cord, a superbly written, heart-wrenching story about his adopted son's battle with fetal alcohol syndrome. It is an outstanding book.

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