1977

I love running into friends in odd places. I don't know whether it gives me a sense that the world is smaller than it is or that I know lots of people, but, whatever the case, I've had two such incidents with classmates, and I get a big kick out of it. In February I encountered Jenny Clarke Barstow with husband Al '75 and son John at Vail Mountain. We didn't get much time to chat as we were hurrying off to catch the first runs in new snow, but everyone seemed great. Jenny is a law partner for Dechert, Price & Rhoads in Philadelphia, Al is teaching at Wharton, and John is a successful first-grader.

Several years ago I had another hurried runin with Jim Aronstein. We were both traveling in Paris and had gotten caught with no accommodations on the busiest weekend of the year. Jim and his wife, Patsy, had managed to find a spot but we had not, and although our fraternity slogan of "Brothers-in-Arms" may have called for it, I did not press Jim to share his room. We hadn't spoken until I called for some news and reminded him of our inhospitable rendezvous. He apologized and offered this. He and Patsy live in Denver, where he has been a partner with Parcel & Mauro law firm since 1985. He's been there so long he has already enjoyed a sabbatical, which he spent visiting America's garden spots with Patsy and their sons Willy and Tyler. Now he's back working on mining rights for the next Comstock Lode.

I put in a deadline call to Bill Hooper in Los Altos to see what he's been up to. Bill is really excited about two things right now: the arrival in January of daughter Whitney to him and his wife Julie, and the continued expansion of his hotel franchise. He's been with a small hotel management firm for awhile since leaving the rigors of McKinsey. With the demands of home and work, Bill has lost touch with many Dartmouth friends, but I'll see if we can't change that.

Paul Donovan's career with Senator Kennedy has just gotten a notch more interesting. Kennedy's new press secretary (replacing Paul) just announced that Paul has been appointed Kennedy's chief of staff. Kennedy describes Paul as "a person of many talents." He must have to use them all in that far-reaching role.

So you've heard enough about lawyers, capitalists, and politicians. Here's a refreshing item. Richard Stillman is a one-man performing troupe. Since graduation Richard has built a repertoire of talents including banjo, bagpipes, mime, clog dancing, storytellingyou name it. He has parlayed his varied experiences in theater groups and in the streets and with vaudeville acts and touring companies into appearances on "Sesame Street" and "Shining Time Theater." (Some of you moms and dads must have seen him.) Aiiyway, he lives in Montclair, N.J., with his wife, Susan, and their twin daughters, and is performing for audiences of all ages. If in need of some fan entertainment, I'd give a call to our class Bojangles.

I got a scary message from Barry Harwick last week. It said he was heading to the Stanford relays with the track team, and they were in need of housing. False alarm. He was just looking for some local alumni support. Coming off some impressive performances at the Melrose Games and the indoor Nationals, Barry is very excited about the teams and the athletes he's working with. He specifically mentioned one athlete, Allan Muir. Allan recently transferred with his law firm to Portland, Maine, in time to run in the Dartmouth relays. He showed remarkable speed and fitness for a middle-distance middle-ager.

2034 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA 94121-1210

One man performing troupe Richard Stillman has appeared on "Sesame Street." DOUGLAS IRELAND '77