1979

The day had finally arrived. Conceived in the large mind of our most esteemed mini-reunion chairman (you may know who) many moons ago, our cross-continental simultaneous 40th birthday party had finally come to fruition. I cruised down the freeway to the strains of, naturally, The Smashing Pumpkins grooving on to "1979." Random station. Random existence. Life is a ponderous thing! Our end (S.F.) had been arranged by the graciousness of Kim Young '81 (weakest class ever) and her everengaging husband John "Boo" Moragne. I was most anxious to see who would arrive, since I had inexplicably missed our last reunion in Hanover.

The saints they came a marching in. SueBenjamin, Thayer Wendell, MarkTomalonis, Ben "Always Smiling"Riley, Adam Samuels, Kevin Sullivan,Jim Feuille, Buzzard Campisano, John(Dr.) Sotos, Pablo Krupka, BruceMcElhinney, Carl Yerkovich, and Dr. Mary Ann Zetes!!! Could there be more? I was hoping so! I hadn't had that much fun in a long time! It's so easy to forget what excellent people we were all so fortunate to acquaint in College. Bobby "Downtown" Brown 'BO, his brother Derek 'BO, and Clifford Fitzsimmons '78 also brought love and laughter to the magical gathering.

In the very words of our aforementioned chief host: Big thanks to all the hosts for a rousing success. Over 50 classmates and their tolerant families came together to celebrate the onset of our next decade!!! Stay tuned for photographic evidence.

Southern California: Steven O'Neill and Ted Winterer were joined by Ken Winber, in addition to a host of other alums ranging from '72 to '81.

Washington, D.C.: These guys were still going after the West Coast parties wrapped. Thanks, Billy Conway, Burr Gray, and T. Clark Weymouth for hosting Paul Centenari, Richard Conn, Tim Ehrsam, Da'aga Hill-Bowman, Bruce Jackman, Barbara Murphy, Dave Novello, Chris O'Brien, Proctor Reid, Laura Robertson-Duncan, and Luette Semmes.

New York: Stan "The Man" Weil pulled it all together. Bags Mitchell was a tit(ular) host as well. They were pleased to entertain David Klingon, Swanee Swenson, Bill Huffman, Peggy Epstein, Ellen Gomprecht, Judy Ornstein, Andy Schoder, Scott Brooks, and Francois "Frankie" Franklin.

Boston: Pete "My Hero" Roby and Tom "Thunder" Bird came through in the clutch to entertain Philly "Cheesesteak" Odence, Libby Roberts, DaveCostello, and Jim "#22" Eden, who gets the prize for coming the farthest, flying in from Atlanta just for the party.

A successful affair in the Windy City: 15 total attendees and nine classmates enjoyed libations and Mrs. Mathewson's delightful dinner. Tom and Cynthia Ryan graced us with their presence from Kansas City. Former Winnetka residents Beth and RobMoore flew in from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Also present were locals Elisha andSusan Gould, Dr. Sponge and KarinSpringer, Rocky and Pat Stone, DickO'Brien, and John and Kathy HarperGilbertson. Only problem was that we were having such a good time we forgot to take our photos. Sorry. A great success in all other respects. Regards, Matty.

Apparently a grand time was also had by everybody else who motivated to participate!

Personally, I've been quite busy imparting the lessons of ancient civilizations to unsuspecting seventh-graders. Preparing to sojourn into the Sonora Pass wilderness to help cultivate the survival skills of six of my proteges. Does it get any better than this? Please let me know. It, everything, naturally, turned out to be one of those times you fantasize about, not experience. Shame on those of you who missed out!

That about wraps it for now. I'm outta breath! Peace unto yee all.

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