1978

The news in this month's column comes courtesy of cyberspace and the internet a class secretary's friend. First report came from Tom Fox in France-Presse (AFP) to AP-Dow Jones for more money and regular if still long hoursmeaning weekends and holidays off instead of the strange shifts of a seven-day general news wire.

He reports that he will have plenty to do with the money and the time as his wife of four years, Suchada Nilmag, is expecting in May. Suchada has just started producing and marketing a new seasoning to prepare all kinds of meats. Its English name is Paw Saneh brand (it is her father's recipe) Thai Style Spicy Garlic Herb Seasoning and Tom asks that any of you importers, wholesalers, and retailers out there in '78 land please note.

I also heard from Jane Erwin Hammentt. who is living in. San Francisco and states that she is actually surviving as a fulltime singer these days, having joined the national touring company of The phantom of the Opera in August of '94. She stayed there for two years, singing a lot of Carlottas (as cover), then spent some time in NY before returning to SF last spring for an opera gig. Jane sang in the San Francisco production of Phantom during fall 1997 and has two operas, an operetta, a possible duo recital, and several concerts during 1998.

Rob Porman was particularly busy during the last half of 1996 and most of 1997 due to his responsibilities as co-chair (with Senator Bob Kerrey) of the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS. This resulted in legislation that successfully passed in the House in the late fall. Meanwhile, Rob sees his Community Anti-Drug Act as his most significant legislative accomplishment of 1997. This act helps establish local-level committees to fight the illicit narcotics trade. Rob and his wife, Jane, maintain their residence in Cincinnati, where their three children Jed, Will, and Sally attend school. Rob reports that Dan Reicher is doing great at the Energy Department, where he's in line for a new job as assistant secretary.

Craig Douglass reports that he has become a windsurfing addict. He sails in southern California at Cabrillo Beach (the venue for the 1984 Olympic windsurfing event) and takes occasional trips to the Gorge (in Oregon) and the north shore of Maui. Last June Craig placed 12th (40-plus class) at the world championship in Aruba. Up until three years ago, Craig raced competitively on a Cookson Frers 43, which won most every big boat race on the West Coast including three MEXORC championships.

Gail Fondahl replied to my e-mail: "My first book is just out Gaining Ground?Evenkis, Land, and Reform in SoutheasternSiberia (Allyn and Bacon). I'm now working on a three-year project in NE Siberia on indigenous land tenure and self-government, with colleagues from University of Northern British Columbia and Russia. I am teaching (geography of the circumpolar North, geography of Russia, cultural geography, geography of British Columbia, aboriginal geography) and doing research as mentioned above. Other activities? I attend my daughter's highland dance classes, ski a bit in the winter, and do very little else job takes up all other time. Oh, we do have gourmet club, meeting once every two montfis enjoyed a caribou Wellington last weekend!"

That's all the news for this month. If you have access to e-mail, spend a few minutes to send me an update. I can also be reached by fax, phone, or mail.

14960 Altata Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA, 90272; (310) 459-8871 (h); (310) 914-1182 (w); (310) 2300189 (fax);

Karen Kurkjian '78 behind the mask, p. 48

Alpine coach Peter Dodge '78, p. 26

Craig Douglass placed 12th in the windsurfing world championship in Aruba MAGGIE FELLNER HUNT '78