1979

Contrary to previous reports, the Grand Wazoo & I get one mo' chance to thrill you all...

As I looked around, it was easy to see, that we had become those people we were once so curious about (our parents?). Aging, mostly well, surrounded by beautiful children, saddled with debt and responsibility. I couldn't help but think of a circus every time I stepped into one of our tents. The frivolity and mirth abounded just as if it were cirque de '79.

What, at times, could have been mistaken for a Hair Club For Men's convention, the class of '79s 21st reunion was a rousing success. Nearly 300 classmates, many with growing families in tow, communed for the weekend with the north woods, the Jerry Jeff Walker Band, steamers, lobster and fellow classmates. Having a great time under our class tent, I had the notion that those little plastic Dartmouth cups of beer are much like White Castle burgers; you can't have just one and it's quite customary to have half a dozen or more. For those of you who couldn't make it back to Hanover, let us try to give you a glimpse of what you missed: Paul Krupka hitched a ride to Lebanon airport on Bobby Browneye's corporate Leer jet, needed to fly the Jerry Jeff Walker Band to Lubbock, Texas, following its Friday night engagement at the Bema. The band was great but the dancing and air guitar prowess of the Ken Beer, John Saer and Philipe Odence's kids stole the show.

Loved seeing Simon "La Fleur" Margolis again, after 21 years. I asked about his wife and he was quick to reply, "No. Didn't bring her. I wasn't even sure if I was going to have a good time! ?!" By Sunday he assured me he had. One of the best.

I always thought that classmate, UConn professor and author Regina Barreca always got way too much print in Alumni Mag but she had our class falling out of their chairs laughing in her address to our class Saturday night. As Prof. Barreca pointed out to our class, Daniel Webster's historic argument, "...it's small, sir, but there are those who love it" does seem like an unusual mantra for what was an all male bastion for more than 200 years. You do hear what you want to hear, however. Rich "The Pug Man" Pugh was fast to set her straight. He recalled it going more like: "It is, sir, as I have said, a small College, but the boys there have rather large endowments, so it's no wonder that there are those who love it!" Poor Daniel, rolling around in his grave. Gina, you cracked us up! You go girl! See you on Oprah next time.

It was 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning of reunion weekend in the basement of Bones Gate. I had just saluted our new class president, Bill "Bags" Mitchell, and his pong partner and new class treasurer, Laurie Laidlaw, with the customary gesture for one who sinks his serve into his opponents cup. Way to act your age, Wazoo. It occurred to me how eerily similar this was to early Sunday morning of our 16th reunion, and our 10th, and our 5th....

And so my dear familie, it's "pissing in the wind, betting on a losing friend, making the same mistakes we swear wed never make agaiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I end with a note I received post haste from my old high school chum and fraternity brother Ernie Parizeau, who said it so well: "Thanks for the note,Jeffrey. I really enjoyed seeing you too. Your enthusiasm, laugh and good looks still make me smile. It's great to know that as the adventure of life takes us down different paths we can forever count on the important friendships from our youth. Stay well and in touch. Best, Ernie."

Unfortunately, I must end on a very sad note. We lost Ken Loos on March 27. God-speed to you, Ken...

7 Griffin St., Simsbury,bury, CT06070; (860) 651-0085 (home);(800)982-6810 (work);(203)949-5670(fax);Jwaszi979@aol.com;765 Teresita Blvd., San Francisco, CA94127(415)337-7737 (home); zeke79@ix.netcom.com