1979

Todays lesson is poetry. To begin:

There once were these classmates so merryWho thought their own tales ordinaryWith experience so layeredIt was time to be sharedSo each wrote to their class secretary.

Yesterday evening I ran into Kristy Weinschreider Rudel on the train platform at Grand Central Terminal as we were heading north to Westchester. I had not seen Kristy in eight-plus years and thought it was quite fortuitous since I still had to write this Class Notes column. And do so within 24 hours!

"What stories do you have to share?" I asked. "Nothing noteworthy," she replied.

However, as the night train wended its way out of Manhattan and up through the Bronx, Kristy began revealing many fascinating tales. She is now managing director at Union Bancaire Privee Asset Management LLC (hedge fund and investment advisory), working on the 28th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the GE Building. Space does not permit telling of the whole story of how she ended up in the job. What I can say is that this was a case, not of Kristy looking for a job but, of a job finding Kristy.

Her husband, Anthony, teaches writing and English, which seems to be a true passion and calling for him, at Manhattanville College.

Chip Debelius, who is associate professor at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design in Knoxville, announced the opening of a new solo exhibit of his recent paintings and architectural projects. The exhibit will be open to the public from June 22 to October 14 at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Only 700 days left until our 30th reunion. Be there. Aloha.

On April 20 Carey Fiertz and Dave Wolff headed up to Dartmouth to attend the Spring Woodsmen's Meet. Writes Carey, "We were drafted into judging/timing various events. Pleased to advise that some things have not changed much in Hanover, at least in the DOC. Some events are different—safety is a far bigger concern than back in our day—but the competitors were all friendly and great to be with. Quite a juxtaposition: speed chopping, now called horizontal chopping, was the final competition, the glamour event of the weekend, always dangerous for competitors and spectators alike with huge axes flashing in the sun, chopping between ones legs, woodchips flying. Meanwhile, a group of undergrads were playing serious touch football on another side of the Green, completely ignoring us." Carey just returned from a family trip to Rome.

Cindy Calder recently traveled to Peru with "Pro Mujer, an association that provides microfinance to support very poor women in Latin America. I am taking my nth-grade son with me and we're 'bonding' while we study Spanish, visit ancient sites and see how great it is to give back to those less fortunate than us. My oldest son is a freshman at Dartmouth this year and as happy as can be and am hoping this next one can join him soon. All the best."

Michelle Lavigne writes, "I am married to Tim Biety (who has a son, Shawn Biety, 28 years old). We have a 3-year-old granddaughter, Emma Rose Biety. Tim works as a national account manager for the BIC Corp., so I have a lifetime supply of pens and razors. In February I took a trip to Davos, Switzerland, to ski."

There once were these Seventy-NinersWho needed "please write me" remindersBut, since they were smartThey took it to heartCrafting quick notes for my writing grinder.

17 Southview, Pleasantville, NY 1057; (212) 827-8456; mwinkler@marthastewart.com