Class Note 1984
Issue
Mar - Apr 2017
I’m pitching a new reality show to the networks this month. It’s called Dartmouth ’84 Class Couples. These five couples will be moving to an abandoned frat house at Dartmouth for 84 days. There they’ll battle it out for the crown of best class couple. The prize will be bragging rights at the 2018 reunion and two weeks of free Airbnb at Eric Grubman’s Connecticut house. And here are our five couples.
John Lo Conte and Deana Washburn in Cranford, New Jersey.John and Deana first set eyes on each other freshman fall. Deana was the one who came to “Spanish 10” late every day with a wet head. John thought she was a snoozing, wet druggy because she wore a jean jacket every day and he had come from a Catholic school, where jeans were banned. Months later he learned she took lifesaving right before “Spanish 10.” Being best friends for two years prior to dating and best friends now is what makes their relationship unbreakable.
Heather Keare and Chris Huff in Wellesley, Massachusetts.Their marriage secrets are patience and humor (the ability to laugh at yourself and each other) and underlying respect along with having fun. Chris heads sales for an educational technology company called Echo 360 based in Reston, Virginia. Heather’s busy with KeareSoule Interiors, an interior design company.
Carla Small and Bob Cronin in Needham, Massachusetts. For these two, the secret to staying married is respecting each other’s individuality, and celebrating that the union makes each of them better (one plus one equals more than two). They love time with family and friends above all else and cherish their Dartmouth friendships that have endured and strengthened through time. According to Carla, they travel when Bob is not paying attention and she can plan another trip, and they wonder why they think they’re still in their 20s but look like they’re 80.
Lisen Stromberg and Bill Rossi live and work in San Francisco. They met “cute” (like in the movies) at Dick’s House. Lisen’s secret to a long marriage? She asked me not to quote it but here it is anyway: You marry the fantasy and then (if you are lucky and willing to work at it) spend every day for the rest of your life making peace with the reality. For Lisen, that’s the definition of unconditional love—discovering who your partner is, not who you want them to be, and staying the course.
Derek Chow and Jan Gordon live and work in Boulder, Colorado. As of press time, they never got back to me, so I did some extensive research. According to Facebook, Jan met Derek in 1982 and I’m happy to report that Derek also met Jan in 1982. Like the other couples, they’ve been dating for at least 35 years. Wow!
Tune in next time for the winners. And don’t forget to party with your ’84 classmates, on the 84th day of the year, which is March 25!
—Juliet Aires Giglio, 4915 Bentbrook Drive, Manlius, NY 13104; julietgiglio@gmail.com; Eric Grubman, 2 Fox Den Way, Woodbridge, CT 06525; (203) 710-7933; grubman@sbcglobal.net
John Lo Conte and Deana Washburn in Cranford, New Jersey.John and Deana first set eyes on each other freshman fall. Deana was the one who came to “Spanish 10” late every day with a wet head. John thought she was a snoozing, wet druggy because she wore a jean jacket every day and he had come from a Catholic school, where jeans were banned. Months later he learned she took lifesaving right before “Spanish 10.” Being best friends for two years prior to dating and best friends now is what makes their relationship unbreakable.
Heather Keare and Chris Huff in Wellesley, Massachusetts.Their marriage secrets are patience and humor (the ability to laugh at yourself and each other) and underlying respect along with having fun. Chris heads sales for an educational technology company called Echo 360 based in Reston, Virginia. Heather’s busy with KeareSoule Interiors, an interior design company.
Carla Small and Bob Cronin in Needham, Massachusetts. For these two, the secret to staying married is respecting each other’s individuality, and celebrating that the union makes each of them better (one plus one equals more than two). They love time with family and friends above all else and cherish their Dartmouth friendships that have endured and strengthened through time. According to Carla, they travel when Bob is not paying attention and she can plan another trip, and they wonder why they think they’re still in their 20s but look like they’re 80.
Lisen Stromberg and Bill Rossi live and work in San Francisco. They met “cute” (like in the movies) at Dick’s House. Lisen’s secret to a long marriage? She asked me not to quote it but here it is anyway: You marry the fantasy and then (if you are lucky and willing to work at it) spend every day for the rest of your life making peace with the reality. For Lisen, that’s the definition of unconditional love—discovering who your partner is, not who you want them to be, and staying the course.
Derek Chow and Jan Gordon live and work in Boulder, Colorado. As of press time, they never got back to me, so I did some extensive research. According to Facebook, Jan met Derek in 1982 and I’m happy to report that Derek also met Jan in 1982. Like the other couples, they’ve been dating for at least 35 years. Wow!
Tune in next time for the winners. And don’t forget to party with your ’84 classmates, on the 84th day of the year, which is March 25!
—Juliet Aires Giglio, 4915 Bentbrook Drive, Manlius, NY 13104; julietgiglio@gmail.com; Eric Grubman, 2 Fox Den Way, Woodbridge, CT 06525; (203) 710-7933; grubman@sbcglobal.net