Class Note 1985
Issue
I’m sure everyone is still basking in the aftermath of our fantastic reunion and eagerly anticipating our 30th. It was wonderful to enjoy the flood of memories and see that our classmates looked good, were happy and could mostly remember each other with minimal use of nametags. Anything worse than a twisted nametag where you can’t read the name? My only regret is that I couldn’t stay throughout the weekend and really hone my skills for all the local beer pong tourneys that I hear advertised on Philly radio. Every time I hear one, I think to myself “Can this really be true? Is this heaven on earth?”
A reunion eases the literary burden on your secretaries. What more can be conveyed that wasn’t personally shared in person? Why would I tell you news about someone when you already know it? Old friends mean you don’t have to re-explain yourself when you get together. You can just pick up where you left off. Conversations can begin with “Remember when?” instead of “What do you do?” A reunion is also an equalizer. If you have a better job than I do, but I knocked over your cup in a crowded basement, well I guess that makes us even (at least until the Monday). Seeing old friends with a good smile and quick laugh makes me wish you could put those moments in a bottle and open it in the future.
Cool reunion things: hearing that Andy Osman was the best man in the wedding of his “little brother” from the Big Brother Program. Andy met this young man more than 25 years ago and they have been a part of each other’s lives ever since. Years ago this little brother was in Andy’s wedding to our own Frances Gmur. I liked hearing that Phil Yazbak’s daughter is going to Dartmouth. I liked seeing Pam Bass and Lynne Petkovic in the AXA basement under a hand-painted sign reading “in the #$%#ing basement.” I liked seeing Russ Mitchell talking to the deliveryman from Blood’s Seafood as this was a sure precursor to a great rage. I liked getting an e-mail from Linda Blockus saying that her kids bonded with Becky Blake’s kids. Uncool reunion things: having to leave early, Sal Sorce’s inexplicable confidence on the pong table, not remembering the combination to my Hinman box, the increased price of a chicken burger at the Hop. Things I was reminded I never liked: partnering with either Chris Mulligan or Jack Sylvia on the pong table. This duo has single handedly changed Al Davis’ motto to “Just Lose Baby” (feel free to substitute “chug” for “lose” at any time).
Another thing I liked is remembering how lucky we were/are to have had our lives intersect with some truly excellent, high-quality people. For that we have been truly fortunate. Sadly, though, we have lost one of our classmates, Craig Byrne. Craig passed away on June 30. His story can be read at www.caringbridge.com/visit/craigbyrne. There is a lot to share about Craig’s life, but I think many of us remember his love of music, including his involvement in The Aires. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sally Hostetler, and children Amos (14), Isabella (11) and Augustus (6).
I also liked that reunion reminded me it is important to make that extra effort to stay in touch with friends. Try it, you will like it.
—John MacManus, 118 Ringwood Road Rosemont, PA 19010 610-525-4541; slampong@aol.com
Nov - Dec 2010
I’m sure everyone is still basking in the aftermath of our fantastic reunion and eagerly anticipating our 30th. It was wonderful to enjoy the flood of memories and see that our classmates looked good, were happy and could mostly remember each other with minimal use of nametags. Anything worse than a twisted nametag where you can’t read the name? My only regret is that I couldn’t stay throughout the weekend and really hone my skills for all the local beer pong tourneys that I hear advertised on Philly radio. Every time I hear one, I think to myself “Can this really be true? Is this heaven on earth?”
A reunion eases the literary burden on your secretaries. What more can be conveyed that wasn’t personally shared in person? Why would I tell you news about someone when you already know it? Old friends mean you don’t have to re-explain yourself when you get together. You can just pick up where you left off. Conversations can begin with “Remember when?” instead of “What do you do?” A reunion is also an equalizer. If you have a better job than I do, but I knocked over your cup in a crowded basement, well I guess that makes us even (at least until the Monday). Seeing old friends with a good smile and quick laugh makes me wish you could put those moments in a bottle and open it in the future.
Cool reunion things: hearing that Andy Osman was the best man in the wedding of his “little brother” from the Big Brother Program. Andy met this young man more than 25 years ago and they have been a part of each other’s lives ever since. Years ago this little brother was in Andy’s wedding to our own Frances Gmur. I liked hearing that Phil Yazbak’s daughter is going to Dartmouth. I liked seeing Pam Bass and Lynne Petkovic in the AXA basement under a hand-painted sign reading “in the #$%#ing basement.” I liked seeing Russ Mitchell talking to the deliveryman from Blood’s Seafood as this was a sure precursor to a great rage. I liked getting an e-mail from Linda Blockus saying that her kids bonded with Becky Blake’s kids. Uncool reunion things: having to leave early, Sal Sorce’s inexplicable confidence on the pong table, not remembering the combination to my Hinman box, the increased price of a chicken burger at the Hop. Things I was reminded I never liked: partnering with either Chris Mulligan or Jack Sylvia on the pong table. This duo has single handedly changed Al Davis’ motto to “Just Lose Baby” (feel free to substitute “chug” for “lose” at any time).
Another thing I liked is remembering how lucky we were/are to have had our lives intersect with some truly excellent, high-quality people. For that we have been truly fortunate. Sadly, though, we have lost one of our classmates, Craig Byrne. Craig passed away on June 30. His story can be read at www.caringbridge.com/visit/craigbyrne. There is a lot to share about Craig’s life, but I think many of us remember his love of music, including his involvement in The Aires. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sally Hostetler, and children Amos (14), Isabella (11) and Augustus (6).
I also liked that reunion reminded me it is important to make that extra effort to stay in touch with friends. Try it, you will like it.
—John MacManus, 118 Ringwood Road Rosemont, PA 19010 610-525-4541; slampong@aol.com