Happy 2015, classmates! As column deadlines approach, we “writers” often rely on common sources of information—personal connections, articles from the college, random musings, reuse of old columns, the three F’s (friends, Facebook, fabrication). In the spirit of holiday potpourri, this column may be a medley of all sources—can you match the story with its category? Consider this a newsy kaleidoscope, but first, please consider 2015 as the year you attend our 30th reunion. Excitement is building, planning has begun and soon you will be deluged with communication! 


I’m wondering if Scott “The Goose” Schneider will be there, he of the self-anointed nickname, a la George “T-Bone” Costanza. I know new father Tom McDonald is planning to attend, which means we’ll witness the Hanover debut of newborn, Audrey Wells McDonald. Congratulations to TMac and mom Langley. Results from Audrey’s Dartmouth early decision 2038 application were not available as of press time. I know our class officers will be there, including Leslie Davis Dahl, who kindly shared news about our own Jeff Healy. Jeff, an attorney specializing in mass tort litigation and class actions for defendants at Tucker Ellis LLP, was one of 35 of the firm’s attorneys selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers for America in 2015. I’m not sure if this was part of the Tucker Ellis “You vote for me, I’ll vote for you” campaign, but thumbs up for Jeff. Thanks for Ken Johnson ’83, faithful reader and former class secretary, for news from the Denver Post about Tiger Shaw’s recent appointment to president of the U.S. Ski Association. Check out their archives for an extended Q&A with Tiger. 


Speaking of archives, a paucity of news can tempt a secretary to use old (or let’s say lightly read) material. Something in the vein of “Mike Reilly was spotted at 5 Olde,” DAM, circa 1986, or “Sue Finegan Vasu received an award,” DAM, circa ongoing. Maybe we’ll spot both Mike and Sue at reunion this summer, but not at 5 Olde, since that’s now closed down. As reunions approach many may reflect on our numerous life events and experiences during the past 30 years, while others may have no greater concerns than whether to pack khaki or navy shorts for the journey to Hanover. Currently I’m wondering why, when you get those birthday party invites stating “no gifts please,” do some people still bring gifts and ruin it for everyone else. I’m also thinking that the birthday person would prefer “copious amounts of gifts please.” A quick scan of social media shows that many classmates are drinking tons of wine, traveling to exotic locales, creating the greatest recipes ever, wearing face paint at sporting events and waiting on their kids’ college acceptances, all the while with a cell phone camera perpetually clutched in hand. A quicker perusal of Instagram shows many entries from the Chris Mulligan-Sarah Sherwood ’86 clan, which have detailed their various exploits, minus the recipes. If you are unable to attend our reunion, your best alternative is to start following Mulls on Instagram, as probably 2.7 out of the three days will be pictorially chronicled.


Reunion planning may also bring resolutions of exercise, new wardrobe (blue or khaki?), trendy new hairstyle, perhaps a beer pong refresher. Or maybe it just means you bring your family and a nametag to reconnect with old friends. Whatever it means to you, June 2015 in Hanover should be on your travel agenda. In the meantime, send news, fact or fabricated, for the next column.


—John MacManus, 118 Ringwood Road Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com; Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com