Class Note 1977
Issue
Jul - Aug 2016
Mark Robinson has a lot of news to impart: “Wife Clare (Williams ’80) and I have had the pleasure of visiting Hanover on numerous occasions through the years to visit my mom and dad ’45, who retired there in the mid-1980s. Visits took on a multi-generational dimension in the 2000s when our youngest, Matt, became a ’13. That was a real treat for all. We enjoyed watching Matt’s rugby games, oftentimes officiated by Sam Hoar. For the past several years I have gotten together with fellow Zetes Ray Bankert, Tom Cohn, Scott Farr, Tom Pell and Rich Sarner in the annual Zeta Psi golf outing in Hanover—to play golf and tell exaggerated stories over dinner and around the beer pong table.”
“I am still at it, work-wise. After spending 20-plus years in a family manufacturing business, my career took me to a private equity-backed manufacturing company in need of a turnaround and then to an ice cream novelty startup business. Most recently I launched a new company to make and market fun, all-natural, portion-controlled desserts, the first of which is Mad Minis—small, Oreo-like ice cream cookie sandwiches. We launched in 75 stores in New England in 2015 and expect to have 1,000 retail locations nationwide in 2016. Getting a frozen product made successfully and consistently, into retail stores with limited shelf space, that the consumer will love and buy repeatedly has been challenging and fun! This year will determine whether Mad Minis resonate with the consumer. We need all the consumers we can get! Check us out at www.madminifoods.com or facebook.com/madminifoods and, more importantly, try our product and let us know what you think.
“We see other ’77s and their wives here in the Boston area: Frank McNamara and Lisa ’78, Bart Geer, Tom Barnico, Rory Laughna and Gary Rogers and Jill ’78. We also see Jane Kirstetter Ingram ’78 and her husband, Jeff, when she travels back to New England from her new residence in N.Y.C.”
Dr. Darrell Groves writes that he is working as an assistant professor in educational leadership at Clark Atlanta University and as an adjunct professor at Mercer University. “My wife, Barbara, retired last year from the Food and Drug Administration and our daughter, Ayanna, is now completing her master’s at Georgia State University in psychology after completing her B.A. at Emory University, where she played tennis for two years. I continue to be very involved in my church, sing in one of the choirs, stay involved in community service and play league tennis. We recently attended the birthday party for Clifton Marshall and had a great time! My wife and I look forward to visiting Hanover next spring for a reunion with the Dartmouth Aires!”
Bill Hammett of course is “still loving life in Sonoma, California, after 22 years here. Proud of my three sons (including Sean ’14) making their way in the world. Racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons series; gotta love the adrenaline rush. Just married Julie deLeuze, a fantastic girl, and looking forward happily to my 60s and beyond.”
Reunion chair Jim Guth exhorts you to mark your calendars to reconnect with classmates at our fantabulous 40th reunion in Hanover on June 15-18, 2017. “Class of ’77 activities will be held with the classes of ’76 and ’78. You don’t want to miss this one!”
—John T. Bird, 1920 Chateau Circle, Apt. 306, Birmingham, AL 35209; (205) 276-4609; jtbird.com@gmail.com
“I am still at it, work-wise. After spending 20-plus years in a family manufacturing business, my career took me to a private equity-backed manufacturing company in need of a turnaround and then to an ice cream novelty startup business. Most recently I launched a new company to make and market fun, all-natural, portion-controlled desserts, the first of which is Mad Minis—small, Oreo-like ice cream cookie sandwiches. We launched in 75 stores in New England in 2015 and expect to have 1,000 retail locations nationwide in 2016. Getting a frozen product made successfully and consistently, into retail stores with limited shelf space, that the consumer will love and buy repeatedly has been challenging and fun! This year will determine whether Mad Minis resonate with the consumer. We need all the consumers we can get! Check us out at www.madminifoods.com or facebook.com/madminifoods and, more importantly, try our product and let us know what you think.
“We see other ’77s and their wives here in the Boston area: Frank McNamara and Lisa ’78, Bart Geer, Tom Barnico, Rory Laughna and Gary Rogers and Jill ’78. We also see Jane Kirstetter Ingram ’78 and her husband, Jeff, when she travels back to New England from her new residence in N.Y.C.”
Dr. Darrell Groves writes that he is working as an assistant professor in educational leadership at Clark Atlanta University and as an adjunct professor at Mercer University. “My wife, Barbara, retired last year from the Food and Drug Administration and our daughter, Ayanna, is now completing her master’s at Georgia State University in psychology after completing her B.A. at Emory University, where she played tennis for two years. I continue to be very involved in my church, sing in one of the choirs, stay involved in community service and play league tennis. We recently attended the birthday party for Clifton Marshall and had a great time! My wife and I look forward to visiting Hanover next spring for a reunion with the Dartmouth Aires!”
Bill Hammett of course is “still loving life in Sonoma, California, after 22 years here. Proud of my three sons (including Sean ’14) making their way in the world. Racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons series; gotta love the adrenaline rush. Just married Julie deLeuze, a fantastic girl, and looking forward happily to my 60s and beyond.”
Reunion chair Jim Guth exhorts you to mark your calendars to reconnect with classmates at our fantabulous 40th reunion in Hanover on June 15-18, 2017. “Class of ’77 activities will be held with the classes of ’76 and ’78. You don’t want to miss this one!”
—John T. Bird, 1920 Chateau Circle, Apt. 306, Birmingham, AL 35209; (205) 276-4609; jtbird.com@gmail.com