2006 79th Day photos and reports - 06/10/2006

San Francisco

San Francisco’s Pier 23 Cafe was the setting for the 2006 79th Day Celebration.  The weather, dreadfully wet for most of the winter, cooperated and we had a nice sunny day for brunch outside on the waterfront.  Sue Felch, John Sotos, Ben Riley, and Paul Krupka shared stories of current events, kids and - of course - work.  Sue is a mainstay at AMD, working to make computer chips smaller and better.  John is doing research to help diagnose sleep apnea; luckily, it seems, he’s not losing too much sleep doing so.  Ben’s litigating and settling and scooping up commish, all in the line of duty—slapping the corporate bad boys.  Paul’s working on land use and transportation improvements to give drivers options to leave their cars at home.  We all played very nice together - it was fun!

Washington, D.C.

On March 23rd eleven of DC’s best met at the Gordon Biersch Brewery (no relation to Gordie himself).  T. Weymouth successfully corralled Da’aga Hill Bowman, Paul Centenari, Richard Conn (who came with his better half, Juliana), Bill Conway, Gordie Daisley, Tim Ehrsam, Tom French, Burr Gray and Barbara Murphy for the Third Annual 79th day of the Year Party.  For most of us it was the third time celebrating this auspicious alumni event.  Over a few pints of dark Irish barley, the conversation bungied in and out of politics with few insults and no real blood – deftly applying our Dartmouth-learned diplomatic thinking – grace under fire.

Speaking of diversity, six out of ten of this DC contingency are lawyers – which makes 4 more non-lawyers than in the typical Washingtonian social collection.  Da’aga is working for a local non-profit involved in, among other worthy projects, outreach and educational support for local inner city high school students. Richard’s law and consulting practice takes him to Russia frequently.  A pure American entrepreneur at heart, Bill has recently re-enlisted with a DC law firm; he’s paying the bills while planning his next jump.  Burr is an environmental lawyer with the National Guard; he helps to clean up their toxic waste sites but otherwise is not responsible for the Guard’s recent shenanigans.  Barbara and T. are partners at DC law firms, both specializing in international trade and often fighting with each other for clients and fees.  (It was nice to see them getting along for a change.)

For the non-lawyers, Gordie, who has spent his entire career in finance with large Wall Street firms, has made a big career decision recently.  With three kids in private schools, he starting his own firm.  Tom is a successful architect with his own firm, making it difficult to call him “Turkey” any more.  In addition to improving his golf game, Tim works for Oracle and referees college soccer games.  Centa is still selling the best damn boxes in the world (or at least on the Eastern seaboard).
Until next year.

Hanover

Excellent time had at the Hanover Mini-Reunion that started the season off with an end of season tailgate. John Currier, Dr. Charlie Carr, Bruce McDowell and Dr. Lori Arviso all gathered at Boomer’s famous tailgate at the final game of the season, a big Dartmouth quarterfinal victory over Yale. We missed the likes of Joe and Kim Henley, Dave Costello, Denny Hughes,  Bobby Grant and Coach Teevens who have all been at various games during the season, but we prevailed nonetheless. Boomer ’80 and Chip Bettencourt ’81 rounded out the characters in attendance.

Bill “Bags” Mitchell

Boston

The Boston crew did themselves proud, tallying 12 classmates, assorted spouses and one potential significant other adopted on site (sorry folks, what happens at the Watch Street Brewing Company stays). It was a festive St Patty’s day celebration and almost dead on the 79th day of the year. Eileen gets Tommy points for hauling all the way in from Westford. Phil and Libby both flew back early from the occasion from CA and FL respectively. Also, Dave and Phil both get stars for not getting their cars towed this year. Finally, Ames and Libby did a fantastic job coordiating and were unanamously elected to do it again next year.

Boston attendees were:

Ames Abbott

Phil Odence

Libby Roberts

Walter Chick

Carol Bates (Kurtz)

Karen Dale (Thompson)

Bruce Nickelsen

Judi Donnelly (Brier)

Dave Schweizer

Eileen Kain Szypko

Sandy Pooler

Julie Sudikoff Weisman

Rhode Island

Norm Ricther and Lloyd Albert stunned all other nationwide locations by assembling 17% of the entire D 79 Rhode Island population at Union Station Brewing in Providence. If not for the lack of photographic proof, these guys would have taken home the gold.