By Rich Banbury
Having moved back to Birmingham from Washington, D.C., Ben Erdreich is working on a number of urban projects, including the largest downtown loft development in the city. Among his partners in these ventures are his architect son Jeremy (Yale ’90) and his developer daughter Anna. Ben had previously represented the good folks of Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District from 1983 to 1993, and then served by Presidential appointment as Chairman of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board.
Running simultaneous political campaigns on opposite coasts last fall were Phil Rockefeller of Bainbridge Island, Washington and John Hetherington of New Canaan, Connecticut. Both are veteran members of their respective state legislatures, with John running unopposed last year in a strong Republican district. Phil returns to Olympia as a floor leader of the Democrats in the state Senate.
Norman Rockwell spent much of his celebrated career as a master illustrator in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, now known for the magnificent Rockwell Museum and a summer theater of deserved renown. It was in this charming township, snuggled among the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, that Sharon and Larry Nazarian, Mary and Andrew Erickson, and Jan and Harry Mazadoorian recently retreated to explore and reminisce. Retired from his pediatric practice, Larry has undertaken the responsibilities of Editor-In-Chief of Pediatrics in Review, a respected international journal. Living in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Andy has retired from his senior position with AMICA Insurance Company. Harry, chairman of the board of New Britain General Hospital, received the 2004 Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Community Service Award for outstanding contributions on behalf of his native city. Harry’s longtime comrade Fay Vincent, the former Commissioner of Baseball, traveled to the ceremonies at Central Connecticut University in order to offer his public praise to the large gathering of local leaders.
The City of Brotherly Love was the location last November for the matrimonial celebration of Natalie Collins and Ralph Hirshorn. Natalie, a graduate of Connecticut College, knows a thing or two about Yale, with her father, brother and sister all having spent four years neath the elms. While on the subject of weddings, Bob Bose, Colin Gardner, Monroe Price, and Tim Ritchie were all in attendance last fall for the nuptials of Tom Yamin and Patricia Schulte.
Off-islanders traipsing around Martha’s Vineyard may have wandered into one of the galleries featuring professional photographs by Tony McClellan, who has undertaken a new career as a fine arts photographer. With a homeport of Baltimore, Tony is working on a Reunion program exploring interesting and unusual solutions to the riddle we call retirement. Speaking of which, Burt Danet is the co-founder of a not-for-profit entity known as A Better Community for All. Seeking solutions across a wide range of social problems, ABC4ALL has promoted a number of initiatives addressing environmental issues and efficient transportation modalities, including light rail and high speed rail. A current project involves community health through exercise and nutrition. In his earlier professional life, Burt worked in the field of clinical psychology. Anyone interested in learning more about his present endeavors can reach Burt at abc4all@att.net.
Doug Guiler is back to work after a sixteen month retirement from the Department of Defense. Doug is now engaged as a contractor “supporting Army G-3 and its National Security Policy Staff” with regard to arms control issues.
From Portland, Oregon, we learn that Bill Stiles has signed on as the seventh certified member of the Class Hole-In-One Club. Bill’s ace came off the blade of a six iron on May 29, 1970, at a Bar Association tournament on the eighth hole of Colwood National in Portland.
If the Yale Dramat is looking a bit flush lately, it may be due to the fact that the Yale Dramat Alumni Association, under the strong leadership of Lew Lloyd, has been raising significant gifts for the Dramat’s capital fund. Since the YDAA is now an “affinity group” within the AYA, Lew had the opportunity to attend the Assembly last November. Poking around New Haven was something of a hoot, since the jazz club and recording studio in the old firehouse on Crown Street represents the fulfilled vision of Lou’s son Nick, class of ’97. Others at the Assembly included Bing, Dickinson, Dickerson, Harris, Ilten, Seidman, Toomey, Upson, VanDine, and Weber.
The Free Speech Movement is alive and thriving in Berkeley! Our Class was well-represented at the 40th Anniversary of that signature event of the sixties by Bob Mallano, Tom Miller, and Rich Winkler. The atmosphere was a whole lot tamer this time around, including mock re-enactments of protesting professors surrounding and immobilizing police cruisers. Miller playfully reports that “we didn’t smash any imperialist institutions this time.”
Matt Freeman wishes to encourage classmates who knew Duncan Alling to help celebrate his memory by making a gift to the Tandem Friends School – Duncan Alling Fund, 279 Tandem Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Duncan had been a driving force behind the founding of the Tandem Friends School in the early 1970s, and it continued to be a cause close to Duncan and Cynthia’s hearts.
Many of us have seen Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond in the widely-acclaimed Sideways, the big screen story of two former college roommates from southern California and their somewhat sophomoric middle-aged road trip. But who was that familiar figure in the photo atop the dresser from which Miles absconds with some liquid assets?
Stayoung. Richard