Saturday, August 25, 2007

2007 - August - DA 83 E News

DA Class of 1983 E-Newsletter
25th Reunion Year Edition
August 2007

Dear 83er,

Last issue, I was thrilled to mention our most recent addition: Greg Badalich! With 131 members of the class on the E-Newsletter distribution, we are poised to have a great turnout for our 25th Reunion June 13-15, 2008. In the near future we will make available datasets of all classmates to spur on communication. Each of us should invite at least one classmate we’d like to see.

If you would like join the reunion committee – please email JK at jknight@deerfield.edu.

PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE to block the dates on your calendar - June 13-15, 2008 – so you have the option of attending. More planning information will be forthcoming.

Also, COMING SOON – the pre-reunion survey. Too busy to tell us what would make your 25th reunion special – your chance will arrive soon via email – that’s right – the online survey is soon to be unveiled. Getting this newsletter on paper? Please send your email to the editor at jknight01038@comcast.net.

ClASS NOTES:
(Ed. Note. Most notes can be posted and viewed on www.DeerfieldAlumni.org, you should register for the alumni website to read them and post your own.). If you need any helping logging on to the site, like your unique ID – please email jknight@deerfield.edu

Most Recent Postings to class notes on www.DeerfielAlumni.org:

Geoffrey Lewis (1983) writes, "Aloha class of '83,Just got back from a great visit to the East coast with my wife Melissa and three kids, Oliver (11), Ethan (9) and Eliza (4). We started our trip in Rye, New Hampshire where my mother was raised. Lobster this, lobster that...we ate way too much lobster! My two boys decided that surfing on the East coast was a must so they forged their way into the cold Atlantic and had a blast! We also were lucky enough to get in a Red Sox game!Our next stop was Cooperstown, New York for Oliver's baseball tournament at 'Dreams Park'. What a first class event with lots of fun. Everyone loves the Hawaii team...could be the chocolate covered mac nuts or 'puka' shell necklaces we were giving out! We enjoyed the baseball (not soccer) Hall of Fame as well...what a great place!On our way to Cooperstown, we stopped by Deerfield to share this great place with my family. Sure enough, while driving down towards Barton...there was John Knight! We where both a bit shocked but then had a quick, but great chat. The last stop was New York City. Quite a change from tropical Honolulu...but wow, what a great time. We got a tour of Yankee stadium (I was forced), caught a Mets game and a show on Broadway. Can't wait to get back to this wonderful city.Hope to see you all next year for our 25th! Until then, ALOHA from Hawaii!" FOR (THE PHOTO GO TO WWW.DeerfieldAlumni.org) If you need login help, contact jknight@deerfield.edu.

Sadly, since the time of our last issue, we have learned that John Bryan ’83 died in March of 2006. His obit is below, but regardless of how (or if) you remember him, it does seem to add some poignancy to this one time opportunity known as our 25th reunion.

PLAN AHEAD and try to get to Deerfield June 13-15, 2008.

From the Burlington Free Press:
03/27/2006
JOHN TAYLOR BRYAN - JEFFERSONVILLE/WILLISTON —
John T. Bryan, son of Phoebe E. and Alden T. Bryan, and grandson of the late Betsy W. and Joseph A. Estes of Lexington, Ky., and the late Mary and Alden Bryan of Jeffersonville, died Sunday, March 26, 2006. He is survived by his parents; his brother, Beckner L. Bryan; and his wife, Lisa J. Bryan; and their children, Merritt T. Bryan and Lucien A. Bryan, of Jeffersonville. Also surviving him is his dear friend, Dianne Orfant, of Montpelier. Born Sept. 15, 1965, John began his education at Williston Elementary School and was a 1983 graduate at Champlain Valley Union High School. Following graduation from the University of Vermont, he lived in Jackson, Wyo., for ten years engaged in various segments of the resort industry. In 1999, John moved to Denver, Colorado, where he entered upon a new career in psychiatric social work. After achieving his degree in 2001, he returned to Vermont and Jeffersonville and began his association with Howard Center for Human Services in Burlington, where he worked in mental health services. John and his family are forever grateful to HCHS and its employees for the support and affection they gave him through his ordeal with cancer, helping and employing him through recovery following two brain tumor operations and into his final days. We wish to thank as well the many doctors and staff at MCHV, and especially the nurses and staff at the Vermont Respite House in Williston for the care and genuine concern they provided during John's last days. Those wishing to make a contribution in John's memory may consider Howard Center for Human Services (300 Flynn Avenue, Burlington 05401), or the Vermont Respite House (99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston 05495), as well as any charity of one's own choosing.

REMEMBER: 25th reunion is June 13-15, 2008

HAVE an IDEA to help celebrate our 25th?
Want to help make calls and reach out to classmates to spur on attendance?
Want to chair a committee?

Contact John Knight at jknight@deerfield.edu (immediately!)

NEWEST ADDITION TO THE 1983 Communication channel: THIRTY SEVEN classmates can now be viewed on our Class of 1983 Web Album. See current photos of classmates! Imagine the fun! Check it out by holding “Ctrl” while you click on the link below: You can even leave comments…Bookmark this page…

If you are having problems viewing this site, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/jgknight83/DA1983

ANNUAL SUPPORT: We made a strong push at the end and finished with 63 donors to annual support this year. Not bad – but we really need to rally for our 25th. Please take a minute to think about the kind of stretch commitment you could make in the coming year (some gifts could be increased by making contributions in two different calendar years). It makes a huge difference for Deerfield, with over 25% of the total coming from the 9 reunion classes – not including the 50th reunion… THANKS

CONTACTING THE EDITOR:
Please let me know if there is a better email address for this missive…Email for newsletter contributions is jknight01038@comcast.net – or you could always use classnotes@deerfield.edu, or POST YOUR OWN to the website at www.deerfieldalumni.org. Hope to hear from you…