On November 8, 2003, alumni and friends were guests of Rick Levy '63 and his wife Joanne. Rick entertained the gathering with a lecture on ancient Egyptian medicine while Joanne was busy preparing a great meal with a Mid-east theme. The entertainment and food was just the right setting for conversations about TJ, current interests, and learning more about each other. In attendance were: Anna Ball (parent of Susannah '05); Guy and Noy Blair '90 and son Ethan; Ken Colston; Thalia Colston '03; Richard and Kathe Cramer and Alex Chrisope '04; Tom '83 and Lynn Ellis; Danny Han '03; Jimmy Holloran '03; Emily Hseu '00 and friend; Jim Pesek '99; Jon Pesek '96; Jane Pesek; Beverly Pitts '61; Bill '63 and Margaret Rowe; and Neil Shah '03.

Claremont Reunion (Sept. 2003):

Tuesday Sept. 30, 2003, Bill Rowe met with alums Greg Ponstingl '01, Doug Leavitt '01, Daniel Kramer '02, Iz Monroe '98 (and husband Michael), Mike Morgan '80, and Mike Heard '70 at Tutti Mangia, an Italian grill in Claremont Village, CA. Bill was on a western trip talking to colleges about the senior class. Dave Refsland was unable to catch up with the group, but Mr. Rowe was able to touch base with him the next evening.

On Thursday evening, February 27, 2003, thirty alumni and friends of TJ met at The Harvard Club of New York City. Following the reception and dinner, John Biggs '54 spoke about his recent experience with the SEC. Attendees represented the classes of 1948 to 2002 and included (in alphabetical order): John Biggs '54, Tom Boonyasai '95, June Boonyasai Lehv '91 with husband Spencer Lehv and son Addeson, Joan Licursi (Sara Kushnick '98), Jack Linn '61, Kathy Gilsinan '02, Judge Thomas Griesa '48, Dennis Hirschfelder '60, Dan Lee '82, Larry Morgan '53, Martha Patten '98, Director of Development Jane Pesek, Jim Pesek '99 and his college friend Pepe, Hans Plickert '51, Bharat Reddy '97 with two college friends, Jim Robinson '62, Bill Rowe '63, Sumana Sermchief '91 with her fiancé Caleb Seavey, David Solomon '62, Kate Stepleton '01, Apolka Totth '97, Rick Vernaci '71, J.R. Wilheim '99, and Keith Williamson '70.

On Thursday, December 5, a small group of alumni braved the worst DC storm in 20 years (or so the news kept insisting) to gather at Buca di Beppo, near Dupont Circle. Though Sarah Runge '89 helped organize the event, the weather prevented her from attending; we thank her for making all of the necessary arrangements for us. In attendance were: Jim Weiffenbach '53 (recently retired from the National Institutes of Health); Michael North '83 and his partner Barry (please see Michael's alumni update to learn what he's been up to); Jane Ballard Roth '91; and current TJ teacher-trustee Ken Colston. Despite our TJ education, it took us a while to understand the unusual ordering practices of the restaurant, which (like TJ) serves everything family style. At least we didn't have to clean up afterwards!

TJ activities in and around Chicago the second weekend in November included a boarding-school conference attended by current faculty member Ken Colston, as well as several other gatherings.

Friday evening, Ken Colston met up in Old Town with John Kirchoff '84, Naty Arrazola '85 (who was leaving for Europe the next morning), Butch '83, Pam '84, and Shawn '86 Farley and Khalid Halhoul '84 (off for a year to Cairo and then to Moscow to meet Cliff Hartman '84).

Kevin Barnes '75 and his wife Gayle were hosts for a gathering of TJ alumni and friends at their home in Barrington Hills on Saturday the 9th. Dan Lee '82 came in from New York for the event. They were joined by Chicagoans Rick Levy '63 and his wife Joanne (Rick is currently a member of the TJ Board of Trustees), John Kirchoff '84, Emily Hseu '00 (who will graduate from Northwestern in the spring), and Noy Boonprasert Blair '90 and her husband Guy Blair (Noy and Guy are expecting their first baby in the spring). Susannah Ball '05 flew in from St. Louis to visit her mother Anna Ball, and they joined the party. Ken Colston and Director of Development Jane Pesek also attended.

A brunch on Sunday morning at the Barnes' home for overnight guests and other friends rounded out the weekend. Kevin was the host as well as the chef for the dinner and brunch, and the guy does know how to cook! Kevin and Gayle, thanks so much for your hospitality!

The weekend of August 30th, a group of nostalgic young alums representing the classes of '87 through '95 met in St. Louis for a reunion organized by Aimée Dowl, Dave Messina, and Tom King (all class of '92). In attendance were Jane Ballard Roth '91 and daughter Liat; Luis Boldisar '92; June Boonyasai Lehv '91, with husband Spencer and new baby Addeson; Tom Boonyasai '95; Tony Boonyasai '89; Sarah Hopkins '95; Naty Sakdisri '96; Nick Sermchief '92; Artit Vibulakaopun '87; and Angkarn Vibulakoapun '89.

The group met at Nik's Wine Bar on Friday evening and gathered for lunch on Saturday at TJ, where they were met by faculty members Karen Fairbank and Ken Colston. Those brave enough spent the afternoon driving go-carts and playing minigolf, skeeball, and video games at Tee Time.

The group enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner at The King and I, and Bill Rowe even took a break from his mother-in-law's 90th birthday party to pay a visit!