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VJ Menna writes: "Lorraine and I attended  Mike Iseman's son Tom's wedding this past weekend [8/1/09] where we met John Cogswell who is a good friend of Mike and Joan.  John performed the ceremony and did a great job."

Mike fills us in on the details: "Besides the Mennas and Hagstroms, Tom '91 was the groom and Matt '93 was the best man. Tom had lots of his classmates here from across the country---do these guys travel or what?

Tom's bride, Alexandra Becker, is from the Rhineland. She attended the U. of Colorado and is a vice-president at G. K. Baum. (Tom, like his Dad, was wise enough to marry a woman who is smarter than he). The Beckers are a wonderful family with whom we are blessed to share these kids. Tom just moved from The Nature Conservancy to the Western Governors Association where he heads water-policy issues.

By the way, John Cogswell (Yale ’61, and George Brakeley's St. Andrew's classmate and lifelong friend) did a phenomenal job---he is one of a kind, in the very best way!

                         
                           VJ & Lorraine Menna, Ann &  John Cogswell, Norma &  Jon Hagstrom

At the risk of info overload: Cookie Krongard, Mike Conway '60 and I just visited Gordy Batcheller '60 in his Franklin, West Virginia "redoubt". A very-mini reunion."

                  
                   Iseman, Col.Batcheller '60 (USMC Ret.), & Krongard (dressed in his Deliverance best),  
                      considering this barn as a possible headquarters for the next Mini-Reunion 

David Hulett's reply to the class secretary on April 24, 2009: Yes I am still at it. I have a small consulting firm that specializes in project cost, schedule risk analysis, and project scheduling. I’ve been working on some gas projects for Petronas, so I have spent a lot of time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (picture at right was taken from my hotel room). On those jobs I’ve traveled to Borneo, Myanmar, New Delhi and Turkmenistan as well. In Myanmar they don't take credit cards and cell phone connection did not happen. Internet access was so limited I could not get any pages on Yahoo beyond the first page. The people were friendly and honest. Went to a temple and saw many monks. Great Thai food. 

Turkmenistan is an ex-Soviet state with a police mentality and suspicion, at least at the official level, of foreigners. Again, no credit cards (bring dollars) cell phones or internet. When we went from Asgabat to Turkmenbashi the police took our passports, and wrote down the names and numbers so they knew where we were. Beautiful new federal buildings in Asgabat financed by revenues from the gas deposits in the Caspian Sea. Many beautiful Russian women. India was crowded and New Delhi bustled with people and all sorts of vehicular transportation. There's a lot of poverty with tent cities and children sharing play space with wild boars rooting around for food. Of course great Indian food. On the way to Turkmenistan we stopped off at Istanbul and visited the mosques, cisterns, and the grand bazaar.

I just got back from Rio where I was a speaker at a conference on oil and gas project risk management, and having talks with Petrobras customers. I have a book on Project Schedule Risk Analysis coming out this summer.

I live in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles with my wife Judie and our dog Truffle (a teacup French poodle). My children are in Phoenix, Chapel Hill, and Durham, and altogether I have 4 grandchildren.

[David has a new book out.]

Kathy Wall passed along this July 17, 2008 message from Jim Adams about the World Fencing Championships: "This year I did not make the team. I was the first alternate in foil. However, one of the principals who did make it is not going, so this puts me in. The tournament is October 3-5 and my event is the first day. Keep me in your thoughts that day."  

Then came Jim's result: "Finished 19th to make a long story short.  

"I went 4-2 in my pool and was seeded 10th in the direct elimination round. Lost the first bout to a Georgian (part of former USSR) who was once world junior (under 20) champion. We are getting more and more people like this back into the ranks of the veterans. The women's 50+ foil champion this year also fenced for Canada in THIS YEAR'S Olympic games. She was also Olympic champion in 1984. In addition to the increased quality of the competition, there are more and more countries sending people. Over 350 competitors this year. Medalists came from Canada, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Spain and Austria, to mention a few countries who do not send full teams. The upside for the US is that for the second year in a row we won more medals than any other country: 9 to Britain's 7. Last year we won 11 but could win this year with 9 because of the broader sweep of countries on the medal stand this year. I had a lot of fun and continue to make lots of friends.

"The food was below standard for any country much less France. The French administration of the tournament was marked by Gallic inefficiency and hauteur. The refereeing was below par, although I was never the victim of a bad referee's call." --  Jim

Jim Dangel Calls for Support of Tiger Rugby - 7/20/08.

The club sports have finally found their place in the sun! As part of the 10-year Campus Plan, the administration has promised to include a game field with lights and stands, a practice field, locker room, trainer's area and "friends" lounge for the club sports program, of which rugby is one of the oldest and most exciting. More than 20 of our classmates participated in this demanding sport, but not without its risks. One's career was terminated when he fractured his cheekbones and endured several weeks with pins protruding from both sides of his face. Our captain in the '60-'61 season, Jerry Shattuck, spent more time on injured reserve than he did on the playing field.

These facilities will be dependent on available funds. One class, which won the Ivy League title in 1979, has already contributed over $1 million to this project. Our team, spearheaded by members of 1961, was the winner of the '60 Eastern Rugby Union, vanquishing several teams including Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth. As a result, we participated in the prestigious two-week northern California spring championship, the Monterey Tournament.

We are attempting to locate all the '61 ruggers and encourage them to contribute to this project. This appeal is for class pride and recognition. A Prince article in 1961 stated that the team was the best Princeton had fielded since the sport was introduced to the university in the 1930's.

Several of our classmates have already answered the call. We invite others who feel that rugby should be recognized, and '61 should be included in the pantheon of classes which secured Princeton Rugby's reputation, to step up now.  [Write to Jim at jcdangel@comcast.net ]

Click here to view Princeton Rugby Newsletter 12/07.   (requires Adobe reader)

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