Mystery Classmate 075

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan and Colleen O’Connor Casey, both of whom correctly identified John “Spiney” Williams ('84) as Mystery Classmate #75 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Spiney is a Los Angeles-based standup comedian who recently had a supporting role in the independent comedy film Speilburgh, which was produced by fellow classmate Eric “DiLo” DiLucente (’83).

The film is the story of Stephen Speilburgh, (played by Grant Bhyron), no relation to the big time director, who is a wannabe filmmaker and the head usher of a local cineplex that opens only at night, because the owner's too cheap to show matinees. Steve lets his politeness get the best of him as he puts up with a slave-driving boss and inept employees that mess things up more than help out. Little does he know that his boss is secretly involved in a mob-organized operation of smuggling drugs, hidden in candy boxes, into the theatre. Steve and his best friend/co-worker Matt (Spiney) get shoved directly in the center when things go terribly awry.

Donna Andreas guessed Coleman Brennan. Bill Stout guessed Dave Gleba, after Dave’s parents caught him peeing in the living room. Paul Rodgers guessed Alan Checca. Jerry Koutavas guessed Billy Hirschman.

Milton Koutavas guessed Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.

Donna Andreas Copley shared a fond memory of Mystery Classmate #74, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli. She wrote, “I wonder if Maria remembers when we had a swim-off to see who got into the Highland relays for backstroke. I just barely won, but they put her in because she had more experience... then she got DQ'd in the meet. That was the beginning of my swimming career and that always stuck in my mind - she was already a vet and probably forgot. I was a completive little brat and thought it was soooo funny back then. Summer swim team - back when things used to be so much fun! What's really funny is that neither of my kids can swim worth a pooooh.”

Mystery Classmate 074

Congratulations to Carrie Schadle, Jack Horner, Coleman Brennan, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Tina Schadle Dover, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Beth Chufo Nichols, Amy Gongaware Senkow, Donna Andreas Copley, Karen Campbell Ricci, Jeff Hoener, Megan Mahoney, and Paula Recchio Joseph, all of whom correctly identified Maria Wojtaszek ('85) as Mystery Classmate #74 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli lives in Penn Hills with her boyfriend Terry and her daughters Nicole, 11, and Samantha, 10. After a career as a Paramedic, Maria began working as an emergency dispatcher in 1993. In 1997 she was hired by the then newly-formed 911 center that serves the 23 eastern communities of Allegheny County. Maria has been a supervisor there for three years. She spends most of her leisure time doing home remodeling projects, running the kids around, and skiing.

Many classmates had fond memories of Maria. Beth Chufo Nichols recognized Maria’s profile from looking down the bench at swim practice, while Jeff Hoener remembered Maria from the Forest Hills pool. Carrie Schadle wrote, “I have many memories of Maria, but I would have to say that my favorites all have to do with her parents going to card parties. Enough said.”

Amy Gongaware Senkow complimented Maria’s spelling.

Jeff Hoener also noted that Maria occasionally babysat his son Adam in the fall of 2000. Maria’s sister-in-law Debbie (Tim’s wife) watched Adam on most days but when Debbie had a conflict Maria filled in.

Jack Horner encountered Maria unexpectedly one day. He wrote, “Once when shady characters were outside our office building, I called the police -- and halfway through (the call) the voice said, "JACK, it's MARIA!?" We started catching up, and I almost forgot why I called.”

Several classmates complained that this week’s contest was too difficult because it showed Maria in semi-profile. To you, Karen Campbell Ricci writes, “I'm glad the picture is not straight on, because she is looks exactly like she did in high school and it would be a total giveaway. I see Maria occasionally at St. Maurice functions -- her daughter goes to CCD with my daughter. She is still as friendly as she was, back in the day.”

Milton Koutavas guessed Sue Kostic. Jerry Koutavas guessed Christina Noggle.

Mystery Classmate 073

Congratulations to Leslie Rush Cuda, Staci Blagovich, Coleman Brennan, Adam Neilly, Maureen Mahoney, Amy Baer Davie, Kelly O’Connor, Angharad Grimes Stock, Ron Ways, and Chad Calabria, all of whom correctly identified Mike Killen ('82) as Mystery Classmate #73 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Mike is the co-founder of Animal, a Pittsburgh-based creative agency specializing in broadcast post-production, visual effects, editing, and talking animals. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, Mike moved to New York and became Design Director for the MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour. A fellowship with the American Film Institute took Mike to Hollywood, where he spent several years as a designer and animator, developing a diverse portfolio of visual effects that appeared in commercials, film, and television. Mike’s most widely seen work to date is the memorable Taco Bell talking Chihuahua, voted by TV Guide readers as one of the top ten commercials of all time.

Many classmates had fond memories of Mike. Ron Ways had a particularly nice story. Ron wrote, “His family and mine were best of friends on Sharon Drive when he was young. A quick Mike story.... When he was young, he hit his head very hard on a Jeep door and split his head open. Instead of complaining of pain, he slicked back his hair with his blood and said "Look!......I'm David Bowie" His dad was not impressed and Mike spent the next two hours in the hospital getting stitches. Great guy, great family. Tremendous burper.”

Maureen Mahoney noted that Mike seems to appear in the local papers almost as often as Burton Morris.

Greg Markantone guessed Brian Killen. Leslie Rush Cuda couldn’t decide between Mike and Ray Killen, but I cut her a break.

John Lees guessed Jimmy “Wrong Way” Fossick. Leann Impavido Mendenhall guessed Jack Bender. Donna Andreas guessed Craig Davis.

Milton Koutavas guessed Ronald Lippock. Jerry Koutavas guessed Frank Comunale.

Carrie Schadle wrote, “i have no idea who that is (as usual), but i found it interesting that last week's mystery classmate (i do remember kevin, but joel not so much) lives in austin and works at oracle, as i live in austin, and my best friend's boyfriend (now that sounds like high school) works at oracle here. i guess it is not that interesting, but it has been so long since i knew anyone, i thought i'd better get my two cents in, plus i have a question directed at my friends from high school (you know who you are) who might remember if we decided to define a passel as a number divisible by five, or if there is some actual authority for that somewhere. i have been arguing with some friends down here (they use words like passel with a straight face here in texas) and can't find anything that actually says a passel has to be divisible by five.”

Mystery Classmate 072

Congratulations to Amy Chufo Prezelski, Beth Chufo Nichols, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Gary Cervi, Barbara Bender Pietro, Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Margaret Fleming Rintamaa, Mike Williams, Bob Silverman, Michael Bernstein, Ted Showers, Amy Baer Davie, Ron Levick, Stu Cohen, Paul Rodgers, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Adam Neilly, Milton Koutavas, Megan Mahoney, and Rebecca Canobbio Abel, all of whom correctly identified Joel Borellis ('87) as Mystery Classmate #72 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Joel is a technology director for Oracle Corporation, and recently moved with his wife, Dawn, from Sausalito, California to Austin, Texas to handle the engineering engagements between Oracle Corporation and Dell Inc. Joel reports, “No kids yet, but the pressure is mounting!” Joel sent the photo below of himself with Dawn, taken at a Brazilian Carnival Festival.

Many classmates had fond memories of Joel.

Amy Chufo Prezelski wrote, “I grew up with Joel in Blackridge and swam in all the same clubs. I fondly remember all the early morning haunts of the Blackridge neighborhood as the parents believed we were “camping”. Joel’s older brother, Kevin, my sister Beth, the Sauers, Bob Burt, Geoff Camphire, and a whole mess of other kids that lived in Blackridge but went to other schools did the camping thing often, usually ending with a “dip” at Blackridge Pool. Fun stuff.”

Amy’s sister Beth added, “Part of our Blackridge Crew. He always acted like he thought he was just a little bit better than us... especially when the big brothers and sisters were up to no good... but we usually set him straight! He and his brother were always our superstar breaststrokers (NPI) on summer swim team.”

Bob Silverman opined that Joel’s face has “changed a little since I first knew him in kindergarten, but not much since high school. Joel is an all-around good guy who I would love to catch up with.” Stu Cohen called Joel a “great kid.”

Amy Baer Davie noted that “Joel was one of the sweetest of my brother Michael's friends!” Ron Levick also remembered Joel and Mike’s friendship. Ron wrote, “Too bad Baer!! Another one you lost.”

Gary Cervi and Adam Neilly referred to the Mystery Classmate as “Joel Boy.”

Colleen O’Connor Casey guessed Joel’s brother, Kevin Borellis.

Donna Andreas Copley swung three times and missed. She wrote, “Could it be Kevin Borellis, Bobby Burt or Charlie Burt? If not, I give up!”

Pam Van Cara hedged her guess, writing, “Looks like Tony Seko - but I doubt it because last time I saw him he was a banker with Parkvale Savings, and the goatee thing probably wouldn't fly.”

Frank Battaglia guessed Jimmy Fossick. Jerry Koutavas guessed Keith Fridel. Gary Lehman guessed Scott “Tubby” Hutsenpiller.

Lisa Smith regretted not having guessed Mystery Classmate #71. Lisa wrote, “I am so embarrassed that I didn't recognize Vince (Oddo)! He was my prom date! How could I???? Glad to hear that he is still as sweet as ever.”

Mystery Classmate 071

Congratulations to Pam Van Cara Collis, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Gary Lehman, Coleman Brennan, Becky Gongaware Hannon, Milton Koutavas, Jerry Koutavas, Jim Pietrzyk, Lauren Hoener Nace, Greg Markantone, Larry McAfoos, Karen Campbell Ricci, Amy Gongaware Senkow, and Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, all of whom correctly identified Vince Oddo ('84) as Mystery Classmate #71 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Vince and his wife Kathy live in North Huntingdon with their two-and-a-half year old son, also named Vince. He works for Mele Contracting and runs the excavating/landscaping division.

Many classmates had fond memories of Vince. Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli and Greg Markantone remembered Vince from Woodside School. Milton Koutavas noted that Vince was his brother Jerry's t-ball teammates on the Cubs. Jerry Koutavas added that Vince had an unusual batting swing and should be an avid golfer.

Lauren Hoener Nace wrote, “I was in love with Vince in fifth grade. I used to write Lauren Oddo in all of my notebooks.”

Becky Gongaware Hannon called Vince “one of my best buddies ever.” Amy Gongaware Senkow noted that Vince is one of her best friends of 32 years. Karen Campbell Ricci stated that Vince “is one of my favorite people. He can always make you laugh, he is so funny! We've been friends since we were infants. When each of us (Karen, the Gongaware sisters, and Donna Andreas Copley) was pregnant, he tried to get us to name a boy Vince. We all declined the offer. I guess his wife is more sympathetic than the rest of us.

Donna Andreas Copley sent the picture and later confessed, “Yes, my first kiss was with Vincey P. Oddo (age 5 - first day of kindergarten at Churchill Elementary with Miss Zeka). I'll always remember the time I ripped his shirt and he pulled my shorts down (a few years later). Now Vincey has a really nice wife (Kathy - who actually does a nice job keeping him in line) and little Vincey is the cutest!”

Leann Impavido Mendenhall guessed Dave Spielvogel. Brian “S.D.” Stevenson guessed Dave Grejda. Paul Rodgers guessed Bob Seger.

Mystery Classmate 070

Congratulations to Margaret Fleming Rintamaa, Melissa Mahoney Kortyna, Ron Levick, Amy Baer Davie, and Rich Reschoff, all of whom correctly identified Maribeth Mahoney ('87) as Mystery Classmate #70 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis lives in Butler, PA, and has been married to her husband John for nine years. They have three children – Zachary (7), Paige (4), and Ty (2) – and Maribeth expects a fourth on September 28. She contends, “As for the photo that my favorite brother-in-law sent in, no, that is not what I look like while dancing . . . ok, maybe a little. (My husband does compare my dancing skills to those of Elaine from Seinfeld.) Regardless, that was taken during a competitive game of Guesstures with my family. I was giving the clue ‘horseback riding’.”

Many classmates had fond memories of Maribeth. Her sister Melissa noted that Maribeth “is still the same sweet person she always was and would do absolutely anything for me. We are both at-home moms and live within 15 minutes of each other, so I call on that sweet nature for help all the time.” Perhaps to assuage a guilty conscience, Jim Thompson noted that Maribeth is “lovely and talented.” Jim, thanks for submitting the photo.

Rich Reschoff got a little excited. He wrote, “i took her to the Prom! she is looking real good! what was i thinking when we stop hanging together!! wow! too bad she is married & has like 4 kids! great to see her again! looking good Maribeth oooootalatka Maribeth!!!”

Rich may not be the only one who messed up. Ron Levick wrote, “TOO BAD BAER!!!! MB looks great!!”

Karen Campbell Ricci guessed Maureen Mahoney, but not before noting that “the face kind of looks like Donna Andreas Copley, but I don't believe she has ever had her hair styled that way, and she doesn't dance like that either...”

Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Carrie Schadle, adding “hard to see the face with the dance pose.” Leann Impavido Mendenhall guessed Natalie Marshall, and remembered how Natalie “used to JINGLE through the halls.” Jerry Koutavas guessed Stephanie Papazis, noting that Stephanie is of Greek descent.

Scott Silverman guessed Cheryl Tiegs. Ted Showers guessed Charo.

Mystery Classmate 069

Congratulations to Greg Markantone, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Donna Andreas Copley, Amy Gongaware Senkow, Karen Campbell Ricci, and Becky Gongaware Hannon, all of whom correctly identified Bill Lagnese ('82) as Mystery Classmate #69 (back row, center) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Bill is the manager of Plum's 12A softball tournament team, the ASA Southwest PA Champions, who competed in the BeaverCreek Dayton, OH tournament. Bill writes, "We were seeded in the gold division after winning (2) on Saturday. On Sunday morning we beat the USSSA Ohio State Champs and hometown team from Beavercreek, Ohio. We then lost to a Greencastle, PA a team that Twist had beaten and we beat Twist in McKeesport. We ended up 4th out of 14. Twist won the tournament. The girls had a blast! The tournament was well run with 61 teams participating." Bill's daughter Kristy is in front of him.

Several of you had nice things to say about Bill. Karen Campbell Ricci wrote, "He's a great guy, and still one of my best friends. He's also a great shortstop." The Gongaware sisters added that Bill is a good friend and that they see him often. Greg Markantone exulted, "Wohoooo I got one!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tina Schadle Dover fished for a clue (sorry, no hints) and complained about all the other people in the picture. Bill Stout guessed John Flaherty, noting that "he sort of has the stiff posture I remember from John." Stu Cohen guessed Adam Karsten. Jerry Koutavas guessed Dave Barclay.

Regarding Mystery Classmate #68, Karen Campbell Ricci writes, "I checked the last one too late...I probably would have been able to identify Ken Van Cara. I went on vacation with my husband and his friend's family about 13 years ago. It was a large group that happened to include Ken and Pam Van Cara. I have great memories of Ken playing his guitar."

Mystery Classmate 068

Congratulations to Scott Silverman, Coleman Brennan, Barbara Bender Pietro, Jim Thompson, Jesse Milton, Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Tina Schadle Dover, Paul Rodgers, and Rebecca Cannobio Abel, all of whom correctly identified Ken Van Cara ('87) as Mystery Classmate #68 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ken and his wife Heather live in Hartford, Connecticut with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Hunter. Ken works at United Health Care. He recently disbanded his Grateful Dead band, Liberty Bus, but still plays guitar in and around Hartford as a guest of other bands. Ken is pictured at Kennywood Park on Memorial day 2004 with his niece, Mia Collis, age 3. Thanks to Pam Van Cara Collis for sending the photo.

Many of you had nice things to say about Ken. Barbara Bender Pietro opined that he is “looking very cute.”

Jim Thompson noted, “While Scott Silverman may not approve, Ken is a fellow Penn Stater. As Ken mentioned a couple weeks ago, we did have some fun times in band (particularly aggravating Mr. Stevens), in the musicals, and on the cross country team (after we both decided that soccer wasn't our sport). I'll never forget, though, the band trip (in 1984, I think) to Holland, MI, with a stop for a parade at Cedar Point (it rained the entire time) and a stop at the Kellogg's cereal plant. Of course, it might not be Ken, and I will just have to save these memories for another time.”

Mary Bender Knight identified the third individual in the photograph. She wrote, “That's Wish Bear! I already know a lot about him for your paragraph next week. Caring Mission: Helps wishes come true. Symbol: Wish Bear's shooting star with a rainbow tail reminds us to believe in our dreams. Personality: Quiet and shy. Character Quirk: Can sometimes "magically" make the wishes come true—but not always, and sometimes the wishes come true in funny ways. Color: Aqua. Best Friend: Cheer Bear. Relationship Challenge: Sometimes Good Luck Bear teases her into arguments about who is luckier. Motto: Your wish is my wish!”

Carolyn Wasko guessed Dave Crawford. Jerry Koutavas guessed Matt “The Hawaiian Hammer” Husak.

Donna Andreas Copley griped that there was “too much ‘hidden’ with the hat and glasses! Looks like someone I work with now who isn't from Pennsylvania, but I have no clue who from our high school!”

Lisa Smith wrote, “Not sure who the person is, but the location appears to be the "diamond" in Ligonier, PA which is the town where I do my shopping...our farm is located just about 8 miles south.”

Mystery Classmate 067

Mystery Classmate #67 may have been the most challenging to identify in the history of this exercise, although I was hoping that one of our Woodside School first grade classmates of 1972-73 – Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Jeff Buchanan, Dave Crawford, Keith Fridel, Greg Markantone, or Vince Oddo – might have, somehow, recognized Yvette Max.

In case you were wondering, Yvette Max Pintar is a 1988 graduate of the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) program at Tufts University, and a 1989 graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Bologna Center. Yvette is married with three lovely children, one of whom is pictured, and lives in Detroit. She has a great recipe for Sesame Garlic Flowers, which follows:

I n g r e d i e n t s
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tbsp. sesame oil
12 oz. garlic flowers, trimmed
2 tbsp. lightly toasted sesame seeds
salt and pepper

C o o k i n g I n s t r u c t i o n s
Blanch garlic scapes in boiling salted water until crisp tender, 2-3 minutes. Drain.
Heat oil in a pan on med. heat. Add garlic flowers and sauté for 7-10 min., until they start to brown and soften.
Add salt and pepper to taste as well as sesame seeds. Serve.

Note: This recipe could also be adapted very well to roasting the garlic flowers, tossed with the oils, in a 400 degree oven for a while (probably at least 30 minutes), then seasoned with salt and pepper and tossed with the toasted sesame seeds.

Bill Stout and Emily DePaul Gil guessed Bettina Myers. Jerry Koutavas guessed Laura Fleming. Lori Haas Baccari had no idea, but thought that the picture was priceless. Joe Caprara wondered how he was supposed to guess from someone’s kindergarten picture. Funny Joe!

Mystery Classmate 066

Congratulations to Paula Recchio Joseph, Milton Koutavas, Ken Van Cara, Bob Smith, Ted Showers, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Tom Mezyk, Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Brandon “Brandon B” Holmes, Scott Silverman, Paul Rodgers, Tina Schadle Dover, Ron Levick, Barbara Bender Pietro, Melissa Mahoney Kortyna, Margaret Fleming Rintamaa, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Pam Van Cara Collis, Emily DePaul Gil, Rebecca Canobbio Abel, and Ann Broadberry, all of whom correctly identified Jim Thompson ('86) as Mystery Classmate #66 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Jim writes: “I currently live in Raleigh, NC, where I am an assistant professor in the Department of Soil Science at North Carolina State University, teaching and conducting research in the area of natural resource management and land use planning. After graduating from Penn State in 1990 I married Megan Mahoney (’86), and this week we celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary. Since leaving Pittsburgh as newlyweds we have lived in Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Next month, though, we move again, coming almost full circle as we head back north, to Morgantown, WV, where I will be working at West Virginia University. Megan and I have two children, Nolan (8) and Lucy (3).

“Aside from instructing 150+ students a year in the finer points of soil science and trying to add to my list of research articles and book chapters, I have enjoyed being a den leader in Nolan’s Cub Scout pack and volunteering as a mentor to five at-risk English as a Second Language (ESL) first grade students at our neighborhood elementary school. We all enjoy getting back to Pittsburgh ("The Big City" as Nolan and Lucy like to call it) to visit with the many Mahoneys (Melissa, Maureen, Maribeth, Bud) and Thompsons (Bob, Ron, Jennifer), who all still live in the area. My family circle of potential future Mystery Classmates will be growing later this year when the Burgard sisters (Kristin, Erin, Kara) become my stepsisters.”

Many of you had fond and detailed memories of Jim.

Ken Van Cara felt that Jim looks remarkably the same and remembered a lot of fun times in the musicals, band, and cross country. Jim’s sister-in-law Maribeth said that “when I was at the beach with him last week, he had less hair. He is known by my family as ‘Dr. Dirt’.” Tom Mezyk noted that Jim "looks like he dropped some weight. Just when most of us are packing it on he goes and blows the whole damn thing.”

Brandon “Brandon B” Holmes wrote, “I grew up with the Thompson crew, played baseball with them from our days at Chalfant Elementary and I can tell you this: Bob, Jim, Ron and Jennifer are awesome!!! Some of the friendliest people you'd ever want to meet. I'm glad to know them.” Paula Recchio Joseph remembered Jim as a really terrific guy. Bob Smith noted that Jim and his brother Ron were really nice guys, and Tina Schadle Dover added that they were both really great and talented.

Emily DePaul Gil wrote of Jim and Megan, “I can't remember two more wonderful people from CHS! Kind, caring, wonderful people.” Melissa Mahoney Kortyna sent the picture of Jim “at work” during their recent family vacation at Kiawah Island.

Scott Silverman may be attempting to start a flame war by writing, “I recall Jim explaining to Ms. Panetta (10th or 11th grade English class) that he wanted to go to Penn State because they had a good football team. Not quite sure why I have this memory - maybe because (being a Pitt grad) I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to go to Penn State for any reason.”

Megan Mahoney wins the prize. She wrote, “Since I am only the Queen of Comedy, I leave it to others to make amusing comments, namely siblings, friends and the King of Comedy himself. This week we celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary, and I'll just say that nothing feels quite as lovely to me as holding that man's hand and I'm grateful to be sharing my life's journey with him.”

Kirsten Bonvalot Schwoegl guessed Jimmy “Little Bo” Petrick. Ron Levick still insists that Mystery Classmate #66 (Mary Bender) was Jamie Fagen.