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.

Mystery Classmate 065

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Scott Silverman, Ted Showers, Barbara Bender Pietro, Karen Campbell Ricci, and Ann Broadberry, all of whom correctly identified Mary Bender ('90) as Mystery Classmate #65 (center) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Mary Bender Knight lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she enjoys a successful career as a behavior modification therapist, specializing in treating children with autistic spectrum disorders. On May 29, 2004, Mary wed Harry Knight, and the two of them are pictured here on their honeymoon, accompanied by popular Las Vegas entertainer Big Elvis. On their cross country drive, Mary and Harry saw many other amazing sights along the way. Congratulations, Mary!

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Sonya Welesko. Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Sonya Welesko. Leann Impavido Mendenhall guessed Sonya Welesko, and added a guess that the gentleman on the left was Sonya’s husband and classmate David Buerger.

Colleen O’Connor Casey guessed Barb Neches. Ron Levick guessed Jamie Fagen.

Kimberly Hall guessed Carolyn Wasko. Ellen Broadberry Gallagher guessed either Carolyn or Anita Wasko.

Carrie Schadle wrote, “As usual, I have no idea who that is, but the guy to her left looks like some guy I went to college with, whom we used to call Zippy for some long-forgotten (like his real name) reason.”

Ted Showers supposed that the gentleman pictured on the right was me, and complimented me on the shirt. Ted, I wish I looked that good!

Mystery Classmate 064

Congratulations to Steve Landay, who correctly identified Dave Zafris ('82) as Mystery Classmate #64.

In case you were wondering, Dave is a reporter for WJAC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Johnstown. In his bio on the station website, Dave writes, “After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English Writing, I began my career as a newswriter for KQV Radio and went on to several other stations, including WYDD-FM and WNRJ-FM, doing news and sports. From there I moved into newspaper reporting, first for Gateway Publications in Monroeville and then as a reporter at the Butler Eagle in Butler County. I also worked as a freelance writer for several publications, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I went back to get my masters degree at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, because I wanted to attempt to get into television news. Halfway through the program, I applied for an opening at WJAC, and have worked here as a general assignment reporter covering Blair County, and most recently, Clearfield County. I live in Dubois, with my dog Bear, and have a girlfriend and cat in Pittsburgh. I love hockey, football, and pizza, not necessarily in that order.”Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Steve Landay. Brian “S.D.” Stevenson didn’t guess, but noted that the Mystery Classmate was positioned in front of an NBC logo.
Laura Fleming Schulte wrote, “My guess with Burris (Esplen) has made me bold.” (You go, Laura!) “Could that be a picture of Andy Katzen? It doesn't look like him, but the person people identified as Andy at our 10-year reunion didn't look like him either.”

Jerry Koutavas guessed Peter Leventopoulos, noting that Peter (like Dave Zafris) is of Greek descent.

Mystery Classmate 063

Congratulations to Jack Horner, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Coleman Brennan, Bob Smith, Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Laura Fleming Schulte, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Megan Mahoney, all of whom correctly identified Burris Esplen ('85) as Mystery Classmate #63 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Burris and his wife Ashlee live in Churchill, where Burris is a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. He also serves as Membership Chairman of the Pittsburgh East Chapter of the American Wine Society.

Burris reports, “I enjoy sweet, vinifera wines; however, I also enjoy dry whites and reds. I prefer vinifera but there are good French-American hybrids out there. I like the obscure whites like Semillon and Viognier. My favorite vineyards are in Napa Valley--an awesome experience!”

Some classmates had curious things to say about Burris. Laura Fleming Schulte noted his resemblance to the the American spy who sold secrets to the Russians.

Jack Horner wrote, “I love saying his name. Burris.”

Linda Wolff guessed Dave Crawford. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Dave Buerger. Bill Stout guessed Bill Blake, or Ernie Knoche. Jerry Koutavas incorrectly identified the three gentlemen pictured as Scott Rosenfeld, Fred Grejda, and either Gary Krawczewicz or Ed Knapp.

Mystery Classmate 062

Mystery Classmate #62 may have been a little too difficult for anyone to identify. He is Alexandre “Sasha” Polozoff (’82).

In case you were wondering, Sasha works for IBM and lives in Chicago with his wife Sandra and children Stephen and Kristie. He hates Pittsburgh! You can read his life story on his website, to which you can find a link in the right hand column of this page.

Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Rosario Collucci. Jerry Koutavas guessed Ron “Spanky” Kirkpatrick. Mary Bender Knight guessed Sam Kinison.

Mystery Classmate 061

Congratulations to Stu Cohen, Gary Cervi, Rich Reschoff, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, and Lori Haas Baccari, all of whom correctly identified Michael Bernstein ('85) as Mystery Classmate #61 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Mike lives in Pittsburgh, has been married to wife Amy for 10 years, and has three kids plus another on the way in November. Mike just returned from Japan where he spent four days with Douglas Schafer (who would've been class of '85 if he hadn't switched to Sewickley Academy) and Doug's family, along with Mike's oldest son Max. Mike says, "Hello to all of my old classmates and would love to hear from anybody who is willing to contact me, at mbernstein@leedsworld.com." Mike also noted that Jack Horner is a dead man.

Several classmates shared fond recollections of Mike. Stu Cohen noted that "Mike was one of the coolest guys in our class. Creative, smart and just fun to be around."

Gary Cervi noted that Mike "is the CEO of Leed's (the company I work for). And for that reason, I will not make any smart remarks!

Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Ron Levick. Jack McDonough and Tracey Lucchino McDonough collaborated to guess Rich Mich. Chad Calabria guessed Ron Lippock.