Mystery Classmate 052

Congratulations to Angharad Grimes Stock, Rich Reschoff, Kelly O'Connor, and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, who correctly identified Tim Artz ('82) as Mystery Classmate 052 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Tim enlisted in the US Marine Corps after high school, and while serving in the reserves auditioned for the drama department at Point Park College, where he received a B.A. in theater. From there Tim attended Rutgers University and graduated with an M.F.A. in acting and a minor in writing.

Now based in New York, Tim has appeared in numerous stage, television and film productions and also works as a writer and producer. Tim's stage credits include Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire; Salome; Noises Off; King of the Moon; The Misanthrope and Love's Labor's Lost. His TV credits include "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order," "New York Undercover," "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light."

Tim appeared in the films Stonewall and Borough of Kings and most recently in the Jonathan Demme remake of The Manchurian Candidate with Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, BeBe Winans, and Robyn Hitchcock.

Dan Talbert guessed Jeff Miller. Frank Battaglia thought that Tim "looks like (he belongs on) a record album cover," and guessed Vince Palermo or Steve Kovacs. Paul Rodgers guessed Gregg Bobick.

Joe Caprara guessed Ken Van Cara, or one of the members of Bon Jovi. Lori Haas Baccari thought that Tim "looks like a movie star," and guessed Eric "Ricky" Caplan. Jim Davliakos guessed Richie Vitaro.

Mystery Classmate 051

Congratulations to Ron Levick, who correctly identified Van Zanic ('88) as Mystery Classmate 051 and remembered Van for his wicked left foot on the soccer field.

In case you were wondering, Van is the head softball coach at Geneva College, and took the Golden Tornadoes to new heights in 2003 in his first year at the post. Geneva finished last season at 42-12, and Van received Coach of the Year honors for both the American Mideast Conference and NAIA Region 9.

Van previously served as an assistant softball coach at Woodland Hills High School for three years under his father, head coach George Zanic. Van holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications from Geneva and took over as the school's full-time sports information director in 1998. A four-year starter for the Golden Tornadoes baseball team, Van enjoyed four winning seasons during his playing career, which ended in 1992. Van and his wife, Rebecca, a 1993 Geneva graduate, reside in Beaver Falls with their three-year-old son Zachary.

Maribeth (Mahoney) Misitis guessed Brian "S.D." Stevenson and remembered the "huge smile" on S.D.'s face as he played tuba in the marching band.

Paul Rodgers guessed Alan Checca. Frank Battaglia guessed Chad Calabria. Jim Davliakos guessed Vincent Oddo, although Vince is not of Greek descent.

Mystery Classmate 050

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Larry McAfoos, Paula Recchio Joseph, Heidi Stout, Lori Haas Baccari, Stu Cohen, Jack Horner, Frank Battaglia, Beth Chufo Nichols, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Ron Levick, who correctly identified Burton Morris ('82) as Mystery Classmate 050 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Burton Morris is an award-winning artist who has been proclaimed the leader of the "New Pop" movement. His work has appeared in the TV shows "Friends" and "Just Shoot Me"; on the labels of Perrier bottles, Pepsi cans, and Heinz food products; and on posters for the World Cup, the Olympics, and the Pittsburgh Zoo Aquarium.

Burton says, "My artwork portrays popular icons and ideas that people can relate to in everyday culture. I wanted to add a contemporary twist to traditional Pop Art by implementing my own sense of color and energy. I share Andy Warhol's vision by portraying imagery that is familiar to a large audience. I believe that by utilizing the media and new technology I can communicate my ideas on a large scale. Warhol and I differ in style and technique, yet we share a similar sense of color and impact."

Burton received a BFA in design and fine art from Carnegie Mellon University in 1986, and lives in Forest Hills with his wife Julie and their two cats Hamlet and Daisy. You can learn more at Burton's website, which is linked in the column on the right.

Many classmates had nice things to say about Burton.

Jack Horner remembered Burton "walking down the aisle of Bus 7, carrying a giant egg-beater painting comprised of millions of ink dots. It's probably worth $20 grand now that he's that famous Academy Award artist. He also designed our company logo, for which we are grateful."

Lori Haas Baccari called Burton the "local boy gone BIG," and is happy to have his rendition of Little Jack Horner in her living room.

Beth Chufo Nichols reports that she "had A DATE with him shortly after I returned home from college. Took me home to his parents house to "show me his portfolio"... of artwork, that is. Impressive."

Stu Cohen remembered Burton only through his older brother Brian, but noted that his works are "pretty big stuff," while Ron Levick noted that Burton "could become the most famous person to graduate from Churchill."

Ann Broadberry Johnson and Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes guessed Larry McAfoos. Brandon wrote, "The only thing I remember about Larry was he did the morning announcements my freshman year. He was a senior, I believe. I never had the chance to talk to him, but I would if I saw him today because he's a
fellow Irishman."

Paul Rodgers guessed Craig Davis. Milton Koutavas guessed Vince Merlino. Lauren Hoener Nace guessed Dennis Koutavas. Jim Davliakos guessed Bob Morrison. Bill Stout guessed Kevin Borellis, or Tommy Buerger.

Mystery Classmate 049

Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Jack Horner, Paula Recchio Joseph, Gregg Bobick, Coleman Brennan, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Jim Thompson, Joe Caprara, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Ron Levick, Carrie Schadle, Paul Rodgers, Jerry Koutavas, Bill Stout, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Rich Reschoff, and Beth Chufo Nichols, all of whom correctly identified Stu Cohen ('85) as Mystery Classmate #49 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Stu and his wife Rachel, who is pictured, live in Upper St. Clair with their three beautiful boys, Max, Alex and Elijah. Stu runs the John V. Heineman Co., a gourmet and specialty food distributor located in Lawrenceville.

Many classmates had fond memories of Stu. Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes remembered Stu from their T-Ball team, the Bobcats, where they starred together along with Paul Rodgers and Tony Lodovico. Brandon added, "He was always a really cool guy, made time to say hi and shoot the breeze. I think he and Steve Landay are cousins!"

Interestingly, (well, not really) Paul Rodgers remembered Stu from their Pony League team, but made no mention of T-Ball.

Carrie Schadle amused me by writing, "I'm going with Stu Cohen. If it is him, we started third grade on the same day in October 1977 at Atlantic Avenue Elementary. Actually, if it isn't him, I still started third grade on the same day as Stu Cohen."

Amy Chufo Prezelski wrote, "Stu was on the swim team with me and was the only one who didn't treat me like Beth Chufo's LITTLE SISTER! What I had to endure from the others was just criminal! Cool dude."

Beth Chufo Nichols reminisced, "Brings back memories of Blackridge backyard campouts, late night hijinx on the Churchill Country Club golf course, jumping the fence at the Blackridge pool, running from Chambers through the woods back to camp, kamikazes at PHI, hanging at CMU's SAE, and drinking orange Mad Dog at the Blake/Cenna/Johnson chateau on Wilkins and Fifth. Amazing how many people we could cram around their miniscule kitchen booth. Stu always seemed to be the voice of sobriety for some reason. Miss the 'fro!"

Referring the infamous car accident (see Mystery Classmate 026, Scott Silverman), Bill Stout alleged that Stu had "the most talked-about house in the Class of '85." Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli remembered Stu as one of her "best buds," while Joe Caprara called Stu a "sweet bastard."

Frank Battaglia guessed Neil Abrams. Mike Williams guessed Fred Summers. Jim Davliakos guessed Bob Morrison.