Mystery Classmate 021

Congratulations to Ron Ways, Brian "S.D." Stevenson, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Paul Rodgers, and Joe Caprara, all of whom correctly identified Lauren Hoener ('84) as Mystery Classmate 021 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Lauren Hoener Nace is the Assistant to the Pastor of Gettysburg United Methodist Church and frequently serves as Liturgist. She and her husband Carl also serve as Coordinators of the Parish's Youth Ministries, and Carl chairs the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Her husband is not a fireman. Lauren and Carl have three children -- Austin, Connor and Allyson.

Milton Koutavas guessed Margaret Fleming. Bill Stout guessed Bettina Myers.

Mystery Classmate 020

Congratulations to Bob Smith, Milton Koutavas, Mike Williams, Rich Reschoff, Scott Silverman, Brian "S.D." Silverman, Barbara Bender Pietro, Mary Bender Knight, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, and Paul Rodgers, all of whom correctly identified Craig Harris ('87) as Mystery Classmate 020 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Craig is busy running the family lampshade business, J. Harris & Sons, and filling his basement and garage with toys including a Harley and Ford T-Bird. Craig and wife Lynne are the proud parents of daughter Paige, age 9 months.

While Craig may have been easy for some of you to identify, the person on the right was less familiar to most. Paul Rodgers was one of many who thought it was Craig's daughter Paige. Brian "S.D." Stevenson thought it was Craig's lunch.

Paul Rodgers later corrected his reply, adding, "Didn't look close enough at the picture. Jonathan Silverman (Scott's son) and I'm not sure who the fat guy is. The mystery classmate himself, sitting next to me, corrected me."

Craig then pushed Paul away from the computer and typed, "Since I cannot vote for myself, I just wanted to say for the record, that I am not fat but pleasantly plump. (Signed,) The Mystery Classmate at Paul's Labor Day party. Leave it to a postman to make the mistake."

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes added, "Craig, keep doing what you're doing, man. You look great and your little one is beautiful, too. All the best, my man!" Mike Williams wrote that "Moose always was good with kids -- he must think on their level." Rich Reschoff noted that "he lived on my street, Henley Drive. He looks the same as in 1985!"

Dan Talbert guessed Jay Leno.

Mystery Classmate 019

Congratulations to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Carrie Schadle, Coleman Brennan, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Joe Caprara, Scott Silverman, Mary Bender Knight, Jack Horner, Barbara Bender Pietro, Milty Koutavas, and Kristin Burgard, all of whom correctly identified Adam Karsten ('86) as Mystery Classmate 019 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Adam is an established actor and performer, whose lengthy resume includes a production of Miss Saigon in Germany; a national tour with the Washington, DC-based Capitol Steps; Jesus Christ Superstar at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL (as Jesus); and most recently, a role in a Manhattan presentation of Owl Creek, a new musical based on a Civil War-era Ambrose Bierce short story.

Thanks to those of you who shared your memories of Adam.

Kristin Burgard wrote, "I recognize the shifty eyes. This was the same look he had on his face when he threw an M&M down my shirt in German Class."

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes wrote, "Fantastic singer and actor, big time Triumph/Rik Emmet fan, a very cool guy and someone who can bring the party back to life if it loses steam."

Paula (Recchio) Joseph guessed Mike Horowitz, whom she remembered from sixth grade, and then later changed her guess to Adam Karsten. Rich Reschoff also guessed Mike Horowitz, and then changed his guess to Adam but confessed to getting a hint from Coleman Brennan.

Steve Landay wrote, "Man I suck at this. It is becoming frighteningly clear that I not only failed to pay attention in class, but also to my classmates." Steve added, "It ain't Bill Blake."

Ann Broadberry was too busy to guess, but somehow found time to submit the following letter to last week's Post-Gazette Sports Mailbag:

Kordell Stewart was never given a fair shake in Pittsburgh. He might have been inconsistent at times, but show me one quarterback who hasn't been in his career. There was so much doubt and negativity placed on him, it's amazing he performed as well as he did.

ANN BROADBERRY

Charlotte, N.C.

Mystery Classmate 018

Congratulations to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, who correctly identified Michael Hissrich ('83) as Mystery Classmate 018.

In case you were wondering, Mike is the Emmy Award-winning producer of The West Wing, and has also served as Associate Producer of ER; Producer of Presidio Med; and Co-Producer of Trinity and Third Watch. He also worked on From Dusk Til Dawn with Quentin Tarantino.

He just might be married to or dating an actress by the name of Jessica Pennington, who has appeared as a guest on The West Wing, Frasier, and Ed, and provided the voice of Claire in the 1986 TV movie Fluppy Dogs.

Mike is a member of IATSE Local 871, the union of professional stagehands, motion picture technicians, and allied crafts.

Joe Caprara guessed Bill Blake.

Mystery Classmate 017

Congratulations to Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Joe Caprara, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Rich Reschoff, all of whom correctly identified Nick DiBattiste ('85) as Mystery Classmate 017 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Nick is a member of the musical group After Dark, a band formed from some of Pittsburgh's finest veteran musicians. After Dark performs music of your favorite artists from the '40s to the '90s for your listening and dancing enjoyment. They feature songs by The Beatles, Smashmouth, Billy Joel, Elton John, Celine Dion, Van Morrison, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Frank Sinatra, Bonnie Raitt, Sam and Dave, The Eagles and Aretha Franklin to name but a few. Nick's recent CD "Killing Time" featured many of his original compositions and received regional airplay and sales as well as rave reviews in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and In Pittsburgh.

You can book After Dark for your event or learn more at http://www.3riversentertainment.com/default.htm.

Ann Broadberry wrote, "This guy reminds me a little of Chris Petrauskas in the face, but his hair is not wavy and too dark. Plus Chris is not Irish, I don't believe, not enough for a lovely green guitar like that. Oh well, he's my guess."

Paula Recchio Joseph wrote, "I am clueless. Did I go to Churchill?"

Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Tony Battaglia.

Mystery Classmate 016

Congratulations to Jerry Koutavas, Scott Silverman, Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes, Barbara Bender Pietro, Mike Williams, Brian "S.D." Stevenson, Mary Bender Knight, and Steve Landay, all of whom correctly identified Paul Rodgers ('87) as Mystery Classmate 016 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Paul is getting married this November. He lives on Homestead-Duquesne Boulevard.

Milton Koutavas initially guessed Paul Rodgers, but then switched his guess to Craig "Faygo" Prentice.

Ted Showers also initially guessed Paul Rodgers, and then switched his guess to Bill Blake.

Kristin Burgard wrote, "I am not sure who this is but it looks like he had a rough night." Bill Stout said that Paul "looks vaguely familiar, but I just can't place the face. I don't know who he is, but I have definitely felt the way he looks."

Mystery Classmate 015

Congratulations to Jerry Koutavas, who correctly identified Greg Markantone ('84) as Mystery Classmate 015. Jerry noted that Greg is of Greek descent.

In case you were wondering, Greg is a doctor of podiatric medicine, affiliated with Forbes Regional Hospital. He shares an office with his brother Steve, also a podiatrist, in Latrobe. (Mike Markantone has a catering business and Luke runs the family painting company.) Greg is a graduate of the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and completed his residency at St. Francis Hospital in 1995.

Jerry wasn't the only person to guess that our Mystery Classmate was of Greek descent. Scott Silverman guessed Milton Koutavas. Joe Caprara guessed Dennis Koutavas.

Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes guessed Greg Bobick, then switched his guess to Bill Blake. Milton Koutavas guessed Eric "Ricky" Caplan. Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Kevin Smith. Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Kevin Finnerty.

Mystery Classmate 014

Congratulations to Jack Horner, Milton Koutavas, Barbara Bender Pietro, Beth Chufo Nichols, Jamie Kracsun McBride, Paula Recchio Joseph, Coleman Brennan, Scott Silverman, Rich Reschoff, Brian "S.D." Stevenson, Lisa Bizon, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, and Paul Rodgers, all of whom correctly identified Emily DePaul ('86) as Mystery Classmate 014 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Emily DePaul Gil is the music teacher at Slate Hill Elementary School in Worthington, Ohio, and in January 2003 was named the Music Educator of the Year by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Emily has been the music teacher at Slate Hill for the past 12 years, where over 90 percent of intermediate students forgo recess to participate in music performance groups.

Under Emily's guidance, Slate Hill choirs consistently earn superior ratings at competition. The school's music ensembles have performed at a variety of outside venues, including a performance for Governor Taft at the Ohio School Board Association Convention in 1999. Emily earned her BME from Otterbein College and received her MA in Elementary Music Education from Ohio State in 2002.

Chuck Zimmerman guessed Kari Moon.

Mystery Classmate 013

Congratulations to Jim Davliakos, who correctly identified Mike Breitkreutz ('86) as
Mystery Classmate 013.

In case you were wondering, Mike is a software programmer with the game company Firaxis. Mike first entered the game industry six years ago at DreamForge Intertainment, where he worked on several titles, including Ravenloft: Stone Prophet, Chronomaster, 101 Dalmatians: Escape from DeVil Manor, and Sanitarium. When he's not sipping a cold beer or playing video games, Mike fancies himself a guitar and bass player. He is also a collector of fine music and has a collection of odd, sometimes frightening, CDs by the likes of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and even the Partridge Family. Mike has a degree in Computer Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Paula Recchio Joseph guessed Tom Rahaw. Jamie Kracsun McBride guessed Brad Drago and added, "I'm really bad at this."

Ted Showers guessed Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent that spied for the Russians. Joe Caprara and Bill Stout guessed Bill Blake.

Mystery Classmate 012

Congratulations to Paula Recchio Joseph, Milton Koutavas, Beth Chufo Nichols, and Jeff Buchanan, all of whom correctly identified Bill Stout ('85) as Mystery Classmate 012 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Bill and his wife Janet live in Pocatello, Idaho, where Bill is a geologist with the US Bureau of Land Management's Upper Snake River Pocatello Field Office. They are the proud parents of Joshua Wilson Stout IV.

Coleman Brennan and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Stuart Cohen. Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Burris Esplen. Jack Horner guessed Kevin Borellis, "because I think he has some kind of outdoorsy job." Paul Rodgers wrote: "I have no idea but I'll bet a few people say 'Paul Rodgers'." Sorry Paul.