Friday, June 29, 2007

Mystery Classmate 109

Congratulations to Leslie Rush Cuda, Rich Reschoff, Donna Andreas Copley, Beth Chufo Nichols, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Nancy Ondick Hahn, Andy Moss, Marc Schanfarber, Tracy Schneider Rogers, Drew Horvath, Joe Caprara, Christine Trinchero Haddad, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Staci Blagovich, Linda Wolff, Lori Haas Baccari, Cheryl Mehalic, Amy Gongaware Senkow, Greg Markantone, Lisa Smith, Amy Baer Davie, Duke Johncour, Pam Van Cara Collis, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, Kelly O’Connor, and Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, all of whom correctly identified Stephanie Papazis (’84) as Mystery Classmate #109 (far right) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.


In case you were wondering, Stephanie Papazis Neuschander writes, “After graduating from Penn State University, I substituted at various school districts for two years. Then I taught sixth grade at Woodland Hills for eleven years. Now I am at home with my children, Paulina (7) and Nicholas (16 months). I volunteer at my daughter's school in the Franklin Regional School District and enjoy teaching the children in their centers and aiding in the library.

"The photo was from when I co-chaired the first annual Forbes Hospital Harmony Ball. It was a great success with over 650 guests. I continue to participate in the Forbes Health Foundation, this being the third year. The fundraising goes towards the renovation of the emergency room. Please consider supporting this terrific event.”I enjoy cooking, golfing, and exercising. My husband, David, and I have also developed our interests in fine food, wine, and travel. It's a good thing I have a fast metabolism!”

Stephanie added that last weekend’s Class of ’84 reunion was great fun and she hopes to see more classmates at our 25th – or 26th!

Several classmates had nice things to say about Stephanie. Karen Campbell Ricci wrote, “She is still as beautiful as ever and has two beautiful children to match. I am so happy; I finally can acknowledge someone of Greek descent!”

Rich Reschoff and Ellen Broadberry Gallagher agreed that Stephanie looks great and even prettier than before. Duke Johncour remembered that Stephanie was a friend of his sister Heather.

Later, Rick Mallik wrote, “My initial instinct was that the dark-haired girl on the end looked a lot like Stephanie Papazis. I went to school with Stephanie from grade school to high school. Also, my mother did day care in Pittsburgh and actually watched Stephanie's baby Paulina for a short period of time a several years ago. As is recommended on tests, always go with your initial gut answer!”

Karen LaFace added, “Stephanie looks awesome!”

Several classmates noted that they had no trouble recognizing Stephanie from her picture after seeing her last weekend at the class reunion. Of these, only Stephanie’s cousin Greg Markantone called her “Strooper.”

Bill Stout guessed Zoe Kun. Donna Andreas Copley considered Julie Contich before guessing correctly.

Paula Recchio Joseph had no clue. Jim Kwiecinski wrote, “Looks like Natalie, a gal I worked with at Southern Wines and Spirits.” John Plack had no idea but guessed that the blonde to Stephanie’s right was Nancy Ondick.

Later, regarding John Plack’s comment that the blonde next to Stephanie looked like Nancy Ondick, Nancy replied, “Thank you, John, for making my day after I returned home from the hospital. All I can say is, ‘If only!!’ My husband said he saw a slight resemblance too.” Nancy was at the hospital for the birth of her daughter, and added, “Morgan Louise Hahn was born on Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 12:27 AM. She weighed in at 4 lbs. 10 oz. and was 18 inches long. She is our little Thumbelina. We're all home and doing well!”

Mystery Classmate 108

Congratulations to Andy Moss, who correctly identified himself ('84) as Mystery Classmate #108 (left, in the group photo, and by himself in the other photo, which he sent later).

In case you were wondering, Andy is a partner with the Denver-based architecture firm Semple Brown Design, and moved back to Pittsburgh about a year and a half ago to open a local office and begin design work on East Liberty Square.

Andy plans a town square concept, with the historic East Liberty Presbyterian Church as its focal point. In a 2004 Post-Gazette article, Andy said, "The doors to the sanctuary are locked during the day, while in Europe the doors are open all day. And the bell tower would be a tourist attraction," offering views of town and country. And while the church contributes to the spiritual and social life of the community, "retail likes to have stores on either side of the street."

The square, perhaps demarcated with special paving, would extend from the church to the facades of the buildings that surround it, with parking on both sides of the street, an improvement. Curbs might be replaced with bollards. Moss also envisions a plaza along Penn Avenue in front of the church, with seating, sculpture and a fountain.

"It really is important that the entire four blocks around the church be the public space," he said. "One of the main challenges is to have all of these property owners manage to develop and improve their properties with some sense of cohesiveness and quality."

Andy adds, "I finally can get one right… that’s me!

"Not sure where you got the photo, but that is me with my staff (Sarah and Heather) at our new architectural office in East Liberty. We moved into our new Liberty Bank Building digs about nine months ago. I travel back to Denver about once a month. My projects range from single family homes, offices, restaurants, to theatres and urban design. I’m thrilled to be back in the ‘burgh and living in Point Breeze."

Classmate Ted Smith sent me the photo and information, and had nice things to say about Andy. Somehow I have misplaced the email that Ted sent me. However, I do remember that Ted asked me to be sure to credit fellow classmate and former Mini-Charter editor Craig Davis for sending the information to Ted.

Later, Leslie Rush Cuda wrote, “I have a funny memory of Andy Moss. All I'll say is, it was me, Laura Murton, Katie Brown, Andy, another friend of his we didn't know, and a campground somewhere near Moraine State Park. That's all I'm sayin’...!!!"

Bill Stout wrote, “He lived right up the street and yet I would have never guessed Andy Moss. Now that I know, he looks a little like his older brother.”

Karen Campbell Ricci wrote, “I never would have guessed Andy Moss from the picture but I remember him from cross country. Strangely, I remember him as being the only right handed person I ever saw that hooked his hand when writing, like a left handed person typically does. He was a nice guy and very smart.”

Laurie Young Theademan guessed Stan Kuznicki. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Greg Rudcki. Milton Koutavas guessed Warren Swigart. Rick Mallik guessed Dave Crawford. Pam Pristas Dwyer guessed Jeff Zukerman.

Jerry Koutavas identified those pictured as the Seattle-based rock band Sleater-Kinney and noted that their new cd, "The Woods", is their best album since 1997's "Dig Me Out".

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Mystery Classmate 107

Congratulations to Colleen O’Connor Casey, Lori Haas Baccari, Tracy Schneider Rogers, Rick Mallik, Helene Bour Palmer, Christine Trinchero Haddad, Laurie Young Theademan, Deb Faskow Feller, Lisa Tarshis Galante, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Chad Calabria, and Linda Wolff, all of whom correctly identified Cheryl Mehalic (’84) as Mystery Classmate #107 (far left) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Cheryl reports that she recently got engaged in New York City, and the attached photo was taken at that event.

She adds, “I have a set of twins that are 17, and my daughter is the third from the left in the picture. My son is not in the photo, but for anyone that knows my brother, he looks just like him. They will graduate in 2006.

“My fiancĂ©, Keith Wynn, graduated in 1984 from Turtle Creek High School. He has two children, 13 and 11, and works at Bechtel Bettis as a Mechanical Designer. We live in Monroeville, so anyone in the area just may run into us.

“As everyone that knew me in high school knows, I was a cosmetologist for many years. After I worked as a Princess's personal stylist, but got bored with it and started in Social Science Research traveling the country studying what drugs people did. That proved to be very interesting but I wanted to be able to start a 401(k), so I started working for the City Of Pittsburgh as a property manager at the Housing Authority. Now THAT was interesting, never a dull moment.

“However, you have to live in the City to work for the City, and I moved back to Churchill when my father passed away. So now I am now working with a real estate redevelopment corporation out of DC. We specialize on Redevelopment with Tax Credits. I am a property manager for a large project in the East Hills and Helene Bour Palmer's husband's company, Repal Construction, is the General Contractor on the job. Funny how the world is such a small place.”

Several classmates had nice things to say about Cheryl. Lori Haas Baccari, Tracy Schneider Rogers, and Laurie Young Theademan thought that Cheryl looks great and/or just the same and/or has not aged. Helene Bour Palmer noted that it was probably unfair for her to guess, since Cheryl is one of her closest friends.

Rick Mallik scored bonus points by also identifying Cheryl’s mom, on the left side of the photo behind Cheryl.

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Jody Teets. Ann Broadberry Johnson guessed “Jodi something.” Jean Ward Dunnivan guessed Nancy O’Conner.

Jeff Suher wrote, cryptically, “I don’t remember him.”

Jerry Koutavas identified those pictured as, left to right, Timmie Boyle, Liz Fiano, Timmie Boyle’s sister, the Fabulous Moolah, and Mark Madden.

Mystery Classmate 106

Congratulations to Lori Haas Baccari, Helene Palmer Bour, Donna Andreas Copley, Marc Schanfarber, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Leslie Rush Cuda, Greg Markantone, Lauren Hoener Nace, Kelly Sauer Mazon, Lisa Callender Mitchell, Amy Baer Davie, and Chad Calabria, all of whom correctly identified Drew Horvath (’84) as Mystery Classmate #106 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Drew joined the Army in January 1985 after he got tired of delivering (and eating) Domino's pizza. He joined in the hopes of continuing his education, and subsequently accessed the Army College Fund and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Drew has been all over the world, to places he cannot spell, visiting people whose names he cannot pronounce, but says it’s been great fun and he has enjoyed almost every minute of it.

While stationed in Alaska Drew met and married the lovely (and lively) Tiffany Dalby of Palmer, Alaska. In November 2002, Drew was promoted to Major at a big party in Pittsburgh with a bunch of family and classmates including Kelly Sauer Mazon, Chad Calabria, Lisa Callender Mitchell, Mike Topping, Mike Husak, Joe Strednak and Terri Priatko. Drew is currently stationed in Korea at Camp Casey but will rejoin his wife Tiffany, daughter Taylor (10) and son Anthony (1) in July to serve a tour in Anchorage, Alaska. Drew laments that the Army will keep him away from the Class of ‘84’s 20th reunion, but with a little luck, hopes to be around for the 30th!

Several classmates relied on unorthodox guessing strategies to identify Drew. Helene Palmer Bour thought Drew was difficult to recognize without hair, but based her guess on his eyes. Linda Wolff wrote, “I am only guessing because it looks like his lips. I never kissed them, but they look like his.” Leslie Rush Cuda had to look closely.

Kelly Sauer Mazon will miss Drew and Tiffany at the Class of ’84 reunion in two weeks. Lisa Callender Mitchell wrote that Drew is a great guy and Tiffany is so nice. Amy Baer Davie added that Drew looks great and Tiffany is beautiful! Chad Calabria wrote that Tiffany is lovely.

Milton Koutavas guessed Coleman Brennan. So did Jim Kwiecinski. Paul Rodgers guessed Danny Buerger. Jerry Koutavas guessed Jennifer Lescisin and Maneck Kapadia.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Mystery Classmate 105

Congratulations to Marc Schanfarber and Chad Calabria, both of whom correctly identified Ron Lippock (’84) as Mystery Classmate #105 and who are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ron lives in Washington DC and works at Congressional Quarterly, where he is Director of Publishing for their Government/Professional Division. He is married to Alexandra Todd-Lippock, who works at the US Agency for International Development, and with whom Ron is pictured, along with their 15 month girl Emily. Their dog Bella unfortunately was cropped from the picture.

Milton Koutavas guessed Randy Vegely. Mike Williams guessed Fred Summers. Maria Wojtaszek Hughes guessed Lenny Linsenbigler.

Donna Andreas Copley wrote, “That other guy looks like someone I remember a year or two older – maybe. I'll remember to check my yearbook on his name...”

Jerry Koutavas guessed Ron Levick, or David Pollack. Jerry also guessed that Ron’s wife Alexandra was Pam Pristas, or Pam Hershorin. He added that their baby looks like David Gleba, but younger.

Mystery Classmate 104

Congratulations to Milton Koutavas, Donna Andreas Copley, Tina Schadle Dover, and Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, all of whom correctly identified Jennifer Taylor (’87) as Mystery Classmate #104 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Jennifer Taylor Brandeis attended the University of Pittsburgh and sold liquor ads in the Pitt News (which she now denies). She went to Georgetown Medical School and completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Department of Emergency Medicine in 2003.

Several classmates shared fond memories of Jennifer, albeit after her identity was revealed. Scott Silverman wrote, “She was my lab partner in ninth grade biology (or was it tenth grade?). Anyway, she drew blood from my finger as part of an assignment. As I recall, she was very gentle, so I'm assuming that she's a good doctor.”

Donna Andreas Copley wrote, “Jennifer was the first one that I thought of when I saw the photo, but I still wasn't sure! Anyhow, Jennifer was one of our star cross country athletes - she was a freshman when I was a senior. Is that her baby in the photo? I wonder how her brother Dan is doing?”

Donna Andreas Copley guessed correctly, but not without first considering Stephanie Siuda. Jerry Koutavas guessed Lori Popies. Colleen O’Connor Casey guessed Ellen something.

Monica Keane Sauk guessed Rebecca Emtage. Sandy Sokolowski guessed Erin Keeley. Mark Koutavas guessed Tracie Pyles.

Carrie Schadle wrote, “Is it Barb someone? She looks like someone who my sister was friends with maybe. There hasn't been anyone I know in a dog's age.”

Mystery Classmate 103

Congratulations to Leslie Rush Cuda, John Plack, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, Linda Wolff, and Lisa Smith, all of whom correctly identified Laurie Young (’84) as Mystery Classmate #103.

In case you were wondering, Laurie Young Theademan writes, “I am currently living down here in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a Navy Wife, and have SIX children. FIVE boys and the last ONE finally was my GIRL! TWO grandchildren. NO, I have not been that "busy"... His, Mine, and Ours! It took me a while after graduation to decide to go to college and do something with my life, but eventually I went to college. Shocking to many I am sure! I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, and my Associates Degree in accounting. I currently work for the Government, Department of Defense at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. I make and review financial contracts for purchases by the Government.

“I'm not back home often, However I still keep in close contact with my best friend Barbara Gallagher Byers. If too many years go by, I fly her to wherever we are stationed, so we can catch up. I was just up in Pittsburgh on April 1 for the first time in eight years. Although I still plan on making another trip in May for the reunion. I can't wait to see people that I haven't seen in years! I am looking forward to it!”

John Plack had a nice memory of Laurie. He wrote, “I'm going to go with the wild guess of Laurie "Spaz" Young. If indeed that is her, my fond memory of her is that she gave me my "extreme" haircut just before I went into Boot camp back in '87. She looks great too!”

Donna Andreas Copley remembered Laurie, but just couldn’t remember her name. Jerry Koutavas guessed Brigid McDermott.

Mystery Classmate 102

Congratulations to Lori Haas Baccari, Pam Van Cara Collis, Jerry Koutavas, Marc Schanfarber, Lisa Smith, Beth Chufo Nichols, Kelly O’Connor, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, Lisa Callender Mitchell, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Drew Horvath, Amy Baer Davie, Debbie Faskow Feller, Bill Stout, Donna Andreas Copley, Leslie Rush Cuda, Amy Gongaware Senkow, Rick “Kitch” Senkow, Maria Wojtaszek Hughes, Sandy Sokolowski, Celesta Van Sickel Bjornson, Gary Campbell, Milton Koutavas, Tracy Schneider Rogers, and Chad Calabria, all of whom correctly identified Ed Knapp (’84) as Mystery Classmate #102.


In case you were wondering, Ed has a great life in Florida with his wife and kid, flying Lear jets for a living. I should have more information, but Ed didn’t send me anything and I forgot to ask. He is reading the 2002 schedule for Motordrome, the Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

Many classmates had interesting things to say about Ed.

Donna Andreas Copley wrote, “I remember when Eddie used to dunk me at the Forest Hills pool and I'd freak out and cry or something. I think he enjoyed that a little too much!”

Lynn Abt LeBlanc remembered that Ed used to tease her in junior high school. Bill Stout remembered that Ed was a star of the soccer team. Chad Calabria remembered that Ed was a nice guy.

Beth Chufo Nichols wrote, “Hey, that's my senior prom date - Ed Knapp! I have a great prom picture of us... Me, with my 80's Prince-do, and he, with his tux tie around his bare neck, instead of his shirt collar.”

Jerry Koutavas supposed that Ed is drinking heavily, since the hockey season has been shelved.

Lisa Smith, Lisa Callender Mitchell, and Donna Andreas Copley wrote that Ed looks just the same as he did 20 years ago.

Mary Cvetan guessed Tom Cook. Mike Williams guessed Ronnie Thompson. Greg Markantone guessed Acty Rindt. Mark Koutavas guessed Robert “Slick” Semethy.

Paul Rodgers guessed (Howard Stern sidekick) Artie Lange or (former NFL player and current media personality) Mike Golic. Jim Kwiecinski expounded further, writing, “I think this is Mike Golic's lost little brother. That longing look at the menu is a dead give away to membership in the Golic clan. Really I don't know, but I bet he is from the Class of 1984.”

Mystery Classmate 101

Congratulations to Mark Koutavas, who correctly identified James Brown (’89) as Mystery Classmate #101.

In case you were wondering, James joined the U.S. Army after high school and served in the Persian Gulf War. He then became a Military Police Officer and served in Operation Uphold Democracy in the Republic of Haiti.

James completed his degree in Criminal Justice at Pitt, worked with the Allegheny County Probation Office for over a year, and then moved to Virginia, where he has been employed for the past four years as Federal Probation Officer for the Eastern District of Virginia. James also works part-time as a Substance Abuse Counselor. He married a beautiful local Hawaiian woman from Ewa Beach, and has two beautiful daughters, Nadia, 8, and Desma, 1.


Lisa Callender Mitchell guessed Gregg Bobick, or Greg Markantone. Debbie Faskow also guessed Greg Markantone.

Steve Landay guessed Billy Cvetan, or Billy Cvetan’s twin brother. Paul Rodgers guessed Dave Kacinko. Keith Shipley guessed Bill Blake.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Mystery Classmate Store Now Open!

Just in time for the holidays, the Official Mystery Classmate Store is open for business!

The store features unique and exciting items that reflect the Churchill High School and Mystery Classmate experience.

Loaded with great gifts and offering special deals on shipping, the Mystery Classmate Store is the one-stop solution for all of your holiday giving needs.

Visit the Mystery Classmate Store now at www.cafepress.com/mysteryclass.