Tag Archives: alumni event

Gallery Event in a Beautiful Little Town

DSCN5458Portsmouth is a beautiful little town! I had never been there before although my wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law make annual pilgrimages to do much of their Christmas shopping there—the SUV was packed to the gills this year!

I got there a little early so I had the chance to walk around. It reminded me of Northampton, but with the ocean nearby. We had a nice gathering at The Banks Gallery, owned by Jamie LaFleur ’94. DSCN5459Jamie was one of my first advisees here at Williston. He came to Williston as a sophomore from the Keene, NH area. He was a swimmer who was also looking for a strong arts program. After going to art school, Jamie opened his own gallery. I asked him where Banks came from and he said he sort of just plucked it out of the air. Business did well and about a year ago they moved into a new gallery located steps from the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Unfortunately, just after they moved in there was a fire in an adjacent building which did heavy smoke and water damage to the gallery. They had to shut down and get the pieces and gallery restored. He just reopened about four months ago.

DSCN5469Jamie deals with a lot of high-end painting. Jamie’s parents (Martha and Allan LaFleur) moved to the Portsmouth area back in May so they could be closer to their grandchildren. It was good to see them and they seem to be doing well.

Continue reading

Alumni Pub Night in West Hartford

Andrea Nicoli '99 and jeff Pilgrim '81We had a good turnout for this event at McLadden’s Irish Pub in West Hartford, Conn. on November 5. The room was small and intimate.  Marlon Howard ’63 was the first to arrive. I spent some time talking with him about how the campus had changed and encouraged him to visit.  He was surprised how many of his teachers I knew.

Andrea Nicoli ’99 was there with her boyfriend. Andrea was a day student ( her older brother is Dan ’83).  She was on my soccer team and also played ice hockey. Tiffany Cutting ’02 was also there with her boyfriend.

Continue reading

On the Taste of Easthampton/Homecoming

By Jeffrey E. Pilgrim ‘81, Director of Alumni Relations

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Taste of Easthampton_Laughing TomatoAround 45 alumni returned to campus on October 19 for an afternoon of athletic contests and the first ever Taste of Easthampton! On the soccer fields, cross country course, pool and football field, the Wildcats took on Taft School, Pomfret, and Wilbraham & Monson. Particularly exciting was the varsity football game against Wilbraham & Monson, which ended with a 55 to 14 win.

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Taste of Easthampton_TandemThe day started slowly, but picked up steam as it went on. SugarBakers sold out of their cupcakes and had to go back for a second supply, which they also sold out of.  Their salted caramel cupcakes were YUMMY!

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Taste of Easthampton_Bistro busThe Bistro Bus was great to work with. After homecoming, they drove up to the Head of School’s home and provided dinner to people at the alumni cocktail reception that followed. Their BBQ pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches with caramelized onions were outstanding! They made a point of asking me if they could do this again next year (as did SugarBakers).

The Laughing Tomato did a brisk pizza business and I was psyched to see opposing teams purchasing things before hopping back on the bus to go home.  I also saw a large number of townspeople there which was great.

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Taste of Easthampton_soccer girls with treatsThe vendors did such a great job, that I’m planning to ask Laughing Tomato, SugarBakers and the Bistro Bus to cater the Friday night Reunion dinner on June 6, 2014.

The always popular Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream was also there to sell ice cream (when the sun was out), and candy (when the clouds rolled in and the temperatures dropped).

Many thanks also to the Physical Plant staff, especially Paul Bricker, who did yeoman work and supplied plenty of extension cords (700 ft) and tables.

 

New York Wine and Food Festival Event Recap

By Jeffrey E. Pilgrim ‘81, Director of Alumni Relations

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Sunday Slices_pizzaThis was a really fun event.  Dubbed “Sunday Slices” and hosted by Chef Anne Burrell of the Food Network, the evening featured about 30 different pizzerias from all over New York with beer and wine pairings.  It was up on the roof of Pier 92 in NYC with a great view of the city.  There were easily 3,000 people in attendance, including a dozen Williston alumni.

I2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Sunday Slices_Jeff at table with alumni tried the fried pizza, which was delicious, as was the upside–down pizza and the soprasetta pizza.  The New England clam chowder pizza was…different.

Shout outs to those I met: Dan Bi Kim ’08, Spencer May ’09, and Katie O’Brien ’07, Colin Elliott Hennessey ’06, Cait Bradley (former faculty), and Carly Turkus ’01, who had helped me pick this event from the list of offerings. Carly and her boyfriend spent time at the blackjack table where they turned $100 in charity money into $700 in charity money. Way to go, Carly!

2013_10_Pilgrim, Jeff_alumni event_Sunday Slices_Jeff with alumnaAll the alumni said they would love to do something like this again next year, although I think I would advocate for the Grand Tasting instead of Sunday Slices.  While more expensive, it was a wider arrangement of foods and wines.  Plus Christine McBride ’92 was the event coordinator!

Many thanks again to everyone for joining me at Sunday Slices. Next up: A cocktail reception in New Orleans on Oct. 29, hosted by Ed Michael Reggie ’71 for alumni, parents and friends. The event will be held at the Polo Club Lounge, Windsor Court Hotel. RSVP by October 23 to Wanda Vadnais at (413)-529-3305 or wvadnais@williston.com.