Category Archives: Alumni News

On the Taste of Easthampton/Homecoming

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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.

 

Posted in: Alumni News

New York Wine and Food Festival Event Recap

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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.

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Green ’10 Cast in Traveling “West Side Story” Troupe

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Jarrad Green ’10 has been cast as Tony in Troika Entertainment’s traveling production of “West Side Story.” The show will run through summer 2014 making stops across the country, and in western Canada and Alaska.

Mr. Green was recently cast as Joe Hardy in TriArts Sharon Playhouse’s production of “Damn Yankees” and Dallas in “Sweet Smell of Success” at NYU’s Skirball Center.

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5 Questions for…

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Jon Wiener ’06
On August 1, a new ESPN radio show “Home Cookin’,” hosted by Jon Wiener ’06, premiered on Jackson, Mississippi’s 105.9 The Zone. “Home Cookin’” will feature weekly live tailgate shows; interviews with players and coaches of the New Orleans Saints; local high school wrap-ups and features; and inside reports on Ole Miss, Mississippi State, The University of Southern Mississippi, and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

How did the opportunity to host your own radio show come about?
After Williston, I attended Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and majored in English. As a student I did some sports writing and broadcasting and I even called the “Miracle in Mississippi” play where Trinity used 15 laterals on the final play to beat Millsap College in the SCAC title game. I went to Syracuse University where I received my Master’s Degree in broadcast and digital journalism and got a job at Fox40 Sports in Jackson. This spring I started occasionally filling in on the radio show at 105.9, then in April they pulled me aside and said, “We’re looking for an afternoon show and we think you’re the guy.” I made a pitch to them, and they were interested enough to take it to the next step. Continue reading →

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