San Diego Mini-Reunion Draws Crowd of Classmates

By Stu Rickerson '71, SWLF Chair

Despite a rare (though much needed) winter rain storm, 32 Class members and their spouses ventured from Orange and Ventura Counties, the Bay Area, Denver, Chicago and Florida on February 18 for the annual Class of 1971 San Diego Regional Meeting, featuring a wine tasting of six California and French wines, or a dozen local brews during an extended social "hour," followed by a choice of thoughtfully paired California Cuisine (including 2 desserts) in Carlsbad. Conversations ranged widely from Freshman Week surprises, the provenance of nicknames, favorite haunts dorm rooms and professors, what is different about Princeton and what seems mostly the same, and many other topics over the course of five-hours. Not satisfied, the next day one group headed to Baja California on motorcycles for a week's "Rakes Revenge," (for more, see the article), another group socialized in Del Mar while a third improvised with a section dinner reprise in La Jolla.

The cast of characters included (left to right) Rob Watson, Mike Ladra, Susan and John Arigoni, Susan and Bill Kuntz, Laird Hayes, Barb and Jack McNab, Mike Pepper, long-distance award winner Tom Mueller (Naples, FL), Tim Tosta, Rick Ostrow, Murphey Harmon, Stu Rickerson, Don KP Kirkpatrick, Paul Dreibel,  Elyse Ostrow, Hilary Harmon '85, event organizer and treasurer Geoff Smith, Brad O'Brien, Hildy and John Drummond, and Julie Smith.  Out of this photo are Maggie Hayes, Brian Langston, Cree and Ned Scudder. Though not present, best wishes arrived from numerous 71's, honorary Classmate Darlene Love performed that night up the coast in SLO, while Mike Love sent along his regrets: "If I were in SoCal I'd like to get together, but I'm in Tahoe after a tour of Australia, with lots of snow and more coming tonight. Peace and Love." Was it just a coincidence that the Sunday New York Times Travel section featured, "36 Hours in San Diego"? You decide.