Alumni Visits 2009-2010
John Maclin '69 and Charlie Edmunds '68, both members of the very first Blue Ridge School
lacrosse team, are flanked by Rory Bosek '04 and Sam Fosdick '05, Co-Directors
of this year's First Annual Alumni Lacrosse Game.
Whether it's a visit to the campus, an event where you live or a gathering somewhere in between, alumni visits give you a chance to catch up with Blue Ridge friends and learn what's happening at the School now and in the future.
This chronicles alumni visits from 7/1/09 to present.
Click here to view a slideshow of alumni visits in 09-10.
St. George, VA 4/24/10 Battle House on campus -- John O'Reilly and his wife Cyndy hosted an alumni and friends dinner for those who had come to play in or be a fan for the First Annual Alumni Lacrosse game. Rory Bosek '04 and his wife Maddy, Russell Douglas Bosek, Rob Curran '05, Dan Dunsmore and his wife Merf, Charlie Edmunds '68, Sam Fosdick '05, Coby Frye '89, Dan Frye '95 and his wife Jamie (former BRS trainer), Alumni Parent Suzanne Gilman, Billy Groves '95 and his wife Amanda, Joseph Harkins, A. J. Jones '95 and his wife Ann, Will King '00 and his wife Jaime, John Maclin '69, Rob Murphy, Casey O'Hara '96 and his wife Danielle, Brendan O'Neil '05, Pat Powell '96 and his wife Sheila Heller, Bill Ramsey '83, Thorton Tayloe '94 and his wife Kate, and Chazz Woodson '01 had a blast catching up with one another at the end of a day full of alumni and varsity lacrosse.
McLean, VA 4/20/10 Home of Massoud and Juliana Riahi – John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, Jamie Miller ’94 and I drove to McLean, VA, for a reception at the home of current parents Massoud and Juliana Riahi. Their son Alex ’14 also hosted. Peter Baker ’71, alumni parents Eric and Ellen Beebe, Bill Bissell ’85, class agent Jon Brumberg ’98, current parent Craig Carlini, current grandparents Mick and Pat Daley, alumni council vice president Derrick Deck ’81 and his friend Karen English, former board member Cliff Gibbons ’68, prospective parents Jeff and Susan Hadlock, current parents Kevin and Peggy Jones, current parents Anne-Beatrix and Werner Keller, alumni parents Bill and Marla Magner, former board member Carden McGehee ’72, Isidro Mendoza ’04, alumni council member Will Merrick ’02, Bucky Morris ’82, current parents Tom and Candy Nail, alumni parents Gary and Deb Newgaard, current parents Manny and Susane Njomo, co-class agent Royster Peterson ’85, current parent Carolyn Ragland, current parents Karl and Yvonne Sening, Tom Symons ’79 and his friend Susan Moore, current parent Crystal Weathersby, and Hatcher Williams’ son Bev Williams enjoyed the delightful mix of Blue Ridge families, which allowed for some interesting, informative conversations.
Class Agent/Alumni Council Member Will Merrick '02 and Isidro Mendoza '04
Chattanooga, TN 3/25/10 The Mountain City Club – Alumni Parents Alan and Jean Cates, Alumni Parent Carolyn Attaway, John Attaway ’96, Alumni Parent Margaret Lane, Lang Montague ’73 and Blackwell Smith ’73 joined John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, JC Ignaszewski and me for dinner in Chattanooga, TN. The alumni shared many fond memories of their days at Blue Ridge, and the parents spoke glowingly of what the School had done for their children.
Atlanta, GA 3/24/10 The Piedmont Driving Club – John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, JC Ignaszewski and I drove to Atlanta, GA, for a reception hosted by George Chase ’76 and his wife Natalie. Board Member David Aldridge ’76, John Attaway ’96 and his friend Liz, Board Member Len Buccellato and his friend Ken Spooner, Alumni Parent Mary Fenton Doyle, Current Parent Suzette Gianturco, Doug Greer ’74, George Hammond ’68 and his wife Dena, Alumni Parents Turley (Board Member) and Mary Patton Higgins; Alumni Parents Rob and Harriett Hollis, Morgan McNeel ’87 and his wife Peggy, Harrison Morris ’89, Bob Munford ’70, Henry Oliver ’68 and his friend Frances, Alumni Parent Bert Rayle, Ed Richards ’82, Doug Strickland ’76 and his wife Brenda, Rob Vinson ’87 and his wife Rebecca, and Curt Weaver ’95 asked great questions of John and were inspired by his responses.
Brenda Strickland, Doug Strickland '76, George Chase '76, Natalie Chase
Columbia, SC 3/23/10 Home of Thomas Peacock ’90 and his wife Bunny -- Forester Adams ’88, Richard Beale ’68, Tim Bennett ’76, John McMaster ’65 and his wife Judy, Bill Mitchell ’78, Alumni Parents Edgar and Jennifer Peacock and Alumni Grandparent Mary Howfield joined John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy and me at the home of Thomas Peacock ’90 and his wife Bunny. The alumni agreed that the teachers and coaches at Blue Ridge brought out the best in them and instilled positive qualities that have served them well in their adult lives.
Savannah, GA 3/9/10 Home of Alumni Parents Bobby ’67 and Anne Groves – John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, JC Ignaszewski and I made our way down to Savannah for a reception at the home of Alumni Parents Bobby ’67 and Anne Groves. Joining us at their home were Ryan Grady and his wife Amanda; Billy Groves ’95 and his wife Amanda; Alumni Parent/Alumni Grandparent Cornelia Groves; Alumni Parent Martin Highsmith; Tayloe Highsmith ’94, his wife Raegan and their newborn Olivia; Cody Meadows ’09; Alumni Parent/Alumni Grandparent Comer Meadows; Wallace Thomas ’68 and his wife Susan; Harcourt Waller ’71; and Alumni Parent Kathryn Waller.
Wallace Thomas '68 and his wife Susan
Charleston, SC 3/8/10 Magnolias – John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, JC Ignaszewski and I travelled to a very warm and sunny Charleston, SC, for a beverages and hors d’ oeuvres reception at Magnolias. Tumpy Campbell ’83 and his fiancé Tracey, Ted deLoach ’79, Drew Duffey ’96 and his wife Cori, Donald Parker ’77 and his wife Elizabeth, Dallas Robertson ’95 and his friend Vickie, and Johnson Stevens ’03 and his friend Parker appreciated seeing one another and hearing John’s account of what’s currently happening at the School.
Dallas Robertson '95 and his friend Vickie visit with Ted deLoach '79.
Louisville, KY 1/26/10 Home of Mitch Rue ’81 and his wife Jennifer -- Alumni Parent Louisa Blodgett, Allen Bush ’69, Ward Deters ’86, Gatewood Gay ’74, Mike Gross ’91, Tom Johnson ’85, Willy MacLean ’86, Alumni Parent/Current Parent Sherry McDonald, her daughter By’Shey and John White ’77 joined John O’Reilly, Rob Murphy, JC Ignaszewski and me at the home of Mitch Rue ’81 and his wife Jennifer. Several important reconnections were made, and the graduates commented that they looked forward to staying in touch with their classmates and the School.
Sitting from left: Mitch Rue '81, Tom Johnson '85 Standing from left: Allen Bush '69,
John White '77, Ward Deters '86, Willy MacLean '86, Gatewood Gay '74, Mike Gross '91
St. George, VA 1/23/10 Battle House on campus – John O’Reilly and his wife Cyndy hosted an alumni and friends dinner on Saturday, January 23. Frank and Dolores DeAngelis, my wife Merf Dunsmore and I, Carl and Nancy Frye, JC and Katie Ignaszewski, Jamie Miller ’94 and his wife Beth and daughters Hannah and Chloe, Rob and Jennifer Murphy, Jim Niederberger, Bill Ramsey ’83 and his wife Margaret, and John Young were joined by Travis Allen ’08; Tim Armstrong ’94, his father Eldon and son Taylor; Whit Brinkley ’79 and his son Jarrod; Stuart Brown ’73; Chad Byers ’08; John Faulconer ’83 and his father-in-law Rocky Fitzhugh; Jim Frohman ’86; Dan Frye ’95, his wife Jamie, daughter Ella and son Ian; David Godfrey ’02; Peter Holland ’66; former BRS faculty member Mike Kelly; Nick Lee ’09; Brooks Minford ’09; Jim Moore ’75; Wilbur and Nancy Morris ’56; Tylor Morton ’07 and his friend Alyssa; Willie Nelson ’86 and his wife Shelly; Chris Norton ’09; Blake Souder ’04; Bill Tilman ’65 and his wife Martha; Pratt Valentine ’82; and Bryan Wood ’86. This gathering followed an Alumni Council meeting after lunch and home basketball game that afternoon.
Raleigh, NC 1/13/10 Winston's Grille -- Peter Green '88; Ray Hodges '73; Frank Holt '75/alumni parent; Brian Johnson '01; Scott Kanich '88; Rob Linens '83, his wife Glenda and their son Rob; Franklin McLeod '73; Mike Nicholson '73 and his wife Tina; Tom Powell '86; Bill Weber '72 and his wife Martha; and Ward Williams '69 met Head of School John O'Reilly, Director of Development Rob Murphy, Annual Fund Director JC Ignaszewski and me for dinner in Raleigh. John spoke to the alumni and their families about the Blue Ridge family as he assured them that the School's future looks very bright.
Franklin McLeod '73, Ray Hodges '73, Frank Holt '75
Virginia Beach, VA 12/15/09 McCormick & Schmick's -- Taylor Averett '76, Lyle Beckner '04 and his friend Kristin, Hugh Brydges '73, George Craddock '66, Clay Forsberg and his wife Meg, Jim Frohman '86, Richard Hickey '75 and his wife Jane, Peter Holland '66 and his wife Anne, Will King '00 and his wife Jaime, Parker Neff '79, Chuck Ridgely '89 and his wife Gretchen, and Bryan Wood '86 joined Annual Fund Director JC Ignaszewski and me for dinner in Virginia Beach on this unusually warm December evening. Everyone enjoyed the stories about the good ole days as well as the updates on what's been happening in more recent days on campus.
Parker Neff '79, Taylor Averett '76, George Craddock '66
St. George, VA 12/11/09 On Campus -- Percy Young '89 and his wife Ashley visited the Blue Ridge School campus. Percy was struck once again by how much had changed and how much had remained the same since his ten-year reunion.
St. George, VA 11/12/09 On Campus -- Tyler Sansom '03 visited the Blue Ridge School campus. He was impressed with all that has changed just in the short time he has been gone but also moved by fond memories that came flooding back to him as he walked past familiar locations.
St. George, VA 10/28/09 On Campus -- Mike Nicholson '73, his wife Tina and his mother Marjorie visited the campus. it was Tina's very first visit to the campus and Marjorie's first since Mike graduated. All agreed that the campus is beautiful.
Alexandria, VA 10/22/09 Clyde's at Mark Center -- Annual Fund Director JC Ignaszewski and I traveled to Alexandria to enjoy drinks and appetizers with Peter Baker '71, Bill Buckland '70, Neil Ellis '68, John Honig '78 and his wife Courtney, Jason Smith '99 and Scott Sprouse '90. It was great to meet Bill and Neil for the first time after having gotten to know them by phone and e-mail. Courtney enjoyed the alumni's wonderful memories of their days at BRS as much as did JC and I.
Roanoke, VA 10/20/09 419 West Restaurant -- Lance Brenner '82 and his friend Stephanie Crowder, Glenn Hall '73, David Laird '91 and Rob Little '69 joined me for dinner at the 419 West Restaurant. It was Rob who stated that only another Blue Ridge alumnus could understand the remarkably positive experience of having attended the School. All four alumni agreed that Blue Ridge was a turning point for them.
St. George, VA 10/16/09 and 10/18/09 On Campus -- Alex Vohden ’96, his wife Jaclyn and two-year-old twins Emma and Brooks dropped by the campus for dinner on their way to a wedding Friday night. My plan was to meet them there, but alas I missed them. Rob Murphy was very happy to see them and made sure they were properly welcomed. Alex and his family returned to campus on Sunday to have lunch with several faculty members before they headed back to Florida.
Wintergreen, VA 10/17/09 Mountain Top Lodge -- Henry Franklin ’74 and his friend Teresa Carter, Holly Jones, Daniel and Margaret McFarland, Marc Shook ’74 and his wife Cynthia, Bill Sullivan ’74, Bill Weber ’72 and his wife Martha, Willis White ’73 and his friend Cheryl Spencer were still enjoying one another’s company on Saturday afternoon when I arrived to say hello. The remarkable fellowship that always occurs among BRS alumni and friends was once again delightfully evident. Jimmy Crocker ’72 and Ben Hiatt ’71 had visited with the group the day and night before. I was sorry I had missed them but thoroughly enjoyed my brief time with the other alumni and their significant others at their annual Wintergreen gathering. I didn’t leave empty handed as Bill Weber gave me a collection of awesome Motown songs on a cd that the group had entitled “The Big Chill at Wintergreen 2009.”
St. George, VA 8/4/09 On Campus -- Alessandro Valmarana '90 visited the campus to meet with Carl Frye about ways in which he might help us make some improvements to the athletic facilities.
St. George, VA 7/29/09 Rob Murphy's home on campus -- Rob Murphy, his wife Jennifer and daughter Colleen hosted a cookout for Charlottesville-area alumni. Head of School John O’Reilly, John Young, Carl Frye, JC Ignaszewski, Dan Dunsmore and his wife Merf were also on hand to hear all of the great Blue Ridge School memories told by the alumni. Chad Byers ’08, Dylan Evans ’09, Dan Frye ’95, his wife Jamie and daughter Ella, David Godfrey ’02, Tim Merrick ’67 and his wife Judy, Tylor Morton ’07, Kyle Oliver ’05, Trent Parrish ’08, Bill Ramsey ’83 and his wife Margaret, William Scipio ’02 and his son William, Jr., Blake Souder ’04, Alex Stratmann ’08, Eric Strasser ’08, Zac Tolson ’07, John Penn Turner ’80, Pratt Valentine ’82, Alessandro Valmarana ’90 and Bob Watson ’65 enjoyed catching up with BRS friends as well as making new connections.
St. George, VA 7/25/09 On Campus -- Page Moon ’84, his wife Elizabeth and daughter Kennon visited the campus so that Kennon could swim in the pool and so that all three of them could play tennis. This was part of Page’s birthday celebration weekend. They spent Saturday night at the Stone Mountain Vineyards guest house above the School.
Zion Crossroads, VA 7/24/09 Spring Creek Golf Course -- Willie Nelson ’86 joined Head of School John O’Reilly, JC Ignaszewski and Dan Dunsmore at Spring Creek Golf Course. Dan’s son Spencer caddied.
St. George, VA 7/16/09 On Campus -- Thomas Jones '94 visited the campus along with his wife, son, mother and sister. He and his family enjoyed touring the campus and meeting the new Head of School Dr. John O'Reilly. He also had a chance to catch up with Jamie Miller '94, Director of Financial Aid at Blue Ridge School. Thomas will soon leave for another tour in Afghanistan.
St. George, VA 7/1/09 and 7/2/09 On Campus -- Laurel Biever and her daughter Julia visited the campus while vacationing at Massanutten. Laurel wanted Julia to see where her father had attended high school. Gardner Biever ’84 passed away the day after Julia was born. Their two-day visit was very emotional for them and for those of us who had the privilege of meeting them.
