Class Notes
1972
continued
We enjoyed good food, beverage, song, and wonderful companionship. I think those who missed by not coming missed a great opportunity to reminisce and learn how lives have changed and grown. A special thanks to Carol Adler Zsolnay and Gabor Zsolnay and Roger Winship for helping us prepare to host the Class of 1972, and to Paul Quast and St Croix Vineyards for donating the white wine for the event.”
CLASS AGENT:
Lit Field lfieldjr@tcfield.com Paula Lambert Liang and her husband, Jim Liang, have relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. They were delighted to show Anne and Lit Field the sights in March, and would love to see any other classmates who pass through the area. You can reach Paula at paulaliang@ gmail.com.
1977
1973
CLASS AGENT:
CLASS AGENT:
Charlie Zelle czelle@jeffersonlines.com Charlie Zelle
has been named the next Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) by Governor Mark Dayton. Zelle is the longtime president and CEO of Jefferson Lines, a Minneapolis-based bus company that serves 13 states across the Midwest. He is credited with leading a turnaround in long-distance bus service, modernizing the fleet, restoring Jefferson lines to profitability and emphasizing service in rural areas. In a Star Tribune article about Zelle’s appointment, Governor Dayton is quoted saying that Zelle’s “outstanding record of innovation in the private sector will serve Minnesota well as we build a transportation system which will serve our needs and support our future growth and prosperity.” 38
1975
SPA | Fall 2012 | Winter 2013
Hank Brandtjen hbrandtjen@kluge.biz Susie Weber Baker works at Edina High School in Minnesota in college advising. Now an empty nester, having sent three kids off to college, she and her husband look forward to traveling, with Greece high on the priority list. Hank Brandtjen reports,
“The SPA Class of 1977 held its 35th Class Reunion over Homecoming weekend. In all, we had 19 former classmates who gathered at the St. Paul home of Hank and Kirstin Brandtjen. Like fine wine, the Class of 1977 has aged well. In fact, it was commented that we really have not changed our looks at all. As secretary for the class, I encourage you all to join our Facebook page: SPA Class of 1977. Also, to put an end to all excuses, our next formal reunion is in 2017 to be held the weekend of SPA’s Homecoming. Put it on your calendar now. Like that vintage bottle of wine,
we really will be worth sampling then!”
few marathons as well as halfIronman triathlons.
Sarah Ross Caruso is the President and CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way. Prior to that she was President of the Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Tim Hartnett is living in Santa Cruz, Calif., and for the past few years has really enjoyed songwriting.
Amy Peterson Croonquist
San Francisco Zoo and is involved in the education of new docents. Julia, like a few others in the class, is preparing to have the last child leave the nest.
teaches swimming at Life Time Fitness in White Bear Lake. Jack Driscoll has a traveling
classroom he uses to bring a hands-on education experience about the Voyageurs, Lewis and Clark, or the 1812 British Navy. He makes over 150 stops a year; every year he also gets about 10,000 kids on the river in 24’ canoes. In addition to this, Jack has served, or is serving, on various boards including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Museum of Art, Wilderness Inquiry, Mississippi River Fund, and the Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation. Currently Jack has a senior at SPA. Mike Erickson and his wife, Cheryl, are retired naval aviators living the dream in the Adirondacks in northern New York. Mike runs ultramarathons of 50 and 100 miles in length. When not running, Mike is a ski patroller, rural mail carrier, creates pottery, is an art gallery entrepreneur, and a volunteer firefighter. He and his wife have three daughters all doing well. Bill Farrell lives in Taiwan,
and he and his wife send their daughter to the Taipei American School, which is very similar to SPA. Work aside, Bill is proud to speak Mandarin and has completed a
Julia Weyerhaeuser Heidmann is a docent at the
Lisa Roetzel noted that we
have a class of writers in that Liz Stuck is a technical writer, Melissa Flynn Hager is a grant writer, Catherine Dybiec Holm has published a book entitled My Heart Is A Mountain, Charlotte Wright Lewis teaches writing, and Lisa, whose job at UC Irvine in Southern California entails a lot of writing. She loved coming back for the reunion because she remains a Minnesotan at heart and loved experiencing real fall weather. Nels Sandberg has returned to
the Twin Cities, is in property management, and still has a passion for old movies and old cars. Nels recently enjoyed beers in the Twin Cities with Steve Berman, who now lives in Berkeley, Calif., and Blake Hart, who lives in Wisconsin. Chuck Strouse lives in Miami and is running a weekly newspaper and churns out wacky stories about corrupt politicians, Latin American conspiracies, and zombies. Chuck serves on the national board of the Association of Alternative News Media. He and his beautiful Ecuadorian wife have three great kids. Chuck runs marathons and says that he hopes to get back