Welcome
to Christendom's Alumni E-Zine. If you have information that
you would like to share with your fellow alumni, send it to
the Grapevine Editor, Tom McFadden, at tmcfaddenjr@yahoo.com
The
Grapevine Online is uploaded on the First Friday of every
month. It will have a couple of sections (when information
is available), namely, Class Notes (your basic information
on alumni babies, weddings, jobs, etc.), Calendar of Events,
and Links to various recent stories about Christendom
College and/or the Alumni of Christendom.
September
2, 2005 edition of The
Grapevine Online
Class
Notes / Calendar of Events / Links
to Stories / Prior
issues
Class
notes
For
those of you in the know, Walter Janaro has been growing
his hair out for a number of years. Up until recently, he
had his locks in pulled back into a pony tail, getting back
to his Mafioso roots. On a recent trip to Shalon Spring and
Mark Riddle's wedding in Texas, he let loose his locks and
let the air blow his hair around naturally. It was freeing.
He now is pony tail free and is loving it.
Matt
Akers and newly-wed Daniel McGuire '03 both did clerkships
at the Department of Justice over the summer and recently
headed back to Ann Arbor for their second year at Ave Maria
School of Law. They are both associate Law Review editors
this year. Newly-wed Joe Sayler '04 is also in their
class at Ave, and he's on the Moot Court Board this year.
Laura
Henderson and Pat Scanlon
got engaged a few weeks ago. They are planning the
wedding for October of next year.
Heather
Wier (05) and Michael Hambleton, brother of alumni David
and Stephen Hambleton, were married on August 6 at St.
Dominic's Church in Washington, DC - the third Hambleton family
wedding in less than a year! The two went on an enjoyable
and adventurous honeymoon trip to Ireland, and now are happily
settling into their condo in Falls Church, Virginia. Heather
would also like to announce that over the summer she began
her first post-graduation job. She is working for the Mercatus
Center at George Mason University on their Government Accountability
Project, which as you might guess, works to make the government
more accountable to the public. Obviously it's bit more complicated
than that, but the long and short of it is that she enjoys
it a lot and the "commute" to Arlington is beautifully
short!
Tom
and Amanda McFadden had baby #7 (watch out Bob and
Amy (Francis) Hambleton...they're gaining on you - although
17 children is a couple more than 7) on August 20. The fifth
girl to join the family, Anna Maria weighed in at a slight
5lbs 13 oz. but is sure to grow and even someday, may wish
to possibly loose a few pounds. Mother and baby are doing
fine. Anna was baptized on September 1 at St. John's in Front
Royal by Christendom chaplain and long-lost relative of the
McFadden's, Fr. James "Seamus" O'Kielty, the only
"validly ordained priest in the diocese," while
Fr. Anthony Mastroeni, chaplain and professor at Christendom,
agreed to be The Godfather.
Collin
and Andrea Stewart (Flagg '92) have ventured forth with
their family (6 kids last Collin counted) into the uncharted
waters of self-employment by announcing the formation of The
AdLab. The AdLab is designed for small/medium businesses
that think BIG. They are consultants that provide analysis
of any business' advertising, help you buy it smarter and
make it more effective with proven strategy, creative tactics
and writing. You ever think that the newspaper or radio advertising
sales person might be a little biased? They do...That's why
they provide truthful, educated, UNbiased counsel on how best
to spend your limited advertising dollars. But rather than
fill the already bursting Grapevine with blah, blah,
blah...Collin invites you to browse their short website
to learn a little bit more about what they do, and see the
growing list of businesses they have already helped. Please
forward the link to anyone you feel could benefit and please
keep them in your prayers as they seek needed clients and
get this valuable service off the ground.
Maria
Reilander '04, from the northern states of Canada, was
recently wandering the streets of Cologne at World Youth Day
looking for the Vicar of Christ, hoping for a picture, but
she could only find Christ himself: Jim Caviezel. Her sister
Angela (on the right), being the taller of the two, spotted
Jim Caviezel (and his wife) walking through the crowds of
pilgrims by the Cologne Cathedral one morning. No one else
seemed to notice them, and they of course just had to meet
him, so they went up and introduced themselves, and Mr. Caviezel,
a very humble and gracious man, was happy to pose in a picture
with them! (Mrs. Caviezel took the picture :)
Has
anyone ever wondered what happened to Joanne Fields?
You know - the one who, when a freshman, always came up to
people and asked them weird questions. The one who played
pranks - tried to convince people that turnips came from peach
pits, that she was from Columbia (but left out the Maryland),
put old Christmas trees in people's showers and had food fights
in the foyer of Champion. Who broke curfew so much she was
campused for a week straight. Called the bowling alley to
ask them how long it was safe to leave butter out before it
spoiled. Well . . . she became a cloistered nun!!! That's
right folks. This photo was taken shortly before she left
for the convent. She stands here with Mark Calhoun and John
Kelsey wearing . . . very official . . . Elmo hats (you know
- tickle me Elmo Elmo). Why the Elmo hats? She entered a convent
in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The full address is: Carmelite Convent
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 8251 de Montreville Trail North
Lake Elmo, MN 55042. The number is (651) 777-3882. It is a
very austere convent. They beg for everything. Letters from
Sr. Elizabeth of the Holy Spirit (AKA Jo-Jo) are sometimes
written on pieces of paper the size of index cards - and she
can write SMALL when she wants to. So, feel free to send stuff
you think might be useful. You can call their number and leave
a message for a petition or just to say "hi" (you
won't talk to a real person though). Sr. Elizabeth still finds
ways to have fun. One year she was digging in the garden and
found some old dentures. Wow dentures. Generously, she gave
them to Mother Superior as a birthday gift. After all, how
do you surprise a Prioress who knows everything (just about)
inside the convent? Sr. Elizabeth has not made her solemn
vows yet. She makes them, reportedly, in September 2007.
Alumna
Maggie Bolger (seen here from her role as one of the
daughters in Christendom's production of The Fiddler on the
Roof) released a record on August 23rd with her brother
Judd on RCA Records. The album is called “Subjects,”
it’s available in real stores and on Amazon,
and their website is www.juddandmaggie.com.
They’ll be back at the Iota Club in Arlington VA on September
19.2007.
2005
Student Achievement Award recipient Miss Christendom, Siobhan
"thank you very much" O'Connor is coming back
home to Christendom in November, on All Saint's Day (it figures).
She will be attempting to take the position previously held
by Miss Christina Lundberg (who will soon be joining the exclusive
married club) as Dr. O'Donnell's Secretary/Executive Assistant.
She is glad to be returning to Christendom as a staff member
to continue to be a part of the official Irish takeover of
the school. Yes, you thought it was happening...now you know
it's true!
Genevieve
Francoise Flippen (daughter of Francois and Jennifer O'Gorman
Flippen) turned one year old on August 23rd. She had a
small party - just parents, grandparents and brother, Sebastian,
attended. She was rather enthralled with the candles on her
cake whereas her brother really enjoyed the balloons and those
great 3-D party honkers.
From Beth
Fittin Wiener '90: The only news I have is that we (Chris,
Beth, Rachel, Andrew and Kateri) bought a small farm in southern
Minnesota. If anyone needs apples, walnuts or organic chickens,
give me a call! Our new address is: 29456 160th St Waseca,
MN 56093. Oh and my nephew Matthew is planning on attending
Christendom in January, so everyone be nice to him so he'll
want to stay for the full four years!!!!
Michael
McGuirk '03 and Elizabeth Ascik '04 were married on June
25, 2005 at the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville, North
Carolina. It was the happiest day, and they were blessed to
have many Christendom friends travel to be with them (some
cross-country!). They now live happily ever after in Woodbridge,
VA.
This
comes from Moira Stanton '04: "First I'd like
to congratulate everyone that's engaged, recently married,
expecting, or new parents. I'm sorry I've missed weddings
and I will be missing more this year... I know I'm missing
out. I'm really happy for all of you, however, and I send
my prayers. God Bless! I thought I would write an update on
my life on the equator, since I haven't been very good about
e-mailing everyone... I've been in the USA since July 31st
(I was volunteering the past year in Quito, Ecuador). It was
a great year, but I'm glad to be home again, even if its only
for 1 month. Since I've been home, I was able to visit Ang
and Serg in VA, (and I stopped by Christendom), then I took
a trip to the Jersey shore, and accompanied my family on a
camping trip to the Adirondacks (I've been busy). I got really
bad uneven sunburn while on that trip (no, I'm not tan from
living on the equator). I didn't have time to burn, or tan,
while there. Now I'm working for my Dad and trying to get
ready to go back to Ecuador on Aug. 31. I'll be teaching religion
and history in a Catholic high school in Tumbaco, right in
the valley outside of Quito. I've got an apartment with 2
friends right in downtown Quito... it's very bare, but we'll
be working on that. If anyone wants to come visit, let me
know! It's a great base to go visit the jungle, carribean
beaches, galapagos islands, the Andes, and other SA countries.
Also, I might try qualifying for the IWL next year...
I've got big traveling plans... Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina,
and Colombia. (The concept of making money next year is very
exiting and I don't know that I'll make enough to do all that,
but it sounds fun.) Even if I don't get to all of them, I'm
sure I'll go to the jungle, and the beach a few times as I
did this past year. Ecuador's such an awesome country! Email
me @ moiraecuadora@hotmail.com."
Lori
Omann (03) and Ryan Meyer were married on July 16th, the
feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, at Mary, Queen of Peace
Catholic Church in Rogers, MinneSNOWda. They had a beautiful
Novus Ordo Latin Mass and nice hot 98' weather! Some of the
alumni attending were Amy Cronkite, Jamie Spiering, Mary
Storck, Joe Mitchell, Bill McCoy, and Michael, Anne, and Moira
Schmittino. The happily married newlyweds just moved into
their new home out in the country in the small town of St.
Stephen, MN. They can be reached at : 309 Cty. Rd. 2 South,
Apt. 2, St. Stephen, MN 56375.
Mike
Kelsey '00 reports that he recently saw a picture of student
and soon to be alumna Clare Storck on the front page
of Catholic New York holding a child during a visit
to the Sisters of Life convent on behalf of the CrossRoads
pro-life walk across America. The photo is huge and mentions
she is from Christendom in the first sentence. Imagine...a
picture of a Storck carrying a newborn... In other news,
Mike climbed his 46th High Peak (mountains over 4,000 feet
tall) making him an official 46r -- the exclusive claim to
having climbed the Adirondack's (and New York's) 46 highest
mountains, including 14 of them that were trailess. It took
him four years to complete all 46 on countless weekends. Army
Capt. Jeremy Lane, brother of Chris Lane ('02) and
John Kelsey ('99) joined him on the summit of Colden
Mt for #46 as well as others.
The
Stewart family's home is for sale ~ easy walking distance
to Christendom. They are moving out of the area, and would
love for a member of the Christendom family to be able enjoy
living in this great Catholic Community as much as they have.
The Particulars: 2,100 Sqf, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage,
New Carpet and Tile throughout. Swing
set and ALL appliances convey, as well as some of the furniture
if you like it. All on 1 fenced, mature, tree laden acre complete
peach and cherry trees that have allowed for some wonderfully
sweet preserves to be canned right here in the kitchen. All
for $309k. Contact Collin and Andrea Stewart (Flagg '92) at
540-635-2466 or email: thebigchief@adelphia.net
Jamie
Dresch '04 married alumnus Craig Spiering on June 4 in
Lafayette, IN. Everyone is as happy as can be. Craig was upset,
though, that he couldn't figure out a way to be his own wedding
photographer.
Xavier
Quinn Beekwilder was born on July 4th, 2005, to parents Quinn
and Lisa Beekwilder.
Katy
Jenkins '05 and her fiance Adam Hochschild have lost their
chance to elope. They are now committed to an October ceremony
in St. Louis, to be performed by the prior of the Canons Regular
of the New Jerusalem, Dom Daniel Augustine Oppenheimer. Katy
looks forward to joining the Christendom alumni already in
St.Louis. Before that time, she will spend September struggling
valiantly to plan a budget wedding from her parents' home
in Virginia, and then take a week's "vacation" in
Cincinatti, where she will do her best to distract her friend
Ida Friemoth '05 from her teaching job.
After
being known affectionately as “The English Major”
for the last 4 years, Adrienne Alessandro '05 has suddenly
found herself deeply immersed in the world of politics working
at The Federalist Society in Washington DC. In between dodging
questions on whether Judge John Roberts is a member or not,
she works as the assistant of the Executive Vice President
Leonard Leo and does logistics for FS conferences around the
country. She and fellow grad Mollie Tschida, by the
grace of God, are renting a townhouse in Falls Church along
with Trang from Crisis Magazine and Sara who graduated
from UD. Everyday, they find new evidence for just how delightfully
connected (or inbred) the Northern VA Catholic crowd really
is. If you’re in the area and feel like coffee and a
chat, drop her a line at sabrina_rome83@hotmail.com.
Pat
VanderWoude '05 and Jill Menke '04 got married May 21
at North American Martyrs church in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Alumnus
Marc Perrington - sans leathal weapon - was nice enough
to take time out of his busy schedule to dj for them!) They're
living in Nokesville, VA (aka VanderWoude Village) until Pat
gets through TBS in Quantico and then they''ll be off to Pensacola
for his flight school training.
Christen
Tedrow '04 checked in with the Grapevine recently.
She just finished up her first year of teaching, and will
be applying for her Masters...keep her in your prayers! She
really misses everyone and remarks that everything is still
going strong with her boyfriend Colin.
After
an excellent summer of weddings and whatnot, Chris Lane
('03) has packed up and joined his Christendom brethren
in the city of King St. Louis IX. The ever-growing but as
yet unofficial St. Louis Alumni Association of Christendom
College (SLAACC)™ has enjoyed meeting at the Blum and
McGuire residences, at St. Francis de Sales Oratory (where
David Wallace ('05) reigns as Head Sacristan), and
at the penguin cove of the St. Louis Zoo. Chris is delighting
in his return to full-time study, as a grad student in early
modern European history at Saint Louis University. Notably,
he has bought himself a nice 2-bedroom condo in St. Louis
County and a garage sale $10 leather couch to go in it. By
the way, he still has an active real estate license and will
gladly help his fellow alumni find good agents anywhere in
the U.S. and Canada.
It's
been a busy summer for the Seven Feds. Damian Fedoryka
left his System Engineering job at Lockheed Martin to do Electrical
Engineering for Titan Corp. And recently, after 10 1/2 years
married and 7 rentals, Damian and Katie decided it was finally
time to buy a house. They closed on a house in Laurel, MD
on August 16. Felicity, 9, Damian Joseph, 7, Christiana, 5,
Angelina, 3 and Thomas, 9.2 months are happy to have a yard
to call their own. Their phone and email are: (301)498-7746,
dkfed@verizon.net
Calendar
of events
October
7-9, 2005: Homecoming
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Press
Releases and Campus News: http://www.christendom.edu/news/releases.shtml
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