On January 20, 2005, 155 Old Boys came back to St. B’s for the annual Old Boys Dinner. They arrived from disparate places, all of them braving the icy conditions, showing up wet and cool on the outside, warmth stirring on the inside. The Old Boys Dinner, as in every year thanks to the efforts of Old Boys Guru Virginia Tracy and Chef Extraordinaire Anthony Trentacosti, did not disappoint.

The evening began with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. in the small gym, as Old Boys trickled in from the cold. The turnout was solid, despite not reaching the levels of last year’s centennial revelry. Many conversations revolved around memories of last year’s celebrations, as old students caught up with current and former teachers, who counted thirty among their number. It would be a mistake not to mention here the valiant efforts of Nik Millhouse, who traveled all the way from Ecuador for the festivities. Bravo, Nik!

The longest trip amongst our ranks of alumni may have been taken by James Walsh ’81, who came from Seattle for the evening. All of us soon sat down to the traditional Old Boys meal of beef or salmon in the big gym (though now I suppose it’s the medium gym), arranging ourselves roughly by graduation year. The class of 1996, this their first Old Boys Dinner, merits a mention, tallying eighteen members at this year’s dinner, most of any class. My class, the class of 1994, also showed well, with thirteen members coming. A fine effort, lads. Next year, we’ll win the prize.

Sam Butler ’68, welcomed us as he usually does before the meal, noting that the most senior of our company were Henry Hope Reed ’29, William Bucknall ’36, Edward Elliman ’36, Thomas Chester ’32, the last few of whom came together from Greenwich, Connecticut, with Philip Potter ’40. Dessert was a lovely chocolate cake, followed by the traditional cigars, generously provided by Edgar Cullman ’60. Old Boys lingered around their tables, enjoying their wine and cigars, fondly reminiscing on missing classmates, old teachers, and, of course, great memories. A few school songs were sung; next year we hope that Mr. Morris will lead us in some formal singing before to the dinner. Then it was back into the cold and the wet outside, our insides all the warmer for having come back to St. Bernard’s School.

I feel confident saying that it was another successful Old Boys Dinner, though we missed those who couldn’t come. Mark down next year’s dinner, already set for the evening of January 19, 2006. Here’s to seeing you all there next year!

As ever, for more information log onto www.stbernards.org or contact Virginia at (212) 289-2878, ext 357.

No. 32, Spring 2005, page 6