A Weekend of Eating & Drinking with Wagnerites

Front row: Joey Montes (78), Jane Montes (Gabe's wife), Yolanda Fisherman (76), Jessica Fisherman (Yo's sis - an almost Wagnerite), Myrna Nickelsen seated in front of Karyn Shusterman (80), Richard Shusterman (78) with Karyn's daugher Jacqueline seated on his lap. Back row: Travis Wallington (79), Karen Jimerson (76), Gabe Montes (77), Mike Fernandez (79), Robert Casillas (Joey's partner), Ali Hasan (Karen J.'s husband), and Derek Ochterra (Jessica's husband). 

by Myrna Nickelsen, '78

Elin Pierce (78) periodically sees a doctor in San Francisco. After San Diego, she emailed to ask me if I'd be around to join her and Clyde Reyes (78) for dinner while she was in town. Naturally, I said yes. I then learned that Kent Johnson (76) and Don Detwiler (80) would also be joining us.

We met on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the St. Francis Hotel -- which no longer has the charm that it once did during the 87 and 95 reunions. A round of drinks there, and we were off to Kokkari, a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant. As luck would have it, there was a cancellation earlier that day when I made the reservations, so we ended up in a beautiful, private room which we occupied for over three hours. We ate great food, drank good wine, told Clyde's and Kent's fortune from the Greek coffee they drank. It was a lovely evening, complete with a Norwegian toast from Elin, and many  interesting conversations. But no one remembered to bring a camera! So no pictures to show - but there are some from the next day!

A Pot-Luck, Philippine Barbecue

The very next day, I joined Bay Area Wagnerites at Mike and Barbara Fernandez's house, our absolutely gracious hosts. Present besides me and Mike were Richard Shusterman (78), Karyn Shusterman (80), Jessica Fisherman, Kenny Fisherman (80), Karen Jimerson (76), Yolanda Fisherman (76), Travis Wallington (79), Joey Montes (78), and Gabe Montes (77). This was something we'd planned soon after San Diego. Others, including those with whom I had dinner the night before, were invited but were unable to join us due to other plans.

We had WAY TOO MUCH OF THE GOOD FOOD -- pancit, lumpia, adobo, salads, fruit, Philippine pork kabobs, fried rice, steamed rice, rice cake, leche flan, and lechon!!! And boy, did we eat! We all later complained of being uncomfortably full. We ate a lot, laughed a lot, chatted a lot, and briefly entertained with piano music by Allison (Mike's younger daughter), A.J. and Greg (Karen J.'s son and nephew), and my husband, John. But the highlight was the company.

Don't forget to tell us about your gatherings -- and include pictures!

Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo 2: Our hosts, Mike Fernandez and wife, Barbara, with their children Kirsten (left) and Allison (right).

Comments

[Gabe Montes]

WOW! that's a heap-o-food for just the 4 of you! LOL... Have fun... can't wait for the pics with the Pres...

[Mark Anderson (78)]

Holy Cow!!! The menu sounds like a Filipino Luau. Waggies are going to be so envious that you City-By-The-Bay people could all get together and celebrate friendship in a pinoy way. I'm not jealous though.

On September 30, the 2011 reunion committee will meet in Maryland. And you know what? We are going to have more fun! We are going to have a baske.., uh a bushel, I mean a truckload of steamed crabs. We will have 10 acres of the best Maryland corn on the cob, 200 lbs of Maine lobster, Cape Cod, South Carolina BBQ, Philly Cheesesteaks, Pitts Burgers, New York Bagels, Cincinnati chili, Buffalo wings, Waldorf salad, Virginia Olive Oil, a beer truck, and someone WILL bring a camera! Oh, and did I mention the President will stop by? Yeah, that's right. He lives right here. So there!