header 1
header 2
header 3

A Wise Investment

A Wise Investment: What started out as a comment about a fondue pot became an email string of McConn house memories

The following is an email string that started April 10, 2024, and continued through April 23, 2024. There were 79 emails written by 27 different McConn House members adding to the stories and recollections.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Aadland '75: A thought hit me while I was helping clean out a kitchen cabinet yesterday. Has anyone ever spent $20 better than McConn did back in 1972 when, at Jim Heller's suggestion, we bought two fondue sets for use at house events? I don't think some of us even knew what fondue was at that time, but we used those things for years.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jim Heller ’73: Thanks for the memory, John!!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ’70: We spent $20 on 100 coca colas in 1967.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bruce Wheeler ’68: Also, the pin ball machines. real money makers! that along with the signup sheets for sodas and snacks helped haul in the cash. at parties, the frats had rolling rot (rock) and shitz (Schlitz). McConn had Bud and Michelob!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rob Kaufman ’68: Listen newbies. Fall of 1965 the first of us moved in. Within that first year there was a color tv built, 2 pin balls brought in, a refrigerator was purchased for soda sales as was the first concession set up. Candy, tasty cakes. I believe also in the first year there was another refrigerator purchased and converted into a beer tap that held a keg. We got in the swing of things pretty fast. fortunately, a core of guys had already been together in MM-B3, so a lot of getting to know you time was shortened.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thomas Vogelsong ’76: Hey Rob, Refrigerators lasted a lot longer back in those days. We were still using the one with the beer tap when I graduated in 1976! Tom

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

David Appel ’74: While we are talking memories, does anyone remember the Saturday morning trips to the Schaefer Brewery in Allentown for the free brewery tour? We would race through the tour and head straight to the tasting room where we could drink for free for about an hour. Great way to start the weekend!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ray Hoving ‘69: Slight adjustment to Bob’s memory: Second refrigerator came from my family. We painted it bright red and I drilled the hole so we could tap a quarter keg. Ray

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Pierce ’71: I witnessed the drilling of the hole. I recall a fair amount of consternation as to how wise/unwise it might be to drill a fridge. But we pressed on realizing cold beer eclipsed anything bad that might happen.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ’68: Great times! And the pinball machines combined with our soda and candy concessions funded some of the best bands in the Lehigh Valley for our parties! Steve

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Matthews ‘71: And anyone remember “adjusting” the pinball machines?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Aadland '75: While I was there the pinball machine was leased; the leasing outfit swapped it out every now and then for a different (note that I didn't type newer) machine. I'm sure that the TVs and fridges cost more than $20 (as did the as yet unmentioned pool table). A wise man once told me that beer (as well as coffee and Coke) can only be rented, not purchased. John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: Oh yes! Some were experts at sliding it or shaking it just the right way to score more points. Sometimes the glass on the machine was broken. The company that provided us the machines complained but always fixed it ( for a fee) quickly. They said our machines were the highest grossing they had. Steve

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jim Heller ‘73: I remember that two guys who abused the pinball machines to the absolute max were Fuzzy and Colette. I will always remember the creative profanities they kept shouting at the machine when it didn’t behave as they wanted. Jim

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rich Wasch ‘71: The 1971-72 and 1969-70 budgets are attached. Concessions in 71-72 were budgeted to earn $25/ week. Not sure why only 30 weeks in 71-72 vs 42 weeks in 1969-1970. The 71-72 housemates were also not consuming as much, $25/week, vs the 69-70 crew at $30/week.

I don't recall if the pool table was purchased in the spring of 1970 or fall of 1970. I loaned the money (no interest) under the belief that it would be repaid quickly and still make a huge profit for house parties. That assumption was proven correct. I recall that in the first few months after acquiring the pool table, it was being used over 20 hours a day! (The first few weeks were at an unbelievable 22-23 hours per day). Honor system signup was 1 cent per minute. By the fall of 1971 the pool table was budgeted to gross $50 per week! That means paid usage of 60 cents/hour x 12 hrs./day x 7 days per week. Of the $50 gross, $20/week went to repay the loan; $10/week was put away for "maintenance" (not sure if it was ever used for re-felting) and $20/week for house expenses. The pool table represented 15% of the 71-72 revenue, concessions 20% with dues making up the rest. Rich

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ’70: W I T A F ??? How do you have all this information? It’s 2024. LOL. - Berney

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rich Wasch ‘71: I gathered this stuff for the reunion website . . . which I will keep available. I have not updated the text from our 2021 reunion, but some may be interested in the "memories" and "images". https://www.mcconn-50.comThanks to many McConn housemates who contributed memorabilia! Rich

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Larry Bruen ’71: The tapped refrigerator had to be about the fall of 68 as we drilled we had to be careful not to hit the coils (which were not in the side). Also, the ping pong table was in the room with the pinball machine - and who could ever beat the LATE A VICTOR KEEN?? we had the sound system with the two speakers atop concrete sewer pipes. and stories about the all night Heathkit color tv project. Divided bathrooms for female houseparty quests (and some lasted much longer than a few days ). Wrestling or

frisbees in the hall. Poker games in the study lounge. Nighttime snack trips to the Greekers, HO, or Saturday dinners at the Grotto (with Jamula, who as captain, ate free). And so the memories still flow and get slightly more cloudy. But they were the best part of three years at Lehigh.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dave Watson ’71: In this nostalgic look back at McConn glory days, we should not forget the significant contributions to our social life made by Bob Wilcox and the late Dan Platt by their overwhelming use of the concession’s signup. A note for Lehigh/Lafayette 2024, according to our resident guru, Bob Kaufman, the game will again be at LU on November 23. Mark your calendars and hope to see you there.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ’68: Dave, You’re right about that. As treasurer I collected the funds based on the sign-up sheets we had. Bob and Dan were way out in front. My memory isn’t great, but I think Bob averaged something like 10 (6.5 Oz.) Cokes a day, or $7 per week. Our profit was 3.5 cents per bottle. Steve

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: Where is rcw and dew on this topic?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Caldwell ‘70: Everyone, "Thanks for the Memories" Very special !!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jim Heller ’73: 2 questions: Whose idea was Club McConn? Whose idea was using Michelob bottles for candle holders? Jim

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dave Watson ’71: I think it started in the 68 to 69 Era. I remember Bob Kasenchak, Ray Hoving, Charlie Lapihuska, Victor Keen and Bill Liss as trying to bring some class to our parties. As for the Michelob bottles. Necessity was the mother of invention. Besides, back then Michelob was classy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ray Hoving ’69: I remember we stole a large display ball from a gas station and lite it up in the ladies lounge for house party. It said “guaranteed red ball service”. Does that count as class?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dave Watson ’71: Yeah but, we provided guaranteed service. We would keep going until we got it right.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fred Schea ’69: Ray, I remember you almost fell asleep at the gas station under a car. Correct?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Allen Shatto ‘69: Men of McConn; I don't write in often (but I should), but I did want to recall the building of the COLOR heathkit TV so that we could watch the first episode of StarTrek. My recollection is that several of the EE's worked in shifts round-the-clock (there was even a rumor that one skipped an exam). Needless to say, there was a great relief and a cheer broke out when the set came on and the Enterprise appeared for the first time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: Awesome memory Al !! Thanks!! – Berney

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ray Hoving ‘69: Fred, Your memory is better than mine, but I do know I can fall asleep most anywhere. Thanks for jumping in.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alan English ‘76: Unfortunately, my wife saw this e-mail and is now yelling “Nerds, Nerds” all over the house.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: ðŸ˜‚

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Aadland '75: Serves you right for letting her see it. John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alan English ‘76: Truer words were never spoken. Regards, Al

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Victor Ovadia ‘67: Fellow Men of McConn, Regarding the McConn built color TV, I recall the following tidbits that many may enjoy reliving or hearing about:

  1. I returned from an early Sunday afternoon study session at the library due to a region- wide power outage shoving the building into darkness. Upon entering McConn I noticed the “party room” filled with our guys watching a major football game. Yeah, there was an electric outage but the EEs figured out how to get sufficient current off the emergency exit sign to power the TV and show the game.
  2. The TV was essentially on 24 hours a day. A short list of guys had reserved permanent seats in front of the TV and were given the semi-official titles of “Tube Kings”.
  3. No, I don’t recall how many viewing hours were required to qualify for that title. However, I do recall walking into the lounge and seeing the back of the heads of two “Kings” sitting with the TV staring back at them. Interestingly, the screen was blank due to some broadcasting glitch. I started to laugh thinking the Kings would even watch a blank TV screen. However, it was worse than that. Both Kings were fast asleep and thus were scoring viewing hours by sleeping with it. Ahhh, yes one of them had a textbook open on his lap, but I confirmed his eyes were shut tight.
  4. Off topic, some of you are doubtlessly reading this and saying to yourself “how can this guy write so much about a McConn TV”? I answer you by reminding you, I was one of the first group occupying that hallowed residence. Those were formative years that set the foundation for what followed. As a former McConn president, I call upon all of you for the respect due my former office. But more important, I am now 78 years old, and NO ONE listens to me anymore. So, it is YOUR own faults for providing me with a platform allowing me to broadcast to 92 of you fantastic guys. Bravo to each of you for keeping the string tying us together tight.

My fondest regards to each of you and especially to those who read through to the end of this message.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: Vic, A great message from a hallowed leader. The Sleeping Kings might have been Marsh & Platte??? Thanks for the memories! I realize after reading all this, I promised to set up a McConn Reunion poker game. The promise was made during the 50-ish reunion. I’m a little slow when it comes to organizing. Lol

No doubt, Rich Wasch will now find that email and remind me of the exact date when I made the promise …Mike Berney

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: Vic, Love your comments! Sadly I don’t Rember many of the details you mentioned. (I am also 78.) But I do remember that we formed teams when we built the TV. One guy read the instructions, one guy gathered the parts, and one guy did the assembly. I believe there were two or three teams working on different modules. We finished it in something like 10 hours, much much less time than the manual said would be needed. There must have been a budding IE in our group. It fired up

just as the test patterns began to air around 1 AM after the nightly broadcasts ended. That enabled us to adjust the controls to perfect the picture.

Great memories!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bruce “Huey” Wheeler ‘68: My memories on the tv assembly are similar to Steves. Thought we tore the manual up into 3 or 4 sections so we could have multiple teams working on the assembly simultaneously. I wasn't on any of the teams. It was recognized that my skills were in football and wrestling, certainly not precise assembly of electronic parts. I believe I was allowed to observe from a safe distance. Ten hours seems about right, it was much faster than what the manual indicated. Probably the only time in my life where I have seen the actual assembly time less than what the manual indicated.

Yes, the years at Lehigh, and McConn in particular, were formative years for all of us and were a key foundation for the following years. The memories are great, and they all have a common thread. The various memories are all close enough even if they don't all precisely agree. As Vic wrote, it's not like anyone is listening to us anymore.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ray Hoving ‘69: OK guys, it is time to set the faded memories of our TV straight. So here goes the complete unabridged story.

  • The house wanted to buy a TV for our lobby since Lehigh did not provide one.
  • I had built a HealthKit color TV for our family while in high school, so I suggested we save money in this make or buy decision.
  • The Box of parts came about 5 PM during a school night. No integrated circuits then so imagine about 1000 resistors, diodes, capacitors, etc. to solder together.
  • I was the “IE” Steve surmised below who managed the project.. Yes, I did rip up the manual into sections:
    • EE’s wired the circuit boards
    • ME’s assembled the chassis
    • English majors read the instructions
    • Business majors audited the work
  • No wanted to stop so we worked thru the night
  • We were done in time watch the farm show : “Rural Route 6” at about 5 in the morning.
  • The first viewing was of cows in red. Then we adjusted the color with precision.
  • Yes, 12 hours to build this TV model probably remains a record today.
  • Huey was correct in that he was not on the assembly line. He did use his mechanical engineering skills to build a cabinet as we did not order one with the TV.
  • Side note: The other centennial houses eventually bought TV’s for their respective lobbies. Then there were a string of robberies. Ours was never stolen because Huey’s cabinet was so ugly, no discerning thief would want it.
  • Another side note: Perhaps the most infamous couch potato was John Fegundus. He went down in Lehigh history as having 5 “zips” in a row. For you Dean’s List types a “zip” is a GPA of 0.0 for the semester. Somehow, he was given one more chance to stay at Lehigh if he passed a final in a course for the current semester. But John had his priorities and chose to watch a rerun of Wagon Train in our TV instead.

Will this jog further memories? Ray

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dave Watson ‘71: My sophomore year ('68 - '69), there was a guy named I think, Jeff Taylor. He had a 350 GT Mustang. Anyone remember what happened to him?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arnie Feineman '67: The whole story of the McConn built color TV is totally new to me. I graduated in June 1967 and although names like Fagundus, Platte, and Ovidia are of my cohort, the rest of the story has me wondering exactly when this took place. It perfectly captures the spirit of McConn men and I relish every detail. 

As a postscript, I put my Heathkit TV together in 1973 while my wife and baby were in recovery at the hospital. The HV power supply (preassembled in Mexico of dubious quality) blew up on a humid day about twelve years later. Although I doubt there are any takers, the TV is still in my basement if anyone wants it.

Keep the legend growing

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jim Heller ‘73: To Vic and others who wrote that “no one listens to them anymore”: I will listen to you, and I suspect everyone on this distro feels the same way!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: This is arguably the greatest email string in the decades-long history of McConn house. Wow!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chuck Feitner '71 for fun! This has been great reading. Bringing back so many good memories and hearing from so many McConn alumni. What a one-of-a-kind experience those years were.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Aadland '75: I always read the e-mails in full. Depending on what I read, though, I may not read that respondent's future e-mails. So Jim, you know you've made the cut. So far. John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Caldwell '70: And then there was the Lehigh-Lafayette game preparation in 1967. A small group of us led by Huey and Ray, I think ? piled into a small "box" truck and headed over to Lafayette one night a day or two before the big game. Lafayette had this huge bonfire all prepared and ready to fire up for their pep rally the next day. Too bad it was unguarded! Somehow we got through the fence and lighted it !!!! Needless to say we made a quick get a way so never got to enjoy what happened next !!! That's McConn spirit for you :) :) :) John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bob Wilcox '69: As I read this litany of memorabilia, I am somewhat saddened that the best memory of me is that I was champion Coke drinker. At least not many remember me (and Diane) passed out (and in my case nearly dead) on the library floor one Houseparty morning after being treated by the lower classmen to punch spiked with grain alcohol. I don't know how many brain cells I lost that day, but it definitely included any memory of the identity of the perpetrators.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: Love it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: Bob, Of course everyone remembers you drinking Coke. You averaged about 70 to 100 per week. LOL

One of my favorite memories of you is: going to Spring Training in Florida with you and Vic. Of course, that was 40+ years after McConn. You were very generous to make your place available (even though you aren’t a baseball fan). Please tell Diane I said hello. Mike

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Caldwell ‘70: So Bob, If memory serves you and Diane have a collection of tickets, programs and posters of all the concerts that came to LU during your time? Can you list them ?? !! :) :) :) Fun memories :) John

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dan Sassi ’69: I recall the last time I saw you. It was toward the end of the 1965/1966 school year when I was finishing freshman year in Richards 2B with roommate Ken Sherwood. You were getting into your Mustang and driving off.

I lived in McConn for the next two years before moving to M&M ground floor suite for the President of the Residence Halls Council, the position I was elected to the year before. My roommate there was Paul Beck, President of M&M. He was an old friend of mine from Richards 2B.

Your details about the TV at McConn are part of the rich pre-history of the place I had chosen to live. And many of us following in your footsteps were launched into our additions to the history of THE BEST LIVING UNIT at Lehigh.

I can’t wait to hear more from anyone about the details of our early days together. At age 76+ ¼, I feel the tug of Nostalgia. (Which is the name of my current horse, a mare with attitude who loves me as much as I love her.)

Thanks Victor. I wish you long life and contentment. 

Great detail that I did not know until now. When I graduated in 1969, I went to work for RCA and in 1971 joined its subsidiary NBC who were the network that brought us Star Trek. A lot of people didn’t appreciate that it was dropped quickly by NBC for low ratings. Thanks, Dan Sassi ‘69

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dave Watson ‘71: Good Grief, Charlie Brown,

It is great to hear from so many brothers from other mothers. As well as remembering the glory of days gone by, I am sure there are many interesting stories of our next chapters.

Rich Wasch ('71) put together a fantastic website that he has kept active: Mcconn-50.com. It is password protected, and you make your own password. We look forward to hearing more about what you did and are still doing. It is okay to brag a bit; you earned it.

Of course, we understand that some like Bob Wilcox ('69) who may or may not have worked for the CIA, and has not denied or confirmed anything since he last marched with the 97.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gary Wilson ‘72: Would it make sense for one of our English majors to take Ken’s work and combine it with a narrative made from this email thread and send to the University historians for posterity?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tom Vogelsong ‘76: This is an awesome trip down memory lane. Speaking of McConn's connections to Lehigh-Lafayette games, this one is not quite as impressive as lighting Lafayette’s bonfire early, but do any of you remember how we decorated the railing of the patio in front of McConn before the games? If not, I have attached a few pictures. You can tell from the pictures that this pre-dates the introduction of calculators!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: Love it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ray Hoving '69: Thanks, Tom, for sharing those pictures of Leppard in effigy. Very creative. Easy to trap Lafayette students into a slide rule guillotine since they wouldn’t have known what it was. Seeing your work of art and engineering along the railing of the patio prompted a memory. It was said in recent email threads McConn had better bands because of our creative sources of funds. One example was the booking of White Rain, a powerful rock band featuring Joey Calaruso on lead guitar, who became well known in his own right. It was nice weather so we decided to dance on the concrete patio and set up the band on the same railing as Tom pictured. About a half-hour into the set, we were visited by the Bethlehem police. They nicely explained the entire City of Bethlehem could hear the music as well as we could on the patio. While we were pioneers in the concept of a free concert (before Woodstock), we did need to dismantle and set up inside McConn.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Doug Freund '71

Hello All,

Doug Freund '71 is replying via his ghostwriter, his wife Linda. Doug, age 75, has been experiencing

some memory issues in the past few years; it is possible his high school and college football participation left him with some cranial trauma. Or maybe he's just old. He has found it frustrating to use a computer and even battles with his smart phone. So, his emails come to Linda's account, and the two of us have been "lurking" on the McConn message threads dating back to when the pre-Reunion communications began.

Doug only resided at McConn during his sophomore year. We were high school sweethearts who went to colleges in PA and MA, but found the separation too stressful, so we took the plunge and got married at the Lehigh Chapel in the summer of '69. We lived in an apartment on E. 4th St. Doug remained a "social member" at McConn. Each weekday, Linda dropped Doug off at McConn on the way to work near Philadelphia and picked him up at the end of the work commute. He spent his days going to classes, attending football practice, "studying" at McConn, and partaking of the concessions offerings. Although Doug might not be able to recall the name of an acquaintance he meets on the street, he has crystal clear memory of things that happened 50 years ago. With all due respect to the champions of Coke consumption, he believes he may hold a record for his favorite lunch, which was a plastic-wrapped ham and cheese sandwich which he warmed up under some sort of heat lamp contraption.

After Doug graduated at the flagpole in summer '71, due to call-up to the PA National Guard during fall semester of '70, we moved to Worcester, MA, where Linda finished up a BA in English and Education at Clark University and stayed in the area until now. Doug established the pickle manufacturing business that he ran for 40 years until retirement 7 years ago. Our daughter, Monica, is a pharmacist, and our son, Kevin, works for Disney in the Los Angeles area doing software magic on films that we are totally incapable of understanding. We have 2 grandchildren, one of whom is a freshman at Linda's alma mater here in MA.

We agree with Mike that this has been the greatest string in the history of McConn House. Thanks to all who have made it possible.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: “Linder” and Doug: What an amazing and incredible and loving email. I will have more to say when it’s not 11:20 at night. I hope that the two of you together continue to have the truly great relationship that defines a great life. Mike Berney

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Freed Osman ‘70: Thanks Doug and Linda and everyone else contributing to this chain, which as several have said, is the best one ever, especially for those of us in the late 60’s cadre. 

Linda and Doug, the “contraption” Doug remembers (and I love that description) was a Steward Sandwich Infra-Red Oven. This was a pre-cursor to in-home microwaves, that as Doug remembers used a heat lamp bulb. It was in some ways a superior technology to the microwave in that it toasted the buns while heating the contents. There were hamburgers, hot dogs, the chuck wagon, a decent pizza slice, and roast beef, in addition to Doug’s favorite ham and cheese. The sandwiches were refrigerated and wrapped in a type of plastic that went directly into the oven. A mechanical spring-loaded timer was set for usually around 5 minutes, during which time the food was heated to molten temperatures and, I suspect, copious amounts of carcinogens were injected into the food from the plastic to enhance the flavor. The plastic did not actually melt in the oven but sort of charred a bit and came out more

brittle. At that point you tried to extract your food from the packaging while trying to limit any burns to your fingers and hands to those of the first degree. The Steward sandwich machine was an integral part of our snacking regimen. I’m pretty sure we did not have it in 67 and think it showed up in 68 or 69, not sure how long it remained. I think Rich Wash or Andy Bressler may have been instrumental in setting up the system.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Ahrens ‘68: Wow! I don’t remember that machine, so it was probably ‘69 when it showed up. Then again, I find my memory is a bit flawed these days (actually it always has been). Anyway, I’m loving all these memories! Steve

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gary Wilson ‘72: I remember that Stewart sandwich machine fondly. I loved those hamburgers!

Here’s my timeline for chronological reference. I was in Congdon for my sophomore year 69-70, took 70-71 off for National Guard ADT, and came to McConn in Sept 71 for my Junior and Senior years, graduating in Dec 1973. That extra semester was due to changing majors after discovering my aptitude for computers in business. Great memories. Gary Wilson ‘72

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Andy Bresler ‘72: I brought the Stewart Sandwich machine to McConn when I was in charge of concessions. Many consider that to be the biggest contribution I made during my college career.

I recall that I was trying to re-establish myself with the other McConn’s, after the embarrassment of, per Mike Birney's request, asking the Tasty Kake driver to give us some hair pies on our next delivery. Who was I to question Mike? Andy

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: LOL. I remember this. My brother was 10 years older than me. He was not a Lehigh guy, but he kept in touch with my activities. He told me to have fun, and to do things he used to do in college. He had a great sense of humor, and played a lot of practical jokes.

You were an earnest young man, and a good target, I suppose.

When I read this reminisce, I literally laughed out loud. I told my beloved wife of 53 years, Beth, she had to listen to this story. When I got to the end, she said “ I don’t get it.” So, I explained to her exactly what the term meant. Beth was not amused. Pro tip. Do not try this at home. Mike

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fred Osman ‘70: So, Andy do you recall the year you made that momentous contribution to our culinary experience? Fred P. Osman, ‘70

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bob Wilcox ‘69: I am finally getting around to answer John Caldwell's inquiry about the concerts we had.. In 1967 and 1968, our scrapbook shows tickets from 9 concerts featuring 11 different groups, 6 of these groups are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and 2 comedians (George Carlin and Godfrey Cambridge). The only planned outdoor show was cancelled (The Loving Spoonful). We missed one completely and I don't remember much about the Jefferson Airplane (that may have been the grain alcohol party to blame.) And a few of us got to see Simon and Garfunkel a second time at Muhlenberg. It is hard to believe a small school should headline so much talent, but, as I understand, Lehigh was an innovator of on campus rock concerts. On an unrelated note, does anyone remember the Spring House Party 1967? I have a copy of the 100 item list. Does anyone remember who won? See this file for details of these 9 concerts from the ticket stubs we still have -

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fm7saov0v13mohisl44gx/AMLIhv59Z8DzYlekmEhw6Os?rlkey=ab0ds66g1gk8r255r1tomwscz&dl=0

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Andy Bresler ‘72: Fred, I believe my momentous culinary decision was in Spring or Fall of 1970. A couple of follow-up facts on that:

  • At least initially, we were the Stewart driver's biggest customer
  • We were at the forefront of plant-based meat substitutes, as their burgers had some kind of plant-based filler/extender. Nonetheless, they were delicious.

In so many ways, McConn were opinion leaders. Who knew?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fred Osman ‘70: I remember the Airplane concert very well. Surrealistic Pillow had been released earlier that year (Feb 67). It was the second album but the first with Gracie, who was with the band at the concert at LU. They did white rabbit and somebody to love. Interestingly, the site https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/jefferson-airplane has no mention of Lehigh. It has them at Winterland on 9/30 and there again on 10/07. So either we were all hallucinating or it was a whirlwind tour to the East Coast. Bob, you have them there on 10/03/67, which was a Tuesday? I don’t think that is the correct date. 

Well, I guess it was the spring of 70 because I graduated in June and I ate quite a few.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: Fred: You ate quite a few? Stewart’s? Or hair pies? Or both? M

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fred Osman ‘70: Both, if I recall correctly, but those may just be false memories. (and for those of you who were there after LU became co-ed and more genteel, forgive the older, crasser generation).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mike Berney ‘70: lol. You know Fred, the older generation was a lot of other good things in addition to being fabulously crass. And, for what it’s worth, I also would have said “both” in your case. As for “Virgin Mike” — Stewart’s only … until the summer of 1968 (after our sophomore year). From that day forward, well, ask Carol California, Angela, Carol2, Beatrice G, and Christine S. Inter Alia. LOL

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

John Aadland '75: Friday, November 3, 1967. Fall Houseparty Weekend. I ran across a reference that they were a replacement for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, who canceled.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gary Wilson '73: I remember Sam & Dave first Fall Houseparty in 1968. BTW, I’m card carrying member number 3 of the McConn Alumni Association:

 

A certificate with a coin and a coin

Description automatically generated

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fred Osman ‘70: Very cool, Wilcox emailed me privately that his file was in error due to a ripped ticked that just said …ber 3, 1967 and confirmed that it was November 3 upon further review. So, if they replaced Smokey, I’m sure Jerry Cohen was devastated and today is his birthday so send belated condolences. The article you found says that this was the first concert at an eastern University, but that site I sent previously on concert archives has them at Swarthmore (admittedly a college as opposed to a uni) on Feb 17 and at Stony Brook U on Feb 18. But in all fairness maybe Stony Brook doesn’t qualify as a “University”, just sayin’.