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Robert Cole

Per...

Casino "boats" was always a stupid restriction. A giant boat, floating in a tiny river, that can't possibly go anywhere, and has to pull up the gangplank before it goes nowhere.

And, you really can't fit a proper "casino" on a boat. For the hardcore gamblers that's fine. But, if you want the casino "experience" you can't fit it on a boat. The Vegas Strip is the best way to go. 

Andrew Flor

Andrew Flor

Peter Ingraffia

Grace, congrats on retirement!  I can't believe I've been retired going on 7 years.  Loving it and never missed work.  Loved what I did, but retirement is so much better!  Hope you too find retirement to be the best time.  

Robert Cole

Andrew... 

Spending most of my time at the craps table, I learned two words you need to know to win the most... "MAX ODDS". Most people don't play the side bets but you can essentially reduces the house edge to 0% on side bets. Always take max odds at the craps table.

Knowing how to bet you can reduce the house edge to almost 0% at craps and roulette. That's why they're my favorite games. Blackjack has slightly better odds but I'm jinxed at blackjack. Can't win to save my life.

Andrew Flor

Bob: Full odds on the 10, $200 on the hard way, The limit on all the numbers. $250 on the 11.  

Andrew Flor

My brother, '72, was a math wizard, A in calculus, chess grandmaster, Bridge champ, BA in Accounting, MFA. Bond trader extraordinairre. Arguably, the highest IQ of any "degenerate"   who ever hung out at Lenny's #2. BTW, he was a master at pinball and could play for hours on a single credit. Put it all to good use developing his own successful NFL handicap system and betting on cards. His AKA was "Rainman" Think Kronsteen in From Russia With Love where he is playing chess then gives the cold, dark stare to the server who brings him a glass of water with a message in the bottom of the glass. 

Grace Tanaka (Danziger)

Thanks for the well wishes, classmates! Yes, I'm loving retirement, keeping busy. Timmy, certainly you are welcome during Hot August Nights, we missed it this year, but checked out the motorcycle gathering later that month. Maja, you're welcome anytime! I'm rolling my eyes at the sidechats about Vegas (Andrew, I'll try to remember our 50th no matter where it ends up being held). I was astounded to learn that it takes nearly the same driving time from Reno to Vegas as it does to visit our old LA stomping grounds. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Robert Cole

Andrew Flor

Frank G Styzek

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and healthy 2025 to all my 1976 classmates!!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

HAPPY EVERYTHING!

Wishing all of our Bicentennials good health, peace, and joy in 2025.

Ken Ortiz

Hello all,

Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025.

I have also decided to "Hang up my spurs and ride off into the sunset" like Grace and maybe a few others here. Was it the right time? Not sure, but I was pretty unhappy with the way things were going at that place that we were on strike for about 10 months back in 2022. I was hoping to work there a little longer, but they did some things and employee moves that did not set well with me. Even my family could see that I was stressed and unhappy. I am betting that's why I caught a mild case of shingles back in March. Lucky for me, it was very mild. So, I decided to retire this summer.

Right now I have been enjoying more time with family and friends and enjoying a more laid back life for now. Got back into bowling too as I have not done league bowling since covid hit. Plus I do have some Lane related stories brewing and a couple involve bowling while at Lane.

I did get to hit Vegas back in 2019, what a great time that was. And I hit it big too! See?

Still "transitioning" in this new phase of my life, but I am definitely embracing all those wacky moments that I encounter and people that I have in my various circles. And if life has taught me anything, it's that it is NOT guaranteed. So make sure you always express your love and appreciation for the people you interact with. And, yes, some people in our circles may not deserve it, but I will always leave the door open in case they want to reach out and make amends. You never know if you will get another chance to do so.

Be well my fellow 76'ers! I love you all!

Gregory Calvimontes

Kevin Donohue (Donohue)

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah classmates!  And contrats to the retirees and their lifetime of productive endevors.  I retireed from being a professor.  Was at University of Kentucky for the last 33 years and retired completely in June from there.  I started a few buinesses along the way, so will still be doing those, but I don't have the tyranny of classes, research grants, and publication deadlines.  Get to travel more and hang out, the bussinesses give me excuses to travel, work with young people, new ideas, and hope.  Thanks for posting everyone.

Lisa Yee (Abrams)

It's great catching up with everyone on the message forum. Glad those who have retired are enjoying it. I logged in to see the interest in getting the 50th year reunion plans for 2026. I frequent Facebook because I post about my restaurant events every week because we have weekend impersonators which the customers really enjoy so I'll do my best on catching up with news here. Have a very happy healthy and peaceful new year 2025!

Edward Mc Carthy

Holiday wishes to you all.  Retired now two years.  Life is good however when you love what you did and your career, you find yourself missing some aspects of the 'work days'.  We are now snow birds ( year two ) and winter in Florida.  Drove over to Orlando to watch the Illini play.  Wife and I are alums.  Rocked in 2025 in Orlando too.  Now (tomorrow ) heading back to New Smryna Beach until April.  Be well all.  Hopefully as we usher in a new year, it is also a start to countrywide economic improvements and a more kind and gentler future.for us all.  Good to see and hear from you all.

Timmy Wong

Happy New Year to my fellow 76ers!! Grace and Andrew, unfortunately, I do not have plans to visit Hot August Nights this year but I do appreciate the offers.  Can I take a raincheck?  It is a great time so Andrew and all fellow gearheads, it should be on your bucket list to see!  This year is my 40th anniversary so I am under pressure to make big plans!  Also, I have been retired for 5 years now and thoroughly enjoying it.  I do stay busy helping my daughter with her wedding dress business at Grace and Ivory.  I handle the shipping and receiving or, as I like to tell my friends, I am the "mail room guy".  Hahaha!!  Check out www.graceandivory.com.  I was also primary care giver for my parents but they have both passed in 2024 at 90 years old.  A long and happy life together so I was very blessed that I had them for so long and they got to know their grandchildren very well.  Now, hope 2025 brings good health and happiness for us all and this will be the Chinese Year of the Snake on January 29th.  Wishing you an early Gung hay fat choy to all!!

Gregory Calvimontes

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

I got a retirement announcement from one of my favorite colleagues this morning and realized it's almost 10 years since I retired from my industry. Wow! I am lucky... I had a great 34-year run and I still talk to ex coworkers and clients who are like family to me, but now I can use my will and skill to do something I'm passionate about... Lane!  I guess you can take the pom poms away but the Go Lane Go survives.

Now what do we want to do for our 50th? I can't plan it but I can help in a big way including the school tour and opening up the alumni office for a free Open House. Should we go fancy or down and dirty? Who wants to help plan? We've already conquered the hardest part, (finding everyone and figuring out a way to communicate).

We just need to decide what we want to do as a group. Plenty of time. Opinions anyone?

Robert Cole

I'm all in favor of the way it was done for the 40th. Sort of "semi-formal." Not formal, expensive, dancing, etc. But, better than getting together at a bar. The golf club location, or someting like it, was great. The tables setup for memorabilia was cool, too.

Lisa Yee (Abrams)

I like seeing all the responses about the 50th reunion. I like Bob's idea of keeping it less formal and not at a bar, but also not formal like in a ballroom either. 

Greg Groeper started a group on facebook for the 1976ers and was interested in what time of the year to have the event or events. I chose August or September since the snowbirds will still be in town and the weather is not usually as hot as it is in July, but with global warming it isn't easy to predict anymore. 

I'd like some recommendations about possible venues and I can check out places if you need someone to do the legwork. 

I'd didn't attend the 30th or 40th reunion, but I liked the 20th reunion where we gathered photo pins of "then photos" to help us recognize our classmates. 

Lisa

Peter Hong

The challenge is getting a venue to hold a space without a firm commitment.  I have a suggestion for consideration, as follows:

- Announce the reunion event by February 1, 2025.

- Get a credit card deposit of $50 per person to cover dinner (food of $40 and $10 gratuity) by July 31, 2025 for a Saturday event in late August or early September.  The deposit would be non-refundable on August 1.  Presumably, $50 would be deemed reasonable.

- Drinks would be an additional cost paid by each individual.

- We need to get such non-refundable commitments from a minimum of 100 individuals.  That would give the ability to lock in a venue.

Lisa A - Would Chef Shangri-La be a possible venue for a funded commitment of $50 per person for a minimum of 100 people?  Would $40 food and $10 gratuity be sufficient for the restaurant to provide a sit-down buffet-service event?  

Lisa Yee (Abrams)

Peter,

I don't know if you've been here before. The restaurant has a capacity for over 150 and I would need a commitment of at least 100 people. I would close the restaurant for the evening from 6pm to closing which is generally 11pm. I could arrange a Luau style party with a roast pig and a full dinner menu, of course, but we don't have to if people are not familiar with it. The entertainment would be an additional cost if desired. 
 

The restaurant is Polynesian designed, but the food is Cantonese American. It's located a few miles from Brookfield Zoo. It's pretty casual and we've been here since I graduated, literally a month after graduation. 

There's also a country club across the street from the restaurant because I thought it might be low key as well. It's the Riverside Country Club I think. I haven't been there but I can look into that as well.

Peter Hong

Hi, Lisa,

I have not had the pleasure of visiting the restaurant.  I will make an effort to do so when I make a trip to Chicago.  Nonetheless, the venue and potential menu sounds nice to me.  

Let's see how our former classmates react to:

- The $50 per person cost for dinner.  If my recollection is correct, the 1976 prom was over $100 per couple (recognizing a live band was included).  The fifty years of inflation alone makes the $50 per person cost look modest. 

- Getting 100 individuals committed via the non-refundable deposit.

Classmates - Any reactions?