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Maja Wiesinger (Ramirez)

Hey Grace, I am NOT going to inivite myself to your new place. May you always have sufficient water. Kind regards. Maja

Andrew Flor

Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Bob...a two fer?  I'll be in Vegas probably at least three times in the next two months for work. They have cracked down on soliciting in the casinos in recent years. I grew tired on the same old same old on the strip a while back. Done most of the shows and anything worth seeing has gotten super expensive or is sold out way in advance. I find lodging off the strip and stay away from there unless I have to for work. I only go to restaurants and entertainment where the locals go that have convenient parking. The food is better and the prices are more reasonable. It's become too much of a hassle to pay for parking and walk forever to the restaurans or other ongoings inside the casinos. I haven't hit a crap table in years. Just lost interest. I've been venturing out exploring more of the nature and points of interest that Nevada has to offer besides the casinos, gambling and big name residency shows. The desert and mountains are a beautiful place to go for a cruise to unwind. Hanging out at the pool is always a great way to relax and chill out. Of course they have the TMobile Arena and I've been to around a dozen games there including the Blackhawks a couple of times. I saw KISS there too!!! Great venue! Have yet to go to a Raiders' football game at Alligiant Stadium but the exterior design is awesome. I do have to say that the view looking east at The Strip from The Ghostbar on the 55th floor rooftop of the newly remodeled Palms is incredible and a great place to watch the sunset. My new place is The Legacy Club Rooftop in The Circa. Also a great place to view Vegas from above while having a smoked Old Fashion with a cigar. It's a great place to kick back and relax on a non weekend night when it's not so busy.  The breeze up there on a hot evening is fantastic. Circa has the ultimate Sportbook to watch sports of any kind. It has arena seating and the massive screens are mind blowing.   

Robert Cole

Andrew...

You're absolutely right for someone who goes there a lot. My brother used to go all the time and he said the same thing. We were there for the gambling experience, for just one weekend. So, the strip is the way to go. Rubbing elbows with all the "beautiful people." Pretending we're rich, along with the rest of the posers just like us. Walked into a poker room one night and they all stopped and looked at us. Turned out it was the $10,000 minimum room and it was obvious we DIDN'T BELONG.. Spent a little time playing baccarat just because I wanted to pretend I was Bond... James Bond. It's actually a pretty boring game.  Tried gambling at the downtown casinos but they're full of tourists in sandals and black socks at the $5 tables. We really wanted the "Vegas experience." Saw one of the Cirque shows and had the Bacchannal at the Bellagio. 

That's why I won't go back. It'll never be as good the second time around.

And, after being approached by the working girl in the elevator lobby I went to the front desk and complained. "This is the MGM Grand. I expect a better class of hooker than that!." She was definitely not an A-lister. They comped us an upgrade room for the rest of the weekend! 

Andrew Flor

Per C Pearson

Grace,

Congratulations on retirement! Stay busy and healthy. I’m six months into it and enjoying every bit.

The Vegas chats brought back old memories of my first trip there. My Dads advise was, “Don’t gamble”.      Uhh, that’s why I’m going.

Before gaming was as open as it is now I remember they had to pull up the passenger plank on the first boats during the gaming session so it would not be “Land based”. Seems ridiculous now.  

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?