Letters to the Editor
Remembering the Sculpture Dear Editors, On the back cover page of the autumn 2008 edition you show the sculpture of "The Good Shepherd" and ask "Do you remember this sculpture?" Well, I do and was part of the process of obtaining it. It was purchased as a Senior Class gift to SMC by the Class of 1962. I asked Brother Kyran for ideas about a class gift and he made the suggestion to buy the sculpture. The class treasury was very low and we had little money to buy something worthwhile. We came up with the idea to ask the class to pick walnuts to raise money for it. As I recall, Bill Chapman, class treasurer, and I, class president, were the only two to show up initially. There may have been more help later. The money we raised was given to Brother Kyran, who obtained the sculpture for us. The College was to place a memorial plate under the sculpture showing it was our class gift. I don't know if this was ever done. The last time I saw it, it was located on the exterior wall near Oliver Hall. I don't remember the name of the artist. I have contacted two of my dear classmates, Bill Chapman and Ted Tsukahara, who may have a clearer recollection than I have. God bless all and take care. John Parziale '62 Dean of Men 1965-68 Montgomery, Texas Editor's note: There is a plaque acknowledging the Class of 1962's gift. The artist is Hugh Heppel. Institutional Food Dear Editors, The roundtable with Michael Pollan in the winter '09 issue ("Talking Burgers, Fries and Organic Greens") brought back memories of truly dismal food choices in the early 1970s SAGA offerings in Oliver Hall as well as my father's experience in the late 1930s (Milton Mecchi '38). Raised in an Italian-American kitchen by family in the produce business, his complete shock over how awful institutional food can be got him in contact with his priorities. He abandoned on-campus living and commuted from the Marina District in San Francisco. This was before the Bay Bridge, so he took the streetcar to the ferry, the ferry to the train and the train to Moraga just so he could enjoy his meals. Once the bridge was open, he got to edit out the ferry. Having such a pioneer "foodie" for a dad, it was challenging for me to stomach Oliver Hall's "slop." What made my dining experience even more aggravating was that in the days before the equality of meal cards, we lightweights got to fund the vast quantities of fodder consumed by the athletes washing down their chow with eight glasses of milk while we sat behind our iceberg lettuce salads and glasses of water. Mary Mecchi Englert '75 Portland, Ore. Holding Court at New Lucky's Dear Editors, Denis Kelly is correct in stating that "There was a wine and food culture at Saint Mary's." (winter '09 issue). For example, Brother Myron and others offered wine classes during the 1960s and 1970s which fostered Brother Leo Meehan's notion that the European tradition of culture, education and refinement should inspire all aspects of the Saint Mary's experience. Any discussion of wine and food at SMC must include a reference to Brother William Lewis (Louie) Civitello. Louie, aka Bill, was vice president of finance and, in effect, COO during the 1970s. Bill would hold court at a restaurant in Oakland called New Lucky's and always brought some of his students with him. The location and clientele were borrowed from a Damon Runyon story. Judges, cops, stevedores and bookies enjoyed generous cocktails, drank imported wine and feasted on pasta, veal and zucchini served into the morning hours by Buzz the maitre d'. Buzz always presented Bill with a Cuban cigar which Bill would light and smoke with great ceremony. A meal at New Lucky's only lent credence to the good-natured rumor that Bill had Mafia connections! In short, New Lucky's and Brother Louie taught some Gaels how to enjoy some of life's great treasures. Randy Andrada '73 Piedmont More Christian Brothers, Please Dear Editors, Great magazine! I love it. Could we please see a little something about one of our favorite Christian Brothers in an upcoming magazine? Brother Martin Fallin is SO great and has devoted so much of his life to making students smile and learn. I would love to see a write-up about him, and I'm sure he would be quite tickled too. Perhaps you could feature him with the picture of him riding a student's skateboard (from around 2000) in front of the Chapel. He's such an awesome Brother. Natalie Wilson '04 Seattle Exotic Plant Society? Dear Editors, A few months ago an idea hit me, a half-baked amateur gardener, after seeing Bob Kozlowski '50 forming the Gaels in Wine alumni chapter. How about a Gaels in Exotic Plants chapter? Organize an alumni committee to plan a mission for this group, including possibly exchanging or selling unusual plants among alumni, with net proceeds going for scholarships; or supplying the new campus vegetable and fruit garden. Recently Sunnyside Nursery in San Anselmo and I provided many fruit trees, herbs and seeds to the garden. There are many enjoyable plants such as jujube (Chinese dates), carob (also known as St. John's bread, from which substitute chocolate is made), prickly pears (a sweet cactus fruit), tangelos (tangerine combined with grapefruit), plumcots (plums combined with apricots), pineapple sage (an herb with pineapple-flavored leaves). The exotic list could go on and on. Interested persons may contact me at 125 Tarry Rd., San Anselmo, CA 94960 or e-mail josephcasalnuovo@sbcglobal.net. Joe Casalnuovo '50 San Anselmo What about Ayers? Dear Editors, As both a four-year and graduate degree alumnus, I was impressed by your winter '09 issue (Feast or Famine) with the Michael Pollan and Darrell Corti articles. Both were well-done, timely and interesting. Unfortunately there was nothing in the issue about the impending presentation by Bill Ayers. Perhaps you might dedicate some space in your next issue justifying the decision to have him on campus. Martin Spittler '68 Orinda Editor's note: Bill Ayers' presentation was scheduled after the winter magazine went to press. See page 12 of this magazine for a seminar discussion on some issues raised by the event. Quality and Professionalism Dear Editors, I am writing as an alumnus and a former Christian Brother (1940–47). I have been reading your publication since it began and know the history of the College and the Brothers very well. I wish to herby offer you and your talented staff my sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the quality and professionalism so elegantly displayed in the winter '09 issue. It is a joy to read and it makes me very proud as an alumnus and former brother. Two pieces I found especially interesting were: "On Feasts and Famines" by Michael Barram and "A Vast Store of Knowledge" on Darrell Corti '64. Thank all of you and continue adding to your and the College's success. Joseph Dennehy '45 Santa CruzDEAR READERS: We welcome your comments. Please send letters to news@stmarys-ca.edu, or mail to the Office of College Communications, Saint Mary's College, Box 5165, Moraga, CA 94575. Please include your class year and hometown. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
