Bower & Gardner Reunion

	BOWER & GARDNER REUNION (New: Reunion Video "What a Night")
BEYOND B&G OUR PHOTOS WHAT A NIGHT! (New: Reunion Video "What a Night") EVER IN OUR HEARTS RECOLLECTIONS Home	Did you every wonder whatever became of that attorney you worked with during your years at the firm; or the file clerk that was able to find anything at anytime; or the secretary that got your work out – error free – with time to spare? Did you ever want to get in touch with someone with whom you shared terrific times with? Here is the opportunity to make it happen. You are invited to e-mail Phyllis@personalfinancialcare.com and tell us: Where you've been… Where you are… Where you are going… You can mail or e-mail a recent photo of yourself, or you and your family. We will either upload the photo or scan it with your biographical information and return the photo to you if you so request. Ladies, please use the name you were known by at the firm. Kevin O'Mara: It was so nice to see Ed Rademaker’s note. He might remember when we were walking back to the office from lunch one day and he saved me from being hit by a car. I retired from SUNY Downstate on October 31, 2019 and soon thereafter moved to Southport, NC. I somehow managed to cobble together 23 years of NY State service through my various jobs. I am now working remotely for Downstate two days a week assisting with the transition of a colleague to my Senior Managing Counsel position. With Downstate, as of this writing, being a COVID19 only hospital this part-time work has been challenging and heartbreaking, even at a distance. Like Ed, I did some military time serving as an officer in the US Army Reserve with a medical unit for 14 years. I hope for all of our sakes we can safely return to some form of normalcy soon. Bambi Schimmel, Sylvia Johnson, Phyllis Pawlovsky Catching up after all these years - August 2011 Edward A. Rademaker: I am a former Bower and Gardner attorney who joined B&G after graduating from Fordham law school in 1993. Although my time at B&G was brief prior to the firm dissolving, I have good memories of my time there. I remember Catherine Baecher, who I shared an office with. I worked on my first case with Lenore Kalmus, who taught me how to prepare a case. Additionally, I remember Kevin O'Mara, who helped me find my next job (Flushing Hospital) after B&G. On my way to a subsequent legal job on Wall Street, I was caught in the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. After I was resuscitated and recovered from my 9/11 injuries, I applied to the US JAG Corps and was appointed by the president to serve as a US JAG Corps captain, practicing military law. After serving in the military, I began my current job at Johnson & Johnson, practicing contract law. Peggy McDermott: I was hired at B & G as a receptionist when I was 19. In between 19 and 43, a lot has happend, including marriage, two great kids, divorce, and that I now run a company that does corporate health and wellness events. Phyllis Pawlovsky: I was with Bower & Gardner from 1976 to 1990. I was the first “night staff” part-time employee and went on to become the Personnel Manager, Office Manager and Director of Administration. I think I hired 90% of the support staff. I went on to become the Director of Administration of Mound, Cotton & Wollan. In 1995, after two years of dancing with cancer, my husband, James, passed away. I then began a personal financial care business that serves the elderly, people with disabilities, and career professionals who are unable to take care of, or need help with, their personal business and day-to-day money management activities. In addition, I returned to school and have been a Geriatric Care Manager for several years. I continue to do volunteer work for AARP as a tax aide and am a Director of the New York Chapter of Better Investing, a not-for-profit investment education organization that taught the “Beardstown Ladies” how to make money in the stock market. My two sons, Stuart and Keith Alpert, worked in the file department under John O'Brien's eagle eyes for two summers. Stuart went on to become a chef (The Terrace at Columbia University , Lutece, Campagna). He is now the owner of Green Hill Catering. Keith made his way to Wall Street and from there to an investment research firm in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and my grandchildren. I am so looking forward to seeing you either at the reunion or on the web site Beyond B & G. Martha Llano: All my best to fellow alums! I had been thinking about a reunion for years, when 10 years came and went. It remained only a concept until... One day out of the blue, Phyllis called me about a major event in my professional life (more on that later). In the course of our discussion, she said "Honestly, there's another reason I called" to which I replied "You want to have a B&G reunion." The rest, as they say, is history. I've been tracking the Beyond B&G and Ever in Our Hearts responses from you and I have to say I am so very moved by all of it. Seeing where people have gone with their lives and how others of us are remembered just fills me with so many emotions, it's difficult to explain. My time at B&G, from 1978 until their dissolution, was, without a doubt, one of the finest of my life, both personally and professionally. It afforded both challenge and reward. Never since have I felt so "at home" in an employment situation. Since we all went our separate ways, I have become comfortable working mainly in branch law office environments (Graham and James, Vinson and Elkins) and finally here at Littler Mendelson, a SF based firm that is a national labor and employment boutique. Seems I like these niche practices! After Phyllis left and I became involved in the firm's administration, in 1989, I also began to get involved in the local NYC Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, which was a lifesaver for me in getting answers to all those questions Dan and Mark would raise. Well, one thing led to another and I ended up, in 2000, as President of the chapter. Now, in 2005, I am proud to announce that I have been chosen by the international organization of 10,000 members to assume the Presidency in 2006 at the conference to be held next May in Montreal! It's all so unbelievable to me, but I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank all those whom I consider my B&G mentors ...Dan, Mark, Phyllis, John Laden, Jimmy Conlon, Tom Bower,Steve York and others too numerous to mention. They were all willing to give me their time and share their knowledge and wisdom.I am forever in their debt, not to mention the debt of the staff, who taught me to be more flexible in my approach to life in general and to focus on people rather than paper. On the personal front, Ken and I are quite comfortable and happy living in Valhalla, NY with our 4 cats (Booker, Chloe, Pugsie and Maggie), all of whom send their regards. Our "poohs," as they are affectionately called are quite "verbal," loving and mischevious and are considered very much a part of our family. I look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th of October. If you are only considering it at this point, please commit to joining us...Phyllis and I know you won't be disappointed. Sarah DeFelice: I was referred to B&G by Anne Federico. I was there from '86 to the end!!!! I went to Heidell Pittoni and retired from there in Jan. 03. Now I'm here in WPB, Florida. I love it. The husband hates it!!!! When I heard about the reunion from Lynda Extract at Aaronson's office, I was ecstatic! I often wondered what happened to all those lovely ladies and gents from B&G. Catherine Baecher: How great to hear from you!! What a nice surprise - talking to you and thinking back to the past, really makes me smile. I think that a reunion is a great idea. Thanks for thinking of me!! Diane Gmitter: I was at B&G for 14 years. Left in July 1994. Anyway, Mary Ellen (O'Connell) Kreinbihl sent me the info on the planned Bower & Gardner reunion and your website. I would love to attend. However, I now live in Virginia Beach, VA, and work in Norfolk. If I can work it out, I will be there. Just let me know where and when. I'll also check the website from time to time. I'm married for 18 years and have a 17-year-old son. We have been in Virginia Beach for 11 years now. I'm working for a law firm down here - Taylor & Walker, P.C., and I love it. What a great idea! It will be fun to see all our old buddies again! ShaRon Robinson-Rea: What a wonderful idea to get us all together again! Rich Rea and I live in Arizona now with our two daughters. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this past June. We would love to attend. October would be better for us. I hope we can arrange our schedules to come to New York and see everyone. Thanks for doing this. Sincerely and with great memories of my time at B&G, ShaRon Rosemarie Falco: Assist Supervisor / Switchboard Operator for B&G. I am so excited about having this reunion and I contacted a couple of people I still keep in touch with and told them to pass the word around. The best years are of my life were at Bower & Gardner and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. Esther Velez: I used to work in the billing department along with Lisa Perrino. I'm the one who had the baby girl when I worked there. Esther Medina is my sister in law and she informed me that you are planning a REUNION. This would be wonderful and I would love to attend. I told Esther to keep me informed. I also have a daughter who worked summers with us. She lives in Virginia, and wants to be a part of the reunion. I will pass all information on to her also. ALSO, the little girl I had while working at Bower & Gardner is off to college next week. How time flies. Marsha Weinstein: It was nice to speak to you today and to spend a few minutes remembering my B&G days and the good friends I made there. Kimberly Manion: I am so excited about the prospect of seeing everyone again. I do look back on my 11 years at B&G very fondly. I am still at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton as the Billing Manager. It will be 11 years in September. I now have 2 daughters: Jessica will be 9 in October and Caroline will be 6 in September. I work full time and often times find it difficult to juggle work and home life, but fortunately my husband is in business for himself now and his hours are flexible. Roe Falco is a receptionist here. I got her a job shortly after I started. Tommy Sieranski was our Payroll Asst. for a few years, but he has moved on to become the Payroll Manager at Swatch. Cleary's offices are across the street from the World Trade Center site and I was on the 45th floor of One Liberty that fateful morning. Fortunately, all of our employees got out safely, but not unscathed. It also taught me not to sweat the small stuff so much. William Quirk: is happily retired and still living in Parkchester, Bronx, New York Lydia Zambrano: We are all looking forward to this grand reunion. Well, after I left Bower & Gardner, I went to work for Barlett, McDonough, Bastone & Monahan in Mineola, New York at their night staff for three years until they closed their night staff. Thereafter, I was recommended by my friend to Donald Hazelton, a single practitioner, personal injury plaintiff's attorney, who at the time was just starting out and going on his own, with offices in Williston Park, New York. I no longer wanted to commute to the City, so I took the job on a part time basis, I have been working for him for the last ten years and I am presently the office manager to his firm and to his office building, which he bought a few years ago. In 1991, I moved from Brentwood to Queens because my daughter wanted to attend St. Francis Prep High School in Queens, and we wanted to move from Brentwood. I then rented in Jamaica Estates for about two years, and about 2-1/2 years ago moved into my home in Jamaica Estates. My daughter Stephanie is 18, graduated in June, and is presently attending Fairfield University, in CT. My son Eric is 14 and is presently attending St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, and on September 7, 2005 my husband and I celebrated our 25th year anniversary. I can't believe all this time has gone by!!!! I tell you this much, I can still type very fast and take on tons of tasks in one day. Margaret Flannery: I am still working nights!!! Worked for a little while (eves) with Bartlett, McDonough, et al - but then I left and started here at Rivkin Radler about 7 years now!! I still love working nights - (you get to know all the night owls!!) Charla Thompson: I left New York in 1997 and of course wondered who all, after Sept 11th, that I knew, was part of that tradgedy -- are some of the people listed working in the World Trade Center -- mind you I had worked there in 1996 before leaving New York and never even thought about the building being blown up again because it had already been attacked previously -- I worked on the 89th floor. Presently, I live in Indiana (Lafayette) -- I am a Realtor with Century 21 Realty Group I and I've just purchased my first home (late bloomer -- but I decided this is where I want to settle). I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the neglected and abused children of our county, as well as sit as Vice Chair on the Board of an Alternative school for "at-risk" youth -- Called Concord (part of the National Association of Street Schools -- they have just received national accreditation). I was, before employed as a Paralegal for two attorneys here, worked with the mentally ill, etc.) My son, a stellar car salesman is paying his own way through school - enrolled last at Purdue, and will continue next semester. Not married again, yet. Kim J. Lomax: I was with Bower & Gardner from about 1986 to the end. I went to Rogers & Wells afterward (I don't think Ginny Futterman has ever forgiven me - smile) from 1995 to 1996. I left there and went to Battle Fowler who merged with Paul Hastings in 2000. I left with the partner that I was working for at Battle and came to Proskauer Rose where I've been ever since! I'll be happy to see everyone who attends. I cannot wait. I married in May of this year to a terrific guy and now reside in NJ. Susan Scherman: I was one of the Nurse Consultants on Kevin Porter's Team (NYC HHC - all hospitals). I now work as a Nurse Paralegal for Mark Kasowitz, Esq. at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, LLP. I also conduct and manage The Robert Lawrence Orchestra, a swing/jazz/big band (with hits from the 20's, 30's and 40's), and Sweet Sue & Her Sweethearts Band (a roaring 20's dixieland swing band). Let me know if you need some entertainment at the event. Some of my clients include The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Partnership, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, The Warwick Hotel, The Park Performing Arts Center, and many others. Kevin O'Mara: I was at B&G from 1984 to the end (and I certainly remember you). I was one of the Risk Control Coordinators, assigned to the NYC-HHC account. Working for this firm changed my life. I entered law school, and with a lot of support graduated in 1993. After struggling through a couple of Bar Exams, I was admitted in 1995. I am currently an Associate University Counsel in the SUNY system at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. As the only SUNY counsel assigned to this campus, my responsibilities include the College of Medicine, the College of Allied Health Professionals and University Hospital of Brooklyn. I draw upon my B&G experiences every day. I hope I will be able to attend the reunion. Pavina Kootrakul: I left Bower & Gardner and went to join Peter Monaghan when they first started Barlett, McDonough and Monaghan. I was the first secretary for the four of them, Peter, Ed, Cliff and Bob. I was there for a short while and had to move back to Thailand. I went through a rough divorce during that time and my mom didn't want me to raise my two kids here all by myself in New York. I lived in Thailand for 8 years and never felt it was home for me. I finally moved back to New York 6 years ago and am happily working here at Aaronson, Rappaport, Feinstein & Deutsch. My two kids, Monica is turning 23 this coming January and Marcus is 21. Monica will be graduating from Stony Brook University this semester and hopefully will be on her way to make her own living. When I look at my kids and read some of the stories from our friends, that's when reality strike me that I am really getting old or should we say seasoned and experienced. My life is pretty much happy right now. Still happily working at Aaronson, Rappaport, Feinstein & Deutsch. Thanks to Mark I believe we are very happy here at Aaronson. Donna Moraff: After leaving B & G, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of developing my art. My summers are spent in and around Long Island's pristine East End which affords me unending subject matter for painting. I am an instructor at the Art League of L.I., ( Long Island 's new 16,000 sq. ft. art school and gallery) in Dix Hills. While I paint all subject matter (still life, florals, landscapes/seascapes, animals, portrait and figure), in all mediums, I specialize in pastel portraiture. My work is available at the Phoenix Gallery in Bellport , N.Y. I will be in Colorado on October 27 and will not be able to attend “The Happening”. I hope everyone has fun and my best to all. Ruth Stein: WOW this is awesome. I moved to Maryland in 1989 where I work as a Legal Nurse Consultant for a planitiff's firm. Lynn Hollister Buckley Moore: Just before I left in September 1992 I had just gotten remarried. Worked there from 1/3/78 when there were only about 25 attorneys. Just celebrated 13 years of marriage in May. I used four alias in that time. (Hollister, Buckley, back to Hollister, to Moore) I have been a Senior Claims Examiner at Wright Risk Mgmt in Uniondale New York working in the NYMIR division since October 1992. I have one grandson and one on the way from my oldest Katie 24 who is an Underwriter Associate for Chubb Insurance. Laura, single, 20 and lovin it works for GEICO...and they say that you do not become your mom ...ha ! Still living in Bethpage where real estate is through the roof. Remember all the good times including my bout with hepatitis in 1978 when the secretarial staff who sat in my area all had to get shots and threw out my cup and utensils. The Krucker events and especially the night staff and the "rushes" due in the morning. I don't think I can come to the Reunion as I may still be recovering from colon rectal surgery which should be a success as I caught it early and due to modern medicine I should be as good as new by February. Stephen Chakwin: I've been lots of places. I came to the firm in 1984 and worked on Mark Aaronson's Brooklyn team. I left in 1987 to take charge of toxic shock litigation for Playtex and then moved on to run all of their products litigation and some other litigation as well. When toxic shock started to wind down, I went to Sedgwick Detert in New York, where I worked on breast implants, medical malpractice, and lead cases till 1998. In 1998, I left to go into my own practice where I have been - except for six months at a small firm - ever since. I represent plaintiffs almost exclusively now and my practice seems to be focusing more and more on appeals. I am still writing music reviews for American Record Guide, doing other musical writing (some liner notes and an occasional article), working on some other writing projects and otherwise keeping busy. Janet and I have three children, Emily is a senior at Yale studying neuroscience and psychology; Nick is freshman at the School of Visual Arts studying film making; Sally is in eighth grade studying age-appropriate subjects. Janet is a recovering lawyer whose garden and landscape design business is well into its second decade and doing well. We live in Norwalk, CT and my practice is mostly in the metropolitan area. I was happy to find the site (thanks to Joan Fiden), but sad to see how many people I had known and was fond of have been lost. Cindy Ceru Kronen: I am saddened that I cannot attend the reunion, as my husband and I had relocated to Aventura, Florida some 15 years ago. I now have two children, Tara, age 15 and Jordan, age 13. I have been working at the law firm of Tripp Scott in Fort Lauderdale for the past 6 years as a Probate/Estate Planning Paralegal, and received my 4 year degree at Barry University in Florida, about 8 years ago. Have a wonderful time and make wonderful memories. Robert S. Cypher: I am very sorry I missed the reunion. I just wanted to check in and make sure I stayed in touch. I am working at the in-house firm at CNA insurance downtown (Charles Siegel) Denise and I live in Rye, NY. The two little kids I brought to the office are now in college (Hartwick and Boston College.) We have a 13 year old, Courtney, still living with us. I see Gerry DiEdwards fairly regularly, and used to see Diane Williams on the train. I see Dick Kaplan and Richie Rubin in Kings Supreme (where else.) Sadly, I saw a lot of folks at Tim McGinns funeral two years ago. I hope all is well, and I'll bookmark the website.

Did you every wonder whatever became of that attorney you worked with during your years at the firm; or the file clerk that was able to find anything at anytime; or the secretary that got your work out – error free – with time to spare? Did you ever want to get in touch with someone with whom you shared terrific times with?

Here is the opportunity to make it happen.

You are invited to e-mail Phyllis@personalfinancialcare.com and tell us:

Where you've been…
Where you are…
Where you are going…

You can mail or e-mail a recent photo of yourself, or you and your family. We will either upload the photo or scan it with your biographical information and return the photo to you if you so request. Ladies, please use the name you were known by at the firm.

Kevin O'Mara: It was so nice to see Ed Rademaker’s note. He might remember when we were walking back to the office from lunch one day and he saved me from being hit by a car.

I retired from SUNY Downstate on October 31, 2019 and soon thereafter moved to Southport, NC. I somehow managed to cobble together 23 years of NY State service through my various jobs.

I am now working remotely for Downstate two days a week assisting with the transition of a colleague to my Senior Managing Counsel position. With Downstate, as of this writing, being a COVID19 only hospital this part-time work has been challenging and heartbreaking, even at a distance.

Like Ed, I did some military time serving as an officer in the US Army Reserve with a medical unit for 14 years.

I hope for all of our sakes we can safely return to some form of normalcy soon.

Bambi Schimmel, Sylvia Johnson, Phyllis Pawlovsky
Catching up after all these years - August 2011

Edward A. Rademaker: I am a former Bower and Gardner attorney who joined B&G after graduating from Fordham law school in 1993. Although my time at B&G was brief prior to the firm dissolving, I have good memories of my time there. I remember Catherine Baecher, who I shared an office with. I worked on my first case with Lenore Kalmus, who taught me how to prepare a case. Additionally, I remember Kevin O'Mara, who helped me find my next job (Flushing Hospital) after B&G.

On my way to a subsequent legal job on Wall Street, I was caught in the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. After I was resuscitated and recovered from my 9/11 injuries, I applied to the US JAG Corps and was appointed by the president to serve as a US JAG Corps captain, practicing military law. After serving in the military, I began my current job at Johnson & Johnson, practicing contract law.

Peggy McDermott:   I was hired at B & G as a receptionist when I was 19. In between 19 and 43, a lot has happend, including marriage, two great kids, divorce, and that I now run a company that does corporate health and wellness events.

Phyllis Pawlovsky: I was with Bower & Gardner from 1976 to 1990. I was the first “night staff” part-time employee and went on to become the Personnel Manager, Office Manager and Director of Administration. I think I hired 90% of the support staff. I went on to become the Director of Administration of Mound, Cotton & Wollan.

In 1995, after two years of dancing with cancer, my husband, James, passed away. I then began a personal financial care business that serves the elderly, people with disabilities, and career professionals who are unable to take care of, or need help with, their personal business and day-to-day money management activities.

In addition, I returned to school and have been a Geriatric Care Manager for several years.

I continue to do volunteer work for AARP as a tax aide and am a Director of the New York Chapter of Better Investing, a not-for-profit investment education organization that taught the “Beardstown Ladies” how to make money in the stock market.

My two sons, Stuart and Keith Alpert, worked in the file department under John O'Brien's eagle eyes for two summers. Stuart went on to become a chef (The Terrace at Columbia University , Lutece, Campagna). He is now the owner of Green Hill Catering. Keith made his way to Wall Street and from there to an investment research firm in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and my grandchildren.

I am so looking forward to seeing you either at the reunion or on the web site Beyond B & G.

Martha Llano: All my best to fellow alums!

I had been thinking about a reunion for years, when 10 years came and went. It remained only a concept until...
One day out of the blue, Phyllis called me about a major event in my professional life (more on that later). In the course of our discussion, she said "Honestly, there's another reason I called" to which I replied "You want to have a B&G reunion." The rest, as they say, is history.

I've been tracking the Beyond B&G and Ever in Our Hearts responses from you and I have to say I am so very moved by all of it. Seeing where people have gone with their lives and how others of us are remembered just fills me with so many emotions, it's difficult to explain. My time at B&G, from 1978 until their dissolution, was, without a doubt, one of the finest of my life, both personally and professionally. It afforded both challenge and reward. Never since have I felt so "at home" in an employment situation.

Since we all went our separate ways, I have become comfortable working mainly in branch law office environments (Graham and James, Vinson and Elkins) and finally here at Littler Mendelson, a SF based firm that is a national labor and employment boutique. Seems I like these niche practices!

After Phyllis left and I became involved in the firm's administration, in 1989, I also began to get involved in the local NYC Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, which was a lifesaver for me in getting answers to all those questions Dan and Mark would raise. Well, one thing led to another and I ended up, in 2000, as President of the chapter. Now, in 2005, I am proud to announce that I have been chosen by the international organization of 10,000 members to assume the Presidency in 2006 at the conference to be held next May in Montreal! It's all so unbelievable to me, but I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank all those whom I consider my B&G mentors ...Dan, Mark, Phyllis, John Laden, Jimmy Conlon, Tom Bower,Steve York and others too numerous to mention. They were all willing to give me their time and share their knowledge and wisdom.I am forever in their debt, not to mention the debt of the staff, who taught me to be more flexible in my approach to life in general and to focus on people rather than paper.

On the personal front, Ken and I are quite comfortable and happy living in Valhalla, NY with our 4 cats (Booker, Chloe, Pugsie and Maggie), all of whom send their regards. Our "poohs," as they are affectionately called are quite "verbal," loving and mischevious and are considered very much a part of our family.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th of October. If you are only considering it at this point, please commit to joining us...Phyllis and I know you won't be disappointed.

Sarah DeFelice: I was referred to B&G by Anne Federico. I was there from '86 to the end!!!! I went to Heidell Pittoni and retired from there in Jan. 03. Now I'm here in WPB, Florida. I love it. The husband hates it!!!! When I heard about the reunion from Lynda Extract at Aaronson's office, I was ecstatic! I often wondered what happened to all those lovely ladies and gents from B&G.

Catherine Baecher: How great to hear from you!! What a nice surprise - talking to you and thinking back to the past, really makes me smile. I think that a reunion is a great idea. Thanks for thinking of me!!

Diane Gmitter: I was at B&G for 14 years. Left in July 1994. Anyway, Mary Ellen (O'Connell) Kreinbihl sent me the info on the planned Bower & Gardner reunion and your website. I would love to attend. However, I now live in Virginia Beach, VA, and work in Norfolk. If I can work it out, I will be there. Just let me know where and when. I'll also check the website from time to time.

I'm married for 18 years and have a 17-year-old son. We have been in Virginia Beach for 11 years now. I'm working for a law firm down here - Taylor & Walker, P.C., and I love it.

What a great idea! It will be fun to see all our old buddies again!

ShaRon Robinson-Rea: What a wonderful idea to get us all together again! Rich Rea and I live in Arizona now with our two daughters. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this past June. We would love to attend. October would be better for us. I hope we can arrange our schedules to come to New York and see everyone. Thanks for doing this. Sincerely and with great memories of my time at B&G, ShaRon

Rosemarie Falco: Assist Supervisor / Switchboard Operator for B&G. I am so excited about having this reunion and I contacted a couple of people I still keep in touch with and told them to pass the word around. The best years are of my life were at Bower & Gardner and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Esther Velez: I used to work in the billing department along with Lisa Perrino. I'm the one who had the baby girl when I worked there.   Esther Medina is my sister in law and she informed me that you are planning a REUNION. This would be wonderful and I would love to attend. I told Esther to keep me informed.

I also have a daughter who worked summers with us. She lives in Virginia, and wants to be a part of the reunion. I will pass all information on to her also. ALSO, the little girl I had while working at Bower & Gardner is off to college next week. How time flies.

Marsha Weinstein: It was nice to speak to you today and to spend a few minutes remembering my B&G days and the good friends I made there.

Kimberly Manion: I am so excited about the prospect of seeing everyone again. I do look back on my 11 years at B&G very fondly. I am still at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton as the Billing Manager. It will be 11 years in September. I now have 2 daughters: Jessica will be 9 in October and Caroline will be 6 in September. I work full time and often times find it difficult to juggle work and home life, but fortunately my husband is in business for himself now and his hours are flexible. Roe Falco is a receptionist here. I got her a job shortly after I started. Tommy Sieranski was our Payroll Asst. for a few years, but he has moved on to become the Payroll Manager at Swatch. Cleary's offices are across the street from the World Trade Center site and I was on the 45th floor of One Liberty that fateful morning. Fortunately, all of our employees got out safely, but not unscathed. It also taught me not to sweat the small stuff so much.

William Quirk: is happily retired and still living in Parkchester, Bronx, New York

Lydia Zambrano: We are all looking forward to this grand reunion. Well, after I left Bower & Gardner, I went to work for Barlett, McDonough, Bastone & Monahan in Mineola, New York at their night staff for three years until they closed their night staff. Thereafter, I was recommended by my friend to Donald Hazelton, a single practitioner, personal injury plaintiff's attorney, who at the time was just starting out and going on his own, with offices in Williston Park, New York. I no longer wanted to commute to the City, so I took the job on a part time basis, I have been working for him for the last ten years and I am presently the office manager to his firm and to his office building, which he bought a few years ago.    In 1991, I moved from Brentwood to Queens because my daughter wanted to attend St. Francis Prep High School in Queens, and we wanted to move from Brentwood. I then rented in Jamaica Estates for about two years, and about 2-1/2 years ago moved into my home in Jamaica Estates. My daughter Stephanie is 18, graduated in June, and is presently attending Fairfield University, in CT. My son Eric is 14 and is presently attending St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, and on September 7, 2005 my husband and I celebrated our 25th year anniversary. I can't believe all this time has gone by!!!!   I tell you this much, I can still type very fast and take on tons of tasks in one day.

Margaret Flannery: I am still working nights!!! Worked for a little while (eves) with Bartlett, McDonough, et al - but then I left and started here at Rivkin Radler about 7 years now!! I still love working nights - (you get to know all the night owls!!)

Charla Thompson: I left New York in 1997 and of course wondered who all, after Sept 11th, that I knew, was part of that tradgedy -- are some of the people listed working in the World Trade Center -- mind you I had worked there in 1996 before leaving New York and never even thought about the building being blown up again because it had already been attacked previously -- I worked on the 89th floor. Presently, I live in Indiana (Lafayette) -- I am a Realtor with Century 21 Realty Group I and I've just purchased my first home (late bloomer -- but I decided this is where I want to settle). I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the neglected and abused children of our county, as well as sit as Vice Chair on the Board of an Alternative school for "at-risk" youth -- Called Concord (part of the National Association of Street Schools -- they have just received national accreditation). I was, before employed as a Paralegal for two attorneys here, worked with the mentally ill, etc.) My son, a stellar car salesman is paying his own way through school - enrolled last at Purdue, and will continue next semester. Not married again, yet.

Kim J. Lomax: I was with Bower & Gardner from about 1986 to the end. I went to Rogers & Wells afterward (I don't think Ginny Futterman has ever forgiven me - smile) from 1995 to 1996. I left there and went to Battle Fowler who merged with Paul Hastings in 2000. I left with the partner that I was working for at Battle and came to Proskauer Rose where I've been ever since! I'll be happy to see everyone who attends. I cannot wait. I married in May of this year to a terrific guy and now reside in NJ.

Susan Scherman: I was one of the Nurse Consultants on Kevin Porter's Team (NYC HHC - all hospitals). I now work as a Nurse Paralegal for Mark Kasowitz, Esq. at Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, LLP. I also conduct and manage The Robert Lawrence Orchestra, a swing/jazz/big band (with hits from the 20's, 30's and 40's), and Sweet Sue & Her Sweethearts Band (a roaring 20's dixieland swing band). Let me know if you need some entertainment at the event. Some of my clients include The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Partnership, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, The Warwick Hotel, The Park Performing Arts Center, and many others.

Kevin O'Mara: I was at B&G from 1984 to the end (and I certainly remember you). I was one of the Risk Control Coordinators, assigned to the NYC-HHC account. Working for this firm changed my life. I entered law school, and with a lot of support graduated in 1993. After struggling through a couple of Bar Exams, I was admitted in 1995. I am currently an Associate University Counsel in the SUNY system at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. As the only SUNY counsel assigned to this campus, my responsibilities include the College of Medicine, the College of Allied Health Professionals and University Hospital of Brooklyn. I draw upon my B&G experiences every day. I hope I will be able to attend the reunion.

Pavina Kootrakul: I left Bower & Gardner and went to join Peter Monaghan when they first started Barlett, McDonough and Monaghan. I was the first secretary for the four of them, Peter, Ed, Cliff and Bob. I was there for a short while and had to move back to Thailand. I went through a rough divorce during that time and my mom didn't want me to raise my two kids here all by myself in New York. I lived in Thailand for 8 years and never felt it was home for me. I finally moved back to New York 6 years ago and am happily working here at Aaronson, Rappaport, Feinstein & Deutsch.

My two kids, Monica is turning 23 this coming January and Marcus is 21. Monica will be graduating from Stony Brook University this semester and hopefully will be on her way to make her own living. When I look at my kids and read some of the stories from our friends, that's when reality strike me that I am really getting old or should we say seasoned and experienced.

My life is pretty much happy right now. Still happily working at Aaronson, Rappaport, Feinstein & Deutsch. Thanks to Mark I believe we are very happy here at Aaronson.

Donna Moraff: After leaving B & G, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of developing my art. My summers are spent in and around Long Island's pristine East End which affords me unending subject matter for painting. I am an instructor at the Art League of L.I., ( Long Island 's new 16,000 sq. ft. art school and gallery) in Dix Hills. While I paint all subject matter (still life, florals, landscapes/seascapes, animals, portrait and figure), in all mediums, I specialize in pastel portraiture. My work is available at the Phoenix Gallery in Bellport , N.Y. I will be in Colorado on October 27 and will not be able to attend “The Happening”. I hope everyone has fun and my best to all.

Ruth Stein: WOW this is awesome. I moved to Maryland in 1989 where I work as a Legal Nurse Consultant for a planitiff's firm.

Lynn Hollister Buckley Moore: Just before I left in September 1992 I had just gotten remarried. Worked there from 1/3/78 when there were only about 25 attorneys. Just celebrated 13 years of marriage in May. I used four alias in that time. (Hollister, Buckley, back to Hollister, to Moore) I have been a Senior Claims Examiner at Wright Risk Mgmt in Uniondale New York working in the NYMIR division since October 1992. I have one grandson and one on the way from my oldest Katie 24 who is an Underwriter Associate for Chubb Insurance. Laura, single, 20 and lovin it works for GEICO...and they say that you do not become your mom ...ha ! Still living in Bethpage where real estate is through the roof. Remember all the good times including my bout with hepatitis in 1978 when the secretarial staff who sat in my area all had to get shots and threw out my cup and utensils. The Krucker events and especially the night staff and the "rushes" due in the morning. I don't think I can come to the Reunion as I may still be recovering from colon rectal surgery which should be a success as I caught it early and due to modern medicine I should be as good as new by February.

Stephen Chakwin: I've been lots of places.

I came to the firm in 1984 and worked on Mark Aaronson's Brooklyn team. I left in 1987 to take charge of toxic shock litigation for Playtex and then moved on to run all of their products litigation and some other litigation as well. When toxic shock started to wind down, I went to Sedgwick Detert in New York, where I worked on breast implants, medical malpractice, and lead cases till 1998. In 1998, I left to go into my own practice where I have been - except for six months at a small firm - ever since. I represent plaintiffs almost exclusively now and my practice seems to be focusing more and more on appeals.

I am still writing music reviews for American Record Guide, doing other musical writing (some liner notes and an occasional article), working on some other writing projects and otherwise keeping busy.

Janet and I have three children, Emily is a senior at Yale studying neuroscience and psychology; Nick is freshman at the School of Visual Arts studying film making; Sally is in eighth grade studying age-appropriate subjects. Janet is a recovering lawyer whose garden and landscape design business is well into its second decade and doing well. We live in Norwalk, CT and my practice is mostly in the metropolitan area.

I was happy to find the site (thanks to Joan Fiden), but sad to see how many people I had known and was fond of have been lost.

Cindy Ceru Kronen: I am saddened that I cannot attend the reunion, as my husband and I had relocated to Aventura, Florida some 15 years ago. I now have two children, Tara, age 15 and Jordan, age 13. I have been working at the law firm of Tripp Scott in Fort Lauderdale for the past 6 years as a Probate/Estate Planning Paralegal, and received my 4 year degree at Barry University in Florida, about 8 years ago. Have a wonderful time and make wonderful memories.

Robert S. Cypher: I am very sorry I missed the reunion. I just wanted to check in and make sure I stayed in touch. I am working at the in-house firm at CNA insurance downtown (Charles Siegel) Denise and I live in Rye, NY. The two little kids I brought to the office are now in college (Hartwick and Boston College.) We have a 13 year old, Courtney, still living with us. I see Gerry DiEdwards fairly regularly, and used to see Diane Williams on the train. I see Dick Kaplan and Richie Rubin in Kings Supreme (where else.) Sadly, I saw a lot of folks at Tim McGinns funeral two years ago. I hope all is well, and I'll bookmark the website.