2006 Dark Ages Party

2006 Dark Ages Party - Founders Day Celebration a Great Time!

On Saturday evening, February 11, 2006 the sixth annual Atlanta Chapter Dark Ages/Founders Day Party was held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Marietta. This year’s party was again in celebration of the founding of the United States Naval Academy on October 10, 1845, and in honor of the Brigade of Midshipmen.

On that date, through the efforts of then Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, the “Naval School” was established on a 10-acre tract of land that was previously an Army base named Fort Severn. Just seven professors and 50 Midshipmen comprised the entire faculty and student body. Today the Brigade is over 4,000 strong with an academic staff of nearly 600.

The party was a formal, black tie optional, event for Atlanta Chapter members only. The majority of the men arrived dressed in tuxedos, with their escorted ladies in equally formal attire. It was a great looking room full of alumni, spouses, and dates! We clean up pretty well!

Alumni present at the event represented a seven decade span of classes. The junior alumnus in attendance was Tony Yanone, class of 1998. The senior alumnus in attendance was CAPT George O’Connell, USN (retired), class of 1935! Both received a bottle of Naval Academy signature wine in recognition.

After dinner Chapter President Steve Frederick '72, addressed the crowd and reminded us of the purpose of our gathering. He then introduced our guest of honor for the event, Chet Gladchuk, Director of Athletics at the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.

Chet had an information-packed video presentation for us that covered the entire breadth of every athletic program at the Academy, including all men's and women's sports. Perhaps the single statistic that demonstrates the Academy's athletic excellence is this: We have a 72% success rate in all Division 1 sports! That means that we win nearly 3 out of every 4 athletic contests that we enter. As Chet said... "we expect to win!"

Dancing followed dinner, with music provided by the Russ Starrett Trio. The usual suspects appeared on the dance floor!

Many thanks to Carole and Mitch Rowland '71 and Karen and Steve Frederick ‘72 for organizing this event for us this year. Great party, and a good time had by all!

Click on a thumbnail image to see a full-sized picture

Cocktails anyone?	Senior Chapter member George O'Connell, class of '35!
Jim Hatch - babe magnet!	The Rentz family!
Chet starts his presentation.	Steve Frederick presents Chet with his speakers gift.
Butler Table	Frazar Table
Gladchuk Table	Hurst Table
Maddox Table	Patterson Table
Vachon Table	Ward Table
After dinner dancing begins.	And continues...
Bill & Sue Rentz	Don Patterson & Joanne Harms
Barbara & Jerry Schubert (Needs no caption!)	Jim & Dianne Theis
Linda and Nancy	Lynn & Jim Hatch
Lynn and Linda	Nick & Jean Ward
Paul & Nancy Hurst	Bob & Linda Schultz
Spencer & Anne McManes	Sue and Pete Knoetgen