1998 — Full-Time

Dear 98ers,

Another small yet perfectly formed update! Perhaps after Reunion, all the news that's fit to print was, well, discussed over a beer at Pete Miller's. Regardless, here are a few choice nuggets. Enjoy!

	Ellen and Christopher Kinney, both ’98, with their daughters
	Rob Fawcett and Mike Nelson, both ’98, at an off-site strategic planning meeting with an important client.

Read Flake writes: "It was great to see so many of you in May. I enjoyed hearing of your impressive accomplishments and exciting lives. As for me, I am still working in the least-profitable, most-volatile industry known to man. After seven years at Continental Airlines, I'm now in my third year at United Airlines where I recently moved back to the marketing side. My role is launching new airport products as part of the airline's merchandising strategy. Yes, I'm part of the team that brought you such popular hits as fees for checking your luggage. Fortunately, my products are more customer-friendly, such as a fast pass through the airport with priority check-in, security line and boarding (for a small fee, of course). Our initiatives generate millions in new revenue, which help offset some of the soaring fuel costs.

"I do take advantage of the flight benefits with trips this year to Prague, Petra in Jordan, Guatemala and an upcoming family trip to India. But even more than traveling, we enjoy being home on our acreage in the far western Chicago suburbs among cornfields and lakes. We have two ponies, five chickens and six (yes, six) kids ranging from 13 years to 9 months. Our newest addition Raquel garners most of the attention right now.

"We had quite a scare this summer with our son, Ryan (3). At dusk, he wandered outside undetected and managed to elude us for the entire night, despite the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and professional rescuers. Even search dogs and infrared-equipped aircraft had no success. Over the course of the rainy night, the search and rescue operation expanded to 24 local and state agencies. By dawn, we were drained emotionally and physically, but were hopeful that the daylight would benefit the search effort. A local young man noticed the half-dozen news helicopters circling our house and began his own search. Near a new housing development nearly two miles from our house, he found our son wandering in the tall weeds. Little Ryan was exhausted and scared, but otherwise just fine after the 12-hour ordeal. The choppers captured footage of my wife and me sprinting to the ambulance for the joyful reunion. (If interested, you can still see it on myfoxchicago.com, nbc5.com, abc7chicago.com and cbs2chicago.com. Search "Ryan Flake Oswego.") It was a little embarrassing to be on the front page of all the Chicago papers and the top story on every evening news broadcast. We did a few interviews and even made several national news programs, but I turned down calls and offers to be on "The Early Show" and "Inside Edition." We just wanted to relax and enjoy having our son back. Needless to say, we were so relieved and grateful to have our prayers answered. Thanks to those of you who called or e-mailed. We truly appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support."

David Contract sends in this update: "The Contract clan has expanded in the past year. Ava Grace joined us at 11:09 am on Nov. 9 in 2007. She is joined by her loving big brother — who we remind regularly that she's not a toy — Adam, who turned four on the night of our big Reunion celebration. As for work, I moved from the food/pet marketing world of Kraft to consumer healthcare marketing for Schering Plough last year and am currently a senior brand manager on the Dr. Scholl's brand."

Sanket Akerkar went to Raj Chopra's wedding in June and caught up with Andrew Cittadine, Jeff Blount, Mark Murray, Scott Smith and Julia Herr. He writes: "I also ran into Christian Barry on a street in Bethany Beach, Dela., where we were vacationing a couple of weeks ago. Anita and I have two girls, Sejal (3) and Avani (7 months). We're moving to Philadelphia, where I have a new job at Microsoft as the general manager of the Mid-Atlantic States District."

Dave and Adriane McDermott had their third little one, Ryan Merrick McDermott, on March 4. "His sisters Maddy (7) and Darcie (5) are a great influence on him so far – he knows all the words to Hannah Montana's first album already. We are so proud," Adriane writes.

Ellen (Chung) Kinney and Christopher Kinney write: "We are proud to announce the birth of Moira Shiu-Fong Kinney on June 24 weighing in at nine pounds, 3 ounces. She joins big sister Deirdre (2). We are happily living and working in Seattle and adjusting to life with two little ones."