News From Fort Schuyler

December 15, 2008 - Volume 8, No. 43

WINTER GRADUATION - Only 38 issues ago, NFFS reported on the 2008 winter commencement. Now the college is gearing up for its Friday, January 30th, 2009 Winter Graduation which will take place at the Mess Deck beginning at 1830.

ONWARD AND UPWARD- The 9 December issue of Marine Log reported that MAURICIO GARRIDO '84 is now Vice President of Salvage and Emergency Response at Bisso Marine in Houston. "Mr. Garrido, who is a graduate of SUNY Maritime College with a B.E. in Naval Architecture, has 24 years of worldwide salvage experience and broad professional expertise. Originally responding as a casualty representative for the Scandinavian marine insurance market; Mr. Garrido was most recently Managing Director of Titan Salvage and is also the current Vice-President of the American Salvage Association. (www.marinelog.com)

A FAVORITE SON RETURNS - Several weeks ago, BILL CALDWELL '58 read an article about a forthcoming performance in the NY City Center "Encores Playbill", that featured EDWARD VILLELLA '59. The article noted his time at Fort Schuyler: "He learned to be in a career interrupted at a crucial age by the four years his parents insisted he spend at the New York State Maritime College." Bill recalls, "I will always remember his ballet performance on the deck of the EMPIRE STATE II during Empire State night. Not your ordinary cadet! I have seen several of his performances ....and there was no question that he was a star. What else would one expect from a graduate of Fort Schuyler?"

The Artistic Director of the internationally-acclaimed Miami City Ballet, Villella is bringing his talented dancers to the New York City Center in January for their Manhattan debut. There will be two programs, one featuring classics by Balanchine and Twyla Tharp, the second an all Balanchine program. The performances will take place January 21-25. Tickets run from $25 - $110. (www.nycitycenter.org)

Eddie, long cited as America's first male ballet superstar, has described himself as 'a beer drinker in a champagne world.' As a matter of fact, in the 'Last Tango in Newark' episode of The Odd Couple's fourth season(in which guest star Eddie teaches Oscar and Felix how to dance) Felix's image of Villella is shattered when he asks: "Champagne, Eddie?" and Eddie replies: "Uh, you wouldn't mind if I had a beer, also, would you?" Felix: Oh no, don't say it!"

VISITATION - If there is someone among your family, friends or acquaintances who might be interested in attending SUNY Maritime, the college has announced two Sunday Open Houses - March 1st and April 26th. The college website indicates that there is an optional overnight program for those who register in time. (For more information go to www.sunymaritime.edu.)

ONE FINE MISHPOCHEH - The suggestion of updating and expanding the family ties issue, last published ten-years ago, met with a positive response. AL ROWEN '65, wrote "This would be a nice idea. I can give you a list of four Rowens and I can go after two or three other families, but maybe you should call for input in several consecutive issues and then publish the whole list when it starts looking complete." [Submissions are welcomed so we can get the project under way.]

TRASH TALK - Commenting on the recent Maritime Tip-Off Tournament at California Maritime Academy, PAUL LOBO '69 writes:"As long as we beat Casual Maritime, all is right. I never got a good feeling going to their campus over the years I had to go there for BRM [Bridge Resource Management], license renewal, etc. NY is a much nicer campus, although quite a bit cooler in the winter."

ALVIN CHESTER REMEMBERED - A note from ROD McFADDEN '75 recalling that ALVIN CHESTER '35 was one of the Alumni who welcomed Ye Goode Shippe Empty Crate (# five) to Miami the summer of '74. He also, one evening whilst I was standing Cadet Watch, returned a classmate who'd taken aboard a full cargo of dangerous liquids."

EBB TIDE - The death of MARIOS CAIAFAS, Class of 2000, has been listed by the Alumni Association. According to an undated profile at the Bronx's Highbridge Community Life Center's website: "Marios moved his family to Highbridge from Nigeria ... in 1988 and became a member of the board in 1989. Marios worked at St. Dominic's Home as a childcare worker and member of the recreation staff from 1993-1995. He now owns and operates a taxicab and moving company. He graduated from the Maritime College where he majored in Marine Transportation.... Marios will soon become a citizen of the United States of America." According to D.J.BUELL, Marios' friend at college, Marios was considerably older than his classmates, attending the college as a day student. [NFFS could not find any additional information as to the cause of this life cut short.]