While in town for Lycoming College’s Alumni Weekend, our friend Jamie brought us venison steaks (and some bologna, too), and we planned a meal of Ginger Sesame Venison Noodle Salad (a mouthful in every sense of the word). June is meant for big salads! The only problem was that Ben had a very drippy cold, and I didn’t want him near food prep. I gave him some options. We could wait until he felt better and he could help me make the meal, or I could soldier on without him. He went with that.
We used a recipe from The Kitchen, but substituted venison steak for skirt steak. Delicious.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/ginger-garlic-steak-and-noodle-salad-12929742
Phil and I spent the weekend alumnifying. When Phil became provost, we began attending these events regularly, and as neither an alum nor an employee, I’ve come to think of myself as a professional class reunion crasher. I’ve never been to my one of my own class reunions, but they gave me my own name tag here, so I guess I’ll just keep going with it!
Jamie and I met at one of these events about 12 years ago, and I knew instantly that she was a kindred spirit. Though 20 years my junior, she and her husband, Steve, are teachers and parents, so we always have something to talk about. Jamie radiates joy, love, and fun, and this time she brought venison, so if that isn’t someone to alumnify with, I don’t know who is! We’ve gotten to know Jamie and Steve’s friends (many of whom Phil taught) and her mom, Becky, who also graduated from Lyco. (There was some brief discussion as to whether the venison steaks were a conquest of Becky the Deerslayer, but it was determined that Jamie’s dad was responsible for our dinner.) Jamie was celebrating her 15th class reunion, (and her birthday!) Becky’s mom and her roommate were celebrating their 50th. I think my favorite overheard conversation was one I only caught the tail end of between the retired chemistry professor and the doctor, “The force blew me back to the refrigerator! They took away our bunsen burners after that.”
Maybe the greatest thing about Lycoming College is the lifelong friendships that develop and flourish here. I love how many parent graduates send their own kids to Lycoming. Some day, I expect to see Steve and Jamie’s kids here as students too, and it will all fit perfectly. All in the family. Deerly beloved.