J&A:
We are happy to report that the Lampoon’s Sesquicentennial was observed in Cambridge with the quiet, subdued dignity for which our organization is known. Approximately 800 attendees gathered to reminisce, reconnect, and rest their butts on the Crimson President’s chair.
Guests have informed us that during the weekend, a number of divine miracles occurred. Ancient grudges evaporated at the first bite of a Tommy’s Lunch cheesesteak in Bill Oakley’s food hall. Gout was cured as feet touched the field at Tom Werner’s park (Fenway). The blind regained their sight as curtains parted at the SoWa Power Station to reveal a Valhalla of the jesters, created by Mel Horan. It’s unclear how many of these actually happened, as everyone was pretty blitzed.
What we can confirm is that there are several digital relics from the celebration that you can enjoy between now and the 175th (planning underway):
Savor the AI-enhanced 150th app, created by Michal Hlaváč and other tech types, available here.
Solve the custom crossword puzzle created by Paolo Pasco (or look at the key if you’re lazy).
Relish Carter Burwell’s “Phanfare for the Common Phool,” now with the notes the Harvard Band was unable to hit, on YouTube.
Watch the two-hour 150th Sizzle Reel on Vimeo. Patric Verrone and Sam Richman did the honors. It’s organized alphabetically by last name, if you want to skip to yourself.
Meditate on the profundities shared in the program and remarks from Ann Hodgman and David Owen's Tribute to the Lampoon Dead.
Review the 90-minute collection of press coverage of the Lampoon, created for the pop-up Pusey archive show, on Vimeo. Patric Verrone and Jim Grace created this one.
Marvel at the entirety of the historic game of Lampy Ball played at Fenway now on YouTube. Fast forward to approx. 00:38 for “the first authentic hit of the game” (batting order in traditional chronological order), and 01:56 to hear Tom Werner say, in light of the recent performance of the Red Sox, he actually sees too many players he’d like to call up.
Gaze lovingly at the Jubilee Dinner program, designed by honorary member Mark Melnick and written by George Meyer, Steve O’Donnell, Suchetas Bokil, and Owen Bates, available as a PDF.
Read the glorious, enormous, and very non-digital 150th Catalog, available for sale in the Lampoon’s online store (password required). If you see one of the twenty or so members of the Publications Committee, helmed by Patric Verrone, George Meyer, and Ted Widmer, wrap them in a warm embrace and whisper the number of your favorite page.
And while we’re on the topic of the online store, be sure to refresh it repeatedly until you see the reordered Red Sox + Lampoon hats and other late-breaking swag.
Seems like a lot happened! But these items leave out so many unforgettable (depending on your brain health) events. You can try to piece together the rest looking through the heavily edited photo collections that we will be mailing to Sesquicentennial-goers.
It was a weekend for the ages. But if you missed it, no worries. We’ll see you in 2051!
“I would like to thank the committees of the 150th for their labor, uncompensated but for the smiles on the faces of Lampoon grads from every era. Honestly, it was weird to witness.”
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Mike Firestone ‘05 (chair), Sara A. Slavin ‘07 (secretary), Robert M. Neer, Jr. ‘86 (treasurer), Daniel Chun ‘02, John W. Gillespie, Jr. ‘75, George A. Meyer ‘78, Gideon W. Nachman ‘16, Carl A. Pforzheimer ‘83, Shana Silveri ‘94, Maiya W. Verrone ‘84
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Maureen Eleise Boyle '08 and Jessica Marshall ‘85. William B. Decherd ‘01, inaugural co-chair on professional leave.
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David H. Mandel ‘92 (chair), Ravin K. Agrawal ‘91, Margaret H.Child ‘78, Claire G. Friedman ‘07, Lisa M. Henson ‘82, Jessica Marshall ‘85, and S. Eric Rayman ‘73.
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Patric Verrone ‘81 (Co-chair), George Meyer ‘78 (Co-chair), Ted Widmer ‘84 (Co-chair), John Aboud ’95, Suchetas Bokil ‘24, Youmna Chamieh ‘22, Michael Frith ‘63, Mel Horan ‘79, Sterling Hoyte ‘26, David Irons ‘68, Marty Kaplan ‘71, Sierra Katow ‘16, Hamza Masoud ‘26, honorary member Mark Melnick (Design), Kai Nelson ’27, Steve O’Donnell ‘76, Avery Pratt ‘26, and Maiya Williams ‘84, with critical guidance and wildly generous support from Mark Magowan ‘76
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Mel Horan ‘79 (Spectacle); Robert Carlock (Mayhem co-chair), Daniel Chun ‘02 (Mayhem co-chair), Scott Silveri (Mayhem co-chair); Nicholas Barry Sylvester ‘04 (Sound and Light to go with the above); Suchetas A. Bokil ‘24 (executive assistant to the Mayhem co-chairs)
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Melinda Sue Rodriguez Davila ‘07 (Chair), Dan Ashwood ‘10, James Fitzpatrick ‘12, Phil Hodges ‘04, Farley Katz ‘06, Priya Ashoke Rajdev ‘07, Nelli Rojas-Cessa ‘28, John Aboud ’95 and Maiya Williams Verrone ‘84 (Castle Building Set Booklet)
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Al E. Jean ‘81 (Commissioner), Billy F. Kimball ‘81 (Producer) Jeff S. Martin ‘82 (Manager — Team Gold), Ted Widmer ‘84 (Manager — Team Purple
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Michal Hlavác, Daniel Chun, Daniel Citron, David Li, Eric Fenstermaker, John Aboud
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Thomas W. Beale ‘71, Tyler E. Chapman ‘90, Emily A. Harrison ‘02
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Bill Oakley ‘88
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Fun Facts: The Lampoon is older than . . .
Accommodation Statement:
The Harvard Lampoon welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact elmer@harvardlampoon.com in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for American Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the Harvard Lampoon will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.
