A toast to Cathy Strong

John Olesky (left), Don Roese toast
Cathy Strong (photo between them)

Retired BJ photographer Don Roese and retired BJ editor John Olesky, who had a March reunion at Auckland, New Zealand airport, got together again, this time at today’s BJ retirees lunch at Papa Joe’s.

They were the only ones who showed up. 

So they talked about their New Zealand experiences and the amazing Cathy Strong, the former State Desk reporter who founded the journalism masters program for Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand.

Don and wife Mary Ann stayed at Cathy’s beach home near Wellington for a week, before and after driving around New Zealand for three weeks. 

Later Cathy flew to Auckland for a reunion with John and 1970s State Desk reporter Paula Tucker.

Don and John toasted Cathy at the Papa Joe’s lunch.