Click here for:
AUGUST
2003
SENIOR MOMENTS
Fifty
years ago, our senior moments were PHIL DeTURK, half-naked on a war pony,
intoning the Sachem Oration. It was DAVE McLAUGHLIN being awarded the Barrett
Cup. It was MILT KRAMER delivering the valedictory, JOHN CUNNINGHAM with the
Class Oration, DICK ROGIN saying the Class Poem and JOHN HESTON thanking the
stump of the Old Pine. Today our senior moments are misplacing BILL WHITE’s
instructions for the 50th Book, forgetting to send PETE BARKER your email
address and, in the words of JOHN PARKER: “..counting out the proper number of
pills, then looking for the nearest men’s room.” Be that as it may, it has
certainly not deterred us from charging ahead, full-speed. By the time June 2004
arrives, we are going to be so “pumped” that the Class of 1953’s
claim (per Don Goss ‘53) of being “Dartmouth’s greatest class
ever” will be left choking in our dust. Keep the momentum going and get your
lifemate to help with the remembering.
The first request for reunion intentions is being prepared by DICK PAGE
and will be in the mail in September. The return postcard (to me) will also ask
for indications of interest in the post-reunion gathering at the Basin Harbor
Club. This is where it starts being fun - receiving the cards, compiling the
results and broadcasting the building numbers to you in monthly newsletters.
ANN GROGAN called for information about the 50th Book submission. She is
putting together memories of DAVE, an exercise all widows of Classmates are
encouraged to pursue. DOT FITCH has taken on the gentle task of contacting
widows and those many of you out there can also expect some email from the
newsletter editor.
Another reunion thought. There are small groups of ‘54s who have
ties either through
geography (Dallas), College activities (the Daily D), fraternity (the Psi U midgets),
that have conducted their own mini-reunions while the rest of us are
frolicking in Hanover. The 50th Reunion is of such significance however, that,
perhaps the “minis” should be deferred to the 55th and you fellows should
help swell the fellowship in June 2004.
CLASS NEWS - Abbondanza!
The
date change for the ‘54 Chicago gathering crimped the attendance plans for TOM
OSBORN. His “main hobby in recent years”, oil painting, has him in Old Lyme,
CT in the September 11-15th period. Tom
supplied email address OZTOM@aol.com for those old buddies who would like to
reconnect.
TOM HALL is such a fine, clever manipulator of the English language, it
seemed only fair to include the following verbatim:
First, last April: “Having managed to eschew photographers for a good
many years (how often does one get a good chance to use ‘eschew’ - unless
one has a bad cold?), I don’t have anything recent enough in the way of a
picture to pass muster. In the unlikely case that I shortly become so saturnine
as to obtain one to keep on file for an obit, perhaps I’ll forward it, though
since I have worn a rather full beard, invidious comparisons between then and
now will be difficult and I can’t imagine why else, save for idle curiosity,
anyone will much care. Still
striving to avoid solemnity.”
Then, In June: “Some while earlier, I forwarded a somewhat negative
report on my experience with the ‘54-’04 PenPals project. On the basis of
this last year’s correspondence, I feel obliged to amend that dour evaluation.
One of the two young ladies has become quite a regular correspondent, indeed.
Since her present interests are in religion and ecology, we have had a good deal
to talk about and I have been able to send her a number of interesting papers I
have edited for a magazine put out by Westar Institute (parent organization of
the Jesus Seminar) and sent her a provocative and blessedly short book (which I
also had the honor to edit) by my favorite theologian, a radical New Zealander
(radical in this case means rational and disinclined to supernaturalism) named
Lloyd Geering. Anyway, we have become pretty good pals - to the extent that,
while on satellite study in Africa, she sent me a couple pieces of obviously
volcanic stone from Kilimanjaro (which she climbed), knowing that, as a one-time
stone mason, I am a collector of souvenir rocks. It has worked out well and we
both look forward to meeting next year. Other
than that, nothing to report except that I am still busy as hell correcting
papers - the difference is that now it is for PhDs instead of high schoolers and
I get more thanks than grumbles!” A most intriguing Classmate.
Tom’s reference to the PenPal project leads neatly into a question
posed by BILL GROVER as to the status of the program and where we go from here.
Project Coordinator PETER KENYON neatly surmised “ .. a good idea that really
worked for a few.” Within the maelstrom of variegated student schedules,
unintentional mismatches and the common propensity to NOT WRITE, a precious few
found just the right combination of style, interests and karma to bond on a
longer term basis. The PenPal
jamboree last fall was a success, with the paired correspondents meeting for the
first time. The topic will be discussed at the meeting of the Executive
Committee (all ‘54s invited) at this fall’s Homecoming weekend. In the
meantime, send your observations to your ever-receptive
editor.
The fates attempted to descend on the body of RICK HARTMAN during a
birthday tour of Canterbury and London, England for ANNE in the form of a TIA
(or stroke warning). Hit again upon return to Simsbury, CT, Rick exercised a
certain common sense most uncharacteristic of we macho ‘54s and hied himself
to the ER at Hartford Hospital where he was relieved of the plaque which was
closing off a dangerous 90% of the carotid artery. God looks after those who
raise funds for good purposes in special ways, so Rick and Anne are eagerly
looking forward to June 2004. Good news.
BARRY NOVA confesses a “reawakened interest in Dartmouth” because of
(1) the approach of the 50th anniversary of our graduation and (2) the
acceptable fanaticism of BOB ADNOPOZ in selling
the greatness of both Dartmouth and especially the Class of 1954. SUSAN refuses
to accommodate Barry in Casa Nova during the day, so he has become quite active
in the community as a board member of the Parsonage Cottage, a senior home which
was once “the only alms house in Connecticut”, a member of the CT Council
for Developmental Disabilities and the Advisory Board of the Merritt Parkway
(the route most of us drove to Hanover way back then). For kicks, the Novas are
traveling to Turkey in October.
In answer to the question: Whatever happened to BILL MAYBERRY?:
“Since 1954, married MILLIE Shaw, worked 2 years in Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce, became a candidate for ministry in United Church of Canada,
graduated in ‘59, served 4 years in Northern Alberta Peace River country,
served 6 years in Kingston, Jamaica with Presbyterian Church in Jamaica and
Grand Cayman, followed by big chill in Labrador City for 2 years and 8 years in
Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Then, 5 years in Sparwood, British Columbia,
finishing off with 9 years in Fort McLeod, Alberta. Moved to Magrath, Alberta
(great golf course), worked part-time for 3 years in Lethbridge, Alberta,
finally moved there. Millie is a Socialist and political activist. Founding
member of the Lethbridge Raging Grannies. We both love to golf and cycle. Our 3
children - Peter, Tim and Nancy - have given us 5 grandchildren we no longer try
to keep up with. My mother died in February at the tender age of 98. Millie has
lost 2 sisters and a brother. We’re trying to keep our health up with Wellness
Elderhostel.” We of less active lifetimes salute you, Rev. Bill!
NORM ROSS: “Retired from Northern Telecom (now Nortel) in ‘91 and
moved to Florida. Not responsible for Nortel stock going from over $120 a share
to less than $1 in early 2003. Wife BETTY died in 2000. Married CAROL in June
2002. She is a great gal! Got tired of tennis and retirement, so created
Fundamental Investing, including a monthly mutual fund newspaper, investment
advice and reviews of new equity offerings. Got tired of recommending money
markets to clients. Still doing investment analysis. ntrossfi@tampabay.rr.com”.
From SHELLY WOOLF: “We’ve still got it!
Three of my grandsons wanted to play tackle football. I said ‘No way -
let’s play touch.’ The oldest insisted, but said they only had to touch me.
On the kickoff, the oldest (14) got the ball and before running right at me said
‘Let’s see what you’ve got, old man!’at which point I put out an arm and
sent him flying. I felt really good about that!” Well ... let’s talk about
this, Shelly. You felt really good about decking your grandson? Once the
kid gets his driver’s license, it might be a good idea to have ELISABETH start
your car in the morning ..
After a trip to Normandy and southern England. Dr. JOHN STEEL sent in a
postcard with Dartmouth inscribed upon it.
Photo of a beautiful bay at the mouth of the Dart River, hence,
Dartmouth. In true AD style, John mentioned the abundance of pubs.
Last May, SUE ROCKEFELLER took HARRY to her 50th reunion at UVM in
Burlington, VT. After getting nicely into the reunion mood, they visited with
PATTY and BOB OSMOND at their place on Lake Winnepesaukee. The reconnect included
a tour of the Wright Museum in Wolfboro, an institution devoted to life in the
US during the 1940’s - when we were learning to read, understand WWII, etc.
A good thing to ask about when you encounter the Rockefellers or the
Osmonds next June.
The Mandys, ROSEMARY and DAVE MANDELBAUM have made that life passage:
“After 44+ years, we have sold our Dartmouth Terrace home (White Plains, NY)
and will be moving to an apartment in New Rochelle, NY. It’s a big move that
will simplify our lives and will be a step toward retirement. Still working
full-time for Carlisle and for a sister company, Casuals Etcetera, which we
started three years ago.
In May, we spent two-plus weeks in South Africa on safari at two Singitz
lodges for eight days and then to Capetown for the balance of the trip. It was a
remarkable and spectacular experience. On safari, we saw the ‘big five’ and
a lot more. The lodges were beyond description as were the animals. In Capetown,
the highlights were a trip to Robbin Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
for 25+ years and a Saturday morning trip to an ‘informal’ settlement, which
is a small township. We walked though shanties, the marketplace, taught kids
songs and felt safe and welcome. South Africa is an amazing country only nine
years after the end of apartheid. Mandela’s lasting legacy is his preaching of
reconciliation. It works! 100 New Roc City Place, Apt. 420, New Rochelle, NY
10301;(914) 576-9659; RMMANDY70@aol.com.
Dr. TONY MIGLIACCIO admits to being one of the worst communicators via
snailmail, but has become rejuvenated with the convenience of email.
Unfortunately, he has adopted the e. e. cummings style of typing - no capitals.
He and PAULA have put in 48 years together and it seems to be working out. Four
kids, 12 grandkids. “Spent the last five decades having fun from medical
school to surgery, boating, golf and the arts. We’re both looking forward to
next June in Hanover. Over the past few years, have seen JOHN MODERWELL, IRV
SHERWOOD and RALPH DESTINO, but that’s all - leaves a lot of room for great
reconnecting.” An apt email address -
docmig@cox.net.
Dr. GEOFF TALBOT got knocked slightly
off-stride by the hospital with which he was affiliated going belly-up,
but is now expanding his horizons in the Boston area. One of a clutch of
urologists in the Class, Geoff is a big proponent of radiation as opposed to
radical surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer - a term that is likely now
in our vocabularies, along with PSA.
When queried as to whether his name was among the 150+ filing to run for
the post of California governor, Dr. JOHN STEEL replied: “Lacking the $3,500
to file for the ‘merry-go-round’, I decided, due to longevity, to continue
doing my 6-7 different things daily as amusement.” When the newsletter staff
reporter asked Dr. Steel’s opinion of a ‘54 triptych candidacy of Steel-Mesics-Biggs
(‘Good wine, good music and an annual checkup for all!’), he replied that
since JOE has grown a little soft and less confrontational - but puts up a fine
Shiraz - he would be the choice as long as he appoints Peter Ueberroth as
Executive Director to run the state. He
tossed off : “And MIKE BIGGS is no Harry Truman.” More seriously, John
suggested that newly graduated physicians should have both an MBA and a law
degree to survive today’s medical
career environment.
Gifts to The Dartmouth College Fund (formerly The Alumni Fund) go toward
the general operation of the College - “unrestricted”. However, donors do
have the option of designating specific uses to which the funds should be put,
ergo “restricted”. In this vein, Class VP JAY DAVIS has generated an idea
that might well interest some of you - particularly former English majors. The
Sanborn House Fund (SHF). After a series of negotiations with the Development
Office, Jay has initiated an endowment fund for the English Department “ ..to
help underwrite the costs of curricular and co-curricular activities proposed by
members of the English Department.” Examples would might include a fellowship
for an outstanding English major to to do research, prizes, trips to literary
sites or theatrical plays, all of which are unaffordable at this time. The SHF
would have “initiated by English majors from the Class of 1954” appended to
its title. As an on-going effort, the fund would be open to contributions from
future classes and friends of the English Department. The College has agreed
that the fund would not be used for “budget relief”. From Jay: “My
research indicates that there are 49 living ‘54 English majors, plus many who
studied, had tea or slept in Sanborn House. Hopefully many of this group will
opt to restrict their gifts to the
College and help Humanities at Dartmouth.” Such gifts are given full credit
toward the Class’s goal. For further information: Jay Davis at (802) 295-4215;
jdmd@valley.net.
Rev. DAVE and LOUISE RANSOM are
training hard to be in shape to lead an assault on Mt. Moosilauke at reunion
next June. No trail or mountain has been left untouched. They have, however,
found the time to join the email generation. They can be reached at spoons@sover.net.
Parts
Clubs
Much
has been written in these columns about the growing number of Classmates who
boast of gaining new, albeit artificial, body parts. As a move toward facing the
facts of playing in the higher regions of the age thing, three ‘54s are in the
process of forming an association of Classmates who continue to traipse this
worldly plain because of the acquisition of Saint Jude mitral valves. These
valves, made of graphite, are
simple flow valves which are installed between the left atrium and the left
ventricle of the heart, preventing the flow of blood back into the atrium after
the heart beats. An everyday kind of surgery that involves getting very friendly
with a heart/lung machine for the period of the surgery. JOEL LASKY, TED SHORT
and PETE BARKER are the founding members of this club and seek others with the
same pride of survival. Pig valve holders will be considered, but will be
accorded lesser stature. Now, taking this innovation a step farther, it seems
appropriate that other “new parts” Classmates bond and exchange observations
and thoughts about medications, post-surgery experiences and clever anecdotes. A
question yet to be resolved is whether is should be Hip Club or whether there
should be a distinction between Right and Left hips. So endeth the drollery.
ED and ISABEL SCOTT “dumped” their sailboat in Vancouver, giving it
to Isabel’s son, who is an avid sailor and her daughter, who is a world-class
sailor - named Canadian Junior Sportswoman of the year recently. You former
boat-owners will appreciate Ed’s likening the event to getting a raise in pay
- no more moorage, repair or insurance costs. The Scotts are on board for June
2004 and have sewed up reservations at the Airport Inn.
In October, they hie themselves to Europe - a couple of weeks in Croatia,
then a visit to daughter and son-in-law in Germany, followed by sponging off of
friends in Toronto. Commentary on Croatia are welcomed on edscott@uniserve.com.
PETE KENYON deals with many of the Class’s connections
with the College. He recently received two thank-you notes relative to the 1954
annual contribution to the Athletic Sponsors program. Ann Larese and Kristen
Shockley of the women’s volleyball coaching staff were thrilled to report that
one Sandi Butler, McLean, VA would be in the Class of 2007 and a potential
standout on the team because of the financial support we provided for the
recruiting trip. Sandi herself wrote a note, acknowledging the positive aspects
of talking to coaches face-to-face and thanking the Class for making it
possible. Of all women’s sports on campus, volleyball appears to be the one
needing help, with a so-so record in 2002/2003. FYI, the Class donates $500
annually to the program and we have 32 classmates who kicked in a total of
$7,565 in 2002/2003. For the 16 sports be recruited, 160 athletes applied to
Dartmouth, 131 were accepted and 111 enrolled. Not a bad net for the effort.
When visiting campus for the first time in decades, many ‘54s are
shocked at the change from the images of their memories - JOHN SCHREIBER:
“Disappointed to witness the transition from small college to small niversity.
The new architecture appears uncoordinated. New classrooms almost a half-mile
from the Green. More one-way streets. The town has lost some of its charm.
Perhaps it’s me.” Probably a bit of both. John continues self-employed with
a direct mail handbook for small businesses. In unrelated news, , John was one
of the 2700 competitors at the World Masters Track & Field Championships in
Puerto Rico last July. He was ranked second in the US in the long jump and the
low hurdles (age 70-74) in 2002 and did nicely at the Worlds - 5th in the long
jump and 8th in the hurdles. Then, in early August, John and PETE BARKER
competed in the National State Games of America meet in New Britain, CT. They
garnered seven medals, four of which were gold, John running/jumping and Pete
throwing heavy implements. A nice meeting of ‘54s who had not known each other
on campus. A preview of June 2004.
Related to the above is the “Wearers
of the Green” dinner scheduled for May 14, 2004 in Boston. This is an event
held every five years and is Dartmouth’s equivalent to an athletic hall of
fame. 90 alumni are already on the induction list and include All-Americans,
national champions, Olympians, major league professionals, 3-time all-Ivy, etc.
A special category has been established for alumni who have won national and/or
international championships in Masters competition. The College is seeking the
names of such individuals from our class. Send pertinent information to Dave Orr
at david.orr@dartmouth.edu. If you are not on email, call your editor and I will
pass on the information. You may remember seeing the Wearers of the Green film
at our 45th reunion with the gravelly tones of SEAVER PETERS as narrator.
One of life’s finer experiences must be receiving accolades for past
deeds after you have “left the building.” In June, the Hartford Courant (CT)
ran an article on “Successful Cities - Portland, Maine”. Under the headline
“Three Key Players in Portland’s Turnaround”, it began: “A wealthy
patron, a visionary arts school president and an inspired city manager played
crucial roles in Portland’s turnaround” The visionary was ROGER GILMORE and
the praise is note-worthy: “Roger Gilmore, president of the private Maine
College of Art. He took a huge gamble by undertaking an $11 million conversion
of the deserted Porteous department store into space for the college. The
college completed renovations on its striking new quarters in 1996. The move
proved to be a masterstroke, inducing other arts groups and retailers to locate
downtown. By adding more than 400 full-time students to the retail core, the
college contributed to the city’s rebound.” Such daring moves require strong
innards (guts) because if the project doesn’t work, you’re still going to be
in the news. Nice going Roger!
BARBARA and DICK BARKER welcomed a new granddaughter, Lydia Davis Barker,
into the clan on July 9th. Their last grandchild was born 18 years ago, so let
the partying begin! Talk about your “spoiling” potential.
The September newsletter will contain far fewer references to the editor
- hey! I have an active life - OK? Also, with receipt of several ‘54
submissions for the 50th Book, there will be an excerpting of said sketches for
the purpose of drawing more and more of you to campus next June. Feel free to
copy me on your write-ups.
Former Military Intelligence Officers Ed Scott and Ron Dunton Relive Their Rowdy Hijinks in Japan Which Likely Endangered the Entire Free World
PGBarker54@aol.com
(203) 661-7611