An adventure worthy of a television special was reported in the February 17, 1953 Dartmouth. Under the headline: "Sopping Rescuers Stalk Men 'Lost' in Dry Cabin", the following: "Sunday night, 11:45, 16 men met in the Dartmouth Outing Club offices to sketch a rescue operation: JOSEPH C. SMUTNIK, Jr. '54 and LAWRENCE D. TAYLOR '54 were missing on Mt. Moosilauke.

'John Green '53, PETER ROBINSON '54, WILFRED BRYAN '54, CHARLES A. WESCOTT '54 and the two of us had climbed the mountain on Saturday night.

'The weather was clear, every star visible.

'Sunday at noon we started down. We couldn't see five feet, had to crawl on our hands and knees because of a 100-mile-an- hour wind. We headed for the Craaige Road and the Undergraduate Cabin at the bottom of the mountain.'

'I was shouldering a pair of skis', interrupted Bryan. 'Every time I stood up, the wind slammed me down. I felt like a pebble. Taylor, my roommate, grabbed one ski and I kept the other. He kept yelling at me to 'wait up'. but my ski acted like a sail. I lost sight and sound of him. I didn't see him again for 18 hours.

'Robinson, Green, Westcott and I were blown to the other side of the mountain - 180 degrees off our course. We thought we were still heading for the Undergraduate Cabin.

'I kept kicking steps in the ice so the other three guys could walk, but my boots fell apart. We slid down 1500 feet - hit bottom at 6 p.m., realized where we were and headed for Benton, NH.

'Smutnik and Taylor had disappeared, I was scared stiff that they were still on top.'.

But Smutnik and Taylor weren't 'on top'.

'After Bryan blew away, we decided to crawl below Timberline,' Taylor explained. 'We found rock cairns and followed them to the Undergraduate Cabin'.

Meanwhile, William A. King '53 and Richard M. Sanders '56, on their way to Hanover, found the hikers' car abandoned. They went to a nearby farm and, through a grapevine of county sheriffs, learned that only four men were 'safe'. At 8:45, they called Roland B. Leavens '53, president of the DOC.

'I sent a four-man crew with radio out at midnight in the rain,' Leavens explained later. 'I waited until 6 a.m., didn't hear from them and sent three more crews out Smutnik and Taylor were found fast asleep and safe.'

'Later, I asked Taylor if he'd had enough winter mountaineering. 'Hell no!,' he said 'I'm off to Franconia next week’"'

Class eclectic TOM HALL writes from Foster, RI: "I'm enjoying a gratifyingly busy retirement after 35 years of teaching English, having gotten corralled into sermonizing on a regular basis and editing manuscripts for a number of New Testament scholars in this country and abroad. So far, six books and several articles. REQUEST. I am desirous of getting hold of a copy of the words to a mildly scurrilous ditty that began 'Oh, once in Alexandria, in wicked Alexandria', and recounted the ill-fated adventures of an Egyptian belly dancer and a young monk. I think it was in a DOC song book. Does anyone have the lyrics, or know where to find them?" 23 Anthony Road, Foster, RI 02825; (401) 647-2925; next-door son's email - Twh3rd@aol.com

Our second-hand information on the demise of BOB DRAWBAUGH turned out to be Mark Twainish (the reports of my death As requested, several classmates sprang into action on the case and determined that Bob, although still estranged from anything resembling Dartmouth, is, indeed, alive. BOB PRICE, JOHN HESTON and DON SWANSON each approached the investigation from different angles and it was Bob Price who learned from a Drawbaugh son that his dad is living in the far West. Good news.

TED NOVASCONE really has it all together: "We are building a new home at the same local PGA West, but on a different golf course - there are six courses in the development. We have our first male grandson (Ed. aren't all grandsons males?) as of March in nearby San Diego, so we are dose enough to spoil him. Most of our time is spent on the golf course or traveling here and abroad. This summer we will cruise the Baltic for the first time - it's been 45 years since I was last in Copenhagen. Still have the currency converter and the American Express touring guide, soit will be fun to see how much things have changed from my Air Force days".

Fiscal conservative JOHN STEEL is on a roll toward a potential seat in the California Assembly, representing the District in and around San Diego, CA. His unsuccessful campaign of six years ago has given him the positive impetus of name recognition. He won his primary handily and is now scheming to unseat the incumbent Democrat. John's credits and platform positions are attractive. His legendary tenacity gives him promise and, rest assured, the State Assembly will not be his last political stop if he gains the seat. (619) 27~1606; johnsteel78@aol .com

Ted Novascone spotted the following in the San Diego Union- Tribune on May 8: "Steel follows doctor's orders, wins her fifth 50s title. Tennis championships are won on tennis courts, but what SUELLA STEEL of La Jolla experienced off the court yesterday at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club bore importantly on her subsequent victory. 'My husband got after me', said Steel, of La Jolla. 'He said to forget about winning and losing and to get out there and play like you play'. When Dr. John Steel offered this counsel, his wife and her opponent were tied, a set apiece in the final of the women's 50 division of the National Hardcourt Championships. With the advice in mind, Steel proceeded to play an almost flawless third set in winning the women's 50 event for a record fifth time, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. Suella Steel's ambition, as she has detailed it, is to be ranked No. 1 nationally in the age group for women 60. but she was not without incentive yesterday. She hopes to represent the United States in the Maria Bueno Cup, an international event for women 50 and older." It's nice that the Steels have both found something to do in their declining years.

It's always heartening to spot a '54 mention in another class's newsletter. In a letter to '55s latest edition from Jim Tremblay, the name of PETE GUTLON was prominent as a member of the Pittsfield (MA) Country Club. Not all that newsworthy, but you takes 'em where you finds 'em.

Editor PETE BARKER (me) continues to pursue acting as a senior activity. An April Newsweek article about baby-boomers featured a photograph of him waving backward at a mansion that would theoretically become his baby-boomer kid's inheritance. GAIL insisted that an email be distributed broadly, stating: (1) it was not Pete's suit he was wearing (garish), and (2) the elderly woman standing next to him was not Gail. '54s turned out in support of the actor's New York stage performance as a doddering 70-year old, lapsing in and out of fantasy (type casting). Attending were: the STEINBERGs, the BARTONs, the BOB LEVINEs, the JAY DAVISs and the DUTCH OUDHEUSDENs and friends. The proffered reasons for not coming were inventive: distant cousin JOHN CUNNINGHAM was busy being a Tony award nominator; cousin DANA LOW quickly grabbed a backpack and decided to gobble up another 350 miles of the Appalachian Trail; BOB CLEMENTS claimed to have missed his plane. Didn't matter - we had full houses anyway.

The New York Times ran an article on the origin, procedures and other details of the Tony Awards. John Cunningham's name was listed as one of the 24 nominators appointed for three-year terms. The qualifications for a Broadway show to be considered for the award are quite stringent. A nominator must attend a performance of each show that is eligible for nomination. After the nominations are decided, some 705 voters cast ballots for the winners of each category. The article toted up the number of free tickets involved for nominators and voters and determined that a show’s producer had to set aside approximately $100,000 of non-revenue producing tickets. The final sentence stated: "As any producer will tell you, the theater business is not for the faint of heart". Particularly when you suspect that your show hasn't much of a shot at an important award.

The response to the query as to whether we should print up another 50 copies of "Vox Clamantis and Dessert", the 40th reunion Class cookbook, has been strong. Strong enough to prompt JOHN GILLESPIE to retrieve the raw materials from his new garage in Bar Harbor, ME and go into production. We're talking $25 a copy, plus shipping (don't know about the infamous handling"). If you are interested - make great, inexpensive gifts - let us know on a Greencard.

Head Agent RICK HARTMAN faces the usual June ritual of tracking down the gifts needed to make our Class target of $307,000. The legendary generosity of the '54 clan has brought us a good way toward the goal, but we need to hear from those who have not yet sent their gifts to Dartmouth. Remember - in order to count, the cash must be in Hanover no later than June 30. The College's needs are real, we have a terrific guy running the place and as a Class, we should be providing a magnificent salute to DICK PAGE's last days in office as a Trustee of the College.

The Aspen ski trip in late February was very successful and ended up gathering many more '54s than were "officially" on the trip. JAY DAVIS reports: "Six '54s headed out to Aspen on February 26th to link up with the '53s for a ski week: TOM TYLER along with wife KATE, STEARNS MARTIN and wife PAT, DICK PEARL, ART RAUCH, TONY KANE and their leader/coordinator with the '53s, JAY DAVIS. While in Aspen, they found JOHN HEYN and his wife SALLY and drafted them into the group. The traveling squad then enjoyed linking up with two '54 locals: PETE and MARGIE ANKENY, who invited the entire traveling group into their spacious and beautiful Snowmass home for a lovely dinner, and MEAD METCALF, who couldn't abandon The Crystal Palace, but charmed the group with his distinctive piano stylings at dinner. All in all, it was five wonderful days of skiing and five nights of Dartmouth-type socializing with upwards of 40 people. Toward the end, there was a unanimous vote to repeat the event in Aspen next year concurrent with the '53 event and to make it a mini-reunion, i.e., inviting the entire Class to join the fantastic skiing in Aspen and Dartmouth camaraderie. Dates will be forthcoming so that early reservations can be made. Stay tuned."

A press release from The Administrative Office of the Courts, State of Delaware: "Chief Justice E. NORMAN VEASEY of the Delaware Supreme Court will be awarded the Alumni Award of Merit from the University of Pennsylvania Law School on Friday, May 19, 2000, for his noteworthy professional achievements and strong support of the Pennsylvania Law School. The purpose of the award is to spotlight the notable achievements of members of the Law School f amily whose careers have added luster to the reputation of Penn Law and to recognize and thank publicly alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and support of Penn Law. Currently, Chief Justice Veasey is President of the national Conference of Chief Justices and Chair of the ABA Special Committee on the Evaluation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (Ethics 2000). He is also a director of the Institute for Law and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. In 19%, he received the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award for Professionalism & Ethics by the American Inns of Court.

To give you a flavor of the doings on campus, here are some headlines from the Dartmouth from mid-April through mid-

May:

CAMPUS REACTS TO YESTERDAY'S TRUSTEE INIT~VE DECISIONS

-CFSC (Coed Fraternity Sorority Council) pleased with majority of report, but criticizes pieces

-Unsurprised students say Trustees ignored their input

-Taps, fall rush out; clusters in

-Faculty says Board missed opportunities to go further

-ORL Dean will also look into first-year housing, eliminating crunches

-Women disappointed with Board decisions

COMMUNIST LEADER SPEAKS AT TABARD
-Party head urges students to join cause

INITIATIVE PRICE TAG MAY EXCEED $IOOM

PHYSICIST TO GIVE GRADUATION ADDRESS
-Baseball legend Aaron to receive honorary degree

STUDENTS LUKEWARM TOWARD GRADUATION SPEAKER

GAMMA DELT FACES COLLEGE SANCTIONS
-Phi Delt derecognized after similar hearing
-Greeks close party door more often
-College cracks down on terrorism

COLLEGES NOW FACE OWN ADMISSIONS NAIL-BITING
-Schools await admitted students' decisions

SKIWAY LODGE WILL BE DEMOLISHED TODAY

Before the Trustees announced their decisions on the Student Life Initiative, the Dartmouth never had a slow news day.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mime often took some kidding about his home address of "Signal Mountain" in the midst of the more suburban homes of his classmates. Following Baylor School, where he spread his energies among athletics, cheerleading, honors, writing and politics, his time with us was equally diverse: the DCAC, Yacht Club, an English major and an active member of the Delta Tau Delta house. Milne was one of the very few mentioned in the Aegis house writeups: "grades had no sooner come out than the threesome of Berry, Holton and Archibald had the play selected, cast and rehearsals started". As did many '54s, he sought out the law as an avenue of study at Harvard, then "following that brief excursion, retreated to the university", picking up a Yale MA in English, then a Phd in American Literature. What came after was a most extraordinary life of exploration, travel and expansion of the life of the mind.

Milne and Sylvia, a Yale English professor were married in 1964. The yen to further experience Europe found them in Uppsala, Sweden for a year on his first Fulbright grant. In 1970, it was Skopje, Macedonia, then Belgrade in 1980 on an IREX grant, where Milne studied Serbo-Croatian. During this period, he also wrote and lectured on the works of Stephen Crane, Robert Lowell, Hart Crane and Ezra Pound. The fascination with Eastern European poetry and prose and the lack of its exposure to English-speaking audiences spurred him to collaborate with many European

colleagues, all of whom became close friends. He edited and translated collections of Macedonian, Polish, Austrian and Serbian poetry, plus Macedonian short stories. His translation of Waterlings poems by Veno Taufer, will be published in August 2000.

Following retirement from the University of Maryland in June 1999, Milne and Sylvia continued their traveling ways and had planned to leave for a Fulbright grant semester, teaching in Moravia only three days before his death.

When asked about Milne's hobbies, Sylvia said: "None. He enjoyed talking, eating, drinking and the house in the South of France". A marvelous and fulfilling life.

Sylvia: 517 A St. SE, Washington, DC 20003, (202) 547-8052

RODMAN CLARK ROCKEFELLER   May 14, 2000

One of a dozen rough and tumble graduates of Deerfield Academy, Rod came to campus in the Fall of 1950 with the burden of his heritage on his shoulders. During his college years and in his relationships with the Class since, he transcended the family name and fortune and was just "Rod". A swift and virulent form of cancer snatched him from us only recently.

At Dartmouth, he balanced a rigorous pursuit of international economics and a Phi Beta Kappa key with an active participation in the activities of the DU house. His 2-year Army service in Germany gave rise to a virtual half page of commentary in "Reflections": "I cannot help but appreciate the value of my military experience in enabling me to make the transition from college student to adult"; " . dearly provided the beginning, the undergirding of a sense of responsibility and a awareness of the value of personal authority". He lamented the end of the military draft as a loss to the strength, spirit and worth of the nation.

Rod's life was devoted to improving the United States' position in international commerce - particularly in Latin America. As a senior executive of the International Basic Economy Corporation, he was instrumental in solidifying trade with Mexico and Brazil. Passage of NAFTA was regarded as the culmination of his lifelong efforts. Additionally, Rod was involved in the leadership of organizations developing and promoting commercial genetics and agribusiness, plus the construction of thousands of low-cost homes in Mexico.

Myriad diverse activities filled his life, ranging from family holdings to the Museum of Modern Art to the restoration of Monticello. Rod was generous to his College and a strong supporter of our Class. His opening of the Playhouse at Pocantico Hills and the Roxy Rockefelt apartment at Radio City Music Hall provided marvelous impetus to our 25th reunion.

Rod is survived by his wife, Sascha, four children and five grandchildren. The Class was well represented at his June 1 memorial service by DAVE MCLAUGHLIN, BOB ADNOPOZ, JOHN GILLESPIE, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, JOHN HESTON, DAVE METZ, JAY DAVIS, DAVE MANDELBAUM, RON LEHRMAN and DICK PAGE. JIM WRIGHT represented the College.

DICK DAVIDOFF has a new address: 305 East 83rd Street, #2G, New York, NY, 10028; (212) 517-259. Make the change in your Class directory.

In addition to the graduation speaker,

Shirley Jackson, and Hank Aaron, honorary degrees were also awarded to former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and J.K. Rowling, the author of the popular "Harry Potter" books.

Your editor is chairing his 50th high school reunion in Summit, NJ in October. Since virtually all '54s will hit the 50 year mark this year, it would be appreciated if any unique aspects - those things that brought a special twist to the occasions - were forwarded via Greencard. Also, effective ways for finding people. Credit will be given.

In a New York Times article on the demise of Bradford College, it was noted that: "In 1960, about half the nation's students were at liberal arts colleges; today, about 17 percent are. "Looks like Dartmouth College, in spite of the unfounded caterwauling about its becoming a university, continues to be the place to go. Paraphrasing Rod Rockefeller's comment on the military experience₁ the College enables young people to make the transition from high school student to thinking adult.

ED SCOTT reached CLYDE ROACH's widow, BARBARA, in Salem, OR: "We had a brief chat on the phone and she remembered she and Clyde picking me off the sidewalk after I had been slipped a mickey in a Baltimore bar while we were students at the CIC school at Ft. Holabird. Won't be at the 50th, but sends message - 'have fun!"'.