Raconteur, bon vivant and wine baron JOE MESICS writes from the Por Que' Ranch:

"The outing which has become an annual event was at the lush, but not short, and not demanding Sebastopol Golf Club (No, not in Russia, but in Northern California). Our classmate, CARLISLE (KY) LEWIS was there challenging me. He now, through diligent efforts, plays to a commendable nine handicap, so even before I asked, he gave me - a once-a-year golfer, whether I need to or not - a stroke a hole! I should mention that Ky has yet to win money from me at this site.

Through seven holes we battled, even to the embarrassing point where he accused me of improving a lie. But number eight is where this story begins and where I witnessed golfdom's most timid shot (Ed. note - at this point Brother Mesics commented of the fits his *@!#%&* Royal was giving him). It is a very difficult par three, about 200 yards across a narrow pond that snuggles up against a tiny green that pitches down to the woods behind. A daunting golf shot on any course. Ky had honors and, finding himself one down with two holes left, played it safe, hitting a three iron down the right side to avoid the wah-wah. With the psychology of the moment in mind (Chauncey Allen), I went for it, but sent a five wood on a high arc into the pond. The rest of my shots remain only academic and had little to do with the timid shot that followed. Our esteemed classmate next stroked a second shot safe in order to once again avoid the hazard, thus playing it safe twice on the same hole! By this time he had the hole kind of surrounded or smothered, depending on how you view it, pitched on and two-putted for his five.

I ask you, classmates, who the hell taught us Dartmouth men to golf this way? Not F. Cudsworth Flint, not Tuss or even Fletcher. You can understand what many years of the flighty living in San Diego apparently does to the granite of New Hampshire, implanted in both our muscles and our brains a half-century ago. Who won the money? Ask Ky."

LARRY and JEAN TAYLOR hosted a mini-mini reunion on July 8 at "Camp Rest-a-While" at their place on Squam Lake, NH for '54s living or summering in the immediate area. It was "Hamburgers at the Taylors" on a beautiful day with views of the lake and Mt. Chocorua. Larry's old roommates, BILL BRYAN (of Nostalgic Adventures fame) and ROGER GILMORE were also on hand. TOM KELSEY presented Larry and Bill with an official copy of The Dartmouth February 17, 1953 edition, covering their memorable "Lost on Moosilauke" adventure. See back page for the assemblage. Larry has extended an open invitation to other '545 who find themselves in the Squam Lake area.

TOM HALL's request for the lyrics to a scurrilous ditty starting "Oh, once in Alexandria, wicked Alexandria" prompted, spontaneously, one of the most remarkable "re~connective" episodes in the history of the Class:

-on June 15, DON SIMONDS emailed that he remembered LARRY MARTZ constantly singing it from across the hall in New Hampshire Hall.

-on June 27, Tom emailed thanks to Larry for the words, expressing gratification over the lasting fellowship of the Class and positing that he intended to use the song at a post-prandial sing-along at a symposium of New Testament scholars.

-on June 30, LEITY TERRILL forwarded the words to Thais (the song's proper name) to Tom. Lefty remembered hearing Charlie Tremblay '52 singing the ditty on the Freshman Trip to Moosilauke and, over the years, became so proficient at singing it that he was often in demand at beer busts. Unable to unearth it, he sat down and, from his 50 years-later-memory, wrote out the thirteen verses. Tom reported only two or three variations from Larry's version - two of which he liked better.

-on July 15, Tom thanked LUKE CASE for sending him the official version from the songbook along with the music..

- on July 17, Tom forwarded copies of all the versions to the battalion of contributors. He added that GORDY NICHOLS had also learned Thais on the Freshman Trip. In an interesting biblical reference, Tom marveled over the memories that spanned 50 years -"ten years more than from the crucifixion to Mark's gospel (first written)".

-your editor also remembers a raucous banjo playing '53, one Bob Heilmann, singing Thais in the third floor halls of South Mass.

All in all, a wonderful coming together of the Class. Let's come up with another request that can get the Class in satisfying action mode.

The reprinting of Vox Clamantis and Dessert, SANDY GILLESPIE's tour-de-force of '54 recipes presented at the 40th reunion is a go! The price is $31.50 a copy, including shipping and packaging. Make the check out to Dartmouth 1954 Reunion and send it to PETE BARKER, 111 Parsonage Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Well, we did it again! Beat our Alumni Fund target handily. RICK HARTMAN smooth-talked us into kicking in $317,245 versus a challenging goal of $307,000. Not unexpectedly, the Great Glass of 1954 won the Green Derby with a participation of 70% of the Class. We have gotten the message that the College needs our help to maintain its prominence and there is no doubt that our leadership will continue. The level of participation was particularly elevated due to some "beating of the bushes". A prime bush-beater was a '54 who found his way back into the fold after a period of straying – one FERRIS 'TOMMY' THOMPSON. "Tucson Tommy" took on the job of contacting classmates who had not been heard from or who had not given to the Fund in years. Armed with an affinity to sleep and a seemingly unending supply of free telephone minutes, Tommy managed to badger, cajole and weasel contributions from a ragtag corps of terrific '54s who only needed a little prodding. Now, uniess you're up for more 3am calls from The Tom, make early plans for thoughtful giving in the 2000/2001 campaign.

A great deal of mail has been received relative to the Class turnout at the memorial service for ROD ROCKEFELLER. DICK PAGE and JON MOORE, plus several others listed many more than were listed in the last newsletter. Present were: DAVE MANDELBAUM, BOB ADNOPOZ, RALPH DESTINO, PETE GEITHNER, TOM KELSEY, JERRY GOLDSTEIN, JAY DAVIS, DAVE MCLAUGHLIN, LO-YI CHAN, VIC MAHLER, KENT KLINEMAN, DAVE METZ, ART RAUCH, and DICK and JON. Jim Wright and Linda Fowler represented the College. A fitting tribute and a marvelous demonstration of the dedication of the Class of 1954. In Jon's words: "indeed an elegant, celebratory and somber occasion with fine remembrances, especially by Rod's four children, and prayers and lovely music.

Apparently, as a part of his agreement with the Feds (the Witness Protection Program), Class President RICHARD "Rough Dog" LEWIS is required to change his address on a regular basis. Typical of his diabolical nature, he , abetted by his moll, AUDREY, has complied, but not moved!   The Lewis Compound in Cape Elizabeth, Maine still stands, but the address has changed from 565 Ocean House Rd. to 23 Kettle Cove Road 04107. It is rumored that Dick, in the style of Sammy the Bull, is doing black market auditing. On a separate note, the Prez was, once again, intercepted by the harbor police with contraband lobsters in hand. And, once again, his cajoling skills (remember the 1999 Alumni Fund?) prevailed. The harbor cop's now driving a BMW.

Gatherings of classmates with common interests are abounding (when was the last time you saw the word "abounding", if ever?). Actually, it's a positive thing, getting elderly men out into the fresh air, giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves and the elements. While some naysayers scoff, there is a growing sentiment that physical activity, combined with conviviality, is a proven life extender. Here we are talking about golfing, fishing, skiing and, likely, activities which have yet to be considered, like shot-putting. Alright - golf. The baton (or perhaps the putter) has been passed to PETE SCHENCK to keep the momentum of a regular coming 4ogether of '545 in Florida in pursuit of the elusive par. A recent note from Pete included all the details: "The second ’54 Golf Jamboree/Outing will be held next year from Sunday, February 25th, through Thursday, March 1st It will be at the same location as last year, The Plantation Inn in Crystal River, FL 17 classmates, some with spouses, attended last year and all had a great time. The schedule of events will be very similar. Check in at the Inn on Sunday with dinner on your own that night On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a short golf clinic in the morning for all who are interested, followed by some time on the practice range. Golf will be arranged at three different area course following lunch. Prices for golf wilt be in the $35 to $45/person range, including cart. Following golf, there will be social/cocktail hours, then dinner in small groups at the Inn or local restaurants. Breakfasts and lunches are on your own. 30 standard rooms have been reserved at the Inn at very reasonable prices of $85/night. A wonderful opportunity to get away from the cold, play a little gold and connect with classmates. Call the Inn directly at 1-8O~ 632~262 to make reservations; be sure to mention the Dartmouth Class of 1954 for the special rate. Any questions, call Pete Schenck at 1-813-855-1998 or email at PRSD54@aol.com. So far, the following have signed up: Berlin, Galper, Gray, Hartman, Haynes, Keller, Kelsey, R. Lewis, Osmond, R. Page, H. Rockefeller. Schenck and Tofias. Let's do it!"

Now - skiing! From JAY DAVIS: "Our Aspen ski week next year will begin Monday, March 5th, arriving Sunday the 4th or earlier in Aspen. Also, I, along with some '53s, have signed up for a Val d'Isere France ski trip with and through Penny Pitou Travel in Laconia, NH (penny@pennypitou travel. corn). Dates February 2 through the 10th, 2001. Openings may still be available for those interested."

And lastly, fishing. Trustee Emeritus PAGE supplied an unusable photograph (they're all in shades, looking like a mob meeting) of the 1954 Fly Fishing Team at their July outing in Labrador. Pictured were: Heston, R. Lewis, Ankeny, R. Page, Adams, Woolf and R. Levine. Waxing eloquent, SHELLEY WOOLF intoned: "Labrador -where the sun never sets and the fish never rise".

Completing the athletic endeavors of the Class, editor PETE BARKER conned GAIL into combining their 23rd wedding anniversary and the Granite State Games in Laconia, NH. Having qualified for the 2001 National Senior Games in the shotput and discus in Connecticut, thrower Barker assumed that the javelin qualification would be a snap in Laconia. Wrong! 17 competitors in the 65-69 age group, most averaging 250 pounds. The fourth place ribbons were off-set by the reunion-quality camaraderie of elder throwers who see each other at meets all over New England during the summer. The weekend was capped by a most pleasant stay on Lake Winnipesaukee.

While we have our calendars out, mark down December 13 at The Pillar House for the holiday luncheon in Boston and December 14th at the Yale Club in New York~ The mini-reunion at Homecoming (October 27-29) will follow the usual patterns established by The JOHN over the years: 5:45 pre-parade cocktails in the Hayward Lounge, followed by the parade Friday night; ~10:30 class meeting in Thayer Saturday meeting; pre-game lunch with Marys in front of the Alumni Gym; game begins at noon because of television; post-game conviviality in the Faculty Lounge 3:30-5; then, cocktail hour at 6:30 and Inn-catered dinner at the Montshire Museum in Norwich. All this for $54 a head to John Gillespie 102 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. All of this has been repeated in a mailing to '54s in the East.

The annual MILTON SIMS KRAMER award was presented to SHEBA, a campus organization which directs its energies to community-building through development of collaborations and connections between the myriad groups on campus. Selected by the Dean, SHEBA had $750 deposited into its campus account for further support of its activities. Milt gained some recognition in the June Alumni Magazine for his 1954 valedictorian opening: "After four years, we are here to acknowledge that 550 horses have been brought to the trough".

The request for input from experiences from 50th high school reunions was answered by PERRY DAVIS, JOE MESICS, NORM VEASEY and DON SIMONDS. The range of observations was as broad as the Class of 1954- hooking up with a "girl" who wouldn't supply the time of day in 1950 to a seminar on ethics, to nametags, to the careful selection of who is allowed to get to the microphone. Input appreciated.

The GEORGE HASKINS greeted their ninth grandchild in July. He retired from his second career as a residential real estate appraiser in February, then took IRENE off on a major trip to Costa Rica and Panama, including the Canal. Having obviously studied the art of retirement, George now holds claim to a condo on Seabrook Island, SC where they will spend 3/4 months a year, thoroughly enjoying the longer golf season, relative to Rochester.

ALAN (LEFTY) and SAL TERRILL left few spots unvisited in Europe last Spring. Girding their loins with a quick visit in Rhode Island, they had a warm reunion in Belgium with a foreign exchange student they had hosted in the early '80s and his family. After trooping Brugge, Ghent and Antwerp, they trained to London for a fiv~ day Terillathon of activity. Lastly, to use up the energy still remaining, they joined a three-week tour around England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland with 19 Australians, 4 Canadians and 2 "citizens of the nation of Texas". Certainly a long way from Boise.

The replacement of a hip and a knee did not even begin to slow down our Class Dancer, BILL GROVER. In addition to being back on the doubles tennis courts, he managed three fascinating cruises since last fall. In November, as a "dance host" with a dancers' group, he did a week around the Hawaiian Islands aboard the American-Hawaiian Line's ship, the 55 Independence. With the same group, he cruised a week in the Caribbean on the Norway (the old 55 France). April brought a week's tour on the Norwegian Majesty from Boston to Bermuda and back. Next November brings a trip between Barcelona and San Juan. When not sea-borne, Bill does "lots of ballroom" and tour guiding and directing in the Boston area. Can you imagine the stories this man could tell?

NICK DEAN surfaced long enough to grump about the use of the '54 mailing list to promote causes and campaigns. When queried by mail, he emailed an unprintable but clever response. He probably would object to the publishing of his email address, but here it is anyway: ndean@wiscassetnet.

Newly situated MIKE BIGGS offered the following: "We love Placerville, even though it's a bit out in the boondocks. I think I'm the only Dartmouth grad in town, so we won't be starting an alumni dub here. The town has quite a history - gold was discovered just eight miles from here in January 1848 and in its early years, Placerville boasted such future luminaries as Captain Ulysses S. Grant, Lt. William T. Sherman, Mark Twain, John Studebaker, Phillip Armour and Mark Hopkins. Forgot to mention getting a Christmas card from Sheila TOWLE Bost. She said her cousin JOHN and Family were living in Hawaii under assumed names, address unknown." Mike's new address was reported earlier, but here's his email address again: Mhbiggs @worldnet.att.net

Walking out of a hotel in Lasha, a stop on a tour of China and Tibet, BILL and ROSEMARIE MURANE encountered MEAD and CAROL METCALF, deeply involved in a negotiation for a carving. Mead promised the craftsman a prime table at The Crystal Palace on his next visit to Aspen and walked off with the piece at a very nice price. Bill continues to ignore the passage of time and is still trying cases for his firm in Denver.

NORM VEASEY's 50th reunion at Peddie School drew classmates DICK GRASSEY and CHARLIE REED, plus '55 DOUG MELVILLE. As part of the reunion program, they had an in-depth seminar on Ethics (legal, medical and global). In a previous newsletter, it was noted that Norm had received the Professionalism and Ethics Award from the American Inns of Court. In response to a raucous suggestion that he was getting trophies from motel chains, Judge Veasey supplied a description of the organization and its purposes which is fascinating: "Founded in 1980, the American Inns have become the fastest-growing legal organization in the country with over 275 chapters - known as Inns - and nearly 19,000 members. Each Inn has members ranging from law students to lawyers and judges with decades of experience. At each meeting, members conduct a program which illustrates an ethical dilemma or problem and then discuss the implications of decisions which may be made in response to the situation. Each inexperienced member is assigned a mentor. The Inns provide real-life situational analysis of ethics and professionalism, expanding on classroom learning." Sounds like a fine institution from which to receive an award.

A rather stodgy '55 in Grantham, NH appears to agree with JOEL LASKY's "grow up" advice to alums who continue to caterwaul over actions taken decades ago (Sept 1 Oct Alumni Magazine), but chides the '54 gadfly for "throwing gasoline on the fire" by writing his opinion. Keep it up, Joel!

Shot-putter Adam Nelson pulled out the best throw in the world in 2000 on his last try at the Olympic trials to move into the first slot ahead of some tough veterans. His 72'-plus heave was an Olympics trials record. At the Hanover Relays a few years back, your editor was privileged to have this potential gold medalist shagging shots for him in the Masters competition.

DAVE MCLAUGHLIN, a resident of New Hampshire, has been appointed chair of a blu~ribbon tax commission to ponder possible state revenue streams, including an income tax. Better hit those factory outlet stores and state liquor stores on the way home from Homecoming! The governor has dedared everything fair game.

GUY THOMAS GAY

Tom joined us from Taft School in 1950. He passed away in late 1998, notice being received from Taft. His having been in the "lost" category for decades has left us with no information. Classmates who knew Tom are requested to forward thoughts and recollections.

A native New Jerseyan, Bill split his college years between Hanover and Rutgers, where he picked up an AB and a JD. His entire military service of two years was spent at Fort Dix. He then married JANICE, settled down in Monmouth County, NJ, entered private practice and raised four children. Tremendously active in his community, Bill included the interviewing of promising applicants to Dartmouth. His entry in "Reflections" bears reading.

In 1987, the Maddens moved to Fort Myers, FL where Bill joined a local law firm with which he practiced until taken down by the onset of cancer in 1999. An 18-month battle with the disease, including some serious misdiagnosis ended on June 1 of this year. "Truly a lesson in courage and strength", according to Janice. He leaves four children and two grandchildren. Janice is at 14611 Glen Cove Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919-7456.