54’s IN TOWN AGAIN!

Nelson Armstrong ‘71, Director of Alumni Affairs, before hundreds of alumni, declared the night the 107th celebration of Homecoming - a tradition established in 1890 to both draw alumni back to campus to revel in memories and nostalgia and to introduce the freshman class to why Dartmouth is what it is. Doing some quick math makes it the 51st Homecoming for the Class of 1954.

We did the usual drinks/nibbles in the Hayward Lounge and wander-down toward the gym to line up for the parade. Similar to Class Notes in the Alumni Magazine, we are moving closer and closer to the front of the procession. The presentations before Dartmouth Hall featured more literate team captains and upbeat comments from Jim Wright and friends, followed by the bonfire. The "Sweep" of the campus to gather up all the freshmen produced a swarming of the Green by 1000+ kids reminiscent of a Monty Python scene. The bonfire was engineered to be both bright and safe and no evidence of it remained the next morning. The Dartmouth songs presented by the Glee Club were as melodious as ever, but dominated by soprano voices. We need to recruit more basses.

With JOHN GILLESPIE about to gain a new hip, JOHN HESTON soloed on the weekend’s arrangements and missed not a beat. The many ‘54s who share their homes in the area with other Classmates helped to swell the Class ranks to 30+. While we had the "usuals" and many new faces, the enigma of the absence of local ‘Ms continues. A puzzlement … solutions welcomed.

Waiting until his assembled Classmates were sufficiently sedated with coffee and sugared doughnuts, President DICK LEWIS exercised his famed mastery of the gavel and opened the Saturday morning Class meeting. We are such a variegated bunch of guys that this session should really be taped, some music added and shipped to all Classmates. We do business, but we also test the occasional limit.

PETE KENYON introduced our two most recent interns:

Charles Trumble ’02 – expanded an early introduction to Cuba (age 16) into a multi-faceted series of studies which ranged from involvement with an "enterprise optimization" project to a concentrated examination of prostitution on the island. His descriptions of the changes he noticed in the social/economic environments on each of his visits was fascinating. He is a Philosophy major with an eye toward law school.

The adventures of Christopher Kunke ‘02 took him to Alaska where he worked with a museum, developing programs, entertaining visiting school groups and taking advantage of his northerly location to do off-beat things, like being one of the only 40 people to view the annual gathering of brown bears.

Both Charles and Chris were effusive in their thanks to the Class for its support of interns.

JOHN HESTON introduced Karyn Caro ‘04, the class’s Secretary, who gave more details of their proposed half-century link with the 54s. She was well-prepared, compelling and exhibited a sense of humor in her presentation.

Mike Choukas ‘51, well-remembered head of Alumni Relations for years and for his hard-charging performance on the ice during our years on campus, asked for a contribution to a project to mount a permanent exhibit in Thompson Arena, commemorating the great days of Dartmouth hockey, a sport begun in 1905 on Occuin Pond and the Connecticut River. His request was approved, but not before one wag suggested that we "match what SEAVER puts in".

HARRY ROBINSON’s strong annual pronouncement of the Class’s solvency was followed by a discussion of giving consideration to varying our support of interns by inclusion of the Tucker Foundation and the Dickey Foundation.

DAVE MCLAUGHLIN, Chairman of the American Red Cross, spoke about the organization’s involvement in the aftermath of the tragedies of September 11th. A proposal for a Class donation to the relief fund was unanimously approved. Classmates were also afforded the opportunity to contribute additional funds by delivering checks to Treasurer Robinson. NOTE: a great deal of mail was

received by your editor about the WTC attack, including a copy of Dave’s "Ground Zero Site Visit" and JON MOORE’s ‘Treating the Roots of Terrorism". Contact your editor to receive copies.

We set another non-reunion year giving record for the Alumni Fund at $325,243. Four Classmates joined in on the BOB BERRY initiative at the $15,000 level for the Alumni Fund Scholarship Program. 345 Classmates ponied up for a participation of 67%. Head Agent RICK HARTMAN proposed a goal of $345,000 for 2002 and the assembled ‘Ms heartily endorsed it in addition to lauding Rick for his successful efforts. Our participation rate glows when compared to the College’s overall rate of 46%.

Our communal 70th birthday party is taking shape under the masterful touch of JERRY GOLDSTEIN. The venue/date question has narrowed to the idea of the Historic Hudson Valley near Tarrytown, NY - a Wednesday night start on September 18, 2002 and activities on Thursday and Friday which could include Hyde Park, the Culinary Institute, West Point, Rockefeller castle, a cruise, etc. Looking for a minimum of 25 couples (likely no problem) and a max of 50 couples. Party hearty!

Some other dates:

- ‘54 cruise of the Greek Isles, May 8-18,

                                  2002- room for four more couples - contact DON BERLIN (see additional info later)

- Skiing at Mt. Snow, January 14-15;

Aspen March 2-8. JAY DAVIS

-Possible Gettysburg-type trip: Quebec,

Montreal, New Orleans??

-Golf Jamboree at the Plantation Inn in Florida, February 24-28 - ALEX GRAY, leader.

-Labor Day couples trip to Megantic

Fishing Club - DICK PAGE

- Holiday luncheons - December 11 in

Boston (Quincy Marriott); December 12 in New York (Yale Club)

Lots of help being recruited for the 50th book in addition to leader DICK BARKER and

STEVE MULLINS and BILL WHITE: PAUL MARTIN, DAVE MARTIN, LARRY MARTZ.

Several other topics related to our 50th reunion were touched on and will be reported following the meeting of the Executive Committee on Cape Cod, November 6-8.

The meeting ended with JIM ADAMS being brought to the front where he outdid any of today’s stand-up comedians with a droll, perfectly timed description of the last competition between the ‘54 Fishing Team and our piscine friends.

The game, if nothing else, had many entertaining aspects:

-easy field goal missed ~2 yard line and goal-to-go - fumble

-24th quarter fumbles; 94 yard kick-off return

-73 yard punt; missed extra point

-a violin in the band; voluptuous flag-twirler in an evening dress

-a harmonica and kazoos in the band; cymbal-player in a jog-bra

In the late 70s, we all cheered as Pat Berry ‘81 led the entire freshman class on rushes of the field, to the delight of all. It’s now a crime. At half-time, a solitary ‘05 ran onto the field, straddled the 50-yard line and, almost monkey-like, pointed to his numerals and to the line marker. His dash to escape was given only a wave by the posted campus police. Fine - clever. Then, as the teams were warming up for the second half, another individual, wearing a mask and blond fright wig, ran on and wove in and out of the players. Apparently one is OK, but at two, the cops are to go into action. This young man ran into the tunnel where the teams come out and discovered himself blocked by locked doors. Four uniformed burlies hauled him out in cuffs to the boos of the crowd. In the ‘D" the perp claimed that the thought had just popped into his head and he went with it. Hard to explain the mask and wig. Cost him a fine and a lecture from his parents.

Saturday night dinner at the New Boathouse was made possible with the help of the Friends of Dartmouth Rowing, amongst whose numbers are DICK and JANE PAGE. Some 44 enjoyed an Inn-catered candle-lit meal in a luxurious setting. It was difficult to imagine sweaty scullers lounging in the same setting. DICK LEWIS took on the trappings of Ed Sullivan and introduced a series of his "helpahs" for informal comments. BARBARA and DICK BARKER were congratulated on their anniversary. In a delightful burst of spontaneity, JINNY POPE jumped to her feet and delivered a spirited thanks to the Class for the constant inclusion of wives and for its spirit in all things. A perfect ending.

Knowing that the reading of this letter always rides, to some degree, on people seeing their names mentioned, here is the list of those seen:

Jim/Joan Adams, Dick/Barbara Barker, Pete/Gail Barker, Bryce Bastian. Don/Barbara Berlin, Bob/Fay Berry, Brad Borden, Bob/Irene Clark, Barry/Mary Ann Cox, Jay/Martha Davis, Art/Toby Geller, Jerry/Dorothy Goldstein, Rick/Anne Hartman, John/Betty Heston, Tony Kane/Sona. Bob/Barbara Levine, Dana/Anne Low, David/Rosemary Mandelbaum, Dave Martin, David/Judy McLaughlin, Bob/Patsy Osmond, Carrie Peizel/Bruce, John/Jinny Pope, Dick/Jane Page, Harry/Carol Robinson, Jim/Nancy Stead, Dick/Marge Trowbridge and Wayne/Shelia Weil.

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SARGE JOYS checked in from Wisconsin. He and LUANN spend June-October in Wisconsin and the remainder of the year in Florida (directory section for email addresses). He sold his business and happily retired five years ago. The LuAnn/Sarge connection has been in place for 41 years. Joining his many bionic Classmates, he had a knee replaced this summer and has not missed a beat of his favorite pastimes of hunting, fishing and golf.

The reason we only spotted ART GELLER at the pre-parade party was that he and TOBY were leading a platoon of Gellers at the Homecoming festivities: sons Jay ‘82, DMS ‘86 and David ‘86, plus 6 grandchildren (3 to 9). Art didn’t mention it, but one would imagine that Jay and David’s wives were also along for shepherding duties. From 1963 through 1993, Art practiced Internal Medicine and Cardiology, primarily in Morristown, NJ where he was President of the Medical Staff and a member of the Board of Trustees at Morristown Memorial Hospital. He retired last year from the position of

Director of the Medical Clinic at AlliedSignal (Honeywell), Inc. His sons have followed him into the practice of medicine in distinctly different fields: Jay practices Dermatology and is also a Dermatopathologist while David does research in the fields of Nephrology (kidney disorders) and Hypertension at Yale. Art regularly takes money from DON BERLIN on local golf courses and he and Toby plan to winter at Longboat Key in Florida.

The November/December issue of the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine had two particular articles of interest. Under the category of alumni opinion, Regina Barreca 79 penned a piece entitled ‘The Ex-Wives Club" in which she makes a case for including ex-wives of classmates in Class activities in the same way we welcome widows. Take a look - she makes some telling points. An artide on Larry Leavitt ‘25 (dec.), cited as one of the College’s most loyal alumni, included many of the letters written home to his parents as he made his way through his four years. The hearts of all Phi Psis will be warmed at his joy of being tapped for his first choice - Phi Kappa Psi! Today’s Phi Psi is now a disaffiliated organization called the Panarchy, which recruits extraterrestials, leprechauns and goats.

The day before JOHN GILLESPIE got his new knee (doing fine, thank you), his daughter-in-law presented twin grandsons. The Halloween pair, Jack Haniill and Lucas Nathaniel Gillespie weighed 2 lbs - 7 oz and 1 lb - 12 oz. SANDY anticipates their tininess will keep them in the hospital some 2-3 months.

Two letters were received from TOM SAYLES over the past several months. The first contained an article from The Corporate Board: "Reflecfions On Smith v. Van Corkom’, by E. NORMAN VEASEY (available from editor). For those of you serving on corporate boards, it bears a look. Corporate directors have come under an increasing amount of scrutiny by shareholders and courts, putting directors more and more at risk of suit. Norm includes a list of his own aspirational "norms" for good practice. To avoid seeing that moving van pulling up in front of your house to begin removing all of your assets, you might want to read Judge Veasey’s suggestions. In his second note, Tom mentioned his sighting of Dr. DON BRIEF at a NJ Seniors golf tournament, looking great and not even contemplating retirement. Don was recently accorded the honor of being elected president of the New Jersey State Golf Association.

The Islands of the Gods - The Greek Islands and Turkey. A tour of the Greeks Isles aboard a luxury yacht in the company of only ‘54s. What could be better? The yacht Callisto accommodates 34 guests and all spaces have been reserved except for four couples. A few quotes: "All staterooms are exterior, each with a panoramic window. All cabins are air-conditioned and feature a marble-appointed private bath, telephone, radio, TV/VCR and refrigerator. Public areas include a spacious lounge, dining room surrounded by large windows and a gym. Two decks for sunning and dining alfresco, etc." History, beauty and the spirit of the isles are enjoyed through tours, visits and lectures on the Aegean. Starting in Athens, the trip concludes with a flight back to the US from Rhodes. A most unusual opportunity and value, spent in the company of friends. Contact DON BERLIN at home: (973) 267-8122, berlin1954@aol.com for more information and to make reservations.

Harry Robinson is an ancillary source of Class news, sending me the variety of notes he receives with dues checks. RON LEHRMAN penned a "best wishes" note to Harry on his law firm stationery on which the partner-listing letterhead consumes virtually half the page. BOB MCCARTNEY correctly pointed out that Dues are dues and the Mini-reunion amount and the Public Service/Athletic Sponsor numbers are donations. Right, but let’s keep those dues coming in. BOB BUCHANAN reported 29-degree temperatures at his and JANE’S Lyme cabin over the Columbus Day weekend -"brilliant nights and comfortable days - the river was gorgeous!"

In The Corporate Board Member magazine, fifty colleges and universities were ranked in an order reflecting the number of corporate directors of companies in the Dow 30 holding degrees from such institutions - must have been a slow news month. Dartmouth ranked l5th with 3l5 –216 BAs, 96 MAs and 3 PhDs.

FERRIS "TOMMY" THOMPSON was relieved of his gall bladder by arthroscopic surgery recently. He claims that, because of some cardiac irregularities, they slapped the defibrillator paddles on him a few times while he was conscious! "Suckers really hurt!"

JOEL LASKY provides the wisdom that the cost of a regular regimen of prescription drugs can be somewhat alleviated by working through the Veterans Administration. If you have put in some military service, you might want to contact Joel by email to get the details on applying. He also mentioned the fine property and casualty insurance available to former service members through USAA in San Antonio, TX. A fact unknown to some is that your dependents/offspring can also insure through USAA. It is an organization originally established with a simple goal of providing reasonably priced insurance to servicemen and ~omen. It now is in a wide variety of businesses from mutual funds to jewelry.

One more health care hint - the Johns Hopkins Medical Letter - Health After 50. It’s a monthly 8-pager that’s specifically for us old codgers. Check out www.hopkinsafter50.com

When DON and SALLIE AUSTERMANN returned to their North Carolina place from New

Hampshire, their email log contained 117 messages, including a certain joke six times by the same pass-alonger. October 1, they flew to Nice, toured Provence and Barcelona, then took the high speed train to Paris for three days before returning to Wilmington in time for Halloween.

Wordmeister and Assistant Managing Editor PAUL MARTIN of the Wall Street Journal, when asked about the "creeping prevalence" of today’s terms poster child and poster boy warned that the two terms have become something of a cliché for that old cliché, role model. OK, you have been warned.

In a thank you note for a contribution to Friends of Dartmouth Track and Field, coach Carl Wallin mentioned that the funds went toward sponsoring a visit to campus by one Brian McCarthy, a high school high jumper who had cleared 6’lO" this past spring. Brian’s now a member of the Class of 2005 and Carl suspects that he has a shot at breaking the College record of 7’114". By the way, included in our push toward our gift to the College in 2004, contributions to Friends organization and the professional schools will count!

Dick Jaeger ‘59 will step down as Director of Athletics in June 2002 after thirteen years in the job. Many of us likely had some contact with Dick and his minions during his 25-year tenure as Director of Admissions. His run in the athletic field included 43 Ivy League Championships. That list will not, unfortunately, have the 2001 football team appended to it.

Since the WTC attack in September, ED SCOTT has been railing loudly about the poor performance of his adopted country’s (Canada) in response to their southern neighbor’s plight. The press agreed with him - positive results.

KEN PULLEY’s memory will be honored with the naming of a Habitat House in Lima, Ohio. Habitat for Humanity was one of Ken’s many charitable activities and JOAN is truly pleased about the recognition of his efforts.

Dr. STAN ROSENBERG: ‘Tm still in Princeton with JAY CHANDLER and SAM TROCK. Sam is a retired doe and Jay and I are still working - both of us practicing and teaching Robert Wood Johnson Medical School students. I’m still enjoying it. My wife and kids never listen to me, but the medical students do and so do my patients. Fm afraid to retire - then no-one will listen to me. My wife BETSY and I just got back from a safari in southern Africa. We were chased by hippos, elephants and lions. One lion almost got Betsy - quite exciting. Travel seems quite safe now - everyone is very encouraging to Americans and the planes are nearly empty. I wasted money on a Business class upgrade because all the economy passengers had entire rows! Best regards to all." Wonder if Betsy thought the pursuing lion was "exciting".

Dr. WES DINGMAN: ‘Having previously raised sheep, learned to dye her wool with dyes from wild mushrooms and to spin, my wife NOEL is now becoming a weaver. After retiring from an administrative and clinical psychiatric practice in 1999, I’m attempting to begin a career in writing, with a focus on science articles for children. I’ve had a little success to date, but I have a lot to learn. We’re also planning to move to the Adirondacks (if we can sell our house here in Adamstown, MA)". No moss growing on the Dingmans!

STEVE MULLINS is likely the most active creature in our Class. He’s a fanatic about anything that gets on his "neat things to do" list and pursues them with a vengeance: ‘The New York flagship of my realty company emerged from its decade of problems, enabling me to become 42% retired (3 days minus a fe~ hours a week). More time to pursue Toby Jugs -developing a building to house the now 4000 Jugs in an expanded Jug museum. Trading jugs on eBay has brought many new email friends from England, France and other countries. During last 12 months, CAROL and I have traveled through 21 countries, mainly by auto and plane. Maybe 50 one- or two-night stands. Just finished a 4 week, 3000 mile driving tour of Spain, Portugal, Madeira and Andorra. Plan to make the World Masters Swim Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand in March via Fiji, Tonga and Sydney. In 2003, we are shooting for Patagoma and Antarctica to complete the 6-continent swing. Thanksgiving will be the first time Carol and I have been joined by our three UNMARRIED kids in our Norwich, VT home.

Our newly finished home in Harbert, MI (Chicago’s Hamptons) will sleep as many ‘54s as ever happen to come our way." The man (and Carol) is a wonder!

A bouncy note from PETE GUTLON: "Everything’s been going well for the Gutlons and we are now, for the first time, proud grandparents of a beautiful baby girl. Her father is SUE’s son who, with his wonderful wife, live in Jerusalem. Because of the great distance, we will not have the joy of seeing them often. Sue suggested that, on our way to our place in Highland Beach, FL, we should go via Israel! Challenging, since I’m taking only a week off at a time from the Canyon Ranch, but who knows! We have become friendly with JIM and JANE DAVIDSON, who live year-round in Boca Raton. Jim was in our Class, but left early to join the service, then came back to finish Florida telephone number: (561) 620-9928. Friends welcome in both Florida or the Berkshires."

At a Cape Cod D Club meeting, featuring an Alumni Seminar on "Brush Up Your Shakespeare", DICK BARKER encountered TOM HALL, in from Rhode Island and JOHN and GRETCHEN MORAN who had crossed the canal from Plymouth, where they are building a house in anticipation of their move from Boylston, MA.

JOHN and BEVERLY TITUS are planning a move from Newburyport, MA to Rye, NH in a

few months. All correspondence to them should be directed to: P0 Box 1075, Rye, NH 03870-1075 as they get their act together.

BILL KASS’s plan to move himself and JOANNE to Boca Raton to lessen work pressure and enjoy life more has gone awry. His work in estate planning and probate has grown to day-swallowing proportions.

GEORGE HASKINS met the late DICK ARMSTRONG at our 45th reunion through their mutual regard for the ailing DAVE FITCH. At the time, Dick had claimed the Class’s oldest car in daily use - a 1978 Mercury. George yielded, but, if the "daily operating" requirement were removed, he’d enter his 1930 Model A rumble seat coupe which he and IRENE tool around in occasionally. Grandchild #10 arrived in October at 9 lb - 3 oz. , three times the new Gillespie twins!

The Judo Picture. In the last issue, a photo was included of me, PETE BARKER, trying an ineffective throw against an unmoved opponent. It was inserted primarily because it was a fine sports shot. Here’s the story. In early August, I went to Hartford to compete in the Nutmeg State Games in track and field. I noted the inclusion of Judo in the schedule, so ignoring a 25-year absence from the sport, I entered. Who would have known that the only other Master would be 30, 200 pounds and 3rd degree black belt to my 68, 168 pounds and 1st degree black belt? His name was Lawrence Taylor (coincidentally). I agreed to three exhibition matches and won the first one handily (a gift from Mr. Taylor.) He took the second one easily and the third was a brawl. The end of the action in the photo was both of us landing on the mat with Larry on top. I’m still limping, but smiling.

Directory changes:

Tony Kane - akane32@bellatlanlic.net

Sarge Joys - sjoys@execpc.com(WI); sjoysgls3c.com (FL)

Stan Rosenberg - BROSEN6829@aol.com

                                        Pete Gutlon - (FL) (561)620-9928

Joel Lasky - JJLASKY@aol.com

                                        George O’Connor - 105 Joseph Court / Troy, NY 12180-2747

Phyllis and Hugh Roberts / Las Vegas

IN MEMORIAM