Others also took pre London excursions. Charlie and Ann Balch and Al and Pat Huck toured the English countryside together. Being quiet and retiring in nature, both Charlie and Al needed to practice a bit in quiet English countryside pubs before hitting the big time with classmates In London. John and (son) Sean Smith also made interesting pre and post London visits exploring Johnís English roots. John provided us a delightful poem (page 10) giving us a window to view his/our London/Ireland experience.
Warming Up for London Al Huck, Charlie Balch, Ann Balch, and
Pat Huck enjoy a pre London toast in ìThe Georgesî Pub in Frant, England.
London Highlights. The highlight of the London Celebration was our reception
on the House of Commons Terrace overlooking the Thames in an appropriately
green and white striped tent. The program was brief Pat Giles introduced
our host Sir Alistair Goodlad and special guest Lord William Dartmouth.
Sir Alistair welcomed us to London and the historic House of Commons. Pat
and Class President Charlie Giersch then presented Sir Alistair and Lord
Dartmouth with 1962 numeral sweaters and officially and made them honorary
í62 Class members. It was an elegant and special evening in a spectacular
setting. Charlie Balch provided this account of our next evening. ìBus
with the whole Dartmouth í62 group went to the ëInstitute of Directorsí
(an old private club) everyone in their finery. Having seen the weather
was OK, we trooped over a bridge and up a knoll in St. James Park for a
group picture (a little abuse from an anti-American bike-riding vagabond).
We then walked back to the Institute of Directors. There was a short cocktail
party in one room and assigned dinner seating in another. The evening was
highlighted by remarks by Lord Dartmouth. He was shy, but articulate and
forceful. His comments were all tied to Dartmouth and his legacy as the
10th Earl of Dartmouth (it was the 2nd Earl that granted part of his lands
to Eleazer Wheelock and Samuel Occom in the New Hampshire wilderness).
A good dinner with much circulating among friends.î A great evening, but
there was one sad note. After dinner we all stood and toasted our missing
classmate, Kent Morton, who with Dianne had planned to be with us in London.
We missed Kent particularly this evening. Letís Go ë62s! After our St.
James Park photo, Mike Howard raises his Londonerís umbrella to lead us
on to dinner. Mikeís delightful wife, Ngila, a native of New Zealand (left
of banner), had Earlier provided a staunch defense of her American friends
from the vagabond mentioned by Charlie Balch, with a loud ìShut up, you
crazy fool!î Thanks, Ngila and Mike, for guiding us around London. Charlie
Balch reported on our Friday morning activities. ìOn to the Queens Club
for ëshell (like clay)í and ëgrassí court tennis on a beautiful, clear,
breezy, 70ish day.Ö we had a classic rotating doubles tournament with 14
players in our group. Each ëmatchî was 15 minutes long. Did all right,
especially with Richard Hannah. Then on to the grass courts a low
bounce. Played well against best man and woman (Richard Hannah and Candy
Funke) teamed with Nancy Walters. Richard Hannah, Gordy McKean, and John
Walters won the tournament. Ö back to casual clothes for lunch (in the
Club Presidentís Dining Room)Ö wonderful Pimms/lemonadeî That evening Pat
Giles invited us all to his own Brooksís Club for a cocktail reception.î
Brooksís, an elegant place, is more than 200 years old and has hosted the
likes of Gladstone, Churchill and now the Dartmouth Class of í62. Tennis
at Queens Club Shown left to right are tennis pros: Dave Bergman, Gordy
McKean, Oli Larmi, Pat Giles, Nancy and John Walters, Leslie Schaefer,
Charlie Balch, Candy and Carl Funke, Mary Vic Giersch, Richard Hannah,
Mike Schaefer, and CharlieGiersch. Saturday morning Nancy and David Giles
provided us with an entertaining, educational tour of Oxford finishing
with lunch and a drink at St. Edmundís College. That evening we had dinner
in the Balcony Room of the newly reopened Globe Theater. We enjoyed an
opening night performance of Antony and Cleopatra beautifully acted by
the traditional all male cast. Many of the ë62s left their gallery seats
and joined the groundlings in front of the stage to really get into the
performance. A great evening but all too soon, our time in London was over.
Thanks again, Pat, Mike, and John for a great time. Empty Pockets! Shopping
added to the fun. In London almost everyone made it to Harrods. In Ireland
the U.S. balance of trade took a big hit at the Waterford Crystal Factory
Store. At right, Mary Vic Giersch has broke the bank. Charlieís deep pockets
are finally empty. London Memories Unexpectedly meeting Frank and Barb
Milon (with golf clubs, of course) on the bus into London, finding the
well hidden Chelsea Village Hotel, cruising the Thames, getting lost on
the way to the H of C, an exciting, elegant evening, Josh and Karen Rich
lead us (astray) to Barbarellaís and we dance until closing, the bum in
St. James Park and Ngilaís quick retort, Lord Dartmouthís warm and informative
remarks at the Institute of Directors (weíll include them in a future Newsletter),
sharing adventures with classmates and wives at the hotel or on the Tube,
Harrods, double decker bus tours around London, the elegant Brooksís Club
for cocktails on a warm evening, dinner at a pub with Charlie and Mary
Vic,Giersch, sons, Mike and Chris Komarek arrive in London and join the
group at the Globe Theater; men and women of Dartmouth together singing
ìMen of Dartmouthî in the Balcony Room to close the London Celebration.
Ready to Hit the Road After four days in London featuring elegant locales
and dress, we were ready to head west to Wales and Ireland. We packed away
our dressy attire and hit the road in jeans, shorts, and other comfy clothes.
ENGLAND/IRELAND ROAD TRIP The DestinationÖ Tom Davies said it best, ìImagine,
how can anybody explain (Iíve tried) to a friend how much fun 42 people
crammed into a bus, eating ëBritish Isles food,í packing and unpacking
daily can have. In addition their destination is a possibly fictitious
place simply called ëDanís placeí that has no electricity, no running water,
no radio, no TV, mail, or internet; and for a toilet. pick anyone of 158
acres and go use it! Boy does that sound like fun for a Dartmouth Road
Trip.î Our Host in Ireland Dan Hummel proudly Shows off the í62 symbol
that he cut into the grassy field below his stone cottage to welcome classmates
to his home in Ireland. Danís backpack is Full of Murphyís Irish Stout
carried in for our dayís celebration. The only way to get yourself or anything
else to Danís is by human power. The Road TrippersÖ We visited London,
Stonehenge, Bath, Cardiff, Waterford, Blarney, Cork, Killarney, the Cliffs
of Moher, Bunratty, and, of course, Danís. The sights were grand; the scenery
magnificent; but as with any Dartmouth.ë62 reunion, what made it special
was the people. Eric Matthies explained, ìPerhaps one of the most remarkable
experiences of the Road Trip was the extraordinary graciousness with which
20+ couples interacted over so long a period in the relative confinement
that a bus trip involves. Before leaving London, I asked one classmate
why he and his wife were not making the Ireland trip, and the response
was that they were concerned that the closeness would wear thin very quickly.
Not so! Not one tiff, not one outburst, not one marital snit, nothing.
The efforts made by all to rotate cocktail hour partners, table partners,
conversation groups, etc. to insure that everyone was included, was a mark
of a mature civility, and allowed us to get to know each other on a personal
and in-depth basis. Truly quite remarkable, and most memorable. Judith
and I believe we have made friendships that we will pursue for the rest
of our lives.î Friends at the Ivory Tower in Cork, Ireland (clockwise around
table) Jo and Pete Sherwood, Leslie and Mike Schaefer, Judith deBoisblanc
and Eric Matthies, Dan and Betsy Hadlock, Joan and Richard Hannah. Later,
This evening Dan Hummel spoke to us on the ìVirtues of inefficiency and
moving a little more slowly in this life.î Sounded like a good idea, particularly
after we visited his place. Letís Move on Out! Our tour guide, Penny, was
glad to see us up and about the Sunday morning we left London. Sheíd received
the following guidance for our group. ìThe people on this tour are of the
older generation, graduated in í62, so may need help getting around, etc.;
however, we have not been advised of anyone that cannot walk, so as far
as we are aware, they are all mobile.î Were we ever mobile? We played tennis
at the Queens Club. We danced in London, Waterford, and Cork. The ladies
even formed a chorus line at Danís. Tired of being doctors, lawyers, and
businessmen, we loaded luggage into shipping containers in Wales. Many
walked the 2.5 miles into Danís and back 3 miles to the nearest pub. Also
on the next page is a distant view (this is a family Newsletter) of several
í62 young ladies sprinting from Danís Japanese/Irish Clem Edgar Keeps Time;
Oli Larmi & Anne hot tub to the nearby tidal pool for a swim. Wilson
Dance at the Ivory Tower in Cork. Finally, youíll see below that Sean Smith,
Tom Davies, Dan Hadlock, and Carl Funke have climbed onto Danís grass roofed
cottage to admire the spectacular ocean view. Below right, Marianne Davies,
Karen Ackland, Kersten Phifer, Gabriele Halstead, Nancy & John Walters
walk the scenic road into Danís. Our Day at Danís We piled into our bus
in Cork, slowly recovering from our fun filled night at the Ivory Tower
Restaurant. An hour earlier a minivan driven by Mike Komarek with eight
advance troops had departed to set up our Day at Danís. About 2.5 miles
from Danís, the large tour Apprentice Dartmouth Dock Workers in Wales bus
could go no farther. Many walked on in; Mike shuttled the rest of us within
a half-mile down a barely passable dirt road. Everyone walked in and out
the last half mile. When we arrived, what a sight - a stone cottage overlooking
an ocean crashing against cliffs below to the right. Below to the left
a field where Dan had cut a 40 foot tall í62 symbol into the foliage. He
and his friendly Irish neighbors had prepared a fantastic country feast
befitting this fantastic place. We toured his remarkable grass roofed cottage,
tried out his Japanese- Irish hot tub, and most of all stood inawe of `the
remarkable scenery and this amazing place. All too soon the day ended.
We were on our way leaving behind a place we would all like to visit again
someday and spend more time. The Hot Tub to Tidal Pool Scamper Enjoying
View from the Grass Roof Walking into Danís Road Trip Memories Worrying
over whether the bus will show up early Sunday; it does! Load up and hit
the road; Stone- henge impressive, but too many tourists; Bath, a nice
surprise on another gorgeous warm afternoon (the weather gods smiled on
us the whole trip); we arrive in Bristol, hot and tired; our wonderful
guide Penny arranges to have that rare European commodity, ice, sent to
everyoneís rooms; a relaxed and pleasant morning strolling around Bristol;
then onto Cardiff; the Cardiff Castle on another beautiful afternoon; Nancy
Walters goes blond and plays the Muse; John Smithís after dinner remarks
on the Welch people entertain and inform; Penny arranges for birthday cakes
Richard & John Hannah, Gordy & Pat McKean, cakes for our early
60th birthday celebration; Josh & Karen Rich Enjoy the Fun at Danís
up and out very, very early heading to the ferry; a flap at the port whenthe
dock workers are slow to load our luggage, but ë62s get the job done with
the dock workers joining us; the fast ferry trip over the Irish Sea with
much socializing on board; celebrating Judith deBoisblancís birthday in
Waterford with many Irish whiskeys for all compliments of Eric Matthies;
under the leadership of John Walters and Carl Funke and their local Irish
fan club we hit the dance floor until the band stops playing and the Guinness
stops flowing; moving slow the next morning but onto Waterford, Blarney,
and Cork; sitting in the sun (nursing a hangover) while most go kiss the
ë 62 Rockettes Perform; Roy Halstead, Dave Blarney Stone and shop at the
Woolen Bergman Are Too Busy Talking To Appreciate Mills; a gourmet dinner
at the funk Ivory Tower; great food and lively traditional Irish music;
Dan Hummel, and Brock and Barbara Saxe join us for dinner; much talk, much
wine, much laughter, good music make for a memorable evening; Magpie Walters
shows a flash of the old days attempting to lead the young guys (Mike,
Chris Komarek and Sean Smith) astray, but only succeeds in getting them
home to the hotel early; Judy Komarek and Nancy Walters particularly appreciate
and enjoy the fine wine served at the Ivory Tower; the Day at Danís - what
more can you say?; the scenic trip around the Ring of Kerry; a wild night
in Killarney Pubs; the spectacular Cliffs of Moher; Matchmaker Al Huck
compiles list of available sons and daughters; we scheme with Carl and
Candy Funke to arrange a meeting of Komarek sons and Funke daughters (story
and pictures in next Newsletter); the friendly Irish people and beautiful
hundred shades of green countryside; arriving late at the Bunratty Castle
Banquet; weíre stuck being Lord and Lady of the Castle; have to wear silly
crowns but ended up being fun; a few tears as the banquet closes with a
particularly fine rendition of ìDanny Boyî; good-byes begin at Durty Nellyís
Pub. More good-byes and a few more tears the next morning as we ended a
very special eleven days together. Last Stop at Durty Nellyís: Chris, Tom,
Judy, Mike Komarek í62 Road Trippers (left to right kneeling) Carl Funke,
Tom Davies, Pete Sherwood, Al Huck, Eric Matthies, Jerry Phiefer; (l to
r standing) Mike Schaefer, Oli Larmi, Dave Bergman, John Smith, Clem Edgar,
Roy Halstead, Tom Ackland, Dan Hummel, Dan Hadlock, Josh Rich, John Walters,
Gordy McKean, Charlie Giersch, Tom Komarek.. New Tricks We had fun, but
we also learned a few new tricks from each other and two special people
with us. - Peter Howick and John Smith. Our tour guide, Peter, taught much
about Irish history and culture as he magically maneuvered our giant bus
down those narrow, winding Irish roads. John Smith provided us a thought
provoking lecture on the English and Welch people, and now he has sent
along a poem he uses to reflect on our í62 road trip and his own trip home.
John has shared both the poem and his ìpicture frameî with us. The poem,
ìGoing Homeî provides a perfect way to end this ë 62 London/Ireland Celebration
report. Thanks again, John. Finally, let me refrain Gordy McKeanís observation
from the front page, ìthe only way our ëí62 road trip could have been better
is if all ë62s could have joined us we missed you donít miss
the next í62 reunion.î ìGoing Homeî Horizontal distances walked or ridden
on bicycle in youth, Become shorter when ridden in car or tour bus in old
age. Vertical distances easily skipped up or down in youth Are plodded
breathlessly in old age. Time between places decreases, While time between
memories increases. The old, rugby club field looks tiny and bedragged
The communal soak tubs look grungy and smaller. Even the new machine in
the old clubhouse, Dispensing whisky-flavoured condoms, looks kinda shagged.
God bless the Scottish lassies! The local pub is not the place to meet
old friends. They lie, waiting in the local churches and graveyards Having
heard ìTime Gentlemen, Pleaseî for the last time. The one-room wide houses
of oneís birth or youth are minuscule, Run down, devoid of home and promise.
How did a family live there, so huddled together? Because there was no
family, only frightened individuals trying to survive In bombed, rationed
and post-war Britain. One strained to hear the heart and emotions stirring
music Of Elgar and Vaughan Williams; to have it drowned By the Beatles,
Reggae and Sting. City roads widened to accommodate everyoneís mini-car
Truncated the residential streets and avenues, Creating a jigsaw puzzle,
parking lot of the old hometown. A five decade old, weekly wage after ten
yearsí toil Will now only buy a six pack of Pepsi, canned in silver foil.
Fish and Chips are the only constants in a country That has embraced and
devoured the pizza and the curry. Suddenly, one realizes that home is not
the place you left or where you stay But the place you create around you,
each minute, of each day God gives us a limited memory bank; To enjoy those
around us; those who are here Not to mourn; those who were here. I brought
a modern, contemporary home, back from Europe. In my new home, ensconced
safely in my old house, you will find Dan and his visitors munching on
gourmet food. Sean, a son I know, appreciate and love even more. A nagging
feeling that I owe Gordy several suppers. Kisses from many lovely ladies
who had just kissed the Blarney Stone. An unwashed hand that has shaken
the hand of a real Lord. A glowing compliment from a Welsh college student.
Shakespeareís unpublished play ìThomas K., Earl of Bunratty î One whisky
flavoured ìcandyî from Harrods And finally Visions of the Courtly Ladies
befitting of the Knights of the Hanover Plain To those who share, nay live
in, my new home, I offer you Each a little picture frame that you can fill,
as you will Or, as you may, With your trip memories, anew each day. John
L. Smith ë62 Professor John and Muse Nancy in Cardiff John and Sean Smith
in Cork 62ís Class News Day O. Mount is retiring as our US Ambassador to
Iceland and returning stateside. He will be living at 603 Creek Crossing
Road, Vienna, VA 22180. Day writes, ìAs my wife Kathie and I leave Iceland
after three years as Ambassador, we have mixed feelings. However, we are
ready to see more of our family, to join others in retirement, find new
pursuits, and see more of my Dartmouth colleagues.î Neil Drobny was recently
selected to direct the growth of IBMís Net Commerce Technology for the
state of Ohio. Neil is President and CEO of Electronic Commerce Technology
of Ohio. In a press release, Neil explained that Net Commerce ìis a means
for extending the reach of a business to all corners of the globe.î Neil
lives and works in Columbus, OH. He can be reached on e-mail at HYPERLINK
mailto:nldrob@aol.com nldrob@aol.com or by phone at 614 784-0935 (H)
or 614 268-6100 (O). Ed Boselly e-mailed from Chesterfield, MO, ìSounds
like the ë62s had a grand time in England and Ireland. My family and I
lived in England for three years when I was in the USAF and loved itÖ.
Had considered coming to Homecoming, but Jan and I will attend a Phi Delt
reunion at the same time. Weíre finally empty nesters of sorts. The youngest
of our blended family of six kids is now attending the University of Missouri-Rolla
after two years of community collegeÖ. He pledged Sigma Nu (no Phi Delt
house there) and was elected pledge class president. Mom and dad are proud.î
Ed also had some comments on the Dartmouth Student Life Initiative that
will be included in the next Newsletter issue. Ed who is President of the
Weather Solutions Group can be reached on e-mail at HYPERLINK mailto:weathersolutions@prodigy.net
weathersolutions@prodigy.net and by phone at 636 230-5672. I let Dianne
Morton know about our toast in Kentís memory in London and received this
nice note back from her, ìWe were both so looking forward to the trip to
London and being with all of you. The class of í62 is very special and
Iíve felt part of it for a very long time. I wish there was some way I
could have gone to London, but emotionally I just wasnít readyÖ. This summer
I did travel up to New England to visit family and friends.Ö It was hard
doing it without Kent, but I felt as if I needed to make the trip. I had
a marvelous time with Paul Weinberg in Beverly, MAÖ I also spent an absolutely
delightful day in Blue Hill, ME, with Sam and Marilee Anderson. It was
wonderful to see them and share so many happy memories and tearsÖ. Please
give my love to all the ë62s who wrote and called me. I hope I can get
together again with you all someday soon. Love, Dianne.î Dianneís e-mail
address is HYPERLINK mailto:MortonDi@aol.com MortonDi@aol.com and
phone is 757 258-3088. Help Wanted -The Class of í62 Needs Your Help
Webmaster Wanted Bill Saddís retirement next May and his transition to
a nomadic, RV lifestyle (see our August Newsletter for details) creates
an exciting opportunity for a classmate to take over the role of Class
Webmaster. Bill has done a great job establishing and maintaining our class
website; now he needs to turn this responsibility over to someone else.
Bill will help with the transition. Contact Bill at (508) 435-4405 or by
e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:bsadd@assumtion.edu" bsadd@assumtion.edu
or check the class website HYPERLINK http://www.alum.Dartmouth.org/classes/62
www.alum.Dartmouth.org/classes/62 for further details. Newsletter Editor
Wanted Gordy Williamson has advised that he does not wish to resume the
editorship of the Class Newsletter. Iíll remain as interim editor until
we locate a classmate to fill the job until our next reunion in 1992. If
you are interested in being Newsletter editor, please call (561-743-9218)
or e-mail me at HYPERLINK mailto:TCKomarek@aol.com TCKomarek@aol.com
for details. Itís a fun job! PAGE 1 PAGE 9 October, 1999 0!p9