1959
As overseer of the works, I spent a number of lunch hours on the Inn corner watching the giant crane and clamshell chew the old Inn to bits. I couldn't help but feel that giving each fraternity a few rooms and a keg on Sink Night might have accomplished the same results in much less time. Often, spectators were lined up a dozen deep watching the big clam munch his lunch. The usual parade of summer students, visiting bankers, ABC boys, and Peace Corps volunteers went up and down Main Street daily. It's still hard to react with disinterest to the unusual number of young ladies on campus in the various summer programs. And the various programs themselves make for some interesting observing. Just when I thought I was accustomed to the increase in the female population and ready to see what an unusually stalwart blonde looked like from the front, I was quickly put in my place by discovering that she was a he. Yes, some of those who journey north for the summer leave their shears behind. And their shoes, and their socks, and certain toilet articles. Now, however, things are pretty much back to normal and by the time you get this we will be experiencing the regular October early morning fogs, the always spectacular fall colors and the increased activity of the Hanover dog battalion.
The '59's were on the go this summer and I managed to meet up with a few personally. Pete and Louise Stern were in Hanover for a few nights and came out to the house for a visit. Granma and Granpa took care of the kids so they had a few carefree hours. Pete is in investment banking with Shearson and Hammill down in New York City. Dave and Julie Gavitt were in town several times preparing to move in permanently, and Dave managed to do a little groundwork in line with his job as basketball coach which begins this fall. The Gavitts spent most of the summer on the Cape where Dave coached a baseball team and became the mentor of a future court ace, Dan, who was born in August at a burly nine pounds - he should be tough under the boards. Pete and Leslie O'Neil flew out from Boise, Idaho, to spend a week on the Cape. We managed to get together with them while we were down there. They have a couple of beautiful blonde daughters to shield from the wolves. But, if their young son has anything to say about it, there will always be a protector within range - they grow them big in Idaho. Pete explained some very exciting prospects for his job with Boise Cascade. They make money on every part of a tree you can name. VanPine is back in town with his family to finish up the education he was forced to deny himself for a number of years after his father's death. It's no pun when I say there are some nice little Pines in the area now. Joe LaVigna challenged me to a tennis match when he came through Hanover, but he looked so tough with that racket in his hand and his receding hairline that managed to default. At least that's what he wants me to tell everyone. The sigh he uttered over the phone when I said I couldn't play rustled the papers on my desk.
Stu Summers, Dick Watson and JackClark were on hand at a meeting of the Hartford Club I attended a short time ago to give the incoming freshmen from the area a send-off. Stu is in the legal department of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, handling predominantly agriculture business matters. Jack is a systems engineer with a Hartford firm and lives in East Hartford.
Word trickled in that Bob Foot has been appointed an assistant secretary of Manufacturer's Hanover Trust Company in New York. He is married, has one son and resides in Bronxville, N. Y. Harry Jeffrey wrote that he married Lois Koller on July 16 in Alexandria, Va. Three 59's were ushers: Dick Knutson, Gary Korenman, and Barry Mahoney. Dick is currently in medical school at Flower Fifth Avenue Medical School. Gary is doing his residency in neurology and Barry is an attorney working for the State Attorney General. The Jeffreys will continue to live in the Bronx while Harry writes his doctoral dissertation in American History at Columbia University. Lois will earn the shekels while teaching in Dobbs Ferry.
'59's continue to earn degrees. John Wadman received a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn last spring. He is currently a member of the Escambia chemical research staff in Wilton, Conn. In his spare time he teaches his two sons how to stick handle. American University recently granted Gerry Scott a degree in public administration — technology of management. Tom Morgan of Westport, Conn., received a Master of Arts degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts. Out in California, Herb Shoenberg is taking care of his surf, I mean self, as assistant to the U.S. Attorney assigned to the Civil Division in Los Angeles. He is presently residing in Santa Monica where he takes a morning dip at Mussle Beach every day. Gil Griffin recently joined the General Counsel Office of Mobil Oil Corporation, North American Division. Gil and Judith Ann live in my old neck-of-thewoods, White Plains, N. Y. Dave Spaulding was recently promoted to the rank of captain by the Army. He is presently at the Army Security Agency Training Center and School at Fort Devens, Mass. I wonder if he is getting through to Gomer Pyle? Dave has four degrees, including two Master's degrees and a Ph.D., some of which he got at Stanford University.
I guess the New England Telephone Company is as glad to have Jim Wooster around as the Class of '59 is. After a fantastic job of bringing our class out on top in the Green Derby, Jim was promoted to the position of Plant Service Manager for the Palmer, Mass., area. I, personally, can't think of another guy who would have spent the countless hours and never-say-die energy that he spent on the Alumni Fund to bring us out on top. We needed someone to keep after us in a blunt but effective manner, and Jim did a masterful job of it. Thanks, Woos!
Some guys take a long time before making a putt, and some cautious '59's have waited quite a while before taking the Big Step. Frannie Noel just married Sara Staplton of Atherton, Calif., a few months back. They will reside in Denver, where Fran is an instructor of lithography at Colorado College for Women. Also in the great southwest, Paul Clarkin decided not to get married and took a MBA instead from the University of Denver. He's already married. Flags waved back on July 4 down in Fairfield, Conn., in celebration of Jim Goldman's marriage to Carol Kelly.
So that's about it for now. I don't want to use up all my resources the first time around. I'll save a few and hope to hear from you or see you in the meantime. Sorry you can't all get tickets to the Princeton game where you'd like them. The last I heard, some Emmet was renting space in his apple trees up on Balch Hill for two bits; all the hard cider you can drink goes with it.
A word to the wise as fall and Christmas shopping starts: he who has spendthrift wife usually ends up with shopping bag.
Secretary, Canaan, N. H. 03741
Treasurer, ... 140-70 Ash Ave., Flushing, N. Y. 11355
