1956

With this column my class secretary job does a fold for the summer, and I'd like to close year one by saying how enjoyable it has been. Good to hear from so many of you and to have had such thoughtful letters to share. Let's do it again next year.

Predecessors Stackpole and Ray have written recently and Chuck mentioned a side project he's involved with having to do with a CORE area bakery funded by the O.E.O. Bob Kaiman continues in computer technology with a new job at the Federal Reserve in Washington.

"Wyoming and the west are great!" exclaims Bill Loyer out of Cheyenne in the white sneakers and carrying a complicated looking camera. Bill promotes tourism and takes an active role in the photo finishing industry as an outgrowth of his own business activities.

Employee benefits consultant Rick Worrell writes "Recent events of interest in my life include my timely resignation from the Providence City Council in the face of almost certain defeat following the heartless gerrymandering of my district by the incumbent, but opposing party. This was accomplished in the best traditions of city political machines, and I suspect I would have done the same thing had I been in the driver's seat. Politics ain't for Sunday school teachers. In a surprising indication of goodwill, I was subsequently appointed by the opposition party to an interesting paid job (part-time) as keeper of the public morals. My new job, as a Commissioner of the three-man Bureau of Licenses, includes overseeing, and keeping at a minimum, such playful activities as the operation of bookies and the leasing of some of Providence's more willing females in the various liquor establishments about town. The Bureau of Licenses also has the heavy responsibility of previewing X-rated movies to determine their probable obscenity. Believe it or not, I find this a rather dreary way to spend a sunny morning. I suppose it will please those of the prurient persuasion to hear that at least this License Commissioner is considered to represent the more liberal point of view. Meanwhile our employee-benefits consulting business has achieved a nice growth curve as this phase of my life has taken more and more of my time and interest. Diversion includes a mildly serious program of jogging and squash to fight off old age and keep in shape for the little skiing I can catch. Summers I co-captain a fine 38' Nova Scotia lobster boat turned yacht. This craft serves as family weekender, deep-sea fisher, and has enough room in the ample cockpit to host about 30 comfortably for cocktails. A highly recommended low-budget nautical toy."

Len Clark thinks that this is an important year for us as Dartmouth men. "Whether you are fortunate enough to be able to return to the beauty of Hanover and the friendships of our fifteenth reunion or not, this anniversary is a significant milestone. It is an important time to reflect on the many ways our Dartmouth education and our Dartmouth associates have helped us—as we now assume major positions of responsibility and leadership in our businesses, communities, and families. Dartmouth has helped us. On the fifteenth anniversary of our graduation, Dartmouth now asks us to give her a special assist. Did you give to the Third Century Fund? Did you give to the Alumni Fund last year? Will you give this year in proportion to what you have received? I am confident that we can make our $30,000 Reunion goal if we all answer these questions candidly and then act decisively based on our 'overmatter' real, individual abilities.'"

Looking at his mail the Secretary of the standard Dartmouth Class realizes that all the unmitigated good news is evidence of the narrow sample of the class that he has a chance to hear about. Life just isn't all pleasure and success. On the other hand one doesn't much care to see his trials in print. An interesting exception to this generalization is a letter of remarkable candor in which Fritz Simms observes

'I had underestimated the Big Green associations... I will not in the future. They say that Florida is one of the last areas to feel the shock of a "sag" in the economy. While we do have a few local industries, it is a fact that any Florida-based industrial operation is damned dependent on the expenditures allocated by firms located in the Northern money belts. We really caught it in 1970. Expansion by local phosphate companies became non-existant. In fact even maintenance contracts were held up until the economic cloud cleared. If North American steel, the firm of which I was vice president of sales, was to continue to capture participation in new markets, it had to come up with several hundreds of thousands of dollars for new equipment. It chose not to and at the same time chose to eliminate the entire sales organization... including old Fritz... that was July 1, 1970. After traveling up and down the Eastern Seaboard three times looking for a reasonable challenge, I was about convinced the next move would be in the direction of the Peace Corps, the Bowery, Australia or organized crime. The Dartmouth degree really doesn't carry too much weight in Central Florida as far as job possibilities are concerned. Anyway, after a long dry spell, I ran into a fellow who was looking for an area marketing manager for the Southeastern United States and the Islands adjacent to Florida—including Puerto Rico. The products are laser systems for the construction industry. While a lot of other things were involved in my getting the spot, one which cannot remain overlooked is the fact that the fellow, one Bryson Hoff, was an old friend of Bob Danziger. Over the years, I have been very friendly with Bob's brother-in-law, but must honestly say that I really don't think I could pick Bob out of a police line-up. Nonetheless, this whole deal fell into place December 1, 1970 and we have been off and running since. The main thing is that I now realize more than ever the value of Dartmouth association over the years.'

And with Reunion and the Alumni Fund in mind, that brings us to a close.

Secretary, 109 Lewis Rd. Belmont, Mass. 02178

Class Agent, c/o Lilly Industries Pty, Ltd. Wharf Rd., West Ryde 2114 N.S.W., Australia