1950
It was a little late. Some of the brighter yellows had fallen from the trees in northern Vermont. But the reds and oranges contrasted vividly with dark green of the pines. It was worth leaving the interstate to wander through country by ways and enjoy the foliage season.
The campus offered another sight. The Class of 1950 trees are growing and filling out. Their leaves remained, a brilliant rank of yellow and orange at the south end of the quad, even in mid-October. Recall that the elms generally shed by late September.
Headquarters for our mini-reunion again was the Woodstock Inn. Festivities started Friday evening and continued with the greeting of late arrivals far into the night For a few a foray into Hanover to view an anemic bonfire briefly interrupted proceedings. The prize for the longest trip was shared by Jim and Peggy Vail and Bill and Mary Embree, both of whom left Chicago behind. Jim spent most of the weekend working as a new member of the resources committee under the aegis of the trustees. This assignment brought him into contact with Bob and Mary Kilmarx. The Embrees had an extended eastern trip, first visiting Sandy and Dottie McCulloch at their mountain retreat in northern New Hampshire.
Saturday was overcast and cool. After the executive committee meeting at the Ledyard Canoe Club, the Class gathered for their tailgating by the river. The crew was practicing and five shells rhythmically swept downstream below us. Bill and JudyCross watched with me as the coxswain from the victorious crew was tossed into the frigid water by his mates.
Lunch passed too quickly in a round of conversation and a flow of memories. For the first time in years Chuck Solberg and wife Tommy showed after visiting their sophomore son, a prospective hockey wing. Chuck Jr. prefers the frozen form of water. Jim and Betty Moore were there with two younger sons munching my favorite type of sandwich—peanut butter and jelly. Part of the Rhode Island contingent included Jackand Ann Elliott and Doug and JaneSmith. Don Ayers brought Betsy along from their New London retreat, but brother Bob Ayers could not get away.
The competition in progeny remains keen. Dick and Florence Echikson proudly staked their claim for the Class's youngest child, Pamela, born in August. Stretch Pendleton accepted the fact and the challenge, assuming Ann's concurrence. Meanwhile, his practice of law in Manchester, Vt., is booming along with real estate. Buzz and Sally Burrill are satisfied with being the first grandparents. Their date is August 1971. Parton Keese, among others, may argue; but records can only be accorded with the facts. Any other challengers?
Maine was represented by Ed Gulich, who dropped over from Portland. His old roommate, Frank Harrington, was there with Sally and two sons. Frank was anticipating the opening of his new motel/inn on the outskirts of Worcester. Ben and Joy Shaver were chatting with Gordie and Betsy Pinkham. Liz allowed Bill Sullivan to trade notes about the old tennis season and conditioning for squash. Just before catching the bus to the game, we caught Whit and Priscilla Williams, new faces on the scene.
Several '50-ites missed lunch but not the game. The first to appear in the east stands, the rumble section, were Frank andJoanne Dickinson together with Bruceand Avalon Hazelton. Frank talked excitedly about a new venture—the Caboose, a chain of cheese shops he has started in New England. The name stems from the decor of the shop. Tor and JeanMarie Arneberg sat several rows in front of us. Dick McSorley led the cheers (more ably than the cheerleaders) as the Big D trounced Princeton with Stetson magic Dick Arnold seemed to appear in the crowd but too far away for confirmation.
As evening fell with the onslaught of rain the Class retired to Woodstock for cocktails, dinner, and evening cheer. While Paul and Fran Canada talked with me over trivia, our daughters Bobbie and Renee traded notes about colleges. Neither was as excited about Dartmouth as Tom and Janot Ruggle's daughter Molly, a prospect for '77. Ed and Marlene Tuck, having reluctantly given up their delightful vacation place in New London, could party longer at the inn. The cocktail hour proffered the chance to talk to Bill andMary Turnino about the history and demise of a 80-year-old family business. Bill has left the Guardian Development Co., which absorbed his old firm, to join J. Bush and Co. in lower Manhattan.
Last year Joel and Ruth Leavitt ducked out early, at the half, to catch a plane to Europe. This year they stayed to enjoy the evening. Joel commented that Hanover offers numerous activities for summer vacationers. He ventured with trepidation and spent an exciting week. One idea: canoeing up the Connecticut. John and Mary Alice Dwyer again arrived in Vermont after a trip to a business conference.
The evening songfest brought out the best. Tom Ruggles strummed. Bill Embree directed with assistance, from Paul Canada. Chuck and Edie Gardner lent balance and inspiration. Ginny Sarno added her beautiful saprano and Gerry his inexhaustible store of lyrics. Amused, critical, or absolving, Paul and Fran Zeller '50H, our guests of honor, coached a little and often lent his voice, particularly for a rousing chorus of Eleazar Wheelock. Rick andEileen Miller stayed along with Dev andVally Chamberlain until the last song.
Sunday was bright and cold with flurries in the air. We left reluctantly. If we missed you, I am sorry. But we did miss you if you were not there. So plan to be in Woodstock next year when the clan gathers again. Tentatively, the time is the Penn game, unless Harvard plays in Hanover. Check this column for further news about time and place.
Creative Marketing, Inc., is concerned primarily with the refinement and distribution of specialty consumer products. In his capacity as director and participating officer, Joe Ely visited Mexico last year and was subsequently invited to return for at least a year. Naturally, Joe and Ruth hastily packed and headed for Mexico City. Now, between assignments for Shirley Chef, S.A., they are exploring the city and countryside in ". . . what has got to be one of the world's most beautiful countries." Joe reports that daughter Patricia, 12, is already talking about becoming a Dartmouth girl.
Tidbits here and there: scuttlebutt says that Bill Doe has been appointed vp by the First National Bank of Boston. Jim Cavanaugh visited Florida with his sons and his sightseeing was directed by big John Mac Donald. The roster of '5O sons and daughters accepted for '76 is impressive; we'll report those who matriculated. Missing from New England since 1953, Bud Bray is a vp of the Wells Fargo Bank in California. He lives in Menlo Park. Waltand Claire Schuette were expecting in June, leaving the Echikson's claim unrivaled, but news of the birth has not arrived, Walt Lindenthal left J. C. Penny to become merchandising vp for W. R. Grace. Space dictates keeping Sandy Marson and Court Cross on the suspense list.
Aerospace technologist Nicholas C.Costes was one of four men honored in October by the American Society of Civil Engineers which awarded them the Society's Norman Medal. The four were so recognized for their paper, "Apollo 11: Soil Mechanics Results." Nicholas is with the space sciences laboratory of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. He earned his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University and, in addition to this latest, has won numerous awards for his aerospace expertise.
The assistant headmaster of the Pomfret School, Conn., recently moved to a small farm and reports his pleasure at being squire of his domain. Per-Jan and AnneRanhoff needed a little more space for their family of seven. For fun Anne is raising sheep. Per-Jan, on sabbatical this year, is taking a busman's holiday and teaching at Woodstock Academy, a semi-public school ten miles from his farm. Besides the town republican committee, Per-Jan's major outside interest is the Boy Scouts. He is both a district chairman and a member of the woodbadge and national camping staffs. Per-Jan has seen both Sandy McCulloch and Don Ayers, whose sons were recent graduates of Pomfret.
Again the anomaly. The trees are still colorful here as I write in October. You will read these notes in December as the first snows fly. Greetings of the season. And best wishes for 1973.
Secretary, 510 Hillcrest Rd. Ridgewood, N. J. 07450
Treasurer, Oppenheimer & Co. One New York Plaza New York, N. Y. 10004
