1949

Most difficult, 'tis indeed, to return from an ample supply of palm trees, blue Carribbean waters, and smooth rum punches only to get involved again in telephones, TV sets, and deadlines. While in Jamaica I had the opportunity to view the operations of our company's new venture into the newspaper business - they have deadlines daily; mine is only monthly. That thought at least lessens the resistance to assume the halter and traces again. Needless to say, spring did not welcome my return - rather, snow, fog, and dismal skies. And the snow is, at best, useless for enjoyable pursuits such as skiing and sledding. Never fear, next year will be an improvement!

Enroute to Jamaica Doris and I stopped off in Miami and had dinner at the new diggings of Ann and Herb Gramstorff. The moving van had just left so the Gourmet Society satisfied itself on some of Colonel Sanders' finest. Herb has traded his zuccini and tomato patch for a large screened patio encompassing pool and built-in barbeque. Tough!

The mail awaiting my return sported a formal, printed announcement of the marriage of James H. (Spike) Smith to the unsuspecting Nancy Dickinson Thornton on February 16 at the First and Second Church in Boston, Unitarian, It occasions a thought as to why Spike would require two churches to solemnize his wedding! No matter, he has been re-spiked and presumably will introduce us all to Nancy at our 25th this June.

A recent reorganization of a company has obviously improved our chances of enticing a distant classmate back to our June Reunion. In restructuring its operating organization, Tesoro Petroleum Corporation (highly profitable these days, no doubt) has named Robert G. (Rocket)Reed III as president of the Tesoro Refining, Marketing and Transportation Co. Division. Rocket, in addition, will continue as president of Tesoro-Alaskan Petroleum Corp., a Tesoro subsidiary.

Worthy of quotation are the following words penned by Lou Clarke to Carll Tracy on the occasion of remitting his class dues last fall (without facts, I would venture to surmise that many of yours are past due and require immediate attention): "Am still here in East Hartford helping keep Pratt and Whitney's engines power the iron birds. I am slowly, cautiously, bringing my big western mountain experiences to the attention of the Eastern Division of the National Ski Patrol System - without making waves. My leisure thrust is in my interest in traditional jazz and the Big Band Era, now that the butterfly season is over." Lou, we will be surfeited with traditional jazz, big band sounds, ample butterflies, and lovely birds at reunion time. Join us!

Russ Hemenway has really bitten the bullet with his recent political prognostications and was made the subject of a prominent article in the January 20 issue of The New York Times. As national director of the National Committee For An Effective Congress (reputedly the largest source of liberal funds in the U.S.A.) Russ made the prediction, in a terse 20-page statement, that Tricky-Dicky would be impeached by a Congress characterized as weak and whose members "seek to make themselves innocuous and indispensable parts of the political architecture, a function performed previously by the hat racks." Perchance we shall witness some debate on this latter point between our liberal Russ and Dick Mallery this June. At the least, the beer keg repartee should involve more than a discussion of broads and gas shortages. Come witness the fun!

For those of you living in the West - for those of you who are planning to be in the City on the Bay this May - and for those of you who may now plan to savor the joys of San Francisco this spring - you should be aware of the fact that "Dartmouth is coming to San Francisco" for the first college conference there in 15 years. The intellectual portion will hold forth on Saturday, day. May 18, preceded on Friday by a luncheon at the St. Francis Hotel and a California winetasting dinner at an 1886 San Francisco mansion. Visiting speakers include Professor Gordon MacDonald on "Resource Management" and Alan Gaylord on "The Visual Revolution" together with Medical School Dean James Strickler '50 on "Future Trends in Medicine" and journalist David E. Scherman '36, prior senior editor of Life Magazine. If you can schedule your business or gnif-gnawing properly contact Derek T. Knudsen '65, Suite 2424, One California Street, San Francisco, California 94111. President Kemeny will address the group on Saturday night at Asia Garden in the city's intriguing Chinatown amidst a delectable Cantonese feast. Perchance Quent Kopp will be there to fill you in on San Francisco politics and show you the delights of the Far East in the West.

Denver's Samsonite Corporation has appointed Dick Hanselman executive vice president, operations, a post holding responsibility for the furniture, luggage, and international units. He had joined the firm three years ago as president of the luggage division from the consumer electronics division of RCA. Dick is also a trustee of The Kent and The Denver Country Day Schools, a director of Northeast Colorado Bank, and a member of the University of Colorado Dental School Foundation.

A recent letter brought word that TomTowler, president and chief executive officer of Peyton's, Inc., a Louisville, Ky., based service merchandiser, has been elected a director of the American Research Merchandising Institute. ARMI has nothing to do with the military, but is a national trade association. The crystal ball says that Tom will overcome the energy crisis and be in Hanover for Reunion.

Last, but undoubtedly not least, we belatedly received a response to our 25th Reunion questionnaire from Gunther (Gunth) Perdue who apologized for his tardiness on the grounds that he had been out of the country (not specified) for six weeks. Gunth, whose passport photo will appear in the Reunion Yearbook, plans to regale us at Reunion on how to grow onions without smelling fearsome. From Canastota, N.Y., he will be accompanied by fragrant wife, Susann (Endicott '60), and scallions, Gerhard and Ciesela. Clothespins will be freely supplied to all other '49ers.

Ere departure you must be reminded of a subject not heretofore presented! Your greatest opportunity for camaraderie, nostalgia, and relaxation is only two plus months away. Get with it! We can handle all latecomers as well as any legitimate and illegitimate offspring. Don't disappoint the "Gunth!"

Secretary, P.O. Box 731 Rye, N.Y. 10580

Class Agent, Proctor & Gamble, Box 599 Cincinnati, Ohio 45201