Mid-Hudson

I hope all of you have recovered (reasonably) from the revelries of the past holiday season. Yours truly spent the days in sunny Florida and was tempted to stay on. Ah, that warm sun, nc snow shoveling, no getting stuck in a blizzard ... Oh well, duty calls and I just had to get back to see that you fellows paid your dues!

Now that 1974 is with us, it's a good time to recap 1973 in terms of club activities. The annual dinner was held in February at the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck, N.Y. The roast beef was up to its usual excellent standards, and Professor Charles Wood of the Flistory Department talked about the Alumni College and the localized seminar concept emanating from it. Professor Wood evidently stirred up some enthusiasm as you will learn as you read on. The annual picnic was held in June at the home of Bob Kendall '48 and was a real success story - lots of new faces and plenty of the old ones.

The highlight of the year was the Alumni Seminar held at Dutchess Community College in late September. Co-sponsored by the Club and both Colleges, the seminar was based on the theme "THE ECONOMY: CONFUSION OR ORDERLY EVOLUTION" and featured Profs. Segal (Economics Dept.) and Mac Donald (Amos Tuck School). It was. a rewarding experience for all who attended, and the success of the event has led to the formulalion of tentative plans for a similar event this coming spring. Watch your mail for details.

In addition to a possible Alumni Seminar, 1974 will also see the 25th anniversary of the Club's founding. Plans are already underway for an appropriate celebration. Any ideas you might have should be passed on to our president, Shep Jackson '55. His address is: 39 Saddle Rock Drive. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. At the moment, the probable date will fall sometime in May. Election of club officers will be held at that time. Incidentally, a nominating committee will soon be formed and all names of prospective candidates should be forwarded to it. You will be advised of retails well in advance of elections as respects procedures etc.

The Board is quite pleased with the progress the Club is making. Paid memberships are up from 1972 and there seems to be a greater degree of interest and participation. Responses to our questionnaire were helpful in the making of some long-term suggestions relative to the club's future. If you haven't yet sent in your questionnaire (or your dues), the Board would appreciate your doing so. We want to hear from as many possible. Send it to me at the above

Secretary, SI Nantucket Drive Fishkill. N.Y. 12524