1952

From time to time a person can get so close to a situation that, to others, he or she may seem to have lost touch with reality. Once in a while I get this feeling when writing about matters of the Class or the College. I mean, after all, there are other things. True enough. Then, an opportunity comes along that gives me a chance to listen to the thinking and actions of others about the Class and my enthusiasm is rekindled.

Such an event took place in New York in early January (just yesterday as this is written) when class president John Rosenwald called a meeting of the members of the Class who have volunteered to manage our 25th reunion. It was my privilege to take notes of this meeting and now to pass some of them on to the Class. Of course, more details will come from the committee and from Sam Wallis' newsletter.

First of all, John invited all those involved in the reunion as well as the class officers. And once again the turnout was impressive. Those of you who are suffering the coldest winter in years along with New York will not be surprised to know the temperature outside was about 10 degrees. And yet they came. Dick Bressler flew in from Los Angeles. Jack Barclay from St. Joseph, Mo., and Charlie Blakemore, from Chicago, represented the Midwest. Pennsylvania was well covered with representation by Nate Parker, from Pittsburgh, and AngusRussell and Lou Zehner from Philadelphia.

Reunion chairman Jack Boyle came down from Boston along with his two chief assistants, Marcel Durot (attendance) and Jay Anderson (budget). From "the New York area Pete McSpadden, co-editor of our yearbook, Ceb Benisch, class executive committee member, and Will Rooke, reunion giving chairman, rounded out the group.

The theme of our reunion, of course, is "And we've only just begun." Well, as you will see through the mailings coming up these people working for the Class have more than just begun. The well balanced program they are planning includes not only the usual functions done in style, but also programs for every member of the family. The four-day agenda (June 16 through June 19) promises to be one of the most outstanding ever offered. A lot of fresh ideas have been put into the program.

The response to the early mailings continues to be very gratifying. So far over 650 people have been placed on the list. Based on the College's experience this would indicate a final total of over 900, including about 225 members of the Class. Last month we cited a few names that were planning to come from a distance. It is not possible to list everyone here (that will be done in an upcoming newsletter), but some names from a list given me show the wide response the Class is getting. At random here is a sample: Rog Pierce, Bob Klotz, Rollie Glasser, Marsh Smith, George Howard, Dick McDonough and Nels Ehinger. Two more West Coasters, Campbell "Bubs" Richardson and Pete Zischke, are making the trip as is Ernie Stephens from Dallas. And the list goes on with names like Pete Burnside, Bob Ringstad, Julie Robinson, "Kayo" Cox, Herb Roth, Pete Vos Burgh, Hank Williams and still another West Coaster, Vince Jones.

From down south we have heard favorably from Buck Linman, and from Al Jackson in Switzerland. From St. Louis we are pleased to hear Bill Biggs will be joining us as will Bill Fletcher from Portland, Ore. The rocky mountain area will be represented at least by George Gibson and another Chicagoan, Steve Lazarus, is on the list. The West Coasters will be joined by Wey Lundquist from the Bay Area and by Bob Millhouse from L.A. It is great to know another Texan, Roy Wilkstrom, will be coming north, possibly joined by Bill Stewart from Tulsa. Ed Smuckler, whom we wrote about recently, will also be joining us from San Francisco. Two Ohioans on the list that come to mind are Ben Hadley from Columbus and Bob Schuldt from Dayton.

We are pleased to hear that Tom Schanck and Bill Randall will join us from the western shores of Lake Michigan and that still another Texan, Joe Pierson, will make the scene.

Finally, of course, there are many classmates from the nearby areas coming to Hanover. Next month we will try to round out the great cross section of classmates and further stimulate your thinking for June.

Secretary, 40 Hamilton Lane Darien, Conn. 06820

Treasurer, 21 Ridgefield Road Winchester, Mass. 01890