1964

All right fellas, are you ready for this one? Stein Fine Varkas, schussboomer excelsior, powder freak extraordinaire, and general bullschitteur, has changed his previous title of ski buff to ski buffoon. While skiing in a state of euphoria amongst the glorious ski conditions of Vermont (see last month's issue) I communed with nature but not Albert Camus style. I "communed" with a tree while powder skiing in the woods and, to use layman's terminology, "I busted the hell out of my leg." Needless to say my adoring wife has had to become a twenty-four-hour nurse, and with her constant care and attention the leg will probably mend by July and the marriage will probably break up in August. We're both suffering from cabin fever. My September article will reveal the outcome of the never-ending saga of Alex Varkas and his backstage wife. Now for the news.

Fred Kolouch is a highly successful set designer for the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. During the winter when he is not working for CLO, he paints sets for the Metropolitan Opera. From head painter of CLO sets in 1968, when performances were staged at the Civic Arena, he became head set designer when CLO moved to Heinz Hall in 1972. After studying playwriting at Dartmouth, Fred did graduate work at Yale Drama School and then studied set design with Lester Polakov in New York. His design and lighting work has been seen on stages almost all over the world. Incidentally, Fred is originally from Sun Valley, Idaho, and has a skiing background.

News Flash: Washburn Associates has begun operations as a Chicago book publisher. Established by Taylor Washburn and James Perkins '55, the company will produce nonfiction books of general interest, both adult and juvenile, for distribution and sale by other publishers. While specializing in series and sets for mail order, direct sales, and mass distribution, the company will also publish single titles and sets for trade and premium use. Taylor received his Ph.D. from Stanford and is presently senior research associate with Stanford Research Institute. (Obviously, with the recent incarceration of Larry Flynt, Taylor is taking advantage of this massive void left in the publishing industry.)

Jim Zurn, treasurer of Zurn Industries Inc. (Erie, Pa.) has been given the added title of vice president. Zurn Industries makes polution-control and energy equipment, and leisure products. The name Zurn had a magic to it that inspired me to suggest a motto for the company: "From the Urn of Zurn you learn to discern it's not what you earn but that you harbor a yearn to protect the tern and preserve the fern."

Dave Larson writes a very timely note. "I am presently in my third year of practice in orthopedic surgery in Alexandria, Minn., a small resort community surrounded by lakes. [My X-Rays are in the mail, Dave.] Cher and I have two boys, Dave 6, and Chad 4. We have been very busy and have been active in marriage encounter groups." (I might send my wife out along with the X-Rays.)

Hugh Savage writes, "We are now the parents of three girls. Anne was born March 18, 1976. The remodeling of our house that I started a year ago to make room for her is nearly done enough for her to move in." (Where has she been living in the meantime?) Thank God, Hugh went on to explain that the girls all shared the same bedroom and that he anticipated problems convincing all concerned that it was better for Anne to move into the nursery. Hugh, I'm corresponding with Joyce Sisters (more familiar with such problems than Joyce Brothers) and will send along any info that will make the transition smoother. 1 want all classmates to know my column is a potpourri that includes all news - anything from a classmate's technique on toilet training to outstanding social achievements.

Dave DeCalesta writes that he and wife Kathy have two children: son Daran 5 and daughter Kerry 2. He works at Oregon State University, Corvallis, in the department of fisheries and wildlife. He is an assistant professor of wildlife ecology and does research with wild animals. It is rumored his initial interest in wild animals was fostered by his exposure to the interior lineman while playing football at Dartmouth. Talking about football, Scott Creelman is not butchering any pigs this year. He got a raise from Spaulding (sports equipment) and can now do his food shopping at the supermarket. The Creelman's and Spangenberg's finished their "barn" house in Hubbardton, Vt., in time for the cross-country ski season. A great house-warming fete was held at Thanksgiving. It was on that occasion that Scott said, "There are two prerequisites for good tennis: skill and balls - and the best balls are Spaulding."

Jim Stewart was kind enough to write a long letter describing his activities since Dartmouth. Let me give you the highlights. Jim spent two years in the army (tour in Vietnam) after graduation and then joined Kidder, Peabody as a stockbroker for seven years. For four years Derrick Danby was his roommate. In 1973, Jim left the brokerage business and became a consultant for a Boston firm. He traveled exten- sively and in Kansas City ran into George Bunting, who is a food supplier for the Taco Bell chain. Jim is currently Southeast regional manager for Cintor division of Codman and Shurtleff Inc. of Randolph, Mass. This is a Johnson and Johnson Co., working primarily with orthopedic surgeons specializing in joint replacement for arthritics. Jim works out of the Fort Lauderdale office of this company and recently made a trip to Costa Rica on business and met Robert Vescoe. Jim is still single but admits he has mellowed in regards to the institution of marriage. Well, that's it for this month.

Secretary, R.R. 1, #139G Waitsfield, Vt. 05673

Treasurer, 24 Henry St., Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583