1961

FIFTEENTH REUNION

It was, to say it right, of all three reunions, the very best. I mean after Chip Serrell's crescendo of Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps, someone saw Dick Clark of American Bandstand lapse into salivating babbles of awe. (And how's about Al and Darden Rozycki's Creole tomata import from New Orleans doing the hula hoop bit?)

Our 16th was also something very special and of a different rhythm. It was kindness and it was demonstrated thusly: late 30s men and women coming together under a tent with TomMcDonough to talk about "passages" (see feature in this issue) ... Frank Greenburg relaxing us so we could reach out and touch one another, consciously ... some very special women who have shared the crises and caring a long time, they too, touched us ... a nononsense work-ethic panel chaired by Vic Rich with back-up by Ramming, Rozycki, and Sandler ... psychic phenomena by John White ... the absolute bluegrass vibes of Ford Daley and his Beaver Meadows Band in a light rain at Storrs Pond ... a beautiful love prayer by Father Mills Omaly quietly said and sensed with a hush settling over the banquet (do you remember those guys now gone, died, killed? I don't know what I felt; alone possibly) ... Oscar Arslanian zeroing in on all of us with a wit wonderful to hear ... Jerry Kaminsky and RonWybranowski who busted all kinds of efforts travelling to raise money ... of Dave Prewitt and his woman who made us feel welcome and warm ... of faces we knew but had to look at the name tag to remember, and once remembering, breaking down the 16 years of memories, then slowly getting into the rhythm of learning about each other ... all of these and more ... as in prole food at Thompson Arena (I've eaten in many places but never on the floor of a hockey arena) ... of Professor Smallwood who reached out as a friend on real terms and not a PR snow job ... of seeing a great white-haired, raspyvoiced Al Foley walking across campus during a Saturday night rain and musing as only a man of wit, humor and wisdom can muse ... of going back to Theta Delt and thinking: "Did it always smell this bad?" ... of listening to how many of us, our bed mates included, have changed emphasis in our life styles, and doing so, are literally starting all over again together ... of the thought that Dartmouth of 1993 could easily cost $15,000 a year... of walking with my Pani around the back streets and feeling what a small New England town is all about, all over again... feeling there are a lot of guys making very big bread but just as many into some very serious intellectual pursuits that make one envious, even jealous... of HankEberhardt's hand when we needed something done... of Denny Denniston and his long walk with a backpack... of Sally and Rick Reed and their hopes... Don O'Neil because he added to the kindness... Bob Naegele because he makes one feel good... Bob Cohn, a reporter's reporter... Fred Fields who's got more going than the law... Power John Stowell because he's a powerful Maine mutha... Jimmy Nova who enjoys life... Alan Orschel who's kid is younger than mine... Dave Osterhout (and his foxy lady) who keeps saying: "It's not the old politicians who worry me, it's the guy in the bar who suddenly gets the calling, leaps out of his chair and screams he is going to run for Congress"... John Edwards and his lovely wife who made you feel good... Bud Schoening who enjoyed himself because he likes life... MiltSteinhauser who made every late keg with style and grace... even the Class of 1962, especially Stu and Hugh-boy Johnson and their special mates... of glorious sounds with the Barbary Coast... of John Kemeny, the Renaissance man.

It meant a lot - these past 16 years.

Two more thoughts. Three hundred and ninety of us gave $105,000 to the Alumni Fund.

If you haven't, reach down deep next time.

And, thinking back, nothing's perfect but I'd say all of us are OK. It was a beautiful way to spend a summer weekend.

Note: I am actually writing this one time. If you have anything to tell me send a postcard to 1961 Newsletter, Ken Kolb, 6123 Loyola, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118. I'll do my best to keep us in touch, together. Au revoir.

Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker Reggie Williams '76 leads reuning classes, wives, andchildren on a "run for fun" around Occom Pond. John Knight '62 came in first.