1950

Funny winter. Funny as in strange, that is. The East has been warm and rainy. Rain, record rains. In the Middle West cold and snow predominate. All my trips to Chicago were aborted.

There is snow in the North Country, and there are those who relate snow to skiing and skiing to Herman's and its world of sporting goods. Now you can extend the relationship to DickEchikson, who was recently named veep for executive development of W. R. Grace's retail group, which includes Herman's as well as Shepler's western wear, Pix of America footwear, and Channel and Handy City home improvement center stores. In his new position Dick works with the prexys of each unit and assists them in recruiting and training professional personnel to facilitate the continued growth of the group.

Dick's credentials for the Grace position are impressive. First, a stint in the Air Force as a first lieutenant; then 14 years with Macys. In 1965 he founded and developed The Fabric Tree, a retail home sewing chain of about 70 stores located in major shopping centers. Next he served as president of the retail stores division of Faded Glory, Inc. In the meanwhile Dick and Florence have left New York for the joys of suburbia in South Orange, N.J.

The 16th century? That is the objective for an unusual business in Lunenburg, Vt., population 1200. The business is in a barn north of town in the Connecticut valley. There are no cows. Only printing presses, the best available. For the goal of Stinehour Press is to equal or to improve upon the quality of printing done in the 16th century. Lunenbrug offered few opportunities until Rocky Stinehour created his own in order to stay in and to enjoy the Northeast Kingdom. It is difficult for a customer to visit the press, and Rocky stresses, "we don't compete with cheapness, with speed, or with service." There is another measure: a quality product has allowed him to succeed where other small printing operations have failed. In the beginning Rocky and his wife Elizabeth were the business, which specializes in printing scholarly journals, books of poetry, art exhibit guides, and library catalogs. Now, without looking for extensive growth, the Press employs 40 people. That's a lot for Lunenburg. And for the 16th century.

The New Yorker headlines letters not worth finishing; some few are interesting. This one was "... for 'closet optimists,' people who suspect the world is not going to hell. For 20 years I helped to edit three of the world's best magazines ... Recently, after five years as editor-in-chief of Harper's, I took a hard look at my profession.

"Journalism had trained me to assume that every day in every way, things were getting worse and worse. I enjoyed that notion. Yet all around me was contrary evidence. New life-styles, inventions, works of art, world records. The quiet heroism of ordinary people coping, healing, teaching. The unknown best and brightest in a billion corners of the earth - unknown because good news isn't news.

"I'm tired of journalistic myopia. Fed up with publications that appeal to our worst instincts. Let other editors drag readers through the cesspools of mediocrity. I'm interested in people as they really are - and could become." The letter was signed by Bob Shnayerson, editor of Quest/78.

Grantham, Inc., of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, has appointed Sandy Marson executive vice president, operations. The firm is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision injection molded parts for data processing, aerospace, office equipment, and related industries. In his new position Sandy will be responsible for sales, manufacturing, and financial operations. His background includes over' 20 years of experience in aluminum products. He was a director of Junior Achievement in Manitowoc, Wise., and is a member of the National Association of Purchasing Management. Sandy and Madge have moved from Wisconsin to Mentor, Ohio.

Tidbits here and there: The President (of the U.S.) nominated Ken Rothchild to the board of directors of the National Corporation for Housing Partnerships, an organization aimed at encouraging private investment in low- and moderate-income housing. Bob Kilmarx was among the founders of Davis, Jenckes & Kilmarx, which specializes in the general practice of law. He misses Japan, but Frank Barker finds retirement challenging, rewarding, and very busy - good omens for our future. Frank reports seeing Jay and Mary Buck from time to time, and this winter he hopes to visit Jim andBonny Myers in Florida. Vally Chamberlain is enjoying the sun (or suffering through the rains) in Brentwood, Calif. George Singer will be on the slopes to cheer daughter Meg '82 competing for the ski team; son Bob '76 will be Rossignol's tech rep to the U.S. ski team in Europe this winter.

So it's off to the slopes at least one more time before tackling the annual scourge, the bout with the IRS. See you next month, whether or not the results are favorable.

510 Hillcrest Rd. Ridgewood, N.J. 07450