1954

It's time to take your '54 blazer out of mothballs and get ready for the big 25th. Only 60 more days until Hanover welcomes the Class of '54 in all its glory for the 25th reunion. It's time to finalize your plans and convince the whole family what a great time they're going to have with all your old classmates. Take one last shot at getting back into the shape you were in 25 years ago and be all ready for this greatest reunion of all, June 14-17, in Hanover. Here's another reunion flash from Dick Page with more reasons why you should join us there:

"The topic for this month is the free lunch, of which it is said there is no such thing, except when you're dealing with John, Dick, and Pete, give-away artists extraordinaire.

"Just take a look at what we're offering the faithful souls who make the pilgrimage to Mecca on the Connecticut June 14-17: class hats, class handbags, '54 crew shirts, class Frisbies and mugs, ball-point pens with logos, and an absolute barrel full of surprise gifts we'll be drawing for throughout the weekend. And all at no extra charge.

"Of course, the really big prize is the free- ride lottery which returns $90 to one of those dedicated (and greedy) guys who get their deposits in our hands prior to May 1.

"And don't forget the reunion book that BillWhite is putting together. It outdoes the Aegis and then some, and it doesn't cost you a cent. You'll have it on your doorstep by early June regardless of whether you've registered. We don't even ask you to return it if you finally decide that you just can't make it back to Hanover. That's the kind of class group (pun intended) you're dealing with.

"What more is there to say? It's time for men with wit, wisdom, and wallet to step to the fore. Fill out your registration envelope and put it in the mail today with your check. The deposit is only $25 per adult and $15 per hild, ll f which is refundable if your plans change and you notify us before May 26. Do it now and reserve your 'free lunch.' "

You all know that with the reunion comes a great effort for the Alumni Fund. Steve Mullins is leading the reunion giving organization in its attempt to beat '53s gift of $753,000. To reach that goal everybody's willing cooperation will be necessary. Remember that a reunion gift is also a credit towards your Campaign for Dartmouth gift and can be spread over a period of time - but above all, remember to give.

Hank Grebe was named executive vice president of Essexbank. In his new position, Hank will head the commercial banking division. He has been with Essexbank since 1965 after previously being with Chase Manhattan. He has also recently been named president of Union Hospital in Lynn, Mass. Hank and Joan live in Wenham with their two children.

I spent a few wonderful days at Waterville Valley with my sons this winter and saw Tomand Pam Corcoran there. Tom has really built a year-round vacation wonderland from scratch at Waterville Valley, and you must visit Waterville to really appreciate the 20-year effort. In addition to Tom's position as president of the Waterville Valley Company, he has been exremely active in New Hampshire and New England tourist affairs. Tom was recently selected to serve on the board of directors of the New England Council Inc. and will continue to serve as chairman of the New England Travel Council which promotes the region's tourist and travel attractions. Tom is also president of Mountain Media Inc., a director of Carroll Reed Inc., chairman of the Business Advisory Board of Plymouth State College, and serves as selectman of the town of Waterville, trustee of the U.S. Ski Educational Foundation, and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Skiing Committee. Since founding the Waterville Valley Company in 1965, Tom has advanced to and continues in the forefront of New England skiing. Winter, summer or fall, if you want to enjoy New England, enjoy it at Waterville Valley - and be sure to say hello to Tom.

Thanks to our conscientious treasurer, DickBarker, news is flowing in with the yearly dues payments. I think that over the past five years Dick Barker has probably supplied half the news for this column.

Neil Sibley enclosed a few scribbled words with his dues payment. Neil and his wife Sonny had just returned from London where they visited their son Larry who is in the junior year at Newcastle College on Tyne as part of an exchange program with Tulane University. Neil reports that son Bruce is a junior at Hewlett High. Neil, Sonny, and family will be with us in June for the great 25th.

There is so much activity involved in preparing for the 25th reunion that it is almost impossible to detail it all. Our dynamic Chairman, Dave Mandlebaum, is coordinating the reunion activities, including the reunion giving program under the leadership of Steve Mullins; the reunion planning under the leadership of DickPage, Pete Barker, and John Gillespie; and the class book being created single-handedly by BillWhite. But the most important person in the reunion activities is you. If you're not there, there is no reunion, no partying, and no memories. So it's time for you to do your part. Make your plans, make your reservations, and of course, make your gift, and we'll all thrill to a record-breaking reunion gathering. See you there.

95 Plymouth St. New Bedford, Mass. 02740