1980

Tales from the Crypt, Chapter VI: Remember, gang, sincerity is the key to success. And once you've learned how to fake that, you've got it made, right?

Well, let it happen, Cap'n! Dateline: Atlanta, Ga.: On the road again, the faithful scribe delivers the journalistic jewel of 'BO fame, fortune, and intestinal fortitude. Today's subject is heroes and I'm not talking sandwiches. . . . First, a standing ovation for my mailman - neither rain, sleet, the darkness of night, nor the temptation of mail fraud keep him from giving me news of our classmates.

Rob Schoder took some time from his marginal utility curves and price elasticity functions to pass on a few lines (mmm) from business school at Northwestern University. Schoder writes that he, Mike Bush, and WebbVorys get together in Chicago for some bourbon renewal every now and then. Mike has been hitting the scenic Midwest with U.S. Steel. "After stints in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Mel's next stop is wonderful Gary, Ind. He's equipping himself with a gas mask and highintensity searchlight so he can survive the two-month stay in America's heartland," says Rob. Seems like a pretty severe training program for a janitor.

"As for Webb, American National Bank and a local rugby team occupy the bulk of his time. For once, however, work comes before rugby. Trying to outdo his workaholic boss, Webb usually arrives at the office before dawn - while most good bankers are still in bed dreaming up new embezzlement schemes." Schoder also said that Bill White is working for Continental Bank and living on the north side of Chicago (in the lake?). "Shoes" is meeting many new faces, learning loads about the business world and just loves his work (sounds like an ad for "today's" Army).

Congratulations to Karen Alston who has been appointed assistant to the director of admissions at Dartmouth. Yes sir, it's fair to conclude there'd be a great quirk in the admissions process without some input from the 'Bos in McNutt Hall. Good luck, Karen, and keep picking the winners!

As the brides go tearing by: Shaun Smith writes from Farmington, Conn., that on June 27 she will marry Sam Johnson '77 (Tuck '81). Congratulations! The big event will take place in Shaun's home town of Westfield, N.J., and the wedding party includes many Big Greeners. 'Bos in the entourage will be Kathy Cooney, Liz Pickar, Muffy Ramsdell, and Sally Sandercock. Shaun now works in the mortgage and real estate department of Connecticut General's investment operations in Hartford (with that job title, she needs five-by-seven-inch business cards). She writes that "life in insuranceland is not in the fast lane, however, we are close to I-91. ... " Other 'Bos keeping her company in Hartford include "Marrying" Mike Perella, who is at Connecticut Bank and Trust, Dave Hansmann, and Joel Chansky.

Comment allez who? Lucky Linda Williams is studying at the Institute of Political Science in Paris this year. Mademoiselle, what's the key to living in the land of runaway Renaults, especially in the city which has produced stars like the hunchback of Notre Dame and the atmosphere which has inspired great lovers like Guy Gadbois? "Ah, c'est facile," she parlayed, "toujours, il faut boire beaucoup de vin rouge. ..."

International relations, continued: Reaching into my mailbag once again, I found another award-winning letter. The envelope was yellowed, dog-eared, and had been forwarded six times. I believe the original postmark was "From-the-gutter-to-us-is-not-up, Mass." I was expecting a bill from my local clinic, but to my surprise I found instead the following note: "A mini-Siena (L.S.A. Italy) reunion took place in mid-January in Boston's North End. Discussion centered around careers. CraigThorn was absent, Bob Bracco was silent, DaveDeLucia was random, and Merle - Merle was just Merle. ..." For transcripts of the entire letter (complete with English translation), send $3.95 in check or money order to me at the above address.

The '80 herd that works for I.B.M. has stampeded the education center here in Atlanta with a vengeance. They come in all shapes and sizes, too: Steve Kim from Providence, Leigh Limbach from Boston, Earl Grossman from Westport, Conn., and Rob Speidel, Meg Blakey, Scott Bechler and yours truly from New York. Poor Atlanta hasn't taken the sack like this since Sherman's march to the sea.

Old fisherman never die, they just smell that way: I had dinner with the mouth of the south, Wade Herring, the other night. Mister Herring (why was he nervous when I ordered fish?) is studying law at the University of Georgia in nearby Athens, Ga. Wade tells me everyone is into bulldogs here, what with the national championship in football and all. So, dutifully, Wade has pinched his ears and is now wearing a spiked collar like the rest of the gang.

Spanky's-believe-it-or-not: Marc Levine has changed his name to Marc Lewis. Please act accordingly. I saw him in New York a while ago (he works for Solomon Bros, which is now contemplating changing its name to Smith Bros.) and asked him why the change. "Well, Mike, there are some questions you just can't answer, like 'How does Venus de Milo hitchhike?' "

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