1936

A gala group of classmates and spouses assembled at the diggings of Jerri and Ray Builter in Fairfield, Conn., towards the end of March. The ostensible reason for the gathering was a meeting of the selection committee in respect to candidates for class awards. However, genial hosts Jerri and Ray had invited several others who live nearby, all of whom contributed to the occasion. Jerri and Ray (yes, and Ray!) prepared and served a splendiferous repast, and Anne and Don Robbins (yes, and Don!) had prepared some delectable hors d'oeuvres. Besides the foregoing, those present included Marj and Milt Johnston,Gerry and Frank Kappler, Cathie and PaulLynch, Phil McInnis, Jim Stephens, and Etheland Art Toan. Art has done a great job on the awards program, making it a lot easier for all the others concerned with this project. Jerri and Ray had just returned from a two-week trip to Florida, stopping first at John's Island, where they saw Jean and Tom Parker and ran into Marj and Milt Johnston. The Builters then went across to the west coast of Florida and spent a day with Rose and Harry Coronis and Tannaand Bob Fernald, both of which couples are wintering at Burnt Store Marina at Punta Gorda. The Builters then finished their Florida trip at Marco Island near Naples. Marj and Milt had arrived in Florida fresh from a week at Ocho Rios, Jamacia, where they stayed at a place maintained by the family of daughter Susan's husband.

Like so many others present at the Builters', Ethel and Art Toan had also just returned from Florida, where Art attended a meeting of the president's council of the A.M.A. at Palm Beach. Art also spent some time at the Inverrary Golf Club to learn about hosting a golf tournament, since Art's club, the Ridgewood Country Club, is hosting the Coca Cola Classic in May. While in Florida, the Toans visited Jack Witzel who, after many years with General Electric, is now retired and lives with his wife in West Palm Beach. DonRobbins is semi-retired but still goes into the office occasionally at Singer's new headquarters in nearby Stamford. In May Don is leaving for his tenth visit to China to help with the marketing of Singer products there.

It was a pleasure to see Frank Kappler looking so good and so mobile after undergoing two operations around the end of November to replace both hips. Frank was able to throw his crutches away by Valentine's Day, and he really gets around very well, although he is not quite up to doing the twist or the hustle as yet. Not to be outdone, Pic Hofman had a total knee replacement operation in February and hoped to be off crutches in early April. Just to compound things, Norb Hofman fell and broke his right wrist in early March. We sincerely hope that by the time this is printed both Pic and Norb will be well on their ways to recovery.

Two members of our class are obviously in sound condition and good health. Don Erion continues to do well in the swimming nationals for his age group. But first let me report that on January 1, 1981, Don was married to Jesse Smith, and they are living in Hollis, N.H. Welcome to Jesse and congratulations, Don. Back to swimming. Don is the national 1980 masters silver medalist in both the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. He is now training for the 1981 nationals to be held in Irvine, Calif. (Walt Kadlec please note.) Also, Pug and SandyGoldthwait both starred this year in the skating Senior Olympics held for the past eight years at Lake Placid. They are divided into age groups, and Pug originally skated in the 60-65 age group but now has graduated to the 65-70 age group. Each year there are four races. Pug has won all the races he has been in during the past eight years! He is the present holder of four records in his current age group, and the holder still of one record achieved when he was in the 60-65 age group. This year Sandy participated in the Olympics for the first time as a contestant and won four races and broke three records! Nice going, Sandy and Pug, and here's hoping you both win many more.

Bounce and Ross Woodbridge are wintering in Sarasota, Fla., and Ross advises he rides to the Dartmouth Club of Sarasota meetings with Jack Kenny. More about Ross and the Oregon Trail in the next issue. Vin Wentworth reports on the glories of Scottsdale, Ariz., and says that he has opted to continue working for American Express until 70 at least. He describes his position there as "consultant with employee benefits."

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