1974

Fall is in the air! Temperatures as low as 38 degrees in August here .in New Jersey signify the coming of football season and another year of columns the continuing real-life adventures of the fabulous class of '74.

Before we continue, a word from one of our fine sponsors. While '74 could not repeat last year's Alumni Fund Green Derby victory (largely due to an absolutely incredible job at raising bucks by '71), we did manage to set the pace for our group in participation, chalking up a performance of better than 70 per cent. We also broke the record for a class eight years out, with better than $35,000! A fabulous performance, and many thanks to all who gave.

On with the show! The winner in the "Flaky Letter of the Summer" sweepstakes is . . . Carlton P. Frost V of Ridgewood, N.J. He writes, "Not content to starve as an English teacher, I elected to supplement my income through the sale of real estate. Now I'm a contented, starving teacher/realtor associate. Actually, I've had some good success working on V.A. foreclosures as well as the purchase of homes for use as mental health outpatient residences. The neighbors don't love me, but in the jungle, only the strong (and crazy) survive.

"On a more cheery side, my wife Susan and I have recently had a daughter. She weighed only six and a half pounds at birth, but she's inherited some nasty habits. She loves to chug till she boots, and all-nighters are commonplace. As a result, she's tripled her weight in five months. I'm not kidding, if Pampers made a G-string diaper, the kid could pass for a midget sumo wrestler. The doctor called her 'chunky' and suggested watering down her beverage. I'd rather make a little Mud Bowl in the backyard and start some career counseling." Although Carlton failed to mention it, reliable sources have pegged the child's name as Sarah Elizabeth.

Carlton continues, "Susan and 1 have a house now with a bonafide squash court in the backyard, and I'd like to hear from any alums in the area interested in a game. Other recreation news: I organized a rafting trip for the local alumni club down the Lehigh River this spring. A hundred people showed up, but no '74s. Where are you guys? Special note to Rick Gerardi: Now that I've set my sights on a national arm-wrestling championship, I especially want to see you if you're in the area (N.Y.C). Back in '74 you were the last human being to beat me, and I want a shot at revenge." Carlton, if this return match occurs, I want a good, sharp black-and-white glossy for publication purposes.

Continuing with the bouncing baby segment of the show, Kim and Dick Cates are the proud parents of a daughter, Shannon Denise, born on May 28. Dick claims that "her blond hair is a good indication that she is ours, and of good Wisconsin stock. Shannon cannot sing or dance yet and she hardly has any eyebrows, but I like her to the max!" Dick is finishing a Ph.D. and Kim a master's degree. They are both studying soil science at the University of Wisconsin.

Despite the ever-increasing news of assorted progeny of the class, the motto of this column is not "Babies are our business our only business!" While there are more new arrivals aplenty to concern ourselves with, we will forego further "baby bulletins" until next month's column.

Let's hear a " 74 ROAR" for Rick Thatcher, who has been appointed second vice president, actuarial department, in the financial division of Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, a company of CIGNA Corporation (try typing that three times fast!). The news release goes on to list Rick's many accomplishments since joining Connecticut General in 1976. Most recently, he was director of corporate research, financial division, at CG.

That's all for now! Tune in next month for more '74 lore.

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