1927

It won't be long now — until June 11, 12, and 13, that is, when we certainly look forward to seeing all of you who are planning to make the 55th.

Here's the latest word that came in this morning from our chief arranger, Steve Tracy. "Prospects look very good for a large attendance. Over 150 classmates, wives, widows, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren have already stated that they plan to return for the occasion, and a number of others are hoping to come. A full program for the three days has been arranged, but between scheduled events there will be ample opportunity for the renewal of old friendships and the reliving of fond memories. Cars have been rented for the convenience of those who prefer to ride about instead of walking (or jogging). Chuck Baker has consented to emcee the class banquet on Saturday evening and we promise a happy mix of hilarity and nostalgia. Tell your readers, Charlie, that this reunion will be a unique occasion, for it's the first, last, and only 55th that '27 will ever have. It's not too late to sign up. Just send in your reservation (with dollars, of course) to Jay Willing, 23 Leslie Road, Winchester, Mass. 01890."

Under the heading of "how time changes," here's the latest from the Hanover hills per a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal of March 18. "Ballroom classes for M.B.A. candidates are being offered as a non-credit elective at Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School. 'Social graces count a lot in the game of high finance these days,' says a public relations expert."

On March 4, Chuck and Marie Baker hosted a repeat of the mini-reunion of a year ago at their place in Siesta Key, Fla. We do not have the names, but understand that 38 classmates and wives enjoyed, once again, the Bakers' gracious hospitality.

We would like to be able to pass on the names of all of those of Tribe '27 who vacationed in Florida last winter to join the almost three dozen others who have taken up permanent residence there, but here are a few whom we know about: in Siesta Key, Syd and Ruth Harris, Chuck and Marie Baker, Don and Do- die McCall, and Ed and Dot Jacob; in Dunedin, Tom and Dot Gillespie; in Boca Grande, Gus and Sybil Cummings; in Sarasota, Bert and Ruth Gustin and Ben and Mim Bell; in Redington Beach, Gordon and Nancy Hope; and in Nokomis, near Venice, Rog and Marion Bury.

Johnny Hough has moved from 240 Camden Place, Boulder, Colo., to 330 Ponca Place in the same city.

Cliff Randall has another grandson, Kevin, who has matriculated in the class of 1985. This makes the fourth member of his immediate family to join the Dartmouth family.

Here's what Gordon Hope writes: "We like our Florida-Maine system of half a year in each place and really know the roads back and forth after all these years. Today, though, January 12, it's more like Maine than Florida with the thermometer reading 20 at night."

From Charlie Allen comes: "All's O.K. here in Barre, Mass., at the Charles G. Allen Company, manufacturers of Allen drilling and tapping machines and producers of Gray Iron and Dutch Iron castings, where I spend every day except those days in the fall when I am afield with my Irish setter whom I've appropriately named Indian."

Herb Howe writes: "The old rocking chair has got me. I depend on the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and the 'Speak' for news, as a poor ticker and other ailments preclude any other activity, and I remain content to rely on old memories of days past."

And Will Shaw also writes: "Thanks, Charlie, for the birthday card. I seem to be in pretty good shape, considering my age and the fact that I expect to become a great-grandfather next May. I saw Hugh McGrath, Ken Murray, and Tom Gillespie at Al Chabot's funeral last August but otherwise have had no contact with 1927 since the 50th."

In acknowledging his card, Jay Willing says that his approach, now, to inquiries concerning his age is simply to reply, "I'm nearer to 100 than to 50."

Larry Duncan noted that up in Concord, N.H., the going was pretty icy most of the winter and that he carried his ski poles with him for support through the bad weather.

It is with sadness that we pass on the news that Hale Ham was hospitalized for quite a spell this winter as the result of a stroke which has left him severely handicapped by the loss of most of his sight and some paralysis.

That's it for now. See you in a few weeks at the 55th, I hope.

"That Was the Way it Was": Enjoying each other's company at their 45th reunion ten years agowere'27s (left to right) Don McCall, Paul Hannah, Chuck Baker, and Howie Mullin. They'llanother chance to renew old ties, with their class preparing for its 55 th reunion in just a fewweeks.

11 Rolling Lane Wayland, Mass. 01778