1944

Sorry, but somewhat lean pickin's this month. I wonder: might it have something to do with this "being retired" business? Whatever, retirement is a condition which I warmly, highly, and thoroughly recommend. At this mid-September writing, I'm just two and a half months into it, and it gets more exquisite by the hour!

For me, anyway, splitting wood in the yard has it all over splitting infinitives in the office. Walking the hills sure beats walking the halls. And the sounds and silences of my woods and ponds are far lovelier than the sounds and flurries of staff meetings and copying machines. Amen ...

Then, retirement enabled me in early September to join one of my old 1977 Freshman Trip favorities, Ann Smolowe '81, on her trek of the Appalachian Trail. She's doing the whole shebang, all 2,133 miles of it, from Springer, Ga., to Mt. Katahdin, Maine, and she is surely the first Dartmouth alumna to walk the entire Trail.

I joined her for just a day's hike, 15 miles from Hanover, up over Velvet Rocks, Moose Mountain, and to the shelter at Holt's Ledge, by the Dartmouth Skiway. A joyous day with a joyful young lady and her roommate, Holly Dustin '81, who joined Ann in Hanover for two weeks through the White Mountains.

Any way you look at it, lovely duty ...

Postcards from Lem and Ellie Arnold, one from the Olympics in Los Angeles and a second from Olympic heights in the Swiss Alps, indicate that they're not exactly lolling around their back patio in Van Nuys. They've also included Woodstock, Vt., in their round-and-aboutings (visiting Ellie's mother), and Cornish Flat, N.H., where we've had them for bed and breakfast and a seat on the 50 (well, maybe on the 30) at the Dartmouth Penn football opener.

From the Diamond Match Company in Springfield, Mass., comes word of Charlie Schumacher's retirement, effective September 1. He started with Diamond in 1947 as a consumer products salesman and after seven years of selling joined the Springfield customer service staff. In the years since, he has held various managerial positions. Wrote wife Fern: "We are still living in Wilbraham and attend the Yale game each year. Charlie plans to spend time on his golf game and bringing his eight handicap down to six!"

A while back we reported that Washington barrister Dick Whiting was eyeing retirement to his holdings at Eastman Pond, N.H. Premature. This past summer he was appointed chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law, which has a membership of some 13,200 lawyers focusing their practices on antitrust law issues. It's a oneyear term, but riding herd on 13,200 antitrusters for 365 days seems to us like a long way from putting-the-feet-up.

A post-reunion note from Dick Rice in Center Harbor, N.H., tells us: "I particularly enjoyed reminiscing with Ray Hensler about our freshman days and the Wheeler Hall Saturday night gatherings. Ray and I teamed up for the reunion tennis competition and beat back all competition to take the prizes." Did you get that, Howard Cosell?

And from Karl Sorg: "Our 40th reunion was truly memorable. And wouldn't it be extra special at our 45th if we reenacted the traditional ceremony that none of us had the chance to take part in in 1944, namely the breaking of clay pipes on the Old Pine in the Bema? I think a simple ceremony there for classmates, and in memory of those no longer with us, would be most appropriate."

Sounds like a splendid idea to me, and I'll bet you Bill Hirons, who spoke so eloquently at our 40th Memorial Service, would agree. Bill said, among other things, at that ceremony: "We are faced once again with the memories, both individual and collective, we shared those 40-odd years ago memories that have lain submerged for so long but which resurface like clockwork each time we return together. And yes, there is the element of renewal, not only of friendships but of spirit the spirit which is Dartmouth and our class. I believe we all feel that the spirit of the class of '44 is something that has an extra strength...."

Nicely said. That's it. Blessings.

Lovejoy Hill Cornish Flat, NH 03746