1947

Did someone say it's Christmas? ho-ho-ho? My problem is it's early October, the foliage is at a peak of crimson, yellow, purple, orange you know, that special blend. It's been a gorgeous year in New Hampshire, and unusual; no frost all through September. So, the flowers had been out and blooming until October 6 our first frost! Marigolds, zinnias, poppies, mums, even sweet peas in blue and purple out in our yard, until two days ago.

This is our season to put things away. First boats, a painful duty. Then the last mowing, put away our windmill, take in the birdbath, get ready for winter snows. Next come the real chores to be done before snow covers us. Gardens cleaned up, leaves under the trees and over our bulbs, all windows washed, bird feeder up, wood piles moved from outdoor storage to sugar house, trees and bushes pruned. Then sit back and wait for the first silent fall of snow.

So, you see, I've just talked myself through the fall season and into Christmas season, so I can do the column. Notice, no mention of football no need to get nasty. But I can mention a super weekend, September 21-22. We had 27 souls at the Norwich Inn banquet table, after a colorful Saturday in Hanover, perfect for picnics, hiking, and football. George Cohn was one of the first to arrive, driving up from New Haven, where he teaches and serves on the staff at Yale University Hospital as a psychiatrist. His first words were, "It's great to be back up here." (I wonder what he really meant by that.) His Sally teaches a dance class so she couldn't come, but George did receive a phone call from daughter Amy, missing him. Amy is the class "baby" at eight going on nine.

Dick Hollerith came from New Jersey and as promised, his bride of one and a half years, Romy, came to watch Dick in action and to see how the Dartmouth spirit operates. Judging from the smiles, she had a fun time. Romy is a delightful, happy person, adjusting well to us from her home in Echterdinger, Germany. She graced our banquet with a brief concerto on the piano, which I hope will be an annual event. She can truly say "Ich binein Dartmouth Girl." Ed and Mary Grady attended, along with Ed's hairpiece (won at our reunion auction).

George and Carolyn Bingham and daughter Susan drove from Boston very carefully indeed in their new car. Zeke Lanzillo andGloria came so dignified these days we'll have to call him Harry instead of Zeke. Philand Barbara Segal from Providence came with the inside story on the giant grocery war which has surfaced in Keene, N.H. Others attending for the day's activities were: Townes and Joan Harris, John Trethaway,Dick Leary and Alice, Bob and Muriel Rowland, Paul Spiers, Paul Guilderson and Helen, and Ham and Dottie Chase.

All others please note: We'll do this weekend all over again 'til we get it right. Next year, 1985, October 4,5, and 6.Make plans to be in Hanover next fall.

From my mailbox: Norm and Helen Fink new condo under construction in Cortland,N.Y. Firm address to appear soon.

Joan Schofield writes for Charlie that oldest son Mark married September Larson in 1982, and that Nathan is now on the scene, one year old.

Harley and Elaine Timbers in Emmaus, Pa., are coping with retirement. Elaine is still the librarian in Emmaus. Tim does tax returns and is taking philosophy courses at Muhlenburg College towards a major in "business ethics." A bit late for that now, isn't it, Killer?

Joe Eisaman writes about how small a world it is. His nextdoor neighbor turned out to be Dr. Mike Stein '46.Joe enclosed a photo which we learned subsequently can't be clearly reprinted in our column. The photo has Joe and Mike standing with a Dartmouth chair. (The chair is the one in the center.) Isn't it always true the guys who send in the photos are the ones with hair and a waistline half their age.

Now, two serious words. I just received Jim Osborne's final summary of the Alumni Fund drive. He congratulates all of us for the superior dollar achievement. I say congratulations to Jim and his crew, and we know now our real job is participation. As you read this, the old year is history, the new drive is beginning. Volunteer to give Jim a hand next year in contacting classmates and resolve to "get Jim off our backs early" by chipping in early.

My other word deals with the positive results of our monetary help to Dartmouth, in this case our class dues. Besides this fine magazine, our class dues buy us a class project for Dartmouth, and this means our student intern in President McLaughlin's office. This year's student is Mary Ellen Reilly, of Wayland, Mass., class of '85. What a terrific girl. She attended our class meeting and talked informally about student life, then sat at dinner with our class on Saturday. It's one of the best ways I've found to keep in touch with things in Hanover. What a joy to see how far our dollar goes and to know that President McLaughlin has daily access to the thoughts of our very own class intern, Mary Ellen Reilly. Put something extra in the envelope for that project; it's worthwhile. Have a happy Christmas season, and enjoy the blessings of the New Year,1985.

63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431