1950

September. Mists boiling up from the river. Dim figures - the class of '89 - drift about preparing for their trip into the New Hampshire wilderness. Warm afternoons. Footballs thudding. Long earlyevening shadows. Undergraduates streaming back to campus. Yellow pools of leaves beneath the elms. Cool nights. The tempo accelerates as a new academic year begins.

Another year: 1946. World War II, a year behind us, still vivid in our thoughts. The economy undecided between bust or boom. Churchill out, Atlee in. Stalin, a specter. A novice, Truman, learning the ropes. The common talk, a new weapon: the atomic bomb. In Hanover callow youths and seasoned veterans assemble, forging the class of 1950.

Gridiron gleanings: some promise after the first scrimmage. The Big Green held its own, allowing only one touchdown. Optimists were enthusiastic.

Bryant, a small college in Rhode Island, named Dick Dale to its board of trustees. After 23 years in executive positions with Resistoflex Corporation in New jersey, Dick joined Johnson and Johnson and served as vice president, most of the time in Gainesville, Ga. In 1980 he moved to Cranston to join Davol, Inc., a subsidiary of C.R. Bard, as senior vice president for operations. Several months later Dick became president of the medical products and hospital supply company. Dick is active in the greater Providence area as a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Project, and the Public Expenditure Council. Dick and Sam live in Barrington.

Tidbits here and there: according to Wes Carr, the freshman class includes a hot basketball prospect, a high school all-American from Memphis. Larry Huntley noted the first green "Newsletter" and applauded. Last year Larry visited Scotland and fell in love with the country, which he compared to New Hampshire; he saw the soft and shimmering summer, not the gray and misty winter. Reader'sDigest put together an interesting retirement package, and Whit Williams accepted the challenge. Jack Sickman has changed the venue from Burlington to the Cape; he still works for IBM. Preferring serenity to continued exposure to Chinese water torture, Charlie Gilmore has retired from teaching. Dave Davis, on the other hand, continues his courses in history at Yale. Jim Gregg refers to son Jim, a stalwart member of the 'B3 executive committee, as a typical yuppy; we should be so lucky.

Wanted: for class officers (1986-90). Minimum time involvement. Essential roles. Special experience not required. Leadership potential helpful. Love of Dartmouth pertinent. Must be a member of class of 1950. Apply to Frank Dickinson or to me at the address above. Responses confidential.

A subtle change is taking place. Retirement becomes more alluring and more pervasive (see Tidbits). The seasoned veterans, in many cases, are coming of age. .. Some retire to leisure and days filled with tennis or golf. Others start a second career. Still others take the opportunity to do what they always wanted to do: to read, to compose, to paint, or to write. The old rocking chair remains idle.

It's September for this writer, but turkey-time is nigh for you. Put away your club or racquets, unless you plan a season in the sun. Inspect your skis and get ready for the snows. Then enjoy Thanksgiving and give thanks for all of us. We have miles to go and miles to go. Peace.

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