1947

Maple sugaring at last is in full swing in New Hampshire. Early March brought with it first a week of spring, then 16-18 inches of light snow, immediately followed by a one hour drizzle hence a crust on the snow. The joys of grandparenting were complete, with Philip H. Craig (H for Hamilton, what else), age three, enjoying repairing birdhouses, tunneling in the snow, and hanging out sap buckets. Please, will someone else write to confirm this "joy of grandparenting" feeling, or am I the only one?

But this column is for May, so we must turn away from things of winter. Joe Eisaman left California just long enough for a taste of New England winter. He spent time in Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. doesn't say what he did, but this could be the itinerary for a member of the Mafia elite, an Irish Labor leader, or a politician. Joe did visit with Fred Frassinelli, via letters, and passes on the word of a wedding in Bridgeport, Conn., January 19, 1985. Fred's oldest daughter, Sarah, is now Mrs. Stephen Patrick Keenan. This old mailbag would like to hear from Fred as he's been doing some interesting building development in the Bridgeport area.

This is my only "personal news" item. I think perhaps some people would like to know more about the activities of some of our class officers. Some officers, such as bequest chairman Bob Mortimer (Chicago area), and head agent Jim Osborne (Connecticut), are, in our eye, doing their job on behalf of the College, fund-raising and arranging programs so vital to the College. We see and perhaps can appreciate the work they do. But what about our class representative to the Alumni Council. What's this all about? Our man is Frank Weber in Houston, and they meet twice a year, most recently last November in Hanover. They travel at their expense, and the group is broken down into a lot of committees, designed to provide alumni as well as local community feedback to the Trustees and administration: advice on fund-raising, on costs, on College affairs, on political questions, on planning, on athletics, and on studies and other Dartmouth issues. Frank writes that one of his assignments is the athletic committee, and as such he is needed to recruit or persuade local athletes on the values of attending Dartmouth. Frank reports this is no easy job at all, as there is such regional feeling. All the really fine basketball, football, track, etc., stars look forward to attending a Texas or Oklahoma college. He feels these schools are not as strict with SAT scores and possibly are able to offer more "other" rewards for choosing one of the region's colleges. Fine schools they are, too. I wonder if this strong regional interest works the same way around the Northeast. I do know we face great competitive pressure from the schools with national recognition in their sports. Well, I thought you'd enjoy a glimpse into some little publicized council work. (Our classmate Dick Lezius is also on the Alumni Council, as an area representative. His story will appear in the next column.)

One officer you hear often from is our president, Townes Harris. But there are things in the background he's doing beyond what you read in the newsletters. Even now, Townes is working on building and binding class spirit by planning regional reunions for 1985 and 1986, leading up to our 40th class reunion in Hanover in June 1987.

Chicago, California, New Jersey, and Boston are sites of class of '47 activities during June 1985. Bob Huffman, Don Evans, and others will be setting up these events, and you'll be hearing more probably before you read this. This is one of many great ideas taking wing under Townes's fertile leadership, so plan to join in.

And those of you who are able, plan to be in Hanover October 5 and 6 this fall. Contact the Norwich Inn to reserve your room with our class, prior to June 1. As you can see, there's lots of opportunity for fellowship, and I'd say we deserve it about now.

63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431