1984

Another month goes by, and my mail gets progressively weirder. Used to be, I had to think up weird things to write in this column. Now they arrive daily.

To wit (I've always dreamed of using that phrase), the most boring postcard of the month came from Phyllis Utley, who sent me a yellow index card. What's the matter, Phyl- lis, no more white index cards left? Anyway, Phyllis is working in Boston at Filene's department store as an assistant buyer. Phyllis also reports that Karl Harris works at the Bank of New England in Boston. You sure can fit a lot of information on a postcard when there isn't any picture to clutter things up.

Talk about exotic mail: how about that letter from Jonathan Myers, who is doing something in Egypt. In all the excitement of writing me, Jonathan forgot to tell me exactly what it is he's doing in Egypt. As if the excitement was spreading, I received letters from Ken Gallager and Nick Huber, both of whom also forgot to tell me what they are doing. In fact, all three letters were identical. A cute trick, guys, but the joke is on you. Vou may not realize it, but you are still under the control of the Dartmouth Honor Principle. I have forwarded copies of your letters on to the COS.

I did receive some colorful mail this month. I got a letter from Al Chaker. It was written on naval stationery. This worries me. A lot. What is Al doing around this type of stationery? According to Al, he is a "Naval Aviation Officer Candidate" in Pensacola, Fla. Currently, Al is doing some sort of Naval Flight Officer Hell Week. Al says that he is an ensign (naval talk for a pledge). In addition to his busy schedule, Al manages to play for the Pensacola Rugby Club, where he has been commended for "pummeling an opponent's elbow with his previously unbroken nose." Way to go.

From Fort Benning, Ga., comes an awesome postcard from Rob Jenkins. This has got to rate as one of the all-time best postcards I have ever received. It's got pictures of army guys running and jumping all over the front of it. Just looking at it got me tired. Rob reports that he is a second lieutenant (army talk for a pledge) in the infantry. Anyway, Rob says that any '84s in the area who feel the need to jump out of an airplane (a moving one, I assume) should stop by for a visit. If you're thinking of going, give me a call; maybe we can arrange a carpool.

Those of you looking for Peggy Pike in her hometown of Lyme, N.H., will be surprised to find that Peggy has taken her computer expertise to Pacific Beach, Calif., where she is rumored to be on the verge of marrying Darren Gardiner '82.

Some of our classmates still reside in Hanover and I will soon return to seek them out. Keith Dickey and Karen "OPO" McCarthy are rumored to be holed up in Norwich, while Mike Mitchell is finishing up his pre-med courses at the Big Green as a gradual, I mean graduate, student. Mike intends to take the unique step of attending medical school in the future.

I just received a letter from Anne Arquit. Now, try not to feel too sorry for Anne. She wrote from Squaw Valley, where she was skiing. In the off-season, Anne does something in Honolulu. Anyway, while on a lift line out there (I hope it was a long one), Anne ran into Kristen Hege and Laura Poppo. Those of you who pay attention will remember that Kristen is at UCSF med school. Laura, who is making her debut in the column this month, hails from "someplace way over there by Dartmouth." Thanks for the incisive bit of information, Anne. If anyone wants to go visit Anne, she can be found somewhere over there by Japan.

Boston Red Sox fans, take note. While most of you spend your summers in front of the TV sets, one of our number has taken his interest on the road. Bill Berry, who had been working for a computer company in Claremont, N.H., has quit his job to become the official bat-boy of the Boston Red Sox. Bill admits that he spent several weeks as a bat boy in Boston's AAA-affiliated team to hone his skills. "I feel that my time in the minors really helped a lot," said Bill. "I used to have trouble catching the foul tips after they rolled off the backstop, but I've overcome that."

I'd like to end this column with one note of regret. I don't know how many of you realized it, but April 21 was National Secretaries Day. I did not receive one card, not one flower, no telegrams, nothing. I can hardly show my face around the typing pool these days. If I've ruined anyone's summer, I'm sorry, but I had to get it off my chest. I tell you what, I'll make it up to you. We can have our own Secretaries Day. Let's have it on August 15. OK, it's settled. You can all resolve guilty consciences by sending me gifts on August 15. Send anything; cash, checks, bonds, flowers, or candy. No stamps, please. Have a nice summer.

A plaque dedicated to Fred Harris '11, founder of the Dartmouth Outing Club, was installed recentlyin the commons of South Fayerweather dormitory. Harris was living in South Fayerweather when heconceived the idea for the Club, and its first meeting was held in the dorm's common room. Amongthose present at the dedication ceremony were, left to right, College president David McLaughlin; ChrisKeating '86, president-elect of the DOC; Viva Hardigg '84, outgoing president of the DOC; and DavidHooke '84, who is writing the history of the DOC. The plaque was presented to Harris's widow, HelenHarris of Brattleboro, Vt., at a banquet in December marking the end of the celebration of the DOC's75th anniversary year.

1 Cindy Court Melville, NY 11747