1934

When this column appears, the '34 Danube cruise will be just a month away. We can be thinking of our classmates in Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, and Istanbul and wishing them a fine trip while envying them the camaraderie in such scenic settings. As the newsletter reported, more than 20 had signed up. In our reunion questionnaire, 24 percent of those responding had been to Eastern Europe and had visited some of the countries on this Danube trip. That compares to 78 percent for Western Europe, so it's an area many have not yet explored. If I hadn't had a" fascinating bus tour of the Balkans just three years ago, I'd sure be with this group.

Around this time, there will be a modest drop in our Florida population from 56 to 51 as the second-residence folks head north. That still leaves close to one-seventh of our class residing in the Sunshine State. During winter, our Florida delegation is increased substantially with visitors like John and Elena Foley, who drop down for a month or two without a regular second address.

Others may go south for the holidays, but Sam and Marianna McCray go out to Vail; this was their 22nd Christmas spent there. Then it's back to Dayton for uing law practice, now with son Alfred, and checking out such other natives as Bob and Kathleen Corwin. Bob is also still active in law practice.

Speaking of second addresses, HeleneMoskin, widow of Bob Peters, writes about an absorbing second career. After getting a master's degree in art therapy, she's taught coping skills and self-expression, using art as a medium, at an outpatient clinic and local school. She interned at various wards and the jail and found her "maturity" came in handy.

Now, in case you hurried through the December issue, look back to page 23, and you'll see reference to an authoritative lecture on the advent of advertising, The Making of Modern Consumption, 1890-1920." It was the inaugural lecture given under the Robert Allabough '34 Memorial Lecturer program. Bob had come to love history while at Dartmouth and left funds for a continuing series of lectures.

Speaking of advertising, you will have seen from the newsletter and the obituary notice written by Bill Scherman that our class lost a loyal classmate and a true professional in the communications area, Gail Raphael. Many of you will recall the reminiscence slide show he prepared for our 50th reunion. Gail was one of that remarkable '34 delegation of 14 from Horace Mann School. The group included Clarence Davies, Orv Dryfoos, Bill Hartman,Dick Herman, Dick Renshaw and BillStein, all now departed. Those still aboard include Jack Bruckner, Jerry Danzig, Jim Darling, Tim Inglis, Gene Orsenigo, Henry Werner, and Al Yankauer. Dartmouth and '34 certainly owe a great deal to those who pointed the Horace Mann bandwagon in our direction.

One advantage of our senior status is that while we shift to more relaxed gear, our children appear in take-charge roles. Charles and Helene Strauss, now down in Charlottesville, Va., proudly report that son Charles '65 has been named president of the packaged food division of Chesebrough-Ponds. But Gene Orsenigo has not yet shifted out of the take-charge role. While reporting that he and Nina had recently welcomed their ninth grandchild, Gene is also busy opening a new furniture showroom in New York City.

Here's an update. Last month I reported Bob Griffin was building a boat, but he found it too much of a hassle, so he bought one instead. He's spending the saved time sailing the Caribbean on the Sea Cloud.

If you've been to Hanover lately, you've likely visited the Hood Museum. Reports are uniformly enthusiastic. It is fully funded and, as Moe Frankel reports, '34 is one of a dozen key sponsors listed on a plaque outside. In addition there'll be a plaque on the information desk whose function we support double billing!

When returning to Hanover to check out the Hood or for a hundred other reasons, now we'll have Bill and GerryScherman in residence. That adds a great deal to the fine delegation we've had in local residence. The class of 1934 is mighty fortunate. A toast to the Schermans: enjoy your new home! We hope there's room for all your '34 mementos.

140 North Broadway, F-12 Irvington, NY 10533