1935

I have gotten into a routine of daily Bible readings (as perhaps some of you have, too), and this morning, in Psalm 23, I encountered the phrase "my cup runneth over."

I regret to say that, with respect to the material on hand for this issue, my cup definitely runneth, not over. It is, in fact, practically dry. And by the time you read this, it will be too late for anyone moved by pity for your secretary or guilt for your own sins of omission to get anything to me in time for the last issue of the college year. But please put those pity or guilt feelings on the back burner, and keep in mind that I will have to have material for the September issue before a July 15 deadline.

One item comes from a news clipping which shows a smiling Jim Berkey with one hand resting on a stack of silver ingots valued at a million dollars (with an armed guard keeping a watchful eye on either Jim or the cameraman). This was all related to a promotion sponsored by Guardian Safe Deposit, Inc., of which Jim is chairman of the board, featuring Guardian's extensive storage facilities, and in the course of which a substantial sum was raised by a lottery benefitting a nearby Ronald McDonald House (one of many nonprofit homes-away-from-home for families with a child under treatment for a life-threatening disease).

Jim, incidentally, is described in the article as past president of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and past chairman of the Arlington Planning Commission, who over 40 years has created and operated several companies, principally in real estate development and construction. I happen to know, from post-reunion conversations at Spalding, that his wife, Marion, has also had an interesting career, and on that subject I want to bring up something that has been on my mind for some time.

I believe it is now an accepted fact that wives and widows are fully accredited members of The Great Class, by virtue of our tradition of having them participate in our annual class meeting and their being the first wives to march in an alumni Commencement parade. I would accordingly like to hear (and publish) more about their activities, either directly from them or from their proud spouses. This would apply particularly to those who have been or are still active in interesting careers, civic or political affairs, or unusual hobbies. Let's hear it for the ladies!

I would also appreciate hearing from any of you (either man or spouse) who may be involved with an interesting avocation - giving a few details as to what that interest has comprised. About all I've heard of are Chuck Gillen's interest in the culinary arts and Dave Smith's Expwetise in creating colonial furniture miniatures.

I would specifically appreciate hearing as soon as possible from anyone who has personally, or through a family member, developed sufficient painting skill to have exhibited or sold one more works of art. I was to chair an art auction at reunion that had to be aborted for logistic reasons, but I still have hopes of conducting something that would show off some of the talent in The Great Class and at the same time raise a little money for the memorial fund or Alumni Fund. Anyone who has a portfolio that might qualify and who would be willing to contribute one or more paintings for a show and auction is urgently invited to drop me a line now, with the thought that something along those lines might be included in our fall mini-reunion.

Getting back to current news of classmate activities, my associate editor, SaxZiemen, took a trip to the South Pacific in April that has an interesting background. After duty on the carriers Hornet and Intrepid in World War 11, Sax served in the Fijis as officer in charge of the naval transport service. He is looking forward to spending a couple of weeks in various "bures" (thatched cottages with modern conveniences) along the coast of Vitu Levu and renewing contacts with friends in the Fiji British colony, following stopovers in San Francisco and Kauai.

A sad item that will be of special interest to friends of Jack AuWerter concerns the tragic death of his daughter-in-law Sheila. Active in aviation, skiing, and scuba diving and in the business world as northeast regional marketing manager for Deltak Corporation, she suffered a fatal underwater diving mishap in Key West on February 16. Our most sincere sympathy goes to Jack and his son, John.

After that unhappy note, there is small consolation indeed in the closing classmate quote: "You can't be a sissy if you want to live past 70." To that, amen, I guess - but who said anything about sissies in The Great Class? And we do have lots of good times too, no?

Peace and love to you all.

Box 986 Sag Harbor, NY 11963