1960

Many of us had the pleasure of attending the Mary Travers concert at our 25th reunion. Staged by John Goyette in honor of Warner Bentley '37, the proceeds (in excess of costs) were designated for the Warner and Katharine Bentley Fund. Warner's thank-you note crossed my desk and contained these words: "I was certainly moved by the events which the class of 1960 gave in my honor last June ... As you no doubt know, this fund supports students in the drama department at Dartmouth who are especially interested in all of the working areas of the theater." We owe Warner far more than the $3,346 added to the fund. Thanks, John, for making it happen.

Class trivia question for the month: Who was responsible for arranging the financing for the 1986 Toy of the Year? The talking, animated teddy bear, named Teddy Ruxpin, had first-year sales which exceeded those of the Cabbage Patch dolls. Well, Jim Brannen would like us to believe he was playing his traditional banker's role and had the imagination to involve Sears World Trade at the right time. Rumour has it;, however, that Jim didn't commit production and import monies until the fledgling company had made a deal to give Jim a lifetime supply of teddy bears. Real bankers don't just lend money!

On a more serious note, Tom McBurney's career at Pillsbury has involved him in research for possible new Dartmouth mascots. His proposals included the Jolly Green Giant when he managed that business. But when he suggested Pillsbury's giggling Doughboy, the College requested that the company promote him. So last week, Pillsbury announced Tom had been named to the newly created position of chairman of the concern's United States food division, which had sales of $1.9 billion last year. According to Tom, the promotion will free him to focus on long-term marketing strategies and new product development. Considering that the foods division products include vegetable and side dishes, prepared dough products, main meals, light meals and snacks, and bakery and sweet goods, it would seem he's got a few things to think about. Hopefully, this new responsibility won't detract from Tom's concern and involvement with world hunger and nutrition.

A letter from John Barchilon notes that his novel, The Crown Prince, is about to come out in paperback. He is currently working on the other three novels of the work he is calling the "French Quartet." These historical novels deal with adventures and catastrophes binding the United States and France: the Panama Canal, World War I, World War II, and Indochina/Vietnam. John, are you sure you have enough subject matter? John is also concerned with recent events and bad press about Dartmouth. He strongly recommends that classmates who share his concern contact: The Committee For A Strong Dartmouth, c/o S. Avery Raube '30, 6 Hanover Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932, 201/377-3037.

Les McCracken reports he is an actuary with the Wyatt Company, his employer for 22 years. For a change of pace, he breeds Saint Bernards on his 10-acre horse farm. (I'm not sure what the relationship is, but I can imagine a few.) At any rate, his actuarial training must be paying off in the breeding business, because he had three champions in 1985, all of whom had the genes in the right places.

An undated note from Ray Moulton said: "Greetings from Salem (Mass.) Hospital. Recovering rapidly from heart attack. Oh well." We sure hope you ARE well, Ray.

Finally, a word about the Alumni Fund - give.

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