1967

The Secretary's Dream Award for this month goes to Robert Mann, who bailed me out at deadline time with the following epistle from his new address in New South Wales, Australia:

"On March 16, 1984, after 12 years of marriage, my wife, Joy, and I greeted the arrival of our long-awaited first child, a son, Christopher Gregory. Now that he's just turned two, we realize more than ever what absolute joy a child brings to a family (not to mention the amount of work, sleepless nights, etc.!). As first-time parents at nearly 40, I suppose a big challenge will be not to spoil him (too much!).

"When Christopher began to walk we knew we'd have to move out of our condominium and into a house with a big yard. So now we live at Epping, about 15 miles northwest of Sydney - having joined the 'suburban brigade,' complete with dog and mortgage!

"I am marketing manager for Bond International Pty., Ltd., which is the largest Australian-owned mail-order marketer of merchandise and collectible plates, spoons, and porcelain sculptures. The company also undertakes major assignments for Q ANT AS (our national airline), the Australian branch of Diners' Club, and several major banks. We have recently been appointed as the 'direct marketing' arm of the largest advertising agency in the country, George Patterson's. The job is very challenging, very hectic, and very rewarding and will become more so with the approach of the America's Cup Challenge next year and our bicentennial celebration in 1988.

"This year is my 17th in Australia. How time flies! The communications revolution has done much to offset our geographical isolation. Our four local television networks have affiliations with the major

American broadcasters, and we get live transmission of major news and sporting events plus regular broadcasts of Cable News Network programs and the "Today" show from NBC. Nevertheless, with the exception of New Zealand, it's a long trip to go anywhere 8 to 10 hours to Asia, 10 hours to Hawaii, 24 hours to Europe! Sydney is a cosmopolitan city, having absorbed many migrant groups over the last 35 years. It is a marvelous place to live.

"So, having arrived at (early) middle age, I count myself lucky to have a wonderful wife, an adorable son, an interesting job, a nice home, good health, and a comfortable life-style in an exciting, vibrant

Australia. I suppose the major adjustment I've had to make is to remember to wear a hat in the sun to protect my bald head!"

Gene Tabor also dropped a line in March, sounding an opening theme similar to Robert's:

"After 16 years of marriage, Kathy and I had our first child, a son, Brad Worthen, on St. Patrick's Day. He's already got a big 'D' sweatshirt. Life begins at 40. Good thing other old guys are having kids too no one's asked me yet if Brad's my grandson!

"Also switched full-time to house-building. Sixteen years of Fortune 500 and five years with International Paper in New York City were enough. The last 10 years were all international travel. It's time to stay home for a while. By the way, I have two 'luxury' homes available this summer, if anyone's interested."

This column is going to press about 10 days early because I'm on the eve of departure for two weeks' naval reserve duty in Norfolk, Va. Definitely looking forward to visiting some old haunts from activeduty days. You may rest assured that I will not be reporting here on my activities there!

Michael Stratton '69, left, sent in this photo showing Jay Evans 49, center, as the guestof honor at a "Blame it on Jay" party held in Lincoln, Wlass., last fall. Evans, a formerOlympic kayak coach, was directly responsible for exposing Dan Dimancescu '62 right,to boating through the Ledyard Canoe Club. Dimancescu has since carried the club s flagvia canoe down the Rhine and around Japan and has just returned from a sea-kayakingcultural exchange expedition around the South Korean Islands all for National Geo- graphic.

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