1938

Box 42 Waterford, ME 04088

As most of us know, retirement is a time for mixed feelings, of public ceremony, private retrospection, hails and farewells. For Jim Blake it was also a time of honor heapeon honor. After 40 years of teaching mathematics at Newark Academy in Livingston, N.J., Jim called it quits last June. Among the honors which accrued during his final year were an Advance Placement Recognition Award, one of only 11 given by the College Board in the northeast states; establishment of the James H. Blake Mathematics Award to be given annually to a senior at Newark Academy who has excelled in mathematics; and reception of the Academy's annual award for outstanding teaching.

But the best came last, and on the national level. In September Jim was told that he had been chosen as the sole New Jersey representative to receive a 1987 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching. And so in mid-November Jim and his wife Pixie depart for a week's stay in Washington where, as guests of the National Science Foundation, they will participate in an array of conferences, workshops, and receptions. But the culmination will occur when Jim receives his presidential award at the ceremony in the White House. What a way to retire! Our congratulations to Jim.

A good-humored note from Jim Cotter in North Falmouth, Mass., recounts a latesummer visit from—in Jim's words—"our Ambassador of Good Will, his Excellency Richard Francis." The day was replete with much reminiscing, some good laughs, and, Jim reports, "an exotic—that is, easy—lunch" which he prepared. Jim's conclusion from the visit is flattering: Dick "hasn't changed one iota since I first met him in the early thirties." I wonder if there isn't just a touch of hyperbole there?

Some recently received figures serve to remind us of the fine work John Scotford is doing with our fledgling memorial giving program. When Scotty became remembrance chairman in late 1985—not even the title existed until that time—he assumed responsibility not only for writing most of the '3B obituaries but also for directing our memorial gifts campaign. In 1985, Scotty reports, the Alumni Fund had received 40 gifts from 33 donors in memory of 26 deceased classmates. In 1986, the first year of our formal campaign, the class recorded a whopping 104 gifts from 55 donors in memory of 78 classmates. By 1987 Scotty's efforts had generated 118 gifts from 70 donors memorializing 80 classmates. The 1987 donors included 31 widows and 30 classmates. In most categories, in short, 1987's results were virtually triple those of 1985. A splendid record indeed and one which, as we approach and then pass our 50th year out of college, will surely-become increasingly significant to us all.

THE-WAY-IT-WAS DEPARTMENT

December 1937. Fifty years ago our Christmas vacation started on the 16th. On December 13, to be sure, the Dartmouth had headlined: "Navy Gunboat Panay/Sunk by Unidentified/Plane Near Nanking." We paid only minimal attention. On the 16th came the headline that really mattered: "Mass Exodus Starts at Noon/With Open- ing of Recess." The B & M special for New York left Norwich station at 1:00 p.m., the Boston special at 1:05, and the Chicago spe- cial at 1:15. We were out of there!

But whatever the year, 1937 or 1987, the traditional wish remains: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukkah! Whatever it is you celebrate, may your holidays be merry and bright.