1940

Dear Class: I can hear the tik-tik of thawing icicles. The ice has long since gone out of the river. The Ides of March are coming, with official spring hard behind and, after that, your friendly sect, hopes to be sailing around the Society Islands, beating off the shapely natives. Stay tuned.

From Ted Miller, via reunion co-chair Elmer Browne, a windshield sticker showing the 1940 football schedule (would you believe Sewanee?) to add to our growing collection of memorabilia for the 50th Reunion. Ted was busy as ever, ditto Tweedy. Brownie reports himself as recovering from too much relaxing.

Now, a long overdue catch-up note from Ray "Rowdy" Dau, currently in Palm City, Fla. (3713 SW Pheasant Run, 33490; 305/2869413). Ray and Sue left Tequesta for Vero Beach in '77, to Naples in '81, and to Stuart in '84. They have been in real estate since '74, specializing in golf course home developments. This continues, but not full blast, leaving time for golf and relaxing. Daughter Nancy (Florida '76) is marketing manager for IBM in Ft. Lauderdale. Son Bruce (Stanford '74) is growing organic produce on his own farm with eight to ten employees in Santa Cruz, Calif. Good to hear.

A quick Christmas hello from Jack Reitzell out in Baton Rouge—all is well there. Also a nice word from Gina (DeSieyes) Risley to say that they are opening up their new house in Florida. She and Bill are finding more time for travel and general relaxation these days.

Ty and Rhoda Cobb are still hitting the croquet tournament circuit—eight of them last year. They joined Scotty and LoomieRogers for what sounds like a delightful trip to Morocco. No sign of Bob Hope, but Scotty is reported to make a super Arab!

More news, this batch via Stet Whitcher:Fred Batchelder remarried in '85, is healthy, happy, and still working—but "slowly." Don Shippam notes that he hopes to make to our 50th. Hal Sommer reported in last, due to an extended trip through the Orient—a mix of business and pleasure. He is still active with Jockey International, has one son in business with him, the other son is a limnologist with his own company near Boston. (Look it up, I did.)

From Bob Kelley came a note from OliveWeston with the sad news that Ferry Weston had lost his long battle with emphysema. Our sympathies go to Olive and family. An obituary will appear in this or a subsequent issue.

More from Bob: "Last year I became involved with the Catamount Trail Association, to build a cross-country trail the length of Vermont. Last February ('87) led a group of 19 skiers over the first section including Ike Weed. Best regards, Bob."

I have just seen the catalog put out by the New Jersey State Museum for their retrospective (1954-87) of the work of ThomasGeorge. The catalog is spectacular and Tom's work is breathtaking. More on Tom later this year.

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, please give a kind thought to making the advanced contribution to the 50th Reunion tax, as suggested in the December Drum. $150 now makes it easier later!

Last word: Thayer School will construct and run a solar-powered vehicle in the "Tour de Sol" to be held in Switzerland this June. Jim McElroy, please copy!

See you in April if the wind holds.

P.O. Box 336 Old Lyme, CT 06371