1947

63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431

April always brings joy to me, with real maple syrup boiling down, buds pinking out, earth drying out. So even as this is written in winter, the page seems brighter.

Spring is a great time to visit Hanover, and depending on when you were last there, quite a lot will be new to your eyes. Three new dormitories rise just beyond the gym. If you are of the old Crosby Hall type, you'll be in a new world. Actually, if you're a Wheeler, Mass. Row, Woodward-RipleySmith, or Richardson type you'll be amazed too at the quarters now provided.

Directly across the street are no longer tennis courts, but Berry Sports Center, and should be seen by all.

Not only brick-and-mortar changes have come though. I have eaten several times in Thayer Hall—the food is great, and reasonable. Last fall I happened to wander into the wrong chow line, and found myself with a crowd of husky, good-natured boys, each with six milk cartons, several roast beef slices, and mounds of veggies. Yes, Harley, I was in the football team line. I decided right away to pretend being a confused old alum and bluff it through. The servers went for it, and mistook me for a coach—my intelligent look. Now, that's the way to get right into student life!

This leads to a promised subject: our other class project.

Talk about new dorms—all of the dorms, old and new, have a new look and are part of a cluster. What makes the cluster is common space joined to each of two or three dorms, providing kitchen areas, and lounges for study, socializing, or community meals or programs. Clusters exist at Mass. Hall, Richardson, several others I can't name and, most recently completed, New Hamp-Topliff, near the gym and power plant.

Our class has selected to enter a relationship with this latter cluster, whereby we provide funds and if possible suggest programs or send participants.

This started in the fall of '86 when our class meeting was held in the New HampTopliff social room. We found welcoming banners, refreshments, and some interested students.

This year became an even bigger deal, as we met with dorm officers and advisors, heard their ideas for programs, and swapped ideas. It was fun, involving ourselves with the students. And then, they gave a barbeque for us and wives—a delightful pre-game cookout on their patio.

Our student hosts were Amir Kahn '88 and Laurie Greenwald '88. There are 300 students in their cluster, representing all four classes. The programs they feel would draw most interest would be music, poetry, hearing from class members who are experienced in any real life enterprise or undertaking. If you have a thought or would like to talk or do something with students, let Amir know (HB-2095).

Our cluster support is yet another way the class of '47 keeps in close touch with Dartmouth College.

See you soon.