1940

Dear Class: Welcome to 1989! And remember, 1990 is close behind, which allows me to remind you of the opportunity to do an advance $150 on the 50th Reunion tax. Joe Bird, reunion treasurer, is ready to receive.

In the mail came a brief note from JimScott, who will be heading for Southern California for a couple of weeks or so by the time you read this. Jim passed on a clipping about Lyme disease, a problem that is giving our town some unwanted publicity.

And here's a welcome note from MacCross. "For the first time in years I can see a golf ball no matter how far I hit it, which is not all that damn far!" Both Mac and Marilyn have had cataract surgery (successful) on both eyes. They were in Switzerland and Italy last May and previously had tangled with a gang of Princetonians on a cruise on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Seems they had forgotten the vodka for their Bloody Marys. Mac kindly supplied same and then led them in singing Princeton (!) songs. He closes with "Have sent my money to Joe Bird to assure me a place at the 50th."

Stet Whitcher reports that the acquisition of an 8x10 bronze plaque acknowledging 1940's lighting of Baker Tower is moving ahead. The plaque will be posted prominently on the porch of the Hanover Inn so visitors will see the plaque and the tower at the same time. Stet also passed on a couple of notes. One, from Bill Daniels, reported that retirement in Salem, S.C., is pleasant. Bill's note was interrupted by a phone call from Larry Cate to set up a golf date, which proves the point. The other "pass along" was from Chal Carothers, one of our "still working 100 percent classmates. Chal recalled riding to the Dartmouth-Yale game with Trustee George Munroe '43 a couple of years back and hearing about James Freedman as a possible candidate for president. Now, says Chal: "He seems to be the most liberal Dartmouth president, which will take some getting used to. He seems to have the faculty in his corner ... now, to win over the alumni. My hope is that the students feel positively toward him, as we did toward Ernest Martin Hopkins."

Bob Raclin is 150 percent busy. As noted earlier, he's head of the National Commission on Alcoholism, on the board of the Illinois Insurance Exchange, with a small securities firm, on the board of Colonial Hospital Supply, and still working on his golf score.

I am sorry to report that Derwood R.Frost passed away last October. Our sympathies go to his family and friends. An obituary appear in a subsequent issue.

On a happier note, Chuck Haskell reports that the move to Sun City West has worked out beautifully. His only complaint: "This distance makes it tougher to get back for the mini-reunions. He's looking forward to a visit from Bill Watson this spring.

Have a great Valentine's Day, and send old Dick a card!

P.O. Box 336, Old Lyme, CT 06371