1949

Some of you may wonder why some news in this column seems to be outdated. Well, I thought it might be helpful for you to know that the material is written some eight to ten weeks in advance of your receiving the magazine.

By the time you receive this issue you will note a new address at the end of the column, as Leigh and I are taking up permanent residence in Sarasota, Fla. Our game plan henceforth is to use our Lake Winneqesauke cottage for five months each year in the summer, spending the balance of the time at the home in the Meadows in Sarasota. Here we will be able to enjoy sun, golf, tennis, and biking which we hope will keep us active for many years to come. Our interests in being outdoors helped us to make this decision. Another classmate decided his interests were in flying and in Cape Cod. So what did Bob Swift do but purchase a lot in Falmouth on an air strip and then proceeded to build a house with a hangar for his plane. Now he can taxi from his home to the runway and be up, up, and away. He and Phyllis are involved in selling homesites or condos for the Falmouth Airpark. If any of you are interested in an aviator's dream location, you could contact them.

Talked with my first roommate, Dick Higley, recently and discovered that has become a second home owner with the purchase of a cottage in Chatham, Mass. This summer resort (or at least it seemed like it) had visitations by his five children and some of his eight grandchildren. When asked why he had not retired like some of us, he said that with one son still in his senior year at U.V.M. it still is work, work, work.

One of my spies reported that Tom Swartz has finally unloaded all his business interests and has taken up a new potential career. It seems he is developing a portfolio so that he can be hired as a male model. I am afraid some us wouldn't have much luck in this type of endeavor but good luck to you, Tom, in your new challenge.

Bob Alden took a flyer on developing with a partner a new product designed to ripen certain fruits ana vegetables. Unfortunately the idea didn't make Bob a new millionaire, but the idea apparently was of sufficient merit to have Vigoro Company buy the rights, and Bob says he still must continue his current job to keep Persis well supplied with her needs. He became a first-time grandfather recently.

One of our entrepreneurial classmates, Jack Ransom, has become a very successful vintner with over 100 medals to his credit for excellence of product. With his three sons' help, Jack is producing a wine under the label "Rivendale." Unfortunately, this wine is primarily distributed only in New York State. He sponsors a fall festival produced by professional actors which will draw 40,000 people and help sell lots of wine. Jack travels during the winter months to his place in Palm Beach. With so many of the '49ers in Florida, Jack thinks we ought to set up a winter mini in the Sunshine State. How about some of you surprising me with correspondence at my new address and news about one of your classmates.

3413 Highlands Bridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34235