1937

Our '37 Danube River class trip is now history, but it will be in our memory a long time as we learned about the history of ten Balkan countries conquered in turn by Turks, Slavs, Russians, Austrians, Russians, and Germans and saw history in the making in Hungary.

Thirty-eight of us gathered in Vienna on October 19 and were joined by alumni from Michigan, Southern California, Kentucky, and Montana making a tour group of 198.

Bratislava, Czechoslavakia, was rather grim and indicative of strong Communist control where we now read of many, many changes. Pollution was very noticable in all the Balkan countries due to use of soft coal and no emission controls. Smoking by most of the people was common in all public places and restaurants. No-smoking signs were never seen on our trip.

Budapest, Hungary, was exciting and upbeat as they were celebrating a new government and 33 years since the 1956 resistance battle with the Russian might. Red stars were being removed and a statue of Lenin was covered with boards. Budapest is a beautiful city, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other side of the Danube. I would like to return in a few years and see how a democratic government will transform it into a bustling city.

Belgrade and Yugoslavia are struggling with a poor economy, inflation, and the remnants of a police-state mentality. Bucharest, Romania, was the most depressing of any country we visited primarily due the dictatorship of now gone Ceausescu.

Istanbul, Turkey, was the jewel of the trip, with more than we could see and do in two days. St. Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, and the Suleymaniye Mosque are breathtaking and marvels of engineering. The Topkapi Palace, Galata Bridge, the Grand Bazaar make Istanbul unique. Throughout the trip we were fortunate to have warm weather, no rain, and good fellowship. Ben Doran, take a bow for planning another great class trip.

Hal Putnam and Marlene will be guest artists on an 11 day cruise through the Caribbean beginning March 27 from Ft. Lauderdale. Hal is practing law full time.

We regret to report the deaths in October of Ralph H. Griffith Jr. and John H. Dingle

1415 Parkside Drive N., Wyomissing, PA 19610