1970

It's great to report that Dennis Jolicoeur's New England Living has made its smash debut. Before long we'd expect his colorful new periodical will be fighting with the Alumni Magazine for space on coffee tables across America. Of course I haven't been signed on to do a column as yet, but an offer will surely come soon.

Now, should you want to check out New England Monthly for yourself maybe you've forgotten what it's like to live there - write for a subscription to: 177 East Industrial, Manchester, NH 03103.

Meanwhile Chris Marshall busies himself in New Hampshire as well. Chris serves the public at the legal firm ofMcLane, Graf, Raulerson, Greene, at al, in Manchester. Word has it that his specific service entails assuring that at the very least members of his profession make a profit on the Seabrook nuclear power plant. Bankruptcy attorneys do still pay themselves first, don t they? Oh well, a good failed utility like this hasn't come along since the Depression, so go for it!

Dear classmates, you have not been writing in. And so today we will simply take you on a tour of Modesto's now suburban predecessor, Knight's Ferry (1849). The town boasts the oldest continuously operating general store in California (since 1852) with a nifty little saloon inside. Unfortunately Mr. Knight never saw the store since he had quite a temper and survived the founding of his town by but a few months. He was shot down during an argument outside the Masonic Hall and buried on the spot directly under today's main drag.

We don't know how gold seekers got across the river without ferry service until 1863 when Ulysses S. Grant's brother-in-law put up a covered bridge. It still stands, at 330 feet the longest west of the Mississippi (New England, eat your heart out). And since this is California, there's sure to be something a little extra, a little kinky. Today spectators jam the bridge to peek down into the river below upon the thrashing orgiastic ritual spawning of hundreds and hundreds of salmon. What a workout why it's no wonder the boy salmon are all dead within a week. Not to worry though, Modesto's bald eagle flock can always use extra hors d'oeuvres.

So see a little history, see a little nature, see a little life, y'all, and come to Modesto. Better yet, write your class secretary with some news, and maybe I'll peddle all my future travelogues to New England Living. Okay, Dennis?

P.O. Box 3934, Modesto, CA 95352-3934.