1936

The '36 spring mini-reunion was held in Hanover on April 28 in conjunction with the Class Officers Weekend. The Hills and the Builters closed up their Florida retreats prematurely and brought up North three glorious Florida-type days. The Kapplers had to detour en route from North Carolina to check on a new granddaughter who arrived about Easter. Bob Keeler came on from Cincinnati and the Maine contingent of Fitzherbert, the Martindales, Phyl England, and Dede Foster were out in full force. Eighty percent of executive committee members were at the class meeting, chaired by Bill Macurda, and some 52 classmates and affiliates gathered at the DOC House for a great evening which had been arranged by Paul and Jackie Guibord. Ed Higbee was presented the Class of 1936 Award for service to the College, his profession, and his community. Sunday morning found almost a full count enjoying the fabulous breakfast hosted by Bob andTanna Fernald. And then winter came back to New England.

These minis are a great take and I urge any and all who are in the area to make the effort to attend even if only for a few hours at the dinner table. Hanover is a much more vibrant and diversified community than it was when we were undergraduates. The next gathering will be the Maine Lobster Fest at Phyl England's place in South Freeport, Maine, on Wednesday, August 15. (Call Phyl at 207/865-3467 so she can be sure there will be enough lobsters for you and yours.) The fall mini will be in Hanover during the weekend of the Harvard game, October 27.

Al and Jane Gibney were unable to attend the April meeting as Al was undergoing serious surgery on his eyes. A full progress report is not currently available, but Al and Jane came up from Florida late in May to participate in Jane's 50th reunion at Connecticut College and early in June they set off on a 14-day cruise to Scandinavia and the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Al also reported that George McCleary was finding travel difficult so he completely remodeled his summer residence and now owns the showplace of Little Compton, R.I.

I am sorry to report that Gil Balkam died on May 12 at the Alexandria (Va.) Hospital. Following the death of his wife, Fran, and after an annoying injury to his right arm and hand, Gil moved from his home in West Islip, N.Y., to the Paul Spring Retirement Center in Alexandria. I visited with Gil last year and found him in good spirits in spite of his bad arm. The center was very comfortable and his brother lived in the area. Gil was well-known as class president in the sixties and for his love of boating and bridge. Several weeks before his death Gil made a substantial contribution to the 1990 Alumni Fund and the family suggested that, if desired, small potted plants may be sent to the Paul Spring Retirement Community, 7116 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22307, or donations to the Alumni Fund.

31 Godfrey Road, Mashpee, MA 02649