1956

It is nice to know that even in the heat of the summer, there are those who know how to keep cool. A stroll down elm-lined Main Street brought us to Nantucket's annual Fourth of july water fight. This traditional brouhaha pits an ancient handpump fire engine against a classic, if no-quiteso-ancient, power-driven pumper, with a crew under the intrepid leadership of our own FlintRanney. You may recall that Flint and his wife arrived on die island for their honeymoon having driven this very same chariot clear across the continent. According to Flint, this years battle one that often ends in a soaking-wet draw was won decisively by his spirited crew. Photos in the local press give the impression that Ranney himself escaped much of the barrage by taking cover beneath a convenient umbrella.

The June issue of Academic Medicine, the journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, carried an article on a program at the Baylor College of Medicine designed to attract minority students and others into careers in biomedical research and medical practice. This invited article was written by a team of authors, one of whom is Charlie Morrissey, director of the Oral History Project at the Baylor College of Medicine. The program aims "to increase the number of competitive candidates for medical school, particularly those from minority groups underrepresented in medicine," and entails "close collaboration between the Baylor administration and faculty from Texas public schools and two-year and four-year colleges and universities." An innovative and exciting program. As Charlie has noted, "It is rewarding to be involved even modestly in efforts to broaden opportunities for students burdened by the long heritage of racism."

The office of Alumni Records has forwarded news of the unfortunate loss of two more of our classmates, Joseph R. Bottaro and William E. Buchanan Jr. Joe, who was president of Bottaro, Voss & Associates in Houston, succumbed to lung cancer on December 24, 1990. Bill, who spent most of his career in family-owned businesses, died on june 3 from complications related to cancer. He and his family had only recently moved from Neenah, Wise., to Boca Raton, Fla. The class extends its sympathy to both of their families.

To end this on a somewhat lighter note, let's all sing a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" in honor of Frank Strong and Bill Loyer, who are, if my research is accurate, the only '56ers turning 56 this month. How is it that these kids come along when the rest of us are rolling our white flannel trousers and looking suspiciously at peaches? Congratulations, guys.

That's it for now. 'Til next time.

Norm Olsen, 51 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401

How is it that these kids come along when the rest of us are rolling our white flannel trousers and looking suspiciously at peaches? Norm Olsen '56