1979

"Dear Tom,

Hope that this letter finds all well.

"At the urging of such pillars of society as Ted Winterer and Jim Hake, I'm writing to offer a confession, or at least an admission, so that you can quell those rumors of my untimely demise in a tragic sleep sofa accident.

"Several months ago, you wrote a class column describing the many-splendored events of the reunion weekend. There was, however, an event that was not mentioned: Carol Carothers and I announced our engagement. Okay, sure. Maybe it's not such big news to the members of the class that have already been married seven or eight times or who spend their spare time sitting by the fire reading the class notes from the alums who graduated during the Hoover administration or who drive around town in Yugoslavian station wagons and stuff like that.

"But to me, this is a big deal. (As you yourself know, Tom, some people do inexplicable and surprising things when they're in love. Others just do inexplicable and surprising things when they're in Hanover. The combination proved irresistible to me.)

"A wedding of some sort is planned for late spring or summer. And Tom, wasn't it you who uttered the immortal words, 'When it comes to wedding gifts, no expense is too great?'

"By the way, David Hall famous Scorpion Bowl aficionado and North Conway's answer to wheat, oil, and pork bellies has some news for you as well.

"Regards, C. A. Debelius"

3400 Oakenshaw Place, Baltimore, MD 21218