1944

It's old hat by now, but you probably know that our '44 mini-reunion last October was just about the best ever. The numbers were almost out of sight—as well as out of space—as we crowded facilities to capacity and friendships to the fullest.

Intrepid Massachusetts lobsterman Stan Barr packed 350 two-claws into his glove compartment and headed to Hanover for the Thursday evening bash at Pierce's Inn in nearby Etna (lobsters by Barr, drinks by Bill Craig, champagne by Don Pfeifle, wine by Charlie Spallino, fun & frolic, by God); a Friday evening light buffet in Thayer Hall (it and the rest of the weekend arranged and masterminded by reunion co-chairmen Bill Orr and Jack Stephenson), followed by a rousing parade and a soaring bonfire (or bondfire—it was both); a Saturday morning class meeting with 50 on hand; a scrumptious tailgate with endless goodies dished up by Ann and Bob McLaughry; a splendid win over Cornell, 31-25; and a final, three-entree dinner at the DOC House, with 105 at the groaning board. All in all, we counted some 120 people at one or all of the festivities, most probably a Guiness Book of Records entry for this sort of thing.

Most gratifying was the presence of four widows: Jean Allen, Ardis Close, Hope Fead, and Cappie Martin.

Finally, and most happily, Bill "Ezz" Hale was nominated class president for the next three years and elected by acclimation; and Dave Patterson was named to edit our 50th Reunion Book.

Surgeon Jack Tope and friend Mary Davis were east from River Forest, III. Jack retired half a year ago and is dividing his time between Illinois and newly purchased digs in Ludlow, Vt. He says , he hopes to make the Vermont address the permanent one before long.

Wayne and Edna Eves flew in from Sunriver, Ore., which is located about 15 miles South of Bend. Once president of Okoboji Boats in lowa, Wayne retired to Hawaii with his wife, and then a few years back they reretired to Oregon to be near family.

Bill Benoist and wife Irving (an old family name) came on from Winnetka, III. Bill retired from the telephone company seven years ago and he keeps busy driving for the American Cancer Society, doing research for an inv estment club, playing tennis, and attending local lectures on philosophy and comparative literature. The Benoists have four married children and five grandchildren. Tragically, one of their sons was killed in Vietnam in 1970. This is an unhappy "first," as far as I know; did anyone else in our class lose a son in Vietnam?

Ry and Marion Robbins have a northsouth axis going; they spend six months a year in Jupiter Island, Fla., and the other six in Wilbraham, Mass. They are remodeling an old house in Wilbraham, replete with multiple gardens ("We each have our own rideem mower," says Marion). She once raced sports cars, and both she and Ry are Rolls Royce Club members. They travel a good deal; three weeks last fall walking and hiking in England, for example.

That's it. Blessings.

P.O. Box 24, Lovejoy Hill, Cornish Flat, NY 03746