1975

The Prague Spring was as wonderful as the Budapest Fall was traumatic. I am referring, of course, to the bicycle spill I took 1390 miles into our vacation (ten miles from the end) in the suburbs of Budapest, causing a broken collarbone, not to mention a hammered ego. If you have to break a major bone, however, the clavicle is not a bad one to fracture. If you don't have to break a major bone, it is a very poor choice, indeed. Despite this one minor incident, our trip was wonderful in all respects. Many thanks to Tom Wood, who made it possible by taking over secretarial duties in my absence.

The weekend after we returned, Lou Ann, Elizabeth, Andrew, and I journeyed East to Boston where we were guests of Jim Bildner and his family. Twenty years after that fateful November day in 1971 (not 1977, as previously misreported), we were back in Cambridge with many old friends. We were not at all surprised to see Sandy Tierney at the pregame, Charles-side warm-up exercises. Sandy and his partners are working with several Boston banks on solving their "OREO" (Other Real Estate Owned) problems, a challenge which could take him well into the 21st century.

We were very pleasantly surprised to see Scott Lochridge, who lives across the street from Sandy, and his kids after many years of MIA-ism. Scott is working with his brother Dick in their consulting firm (you guessed it, Lochridge & Cos.) which is celebrating its five-year anniversary. Punch and Scooter Consulting is now up to 2 5 full-time employees and is opening its first office in Europe. Scott lamented that the only tune he plays on his guitar these days is "Old Mac Donald," but he vowed to build a studio in his house and brush up on some of the old Bitter Root favorites. Scott and Sandy both have daughters named Catelin who look suspiciously alike

Also joining us for our tailgate were Jeff and Kelsey Bennett, who had driven up with their kiddos that morning from Princeton. After several years at Merrill Lynch as assistant to the president for internal affairs, Benny became chief financial officer for the 25,000-employee Merrill Lynch Retail division.

At the game we found ourselves sitting behind Doug White who, when pressed for information, said (off the record) that he is working on a new book and enjoying life. Doug promised to let this reporter know when the book is published. We also had a chance to say hello to Roger Clarkson, who promised to write a letter with news (not received as of yet). Finally, at the '75 tent after the game we spoke briefly to Newsletter Editor Al Austin, who looked very Ivy and dapper.

Sitting in front of us at the game were two children with their Dartmouth Dad, and they were screaming "Dart-Myth, Dart-Myth!" Seeing those children made me at once both happy and sad. Happy that I attended Dartmouth at a time when the environment was such that strong friendships would form and last for the years that they have. Did we sometimes act (and drink?) irresponsibly? Guilty as charged! Did the freedom to make those innocent mistakes in a "protected" environment contribute to our growing up to be of stronger, more responsible character? Absolutely! I, for one, am extremely concerned about the direction the college administration is taking with regard to its vision for Dartmouth. My concern is not confined to the fraternity policy, or the alcohol policy, or the curriculum policy. My concern is that the new vision of what the College should be is significandy different from my own, and that the children's chant of Dart-Myth, may be all too true by the time they reach Hanover.

This Month's MIA call goes out to all of you who have an opinion on the above. Anger and Wrath my bosom rends: I thought them the Errors of friends. But all my limbs with warmth glow: I find them the Errors of the foe.

William Blake

1117 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94114