1956

Good news has come from the Warner-Lambert Co. indicating that William S. Woodson, formerly vice president of finance of the company's Novon Products division, has been named vice president and treasurer of the parent firm. Congratulations are certainly in order. Since the announcement was made in the Wall Street Journal's December 5 issue, we are sure that the promotion came as a well-deserved Christmas present.

John Parke was good enough to send along an extensive article chronicling the 34-year career of Frank P. Strong Jr. with Kodak. Most recently group vice president and general manager of Kodak's Commercial Imaging Groups, Frank took early retirement at the end of the year. Frank joined Kodak in 1957 and by 1966 was working on the staff of the vice president of finance and administration.

Several promotions later, in 1978, Frank was named general manager for marketing of Kodak Australasia, which had not been putting out a competitive product, was losing market share, and had few, if any, exports. Frank, Kodak's "turnaround specialist" for the past 13 years, made Australasia, of which he ultimately became CEO, a highly profitable model for Kodak. In 1981 Frank returned to Rochester, and in 1985 he was made a senior vice president of Kodak.

According to another article from the Wall Street Journal, John S. Tamagni was nominated for a vice chairmanship of the Securities Industry Association. We trust that nomination is tantamount to election and that Jack is enjoying his new eminence.

Tom Harper seems to have reunion plans well in hand. When I heard from him in November 56 members of '56—coincidentally, I'm sure—were definitely committed to attending, 23 were thinking about it, and only 16 were sure they could not attend. By January 82 were coming and 58 were possibles. By the time this column appears, those numbers should have expanded tremendously.

Coming from Charleston, and having a summer home on Nantucket, I was made painfully aware of Hurricane Hugo in the one place and Hurricane Bob in the other. I had not, however, heard of the Calypso Hurricane, which turns out to be Boston's finest and most versatile calypso band. The five outstanding musicians who make up Calypso Hurricane will entertain us with their unique and exciting music at a joint '56—'57—'58 picnic on June 16 from 12:30 until 3 p.m.

The Black Eagle Jazz Band will be on hand for a joint tent bash the following evening 10:00-2:00 a.m. Drawing their repertoire from the entire spectrum of New Orleans music, from the hot classics of the twenties to the standards of Preservation Hall, with excursions into Ellingtonia and other rich and rewarding musical byways, this is clearly a group not to be missed.

Sounds like a great time is in store for all those wise enough to attend. Be there, hatchet or no hatchet.

That's it for now. Till next time.

51 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401