1958

While many of our classmates made it to Hanover last June for our 35th Reunion, Mike Wygant was not one of them. Seems that the State Department, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, was faced with opening embassies in the newly independent republics. Mike found himself called to a temporary assignment in the just opened embassy in Alma Ata, the capital of Kazakhstan. He noted that while Alma Ata is not Hanover, it is on the same latitude.

Glower Jones and his wife, Joanna, left the warmer climes of Atlanta, Ga., to attend reunion. Great excitement about die Olympics coming to that city in 1996. Get your reservations in early if you want to sleep on the floor at the Jones house.

With the NFL cranking up its show again, Dave Moss looked like he could still be running up and down the gridiron in his pinstripes as an NFL referee. But don't for Dave on the field—he reported at Reunion that he turned in his flag several years ago.

After the memorial service I had the chance to visit with Ernie Drosdick's widow, Libby. She continues to live in Winter Park, Fla., but made the trip north to visit with many of Ernie's and her friends in our class.

Jake Jacobus and Clark Bittner were only able to attend the beginning of the reunion, but each found time to tackle the Hanover golf course. Don't know how they fared, but I bet those steep hills on the back nine exacted their toll on their old legs, now that they are both over SO.

Among those who came many a mile were Otto Waggenbach and his wife, Sally. They have settled in to the life of Dallas and even have a bit of a Dallas twang. How could they have ever abandoned their dulcet North Jersey accents?

Joe Jacquet and John Armstrong looked "fit as a fiddle." Each has bounced back from heart surgery and looked ready for another 34 or more years. Reminds me that one of the highlights of the reunion was a tour of the new Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. A tour is a "must" for any future visit to the Hanover plain. The setting in the woods just off Route 120 and the design are absolutely breathtaking. I have never experienced a less institutional feeling than I found inside the Medical Center. And, I might add, as a parish priest I have been in a lot of hospitals.

Wednesday night at our class dinner we were treated to some 1950s musical renderings by Dave Bradley and his singing group. The highlight of the evening was their rendition of "Earth Angel." Looking around the tables you could see all sorts of memories slipping past misty eyes. Shades of Dave's undergraduate days when he was the "Hum Master" for the Phi Gam house.

Among the heroes of our reunion were Waltand Jane Yusen. Walt has been afflicted with Parkinson's disease, yet the two of them were there for all the events, bringing their wonderful low-key humor and high-key friendliness to each gathering. Walt and Jane know of classmates' prayers for healing and fortitude.

Pete Kelsey,12 Perkely Lane Riverside, CT 06878