1943

A letter from FarmerMead provides interesting insight into the impact of a Presidential visit to a small community, in this case Martha’s Vineyard. President Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea headed the invasion accompanied by the usual entourage of media and security forces. Their party created a “cordial atmosphere,” and though Farmer did not enjoy personal contact with the Clintons, Jan personally served a ginger ale to Bill on the 15th tee to settle him down after he double bogeyed the 14th during the Pro/Am golf fundraiser. What more can you expect in a single lifetime, Jan? It is rumored that as a result of their visit, the Clintons are inter- ested in Vineyard property.

Farmer and Jan attended the annual ’43 Cape Cod alumni luncheon held September 15 in Brewster. Arranged by Chan Stevens, Cape Cod Alumni prexy, a social hour pre- ceded an excellent luncheon attended by Pauland Ruth Young, Doc and Sue Fielding,Andy Caffrey, Bud and Betty Miskell,Howie and Marge Leavitt, Howie Thomas,Bob and Nancy Alesbury, Bing and AnnDonaldson, and Shirley Tower. Binney inaugurated this event three years ago.

O j - o An interesting communication from Bob Stokes, Sandy Hook, Conn., speaks favorably of our 50th and plugs canaling as a marvelous travel adventure and “the fastest way of slow- ing down.” He was alluding to his and Car- oline’s barge cruise along Britain’s 4,000 miles of waterways and also in part of France. Paul and Ruth Young share their enthusiasm for this form of travel. The speed limit for barges is a relaxing three m.p.h. compared with the reckless speed of seven m.p.h. that Bob attained when skippering an LCT across the Pacific during WWII. Gazing at delightful scenery, locks, bridges, interesting stops, pubs (thank- fully), and history, and the opportunity for foot excursions make for a great experience. The cost was about $5O per couple daily. A rather startling picture accompanying Bob’s report shows their barge crossing what appears to be a railroad trestle! Or was it an elevated canal or flatbed railcar transporting the barge?

Bill Seidman, seminar leader at our 50th, continues to make news, this time with a very favorable review of his new book, Full Faithand Credit, depicting his experience as rescue chief in die savings-and-loan debacle and his exposure to key figures in the Washington scene. Bill’s witty reminiscences of relation- ships with Ford, Reagan, and Bush “gurgle with belly laughs.” “Seidman demonstrated ... he was an independent-minded regulator and not a ‘White House cheerleader.’” “A man of action in a city of cowards,” he earned “a black belt in hardball politics.” His policies, not always popular, were mostly right on tar- get. Should be interesting reading!

D ' D O The Alumni Magazine plans to devote the April issue to “gifts your class has made to soci- ety—what have we done individually or col- lectively to make the world a better place?” Ifyou have thoughts on this, please send them to me by February 5. Possibly you have some good classmate nominees in this area.

Finally, we’re sorry to report belatedly the death of Edward Jones from kidney failure and pneumonia onjanuary 26 in Cincinnati.

Enjoy the holidays. May 1994 be a healthy and rewarding year for all, and please con- sider making a New Year’s resolution to write to me. We really are interested in staying in touch.

Box 3326, Sunriver, OR 97707