1951

The February mini was kicked off at Al and Dottie Mori's Saturday brunch. Dottie's preparations were impeccable; so were Al's, once you accepted his revised Roman numerals identifying consecutive years of attendance on name badges. Skip and I were "IIII," while Shatzi and Batch were "Villi." Al devised his system while doing time long ago. Seriously, it was a marvelous event only enhanced by Etna's snow-covered roads, fields, and forests. President Joe Welch looked splendid, coming back strong from his 1992 ailments. His stewardship of the class executive committee meeting was wide ranging and good humored, and class business will be fully reported next month, including a pleasant surprise announcement about a new '51.

Snippets of conversations from a wandering note-taker: John and Marcia Clayton are living at Eastman, N.H., but John takes off to Boston two days a week to keep a finger on his outplacement consultant affairs. Bill Boynton, retired, has ordered a 26-foot yawl. He was exploring Hilton Head (by car) last month and ran into Dick Price and Dick Miner there. If this nonpareil goes south on us we may have to deal with both a yawl and a y'all.

In another room, Dave and Babs Hall described unsuccessful efforts to taper off his consultations in die nuclear field. Hav andDolores Smith had eight-year-old Elizabeth in tow. Hav spoke of raising deer for restaurants and producing a little maple syrup as well. Henry and Amy Nachman, permanently in Hanover, still work fulltime distributing skislope conditions to the media. Dr. AaronRausen arrived in suit and tie, having just flown to Lebanon after Saturday early hospital rounds in N.Y.C. Aaron works on youngsters hit by cancer and has no thoughts of retiring. Dave Batchelder, too, still working more than full-time selling farm implements. Tom andBetsy Brown continue to pursue "the noble profession," together in their Cape Cod realestate office at Truro, Mass.

Not everyone's still hooked up to the plow. John and Sherry Hatch were off after the mini to their condo in St. Maartins. They rent it out when they're not there, so forget any broad hints. Sandy and Gebby McDonald were up from Darien and reported that First Selectman Hank Sanders is in a terrific battle with police and municipal workers over contract "give-backs." There should be more like him.

Also on hand were Dick and Barbara Ellis (New London, N.H.) Jack Weingarten, and Mike and Nita Choukas, hosts of a nightcap on Saturday. Some personal business prevented me from staying for the whole weekend, so if others attended different events we missed them.

Next month I'll brief you on the class executive committee proceedings, especially BobHustek's splendid plan for special projects. One urgent item, though, must be noted. HCA Herb Knight reports improved dollar receipts but Alumni Fund participation lagging compared to same time last year. The 1993 goal we adopted is $150,051. Start now to make your calls, gifts, or pledges.

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