1945

The price for silence was a new set of golf clubs. Since it wasn't met, here goes. So eager was a visitor to a Venice, Fla., flea market to peruse the bargains, that he slammed the door of his wife's new Pontiac with the keys in the ignition. And he did it right, folks; he left the engine running! No extra keys at hand. After an hour of thrashing around, with the market closing and he and his companions out in the rain, he was lucky to get out of it for a $20 taxi ride. Who perpetrated this masterpiece of dumkopfery? Well, he lives at Hilton Head, and his initials are H.B.G.

From my favorite correspondent, FrankAldrich, comes a wonderful account of his looking up Bill McKenzie. They feasted on stimulating dialogue and excellent Thai cuisine. Bill is retired in the Miami area after a career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber, mostly overseas in South Africa and Jamaica. He remains active, giving time to help those less fortunate, particularly by making toys for underprivileged children. Frank says they proudly wallowed in nostalgia, and he adds that it was the kind of get-together that makes having attended Dartmouth such a worthwhile experience.

Called Jack Field on my way through Charlotte, N.C. Indeed he is one of those "Thousand Points of Light" so necessary in today's society. Two days a week he tutors Asian, Black, or Hispanic grade-schoolers, helping them with their homework. He particularly enjoys confounding them with the wonders of his computer. One day a month he cooks at the homeless shelter. Meanwhile, wife Blynn continues as a French teacher and is studying for her higher degrees. Reported as recent guests were Cliff and Betty Jordan, on their way to Florida for the winter.

Excelsior, Minn., is "home" to John andAnnette Ahern, but they aren't there too much. Most of the winter was spent skiing at Steamboat Springs, and a cruise was scheduled for March. Then there's their place in Delray Beach, Fla. Maybe they're in the land of a thousand lakes in the summer? Ideal!

In the national news: Mohammed Salameh, the alleged World Trade Center bomber, was arraigned before Judge Richard Owen, who directed that the prisoner be given a meal as soon as he was taken to the pokey. Those courtroom sketches on TV didn't do you justice, Dick.

I've had my share of eye operations, but I think the champ is Frank Hutchins. He had a cornea transplant last September 25, but that didn't deter him from attending the '45 mini in October, bless him. Joan and I played golf with Frank and Jeanne in Florida, so he's coming along all right, but slowly, he says.

Thought for the Month: "The best thing about winter is, you don't lose your sunglasses. The best thing about summer is, you don't lose one glove."

5015 Edinborough Road, Greensboro, NC 27406

Alleged World Trade Center bomber Mohommed Salameh was arraigned before Judge Richard Owen. CHARLES ROWAN '45