1936

In last year's August column I mentioned that Bob Button was on his way to Nepal to set up a regional telecommunications hub in Kathmandu, with the aim of aiding in the establishment of democracy in that country. Bob is president of American Transcom, a telecommunications-consulting firm based in Greenwich, Conn. On his return from Nepal he was the subject of a report in a trade publication, Cable World. In Nepal he consulted for the Space-Time Network Ltd., and "his goal was to establish a commercial uplink center." The report said that when he left Nepal the company was stringing cable and had about 8,000 subscribers, and "the goal is 100,000 subscribers by the end of 1995." Thanks to satellites the company hopes to reach well beyond the borders of Nepal into neighboring countries and perhaps even parts of Africa and Eastern Europe. Bob notes that "Nepal is an interesting hunk of real estate."

Another classmate, one who had been working in a volunteer job in Woodstock, Vt., for more than 40 years, finally called it quits last August. A lengthy article in the Valley News reported that one Charlotte Boggs had "replaced retired printer and philanthropist Frank Teagle in what may be New England's most publicized volunteer job: handwriting up-to-the-minute listings of Woodstock happenings on the most photogenic blackboard in America." In addition to being town crier, Frank was a pioneer in the local recycling effort and is deeply committed to protecting the environment. His philanthropic organization, Howfirma Foundation, makes gifts annually to many charitable organizations and environmental groups.

Speaking of the environment, last year Fred Babcock, whose Babcock Florida Cos. has done so much in that area, was the recipient of yet another award. This time it was the Florida Commissioner's Agricultural Environmental Leadership Award in the soil-conservation category. Our congratulations to Fred, Bob, Frank, and the many other '36ers who continue to make important contributions to society.

Babo is planning another "bash" in Punta Gorda on March 17. For more information call him at (813) 639-3445. Mini-reunions in Hanover: May 5-7 and September 29-October 1.

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