1950

The making of a column. Mailed draft of the December column to Hanover yesterday. Only a day late. Now, start thinking about the next one. Type usual heading into my toy computer: DAM/March.

One week later: remember one objective is to mention as many classmates as possible.

Abbe, Abbott, Alcott, Allen, Ambrose, Amsen, Anderson....

Wonder about the names objective. People like to see their names in print. And enjoy reading about guys they know.

...Dunlap, Dunnavan, Durand, Dutton, Dwyer, Echikson...

Wonder if I should mention recently deceased classmates. Break my policy of not filling space here with the death-of-the-month. No. The obits section is the place for that.

...Hotchkiss, Hovde, Howden, Hoy,Hoyt, Hudak, Huebsch...

Week three already. Maybe tell 'em about last Sunday's fan time with the grandchildren. Let's see, Mike, Jill, and the twins were lighting matches in the garage when...nah.

...Imus, Irons, Irving, Jaeger, Jarvis,Jefferson...

Have filled out some columns with jokes. Could fill a paragraph with the story about the guy who had a sneezing problem and the ragweed. Nope. Doubt I could sneak that one past my editor.

...Malone, Mann, Marchant, Marsh,Marson, Martel, Martin...

D-Day minus six. Again wonder why I write this DAM column. It's not just for the glory and the high pay. Maybe it's fan and a good feeling of doing a bit to keep the class together and "the spirit" alive.

...Myers, Myers, Nagle, Narva, Nash,Neale, Newkirk...

Maybe bitch a little about how The sifty gets all the good stuff. Those damn green cards. Nobody ever thinks of me and my deadline and space problems. Oh, poor me.

...Peskin, Peters, Peters, Petersen,Petrequin, Piane...

Think about obits again. Could do a much better job, produce more informative ones. More personal. Wish family or friends would send me newspaper obits or other information.

...Ross, Rothchild, Rouillard, Rowe,Royer, Rubins...

Wonder if most guys check the '50 class notes, then the obits, and only after that the rest of the magazine.

...Sarno, Sarokin, Sawyer, Shalles, Schusten...

Another sifty arrives. That guy sure can write. Wonder if he's ever considered teaching English.

...Stephens, Stevens, Stevens, Stinehour,Stone, Stowell...

Could promote the Alumni Fund or the class dues. Do it in such a way that nobody feels I'm really here to shill for the College and the class treasuries. Do think it's a crying shame (on them) that almost a third of the class cops out on paying dues.

...Udall, Ulrich, Vail, Van Benschoten,Van Ordan...

Wow. Almost made it. Only 15 words to go.

...Wulp, Young, Zebrowski, Zeller,Ziegler, Ziesing and

Central Green, Winchester, MA 01890