1953

Just what I know you have all been waiting for a quick-look report on the second Harbour Ridge 1953 Maxi/Mini held in Dodge City, Fla., over the last long weekend of January. "Quick-look," because Don Goss will no doubt have pages on the subject, with pictures, CD-ROM, and all the other paraphernalia that the best class newsletter in the Dartmouth community always puts together.

In short, "super great." Bob and AnneSimpson, Bob and Gail Malin, Gus andMabel Allen, John and Lore Dodge, and George and Patty Sarner pulled together another memorable long weekend of fun, frolic, and fascination for this Dartmouth 1953 experience. Thanks also go out to the skippers of Commodore Malin's flotilla, including Jim Wells '43 in his mighty Diablito, John Dodge with his new cruiser Lorelei (where did he get that name, do you suppose?), Phil Beekman is his Bonito gnat (a fighter without wings for which your humble scribe had the white-knuckled privilege of serving as look-out), Denny "Deep Draft" Speidel in his self-built Pescadore, and Monty Spindler, honorary '53, with Pippin.

All this was put together just to go to lunch! Commodore Malin led his Great White Fleet down the St. Lucie in a sweeping naval action directed toward an amphibious operation at Sailfish Point, Fla., home of Patty and George Sarner. While Yvonne and Denny Speidel formed new channels with deep draft Pescadore, they served as a decoy for the main force that floated in quietly along the shore and under the defenses of the Sailfish Navarrone. Deepest penetration into the objective harbor was made by Phil "Warp 17" Beekman who helmed his speedy Bonito through these same channels, barely touching the water. That Father Ed Boyle was on board the Bonito may have had some affect on Phil's aqua levitation. What a class! What a trip!

There were 87 of us this year, including 47 classmates and at least another six who promised to project their heartfelt presence, giving the usual total of 53. We held a class dinner for all on Friday night, at which time Tony Frank was awarded the Classmate of the Year trophy, not only for his extraordinary achievements in the business world, but also for his unselfish public service to his adopted country, most notably as Postmaster General. Tony's "Friday Night Live" repertory that served as his acceptance speech captivated all of us, particularly his acknowledgment that it would be difficult to pick the next award winner because Malm had only two roommates, the other being Howard Clery, last year's recipient.

Golf, tennis, and lovely parties were accented by lovely weather until the annual Dartmouth Golf Jamboree on Monday. The rains came, but spirits went undampened as this extraordinary group of "nothing specials," as Tony said of our undergraduate years, returned to their extraordinary lives and looked forward to the next 1953 Maxi/Mini Reunion to be held in Washington, D.C., and hosted by Ron Scheman. "For here's four good fellows, and the beechwood and the bellows, and the cup is at the lip, in the pledge of fellowship, of fellowship."

700 Spring Valley Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714