1944

There were no secret servicemen tucked among our rhododendron bushes in I June when President Bill and Speaker Newt came to town (i.e., neighboring Hanover and Claremont), as we stayed home and escaped the rain and the rhetoric. We had earlier concentrated our energies in other directions, toward New Hampshire's rivers and mountains. In May we took part in the Ledyard Canoe Club's 75th anniversary and joined the undergraduate paddle to the sea, seven days and six nights on the Connecticut River, from Hanover to Long Island Sound. Eric and Joan Barradale graciously filled us up with donuts en-route in Brattleboro; and on hand in Essex and Old Saybrook were George Bruce and Al and Jean Winkler, to wine, dine, and bed us down.

Then June wife Anne and I journeyed to the Ravine Lodge to partake in the Dartmouth Outing Club's celebration of its 75 years at Mount Moosilauke Dartmouth's own mountain, 50 miles north of Hanover. Prominent Chubbers in the ceremony included Jimand Alice Hardigg and their daughter Viva 84 Charlie and Caroline Jack; Syd Bowers (all the way from Nevada); and Jim Averill's son Bob '72. Heavy overcast and mist precluded any good viewing, but climbing Moosilauke again was exhilarating, as always.

Twitch Miller has already made mention in our class newsletter, but the fact that we're the second best class ever (well, almost ever) became evident during Class Officers Weekend, May 5-6, when '44 came within a thin whisker, behind '34, of being the Outstanding Class of 1994. Also in the headlines: Stan Barr was named Class Treasurer of the Year, and in April he and a partner were runnersu up in a national squash doubles tournament for young goats 70 years and older.

Other summer stick-in-the-muds: In New Zealand and Australia as part of a three-week golfing trip, Hardwick and Betsy Caldwell celebrated a birthday by Parapenting (gliding) from the tops of local alps, followed by a jetboat ride wherein the skipper plays "chicken" at top speed with all the boulders in sight.

Joe Hatch's "hammock time" consisted of several weeks each repairing the carriage roads at Acadia National Park in Maine, tending a forest-fire tower in Three Rivers, Mont., and working on erosion control for the Arizona Forest Service.

Arizona Bob Miller and Diane rafted down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho.

On a somewhat quieter note, four old Topliff roommates caused a Florida hurricane season all their own when Bucky and Jackie Brandt and Charlie and Ginny Mottola swept into Charlie and Fern Schumacher's place in Stuart, Fla., for a first reunion in 49 years. A month later the Schumachers blew down to the Brandt's in Plantation, Fla., for a reunion with the other member of the quartet, Don May. "Just great," said Charlie S., "all looking so healthy and happy."

Two deaths to report this season: HarryMontgomery died May 15, and Rog Feldman June 26. Our sympathies.

That's it. Blessings.

Box 24, Lovejoy Hill, Cornish Flat, NH 03746