1951

The spring Class Officers Weekend became the platform for launching a medium-size mini-reunion. A firmly packed College agenda of seminars and other presentations concluded in time for your class executive committee to meet at Pierce's Inn, a wonderful farm-turned-inn in Etna. The committee dealt with '5l business, including a solvent treasury, Alumni Fund wrap-up, 45th Reunion planning, dates for future minis, and a class project report. In his remarks, President Joe Welch noted that the Class Memorial Book Fund has been re-established, meaning that a suitably inscribed volume will be given to Baker Library honoring each deceased classmate. Joe has also started the process for the election of new class leadership, and Jim Boviard will chair the nominating committee. This Midwestern focus should appease any who have felt the class leadership was too heavily skewed in favor of those who say "Daaatmuth." If you have ideas or other input for Jim, call him at (708) 446-9038.

While we conducted the serious business of the class, other '51s assembled in an adjacent room at Pierce's Inn to watch the Kentucky Derby and enjoy Nancy and JerryMitchell's mint juleps. President Joe found that post-time was the moment to adjourn and join the others. Then it was dinner for everyone. Present were the Welches, DaveBatchelder Bill Boynton Bill Beasley the Al Brouts, Joe Caldwells John Claytons,Al Moris, Henry Nachmans Joe O'Connors, Dick Prices, Howie Reads, DaveHalls, Amos Giles, Mike Choukases the Jack Skewes, and the Joe Yukicas. I was there, but we were having too much fun to take notes. Maybe Batch stayed sufficiently temperate to recount more details in his turn. It was a splendid evening.

On Sunday the 45th Reunion committee, chaired by Clayton and Price, met to start fleshing out the plans. There will be enlightening seminars, souvenir gifts for all, music, parties, and more. We especially hope widows will feel comfortable joining us; there will be a memorial service. Athletic events will include tennis and golf. And, for those so inclined, canoeing on the Connecticut River. You'll receive your first official mailing this October. Block out those dates: Monday-Thursday, June 10-13, 1996.

Fred Chaffee '63 writes that Alike Heyman on his first tour of far-flung Smithsonian outposts, visited the Whipple Observatory, 40 miles south of Tucson, where Fred is a director. Mike said he was interested in turning the Smithsonian into a "museum without walls," by making its collections available via the Internet. He was especially intrigued by state-of-the-art software which allows any astronomer in the world who has Internet access to carry out observations on Whipple's telescope, the fourth largest optical telescope in the world. (That's another answer to the skeptic's question, "Who needs this Internet?")

I just got an e-mail inquiry from Dick Halloran concerning next winter's mini. None is presently scheduled but if there's a real interest, we'll see what can be done. Dick and Fumiko want to visit Hanover sometime next February.

Tell me what's happening. Use e-mail, "snail mail," or the telephone.

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