1945

Over the years I've gotten good mileage out of a toast: "To Dartmouth men and the wonderful women they marry." It certainly applies to me. From the Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald, courtesy of Don Cole, comes another example: Nancy (Mrs. Peter) Beck was honored by the board of Strawbery Banke restoration on conclusion of her term as president. There were copious laudatory quotes, but the one that says it best is not from the Herald but from what Pete wrote in the 50th Reunion Book about Nancy: "A brave Mount Holyoke lass who has enriched my life and this historic and cultural community with her leadership and involvement."

You who were at the 50th will remember the timely panel on law enforcement in which Dick Owen teamed with JoeYoung. Dick, U.S. District judge in New York City, is notable as well for the eight operas he has composed. This year TheDeath of the Virgin was revived (the opera, not the virgin, that is) by New York's Verismo Opera Company, acclaimed as "an unusual and unusually fine piece of musical theater." Dick's wife, Lynn, who sang at the Met in the '60s, performed the leading soprano role and "enjoyed master ing the soaring vocal lines the composing judge gave her." Here again is a wonderful complementary partnership.

At a recent '45 Upper Valley lunch, we thought about some of you from whom we haven't heard lately, either through entries in the 50th Reunion Book or via other channels. Around the table we started up a casual, informal call-your-buddies program. "Big tent" is a political cliche these days. But '45 should be a big tent; after all, we've had a lot of fun in big tents over the years. A canvas of conversation will help keep us all together. That's number one. Generating information to spread in newsletters and Class Notes is number two.

Craig Cain showed the way with calls to three of his '45 Thayer School friends. He caught up with Bud Tyler, who recently moved from Ohio to Conway, S.C. (105 Mayberry Lane 29526), where he takes good advantage of the Myrtle Beach area golf complex. It's high time to recall that Bud served as both secretary and chairman in the set of 1945's original class officers. Paul Talbot is happily retired from the California Department of Transportation and living in Fair Oaks, north of San Francisco. Fletcher Clark's career was with Turner Construction, including Pacific-area assignments; he has now retired to Cincinnati to enjoy Turner connections in their HQ city. Craig also chatted with two other Dartmouth friends. Gene Edson is still busy turning around troubled companies, in Chicago. Earl andCarol Wise divide their year between Elkhart Lakes, Wise., a recreational community, and a Florida community with active educational programs (like Hanover's ILEAD?).

So you guys, follow Craig's lead and talk it up out there. Think about whom you've not heard from for a while. Or take a look at page 275 of the 50th Reunion Book, which lists those who didn't provide entries to it. If your name is there, know that we do want to hear from you. If you see a friend's name, call him and pass his good words along. If you've lost your class direcory, I can supply address and phone information.

Thought for the month: A friend is a present you give yourself.—R. L. Stevenson

P.O. Box 1317, New London, NH 03257

Pilots Crabtree and Hartshorn '45, p. 61