1971

Here in Connecticut it is deep and dark November, with the first forecast "flurry"of the season having just deposited several inches of snow on the deck outside. As you read this column, however, spring has indeed sprung at least for those of you with more latitude (geographically speaking), and is advancing on the rest of us. All of which naturally turns our thoughts to (what else?) that big weekend June 13 through 16: the one, the only, class of '71 25th Reunion! If you haven't already, soon you will be receiving a Reunion registration mailing asking for the details of your plans and the commitment of a deposit. Now is the perfect time for any of you still waffling to make your move. And it's still not too late for those of you who thought you couldn't make it last fall to reconsider. Seeing old friends, maybe turning old acquaintances into new friendships, enjoying the great programs, activities, and events that are planned—it will be worth getting it together and making the trip. We're hoping for a major turnout worthy of the spirit of '71!

And now, the news! Bo Smith lives in Newton, Mass., now next to the Charles River with his family—wife Barbara, son Buster 15, and daughter Pearl 12. Work at the Museum of Fine Arts running the film program dominates life, he says, but he apparently has a little time left over as he indicates he enjoys hearing from those who knew him at Dartmouth.

The Hartford Courant chose R. Nelson"Oz" Griebel its "1995 Business Leader of the Year" last October. Griebel, who assumed the helm of Bank of Boston Connecticut when it took over Society for Savings (a local bank with a long and respected history in the state) and moved its headquarters to Hartford, has, according to the Courant, "earned the respect of longtime Hartford business and community leaders for his down-to-earth style and willingness to work hands-on in a project." Last June Oz was instrumental in putting together what has become the Capital Region Partnership, a new organization whose objective is to coordinate the efforts of six Hartford area agencies to help solve some of the region's economic problems. As of October, reported the Courant, the Partnership had been instrumental in keeping at least one business and 250 jobs in Hartford.

And , Wane Hobin sent a note from "the Wild West in Cave Creek, Ariz., where town council meetings look like a shoot-out in a saloon." Wayne, who has been involved in real estate development for the last five years in Arizona, will be relocating to Connecticut and is planning a return to his former occupation, dentistry, or as he puts it, "drilling, filling, and billing." It's not the first time I've heard of a real estate guy sticking it to you (I couldn't help myself; but I can get away with it since I'm in the same biz—real estate, that is). Wayne and his wife flew back for Homecoming last fall and wit- nessed a politically correct bonfire: due to the new rules on burning wood, the top 33 tiers were built out of pizza boxes. The next day, he reports, he "rowed the Head of the Charles in a 'pickup' boat with two women, a rotund Dutchman, a Brit, and a Romanian as well as a couple of guys I hadn't seen in years. Let it suffice to say we had lots of time to view the other competitors as they passed us! I did do better in the national masters held in St. Paul last September (a bronze in the men's eight and only .44 seconds out of first). It was a thrilling race for the competitors and the spectators (and watching rowing races can be as exciting as watching grass grow). We'll be at the Reunion...hope to see you there."

And so do I. Regards,

20 Den Road, New Hartford, CT 06057; (860) 547-3600 (office); (860) 547-5966 (fax)