1973

In the course of informing class of '34 former secretary Richard Gruen of the death of one of his classmates who had retired near Camp Lejeune N.C., I learned that he is the father of Bill Gruen. I subsequently spoke to Bill, who was hard at work at his accounting firm, Mehler and Gruen, in Washington, D.C. Bill taught school for ten years before starting a second career as a certified public accountant. He still keeps his hand in as a teacher by giving astronomy classes to kindergartners.

Bill and wife Marg live in Bethesda, Md., and have four children (two girls and two boys), ages 3, 5, 7, and 9, which has nothing to do with Marg's work at Planned Parenthood. I'm sure it has something to do with good tax planning.

Speaking of kids, Dave Wender writes from Jackson, Miss., that his group of four neonatologists (You know, the doctor who stands in the halfback position behind the obstetrician who laterals off the secondsold newborn) care for approximately 3,000 babies a year.

Dave's wife, Maggie, works a couple of days a week in the education department at River Oaks East Hospital in Jackson in the newborn follow-up clinic. Dartmouth lost a tug-of-war for Dave's daughter Megan, who committed on NCAA signing day in February to play soccer at Vanderbilt. Vandy happens to be stepmom Maggie's alma mater.

We received word that George Bullock died on December 14, 1995, after an illness. George left Dartmouth before graduation and was living in Raleigh, N.C., at the time of his death. Our condolences go to his parents and family in the Henderson, N.C., area.

The saxophone sounds of rred riaas and The Paul Broadnax Trio were heard last December not in a small, dark, smoky club but in the big, bright, breathable settine of The Mall of New Hampshire m Manchester, N.H. The Currier Galleria at the mall sponsored the concert and three others at the art gallery.

If Fred, who teaches music at both Dartmouth and Middlebury, appears in this column often, it's not because he's, as it were, "blowing his own horn." Fred and the Broadnax group have been playing together for about 15 years and the New England newspapers follow their tours. Although the College has a great clipping service, help out your class secretary by writing/faxing once a year.

Chet Homer of Kennebunkport, Me., is making news as the owner of Shawnee Peak, Maine's third-busiest ski area. The Portland Press Herald reports that since purchasing the mountain near Bridgton in 1994, Chet has doubled its snowmaking capacity, improved the two lodges, and created two new trails.

Shawnee Peak was expected to serve 100,000 skiers from southern Maine and northern Boston areas this past winter as well as employ 250 seasonal workers from the local area. Chet, who got an M.B.A. from Northeastern in 1974, is also trying to develop a summer concert series and expand the resort's already strong wedding reception business.

If you live or travel in the Lakes and North Conway regions or in the Portland area, visit Shawnee Peak and say hello to Chet. He might even advance you some lift passes for next season.

John Towers and I got together at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in February to do an alumni interview of a candidate for the Class of 2000. It's always a challenge interviewing applicants in North Carolina, particularly when the College is competing for the student with several attractive Atlantic Coast Conference schools like Duke, Wake, and Chapel Hill.

2500 Northwoods Drive, Jacksonville, NC 28540-4565; (910) 451 5045 (fax)

CPA BillGruen and wileMarg have fourchildren, whichhas nothing to dowith her work atPlannedParenthood. I'msure it hassomething to dowith good taxplanning. BOB CONWAY '73