1944

Retired advertising man, marketing director, and weekend writer Dave Nutt was up New England way for some skiing (keeping up with Eric Barradale at Okemo was one of his challenges), and Dave said he had fun last fall visiting the White House for the first time. Dave wrote a story about an arborist for his local New Jersey newspaper and it got him an invitation to D.C. The arborist supplies large ornamental trees for all of Washington, one of which was planted right outside the Oval Office.

Thank goodness Dave wasn't on hand for the actual planting: we wouldn't have wanted our old buddy caught out on a limb in that "Bimbroglio" (The New Republic magazine's contest-winning name for the White House scandal.)

The second annual '44 Ski-in also took place at Vermont's Okemo Mt. on January 20, and 21 of the faithful were on hand for the noon Happy Hour: Joan and EricBarradale, Helena Burdge, Ro and PinkyCorroon, Liz and Bill Craig, Sonja andBruce Dean, Jim Elliott, Wemo Epply,Jim Hardigg, Blanche and SwampyMarsh, Bob and Ann McLaughry, Patand Suds Suddarth, Jane and Jack Tope, and Dick Whiting. Barbara and Dick Hinman '45 were also along, adding youth to the group.

Four or five of the fellows skied as well, and very well, thank you; some ladies went cross-country, and very well, thank you; and Suds Suddarth and Bob McLaughry were awarded Jack Snobble memorial '44 numeral sweaters for their distinguished and varying skiing talents.

John Hughes sent along a full-page feature on fellow Marylander Rog Antaya, who is enjoying life and banging out golf balls again after laparoscopic surgery, which alleviated 35 years of chronic indigestion and heartburn. Rog says he was only in the hospital overnight and out playing golf in four days, feeling terrific. "If anyone is suffering from a hiatal hernia and not doing anything about it, he is making a giant mistake," says Rog.

As for John Hughes himself, he is still working full time for his old company, which makes rollers for the printing industry, traveling a good deal and conducting training seminars around the country. He says he's in great health, and he and wife Mary spend any spare time with their four children and 10 grandchildren. Son John Jr. '70 (known as Dave) is now managing editor of the Aviation Week magazine.

Dud Wilson reports in from Conway, S.C.: "My health is holding its own. Any large effort is devoted to improving my house, which can use all the improving I can give it. Had I ever owned a house before this one, I'm sure I wouldn't have ever taken the step." George and Nancy Troxell came north last fall for a granddaughter's wedding, and they then toured the Maine coast. A highlight there was a reunion with Phil"Brownie" Brown, whom George hadn't seen since freshman year in Smith dorm. George says he and Nancy are also taking golf lessons to prep for a golf match with Joe and Ann McDevitt at Sea Island, Ga., in early September.

Dick Rice sent along a photo of Lake Winnipesaukee in N.H., near where he and wife Suzy live and where they gathered last summer two kids, two grandkids for a family reunion. Son Steve teaches English as a second language at the San Francisco School of Art.

One death. Ralph Beaman in February 1998. Our sympathies.

That's it. Blessings.

Fritz Hier, P.O. Box 24, Lovejoy Hill, Cornish Flat, NH 03746

Fritz Hier '44 on Stamp Man, p. 30