1945

It's a pleasure to lead off this month with honors bestowed on worthy classmates. In no particular order, but with congratulations to all three:

George Barr received the 1998 Class Newsletter Honorable Mention Award with citation: "For your long dedication to the class of 1945, for the consistent high quality of your newsletters...for almost 20 years, and for your devotion to Dartmouth." Don't we know it! And we're pleased to see that the College recognizes it, too.

Craig Cain has won an award for "notable contributions in research and standardization concerned with concrete and concrete aggregates." The honor, given by the American Society of Testing and Materials, recalled Craig's career "focused on the design, manufacture, and sale of concrete pipe as well as the promotion of fly ash from steam power plants for use in concrete." Craig continues as an honorary member and fellow of ASTM. Thayer School buddies, please note.

Ted Safford excels not only at class agentry for '45 but also at his chosen profession of family medicine. At a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians, he was honored with several others as the "Superheroes of Family Medicine." Ted teaches at the family practice residency in Hartford and shares with a retired colleague the medical examiner schedule for lower Fairfield County.

Judge Joe Michael has left the Rochester (N.H.) law firm that he founded and is back to being a "country lawyer" with a small office in hometown Durham. Hats off to you docs and lawyers who keep on practicing even though you've gotten it right already for so many years.

Peg and Harry Hampton's late '98 trip was a two-week land-sea Alaska tour via Cruise West, an outfit that uses small boats only, for "up close and personal" viewing of whales, calving glaciers, and assorted wildlife. Sounds like the way to go more fun than those big dress-for-dinner Princess-type love-boats.

Most of you have probably read of the passing of Bill Scherman '34, now generally revealed as the talented author of "Dr. Wheelock's Journal" in this magazine. Bill was skilled in song at the piano as well as with words at the typewriter. As an entertainer he generated lots of laughter here in the Upper Valley. He and Ruth, my wife, shared a keen interest in off-beat pop music. In a jolly meeting not long ago, he was intrigued by Ruth's quoting of a song called "She Never Kissed Anything Else Except the Blarney Stone." He asked for a copy, which she sent, along with another, "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Over Night?" Back came a cheery thank-you note from Bill, citing his favorites: "One Day of Turkey Means One Week of Hash" and "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry, But Your Face Is Cleaner Now."

None of these made the Hit Parade or even Lucky Strike Extras. But you might like to recall the number one hits for the war years (according to Stephen Holden in TheNew York Times). 1941 "Amapola" (Jimmy Dorsey), 1942 "White Christmas" (Bing Crosby), 1943 "I've Heard That Song Before" (Harry James), 1944 "Swinging on a Star" (Bing Crosby), and 1945 "Rum and Coca-Cola" (Andrews Sisters).

May all your holidays, white or green, be happy ones.

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