1947

When I retired 11 years ago, Mary retired also from making "breakfast." We go to the one and only diner in town—the "Country Diner." It gets up and out early each day (which is good) and also has given us the opportunity to get to know a lot of lovable characters! Having a Hanover Plain education, it is always easy to equate the world to some of our distinguished classmates.

First, the owner of the diner (Gus- with some unpronounceable Greek name), who always seems to serve hot fried eggs on a cold plate. More than once, we have wished for Bob Kirsch and Abigale's culinary arts expertise. Second, the poor local Kiwanis president, who is always bemoaning that one half of the membership is always in arrears with their dues! At least Andy McCulloch has our Dick Hollerith to worry this task through for our class. Third, the pilot who flew for the Air Force in Europe, then flew the commercials for 39 years, retired and now flies charters all over the United States. Ham Chase would have some stories to swap with this character. Fourth, the poor soul who manages to come in every winter on crutches or has his arm in a sling. He is a "ski nut" who spends long weekends in Colorado or northern New England and seems to be a person that John Trethaway should train and Joe Hayes should counsel. Lastly, the rather vocal "headmaster type" from one of the local prep schools, who is always bemoaning how difficult it has become to get the "proper" type of student applicants for his school. We wish that we could turn him over to Alan Hall or Walt Peterson for a four-hour refresher course in how to be an educator! We always have a gaggle of men who deliver oil, drill wells, repair septic systems, or do landscaping (on a rush basis) who use the diner's phone as

their office phone. When they get a call, they always say "I'll be right over" and then go over to the counter for a half hour to continue talking about the Giants game. Their rush philosophy seems to be between "slow" and "stop." It's great to be retired.

10 Archers Lane, W. Redding, CT 06896