1949

Still plenty of time to sign up for the big reunion. As this is written, the head honchos say we're getting near 250 people, including wives and significant others (one or the other, please). Of course, there are a couple of months to go, but it makes planning a lot easier when ordering steaks and lobsters and beer and sweaters if we know ahead of time that you'll be joining in. And you'll save a few bucks if you respond now. If you have misplaced (okay, lost) your reunion response card, call BudHughes at (732) 449-7737 or PunchyThomas at (802) 649-2100.

Punchy notes that a handful of responses were a bit enigmatic. There was the guy who wrote "I'm coming!" but didn't sign his name. And another who wrote—sans signature—that he couldn't attend but would like the sweater anyway. Or the anonymous card postmarked Brigan tine, N.J., specifying an XL sweater. An, those senior moments.

Ray Truncellito reports some major successes with gifts to the '49 fund for the College. You can help—even if you can't make the Reunion.

Things are proceeding with the 50th Reunion yearbook as well as can be expected, considering that a small percentage sent neither bio nor photo. If there are no lastminute production snags, you should have your copy by about April 1, no fooling. With its superb, specially commissioned Mike Gish cover painting, the book is bound to be a collector's item—at least among '49ers. The original painting will be auctioned to the highest '49 bidder at the Reunion, with proceeds donated by Mike to the College. We hope to have some prints for sale as well.

You may recall the College's Wearers of the Green event that's held every five years, usually in Boston, at which new members are formally inducted, i.e., students and alums who during the interim have been named All-Americans, or Ivy Player of the Year in a particular sport, or played in a major professional league, or made it into a hall of fame, etc. There are quite a few '49ers who have made the grade in years past, but not too many are qualifying nowadays.

A notable exception is Bill Gahagan, originally a '35 who adopted us when he graduated with us in 1949. He's recently been inducted into the senior hall of fame for his tennis exploits. The event is May 7, and Californian Bill may hang around long enough to make the 50th.

Walker Williams, who lives in Lake Oswego, Ore., wrote to say that the new class directory stimulated a phone call from Dick Wolff, who also (small world) happens to live in Lake Oswego, Ore. Despite having zip codes only one digit apart, they hadn't seen each other in 50 years. Walker says he may make the 50th. In the meantime, Dick says the directory has his wife's name wrong (it's Beth) and gives incorrect phone numbers. You can e-mail him at . Incidentally, if you didn't receive a directory and want one, e-mail . Or get a computer-competent grandkid to do it for you.

496 Turnpike Road North, Fairlee, VT 05045; .