1948

I found myself under the weather, so asked Bob Herrick to fill in this month:

John VanRaalte mentioned at last year's minireunion that he had won the Hunter Pace over 249 other contestants at a hunt meeting and was the recipient of a week's riding trip in Ireland. He spent six fun-filled days on a big gray horse, trail riding in Counties Clare and Galway on the west coast of the Emerald Isle in May. Miraculously, no rain fell during the ride. He tagged in a few days in Dublin, a lovely city. John is celebrating his 75 th birthday next February at Whistler, British Columbia, with 15 family members. He's afraid his grandchildren will run him off the slopes. We doubt it. John still plays tennis and golf regularly as well as chasing foxes on horses. He cites Warren Daniel, who still runs, as being a fellow class jock. (Probably I am the only class member younger than John.)

Speaking of 75th celebrations, a large group surprised John Hatheway at his diamond anniversary in August. His kids put the bash together and included a golf tournament at the Newport, New Hampshire, course.

Worth repeating (from the newsletter) is the recognition of Sid Washburn through a plaque honoring him at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian. He served as director of the American studies program there from 1968 till his death in 1997. A Rhodes scholar, he was our class's unsuccessful candidate for alumni trustee. He felt strongly that Dartmouth's association with Indians was not only traditional but politically correct. He defended the Indian symbol and his efforts to bring Indian chiefs on campus to attest to their backing him was rejected during President Kemeney's presidency. Good for Bud Munson, who raised the funds for the plaque from eager classmates.

For an upcoming issue of DAM, "favorite places on campus" are being solicited. If you have something to offer other than going off the ski jump in a baby buggy, please submit it to Moose for addition to the collection.

Sadly we pass on the word of Jay Rutledge's death in June from lung cancer. He was a regular reunion-attender and will be well remembered by many classmates. Jerry Wensinger wrote a great account of their close friendship over the years in the newsletter.

Margie and I were pleased to be in La Jolla this summer, as it appeared to be one of the few places in the nation with good weather. We did stray to Spain in June as our church choir toured the northern part of that very prosperous nation. A Basque attempt to bomb a retired army general missed us by a couple of blocks during a short stay in Madrid. Not intimidated a bit, we are off to a "Food and Wine of Provence" Elderhostel in October shortly after mini-reunion in Hanover. Routine visits to grandchildren in Hawaii and Virginia also add to our frequent-flyer account. Always a pleasure to visit with you. Back to Moose.

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