1949

Charlie Fay is heard from out in Corona, California. He reports a "Space A" trip to Germany, but had to come home via Sicily, Turkey and England, delayed by a visit to some English pubs. Somehow I think he probably sampled the vino at the other stops, too. Marshall Belding still very active with his pet mortuary up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after a long career in the insurance business. He indicates that his business has been growing, and he has had to find two full-time assistants. Wish I could give him my resident groundhog, who devours my garden. At Bonita Bay, in Florida, our yearly Marine Corps birthday bash brought together four class of '49 ex-Marines, Johnny Rusham, Matt Fenton, Mike Marchese and Doug Thomson. We were also joined by Giff Wigglesworth '54. Some of the old gyrenes present were heard to be grumbling about not wanting to be at a Dartmouth reunion. Johnny has some interesting stories about meeting with German, Soviet and Japanese fighter aces of WW II at their international meetings. Jay Urstadt is the World Master Champion for the 50-meter breaststroke, beating out 28 international swimmers in Munich—quite an accomplishment! Got any other champions in the class? Hanover all abuzz over the opening of the new 280-space parking garage behind the post office. They even advertise in the local paper to get users. A reminder to '49ers who went on to Tuck School, our reunion weekend is September 20-23. How about coming to that, taking a nice vacation in New England and combining it all with our '49 mini-reunion September 28-30. Guarantees: great weather, two football games (no predictions there) and comradeship, and neither Bjorkland or Thomson will nick you for an alumni gift. We will have already tapped your wallets by then (heh, heh). Natalie and Bob Rooke continue their generous support of educational institutions with a substantial gift to ColbySawyer College, from which Natalie graduated and later served on the board of trustees. Sadly, I must report the death of Dick Lesle, at 73, out in Wichita, Kansas. Dickwas also a Tuck School graduate, who went on to a very successful career, first in the retail liquor business and then as the founder of a well-known cotillion ballroom, which featured big band and country music artists. He will be missed. Brought my Mike Gish print of Dartmouth Hall home from the framers, hung it in the living room, and decided that any of you who do not own one is missing a gem. Contact George Hartmann now and order one. And if you want to send me some news, that's OK, too.

P.O. Box 1194, Grantham, NH03753; bjndougtoo@aol.com