1955

It is with great misgiving that I assume the position of class secretary following Jim Wechsler's tragically short term. Dick Blodgett's summation, the obituary by Woody Goss and John French's extensive coverage in the newsletter, I hope apprised our class of what a fine and giving person Jim was.

An eight-member ad-hoc committee has been set up by the Lebanon school board to address a fitting memorial. Jim had already initiated a permanent scholarship for high schools seniors and, through the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, had a program for adult scholarships as well. No recipients of contributions have been established at this time.

Unfortunately, the time frame regulated by the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine confuses this author as to present, past, future or whatever. For example, when you read this, our mini-reunion in Williamsburg has taken place but as I write it is still a month away. In any event, Harry Ambrose and Margie have convinced me that somewhere between 80 and 100 historians and gardeners will attend to hear the present oratory of Jere Daniel, our history professor extraordinaire and the past expressions of Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson (no Dartmouth affiliation). Such notables as "Stretch" Johnson, Tom Creamer, Dave Miller, Larry Blades and Paul Goddard, among many, have promised to attend. In the next issue, yours truly will follow with more news of the proceedings.

The Boston Globe reports that Cindy Crawford and our own John French are not the friendliest of neighbors. It seems that "intimate sounds of daily life" from above are filtering into Johns abode. Our resident lawyer, Gene Givens, states if this comes to judicial review, he will lose. (If I were a juror, John, my vote would be for Cindy.)

Bob Wood, is that you traversing the slope in my Modem Maturity magazine? As a retired orthopedist, I sympathize with your ankle fracture as a learning factor in skiing "smart."

Dr. Philip S. Reilly was recently appointed chief of surgery at Milton Hospital of Quincy, Massachusetts. Congrats! Many or our classmates went into medicine and I wonder at this stage or our lives how many have retired? It used to be that "Old Doc So & So" worked until he died. In talking to classmates of recent, it seems that those in private practice are retiring, e.g., Peter Teal in Billings, Montana, and Bill Bronk in Glens Falls, New York. Whereas those in academia, such as Allen Root, Bernie Carpenter and Dick Roberts, continue to practice. Let me here from more of you.

Speaking of Dick Roberts, a sometime resident of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Jill and I spent a beautiful October day climbing Mt. Monadnock with him and his wife, Debbie.

What to do with a retired airport? Has Harry Lewis, as chairman of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, come up with a satisfactory answer?

According to the Valley News, Dartmouth's tuition will increase $903 for next year. As I remember, our freshman year the whole tuition was $500, plus $125 additional fees. Oh, for the complacent '50s!

217 Perry Road, Woodstock, VT05091; (802) 457-1228; richard.j.hastings.55@alum.dartmouth.org