1962

Just five years ago Joan and I were looking forward to the June reunion, blissfully unaware that it would be one of life's defining moments. It seems that some people were fixing to put the arm on me to run for the office of class secretary. (You may remember the vicious campaign and election upset.) I had no idea that the office commanded such power and authority. And, yes, magical powers. You see, along with the quill and inkpot handed over by outgoing secretary Gordy McKean came the gift of prophecy. Although it is more than a month away as I write this, I can accurately report on our successful 40th reunion in Hanover!

The weather was perfect although predictions as late as the weekend before were ominous.The turnout was beyond expectations and set a class and college record. Reunion chair Bill Pierce, publicity chair Al Huck and their many lieutenants in the reunion committee put together a party to conjure. No one thought that Ross Burkhardt could possibly come up with a slide show with audio that could top his magnificent shows of 1982 and 1987...but he did! The reception and dinner at the McLane Family Lodge was terrific. Thad Seymour charmed and entertained. The music and dancing was breathtaking (even as it was tympanic-membrane shattering). The picnics were mellow and the class tent conversations were nostalgic. What a wonderful get-together.

Thank you, all of you, for investing me with the honor of being your scribe and giving me the power of prophecy.

Dr. Gerald L. Cohen is a professor of foreign languages at the University of Missouri-Rolla. One of his interests is baseball history and baseball terminology. Did you know that "the box" early on was the pitcher's box or the mound and not the batter's box? Did you know that the big leagues were called "the big brush" or "the big circus" 90 years ago? You can look it up in Jerrys book, Dictionary of 1913 Baseball and Other Lingo, published last year. Jerry plans his second volume of baseball legend and lexicography this year.

I used to think that the insurance business was pretty dull. Then I read J. Stephen Reid's bool Murder Insured. It is his first novel and a terrific entrance into truth-based suspense fiction. A real page-turner and also a revelation and shocker. Steve knows how to tell a gripping story and rivet our attention. I recommend the book and look forward to further novels by Reid. You can pick it up for $17.95 at bookstores and Internet providers.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I wish to affirm that I have not been paid by Jerry, Steve, Maxamy Books, The University of Missouri, Dartmouth College or the Pulitzer Prize committee to pitch our classmates' excellent literary efforts.

The DQE Co., a Pittsburgh based energy, water and communications giant, appointed Charles C. Cohen to its board of directors recently. Chuck, a founding member of Cohen & Grigsby, a large Pittsburgh law firm, also is director of a number of other firms.

11 Sunset Road, Salem, MA 01970; (978) 744-0655 (fax); rjhannah@massmed. org