1957

Dan Goggins's and Bob Marchant's reunion was immoderately marvelous.

An advance group of Ted Everett, Bob Grey, incoming secretary Howie Howland, Dave Jenkins, Paul Rasiavicius, Al Rollins and Bob Shirley spent a boisterous Sunday night at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge.

By Monday evening most of the 200 had arrived. Some came via the Appalachian Trail hike organized by Dave Cook, others arrived just in time for the Kansas City barbecue (as recommended by Steve Katz). Erich Kunzel made a guest appearance to conduct part of the Upper Valley University Chorus's concert that night. Clark Griffiths is our '57 in residence with that mellifluous group.

Gordie Bjorks discussion of his book about why the U.S. economy has flattened, and how hard it would be to return to habits of persistent growth, was warmly received. The class meeting was calm; Randy Aires is our new president. Indoor lunch in Leede Arena was plentiful, musical and loud.

Bill and Ann Edgerton put on a tasteful wine seminar before the class picture and Italian feast at the Skiway's McLane Lodge. Music? The energetic Dartmouth Aires performed, and Irving Berlin himself (recorded) sang "God Bless America" to cap Mike Lasser's spirited talk about the prolific composer.

Doug Trottier preached, Jay Greene sang, Kathleen Gennerich spoke for widows and Mike Lasser eulogized professor John Finch at the memorial service in Rollins Wednesday morning.

Gary Gilson moderated the Middle East panel with Bob Grey, Chris Wren and professor Gene Garthwaite.Consensus: There may be heads of state thereabouts, but (to put it mildly) not much leadership. Memorable anecdote, from Bob Grey: Henry Kissinger to Chou En Lai: "What do you think of the French Revolution?" Chou's reply: "It's too early to tell."

John Lange and Adam Block strummed and thumped bluegrass banjos at the banquet Wednesday evening. Dave Cook wailed on the clarinet, President Wright greeted us and accepted our check for $650,000, Randy Aires laid out his goals for the next five years. We inhaled our lobsters in Thayer (no DOC House; it was still raining), and M.C. Erich Kunzel led us in an old song about where we keep our granite.

Singing in the tent in Thursdays early hours segued into more reminiscing at breakfast, with many vows to come early and stay late five years hence.

Later, on the listserv: Dick Burch about todays students: "I can only dream about being challenged by a class full of students like this!" Bob Copeland about personalities: "I stopped seeing people from the cliques I remembered them in...and saw them as a collection of very interesting and nice people."

Thanks, Bob and Dan. Reunion was good.

The list of those nice people I'd like to thank

for their help over the last five years is too long to print. As the cliche has it, you know who you are. Please be half as helpful to Howie Howland. Then he'll have as much fun as I've had. In words from 45 years ago, "Muh. It's been real. Muh."

1186 River Road, Selkirk, NY, 12158;(518) 767-2782; jennings@albany.edu