1955

The long cold winter in the Northeast made the trip to warmer climate that much more inviting to most of us, I am sure. Unfortunately, I received, too late, an appeal from Swifty Lawrence to help crew with Jim Wiggins from the Virgins to Ft. Lauderdale. I hope a welcoming committee of '555 will greet them upon arrival.

One plus from Mother Nature was the abundance of snow for Winter Carnival. This year's event seemed better organized with better statues and more events. Still, nothing to compare with our array of skating stars and great shows.

Good news from Ace Hall, who seems to be recovering nicely and promises to, once again, hit those straight 250-yard drives (his words not mine). Buck Frish, among many '55s who visited Ace, accompanied him to a spring training game.

The fall mini-reunion is shaping up well, though the numbers are less than previous ones. What with Iraq, the economy, etc., the airlines will almost pay you to take a seat. Pete Gulick has offered to serve as a tour leader to those wanting to see Oregon before and after the September 17-21 get-together.

John Braestrup and Justie have put together a great program and it is hoped that more 'sss will sign on for this wonderful opportunity for a chance to visit with old classmates and a guided tour of Portland and environs.

Jim Wechsler is not forgotten. A recent ValleyNews article was seeking candidates for his athletic scholarships. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center made a large contribution to it last fall and it now bears both of their names.

Now that my mailbox can be seen above the snow banks, don't hesitate to fill it. Your classmates want to know what you're doing as well as your curiosity about them.

Speaking of curiosity, I received a death notice from the College concerning James Stanley Brakhage. He is not listed in our Green Book, having dropped out to produce independent films in his freshmen year. ADAM article in May of 1987 is titled "Stan Brakhage '55 'The Picasso of Cinema.' " His film Dog Star Man is listed alongside Citizen Kane, Star Wars and Zapruder footage of the John F. Kennedy assassination as among the most important films ever made, according to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. See obituary.

217 Perry Road, Woodstock, VT05091;(802)457-1228;hasbrch@valley.net