1968

Personal impressions from our 35th: I arrived mid-afternoon on Monday, to rehearse for an evening reunion concert with the University Choir of the Upper Valley, a.k.a. the Geezer Choir. The handful of '68s present were among the youngest members on the stage that evening. Early Tuesday morning brought "mandatory" phys ed, with runners led by Steve Calvert, bikers led by Bob Block and assorted walkers led (and sometimes trailed) by John Everett. Our freshman trip was relived with a bus trip up the exquisitely beautiful Connecticut valley, then inland to the Ravine Lodge. We had group and individual photos taken (thank you, Eric Hatch!), and each of us volunteered to take along a departed classmate thru the rest of the reunion (□avid Clark was my companion). Midday it was time to tackle Moosilauke, which looked much taller and steeper than it used to. Most of us conquered the mountain, at different rates, including Bill Adler, who gimped up with a bum leg, and was the hit of the mountaintop with his satellite phone (most cells didn't work). The mountain beat back a few classmates, and got a little payback later by casting a spell on the '68 songsters, who did fine for a while then got lost in a fog of lost harmonies. Great dinner, followed by a video on the history of the building of the Ravine Lodge. Jack Noon provided all interested classmates with a copy of his recent history of Moosilauke. Wednesday had more early phys ed, then a convocation featuring William Sloan Coffin, nearby retiree and former chaplain at the finishing school in New Haven. Wonderful moral words, with much perspective on life. Later, we split up for mini-courses: some to a writing workshop, and many to standing room only with the Rev. Coffin in a Q&A moderated by Bob Reich. Afternoon saw a discussion session with our trustee classmates Peter Fahey and Mike Chu, followed by a seminar on prostate cancer and treatment options, with speakers including Bob Block,yours truly and (in absentia) Clark Wadlow. Early evening we gathered for cocktails on the Collis porch, where the Aires entertained, and were joined by the '68 singers who miraculously remembered their harmonies. Dinner at Collis was great, including the stunning news of our record-breaking class donation of more than $10,600,000. And a special College award for distinguished service to John Engleman. Another highlight was an award-winning film by Jeff Wadlow '98 (son of incoming prez Clark). And finally several hours of dancing, declared by several undergraduates who dropped in to be the best tent on campus. Thursday morning, a rather lightly attended phys ed followed by a class meeting of elections and a unanimous vote for our proposed 50th reunion gift (more on this in other communications). And finally, graduation, which included thoughtful insights by John Isaacson, humor by speaker Willem Lange (a Hanover area personality), lighthearted awards, a few songs and diplomas forall. Afine reunion, for which special thanks go to Greg Marshall and Gerry Bell!

257 Sandwich Road, Plymouth, MA02360-2503; (508) 746-5894; david.peck@tch.harvard.edu