1953

An old proverb says, "There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle." That is not to say that there are any old fiddlers in this class, but there are many who perform like Stradivarii, a fact supported year in and year out for the past 51 years, and further demonstrated by the following news items. Dave Florence was honored along with the late, great Benjamin Franklin by selection into the Direct Marketing Association Hall of Fame. Their induction was held in October. Dave, founder and chairman of Direct Media, Greenwich, Connecticut, developed, among other things, the first direct-mail prospecting database that is still in use today. I needn't enumerate the other honoree's accomplishments. Can you imagine our Dave sharing the spot light with Old Ben himself?

Michael Crony '91, son of our late classmate Bill Crotty, wrote to me recently. "I thought you might be interested to know that a university located here in Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, in recognition of my father s tremendous civic activity and community involvement, recently dedicated the Ambassador E. William Crotty Tennis Complex, naming its new facility in his name." While it's a justly earned honor for Bill and his family, it also does the university proud to have Bill's wonderful name associated with it. Congratulations all around.

Another oft-honored member of our class has been honored once again. At the First Volunteer Recognition Event of Harbinger Partners, Bob Henderson will be the recipient of its Community Champion and Spirit of Service Award. Harbinger Partners is an innovative not-for-profit corporation that enables nonprofit and for-profit corporations to work together, helping nonprofit corporations more effectively employ technology strategically and expanding the reach of corporate philanthropy.

Dick Goodman has devoted his professional life to the education of our kids. He has been recognized as an educator par excellence and as an innovative administrative leader having served in a variety of capacities, including classroom teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. Now he hopes to address the multitude of problems facing education from a different vantage point. He has decided to stand for election to the New Hampshire State Legislature. Though he says that he is facing an uphill battle for a seat in the House of Representatives, running as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican district, he remains optimistic.

And speaking of fiddling and fiddlers, Dave Halloran, our ebullient and irrepressible class Web site manager, informs me that our creative Webmaster, Jim Wheaton, continues to play the trombone in the Williams Dixieland Band and recently went on a cruise with the band to Bermuda. A trip to our Web site is a real treat. In a beautifully designed format you can find news stories, history, information regarding our class, pictures of our classmates and their wives and now a recently remastered recording of President Eisenhowers Commencement address and the late Charlie Fleets rendition of "Little Jimmy Brown," courtesy of Fred Whittemore. Wonderful!

Cheers to all!

4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY11753; (516) 938-3616; marksmoller@hotmail.com