1953

Winter is here! It is Friday night, a crisp, frigid December 5,2003, illuminated by an almost full moon against a deep cerulean sky. An eclectic crowd of people, students, alums, town folk young and old, bundled against the cold, have gathered in the center of the Green, milling around, gaily chatting and visiting. Suddenly, the tree is lighted and the Glee Club is singing carols. The crowd seems rapt in the warmth of the occasion The stately buildings of the College, encircling the Green now lighted in the glow of the tree, seemed linked to each other as they warmly embrace the entire community and accentuate the harmony of the time, providing me with a sense of serenity and oneness with my fellow carolers and the place. What a joyous culmination to a lovely fall during which 64 of us attended the enjoyable class dinner at Phil Beekman's after the Columbia game. That weekend saw a large turnout of 40 walk in the parade and about the same number at the class meeting. The Cornell game was the preface to a gathering at Ann and Harlan Fairs lovely home. Once again, the food was delicious and the spirits soared! A win over Princeton set the tone for the very happy party, which was graciously hosted by Ann and Brock Brower at their home. We reached almost 40 in attendance at each of these happy occasions.

One of our holiday luncheons was held in Boston on December 17 at the Newton Marriott, hosted by Warren Wentworth, another in New York City on December 16 at the Yale Club, which was hosted by Bob Callender, and a third, in Hanover at the Hanover Inn on December 17 hosted by Bill Chamberlain, bringing our total to eight mini-reunions this fall. Many thanks to all our hosts and to Dave Donovan and Harlan Fair, who arranged the entire program.

When not involved in these festivities, some of our classmates are busy working enthusiastically in other endeavors. Ron Lazar has ventured into China to look at the Jaiming Business Park, a 2,000-acre industrial park in Liaocheng that now contains a farm machinery plant, a paint manufacturer and a chicken processor. "I see this as an opportunity to bring industry to a part of China that has just reinvented itself," said Ron. He plans to seek out companies from Long Island and Newjersey as well as colleagues from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors throughout other areas of the United States, to develop the park.

Sandra and David Picker have moved into a beautiful new home in Bethel, New York. David, who has enjoyed a wonderful career as a movie producer and former head of United Artists, is engaged seriously in writing a screenplay. It is a "wacky, romantic comedy," he said, and it has been bought by MGM-UA.

And finally, Brock Brower, while continuing his prolific writing, has turned some of his not inconsequential energies into the development of the Northern Stage Theater group in White River Junction. He is very enthusiastic about its growth and foresees a very bright future for it.

Cheers!

4 Schuyler Drive Jericho, NY 11753;(516) 938-3616; marksmoller@hotmail.com