1956

Let me begin with thanks to several of you who sent items to be shared. That's a real gift to the secretary! Bill Sherman writes that his granddaughter, Elizabeth Sherman, became our second fourth-generation Dartmouth student with her early acceptance into the class of'08. Abner Oakes' son was the first in '81. Bill traveled to Hilton Head the first weekend in November to celebrate Bud Allen's 70th birthday and relive fond memories from days together in Hanover and Choate. A remarriage in '98 has taken Bill to Lawrence, Kansas, from which he expressed interest in the Mackinac mini-reunion and a commitment to join us for the 50th

George Brophy, after running several Fortune 500 companies, is enjoying a second career, this one in investment banking. Better yet, his granddaughter, Katy Hagy, is also an early acceptance for the class of '08. Proud of her exceptional academic record, he also indicated she's a three-time all-state field hockey star on our pre-Olympic team. I wonder which grandpa can claim first acceptance of a grandchild. Broph will be in Mackinac. He and his wife have a place in Harbor Springs, Michigan, close by, with the "Guests Welcome" sign out.

Will Sogg has been honored for the third consecutive year as a Leading Lawyer in Northeast Ohio by Inside Business for his corporate, mergers & acquisitions and securities work. This is a lawyers-honoring-lawyers award, so three cheers for Will!

I received from Baker Library 21 new books given in memory of our deceased classmates since the last posting in August last year. It's a wonderful way for these friends of ours to be remembered while at the same time contributing to those now in school.

Len Neely and Howard Green have both written about Don MacKay, who after a short time in Ralston Convalescent Hospital near his home in Palo Alto, has returned home with a live-in caretaker to help Sandy care for him. Severe dementia, brought on by medication for depression, was followed by a buildup of intracranial pressure. Surgery meant to relieve the pressure brought on bleeding complications. We are at one in the same time wonderfully resilient and yet so vulnerable. Sandy urges us to visit or write him at 851 Moreno Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94303-3656.

Em Houck joins the authors in our class with Go Huskies, Beat Felix the Cat, a study of high school mascots.You can get yours directly from Em, with his autograph, $25 for the paperback, $35 for the hardcover; or you can get it directly from the National Federation of High Schools at 1-800-776-3642. The Web site is www.hsmacots.com.

www.hsmacots.com

You're encouraged to join the class book club. Right now its Kevin Philips' American Dynasty, but they'll be into something else by the time this reaches your abode. Russ Mead got all this started. Wah Who Wah!

Sadly, Charles Crane died since our last column.

P.O. Box 968, Quechee, VT05059-0968; (802) 295-892; stewwood@aol.com