1969

The 35th reunion was a huge success, with more than 85 classmates attending even if some were there for only a few hours. I will leave a description of most of the festivities for the next column. I believe that this reunion may have started a trend toward greater participation in class activities on the part of many of us who, in the past, have not been so active. At least, that is my hope.

Regarding our class officers, there has been some change, some shuffling and some status quo. Dudley Kay remains our president; Bob Shellard steps down after 25 distinguished years as treasurer and will be replaced by Paul Tuhus, who relinquished reunion chair responsibilities to John Leavitt and partner in crime, John Beck. David Prentice left some pretty big shoes to fill after 29 years but Allen Denison (a.k.a. Orgs) wears size 13s and will do an outstanding job as our neophyte newsletter editor. Bob Sturges is now in charge of class special projects. Peter Elias will now have some assistance in maintaining our Web site with co-Webmaster Curtis Nichols joining the officer corps.

The 1969 Alumni Fund giving topped the $1 million mark and kudos go out to all who gave and to Dale Christensen, who headed the effort with Jeff Bloomberg and Andy McLane by his side. They will remain in place as fund honchos Jeff was also elected class vice president for Alumni Fund liaison and will be in charge of items to be named later (a dangerously vague description).

There were several first-timers atthe reunion along with some not old lookingfaces. The predicted rains never came and we enjoyed outdoor dining on the lawn of Baker Library, by the river, alongside Occom Pond and at the Hood/Hop Courtyard. Our final dinner was at the McLane Family Lodge at the Skiway. It was a magnificent venue for what was a wonderful event. Many of us were able to visit Dimitri's forge prior to dinner, where the village smithy gave a clinic in hammering hot iron. Dimitri, like Elvis and Cher, requires only a first name. Unlike them, he is less pop and more into heavy metal. There will be more reunion details next time. I have some hard news regarding classmates but I am going to send those items along to my successor, Steve Larson, to make his first column easier. lam not going away after 21 years as secretary but have been kicked upstairs to the position of vice president in charge of anything no one else wants to do.

Steve can be reached at wheat69@earthlink. net or by snail mail at 6356 Tasajillo Trail, Austin, TX 78739.

Take care,

27 SummitAve.,Deny,NH 03038; rgwillets@comcast. net