1979

For those of you who made it to reunion, I know you're glad you did. For those who didn't make it, IT ROCKED! Space does not permit me to describe it all, but here are my highlights. As expected, our class shattered reunion records for classmates attending (more than 348), 25th-year giving (64 percent of '79s) and number of humble overachievers under one tent. The admissions staff nailed it back in 1975. Thanks to the numerous reunion planners and the multitude of others who donated their time, talent and gifts. There were sluggos on the golf course; nature lovers in the mountains and on the water; Hood Museum collections (via Kellen Haak); lecturers humorous and thought-provoking; hardbodies (that's how one observer described them) on the soccer pitch; food; dancing; and singing. I could go on. I will go on! Eleanor Shannon and Bags Mitchell tails. Louisa Guthrie and Pete Roby did standup comedy as event MCs. We learned that the acoustics in Leedes gym suck for anything except spotting events.The weatherwas perfect! The evenings are cold outside in June, but Buddy Teevens and Dean Manual warmed our hearts. (Ralph, if you're reading this, remember, even though when you gave us our diplomas you were younger than we are today, you're still older than we are). We rekindled old friendships and started many new ones. We slept in dorms, played pong in frets and took power naps. We danced on Memorial Field. We laughed. (Best line of the reunion tent overheard by Bobby Grant: Saturday night, 1 a.m., upon seeing a rather "platinum" member of our class wander into the tent: "So, do you think the curtains match the rug?") We cried remembering those who left this world too soon. We heard Ben Riley on guitar and vocals, accompanied by oth ers, including his son, Keith. We reconfirmed that '79 women are the best! Linda Button's masterful effort on the reunion yearbook; Laurie Laidlaw Roulston, our president-elect, and Debbie Sortor Parnon and the reunion committee should be especially proud! We knowyou're exhausted. So are we.

Regarding giving results, special thanks to Michael "Fore" Biondi, Peggy Epstein Tanner, Lizanne Galbreath Megrue, Ernest Parizeau, Burr Gray, Gail Frawley Granowitz and Mary Elyse Benson-Allan. Final results not in, as of this writing, but records galore.

News from Douglas Furth, checking in after a quarter century. Doug's in Chappaqua, New York, with wife Cindy and childrenjohn (13), Mary (12), Sarah (11), Nicholas (7) and Paul (4). Soccer and boy scouts trumped reunion, but he commits to the 50th. Cindy home schools the children. Doug practices law with Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP.

So, this is it.. .my last column as your current secretary. Thanks for your kind words regarding my writing these past four years. I wish you had graded my English 5 papers. When I volunteered for class secretary of the DAM Notes, I thought it would be a way to force myself to reconnect. I had no idea it would be so much fun. You are such great classmates. I rarely resorted to the dreaded "cold call." You provided lots of material for even this unworthy scribe. Demoted president, now vice pres, Bags Mitchell was a great leader, sounding board and proofreader of my work. I couldn't have done it withoutyour help. Well, I probably could have, but it wouldn't have been as much fun. I pass my pen to the most capable Mark Winkler (mwinkler@marthastewart.com), your new class secretary. Send him stuff!!

That's it. Over to Mark!

1889 Cold Creek Court; Vienna, VA22182-1807;tim.ehrsam@oracle.com