1948

John Fenno sent along a copy of a program when the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame honored his mother, Sally, as the first Rhode Island woman to receive a pilots license. A family thing, his dad Jesse '12, held the first autogiro license in that aircraft, the predecessor of the helicopter, and was a fixed base operator near Providence. John flew before he could legally drive a car.

The "Great Issues" course that John Dickey began in 1947 was fondly remembered in the December issue of Dartmouth Life by John Hatheway. You will recall that it was mandatory for all seniors and we would rush back from long weekends to be present...or else. I think most of us would agree that it was one of the most thought-provoking classes we had during our tenure as undergraduates. You wouldn't recognize 105 Dartmouth Hall, where it was held. The balcony is gone in a remodel.

We stumbled across a letter to the editor from Sam Katz in the winter edition of DartmouthMedicine. He comments on Basil O'Connor's role in heading the anti-polio effort successfully for many years. Sam is no stranger to saving lives through vaccination. He was recognized in the DMS Alumni News winter issue for developing the measles vaccine. Prior to its inception, 8 million children died annually of that disease. Based on 2003 numbers, the vaccine has cut fatalities from that disease by 90 percent.

The winter mini-reunion collected 17 classmates, wives and widows. Joe Smith took a fall on the slopes and dislocated a shoulder, but, demonstrating the '48 spirit, showed up for dinner.

Why would a non-skiing, purportedly sane classmate abandon La Jolla, California, in midwinter to fly to Hanover for the weekend? As a club officer at their annual gathering, I did that very thing and enjoyed all but the driving in snow part. The College has obviously taken note of the drop off of interest by many alumni, particularly the younger classes, and is trying to reach out through revamping alumni association structure and encouraging more local club activity. The election and nomination of trustees other than those sanctioned by the Alumni Council has also provided a wake-up call. In the opinion of this correspondent, these moves are healthy and could improve communications that have been one way for too long. Coincidentally, the big rains started while I was away and have created some real problems in this converted desert country, already delivering nearly twice our average yearly rainfall with four months to go in the rain season. The last several years have been drought with only 6 inches in 2003-04.

Don't forget to put September 29-October 1 on your calendar for our next get-together in Hanover.

6442 Cardeno Drive, La Jolla, CA92037; bobherrick@aol.com