1949

Christmas is for giving, and some of the examples are newsworthy. Dick Mallary spent his Christmas in the Ukraine after agreeing to serve as a volunteer observer in the Ukrainian presidential election held December 26. Mallary was one of 20 in a delegation organized by the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation. His team of three, one American, one European and a translator, was one of 20 that observed the elections, considered to be generally fair and open. This, after a month of turmoil following the November 21 runoff presidential election, which was nullified by the Ukraine's Supreme Court. Dick was especially impressed by the passion of the Ukrainian people to choose their own government. The voter turnout was better than 75 percent in Cherkassy, a city of 300,000 about 100 miles southeast of Kiev, where Mallary s observer team was located. Dick has served in various capacities in Vermont state government over 40 years, plus three years in the U.S. Congress, 20 years as a dairy farmer and 11 years in business.

Several movements on the real estate front. Allen Brooks, longtime resident of Hanover, has moved into the Kendal retirement community in Hanover, and judges it excellent. Punchy Thomas and Pat are looking to trade their party home in the wilds of north Norwich for something smaller and closer to the lights. Down south, Doug Thomson and Bsold their digs in Bonita Springs, Florida, in three days. They plan to rent for the winter months and save on the upkeep.

The hue and cry resulting from Dean Furstenberg's letter has largely, but not entirely, abated. His description of varsity football's diluting effect on the academic purity of a college stirred not a few. The worst seemed to be over when Buddy Teevens accepted the head football job. If Buddy's recruiting efforts, Dean Furstenberg's assurance of cooperation and Buddy's accumulated football expertise can be molded into some Saturday afternoon causes, the effects will be fewer empty seats in Memorial Field and we old season ticket-holders will keep doing it. Meanwhile John Lyons goes to Kimball Union Academy in Plainfield, New Hampshire, as football coach and associate athletic director.

2108 Austin Road, Woodstock, VT05091; dlfelicityfarm@yahoo.com