1948

Composing a column for Thanksgiving and Christmas before Labor Day is still a little surreal no matter how many times I've done it.

First order ofbusiness is to disclaim any suspicion anyone might have that the views expressed in this column are anything but the authors. Like the leading newspapers, the reporter's opinions may creep into reporting the news and my last two columns have admittedly done that. A few classmates expressed concern that my views against the alumni constitution change might be construed as the class' official position. This is not so, because I know there are at least a few who think otherwise.

This is written before the voting on a revised alumni association constitution even begins and will hit the newsstands as the voting is concluding. Having been deluged by Hanover-generated endorsements encouraging the revised constitution, it will be interesting to see whether the alumni buy into that or stay independent as they have indicated in the past three alumni trustee elections.

All that aside, it's good to see so many of us into our 80s and active. The group of 48 retirees around Hanover meets monthly for lunch (first Tuesday at Norwich Inn) and do an admirable job of discussing the issues of the class, College and Dartmouth athletics Join them if you are in town again. It's easier to park there than in Hanover itself.

We trust that when you read this Buddy Teevens will have worked his football magic again so that we can hold our heads higher among our Ivy peers. Although we are aware that the Big Green has done quite well in several other sports, those scores don't seem to reach Southern California with any regularity or generate the same amount of interest that football does.

Word has recently arrived of the deaths of Don Morrison, Chauncey F. Levy Jr. and Paul Mower. We send the class' condolences to their heirs.

Hope your holidays are both jolly and healthful. I promise to get back into a newsier column with the New Year.

CardenoDr.,La Jolla, CA 92037;bobhemck@aol. com