We figured out how to escape the "big snow" in New York. We headed north to Hanover for Winter Carnival Weekend. With no new snow and virtually none on the ground to speak of, the carnival committee did a noble job in creating a lovely statue on the Green, a tribute to their ingenuity and determination. Back home again we received the following notes:
Hank Fry kindly sent me a note from his home in Houston, Texas, in which he related that in talking with Dick Collins the other night, he learned that another wonderful award had been added to Dicks seemingly endless recognition for the great job he has done at Andover (Massachusetts) High School. Along with an unprecedented record of more than 300 wins as head football coach, Dick, already inducted into the Massachusetts Football Coach's Hall of Fame, was honored by Andover High as they named their new fieldhouse after him. In 2000 Dick was designated as the winner of the 1953 Classmate of the Year Award. Congratulations once again, Dick.
From Dave Donovan we hear that a small but spirited group showed up for the Ski '53 Day. In addition to himself, the skiers were Dick O'Connor, Put Blodgett, Dick McCostis and Libby, a friend of Susan McCostis and a ski instructor from Australia. For the apres-ski cocktails at their home and for dinner at Colonial Farm Inn they were joined by Marion Blodgett, Betsy Chamberlin, Bonnie and Dave Siegal and Fred Chase, who came down from Stowe and stayed with the Siegals, Jinny and John Callahan '55 and Dave's wife, Cynthia. Dave adds that, of course, Cynthia did all the work. In addition, though the turnout was small compared to last year, it was a nice day with a cozy fire and everyone had a good time. Dick O'Connor deserves a special citation: He traveled three hours each way to participate in the event.
President of the Association of Alumni, Al Collins, reports that his granddaughter Kate Pariseau '09, deferring her matriculation for a year, spent several months in India followed by an art study program in Venice and will matriculate with the class of 2010. She is the fourth generation of Collinses to attend Dartmouth, beginning with Allen's father, a member of the class of '26, and including Al's daughter Kim, Tu'84, and Kates dad, Ernie Parizeau '79, Tu'84.
I received the following note from Matt Yee '82. "It saddens me to report that Bay Yee passed away on February 2 at 12:30 a.m. in his sleep after fighting cancer. He was a wonderful father and husband and taught all of us how to love and be loved. His family includes his four sons, Matt '82, Terry '84, Bob 'BB and Pat; his loving wife, Tay; and a multitude of grandchildren. We will all miss him." We will also miss avid skier and sailor and all-around good guy Joe Burbeck, who died on February 13. To his wife, Teri, and their daughter Jenny, and to Tay and their sons we offer the profound condolences of their classmates.
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