1957

Well, it's over now. The grand 50th. Many of you have been to Hanover. You saw old friends from the class and met classmates you didn't know very well. You walked across the Green again. You saw Dartmouth Row in the sunlight, in the shadows and the tower lighted at night. You heard the old songs, "Dear Old Dartmouth, Bless Her Name." Like many of you, my feeling about Dartmouth is that it was a good school and they did well by me. Oh, sure, I could have spent more time with the Outing Club or Cabin & Trail instead of hanging around the fraternity, but I liked hanging around the fraternity and those associations are part of my enduring memories of Dartmouth.

You have the 50th reunion book. Take it out again, read the introductory messages, go over what your classmates have to say. We are all the same age with different experiences. You saw some classmates in Hanover. There is a common bond. Many of the 1957 friends I have made since graduation are not those I knew well during college years. The names and addresses are all in the book. Make contact or continue your contact. There's still time.

Those of you who attended Homecoming 2006 heard a delightful presentation by a witty old lady named Nardi Campion at the home of Joe Stevenson. Her first book, Everyday Matters, spans our 20th century and tells of life as a military brat, Wellesley, marriage, kids, many moves, ending up in Hanover. The second, Over the Hill,You Pick Up Speed (great tide), approaches the challenges of growing older with imagination and an undimmed zest for life. Both books are available from the University Press of New England (www.upne.com). Your secretary has read both and recommends them.

Homecoming 2007 is coming up. The dates are October 19-21. The football game is Columbia. Return to Hanover and see the fall colorsred,yellow, green. Trudge through the leaves. Join us under the 1957 sign for the Friday parade to the bonfire and the traditional '57 mini-reunion. This popular weekend will sell out in the North Country. Mark the dates on your calendar and make your reservations in Hanover now. You will hear more details later in the '57 newsletter.

Many of us are downsizing. We have family treasures that we intend to leave to relatives. Asuggestion: Do it now! You will receive the joy of giving, make sure the item goes where you intend and avoid the squabbles that all too often divide a family when it's left to divide "personal effects."

Rom Powell writes from Florida that he is "still doing some senior status judging and arbitration in Orlando, some fishing, working around the house, a lot of reading, a little TV watching and short trips occasionally to motels where we can take our little dog." Kick back like Rom and enjoy life.

P.O. Box 3328, Pocasset, MA02559; fphowland1@mac.com.