1959

At our recent fun-filled mini-reunion in Washington, D.C, Al Munro, Greenwich, Connecticut, talked about how easily participants make friends. "You don't need to have been good friends with people in Hanover to quickly make new friendships here. I knew very few of this crowd as students but when we come to minis, Kathy and I always quickly fall in with the group as everyone else seems to do."

Every mini-reunion includes classmates attending for the first time such as Bev and Pete Metz, Madison, Connecticut, who left his "semi-retirement" and part-time real estate law practice to join the crowd in Washington. Pete spent 14 years in the Connecticut legislature, becoming a key legislative leader, but his most interesting story is about an earlier Navy assignment escorting a planeload of prisoners from the West Coast to prison in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Interestingly, the Metzs came to Washington by train, a faster trip from Connecticut than by airline. Joan and Carl Nelson, Fairfield, Connecticut traveled the same way, as did several others, all of whom recommended the iron horse to avoid security delays and waits for luggage.

Connie and Mike Heilman, also "first timers," enjoyed it so much they plan to be at the Hanover event this fall. After his Proctor & Gamble career, during which they moved "a lot," the Hellmans retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Mike says these minis are a good way to get to know some classmates again before we all gather at our 50th next year.

Sally and Harry Downing, Des Moines, lowa, came to Washington because they met each other there years ago and wanted to see how the city has changed. Again, first-time mini attendees who found things comfortable and enjoyable. Mary and Andy Hommeyer, Olympia, Washington, said the same thing.

Sally and Dave Foster, Hampton Bay, New York, attended their first mini in Colorado last year, enjoyed it and came to Washington! The Fosters never fly or use trains but drive everywhere they go, even coast to coast! "We get to see the country that way," says Dave, "even though we often average 600 miles per day."

Libba and pediatrician Jim Wall, Knoxville, Tennessee, are another couple that enjoyed an earlier mini and came to Washington for their second. "We came to get to know some people and renew several friendships before the big 50th," Jim related. "We had a great time and now hope to be at the Hanover party this fall."

Our wonderful hosts for this mini were Laura and Stu Economou, Joyce and Scott Bush, Alice and Harvey Galper, and Laura and Sam Werner. Just a few of the other '59s attending: Kay and Lee Ambrose, Marti and Bill Beshore, Margo and Tom Brackett, Cathy and Art Duggan, Peggy and Joe Graham and Anne and Bob Morris. Why not come to the Hanover mini-reunion and enjoy the fun yourself? Our class newsletter and www.dartmouth.org/classes/59 have details.

172 Oenoke Lane, New Canaan, CT06840; p.stein@sbcglobal.net