1953

Peter Bridges, a prodigious writer, author and adventurer in his own right, informed me of a new book he had just finished reading. The book, Yesterday: A Memoir, authored by Stephen Pearsall, was all that Peter described to me. Steve has written it with great sensitivity. It is at times lyrical, at times sentimental, and takes us up to and including his days in Tokyo after graduation from Dartmouth. He recounts some of his ski adventures in Vermont, Colorado and Japan. Prefacing each chapter with a quotation from some significant source that foretells the ensuing essay, Steve’s descriptions of the River Fox, which runs through his hometown of Elgin, Illinois, and of various places in Japan are picturesque and engage the empathy of the reader. He gives a generous amount of space to his time at Dartmouth in which he candidly writes some interesting stories of his trials, capers and escapades. It is a fun book to read.

Dave Donovan reports that the Ski ’53 Day at Mt. Sunapee, New Hampshire, was held March 11. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and most of the skiers wimped out of the skiing due to the rain, fog and unseasonably warm temperature. Dick O’Connor escaped from New York State and arrived at Mt. Sunapee at 10:30 a.m. Mother Nature was pleased and the rain ceased immediately upon Dick’s arrival. Thereupon we skied for most of the day in conditions that were not half bad, and the next day we skied again in sunny, 20-degree weather on almost perfectly groomed trails.

On the other hand, no one missed the cocktails and dinner. Seventeen thirsty souls showed up at the appointed hour for fireside cocktails at the Donovan residence, followed by dinner at Lake Sunapee Country Club. Those attending were Marion and Put Blodgett, John and Ginny Callahan ’55, Mitzi and Fred Carleton, Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Anne and Harlan Fair, Alan and Barbara Newton, Dick O’Connor, Donna and Chuck Reilly and Bonnie and Dave Siegal. It was a fun evening, full of the usual class camaraderie.

Sadly I must report the deaths of Bob Chaloner, Dick Dunham and Ray Lawrence. Our deepest sympathy goes out to their families.

4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com