1956

Bill Frazier, born may 3, 1934, is the second random selectee for a birthday shout-out. he writes, “as I approach 80 I am reminded of the special role that Dartmouth played in my life. That intense exposure to the liberal arts provided me with the intellectual inputs that have shaped nearly every facet of my life. i approached life’s challenges with a surprising degree of confidence, drawing in nearly every instance on the incredible inventory of knowledge that my Dartmouth experience provided. Friendships with a talented group of ’56 classmates made it all come alive.”

I now bring you the Barbary Coast Jazz Band playing in honor of G. Leonard Neely Jr., who passed away in November 2013. Samson Occom leads the funeral procession up Main Street and around the Green as all surviving classmates bow their heads.

Bill sherman, born april 3, 1934, is the third birthday selectee. he writes, “it is hard to believe that so many of us are in the 80 age group. I always wondered if we would make it to the 21st century. I am now undergoing chemo and radiation treat- ments for a throat lump, but the doctors assured me that I can lick this thing. I look forward to the upcoming golf season and, with luck and good medical care, plan to be at homecoming this fall.”

Happy birthday to the two Bills and all others turning 80. Since this column will appear in April, I close with the first stanza of a poetic limerick titled “the aspects of april.”

“Fourth month of the year to revere, Sheer delight in mild days that are here; April showers so kind, Happy thoughts on our mind, easter bunnies will soon reappear.”

P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; joel@poeticlimericks.com