1961

REUNION | JUNE 13-16

Our 55th reunion is rapidly approaching—June 13-16. Although I hope we will all be there, unfortunately, that will not be possible. Approximately five to six classmates will pass away before that time; several other classmates will be unable to attend because of declining health. Other classmates may not want to attend because they have been out of the class loop for so long they believe they will not recognize or be recognized by anyone attending and will be unwelcome among those in attendance. Well, the first two reasons cannot be refuted or averted. The third reason, however, could not be farther from the truth. We have all aged and we have all changed in many respects. However, in many respects we are all still the same students who matriculated in the fall of 1957, most of whom graduated in the spring of 1961. Since that time we have all gone our separate ways, some maintaining strong ties to the class of ’61 or to the College while others less so. Now, however, we have come full circle. For many of us, now aged 76 or so, this may be the last on-campus reunion that we will be able to attend. We should not miss this opportunity to both attend and enjoy a reunion that has been carefully planned by Jim Baum, 55th reunion chair, and his committee, along with strong input and support from Denny Denniston, class president, and the ’61 class officers as a group.

The reunion program is diversified and brings into play the Robert Frost statue procured and dedicated by the class to the College nearly 20 years ago. George W. Lundeen, the famous sculptor of the Frost statue on campus, has graciously agreed to attend our reunion and be the guest speaker at the rededication ceremony for the Robert Frost statue. This alone is a unique reason for all able classmates to attend. But the key reason to attend is to become reacquainted with your fellow classmates, some of whom you may have been close friends or dorm-mates or fraternity brothers or teammates with while in college. I hope no classmate will let this opportunity pass him by. Every classmate is welcome and the class looks forward to welcoming each and every ’61 matriculated classmate.

Ongoing and outgoing Upper Valley entertainer Ford Daley and his trio Two Roses & a Thorn (Ford is the thorn) recently performed before a large turnout of Upper Valley classmates and wives, as well as several other alumni and spouses from other classes.

Ed Victor was recently made a commander of the British Empire by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The award was for services to the publishing industry. Ed is the chairman and founder of Ed Victor Ltd., a leading literary agency in London, where Ed resides.

Fit and trim, Art Kelton and Larry Levy looked great posing for pictures during a Dartmouth ski trip to Switzerland this past winter.

In closing, I refer to a truism stated by Andy Rooney when he was commentator on 60 Minutes: “Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.”

94 Dove Hill Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030; (516) 446-3977; richwind13@gmail.com