Fifty Three's Fifty Third Fun, Frolicking, Festive, and Frivolous Fantasy.

It is rumored about the campus that the Class of 1953 has been voted the "Quintessential Change the Light Bulb Class of the Millennium." Remember, "How many 53's to change a light bulb? One, and twenty-one to plan the reunion."

Well, it took less than 21 to make this Callender inspiration happen, but a bunch of people pitched in, particularly when Cal experienced a bit of a medical problem just before the big days of August. The Dean and Professor Don Pease, who informed and entertained us mightily on Monday night, just cannot get over the cohesiveness and enjoyment this class seems to have with one another. I told them both "Conviviality and Affability; twas always so." They are both looking forward to our spring seminar in Florida in 2007.

A quick recap of the infinite variety of events for those who could not make the trip to the Plains:

• Day One--- Sunday night at Phil Beekman's was the beginning of four days of fun, frolic, frivolity, and festivity.

  Virtually all of the attendees joined Phil at the Beekman Riverside Hacienda for cocktails and a picnic style buffet dinner under the tent. The weather was absolutely perfect, arranged by our resident Jesuit, Fr. Eddie Boyle, who had to remain in prayer in Boston the entire time to fulfill his assignment. Like all else in his life, Eddie got an "A."

  Others attending were Put and Marion Blodgett, Dick Blum, Clark and Linda Brink, Bob and Cathy Callender, Jim and Jackie Cartmell, Jim and Mary-Bern Decker, John and Lore Dodge, Dave and Cynthia Donovan, Dick Dunham, Burt and Trixie Dorsett, Harlan and Ann Fair, Dick Fleming, Dave and Michelle Florence, Dick and Connie Giesser, Len and Marita Gochman, Dick and Lynn Goodman, Dave Halloran, Bill and Nancy Johnson, Jackie Fleet, Ron and Lilliane Lazar, Dick Loewenthal, Bob and Gail Malin, Byron and Laura Menides, Allan and Ginger Miller, Dick and Cynthia O'Connor, Marilyn Paganucci, Chuck and Donna Reilly, George and Patty Sarner, Dave and Bonnie Siegal, Bob and Anne Simpson, Mark and Bobby Smoller, John and Jane Springer, Bernie and Joan Sudikoff, John and Nancy Thornley, Gib and Toni Warren, and Jack and Jody Zimmerman. Jack and Caroline Patten, and Don and Lillian Goss joined us at other events. Have we forgotten anyone?

• Day Two --- Golfing, Canoeing, Tennis galore

  1. Andy Sigler's golf course is considered one of the finest, and most difficult private courses, in the country and he opened it up to our stellar golfers for the entire day. Joining Andy were Jack Patten, Jack Crisp, the Cartmells, the Warrens, Dick O'Connor, the Sarners, Lore Dodge, the Simpsons, Bernie Sudikoff, the Brinks, Dave Florence, the Dorsetts, and the Donovans. We are told that the Psi U contingent of Patten, Crisp, Florence, and Simpson attempted to establish the course Psi U record. However, there is no report yet available on whether these linksmen, or other mere mortal men and women brought the course to its knees. Hearing the description of some of the holes, I took great solace in knowing that Canoeing was the best selection from the menu for your scribe.
  

  2. Put Blodgett organized seven canoes for a "Deerslayer" paddle to the Canoe Club's picnic island about a mile south of the Norwich Bridge. The day was perfect. The water calm. We beached our canoes on the south side of the island and we were ,treated to a picnic lunch and refreshments --- ah affability and conviviality again ----and proceeded to share war stories among the Goodmans, the Thornleys, Phil, our leader and "Deerslayer Extraordinaire", Put and Lady Marion Blodgett, Ron and Lilliane Lazar, and your faithful scribe and Dick Loewenthal. I had not paddled the Connecticut since our time on campus, and it was an absolute delight.
  

  3. Jack Zimmerman's report on the Mother of all Tennis Matches is as follows: "It was a morning-long battle royale." In the end the women's champion honors went to Barabe, with Lilianne Lazar the runner-up. On the men's side the reigning champion is now none other than the inimitable Len Gochman, followed closely by our own "Blossom". Wow. Jack's sports-casting makes him a good candidate for Monday Night Football. Thanks Jack.
  

  4. After demonstrating our athletic and woodsman skills superbmissimo, it was time to receive an update on the developments on campus, with a focus on the new Dartmouth 1953 Commons building. The Campaign for donors for the Commons continues, of course, and with a lovely new twist that is seeing our classmates include their wives names on the donor inscription. The idea is a refreshing change to the normal hum drum of fund-raising and it is our hope that all will consider "immortalizing" those that were so Instrumental in our successes in life that allow us to support the College so well.
  

  5. To close out the day, we were treated to a very informative talk by our new Dean, Carol Folt, a marine biologist who really has the grasp on the demand for "seamless" connection of all the disciplines. Carol provided us with a profound insight into the intellectual pursuits in the classroom on campus, with the focus on multiple discipline learning and interdisciplinary exchanges with students and the faculty. Her talk was very exciting.
  

  6. And then [drum roll] our favorite professor, Don Pease, Professor of American Literature Extraordinaire, gave us the rendition of Dartmouth's most famous graduate, Dr. Seuss. Don has provided seminars to Alumni groups all over the world, and we have been fortunate in Florida to have him here several times, and to have heard the Seuss story previously. Like a good jazz piano player, it never comes out the same twice. Oh yes, the facts are the same, the insights are the same, but the delivery is changed for each audience so that, quite literally, when Don paused, we could hear nothing! All stopped breathing until the next word was uttered. Don is masterful at the delivery of his vast knowledge and insights into American Literature. One of our favorite wives, Cynthia O'Connor, opined that he sounded like an actor in his presentation. We responded, "That he is! Three bags full!"
  

• Day Three- Time to show our sensitivity and appreciation for the fine arts that are resident in the Hood.

  Donna Reilly, who is quite active with the Hood, led the tour there on Tuesday morning and it was, by all accounts, fascinating and stimulating. Here are Donna's words, "There were about 32 people at the Hood. Brian Kennedy, the new Director of the Hood, spoke to the group at 10:00, outlining recent developments at the museum. After his talk, I divided the group in two: half went with a docent colleague, Mary Cooper, for a tour encompassing highlights of the collection in the downstairs galleries and half went upstairs with me for a tour that focused mainly on the Hood's collection of 27 Rembrandt etchings - one of the jewels in the museum's crown. Then we switched groups so that everyone got the same tour. At noon we met across Main Street at the Canoe Club restaurant for a luncheon that had been specially arranged for us, with our own menus sporting the Reunion slogan, "'53 Years Out". We were lavished with excellent service and a delicious lunch, thanks to John Chamberlin, the Canoe Club's owner." Thanks so much Donna.
  

  Rounding out the daytime events was a trip to the Woodstock Inn with lunch at Simon Pearce. Cathy Callender organized this group of ten or so, and we are told that the luncheon was superb, and the shopping as always, magnificent.
  

  Chuck and Donna Reilly then put a perfect wrap on the day with a wonderful cocktail party at their lovely home, with all in attendance and a great talk from Coach Teevens on the forthcoming season. The athletic facility that the team uses today is world class, and with the inspiration of our new coach, returning to the scene of prior glories, let there be hope! One of the highlights of the evening was the arrival of Don and Lillian Goss. Don was unable to join us for other events due to some recent health difficulties which, as per usual, he continues to overcome. When he entered the Reillys, we just took a minute to give both Lillian and Don a huge round of applause. What a wonderful couple they are; what a wonderful gathering it was, and still is!!!
  

  And, forever in pursuit of culture and art, a few of the intrepid attended the Opera subsequent to the Reilly Party, and here is Dick Goodman's comment "Lynn, Ginger Miller & I attended the Opera in the auditorium where I received the high school graduation diploma in 1949. It was superb (the Opera and the graduation in 1949). It was so good to see Don and Lillian Goss as well! What a man! What a wife! We look forward to many more 53 gatherings!" Thank you Dick and Lynn.

• Day Four --- The Grand Finale.

  Oh, did Dave and Cynthia Donovan do a number on this class. The day at the Lake [Sunapee] and the evening dinner and play were the perfect ending to four memorable days. Here are Dave's comments on those fleeting moments.

  "Well, we had a beautiful sunny day for all the events on Wednesday August 16, 2006. The day began at 11:15 AM at Sunapee Harbor for a 1 1/2 hour cruise on Lake Sunapee aboard the Motor Vessel Mt. Sunapee II. The cruise included a very nice buffet lunch. It was attended by 43 reunioners.

  This was followed by a matinee performance of Camelot at 2 PM, at the New London Barn Playhouse. The show was attended by 29 people who reported that the show was good, but a little long (3 hours). I think most people were getting a little antsy and thirsty [and desirous of affability and conviviality, Ed. Note].

  At 5 o'clock Cocktails commenced at the Donovan home at Blaisdell Lake. The two bars, one at lakeside, were well stocked [Amen] and well attended by close to 50 people. Dinner was a catered barbeque under a tent. The crowd lingered to about 7:30. Attending the boat cruise, and/or the Playhouse, and/or the Donovans included just about everyone, and here are our stars, one more time for a curtain call:

  • Phil Beekman
  • Put and Marion Blodgett
  • Bob and Cathy Callender
  • Jim and Mary-Bern Decker
  • John and Lore Dodge
  • Dick Dunham
  • Dave and Cynthia Donovan
  • Harlan and Anne Fair and guest
  • Dick Fleming
  • Dick and Connie Giesser
  • Dick and Lynn Goodman
  • Dick Lowenthal
  • Byron and Laura Menides
  • Alan and Ginger Miller
  • Marilyn Paganucci
  • Jack and Caroline Patten
  • George and Patty Sarner
  • John and Jane Springer
  • Bernie and Joan Sudikoff
  • John and Nancy Thornley
  • Gib and Toni Warren
  • Bill and Jean Vitalis
  • Clark and Linda Brink
  • Dave and Michelle Florence
  • Bill and Nancy Johnson
  • Bob and Gail Malin
  • Jack and Jody Zimmerman

  Thanks Cynthia and Dave

What can one say about a group of septuagenarians + who decide that the Class Numerals are a good enough reason to reune, and reune, and reune. Heartfelt thanks go to Phil, to Andy and Peg, to Put and Marion, to Jack and Jody, to Don Pease and Carol Folt, to Donna and Chuck, to John and Lynn, to Harlan and Anne, to Dave and Cynthia, to Bonnie and Dave, and to Dick Fleming. But special thanks, from the deepest part of our hearts, go to Cathy and Bob Callender who conceived, organized, promoted, and willed this reunion into existence from the surgery room in the hospital, and all the poking and prodding stuff that followed, and then made every event. The tubes were evidence of his tribulations until I found out that it was a Dewar's bottle in the oxygen purse. Cal, you are the greatest, the Social Chairman par excellence, and a dear friend, and Cathy was cheering you on the whole way.

There is no question in any of our minds that you two are the Classmates of the 53rd Year. Hear, hear!