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FEBRUARY 2009
www.alum.dartmouth.org/classes/54/
PGBarker54@aol.com
(203) 661-7611
PARTY!!!
The enthusiasm for joyful gathering among members of the Class of 1954 showed measurable gains in 2008. Hoveys of '54s convened from several East Coast locations to the outback to share and compare. "Hovey" is the term suggested by DON SIMONDS in 2003 to describe a group of our Classmates of any size (other than one). Many thanks to the corps of reporters who supplied the following commentary.
From JIM ADAMS re the '54 Fly Fishing Team : "Our 2008 trip was the 11th consecutive outing of the team since its founding in 1998. A hardy band of six, including old timers DICK LEWIS, JIM ADAMS, PETE ANKENY and BOB LEVINE along with rookies TOM KELSEY and SKIP GRINTON signed on for the trip. We gathered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and motored to our final destination, The Teton Valley Lodge in Driggs, Idaho on July 18th. While a number of us had visited Jackson Hole before, none had been to the backside (western side) of the Grand Tetons in Idaho. What scenery! - huge rolling green fields of barley and potatoes surrounded by mountains with several rivers in between.
"Despite a heavy regimen of daily fly fishing exercise on mostly the South Fork of the Snake, the more than ample meals at the lodge resulted in a few extra pounds. Due to some past operations, Skip had to take off a little fishing time to visit the local medics, but, typically, rallied gamely and returned to terrorize a number of Cutthroat and Rainbow trout. Bob Levine and Dick Lewis fished with their usual competence and brought many large trout to their boats. Due to his outstanding 'catch', I have nominated Tom Kelsey for the 'Rookie of the Year' award.
"This may have been our top trip in quality of fishing. On our previous trips, the 14 to 17-inchers won our 'Big Fish" contests. This time, I think everyone netted at least one trout in the range of 18 to 20 inches. On the last day, I had the thrill of bringing in a 23-inch Cutthroat before lunch. Since a catch of this magnitude is quite rare, I was already counting the grand prize money from our 'Big Fish' pool and looking forward to a ticker tape parade on my arrival home. You can imagine my despair when, upon my return to the lodge later that day, I was told the unbelievable news that 'Cranky' Ankeny had brought in a 24-inch Cutthroat in the afternoon. At this age, it is hard to adjust to the difference one little inch can make, but I'm working on it.
"Some of our regulars couldn't make the trip, but we look forward to seeing them and some new 'frosh' next year."
Man writes a good story.
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No '08 photo, so here's an '06: Grinton, Murane, Wilkins, Adams, Ankeny
Homecoming this year was another "I'm lovin' it!" weekend according to president JAY DAVIS. The turnout was impressive with 32 Classmates and 30 significant others (wives count as "significant"). The hovey ranged from ADNOPOZ to ZWART and included MARY ANNE COX, widow of BARRY COX. The full listing is available in TONY KANE's January DAM column. At the Executive/Class meeting, there was enthusiastic approval of the continued funding of our four interns ($3,000 each) plus $1,000 support of athletic recruiting. Underlining the significance of the results of our funding, our Rockefeller intern, Jennifer Bandy '09, spoke after dinner and subsequently submitted the following report on her extraordinary experience:
Department of State Internship Report
When I entered the Office of European Security and Political Affairs, I had no idea what to expect. My supervisor called me into his office and told me that, during my time there, I would learn more about the so-called "frozen conflicts" that I ever thought possible. "Frozen conflicts" referred to Transnistria in Moldova, the Nagorno-Karabakh region and South Ossetia in Georgia. When the last conflict heated up in August, that statement came true in ways not even he could have imagined.
Throughout the summer, I was assigned mainly to the section of the office that handles policy towards the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE is a multinational participating State security organization structured in three dimensions: political security, economic/environmental and human. The OSCE is based in Vienna, but also operates 19 field missions dedicated to post-conflict rehabilitation and democracy building. Though often undervalued as a "talk shop", the OSCE grabbed the spotlight in August as the only international organization on the ground in South Ossetia when hostilities began. In the months leading up to the conflict, the OSCE Mission to Georgia was working to rehabilitate the region economically as one method of conflict resolution. The OSCE also had eight Military Monitoring Officers (MMOs) operating in South Ossetia.
August is usually a slow month for the OSCE as Europeans are on vacation, so most of my colleagues scheduled their vacations accordingly. Unfortunately for my office, that meant that the entire OSCE section was reduced to two people - me and my coworker whose profile included NATO counter terrorism and budget issues. While this was difficult, it provided us both an opportunity to take charge of the situation. Our main mission was to pass a Permanent Council decision to immediately increase the number of MMOs in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This was a difficult task as the Permanent Council is a consensus decision-making body in which both Russia and Georgia participate. Thankfully, the efforts of Chairman-in-Office Finnish Foreign Minister Stubb, in conjunction with intense U.S. pressure resulted in the immediate deployment of an additional 20 MMOs. The PC also authorized another 80 MMOs to be deployed when further modalities could be agreed upon by the participating States. During this crisis, I briefed EUCOM, worked the graveyard shift on the Georgia task force and assisted in the deployment of the 20 approved monitors.
My internship was not completely devoted to Georgia, however. I researched public/private partnerships in advance of a conference on their relation to counter-terrorism and helped craft our opening statement. In addition, I spent a significant amount of time working on humanitarian issues. My very first assignment was a report on the death penalty in the U.S. for the OSCE. I also researched discrimination towards the Roma and Sinti in Europe, producing talking points and an opening statement for the Supplementary Human Dimension meeting held in July.
Perhaps my largest project, however, was preparation for the Human Dimension Implementation meeting to be held in Warsaw, Poland from September 29 to October 10. This meeting had 18 working sessions that focussed on different aspects of our human rights commitments as participating States. The U.S. delivers a statement at each session, noting major problems in other participating States and providing recommendations to the OCSE. The process of creating these statements is lengthy. My office received first drafts from our colleagues in another government agency, but we were responsible for making substantial edits and for shepherding them through the clearance process. I was in charge of nine of these statements focussing on wide-ranging issues such as the rule of law, freedom of the media, gender equality, education and awareness-raising in the promotion of human rights, freedom of religion, refugees and migration and free elections.
As a reward for my hard work on HDIM preparation, my office asked me to travel to Warsaw as part of the U.S. delegation to the conference. Though I could not afford to miss class for the entire two weeks, I was able to attend for the first half of the conference. The HDIM is unique in the international system because of its inclusion of NGOs as equal partners in the working sessions. In Warsaw, I attended nine of of these working sessions, often acting as the note taker, reporting significant developments in Washington and interested embassies around the world. My other job in Warsaw was representing the U.S. delegation at side events organized by NGOs, some of which were highly critical of U.S. counter terrorism policies at Guantanamo Bay. Though difficult, U.S. presence is critical at all side events in order to show our interest in open and honest dialogue.
The summer provided me a crash course in modern international relations and sparked my interest in the Foreign Service and international law. My work at the Department of State was incredibly interesting, timely and important for the United States. Small though my contribution may have been, it made a difference for my coworkers at a critical time in our office. On a personal level, it was intellectually enriching, teaching me much about the workings of American foreign policy. Working with so many Foreign Service officers who speak at least four languages each and who have worked all of their lives to further U.S. interests abroad was inspirational. I can only hope that my future career will be as rewarding and important for my country as theirs clearly is. Without the generous support of the Class of 1954 and the Nelson Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, this would not have been possible for me. I appreciate the support as it gave me not only once in a lifetime experiences, but the impetus to pursue additional lines of inquiry for my future career.
Mini-chair JOHN FENN organized the weekend event in his typically thoughtful fashion and, in return, he was presented with the following citation at the Saturday dinner:
THE CLASS OF 1954 AWARD
John, your life has been built on the bedrock of the physician's creed, primum non nocere ("first, do no harm"). You have, however, gone well beyond such stuff, both in the field of medicine and for the raucous collaboration we happily refer to as Dartmouth's Class of 1954.
Emerging from Hopkins Grammar in New Haven, you survived your freshman year in Streeter with rascals BOB ADNOPOZ and LARRY CORCORAN. Then you got down to to gaining an education as a Chem/Zoo major. In our Aegis, the Phi Sigs put forth: "As Hum approached, John Fenn took the wheel, an exceptionally difficult job with 65 basses - puberty, you know". You put in some time at WDBS and the conspicuous absence of the generally automatic mention of DOC membership indicated that you preferred Dartmouth Indoors.
Following graduation, you cannon-balled into the field of medicine and have yet to surface ... with the exception of an inadvertent collision with devastating nurse NATALIE EINSMAN, which, following mutual apologies, led to marriage in 1958 and the generation of wildly successful children Linda and Billy. You have mutually shared dreams, realities and a few fantasies.
From medical technician, you ascended to a Yale M.D. and undertook the vigors of thoracic surgery, both in private practice and on the staff of the Yale/New Haven Hospital. Your organizational and management skills were recognized early on and you were elected president of the Yale/New Haven medical staff, then spent eleven years as Chief of Staff. During your post-retirement years, you have been involved in the raising of millions of dollars for faculty support, clinical research and the resolution of medical conflicts. You were never allowed to truly escape and, to this day, you teach young aspiring physicians about the importance of ethics in the practice of medicine. By 2050, you have prophesied that all diseases will be treated medically - no more surgery.
Then there's the Class of 1954. Through the late 90s, you interviewed potential freshmen, "pen-palled" and joined in on '54 gatherings. In 2002, you and DON BERLIN generated a Class cruise to the Greek Islands. The success of that venture led to your being conned into the job of Mini-Reunion Chair at our 50th reunion. Under your aegis and with the collaboration of many Classmates, there have been two more overseas trips, minis in Chicago and Seattle/Vancouver and reconnecting via communal birthday celebrations and the athletic pursuits of fishing, skiing, golf and tennis. Your penchant for perseverance has ensured that the Class of 54's usually favored positions relative to Homecoming, holiday luncheons and reunions have not been diluted since our 50th reunion. There is no doubt that our 55th reunion will be a memorable one under your leadership.
A grateful
Class is proud and happy to present you with the Class of 1954 Award.
Jay Davis, President
REUNION!!!! JUNE 15 - 18
With that
said, let's segue into where we stand on the 55th. Even before he was surprised
with the above award, Dr. John was hard at work with his committee, developing
schedules, costs and preparing the first mailing to Classmates. The postcard
responses were gratifying and indicate a fine June turnout. Those responding
with a solid Yes or a strong Maybe include:
Adams ... Adnopoz ... Anderson ... Ankeny ... Aronson ... Barker, R ... Barton ... Bassett
... Belcher ...
Berlin ... Berry, R ... Bonneville ... Borden ... Brief ... Briggs, D ...
Briggs, W ... Bullis ...
Case ... Chan ... Chandler ... Clements ... Collimore ... Cooke ... Dabney ...
Dahl ... Davidoff
... Davis, J ... Dean ... Dingman ... Donahue ... Dougherty ... Fenn ...
Fetherolf ... Finigan ...
Galper ... Geithner ... Geller ... Gillespie ... Gold ... Goldstein ... Gould
... Graboys ... Grassey ...
Gray ... Greenberg ... Grover ... Grundman ... Hall ... Hartman ... Hayes, E ... Heston ...
Heyn ... Hillman ... Hobbie ... Horton ... Hoskins ... Jabara ... Jacobs ...
Jeffrey ... Kane ...
Kelsey ... Kenyon ... Kingsley ... Kirkpatrick ... Kolbe ... Krimm ... Leary ...
Lederer ... Levine, D ... Levine, R ... Lewis, K ... Lewis, R ... Low
... Malcolm ... Mandelbaum ... Martin, D ... May, E ... McCarthy, D ...
McLaughlin, Betty ... McLaughlin, Judy ... Messore ... Milkey ...
Moran ... Morrison ... Mower ... Mullins ... Murane ... Myers ... Neiditz ...
Nolin ... Nova ... O'Connor ... Osmond ... Page, R ... Papantones ...
Payson ... Pearl ... Peters ... Petty ... Poorman ... Pope ... Price ...
Ransom ... Rauch ... Robinson, H ... Rosenthal ... Russell, L ... Russell, H ...
Schenck ... Shrader...Simonds ... Siqueland ... Stead ...
Steel ... Steinberg ... Talbot ... Tannenbaum ... Tepper ... Thielscher
... Tofias ... Trowbridge ... Tyler ... Veasey ... Weil ... Wesselmann
... Winnick ... Woodberry ... Woolf
Now, here's what I want you to do. Go find a pencil. Got it? Good. Now, carefully scan the Yes/Maybe list and underline the names of every '54 you knew on campus or have gotten to know since. Also, circle those you would like to know. Every single one of the '54s whose names you have identified want to see you in Hanover in June, so if you are a Maybe, upgrade to an enthusiastic Yes! If you are a No or haven't responded yet, get on the bandwagon! And, there are probably men on the list you didn't mark who have always wanted to meet YOU!
As previously announced, JOHN GILLESPIE has stepped out of his reunion retirement mode and will oversee fine meals and drinks in fine locations with light music/entertainment. Our assigned dormitory rooms are conveniently located, air-conditioned with bathrooms and inexpensive. The college has negotiated discounted rates with United Airlines and Hertz and is working on Dartmouth Coach for travel from Logan Airport and New York City.
The schedule is being firmed up with Alumni College events, museums, professional school breakfasts, golf/tennis, an opportunity to determine whether you would have been admitted to Dartmouth under today's requirements and a chance to study the decisions made by DAVE McLAUGHLIN during his life through a panel discussion of his book, Choices Made. The panel will be chaired by DAN McCARTHY and the experience will be enhanced by your reading of the book and thinking about decisions you might have made had you been in Dave's shoes. The McLaughlin family has generously donated the books and one will be mailed to you (unless you already a copy) upon receipt of your deposit check. We are still working on the per person tab, trimming where we can without impacting the enjoyability of the event. You will receive the usual letter and return envelope in the near future.
Keep in mind that you will be 82 (!) at the time of our 60th, so make sure to make this one while you can still find your car keys ...........
Boston Luncheon
Early indications of potential attendance at the annual holiday luncheon at DAVE THIELSCHER's club in Weston, MA fell short of the minimum number required. Reasons advanced included the economy, travel distances for those on the Cape, age, lethargy, hard-to-understand accents and declining interest on the part of the '53s. In his role of mini-reunion chairman, JOHN FENN felt it incumbent upon him to make the unpopular decision to cancel the event. A gutsy move, considering his recent receipt of the Class of 1954 award.
A hovey of Boston area '54s were sitting at the bar of a local saloon, nursing beers when the swinging doors were suddenly kicked open and there stood Deadeye DICK GORSEY with his six-guns strapped on! And he wasn't happy ........ Consistent with his reputation, Deadeye leapt into action, found a local restaurant, set a date and emailed everyone in five states. The result was a highly successful alternate luncheon at the Marriott in Weston. '54-wise, 16 men a 5 wives attended versus the 17 men in 2007. A third were new from the prior year. Following dessert, GEORGE GRABOYS generously held forth on the economic situation, drawing on his extensive background in things economic. Dick's extraordinary job of preserving the tradition of the Boston luncheon, serves as another example of a Classmate stepping to the fore and taking action for the benefit of the Class. This is not a prevalent dynamic in other classes. It sets us apart and above the multitudes. Keep it up. If you have an idea that could grow into a class activity, pass it on to any of a number of us communicators and let it be nurtured.
Click here to See for photographs of those who attended.
New York Luncheon
On his way from Wilder, VT to New York City, president JAY DAVIS stopped in Greenwich, burst into my home and proceeded to read a proclamation in a loud voice. Luckily, I had quickly locked up my dogs before his entrance, otherwise DON BERLIN would have presided at the Yale Club.
The proclamation read:
TO THE BARD OF '54
WILLIAM "PETE" G. BARKER, JR.
At the Class meeting last October, I thanked the Officers for the superb job they had done during my term as president and will do so again tomorrow in New York at our holiday luncheon.
But there is one particular Officer who deserves to be singled out for a very special level of thanks, and that, sir, is you.
According to my calculations, during my term to date, you have produced 20 newsletters or about 220 pages of news about our Classmates rarely, if ever, mentioning your own singular achievements.
In those 220 pages, I estimate some 1500 names were referenced and printed in bold caps at first mention for our convenience. Indeed, no one has a greater knowledge of our Classmates than you.
But the most amazing fact of all is that what I have just described covers only my term starting in 2004, not from the time you became our Newsletter Editor in 1994!! So one might triple all of the above numbers, for example, to arrive at the actual total. Could it be over 60 Newsletters, over 660 pages of news, over 4500 name mentions? It boggles the mind.
So with the full approval of your Classmates, I hereby declare you to be the Bard of '54 and present you with this token of our great appreciation. May you look upon it and be inspired to continue writing the one publication that helps to keep this Class connected as we approach 55 years since the day we departed from the Hanover Plain.
Sincerely,
Jay
The "token" mentioned in the proclamation is a Royal Doulton Character Jug from the Shakespeare Collection. It bears the countenance of William Shakespeare with a quill, sticking into the Globe Theatre as its handle. Comedy and Tragedy masks adorn his collar. International Jug expert STEVE MULLINS sent me the descriptive material on the Jug from his recently published definitive book on Jugs. It indicates that it was modeled by one Michael Abberley and is the first version of the series produced from 1983 to 1991.
I was unable to attend the New York luncheon, but several Classmates called and told me that the 29 '54s at the luncheon were roused to an unusual round of applause for an absentee honoree. A bit weird.
Click here to see photos of those who attended the luncheon.
While writing all of the above about myself should be a bit embarrassing, it isn't. Although I am deeply grateful for the honor and the thoughts and efforts that went into the gift, I also recognize that I have just been locked into the job for some inordinate number of my remaining years. If and when the newly elected Class president appoints me to another 5-year term next June, I have a few thoughts on how to involve far more of you in providing scintillating content, ala the recent virtual articles by BOB RAFELSON and BILL MURANE. Guest columnists, op-ed pieces, odes to a variety of objects and people, etc. Start thinking. The next newsletter will include an article on the Belarus election by DAVE MARTIN and a piece on Dartmouth football by JOE MESICS - hold on to what you saw in the Super Bowl for reference. Anyone for "Ode to an Olive"?
Again, go to the Class website for fine color photos of your Classmates, drinking, eating and schmoozing.
Skiing
Jay Davis gathered the usual suspects for two days of skiing at Mount Snow in early January - BOB ADNOPOZ, DICK & ELLEN GORSEY, DICK PEARL, TOM TYLER, STEVE MULLINS AND NED FREEDMAN. In an abstract typo, Jay reported that Ned had, once again opened his house for "apes ski". Interesting to conjure the image of an orangutan on the boards ..... Off the hill conversation topics ranged from the economy to the market, the President-elect, etc.
From his training facility in Longboat Key, FL, Jay estimated that the Vail group this year won't reach mini proportions - Mullins, Ankeny and maybe BILL MURANE.
DANA and ANNE LOW's Christmas card showed them on the slopes in France.
In holiday e-conversations with DALT DULAC, DICK BARKER learned that Dalt , in checking the results of the US Cross Country Nationals in Anchorage, had seen impressive results for TOM MALCOLM's granddaughter. Dalt's son attends Montana State, where Ms. Malcolm has her sights set (it's the altitude.)
When you consider the ages of our schussing Classmates, it gives credence to the observation that "80 is today's 65!".
Golf/Tennis Mini
SHELLY WOOLF had this popular annual event totally booked for the February 22-26 Tampa Palms Country Club by the end of November. In addition to bringing almost fifty Classmates and wives together for a well-balanced festival of sports and conviviality, this mini will be a great warm-up for similar activities at our June 55th reunion.
New York Luncheons
The first-Wednesday luncheons at the Yale Club in New York continue to draw groups somewhat in the style of The Round Table at the Algonquin of the 1920s. Lacking a Dorothy Parker, TONY KANE serves as our Robert Benchley and retains control of the best table in the 12th floor dining room. Being in the far corner of the room, it offers the opportunity for each of us attendees to walk purposefully through the room, drawing attention to the manly aspects of Dartmouth '54s versus the dining Yalies.
------ OLIO ------
The College - Headlines
Oct 3 - Endowment Hit by Market Slump
Nov 10 - Endowment Plunges $220 Million in Three Months
Nov 10 - Committee Meets with Potential Presidents
Nov 11 - AoA Moves to Amend Trustee Election Rules
Nov 14 - College to Cut Budget by $40 Million
Nov 19 - "Men of Dartmouth" Draws Large Crowd - discussion of masculinity
Nov 25 - Alumni Launch New Suit Against College
Dec 11 - Dartmouth Admits 401 Students Through Early Decision
Dec 12 - Dartmouth Announces Voluntary Retirement Incentive Option
Jan 7 - Elections Mar 25 - May 6 for New AoA Executive Committee
Jan 14 - Harper to Step Down as Director of Athletics
Jan 15 - Fundraising Has "Mixed Results"
Jan 23 - Dartmouth Reports 9 Percent Increase in Admissions Applications (18,007)
Jan 26 - Winter Carnival 100 years Old
Jan 28 - Tuck to Offer Undergrad Courses
Jan 30 - Five Greek Orgs. May Be Placed on Probation
Tri-Kap, Sig Ep, Chi Heorot and two sororities
Family
From the celebration of the life of RIP COFFIN, TOM HALL chimed in as another '54 who can trace back to Nantucket founder Tristam Coffin. He posits that the inclusion in the family tree gets us back to Ben Franklin as a distant cousin. Tom also mentioned Hezekiah Coffin, captain of The Badger, a tea ship involved in the Boston Tea Party. Tom now joins the growing hovey of '54s who share common genealogical roots - Barkers, Cunningham, Belcher, Clarks, Stearns, Low, Gillespie (Sandy) and Bonneville (Nancy).
The MANDELBAUM's son, Tim, read of improprieties by higher-ups in his law firm and without skipping a beat, retrieved his stuff, leased an office, hired a few associates and was in his own practice in a nonce. Acting on instinct is an art. Also in the Mandy file is the story of their granddaughter taking all of her Bat Mitzvah gift money and donating it to the country of Malawi for the fight against AIDS. Dave and Rosemary reacted by taking the entire clan on safari in Africa, visiting Johannesburg, Soweto and points nearby. Lastly, Mandy recalled that he had not used Gordon's for his freshman laundry (as had GEORGE HASKINS), but Palmer Laundry, whose rep was Charles "Doc" Dey who subsequently became head of the Peace Corps in part of the Philippines, Dean of the Tucker Foundation and then headmaster of Choate Rosemary Hall. In Mandy's words: "Not bad for a place kicker."
Michael Oneal, son of LIBBY and BOB, won a Pulitzer Prize last year with a group of journalists at the Chicago Tribune for a series on toxic Chinese imports. He had spent a month in China at the end of 2007, doing research on some of the toy factories in that country. Saved a lot of lives.
Last September, prior to the election, PETER GEITHNER wrote, relative to the "Joie de Vivre" issue of the newsletter: "Fifteen out of the nineteen members of the Geithner clan - including our four children and seven of our nine grandchildren - spent five wonderful August days at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The outing was organized by our children to celebrate Deborah's 70th (this June) and my 76th (last July). A grand tour of Teton National Park, wildlife safari, white-water rafting, hot air ballooning, swimming and eating kept us fully occupied.
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Deborah , fifth from the left and Peter on the right
The photograph shows only eleven in that Tim '83, Carole '83 and their two children had not arrived. Missing the outing were Sarah's husband, Andrew, who had to leave earlier for Chiang Mai and Jonathan's wife, Deb, and their two children who couldn't make the long trip from Okinawa.
While it may not match the '54s trek from Marrakech to Casablanca, Deborah and I (and Deborah's sister) are looking forward to a trip to SEA and Tokyo in October ('08). I will be attending a conference in Bangkok and have some other business while the ladies go off to Luang Prabang and Siam Reap. The three of us will also spend a few days with Sarah and her family in Chiang Mai, visit Jonathan with his family in Naha, Okinawa and see friends in Tokyo on the way back." Then there's the Treasury Secretary thing ...... Whew!
Actors
From JERRY GOLDSTEIN: "Last night (Oct 30) in New York, The Lotos Club, one of America's oldest clubs sponsoring 'the arts' hosted an evening that featured and honored two of the country's most distinguished actors - Frances Sternhagen and our Classmate, JOHN CUNNINGHAM. They enthralled the audience with their performances in five different roles portraying the dynamics of male-female relationships. I had hoped to invite a group of '54s to salute John, but the event was so oversubscribed that the Club allowed only attendance by members. It was a privilege to see the range of characters that John can create and bring forth so vividly. Truly an outstanding actor."
The listed credits for the two actors were extensive. For John, his eighteen Broadway appearances included Titanic, Zorba, 1776, Company, Cabaret, Six Degrees of Separation and Sunday in the Park with George. Lots of films and television. When last contacted, John said that he "was enjoying life", which meant that he was taking only those roles which he knew he would enjoy.
Actor TONY KANE gets the occasional call, but is directing his energies in other directions - mainly The Class of 1954. In addition to Class Secretary, Tony has assumed the mantle of Caring Chair. If and when you learn of a '54 belabored with a health problem, notify Tony and he will put out the word on where to send "pep-up" notes.
Then there's PETE BARKER. An actor for some seventeen years, he spent his early years in student and independent films, plus background work in network series. Ownership of a priest's shirt gained a range of roles from kindly to demonic. Serving as "Mr. Barker", butler to Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie, got him a little recognition on the streets of The Big Apple. His being bitten by Tinkerbell did not make the screen. Now a member of both SAG and AFTRA, Pete works as a professional background ("extra") actor. "Background" means things like trees, buses, clouds and Pete. While cousin John Cunningham may be portraying the defense attorney, the bereaved father or the clever criminal on "Law & Order", Pete is probably the inert body under a sheet on a gurney in the corner. If you can stay up late, watch the premiere of the NBC series "Kings" on March 15. Pete is one of five background generals - ranking, wearing three stars. Probably out of focus .....
More OLIO
The peaks continue to call to ROGER GILMORE - "Picked up 4000'ers Club certificate April 2008, also the New England 4000'ers Club (67 mountains) certificate. Email penpal Julia Payne '04 introduced us to her boy friend, Dan Bailin '05 at our 50th reunion. Our friendship continued and my wife, the Reverend BETTY GILMORE, officiated at their wedding July 5, 2008 in Brooksville, ME, overlooking Eggemoggin Reach. Forty-plus Dartmouth alums in attendance. A great couple, very enthusiastic about the College. With Classmates BILL BRYAN and LARRY TAYLOR hiked into Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps in July '08."
While AUDREY CLARKSON (WALT's widow) retains her home in Whiting, New Jersey, she is spending the majority of her time in Williamstown, MA. She can be reached at 610 Water Street, 01267; (413) 458-4120, cell (973) 271-1008. Give her a call.
JOEL and JUDY LASKY relaxed in Florence, Italy in October, celebrating Judy's new knee and her recovery from the post-operation MRSA infection. Joel refuses to cede his presidency of the '54 Mitral Valve Society. Of course, there have been no challengers.
The last page of the last newsletter held a photograph of EDGAR 'POSSUM 54a, the baby 'possum living at that time with the newsletter editor. The purpose of displaying the winsome creature, crouching on the editor's chest, was to elicit comment from Classmates. Got two - cousin DICK BARKER and non-cousin JIM ADAMS. The newsletter staff is analyzing the implications of the lack of interest on the part of the Class. Meanwhile, Edgar and his brother Nathaniel and his sister Penelope escaped. Perhaps, with the onset of Spring, the 'possums will return to Greenwich, CT in the time-honored fashion of the swallows checking back in at Capistrano.
JACK CHRISTY, looking to test his new knee, is seeking folks with whom to ski in the Philadelphia area. Jack's at jchristy@chapline.net and (215) 233-1573.
After years of heading the alumni relations function at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Dr. DAVID LEVINE has now taken on the task of writing the history of the institution. A major task, but a satisfying one. More than a few '54s at one time or another, asked for Dave's opinion before undergoing replacement of knees and shoulders.
Queried about the nasty smog ("inversion") in the Boise area reported by The New York Times, LEFTY TERRILL claimed that was only a "smokescreen" designed to keep big city Easterners away. Apparently the gritty fog is low-lying and the ski area mountains poke neatly above it. AL and SAL took a full family jaunt to Hawaii to celebrate their 50th anniversary last August. Otherwise, sticking close to home "watching the nest egg shrink."
MIKE BIGGS is an incurable collector of memorable quotes form well-known musicians. here are six:
"When people ask me how I was a musician, I facetiously say that I'm a
firm believer in reincarnation and, in a previous life, I was Johann
Sebastian Bach's guide dog." George Shearing
"Remember there is no such thing as a wrong note. It's only a problem
when you don't know where to go after you hit that note." Art Tatum
"Life is a lot like jazz. It's best when you improvise." George Gershwin
"If it's enough money, I'll play the North Pole." Teddy Wilson
"If you play a tune and a person don't tap their foot, don't play the tune."
Count Basie
"I only know two pieces: one is 'Clare de Lune' and the other is not."
Victor Borge
CHARLIE and FRANNIE MORRISON are back in Florida for the winter. Last June Charlie: "Had a great trip with our two sons, Chris '81 and Charlie '83 and oldest grandchild, Charlie III for three days of intense golf in Scotland. Played Carnoustie, Muirfield, Gullane #1, the Old Course at Saint Andrews and Kingsbarns - bad scores, but great fun! Chris and I followed that by flying to Paris to meet our wives and Chris's daughter for a couple of days, then to Brittany (Curnac) where Chris's wife, Marie, was born. This was only our second trip to Europe for Frannie and me (world travelers us!) and a great one it was!"Charlie enclosed a photo from the Vero Beach paper which included the three City Council members, featuring SABE ABELL'54. The latest election results showed Sabe garnering 3,642 votes for a 26% dominance over his competition. He's also the tallest .......
See the next newsletter for notes from Charlie on his contacts with '54 Tuck graduates in his role as class notes editor for Tuck Today.
IN MEMORIAM
PAUL ROBERT MACKEY
Paul passed away in his hometown of Holyoke, MA on October 4th. He had exceeded the limitations of kidney disease by dint of his well-known strength and courage. Before joining us in Hanover, Paul had polished his Holyoke HS credentials with a year at Cheshire Academy. A history major, he was a bulwark of the football team at both center and linebacker, earning him a place in the ever-mysterious Sphinx Society. A dedicated member of DKE. he continued his support when the house became Storrs House. He and Carol were married in 1955 and the Air Force made a peacetime bomber pilot of him, stationed in Georgia. After mustering out, they made a beeline back to home - Holyoke - where they raised four boys and took pride in the thirteen grandchildren who followed. Paul spent some time in the systems departments of two insurance companies before settling into a long-term relationship with Heublein. After retirement life blossomed into golf and traveling. A particular joy was trips to Ireland to research the origins of his grandfather.
JOE MESICS agreed to give a DKE sendoff to our fallen Classmate (unedited): "Paul 'Patsy' Mackey had a lifelong interest and involvement with fermentation; that is the conversion of food products into alcohol. He was a DEKE at our college and drank his share of many kegs. He supplemented this by tending bar at the Hanover Inn. As a lowly bar waiter, I drank his 'mistakes'. Paul even qualified for one of Sphinx's secret pewter and glass bottomed mugs to sip from after four years of football for the Indians where he played center and linebacker under the critical eye of Johnny Del Isola, a former 'Block of Granite.' A 'can do' kind of player, he never bled or sniveled in those long past contests. That's important! By the way, I think he was the treasurer of the fraternity. One fable about his Air Force experience that I believe to be true is that Patsy got his wings of silver before he got a driver's license. his was not a two-car family. In his business career, he continued his love of the good things of life by running the data processing department for Heublein. No more Mr. Boston - only the good stuff. I know nothing about his civic contributions, but they must have been decent since he and Carol produced a flock of kids and they lived in Paul's hometown. One of the good guys."
A book has been placed in Baker Library in Paul's memory.
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Sincere Class condolences have been extended to DON KELLER who lost his beloved JOIE on January 3rd in Naples, FL
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The Bard of
1954
Contemplates the
Bard of Avon