October 2010

 

President:
Roger W. McArt
26 McKinley St.
Rowayton, CT 06853-1530

Vice-President:
J. Michael Murphy
11042 Lake Butler Blvd.
Windermere, FL 34786-7806

Secretary:
Victor S. Rich Jr.
5 Red Ground Rd.
Old Westbury, NY 11568-1119

Treasurer:
Ivar A. Jozus
73 Main St.
Middletown, CT 06457-3408

Co-Head Agent:
Donald F. O’Neill
P.O. Box 1288
Landsdale, PA 19446-0731

Co-Head Agent:
Denny Denniston
266 West 91st Street
New York, NY 10024-1101

Newsletter Editor:
Thomas S. Conger
P.O. Box 115
Grantham, NH 03753 tcink85***gmail.com

 Gift Planning Chair:
Peter M. Palin
1704 S.W. 14th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-4104

Mini-Reunion Chairman:
Hanover
Maynard B. Wheeler
P.O. Box 538
Grantham, NH 03753-0538

Co-Mini-Reunion Chairman:
Non-Hanover
Dave Prewitt
279 Warner Road
Wayne , PA 19087-2156

Alumni Council:
Alan Orschel
1258 Pine Street
Winnetka, IL 60093-2028

Web Master(s):
Harris B. McKee (Publisher)
5 Cunningham Ln.
Bella Vista, AR 72715-6550

Robert H. Conn (Editor)
3025 Loch Dr.
Winston Salem, NC 27106-3007

Project Chair:
Cleve E. Carney
708 Lenox Rd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-3932

Class Web Site:

 

 

 

http://www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/

Go Directly to: Fall Mini    Class Officers Weekend    50th Reunion   61st Day    Legacy    Mandel Award   Class News   50th Book

 

Class Member Updates: Baum    Birney    Birney's Russian Adventure    Horan    Husband    Kern    McCrea    O'Neill    Sperling    Penn

   

[WWW Spcl Issue 10/2010]

Connections, Reconnections, and Last Chance Saloon!

We are on the downslope to one big milestone: Fiftieth Anniversary of our graduation from Dartmouth, come June 2011. If any of you think that’s some time in the distant future, think again: almost exactly nine months away, as of this date. We’ve instructed you to clear your calendars, wipe the iPad clean, postpone weddings, funerals, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Bris, delay divorces, reschedule vacations, and generally block out June 9-14 as of now. And, considering the date, we are also advising you to avoid pregnancies for the time being so as to, uh, keep distractions to a minimum in June [however, any of you who slip up will be asked to relate your technique(s) in detail during/after Father Doberman’s Passages session... ed.]. Not content to let you lie fallow until June, your ever-considerate class officers have devised a series of programs to keep you connected, involved, motivated, and eager to be in Hanover for the first—and only—Fiftieth Reunion the class of ’61 will ever have. That’s right: miss this one and you’re SOL. There just plain ain’t gonna be another chance. Are you getting the point?

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Right around the corner looms our last Hanover mini-reunion before the big one, and it promises to be a winner; join Holmberg, Conn, McManus, Dalglish, Armstrong, O'Neill, Bland, Burton, Ortwein, Eberhardt, Johnson, Wybranowski, Goodridge, Bleyler, Conger, Murphy, Jozus, Baum, Spencer, Synnott, Fuller, and others. According to chair Maynard:

Housing is tight for our Fall Reunion at Homecoming during leaf-peeping season in the Upper Valley. The Sumner Mansion still has a few rooms available. Call Jill Crowley at 802 299-0639 ASAP. Don't forget to send in your registration this week (see Class Web site). - Maynard Wheeler

   The Last reminder is provided below for your information.

SAVE THE DATE! - Homecoming - October 29 - 31, 2010

   Featuring:

-- Picnic lunch at Baum Conservation Area on Moose Mountain in Enfield.

-- Welcoming cocktails and Dinner at the Hanover Inn before Homecoming Celebration with Bonfire.

-- Student Presentations Saturday Morning with a box lunch before the Harvard Game and Frost Statue libation after.

-- Dinner with College Speaker at the Sumner Mansion in Hartland, VT Saturday night.

   Make reservations early as it will be Leaf Peeping Season in the Upper Valley.

 

GO TO: Class Web Site - www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/ for More Mini-Reunion Information and Registration Formthat you can fill out on line.

Questions - Contact Maynard Wheeler (603) 863-3206 - mbwheeler61***alum.dartmouth.org

REGISTRATION: ASAP, Please send your registration form to me with payment made out to " Dartmouth Class of 1961" to reserve your spot. Click on Registration Form for a form that can be filled out on-line, saved, and printed. (If the link should not work, please paste http://www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/Hanover_Oct_2010_Registration.pdf into your browser.)

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As is our custom, ’61 had the largest contingent of officers at the annual Class Officers Weekend Oct. 1&2. During that time, reunion planning topics were massaged, and some finalized. Likewise our Class Mission Statement was reaffirmed, to wit: Our mission is to capture and renew the spirit of brotherhood that bound us together as graduates in 1961, while continuously seeking to engage, communicate with, and generously support each other, the class, and the college until the last of us has gone. We will view ourselves and be viewed by the college as one of Dartmouth’s finest classes.

So saying, we are now the only class to ever receive an overall Excellent rating by Alumni Relations twice in a row. We did not win Class of the Year for 2010, but are determined to capture those laurels in 2011. And that is going to require commitment, resolve, and participation by each one of you. Each. Every. All. No exceptions. Get it?

Yes, that doth include the Dartmouth College Fund. Our class participation of over 80% this past year was simply extraordinary! If that doesn’t make you feel proud, you’re missing the point: any group which cares enough that 82.2% of its individuals contribute to a fund-raising effort has more going for it than just chronology. Denny Denniston is to be commended for an extraordinary performance. We’ll need to exceed that in the coming months. Pete Bleyler is joining forces with Denny in order to make sure everyone has a chance to consider their best participation in DCF 2011. Remember: this will constitute our 50th Class Gift. KnowhatImean?

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Another way to reconnect prior to the June is celebration of 61st Day—a recent innovation wherein groups of classmates ‘round the girdled earth can come together at some convivial spot in their particular geographical affinities and engage one another, hoist a flagon, perhaps dine, and talk reunion. The date falls on March 2 in 2011, a Wednesday. Please start thinking about 61st Day—could be a hoot. BTW, in your discussions at that time, we have been invited by the Alumni Council to nominate distinguished alumni for honorary degrees, and we would certainly like to have one of our own stepping up to the dais during Commencement. Some criteria might include:

•extraordinary professional achievement •acclaimed philanthropic, civic and/or community service •a track record of post-graduation involvement with/commitment to the college •strong consensus that the individual is an inspirational leader, visionary, or contributor to general society

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Don’t forget about the ’61 Legacy for the Performing Arts. David Birney has composed a complete review for the 50th Book, but regular performances continue at the Hopkins Center in superlative fashion. Just an isolated example, in August Herbie Hancock was on the docket, and Rick Husband took his bride Pamela as part of her Birthday celebration, to the Hop. “It was a wonderful, well attended concert and the program noted it was in part made possible by the Class of '61 Legacy Fund. I fully expected them to ask if any members of the class were present, but alas they did not ask. It was a wonderful two plus hours of jazz and I basked in the glow of knowing my classmates added their support to culture in Hanover. Thank you Legacy Fund.”

Hop Director Jeff James writes:  “Herbie Hancock fully blew the lid off Spaulding, backed by a band and with a singer any of whom could have headlined their own tours. It was another night for encores - the standing (and really shouting and whistling) ovation for a very long time led to Herbie and the Band's return for a knock-down, drag-out blast of a piece with Herbie playing a guitar-style keyboard and zipping around the stage like a rock star. I want to be like him when I'm 70 - which he just turned!”

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Speaking of rock stars, we do have certain luminaries who walk among us:

On April 14, 2010 Fund volunteers were invited to join President Kim to celebrate the memory of Steve Mandel and honor the leadership of Chuck Reilly '53 Tu'54, Don O'Neill'61, and Ellie Mahoney Loughlin '89.

In commenting on the award, Don said, "As you know, this award is one that the entire class earned—guys like Ronnie Boss, Jack Reno, Rog McArt, Henry Eberhardt, Pete Bleyler, Gerry Kaminsky, and our Co-Head Agent Denny Denniston who has been responsible for driving our fantastic increases in participation. These classmates have been part of almost every campaign since we left college and show their commitment to the College and '61.

Of course nothing happens without the support of each and every donor—even when not in agreement with a particular policy or direction of the College guys give. Now let's give it our all to make this the best reunion in our 50-year history.

I know I speak for Pete and Denny our 50th Reunion Giving Co-Chairs in asking every '61 to give and to make our goal which will be announced later in the campaign.

All the best and thanks for your help.”

(Through his dedication and generosity, Steve Mandel '52 exemplified the best in volunteer leadership supporting students through the Dartmouth College Fund. In 1997, Steve Mandel became chair of the Dartmouth College Fund Committee and began leading the effort to grow alumni support of the College through the Fund. That year, the Fund raised $16 million; today, it raises nearly $40 million with more than half of active alumni participating. With great energy and commitment, and by setting an example for others, Steve propelled the Dartmouth College Fund forward.The Stephen F. Mandel '52 Society recognizes alumni volunteers who provide visionary leadership in raising gifts to the College through the Fund. )

Pres. Kim presents Mandel Society citation to O’Neill – the Stephen F. Mandel '52 Society plaque hangs prominently in Baker Library.

 

Classmates Gerry Kaminsky and Denny Denniston at the festivities

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Noose from da class Jon Sperling confesses: “Celebrated my 71st with bottle of [Pete & Willinda] McCrea's best, and visit from and meal with both of my daughters who also baked sinful cake for the geezer...Did two gigs in Bogota so far this year for a month each. A stretch for my 45 year out-of-date Spanish. Am discussing 3 weeks in Sri Lanka starting at the end of the week, if the USG can get their act together and send a contract. Failing that, I will chill and maybe take my youngest somewhere where they are not blowing themselves up for a holiday. Still coaching new FSNs in the development field and trying to emulate Herb West in my approach. 10 years doing this, so Herb is clearly a good model...I’m going to take my younger daughter out with me so she can find good restaurants to go to and perhaps get back to her writing. The gov't pension is in fact quite good, and I'm doing this stuff because I don't play golf—so it provides something of a sense of purpose. But I am tired of dealing with the lunatic bureaucracy that the govt has become, so my consulting days may be numbered.”

 

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In the last issue we referred to David Birney’s trip to Russia, and the boat crash which occurred while he was aboard. Here are some details for the curious: “A photo of the gash opening into the cabins in the deck below my cabin in the ship in the recent trip to St. Petersburg, Moscow and the waters between which they call The Golden Ring.  Counting forward six windows is my cabin.  The collision happened at 3 AM. Gets your serious attention.  Below the photo is the Moscow Times article and a couple of the emails that I sent the children so that if they should read something about the accident  they’d not be worried.

 

What's funny about this is can you imagine 111 panicked passengers on a badly damaged ship refusing to get on even a rowboat.  The boats they sent were very small boats used for taking a couple of families sightseeing around the river/reservoir.  The captain apparently suggested to the Coast Guard that perhaps the larger hydrofoil might be available...holds about 100 passengers.  Half-hour trip to Rabynsk—the ‘press’ waiting at the dock and expecting to see the Titanic survivors, instead were confronted with 150 bedraggled passengers who couldn't speak Russian and had no answers–we'd been up since the collision at 3 AM.   One older woman asked if people cried.  No, no one cried.  All too tired.

To Moscow on three rickety buses with, of course, about twenty stops–truly endless–so that the eldercare passengers could pee.  And pee again, and again.  Traffic was intense and furious, and coming into the city was a three-hour traffic jam.  Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln... In Moscow by midnight checked into the hotel.  All's well after a shower and a night's sleep.    

In hindsight the event was both much more, and less, dangerous that I thought at first.  No announcements or drills before or after the accident.  Most likely the captain of the tug and ship were both drunk.  Viking doing what it can to ward off lawsuits, which is the most reliable sign that lawsuits could be disabling for the company.

Five more days in Moscow.  Tough rugged city with all of its aspirations to grandeur and elegance made transparent; a working class city still, in part living in the 19th century.  Any illusion that it has moved into the 20th century will be quickly dispelled by a visit to the outskirts and the carbon-stained apartment houses, or a walk on the street with access to the folks.  Who are no longer ‘folk.’”

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Fritz Kern lends this memory from his post-grad days at UMichigan, the, uh, “Champions of the West”: “Some institutions take themselves far too seriously. During my brief stay in Ann Arbor in pursuit of an MBA, there was a goodly number of Dartmouth guys who added a great deal of ‘color’ to the campus.  I used to study sitting in the stands of the ‘Big House” [football stadium], sometimes the only person in that 101,001-fan stadium which is now quite a bit bigger.” Big Mothah Jack Penn <pennjc39***yahoo.com> penned a Green Card to say: “I am busy enjoying life with my wife Nancy. We are making AZ our resident state, but also spend time in MN & WI, Phasing down with my for-profit boards of directors. Elected to the National board of AARP this spring & hope to make a contribution to the lives of seniors.” Ol’ Reliable Tony Horan cards: We were in NYC for a week in August for the marriage of my son Thomas Bramwell Horan to Jessica Merrill at the Yale Club. I had met Jessica when they came out for a ski week at Donner Pass. She is a fine skier, willing to do the Black Diamond trails. I saw her in a controlled fall. She was up in a second and off like a meteor. My son went to Columbia College & medical school, and nevertheless is a fine skier too. Both will fit in ‘our world.’ The Big Scare: The Business of Prostate Cancer is selling well.” [But,Tony, dude: can Jessica cook...? ed.]

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In late July, Oscar sent in this report: “Nyla and I went to Palm Springs to be with Doberman last weekend.He’s doing just fine. He was blown away with the support calls he received from ‘61s and ADs.         This big green thing gets even more precious as times rolls on.”

 

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Get to Hanover in June any way you can—train, plane, Phaeton or firechopper

<--[Bob & Ellis Naegele’s grandson, Robby Hoyt, born on Naegs’s 65th birthday. Ellis was born on tc’s birthday, and Robby’s dad was in tc’s son’s class at Punahou – ed.]

Kindly do not forget the 50th Reunion Book, which is in the process of being compiled as you read these bons mots. It is not quite too late to submit your questionnaire/bio, photo, and personal reflections on 50 years post-graduation. Here’s a deal: you can even send in your views on what happened before we graduated—no extra charge...

Seriously, we realize that our generation was brought up to be humble, modest, and not to blow our own horn. Well, just this once, you each get a pass on those ancient strictures: Pull out your personal Vuvuzela and blow it ‘til de walls come tumblin’ down. We want to hear your views, how you feel, what you think about life—and perhaps what you see thereafter. You only get to do this once in your lifetime, fellas (and Winkie), so let ‘er rip—we are never doing another 50th reunion book. As participating classmates have observed to Editor Jim Baum, you are probably going to find that what you record is what you really wanted your kids to know about you. Get it?

Then get your submittals in. Now! As announced above: Last Chance Saloon...

 

     

And that goes for showing up in Hanover in June. This is it, gang. No more 50th Reunions for the class of ’61. CU there.

                     Aloha,

                       tc

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