Fall Mini-Reunion-Thus we turn our sights to the fall mini: As of this writing we are still on, so pls. bear in mind that October 2-5 is not only Homecoming weekend but also the height of leaf-peeping, thus housing will be tight. Make your reservation posthaste. Here is a brief overview for your consideration:
DARTMOUTH HOMECOMING FALL REUNION
October 2 - 5, 2020
It is time to make your plans to return to Hanover for HOMECOMING 2020!
A REGISTRATION FORM is on the Class Web Site. http://www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/
Friday: as always, there will be College organized activities for Alumni such as informative talks.
We will gather at the Hanover Inn for cocktails and dinner at 5:00 PM so that we will be ready to march in the parade to Dartmouth Hall and the Bonfire behind out Robert Frost Class Banner at 7:00 PM.
Saturday: We meet with the students whom we support to hear their stories, location yet to be determined. Then, grab a bag lunch, attend a Class meeting and conversation to be fol- lowed by the PENN game. We re-gather for cocktails with dinner at yet a new location, The Hilton Garden Inn on Rte 120 next to Dartmouth Coach between Hanover and Interstate 89.
Sunday: Brunch at the Norwich Inn.
LODGING: It will be leaf-peeping season as well as Homecoming so rooms will be at a premium. Some places to consider:
- Hilton Garden Inn Hanover in Lebanon (603) 448-3300
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel in WRJ (802) 299-2700
- Fairfield Inn & Suites in WRJ (802) 291-9911
- Residence Inn by Marriott at Centerra in Lebanon (603) 643-4511
- Element Hanover near Centerra in Lebanon (603) 448-5000
- The Hampton In in WRJ - (802) 296-2800
Best regards,
Maynard Wheeler
As always, please contact me with any questions or suggestions.
Maynard Wheeler PO Box 538, Grantham, NH. Cell: (404)-217-1089
Mbwheeler61@alum.dartmouth.org
60th Reunion--Moving on to the 60th next June, you are aware that this will be our last summer five-year reunion? After the 60th, we are moved to the fall—but the question remains: how many reunions do you have left in you…? As the sand inexorably flows down the hourglass, one needs to take stock and consider: was this whole Dartmouth experience a worthwhile endeavor for you? Those brief four Hanover years in the late '50s/early '60s were extremely formative for some, perhaps more ephemeral for others; but as we approach 60 years away from the academic regimen we understand that our days on campus were merely the gateway to a life lived under the aegis of a fine and lasting institution. How much that relationship has meant to you is now the issue. For most of us it has been a defining factor: ever since matriculation we were, for life, Dartmouth Men. And the bond of that identity is what has kept us connected. Now we are inevitably confronting end-of-life considerations, and must decide if we should answer the call to be, once again, surrounded by old friends and associates, many who have shared our life's highs and lows, and who have made our journey through the years what it has been. What think you? Will we see you in Hanover come June 2021? This lowly scribe, for one, certainly hopes so.
In keeping with the shelter-in-place restrictions under which we are all existing at this writing, we had a successful virtual reunion this spring. Each year Harris McKee circulates a poster to all classmates with e-mail (how many of you really don't…?), which you print out and, on the 61st day of the year, take a selfie and submit to a composite poster which brings us all visually current with your waist/hairline…
2020 Virtual Reunion- Thanks to all the reuning '61s, numbering 35 '61s, and 27 others including 12 spouses! See the gallery completing this WWW.
And, speaking of COVID-19 restrictions, trust you are all keeping your hands scrubbed.
Upper Valley Lunches--The program of UV'61 monthly lunches has flourished since departure of the failed founder/designated kanaka in late '14, and Pete Bleyler had arranged the April session for the Leb Green. New Ground Rules were established to conform with new CDC guidelines for social distancing:
1. "Everyone should order their take-out lunch from Three Tomatoes or Salt Hill Pub (best to call ahead and make sure they 're serving take-out).
2. We will sit in a big circle on the Lebanon green (i.e., Coburn Park), keeping at least 6 feet between people (husbands and wives only need to sit 3 feet from each other)
3. If there are more than 10 people who show up, the excess will have to go over to the band stand at the far end of the park, and also follow the 6 foot separation rule.
4.
If the temperature is less than 75 degrees, the lunch is canceled."
Chagrined that lunch was canceled, presumably as there are no longer any wash troughs @Coburn Park, Rick Husband sent these no-news tidings to WWW HQ for general publication.
Perhaps class lunches may resume in, say, June—when Commencement and reunions have been canceled…?
Go to Top
Dartmouth College Fund—Our class efforts for the 2019-20 DCF are progressing well. We are running ahead of last year both in contributions and contributors. But to reach our goals of $310,000 and 72 percent, we need gifts from everyone who gave last year. The college needs our support more than ever to provide the funds for scholarships that help students who would not otherwise be able to afford Dartmouth to attend and maintain the balance that we have known. You can show your support of the class and help us achieve our participation goal with a gift of any size. Go to dartmouthcollegefund.org for links to secure credit card giving or instructions for other forms of giving e.g. stock, as well as mail addresses.
Didja see that article in the March/April AluMag titled "Sibling Revelry" which noted the siblings who have sought higher education in Hanover since the college's inception? Where were the brothers Boss, Quickel, Gazzaniga, or the October twins Vic Rich & Dave Prewitt, born on the same day in 1939? Likewise Ellis Naegele managed to show up the same day as tc:12/25/1939—but let Naegs freeze his [whatever] off in the Kappa Sig basement until they could get married and begin life in less, uh, extreme climes. Speaking of Gazzanigas, here's a brace o' pulchritudinous members of that clan:
Francesca Gazzaniga '07 & Daughter Fiala (Czech for Violet).
Rozycki: "Can 't believe I took care of her and her brother when they were this age!"
Just can't let go of the COVID-19 topic yet—too all-pervasive and unique to brush off lightly. H. Dutton Foster: "I can offer…only a piece of doggerel I scribbled early in the pandemic:
ODE TO OUR BATHROOM CUPBOARDS
When ancient Egypt faced a virus
Egyptians stocked up on papyrus;
Now pandemic 's here as well --
Time to purchase Cottonelle.
Want to set your fears at rest?
Try some rolls of Green Forest.
Market 's down, it 's down a lot,
But go ahead, invest in Scott;
The daily news is quite alarmin '
Soothe yourself with lots of Charmin.
Console your forfeited vacation
By hoarding Seventh Generation!
Just keep calm, we 'll solve this issue
By building walls of toilet tissue."
As the ad agency for Guinness Brewery would emote: Brilliant!
Go to Top
And on a more spiritual note, Rabbi McKee suggests that observers of Passover might take this counsel from a latter-day Ted Geisel'25 wannabe:
I do not want you in my house,
I do not want you or your spouse.
I do not want to eat with you
At Seder One or Seder Two.
Don't get me wrong, I think you're nice.
But the CDC gave this advice:
You must avoid just one plague more
And shoo Elijah from your door.
At next year's seder we will tell
How we were all saved by Purell!
Here's an observant Gim Burton adhering to the ancient strictures of novel Corona Virus 19:
For some class news without specific reference to CV-19, Sam Baker submitted some photos to enlarge on those used for the virtual reunion:
S.R. Baker, MD with Tova and Haakon (grandkids) at their home in Winthrop Washington.
Flautist Martha (middle) with her musician friends at their orchestra symphony performance (Feb.).
Just to regain your perspective on life 'round the girdled earth, pls see the real estate ad spotted by Ron Wybranowski in some Maui publication: " ~Fabulous Friday Lunch Break~
c.1943. 872 square feet. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath on 0.64 acre. $2,300,000! Thanks to Pete for sending this one in! Set amidst swaying coconut palms in a secluded refuge by the sea, lies a masterful restoration of a 1943 Plantation Cottage. Situated on 0.64 acres of land surrounded by rock walls, lush gardens and a small orchard, the cottage melds the beauty and craftsmanship of days gone by with the modern conveniences of today. Updated plumbing and electrical, a new roof, an enormous trex lanai, original wood siding with some Hardie Plank exterior, a modern kitchen, new windows and doors and central air conditioning and an indoor-outdoor bathroom compliment the beautiful, original, fir flooring throughout. Smell the salt air, and listen to the sound of breaking waves from the nearby ocean. Experience spectacular sunrises and cooling sea breezes in the hot tub. Enjoy a meal with friends and family on the covered lanai. There is a detached garage and laundry room and an additional deluxe storage shed on site. Did we mention that the location is convenient? Downtown Wailuku is less than 5 minutes away; sand piles surf spot is 2 minutes away; Kite beach is 11 minutes and access to the airport and south shore beaches is excellent as well. 886 Pakele Place, Wailuku, Hawaii"
A ridiculous steal folks—872 sq-ft for a mere $2.3 million! How can you miss…?!
Women's Initiative --In 2020, in addition to celebrating the Centennial of Women's Suffrage, the Women of Dartmouth '61 also have something to celebrate.
Eyes are now fixed on the 60th Reunion and our Women's Initiative is on board to have a record number of the Class of 1961 members attend. To mark the extraordinary action of the Executive Committee and the Class in rewriting its Constitution to include spouses as class members, we've assembled a key team of women who are making contact with as many Women of Dartmouth '61 as we can to encourage them to come and celebrate this important milestone.
We are a mixed group. Among us are wives who were sweethearts and trekked to Hanover for Winter Carnival and football games who also have a 60+ year relationship with the college. Others may have met and wed in graduate school or years beyond. Some are 2nd, 3rd or more in a line of succession and came late into the fold. But along with the relationship with the man in our lives, it wasn't long before we learned that we had a relationship with their college.
Besides representing the Women of Dartmouth '61 on the monthly class Executive Committee conference calls and organizing the "gatherings" at the reunions and mini-reunions, a key part of our Women's Initiative is to reach out to the women whose husbands have passed away.
Through the years we've journeyed together, separating and coming together every five years in Hanover or at mini-reunions, we renew acquaintances, make new friends, and go home with the bond renewed until we meet again. Now these times are becoming even more precious as we realize that, yes, even we are at the effect of the actuarial table.
So, we plan for the 60th and also recognize that as one of the last classes before Dartmouth went co-ed, the men of Dartmouth '61, who had the good sense to bring us into their lives, also have the foresight to acknowledge our contribution and have taken formal action to include us in the class. This action is unprecedented and one to be celebrated: 2020 – The Year of The Women--Nyla Arslanian & Patti Rich
Green Cards Virginia "Winkie" Kelsey: "A year's graduate studies with the Art Department ended with a show at the Library. Because I was mentioned in your last class output, I have now stepped forward (years ago no man would have liked to have a woman in the class).
There are 14 Kelseys & relatives that are Dartmouth grads (one this fall). [no mention in 'Sibling Revelry' (above)?–Ed.] Go to Top
Sent in a check for reunion."
Tony Horan: "On Jan.18th 2020 I arrived at Shadow Mountain resort in Palm Desert to play >80 singles in a USTA Event. I lost 6-3, 6-1 but 'won' in the sense that I was competitive. In the evening I met Bill Blue and Sid Goldman'60 for a dinner I had arranged. I never knew Bill Blue at Dartmouth but so many notables have 'bought the farm' that I thought we should meet. He was on a submarine tender during the Vietnam War. Sid Goldman came to my match and bought me sunglasses that permitted me win 4 games. He was drafted out of his internship as an MD. I still owe him for the sunglasses necessary because of cataract surgery."
Ol' footie skipper Ken DeHaven responds to birthday greetings thus: "Thanks for thinking of us in Colorado, almost 2 years in the Covenant Living of Colorado retirement village (NFP). It is perfectly located, halfway between Denver and Boulder (20 miles). Our daughter Kathleen, father Mike, and only Grandchild, Jossephene, only 7 years old. Everyone calls her Josie. We are happy here, and everything is going as well as could be expected. It's nice to reconnect with J McElhinney and Patty. Jean and I are exercising 6 days a week at the on-site fitness center, and exercise walking on site daily for 1-1/2 miles, weather permitting. And I am getting in golf."
John "Coyote" Wilkins slipped away on January 9 in Falls Church, VA. He joined us from Millburn (NJ) High, fully absorbed the UV "color," and pledged AD—soon to be Animal House.
We met freshman year, out at the Skiway in late spring (remember the record snowfall that winter?), where he flashed his frontal incisors— newly abbreviated from a rugby match. This timid soul resolved to avoid any rugby involvement, if that's what could happen . . .
After graduation (on Thad's 5-year plan...) and grad work at Rutgers, he went to work in DC @Treasury Dept (eventually Ass't Sec. of Treas. for tax policy), relishing congressional hearings wherein he was addressed as "Mr. Secretary"—then retired to join a big name CPA outfit.
He was reliable about participating in reunions, and often organized the class tennis tournaments. There was even a brief period when, your lowly scribe having been relieved of his WWW post for reporting campus/Parkhurst facts too candidly, Coyote and Bert Rowley were co-editors for the newsletter. When their tenure was abruptly ended by executive fiat, Coyote spared no venom in advising the undersigned of his displeasure. Did what I could to oil the waters (having had nothing to do with the process), but always felt he resented what had transpired. At any rate, a good guy—with impressive credentials—gone too soon. Kai re! Mai poina.
Go to Top
And now some Virtual Reunion Shots
Vic and Patti Rich
Richard Husband
Ruth & Pete Bleyler with Bob Hargraves at Rum Point in the Cayman Islands
Tom & Karla Goodridge
Jim Watson, Mary McKee, Harris McKee, Joan Watson
Ellen and Don O'Neill
Ken Walker & Bert Rowley
Class of 1961 Special Recognition Award
