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Sections: Hyflex=Mini-Reunion, Mini-Reunion Recording, Lee Coffin, , What's Your Final Plan, 7-1/2 Trains, Creating Frost, Building the Mending Wall, Women's Perspective, Rock & Roll Cruise, Ode to Buddy,

'61s & Guests

Arslanian, Baum-Carol & Jim, Bleyler-Pete, Bleyler-Ruth, Conger, George-Helen, Jessup-Kathleen, Kelton-Art, Kelton-Elaine, Levy-Stephanie, Lynn-Mort, Lynn-Susan, Lundeen, McKee, Murphy-Mike, Murphy-Helene, O'Neill, Pease, Prewitt, Rich-Patti & Vic,, Rozycki,, Walsh-Alison & Pat, Wheeler-Maynard, Wheeler-Sandy

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We did it again! Yet another fine combo mini-reunion based in Hanover, with video attendance on Friday from ‘round the girdled earth. As usual, we lead with Maynard Wheeler’s comprehensive report:
“On October 6th we assembled at Blunt, The Alumni Center, for a lunch from Lou’s and the Hyflex session for the afternoon kicking off with a candid talk about admissions by Dean Lee Coffin moderated from afar by Don O’Neill who provided penetrating questions. This was followed by an Art Kelton moderated Class panel of Mike Murphy and Al Rozycki about the Frost Statue Project then and now the “Mending Wall.” Maynard Wheeler read a Special Recognition Tribute to George Lundeen, the sculpture’s creator whom Vic Rich arranged to have present on zoom from his Colorado home. We then heard from our Art Initiative Awardee, Karina Madzari, about the project to use kiosks with QR codes distributed about campus to encourage student involvement in HOP activities while it is closed for two years of renovation.  From his home, Ross Sandler moderated the final panel: Harris McKee presented the rationale behind moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) emphasizing the importance of community. Pete Bleyler related the tribulations of one of his European ski trips during which a missed bus connection off the mountain led to a 7-1/2 (2 cars on a siding out of the winter wind) car train trip to Paris doubling the length of the trip and marked by no unhappy travelers.
            Cocktails and an excellent dinner at the Hanover Inn began at 6 PM.
            On Saturday, with much trepidation about the impending rain, it was decided to proceed with the dedication event at the Frost Statue. The ever-thoughtful Bob Haynes ’73 brought a tent to shelter the attendees. Fortunately the rain held off so the speakers could stand by Frost to deliver their comments. Maynard Wheeler opened with words of recognition and gratitude for all who worked on “Mending Wall.” Bob Haynes ’73 reviewed the unique collaboration of his 50th Reunion Class with the Class of ’61.  Mike Murphy added words about the initial project completed at our 35th reunion. Professor Don Pease gave a rousing talk about the arc of our engagement with Frost emphasizing our enhancement, a word frequently used by Frost, of the whole Frost presence on Dartmouth now made permanent. Maynard closed with words of 9th President William Jewett Tucker about the permanency of our gift to the College.
            Alison & Pat Walsh and Susan & Mort Lynn joined us for this part of the reunion.
            Then we all adjourned to Memorial Stadium for the disappointing loss to Yale. For cocktails and dinner we were in a new venue, the Class of 1930 Room in Rockefeller Center, with the rains still holding off.  We finally gathered on Sunday morning at the Inn for a farewell breakfast, concluding an historic gathering of the Class of ’61.”

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Lee Coffin, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid:

The results of a national search brought Lee Coffin to Dartmouth in 2016 as Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, after 13 years leading undergraduate admissions at Tufts University. Last month, Dartmouth President Sian Bielock announced that Lee would take on additional responsibilities, partnering with Dartmouth ’s graduate and professional schools to help develop enrollment strategies that enable Dartmouth to reach the best and brightest students across the globe.
On the Dartmouth Admissions web-site, Lee is quoted, “Students think of the

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The kiosk is designed to make the user ’s experience quick and simple. With just one scan, people will be directed to the right web page where they can easily complete their desired action – to buy a ticket, apply for a grant, or sign up for a workshop class. Since students may occasionally forget about HOP's activities, the kiosk also serves as a reminder about Dartmouth's cultural programs, making it easy for people to quickly incorporate events into their schedules and easily add events to their calendars.
Before, in order to engage with HOP remotely, one had to•know what they wanted from the HOP
•intentionally access the internet,
•google the HOP ’s website,
•navigate through the website to find the relevant section,
•figure out how to complete the desired action.
Now, students can simply pass by one of the stands located in the most active social areas, scan the QR code, and complete their action. That's it – they ’re all set!

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A farm-boy from Iowa, Harris McKee came to Dartmouth as a football player and left as a scholar and Class President. He has served in a number of alumni positions including as a club officer and various class positions. He received our first class-recognition award in 2017 and a Dartmouth College Alumni Award in 2018.
He says that Illinois is the 12th state he ’s lived in so there have been lots of startings over, most recently in the Admiral at the Lake, a Kendal Corporation Affiliated Continuing Care Retirement Community, (CCRC) in 2017 in Chicago.

At our 60thth reunion, a couple of our classmates proudly explained the steps they had taken so they could “Age in Place” and stay out of one of those retirement places. Harris says, “Since my wife Mary and I, following our mothers ’ examples had chosen a CCRC and been pleased, I decided that I would like to share with my classmates, both our experience and characteristics of CCRCs that others might find useful.” Click on "What is your long-term plan" to see his slides.
Harris notes that in the nearly seven years Mary and he have lived at the Admiral at the Lake, both have taken advantage of the rehab options and Mary has now been in skilled care for nearly.four years

During his four winters at Dartmouth, Pete Bleyler went downhill skiing twice – both times at the golf course.  The second time, his date (and future wife) had borrowed a pair of warped wooden skis and sprained her ankle falling off the rope tow. They spent more time at Dick ’s House than on the slopes.

Fast forward to 1985 where, at age 46, Pete finally started downhill skiing when there wasn ’t enough snow for cross-country skiing at their West Virginia vacation home.  Ruth also started skiing and thus began many years of skiing, including trips to Europe when the travel agent told them it was cheaper there than out west.

Upon retirement in 2000, and at the urging of the same travel agent, Pete started organizing group ski trips to Europe.  The informal ski club was called “The Friends of Dartmouth Ski Club” and included a number of ‘ 61s, other Dartmouth alums, and spouses/partners.  From 2001 to 2013, they made 11 ski trips to France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, never visiting the same ski area twice.  Pete will talk about these adventures, and particularly the extraordinary experience when 40 people rode 7-1/2 trains from Zermatt, Switzerland to Paris, France.

As most of you know, Mike Murphy was the 1961 Class Project Director for the production of the Robert Frost Statue.  When asked if he ’d be a panelist, Mike choked back a laugh and asked how may days would he have to relate the history.  He recalled that the sculpture had been a five-year project, beginning at the end of the 30th reunion and ending at our 35th when the statue was presented to the College.  That story, Mike claimed, was “far too long, detailed and involved for our brief zoom sessions.* Insteadat the virtual session, Mike will enthusiastically share some of his happy memories and feelings about the project.

Think twice before you ask a retired pediatrician, such as Al Rozycki, to head up a Class project.  In early 2021, Roz accepted then president Don O ’Neill ’s charge to take Jim and Carol Baum ’s donation and “come up with a Class project.”  Sixty tons of stone later, many sleepless nights, a greatly expanded budget, and an incredible experience working with College administrators, stone masons, master craftsmen, landscape architects, and the incredibly energetic and creative members of the Classes of 1961 and 1973, the Robert Frost Enhancement Project, affectionately known as “the Mending Wall,” and the Class of 1973’s “Rise,” have risen!  Roz will relate the saga.

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Some photos capture the proceedings:

A Woman’s Perspective by Nyla Arslanian
A little rain didn’t dampen our spirits as we gathered for the Frost Dedication. It was a grand occasion worth waiting for as it occurred to me that there had been no previous official ceremony. Professor Don Pease added just the right tone with an oration that could have been delivered by Daniel Webster himself.  Mike Murphy’s remarks recalled all that was required to bring this project to fruition 27 years ago. All was very moving.
Women were well represented at the mini with Ruth Bleyler, Helen George, Kathleen Jessup, Elaine Kelton, Stephanie Levy, Susan Lynn, Chris Thomas, Alison Walsh and Sandy Wheeler in attendance. The weekend was so packed with activities that we had no “Gathering” but there were plenty of opportunities for connecting. We missed Helene Murphy and a first time meeting with Dee Welge (who married Dave Prewitt earlier this year) both down with Covid. Also my partner Patti Rich (fighting a bout with bronchitis) and spouse Vic who had to cancel at last minute. Sadly, we lost Carol Baum on September 9th just a few months after husband Jim.
We were guests of the Bleylers and too much can’t be said for Pete Bleyler and what he does for the class. The hyflex session was interesting and the slate of presentations outstanding. As there have been discussions about Dartmouth’s admission policy and “next phase housing” in our Women’s Gatherings, the presentations by Lee Coffin, College Dean of Admissions, and Harris McKee were very enlightening. All presentations well worth watching the replay available on the class website. You’ll find the link to the Mini-reunion near the bottom of the class website home page.
A visit to the new Hood Museum was a highlight of the visit. I like getting the most out of museum visits and always read descriptions next to the art displayed. It was an eye-opening experience as it was more of a lesson in DEIT than art. I’m still trying to sort out how I feel about all that indoctrination. If you’re in Hanover, make a point to stop at the Hood to read as well as see.
As Oscar and I wandered the campus with Dave Prewitt, even with all the new buildings and the passing of over 60 years, they both remarked how much it “all looked the same.” In this time of change, that was great to hear

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Next up: The spectacular Rock & Roll Caribbean Cruise brought to us by Mr/Mrs Hollywood Oscar & Nyla Arslanian.
ANNOUNCING
Dartmouth Class of 1961 Off-Campus Reunion Concerts at Sea Rock & Roll Cruise                                           January 27-February 3, 2024
Classmate Oscar Arslanian has invited us to join him and Nyla on a musical Caribbean Cruise.  As many of you know, Oscar manages artists of the classic rock era. (Who can forget when he brought Bo Diddley to the 25th Reunion?!). Two of his clients are among the many artists booked for the cruise (Brian Hyland “Itsy Bitsy Polkadot Bikini”/“Sealed With A Kiss“/”Gypsy Woman” and Gary US Bonds “Quarter to Three”/”Twist, Twist, Senora”). See attached for artist roster.
Oscar and Nyla have stepped forward to help wrangle our group. Being with them you’ll have an “inside” look at the music business.
The fabulous Sky Princess leaves Fort Lauderdale and stops in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and St. Thomas. The real action on the cruise are the many performances that are part of the inclusive package.
Accommodations:
Inside Cabin From $1,749 per person
Balcony From $2,129 per person eluxe Balcony From $2,244 per person
Mini Suite From $2,349 per person
(See more information and full details on Flyer)
Be there or be square!
<oscar@discoverhollywood.com>
The sooner you book, the better the chance that you will get your preferredaccommodations. There is no additional reunion charge.
Here is the link for the online booking form.
https://www.concertsatsea.com/secure-booking-form-2024/
Questions: Contact Tahni David Email <tahnid@harmonytravel.com> (800)627-1315 She can help with flights to Fort Lauderdale, FL. (Reference “Dartmouth Class of ’61)
Let Oscar know if you are signing on.
As they say, the more the merrier.
Dave Prewitt
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Speaking of Prewitt, here’s a fine photo of himself and bride Dee Welge at their July  wedding in Philly:

And while we’re featuring pretty ladies, here’s Paisan’s granddaughter Vanessa Marrone celebrating her BIO MED degree from Lund University's Faculty of Medicine

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BUDDY

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Just in--too late for print edition. Larry & Sarah Holden and Al Rozycki & Joan Jaffe represented Class of 1961 in the Homecoming Parade.

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