Surely the dates June 6-10, 2014 elicit some neurological impulse, however weak. Where did you put that reminder? In your anxiety to reserve a room, did you almost rent a house for June 2013, a year early, as did one classmate? Whatever the case, it is not still 5 months away, it is only 5 months away - our 50th Reunion. Have you called or written your friends to make sure they are planning to attend? You can be absolutely confident that you will make new friends at the Reunion, but as the punch line to a favorite joke goes, "You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket." So, make your travel plans. While there's no room at the Inn, there are more than enough dorm rooms and they don't resemble what you remember.
As to making friends, we did so at the dinner at Kate and Dave Hewitt's house during Homecoming (Oct. 11-12, 2013). They have hosted many '64 dinners for which we send them our thanks. His reward is being selected to honcho the 50th Reunion! More thanks, later. Nine classmates and guests attended the dinner: Mary Ann and Bill Lewis. Victoria and Steve Ward, Hasty and Jay Evans, Mary Lou and Phil Schaefer, John Topping, (all Upper Valley residents) and Jennifer Iams and Ed Gingras (Seattle, WA), Diane Allenberg and Jim Latham (Manchester, MA), and Lou and Mark Roseman (Hollywood, FL). Also returning for Homecoming were Carolyn and Herb Wong (Mesa, AZ), who make an annual trip to New England to marvel at the fall colors.
A regular in the Upper Valley is Mark Roseman, an eldercare lawyer, who readily identifies with the issues facing his clients, healthcare being an important one. He feels that the Affordable Care Act will substantially benefit the 50-65 year old segment. Mark and Lou spend about ten percent of their time at Quechee, Vermont. The 50th will be their third reunion.
Ed Gingras joined the Peace Corps immediately after graduation and had a great experience in India for two years. That guided his future endeavors. After business school he started a company that employed people in Zimbabwe and later the Philippines providing abstracting and indexing services. He and Jennifer divide their time between Seattle and Palm Desert.
Jim Latham attended the 10th, 25th and 40th reunions and he and Diane plan to attend the 50th. He retired as general counsel for Sheraton Corporation and now volunteers for the community mediation center in Essex County, MA. He's looking forward to catching up with Dave Hanson, Jess Kilgore, Ward Whitt, John Whitmoyer, Rand Stowell and Paul O'Connell.
Jim's freshman dorm friend Jay Evans and wife Hasty hosted Diane Allenberg and Jim Latham for Homecoming. In Jay's professional life he managed a large quantitative equity value fund, institutional funds and he started three index funds.
Our 50th will be much better than any Homecoming. You'll be able to reconnect with friends and make new acquaintances. Seize the opportunity, there's no better time.