Class of 1977

“The Brigsy” is still going strong, turning it up to “Eleven” at Massachusetts’s Stow Acres on a beautiful September day. Several participants, including Doug “6ix” Ireland and Cort Delaney, reported another memorable day of golf, camaraderie, and fond remembrance of Mike Brigham. Attendees included Todd Morris ’76, Jim Beattie ’75, Jeff Morris ’75, Tom Bird ’78, Jill Rogers ’78, Gary Rogers, organizer Mark Berthiaume, Fred Kramer, Peter Bernhard, Andy Sherman, Tom Barnico, Kevin Young, Jean Brigham (Mrs. Brigsy), and Martha Laughna (Rory’s wife). My personal fixer, counselor Cort, teamed up with Freddy and Kevin and was carried to a respectable outcome by the inimitable Peter B.

Wes and Martha Chapman; Tom Barnico; Martha, Sarah, and Mary Laughna; and Jeannie Brigham and I convened on a spectacular October Saturday to commemorate the life and times of our dear departed Rory “Buffalo” Laughna and to celebrate the seventh “annibrewsary” of True North, the official ’77 brewery founded by Gary, Rory, and Jill in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Wes (or was it Tom? or was it Gary?) fondly recalled Buff’s gloriously hirsute noggin peeking out from a blankie as he lay napping on a dorm room floor, inspiring his apt nickname and the statue enshrining his fame and good hair at the entrance of True North.

The “77Reconnecting” class Zooms continue apace with creator Carol Muller offering a continuing stream of engaging topics and experts, most recently an overview of our planned 70th in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by cochairs Ted Lapres and Amy Cholnoky (more info on that below). Go to dar7mou7h.com for info on upcoming class Zooms as well as links to videos of prior Zooms. The Dartmouth College Class of 1977 Facebook page’s rules of engagement have been enhanced by the executive committee’s newly tapped social media maven Susan Gabrels. Our page (check it out today!) will become more relevant in reaching each other as we gear up for our 70th birthday bash in Santa Fe August 2025 as well as our 50th reunion in Hanover June 2027.

Speaking of Santa Fe, a recent survey of classmates indicated a whopping 69 percent of you are considering joining the class this August for our collective 70th birthday. General socializing, hiking, and tours of Los Alamos and Georgia O’Keeffe’s digs clocked in as the most compelling activities. Some of you might be wondering why Santa Fe in August—isn’t it too darn hot then? Event cochair and enthusiastic Santa Fe resident and spokesmodel Ted Lapres begs to differ, adding, “The 10-year average temps in August are 54 to 84 degrees. Santa Fe attracts the Texans and Arizonans escaping the sweltering Southwest summer due to the cooling influence of our 7,000-feet elevation and the surrounding mountains. Santa Fe’s climate is more akin to summer in Colorado.” So there is really no excuse. You gotta join us in Santa Fe next August.

Be seen, be heard! Send news and pics. Not getting class emails and enewsletters? Call the alumni help desk at (603) 646-3202 to update your email and forwarding address.

—A.P. Duffy, 66 Saunders Drive, Wilton, CT 06897; (203) 979-2234; apduffy@optonline.net