The big news for all you ’50s is that our once in a lifetime 70th is upcoming October 30 (Friday) to November 1 (Sunday), and the College will pay for rooms and meals for you and one guest! I’ve already heard from John and Shirley Weber, who are “going pretty strong” in south Indiana at 91 and 90. John asks if Jacques Harlow is still canoeing (a sly reference to Cul Modisette’s fabled trip to Alaska with some ’50s aboard in years past). Incidentally, a re-read of John’s (and Cul’s) entries in Joe Medlicott’s magnum opus—the 50th yearbook—is well worth the effort! A special note here calling attention to the passing of “Nev” Chamberlain, six-star classmate, former secretary of this rag among many other things. There’s an interesting aside on recently departed Peter Hill (a sometime restorer of fine antiques), who came across a home with the famous “Zuber” wallpaper (imported from France early in the 19th century). Recognizing its value, he bought it for $50 and removed it himself with putty knife and razor blade and then contacted the Smithsonian, which arranged for a White House showing. The first lady invited Peter (and family) to pick the appropriate White House room, which turned out to be the diplomatic reception room. The paper was purchased for $12,500 afterward and generously donated to the White House. This is a part of Peter’s obit. Obituaries on the following classmates, and many others I have, make fascinating reading for us all. I would be happy to copy any and send them along. The College reports the recent deaths of Everett N. Chamberlain, Marshall W. Mitchell, John W. Oed, Clinton A. Mauk, Peter Hill, Arnold H. Bockstruck, and Paul W. Van Orden Jr. And so I take my leave.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene #5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com