The bad news first: Our vaunted 70th has passed us by two times (thanks to the damn Covid) and so the College is offering a 75th. Our prez is strongly suggesting we make it to Hanover for a well-attended mini October 8-10; make your reservations now (no masks required)!

Joel Leavitt has been very active in the email area with some great pictures and a recent treatise on his view of this mixed-up world we live in (well worth reading and digesting).

John Caldwell writes a fascinating note about the U.S. women’s cross-country ski team. It dates back to 1966, when he and Bob Tucker were at the Nordic World Championships in Oslo. It is quite long, and I stand ready to send it along to those with interest. John “Swede” Swenson writes, citing his knowledge of the original Chicago (B4 1700) and that he has been able to figure out why every other historian has been wrong and can show where the original “Windy City” was. If it was easy, somebody would have done it long ago, but the job was left to a Dartmouth ’50! He reports his “garlic crop is looking pretty good.” His motto: “Don’t take yes for an answer.” Jilly Harned is busy with a redo and updating of Stone Ridge and planning for Jack’s memorial service. Tom Warner (who needs a magnifying glass for our notes!) has a very colorful writeup in Joe Medlicott’s yearbook (a must read). Tom, a good man indeed! I treasure to this day a wonderful CD from the wife of Ray King put together by his two sons called Big Ray Sings. Now a personal note: I did the “ticker-clicker” (pacemaker installation) routine three months ago. If they can only do such a miracle with my Dumbo ears, I’ll be ready for 10 more!

Gone but not forgotten are G. William “Bill” Streng, John David Vogel, and Alan “Al” Parsons.

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