Class Note 1953

For this year in which many of our classmates are celebrating their 80th birthdays, Fred Whittemore offered the following poem at our annual New York Christmas party.


Today, dear Lord, I’m 80, and there’s much 


I haven’t done.


I hope, dear Lord, you’ll let me live ’til 81.


But then if I haven’t finished all I want


to do,


Would You please let me stay awhile,


’til I’m 82?


So many places I want to go, so very much 


to see,


Do You think that You could let me trek 


’til 83?


The world is changing very fast, there is so 


much in store,


I’d like it very much to live ’til 84.


And if by then I’m still alive I’d like to stay 


’til 85!


More things happen every year that really 


need a fix,


I’d like to see what really works ’til I’m 86.


Of course, dear Lord, it’s nice to know it 


must be great in heaven,


So I’d really like to stay ’til I’m 87.


I know by then I won’t be fast and some


times will be late,


But I’d really like to stay ’til I’m 88.


I have seen so many things, and had a real 


nice time,


So, I’m sure that I’ll be willing to leave at 


89.


But one more thing I’d like to thank you 


for—you’re so high and mighty,


If it’s okay with You, I’d like to see our class 


at 90.


Cynthia and Dave Donovan concurred by hosting their 11th consecutive Ski ’53 Day at Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire, on February 17. They report that seven stalwart skiers showed up at the mountain for a terrific day of skiing in superb snow conditions. The entourage was led by Put Blodgett. Dave Donovan, Harlan Fair, Dick O’Connor, Chuck Reilly, Liz King (Bill King’s wife) and Alan Newtonchallenged their 80-year-old legs. John Kennedy skied cross-country at Woodstock, Vermont. Spouses and non-skiers Cynthia Donovan, Marion Blodgett, Mitzi and Fred Carleton,Barbara Newton, Cynthia O’Connor, Donna Reilly and Bonnie and Dave Siegal joined them for après-ski cocktails and conversation by the fire followed by dinner at Lake Sunapee Country Club. Class camaraderie was in abundance.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com