In response to my request for an overview of the class scholarship program, Buddy Schattman writes: “This began in the early 1960s through efforts of Doug Keare. Following Doug, George Yeager, Linc Spaulding and I have chaired the program. Originally candidates were from underdeveloped countries, the thought being that these young people would bring something American back to their lands based on experiences here. Subsequently we expanded to include American students. We now support two scholarships annually and alternate selection between foreign and American candidates. Twenty-five students have graduated with class assistance (eight from foreign countries and 17 from the United States). We currently have two class scholars, Sam Winters ’14 from Dover, New Hampshire, and Reem Chamsedine ’17, a young lady from Beirut, Lebanon. If you want to interact with some wonderful Dartmouth students, get to know our class scholars!”


I interrupt to bring you the Barbary Coast Jazz Band playing in honor of three classmates who have passed: William Hamilton Skiff, Nils Henry Larson Jr. and Wilton Sherman Sogg. Samson Occom dressed in green buckskins leads the funeral procession up Main Street and around the Green. All surviving classmates bow their heads.


Leonard E. Giuliani, born March 5,1934, is the first winner of the 1956 birthday random selection and, in his words, “Eighty years and still vertical—by the grace of God I’m still here living an active life in the greatest country in history.” To honor Len and others turning 80, I close with the sixth stanza of a poetic limerick titled “Celebration.”


“Wild party, full blast, under way,


Grand ultimate tribute display;


Observance with zest,


This regalement, the best,


All arranged for your most special day.”


—Joel D. Ash, P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; joel@poeticlimericks.com