Thanks to Dan Tompkins ’62, a 1956 Dartmouth recruiting film (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww_ZhYv4sps&feature=player_embedded) appeared on the class listserv in February, looking as if a good part of it had been shot in the first part of our senior year. Those who saw it started searching for classmates and, I assume, themselves as well. Among those we found: Dan Searby, John Lange, Allan Vendeland putting The Daily D to bed, Skip Clarke and maybe Ted Jennings. 


Gary Gilson described his response to the film: “It’s a deep and warm feeling I get seeing the Green and hearing the Glee Club and thinking about how I couldn’t wait for vacations to end so I could get back to Hanover and the first sight of Baker Tower in the distance on the ride up from White River Junction. What a perfect reflection that film is of the tenor of the Eisenhower Era: formal, muted, stilted, authoritarian. Think of how such a film would be made today: lively actualities, quick cuts, transparent encounters, individuals and passions identified and revealed with enthusiasm. It seems like eons ago…and yesterday.”


An extraordinary gift to Dartmouth from Bob and Dorothy King will fund a total of 12 King Scholars each year to encourage new graduates from developing nations to return home to work toward the alleviation of extreme poverty. The gift also establishes a fund to bring eligible students from developing countries to Dartmouth. Bob and Dorothy deserve our gratitude not only for their generosity but also for their striking mix of practicality and humanity. 


The St. Helena (California) Star recently devoted an article to Jay Greene’s efforts to create public awareness of nine century-old stone bridges in the Napa Valley. According to the paper, “Greene is fascinated by the similarity of the technology used by the stone arch bridge builders of Napa County to that of the Romans.” His work has led to both paintings of the bridges by nine area artists, and black and white shots by professional photographer Ron Reed. The goal, Jay says, has been to “honor the local artist, contribute something to the cultural history of the valley and honor the bridges.”


The Kings of Cut-Rate: The Katz Drugs Story, written by Kansas City Star reporter Brian Burnes with Steve Katz,has been selling well, especially in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. Steve’s grandfather founded the business in 1914; by 1970 it had become a chain with 65 stores throughout the Midwest. 


After a career in podiatry Ron Marino is working in quality control for the large drug-testing firm Quest. He also remains active in music as a trumpet player for a brass quintet called Touch of Brass. They play everything from Bach to up-to-date jazz charts. Asked if classically trained musicians can swing, he answers, “They’re getting there.”


Back in December, in a note about Harry Tuft, my fingers typed “Harry Tuck” even though my eyes saw “Tuft” on more than one occasion. My apologies to Harry.


—Michael Lasser, 164 New Wickham Drive, Penfield, NY 14526; mlasser@rochester.rr.com