Regional mini-reunionshave definitely gained traction in 2011—with the June 3 bang-up ’58 luncheon at the Norwich Inn, just three months after the great Lakeland, Florida, mini in March. Frank Gould, who runs the annual luncheon (as well as the October Homecoming minis), says 33 classmates and spouses attended. “If noise level was any indication, folks really had a great time,” he reports. 


Luncheon highlight was Dave Bradley’simpromptu report on 2011 football prospects. “We’ve never had five quarterbacks so good at the same time,” enthuses Dave, “and almost all our impact players are back.” He likes Tim McManus ’11, a wide receiver turned QB, as “the most elusive and accurate passer.” Pushing him are Conner Kempe ’12, last year’s starter back from a pot-smoking suspension, and three others—plus McManus’ freshman brother, “who some say will be better than Tim.” 


Larry Weltin, who along with Sam Smith organized the Florida mini, has relocated with wife Marty and Faith, their wonder dog, from Tampa, Florida, to Pinehurst, North Carolina, where “the climate is more moderate and we’re closer to children and grandchildren.” Larry will co-chair our 55th reunion in June 2013 along with Ray Robbins,who is based in Hanover. 


In July Dan O’Hara, Gersh Abraham and the aforesaid Bradley once again cycled the 100-mile segment of the Prouty fundraiser for the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. They’re still the three oldest “Century” finishers. Dave said pre-race that Frank Gould and Don McIntyre would ride too. Gersh was just back from his father’s 100th birthday celebration in Westchester County, New York, where the old gent assured 70 well-wishers in a five-minute oration that he’s “still got all his marbles.” Gersh was elected to the board of the Association of Alumni last spring. 


Much progress to report on Gersh’s initiative for classmate support groups. Fifteen ’58 M.D.s rounded up by Mike Cohen andSam Smith for the medical support group now stand ready to field queries in specialties ranging from orthopedics, psychiatry and internal medicine to ob/gyn, cardiology and neurosurgery. To tap this resource contact Mike at mecohen@acsu.buffalo.edu or (716) 634-2565 (home) or (716) 830-5380 (cell). Ready too is the personal support group coordinated by Skip Coggin to assist classmates with difficult nonmedical issues. More on his group and its capabilities in my next column. Or contact Skip at fgciv@aol.com or (847) 501-5401. 


John Trimble, having led the Williamson Award Committee to a great start in its first year, has turned over the chairmanship to Ralph Manuel.Last year’s award winners, Pete Kelsey and John Murphy, have joined Susan Williamson, Hal Bernsen and Walter Vail as committee members. The next Williamson Award(s) for service to the class and College will be made at the October 21-23 mini’s Saturday night class banquet. 


Rooms for the October mini will be held until September 15 at Breakfast on the Connecticut in Lyme, New Hampshire, where, by popular demand, we will again be staying and banqueting. The class meeting is Friday afternoon, with a post-bonfire party at Lewiston Depot, Vermont, on Friday night and pre-Columbia game festivities at Dave Bradley’s law office on Saturday. 


—Steve Quickel, 65 Chapel Road, New Hope, PA 18938; squickel@usinvestmentreport.com