Sometimes we act like the cynic defined by Wilde, “as the man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” Sometimes we don’t. Mark your calendars June 15-18—it’s our 55th reunion. The price is trivial, the value priceless. You can be “pro” the current College or weep “no” for her, but grabbing the chance to reconnect with friends of our youth has no adjective save “bless” the Lord for keeping us alive for this great program, replete with stimulating topics, great venues, good meals, outdoor activities, class art exhibition, housing alternatives to meet your desires and just hanging out with old and new friends. The best dorm housing at East Wheelock—where we were for our 50th reunion—has been reserved. Recall that it is located across from the gym with air conditioning and elevators. Rooms at the Lebanon Courtyard, the Norwich Inn and a newly completed Element by Starwood Hotels have been held. Additional details on the full range of housing alternatives, along with detailed contact information as well as planned happenings, will be sent to you in later mailings. 


Speaking of staying alive, Geoff Moser sent a newspaper (remember those?) report about Ed Sedivy and his grade school sweetheart and wife of 31 years, all of whom reside in Montana. The story about how the Sedivys deal with her multiple sclerosis is inspiring. The admiral in charge of the Navy Seals program gave a moving commencement address in Texas about how the cadets can quit by simply ringing a bell on the training ground. His final admonition to the graduates: “Never ring the bell!” Ed and Shirley aren’t about to.


“Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls,” counsels John Donne, but it tolled for these: Bill Savage, Lars Lofgren and Peter Erwin. Obituaries will appear on the website in due course.


We held the class’ annual meeting in October at Homecoming, and the football team beat the College of the Holy Cross in a nail-biter. Our Tuck grads remembered that when lives decline, dues per classmate must rise to maintain volume of cash. Dues will go up too. Some adjustments to the way the swag is divvied out were proposed and adopted. See your dues bill for details. Our focus on getting the money for projects we support directly to students continues. Our scholarship student from Zimbabwe told of the documentary film she made in Chile in the barrios loaded with expensive gear and was able to elicit remarkable candor from the population featured without untoward interference. Her ability to tell a story with pathos and a bit of bathos was a delight to listen to. Later, in the parking lot housing our lavish and extravagant class tailgate soiree, she engaged your correspondent in a spirited discussion about Zimbabwe. “How,” she asked, “did you learn so much about my country?’’ “Well, gee, I went to Dartmouth College!” Her laugh chimed like a bell.


—John Mitchell, 300 Grove St., #14, Rutland, VT 05701; jmm000@comcast.net