Unable to attend this year’s mini, your humble scribe gives a heap of thanks to his old pal Richard “Sundance” Hannah for the following account:


“It was just another fine October weekend in and around Hanover as 50 or so classmates, spouses and friends showed up for our mini-reunion. Paul Weinberg motoring north from Beverly, Massachusetts, was pumped and enthusiastic despite the drenching rains and high winds. ‘What a terrific bunch of people!’ he enthused. Vice president Alan Rapoport nodded in agreement. Alan won the award for traveling farthest, arriving from Brazil via Los Angeles. Alan is a world-class neurologist…but we wonder about his geography skills. He brought along Roy Schoen and Mella Behar—great additions to the group.


“This was not the traditional Homecoming Weekend for our mini. Call us mavericks. We missed the parade, the speeches, the Glee Club, the speeches, the band and more speeches at Dartmouth Hall. But the pizza, salad, beer and wine at Dowds’ on Friday weren’t exactly shabby.


“Mini-reunion co-chairs Woody Chittick and Mike Schaefer put together a fine, diverse and memorable weekend. The theme for the weekend turned out to be: ‘Do what you want. Don’t show off. Socialize if you want. But most of all, be safe and have fun.’


“On Saturday some of the ladies, encouraged by Judy Komarek, went off to a Chalk Talk lecture at the Hopkins Center given by the dynamic chair of the English department, Gretchen Gerzina. President Gordy McKean gaveled a rowdy bunch of 22 classmates to order in Thornton Hall to discuss affairs of the class.


“Charlie (treasurer-for-life) Balch provided full disclosure of class finances via the spoken word and printed handouts. John Clark,co-head agent, prepped the class on our 50th reunion gift plans. Co-chair John Walters and Nancy were cruising on the Danube so they attended by satellite feed arranged by techies David Smith and Dan Tompkins (co-webmasters). Dick Brooks,co-chairof the 50th reunion committee together with Bill Pierce, gave us an early view of our 50th reunion. Bill and Liz were traveling so they attended the meeting and shopping trips via satellite, also.


“A 50-year reunion book is in the works, with Dick Bragaw and Kent Hutchinson asco-editors. Ross Burkhardt will put together another award-winning multi-media presentation. Artist Bob Aiken will paint a collage of memorable people or scenes from our four years at Dartmouth that will be a treasured keepsake.


“There will be a pre- or post-reunion get-together as well. It isn’t too soon to make your vacation plans to include our special reunion: Friday through Sunday, June 8-10, 2012.


“Dartmouth snatched victory over Holy Cross 27-19 in the closing minutes of one of the looniest football games in Ivy League history. Truly a game to tell our grandchildren about.


“The evening dinner with current and past faculty fellows was another 10-strike. On Sunday morning people scattered from the still north to their regular lives—blissed out once again.”


Well said, Sundance. Happy trails, and keep in constant touch.


—Jim Haines, 307 Sewickley Ridge Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143; (412) 741-9088; jbhaines@comcast.net