The class has begun additional activities pursuant to the donation of the Frederick Douglass bust, which is now in place at Rauner. John Pfeiffer and Woody Lee, who has done extensive research on the topic, met with College representatives to discuss possibilities for a special exhibit on Blacks at Dartmouth that could be ready by next spring. The exhibit’s proposed website would remain permanently accessible. In related correspondence, Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff reported on the reconstruction of the bridge named for Douglass in Washington, D.C. He says that if the district becomes a state, D.C. will officially be “Washington, Douglass Commonwealth.”

There are mini-reunion developments. Ed Heald reports that the Greenbrier Resort has accepted our new dates of September 18-21, 2022, for the postponed 75th birthday celebration. Mini-reunion chair Norm Silverman is working with classmates in Hawaii to plan a non-touristy get-together on Oahu and the Big Island during March 12-18, 2022, the week after the winter ski trip. There will be history, culture, and tour presentations, but also lots of free time. Follow Jim Lawrie’s posts on the class website and Mark Waterhouse’s Transmission for details.

Peter Hofman and Peter Wonson report an expansion of community service project access. In addition to classmates’ wives and partners, we now solicit entries from children and grandchildren, as well. Dan Bort’s wife, Diana, has an organization that produces media and events to promote the benefits of natural childbirth and homebirth. David Gang’s wife, Roberta, works with Link to Libraries in several roles, including board chair. They’ve donated more than a half-million books to more than 25,000 underserved kids in western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Norm Silverman’s daughter, Jessica Silverman Bryan, distributes free Night Night Packages to homeless children to provide security and exposure to literacy materials. Please see the class website to report your service!

Dick Jones and I shared our love of music, and he told of his long involvement with the Frederick Chorale. After studies at Towson and Cal State, he returned to Maryland and joined the group, which has a very broad repertoire and an impressive history of performing locally, overseas, and at the White House. He fondly remembers sharing Glee Club days with “the fine tenor voice” of David Peck.

W.D. Richter candidly shared a word of advice to all in our “crumbling crowd” who are dealing with joint issues. (Corporeal, not herbaceous ones, mate.) From experience, he enthusiastically urges all considering hip replacement to investigate the anterior technique using a Hana table. He’s worked with a Dartmouth-affiliated osteopath who’s an early champion of the method.

An anonymous classmate who is also a large, regular Dartmouth College Fund donor has pledged to increase this year’s gift by 50 percent in acknowledgement of Dartmouth’s handling of the Covid crisis. Please consider following his example. Let’s help Parker Beverage exceed our fundraising goals in this pressing time.

Our world has been diminished by the passing of Porter Coggeshall in Vienna, Virginia, and Richard Stowell in Weld, Maine.

—Jack Hopke, 157 Joy St., River Ridge, LA 70123; (504) 388-2645; jackhopke@yahoo.com