Homecoming 2019 was a hoot and a holler for old-timers, as Dartmouth faced Yale in a showdown for supremacy in Ivy football. The Friday night bonfire won accolades from ’69s, as the newfangled engineering algorithm really lights up the night sky. From our section in the stands during the game we surveyed blazing colors on the hills east of campus, and Dudley and Jill Kay report that they went up to Quechee, Vermont, where autumn has never been more brilliant. Bruce Hamilton writes that mid-October is the peak of the fall color season, and the uniqueness of species near Dartmouth explains the unbeatable forest beauty.

On Friday afternoon a full house gathered at Filene Auditorium for the film premiere of Early Daughters of Dartmouth: Blazing the Trail to Coeducation 1969-72. Classmates Lynn Lobban and Dona Heller carried the 1969 banner as we marched through town Friday night to the center of the campus. Lynn’s captivating memoir, “Back Where I Belong,” is in the November-December 2019 issue of DAM. Celebration of the film brought together dozens of friends, not only from our class, but also from College staff, faculty, and other classes. Watch for the film online, and you’ll not be disappointed in our legacy.

Main Street in Hanover is still quite recognizable, although several signs and banners have changed through the years. Molly’s Restaurant played host to Mark Bankoff, Dudley Kay, Tom Cronin, Greg Lau, Arthur Fergenson, Mark Willets, and those of us marching in the bonfire parade. We ate very well at Homecoming.

Julian Reeves writes on the passing of his dear friend, musician Thomas Parker: “Tommy was my best man…and taught me to appreciate the blues.” Greg and Nancy Lau attended the memorial service for classmate Michael Neal in Indianapolis, and they share similar memories of good times and lasting friendship. In this connection, Peter Elias spearheads our new initiative, the ’69Cares Network, a program to provide support to classmates at times of loss or crisis, including families of departed classmates. Peter, Allen Denison, and Tex Talmadge invite other ’69s to volunteer, so let us know if you’re interested.

Jay “Yogi” Glaser returned for Homecoming as promised, joining Jim Staros, Norm Jacobs, Rick Willets, and the Saturday morning crew at Heorot (Chi Phi). Getting the tent erected was a team effort well supervised by Bill Stableford and Randy Wallich. Paul Tuhus, always the gracious host and guide, joined Henry Allen and John Leavitt as we gathered for the class meeting in Thornton Hall. Paul does heavy lifting on our class gift, the renovation of the DOC House. We made it to the game and later to Rockefeller Hall for a dinner brimming with memories, reflections, and lots of laughs. Paul Tuhus and Dona Heller spoke fondly of connecting with the class of 2019, bridging generations with wisdom, humor, and love.

A half century has passed, and if you’ve not come back to campus or connected with classmates, give some thought to making the pilgrimage and getting in touch. This anniversary year generated many new friendships and rekindled many longtime connections.

—John “Tex” Talmadge, 3949 Maple Ave, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75219; johntalmadgemd@gmail.com