Class Note 1970
Issue
March-April 2021
At this writing the Christmas holidays are in the past and a new year with a bright and healthy horizon for all of us is, I hope, here. By the time this column hits your mailbox, the Covid vaccines should be filtering down to the general populace, including old folks like us. We still have no indication of a reunion in 2021. Plans for a variety of alternatives are in the works. Until travel and mingling freely with large groups becomes possible, most plans will center on virtual or regional events.
Peter Logan organized a follow up to June’s Foley House 1970 virtual mini-reunion with the addition of seven members of the class of 1971 in November. Everyone had a great time, with topics from the present to the past and future and thoughts from the personal to the political. The 15 participants included three exchange women. The ’70s were Peter Logan, Tom Reddy, Louise Weeks Thorndike, Rick Kenney, Rick Sprague, Donald Hess, George LeMaistre Jr., and Peter Kardon. The ’71s were David Aylward, Bruce Barker, Randy Pherson, Rick Bates, Floran Fowkes, Paul Velleman, and Judith Dern. The bonds with the College and each other were reinvigorated and remain strong.
Bill Darter posted a lengthy annual update on our 1970 Facebook page in December. A very brief synopsis provided here. At the end of 2020 he can thankfully say that the Darter-Dobles clan in Virginia is all healthy. Grandchildren are managing remote learning and an effective vaccine is in distribution. As with many of us, plans for the 50th reunion, 50th anniversary, and trips were canceled or postponed. However, a January 2020 trip to Costa Rica did start as planned and included a side trip to Ecuador and Galapagos along with visits to three of Vera’s sisters. The group saw giant tortoises on the Darwin Research Station, where they are being raised in a population recovery effort. The biggest surprise flying into Galapagos archipelago was that Baltra, the island where the airport is located, is a complete desert. Bill celebrated his birthday during the trip. Coming back to the United States from Costa Rica was ugly. Bill had reservations for early April, as usual. Then in March things turned bad, with mask wearing and social distancing everywhere. Despite very difficult travel arrangements, they wound up flying out from Costa Rica first class. In lieu of a planned family reunion, Bill and Vera were given a four-day stay in a beautiful cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains near the Skyline Drive, Virginia. They toured the Luray Cavern and also followed the Shenandoah River from Luray to Front Royal, Virginia, Bill’s birthplace. This year was their first virtual Thanksgiving, and like most firsts, there were hiccups. Depending on how the pandemic goes, Bill thought a virtual Christmas was likely. Bill wishes health and wisdom to do the right thing to stay healthy.
Stay healthy and don’t forget to write your lonely class secretary.
—Gary Miller, 7 E Hill Road, Canton, CT 06019; garettmiller@mac.com
Peter Logan organized a follow up to June’s Foley House 1970 virtual mini-reunion with the addition of seven members of the class of 1971 in November. Everyone had a great time, with topics from the present to the past and future and thoughts from the personal to the political. The 15 participants included three exchange women. The ’70s were Peter Logan, Tom Reddy, Louise Weeks Thorndike, Rick Kenney, Rick Sprague, Donald Hess, George LeMaistre Jr., and Peter Kardon. The ’71s were David Aylward, Bruce Barker, Randy Pherson, Rick Bates, Floran Fowkes, Paul Velleman, and Judith Dern. The bonds with the College and each other were reinvigorated and remain strong.
Bill Darter posted a lengthy annual update on our 1970 Facebook page in December. A very brief synopsis provided here. At the end of 2020 he can thankfully say that the Darter-Dobles clan in Virginia is all healthy. Grandchildren are managing remote learning and an effective vaccine is in distribution. As with many of us, plans for the 50th reunion, 50th anniversary, and trips were canceled or postponed. However, a January 2020 trip to Costa Rica did start as planned and included a side trip to Ecuador and Galapagos along with visits to three of Vera’s sisters. The group saw giant tortoises on the Darwin Research Station, where they are being raised in a population recovery effort. The biggest surprise flying into Galapagos archipelago was that Baltra, the island where the airport is located, is a complete desert. Bill celebrated his birthday during the trip. Coming back to the United States from Costa Rica was ugly. Bill had reservations for early April, as usual. Then in March things turned bad, with mask wearing and social distancing everywhere. Despite very difficult travel arrangements, they wound up flying out from Costa Rica first class. In lieu of a planned family reunion, Bill and Vera were given a four-day stay in a beautiful cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains near the Skyline Drive, Virginia. They toured the Luray Cavern and also followed the Shenandoah River from Luray to Front Royal, Virginia, Bill’s birthplace. This year was their first virtual Thanksgiving, and like most firsts, there were hiccups. Depending on how the pandemic goes, Bill thought a virtual Christmas was likely. Bill wishes health and wisdom to do the right thing to stay healthy.
Stay healthy and don’t forget to write your lonely class secretary.
—Gary Miller, 7 E Hill Road, Canton, CT 06019; garettmiller@mac.com