Although Covid prevented us from gathering in Hanover for Homecoming, we enthusiastically celebrated this event virtually in a well-attended Zoom call on October 2. More than 50 classmates and spouses participated in an informative and entertaining discussion on College-related topics. Peter Pratt moderated the Zoom call and asked Sam Cuddeback to update us on important class projects, including the Native American program, Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth (SEAD), and the Rockefeller internship program. Sam introduced Sarah Palacios, Native American program director, who described the academic and professional support her organization provides for the College’s Native American students. Representing SEAD was Ashley Doolittle, associate director. Ashley noted the importance of academic and counseling assistance to Upper Valley high school students who aspire to be the first family members to attend college. Diana Alvarado ’22 eloquently spoke about her experience as a student advisor in the SEAD program. Finally, Sam cited the significant accomplishments of this year’s Rocky interns, Florida Huff ’21 and Annie Farrell ’21.

Peter noted our class’s generous support of Dartmouth athletics. One hundred seventy-five classmates contributed $175,000 to various teams.

David Aylward, 50th reunion book editor-in-chief, was pleased to report on increased classmate essay submissions from 80 to 170. David praised Mark Bellonby for his contributions to the reunion book’s design and Jim Rager for organizing a squad of captains who contacted classmates by phone and email for essay submissions. David also thanked Alice Reno Malone, our class detective, who has been indefatigable in tracking down missing female exchange students and lost men. He complimented Dan Clouse, our class bard and toastmaster, for his many literary contributions to our 50th reunion book.

Articles have also been submitted from former President Jim Wright, Jack DeGange, Dolly Carlin,and Flo Fowkes, members of the 1970 cheerleading squad. Jim Chasey, the great quarterback on our ’70 undefeated Ivy League champion and Lambert Trophy-winning football team, reminisced about coach Bob Blackman, a.k.a. “Bullet.” Coach Blackman’s practices were detailed and highly organized. He was infamous for scheduling five-minute water breaks that lasted in reality for a shorter period. Jim recounted that during one brief water break, Bobby Schnabel blew an air horn to signal the official end of a five-minute water break that interrupted Coach Blackman’s discussion. Fortunately, Coach Blackman found the loud interruption amusing.

Barry Brink, our all-Ivy defensive lineman, praised the defensive team coaching staff led by Jake Crouthamel. How good was the ’70 team defense? During the first three games against Holy Cross, Brown, and Harvard, each opponent was limited to 14 points. In the remaining games vs. Yale, Columbia, Cornell, and Penn, Dartmouth’s defense shut them out. Incredible. Susan Gavle, Darrell Gavle’s widow, recounted how proud her husband was to play on an Ivy League football team. Bob Cordy also provided amusing football team anecdotes.

Honor our 50th reunion by contributing to class dues and the Dartmouth College Fund. See the expanded column at 1971.dartmouth.org with much more class news.

—Bob Lider, 9225 Veneto Place, Naples, FL 34113; liderbob@yahoo.com