Class Note 1975
Issue
November-December 2020
I write this upon my return from an evacuation in the face of Hurricane Laura. Thankfully, it was a non-event for Galveston Island, Texas. Unfortunately, it was quite devastating for the Louisiana coast, where many homes and businesses were destroyed. Eliza and I dutifully boarded up our windows, powered down the refrigerator, and bugged out to our daughter’s home in Oklahoma.
The class connection is still strong, as I received a couple of incredibly warm invitations to ride out the storm from Jeff Barndt and Bill Meili.Jeff lives in Houston and he and I have connected on the golf course as well as for a drink or more on occasion. Bill lives in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and has been a regular communicator on many subjects. This includes family, politics, college, organized sports, and anything else that pops into the mind at the time. Suffice to say I am very grateful for these two invitations and am regularly reminded by these gentlemen and other classmates just how strong the bonds of 45 years really are. I also had a brief exchange with Blake Winchell, who was headed out for a couple of weeks of down time with his family. The first week is likely to include some shenanigans with Jim Bildner on the high seas.
Just prior to the unplanned evacuation I was able to participate in a Dartmouth Club of Houston Zoom meeting organized by Andy Edison ’91 and “T.” Byrd ’73, known to some as Tyrone Byrd. This very interesting gathering of Dartmouth alums from across the classes focused on the current state of affairs of policing in Houston. T. Byrd was able to convince the Houston chief of police, Art Acevedo, to speak with us directly about his views and to take a number of questions. Fascinating stuff, and I did spot L. Scott Magelssen among the crowd. We did not have the chance to catch up on this call, but it is a reminder to me to reach out to as many people as possible.
The video gathering also provided a stark reminder of the many challenges we are all facing in 2020 and the seemingly gray clouds hanging over us. It is easy to slip into a negative funk, but I am also reminded daily of the good works that many people, including many classmates, are doing to keep the economy humming, keep people fed and in good health, and advance the cause of equal access to all of the benefits our country has to offer. I would welcome hearing directly from you what you are doing to stay gainfully occupied, to help your neighbor or to simply stay sane. Send me a note.
Vox clamantis in Tejas.
—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com
The class connection is still strong, as I received a couple of incredibly warm invitations to ride out the storm from Jeff Barndt and Bill Meili.Jeff lives in Houston and he and I have connected on the golf course as well as for a drink or more on occasion. Bill lives in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and has been a regular communicator on many subjects. This includes family, politics, college, organized sports, and anything else that pops into the mind at the time. Suffice to say I am very grateful for these two invitations and am regularly reminded by these gentlemen and other classmates just how strong the bonds of 45 years really are. I also had a brief exchange with Blake Winchell, who was headed out for a couple of weeks of down time with his family. The first week is likely to include some shenanigans with Jim Bildner on the high seas.
Just prior to the unplanned evacuation I was able to participate in a Dartmouth Club of Houston Zoom meeting organized by Andy Edison ’91 and “T.” Byrd ’73, known to some as Tyrone Byrd. This very interesting gathering of Dartmouth alums from across the classes focused on the current state of affairs of policing in Houston. T. Byrd was able to convince the Houston chief of police, Art Acevedo, to speak with us directly about his views and to take a number of questions. Fascinating stuff, and I did spot L. Scott Magelssen among the crowd. We did not have the chance to catch up on this call, but it is a reminder to me to reach out to as many people as possible.
The video gathering also provided a stark reminder of the many challenges we are all facing in 2020 and the seemingly gray clouds hanging over us. It is easy to slip into a negative funk, but I am also reminded daily of the good works that many people, including many classmates, are doing to keep the economy humming, keep people fed and in good health, and advance the cause of equal access to all of the benefits our country has to offer. I would welcome hearing directly from you what you are doing to stay gainfully occupied, to help your neighbor or to simply stay sane. Send me a note.
Vox clamantis in Tejas.
—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com