As summer of 1962 approached, marking the end of our first year in Hanover, we had some time to relax. Green Key Weekend, perhaps the most enjoyable of the whole year, always seemed to have a musical bent. Many of us first heard now more meaningful words of “Try to Remember” in the Dartmouth Players’ production of The Fantastiks. Don Wendlandt served as musical director and Ron Tegtmeier was featured on drums in the small ensemble. The week before the Freshman Glee Club and the freshman chorus of Skidmore presented a concert in College Hall. And of course the finals of Interfraternity Hums, won by Alpha Theta with Sig Ep in second, took place on the steps of Dartmouth Hall.


Sports were also a big part of that weekend. Ken McGruther had a two-run home run to support Ted Friel’s shutout of Harvard’s freshmen and Marc Efron was a stand-out in goal-keeping our lacrosse team in its contest. Several members of our class had excelled in athletics and were honored by being elected captain of their teams: The baseball team chose catcher Dick Horton; golf, Bill Oberlink; heavyweight crew, Bo Anderson; the lightweight crew, which had been ranked fourth nationally after the ECAC regatta, selected Bryce Harbaugh; lacrosse picked Rick Monahon; the 5-2 tennis team designated Tucky Mays; and the track team named quarter-miler Dennis Bekemeyer.


All was not “fun and games.” There were portents of trouble to come. In a little noted article on May 15 The Dartmouth reported that the United States had sent Marines, accompanied by ships of the 7th Fleet, “to put teeth into President Kennedy’s pledge to defend Thailand against the communist threat from Laos.”


President Kim recently honored Mike Mascari for his lifetime of work with developmentally challenged individuals by presenting him with the Lester B. Granger ’18 Award, given annually to Dartmouth alumni who have exhibited leadership and innovation while meeting community needs and benefiting an underserved population. Mike served in VISTA, the N.Y.C. Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services and the New York States Office of Mental Retardation. Then he was instrumental in creating a community-based system of support for persons with disabilities who formerly lived in state institutions. Under his leadership Nassau for Association for the Help of Retarded Children grew into one of the largest and most successful service agencies in New York. Mike plans to continue serving as executive director for the foreseeable future. More power to him.


It’s not too late! The ’65s are gathering for a mini-reunion in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, from May 3 through May 5. The dogwoods and azaleas should be near their peak. In addition to Williamsburg’s display of Revolutionary-era life, nearby Jamestown and Yorktown have world-class centers addressing the first permanent English settlement in America and the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. It will be a great chance to connect with old friends and make new ones. Contact Tucker Mays at tmays@optionline.net or (203) 222-1719.


Send me a note about what you have been doing—and please complete and return the questionnaire.


—Tom Long, 1056 Leigh Mill Road, Great Falls, VA 22066; (703) 759-4255; tomlong@erols.com