A weekend, cool and crisp, bathed in the brilliant sun of October, surrounded by leaves beginning to flash their vibrant colors; what could be better? Oh yes, a thrilling football game in which the good guys eventually defeated Yale in overtime to complete a perfect Homecoming Weekend. For the class of 1953 we enjoyed another productive class meeting at which we announced the completion and upcoming dedication of Put’s Path at the Mount Moosilauke Lodge. Present at the meeting in the ’53 Commons were Vivian and Richard Cahn, Harlan Fair, Dick Fleming, Marie and David Horlacher, Ron Lazar and friend Jane Lattes, Cynthia and Dick O’Connor, Donna Reilly, and Bobby and Mark Smoller. Making use of Ron Lazar’s expertise, classmates joined us virtually from their homes and participated using Zoom. In that group were Nathan Burkan,Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Joanne and Dave Halloran, Barbara and John Kennedy, Perry Free, Timmy and Gil Shapiro, Wade Sherwood, and Ann and Bob Simpson. We basked in the success of our Dartmouth Fund campaign this year, made possible by efforts of Philip Beekman, Richard O’Connor, Richard Blum, Richard Loewenthal, Frederick Stephens, John Avril, John Cernius, Thomas Duke, Carl England, William Friedman, David Halloran, Donald McMichael, George Sarner, Robert Simpson, Bernard Sudikoff, and Lowell Thomas, and discussed plans for a new and exciting project. To top it all off we enjoyed dinner at the fabulous ’53 Commons followed by an inspiring talk by professor Bruce Duthu ’80, chair of the Native American studies department. Describing his journey from the bayous of Louisiana to Dartmouth, Professor Duthu demonstrated a pathway by which Native students have taken advantage of opportunities and through hard work and adjustment to their new surroundings have succeeded in gaining the education and tools to assist their people. Professor Duthu patiently answered some difficult questions, explaining the emotions many Native students feel when they arrive on campus and how the Indian symbols have affected them. Once again, I sadly end this column with news of the demise of classmates, John Zimmermann and Harry Cherry. I offer the condolences of the class to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com