I enjoyed a very interesting evening last night, virtually spending it with the totally dysfunctional Eugene and Coppola O’Neill and his two sons. I owe that wonderful experience to a play by Lars Loren, the noted Swedish playwright. I read that play, And Give Us the Shadows, and another, Autumn and Winter, in a book by Marita Lindholm Gochman in which she accomplished the difficult and exacting translation from Swedish to English. Even more than that, her work involves the conveyance not only of all words but also the communication of the subtleties that Loren has expressed in Swedish to an American audience in English. Marita has worked with Loren for 30 years translating his works into English. And to top it off, when the play was produced, the lead actor became ill and our illustrious thespian Len Gochman stepped into the breach and proceeded, without any rehearsals or preparation as an understudy, to perform brilliantly. Bravo to both of you!


’Tis the season for our annual Christmas parties, and we did not disappoint. Thirty alumni, wives and widows came to the Yale Club in New York City to enjoy a lovely luncheon. President Al Collins welcomed us and Fred Whittemore delivered one of his poignant poems. Cathy Callendar, along with an assist from Bob Malin, arranged the luncheon. The writer is especially happy that the piano was arranged at no cost to the class. The successful team of Charlie Buchanan and Phil Beekman previewed the coming maxi-mini to be held in Philadelphia, the final details of which will be announced shortly. And at Murphy’s in Hanover 22 of our group convened to celebrate the season and to enjoy each other’s company. Many thanks to Bonnie and Dave Siegal for making the arrangements for this event.


In this happy time of the year we appreciate our good health and longevity as we mourn the loss of the following classmates: John L. Runyon, Hazen V. Hatch, William H. Barlow and Raymond S. Alexander. I offer the condolences of our class to their families at this time.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com