As the big reunions began on June 5 in Hanover, 23 ’58s gathered for a mini-reunion luncheon at the Norwich Inn. New Englanders all, including a few wives, reports Frank Gould. They got the lowdown on energy security and U.S. foreign policy from professor Daryl Press. 


The geographic draw was wider on May 11 in Manhattan for Gersh Abraham’s induction to the Steve Mandel ’52 Society honoring super-fundraisers—including Ben McAdams and Pat from San Luis Obispo, California. A pleasant surprise: Harry Dodds and Barbara sat down with John Murphy and me at a back table as dinner began—honoring Gersh despite recent health issues. My guess is that 30 ’58s and wives showed up. 


More exotic by far was Coe Enbutso’s selection to the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for contributions to private high school education in Kyushu. “Sumiko and I attended the award ceremony May 14, followed by a group audience with the emperor at the imperial palace,” he wrote. “Official recognition by the national government makes me very happy.”


Gary Finerty was named Volunteer of the Year at Hanscomb Air Force Base near Waltham, Massachusetts, for his work serving the needs of 14,000 military retirees in seven states, reported Pete Olsen, adding that Gary’s 2008 renal surgery “was successful…he’s cancer free.”


Herb Swarzman received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Jewish National Fund dinner in Tampa, Florida. Our former president and head agent was honored for long service to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Florida-Israel Institute and the Tampa Jewish Federation. Larry Weltin, who’d arranged Herb’s blind date with future wife Joyce years ago, was there with his wife, Marty. 


Larry tells me that the words “The Journey Continues” in his great class logo came easily, even though “I was a ‘suit,’ not a creative type, in the agency business. For the design I coerced my old creative director Lu Kapuscinski, winner of several Clios, while Norm Sylvester and I had fun looking over his shoulder.” Quoting Frost, Larry added: “To me, ‘I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep’ has always said ‘the journey continues.’ ”


Joe Blake is continuing his journey as new chancellor of Colorado State University. Joe’s been CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce the past decade, after a career ranging from FBI agent to Colorado government posts. His latest job, says Joe, “is another opportunity to help a critically important organization grow and reshape itself for Colorado’s betterment.” 


Add this quote from John Jones’ 50th book reflections to his obituary (in this or a later issue): “For three years I have been a willing guinea pig for experimental clinical trials involving men with aggressive prostate cancer. Since there is no approved treatment I have moved on to doctors who think outside the box and have lasted twice as long as predicted by inside-the-box doctors, with a very high quality of life. I remain optimistic until proven otherwise.” John died May 31 in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 


—Steve Quickel, 65 Chapel Road, New Hope, PA 18938; squickel@dartmouth58.org