As a result of their enduring contribution to our class throughout the years, the class officers recently formed a spouses committee to assist the class officers and class executive committee in managing the affairs of the class in the decades to come. Nyla Arslanian, wife of Oscar Arslanian, was selected to be the first chair of this important committee. She is seeking spouses of other classmates, alive or deceased, who may want to join this committee and assist in the governance of the class. If interested, contact Nyla at nyla@discoverhollywood.com.


Another decision made recently by the class officers, led by Denny Denniston, class president, was to recognize the passing of each classmate since our 50th reunion with a contribution of $100 from the class treasury to the ongoing fund for the Class of ’61 Legacy for the Performing Arts at Dartmouth. In addition the class secretary, currently Vic Rich, henceforth will send out a condolence note to the family of all future deceased classmates.


Mike Murphy, who spearheaded the class’ initial effort several decades ago to commission, fund, acquire and deliver the now acclaimed Robert Frost statue to the College for installation on the campus, has agreed to spearhead the class’ current effort to renovate and improve the area surrounding the Frost statue, including the path leading up to the statue.


For those of you who read the lead article of the March/April edition of Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, A History of Dartmouth in 50 Objects, you noticed that its tie-in object to Robert Frost was a picture of and reference to his monogrammed suitcase. That struck me as rather odd, when an on-campus, life-size statue of Robert Frost would have been a more fitting object of tribute, especially since the statue was conceived, commissioned, paid for and donated to the College by an entire class, our class. Since the statue is visited daily by a diverse population, including students, faculty, administrators, prospective students and guests, it would appear that the statue would have been a more meaningful tribute to one of the country’s greatest poets. I sent a letter to the editor of DAM referring to the aforementioned.


Art Bloom recently had his book published, Edwin Booth: A Biography and Performance History. Purportedly it is the first full-length, scholarly biography of the most important American tragedian of the 19th century. In addition, the book will be a research tool for those interested in 19th-century American theater in general and in the performance history of Edwin Booth in particular. If interested, follow up with Art at arthurbloom1@verizon.net.


Hank Eberhardt, class co-head agent, reports that as of mid-April the class is doing well with respect to its Dartmouth College Fund contribution goal and its participation goal for the fiscal year ending June 30. I hope we will reach or exceed one or both class goals.


The class’ fall mini-reunion is scheduled for October 3-5, which will include the Dartmouth-Pennsylvania football game and a class dinner. Contact Maynard Wheeler, mini-reunion co-chair, at at mbwheeler61@gmail.com for further information or to sign up.


—Victor S. Rich, 5 Red Ground Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568; victor.rich@mcgladrey.com