As we write we are headed to break another record of the coldest February 20 since 1950. Maybe 1888, too. Frankly we would rather not break that record unless it is in reverse, as in hottest.


Some time ago we invited classmates to reflect on experiences that stood out most about their four years at Dartmouth. This column features Warren Carlson, who was one of our editors of Dartmouth at War.


“Reading the Sunday paper I noted that the comic strip Orphan Annie first appeared in 1924. I always looked forward to the funnies, and Annie was one of my favorites, along with Moon Mullins, Smitty, Harold Teen and Gasoline Alley, to mention a few. I had my own Sandy, an Irish terrier-Airedale, and when I was about 4 years old, inspired by Annie, we ran away from home once for all of a half hour.


“Today I have a Pekingese, called Peaches, who gets me out for a walk each morning that lasts close to an hour. At the age of 94 I consider that one of the blessings life has given me, and when I look back through the years I have had many.


“For the opportunity to go to Dartmouth I owe a lot to my parents as well as to Bulkeley School, headmaster Homer K. Underwood and the Dartmouth grads who interviewed me.


“As for my college experience, the classes at Sanborn with professor Sidney Cox stand out, along with The Dartmouth and the fellowship with, among others, Jim Farley, Mike de Sherbinin, Proc Page, Alex Fanelli, Jerry Tallmer, Ed Rasmussen and Joe Palamountain, who later became president of Skidmore College. (I can also thank The Dartmouth for starting me on a new athletic career when I volunteered to take the position of catcher in the annual softball game with the Jack-O-Lantern.)


“I was fortunate in having been able to work on newspapers for almost half a century, including a great one, the New York Herald Tribune (albeit my job there as copyboy added little to its fame).


“Finally, the greatest blessing of all, my wife, Marge, who was my first love, partner and support for close to 65 years. Although she has passed away she is still, and always will be, my inspiration.”


I have the sad duty report the following losses: Richard Ensor and Charles Weinberg.


—Leo F. Caproni Jr., 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York City, New York 10021; (212) 988-6012; (212) 988-6715 (fax); caproni@aol.com