Trapp Family Lodge was the site of our mini-reunion June 19-22 for 25 classmates, wives, widows, and guests: M.J. and Bruce Alexander, Jane and Don Charbonnier, Jane and David Conlan, John Dinan and Joni O’Donnell, Iris and Bob Fanger, Carole and John French, Karen and Mike Gorton, Marta and Buck Kuttner, Kathy and Ken Lundstrom, Leon Martel, Joe Mathewson, Ralph Sautter and Carole Cacciamani, Jill Hastings, Betty Brady, and Lou Hance. Special thanks go to Betty and Lou for the outstanding arrangements. Most of us know the von Trapp story, but Johannes, the youngest, class of ’63, added details when he joined us for the evening meal the first night. He had an interesting story of his “gap years” in New Guinea, where his sisters were teaching. While there, he decided on Dartmouth, which led to a series of letters back and forth to the admissions office that went from rejection, then to apply later, to “Okay, you can come now.” Son Sam ’94 visited with us at our class meeting Wednesday morning.

Thursday night we feasted on Austrian favorites and cold lager from the brewery at the Bierhall. Another highlight was John French’s D-Day talk before dinner. John and Carole have visited Normandy several times, and their recollections and photos added depth and understanding to his presentation. His recommended reference: The Guns of Last Light by Rick Atkinson. Carole cited The Jersey Brothers by Sally Mott Freeman, a tale of three brothers who attended Annapolis and their agony and triumph and devotion to each other against the Japanese in WW II.

The new Stonington, Connecticut, boathouse for crew and recreational rowing has been named for Hart Perry. Don Charbonnier is active in the fundraising activities.

Dick Mount completed his tennis odyssey—featured in The Boston Globe—of 17,400 miles to play a set in each of the state capitols of the lower 48 to raise funds for youth tennis.

Next mini: Homecoming, October 26-27.

Sadly we report the passing of Don Aronson, Bruce Bergquist, Jack Cogswell, Earl Fain, John Fitzgerald, and William Gavitt.

—John Dinan, 20 Gardiner St., Richmond, ME 04357; (207) 252-7442; captdinan@yahoo.com