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40 | John Van Aken, DVM '50, writes of his wife's passing in early 1992. He is a retired veterinarian with a regional assignment to Northeast Ohio for USDAAPHIS- CVS. His granddaughter is studying instrumental and vocal music at Wells College in Aurora. John Weiner still works with the homeless in Westchester. A local Bridge Fund helps to prevent homelessness by loaning money to applicants about to be evicted from their homes. He helped his wife Lynne write a book, Freud Through Lehrman's Lens, which was published in Germany in spring '04. It concentrates on 1928-29 and the events in psychoanalysis in Vienna, Berlin, Paris, London, and Budapest. John has special interest in a young grandson who he hopes will develop an interest in the game of tennis. He'll be 3 in May. Have patience, John!

Thressa Campbell Stadtman, MS '42, lives in Derwood,MD, and has recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Carl and Ruth Buffum Schoenacker (Waterloo, NY) attended the World War II Memorial dedication with son Terry and grandson, also Terry (age 10). This included the opening at Washington National Cathedral. "Great seats; great experience." Ruth was looking forward to getting together with her college roommate. Lawrence Cook, M Ed '51 (Binghamton, NY) stays involved in some church activities, and has been traveling. "I returned to Almont, CO, last September for about the 12th time. I was at Lowry Field in Denver in 1945 for B-29 transition training, and it's now an apartment complex and shopping mall! Grandson James is a senior this year at Binghamton U., only ten miles away."

Doris Van Alstyne Peller's favorite mode of travel appears to be by ship. She cruised South America from Valparaiso, Chile, around the Horn to Rio de Janeiro in 1998, and flew over Antarctica in 2004. "Cruised Alaska again, this time with all nine family members, except my daughter's husband who is in the Army in Afghanistan."A cruise with a Cornell group took her to the Danube River. Doris, now retired, was a home economics teacher at Valparaiso U. in Indiana for ten years. She's still very active in church work in Valparaiso and with sororities promoting education, art, and helping the underprivileged. Besides travel, she enjoys reading, bridge, and gardening.

Enid McKinney Cruse died in August '00. You may be interested in her history. She entered the New York State Hospital School of Nursing, gaining Registered Nurse status. She earned a master's in nursing from St. John's U. in Jamaica, and served as an Army nurse from 1942 to 1970, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Our class president Bob Schuyler has had a hospital stay. He is back home and feeling better. His wife Evelyn has had heart surgery and is also back home and fine.

Carolin Medl Schwarz has been living in a retirement home called Heath Village in Hackettstown, NJ, since the death of her husband in April '98. She is well but struggling with memory problems. If Carolin has found good help for this, I hope she can tell the rest of us working with this difficulty. Carolin has taken a one-week Caribbean cruise with her daughter Susan and also a bus trip to Chesapeake Bay for four days last May. Her son Roy remarried last August, and his daughter Emilie '03 attended Cornell. She was accepted for a two-month ecology internship in Hawaii last year.

Earle Billington (Penfield, NY) lists driving horses, flower gardens, and church as his current interests. He also talks regularly with his Cornellian sons and grandson: Glenn '65, David '72, and Mark '86. Henry Rose of Bay Head, NJ, writes this on his news form: "No changes except for the usual."Next time, Henry, please send me some news. That's all for now. I'm often hindered by dizziness, so if anyone would like to write a future column, please let me know any time.-- Carol Clark Petrie, Box 8, Hartford, NY 12838; tel., (518) 632-5237.

41 | Gretchen Fonda Gagnon of Cohoes, NY, is still feeling very well and able to get around to see and do a lot of things. Her third great-grandchild was born in Nov. '03 and lives nearby, so she gets to help spoil him. Her granddaughters live next door to her old homestead and have two large chocolate Labs. Jean Way Schoonover of New York City wrote a lovely, long account of her recent vacation trip to Switzerland and Tuscany with her sister's family in April '04. They did everything anyone is urged to do in those countries, plus every day they had a car and a driver to take them around Tuscany to see the scenery and eat at great restaurants.

Barbara Sandy Beachley of Potomac, MD, died in April 2004.We learned of this from her daughter Jean Redwine. Janet Wilbor Warner and husband Lyle had a busy winter in early 2004. Lyle broke his hip in late November, and in March Janet broke her wrist. Their only travel has been to visit their son in Indianapolis. Thankfully, they have a daughter living nearby who helps them.

Charlotte Adelman Kotzen (Sarasota, FL) loves living in the Sarasota Bay Club for older people. She volunteers in a theater camp, preparing developmentally disabled young adults to act and produce shows. Kathleen Spellman McLaurin, MD '44, has sold her home in Cincinnati and moved to Raleigh, NC, where three of her five children live. Ann Wallace McKendry (Lacey,WA) is still enjoying life at Panorama, a continuing care retirement community next door to Olympia,WA. She is busy with a writers' group, volunteering at a wildlife refuge, and participating in Cornell's Lab of Ornithology Feeder Watch Program. She also loves visits from her grandson Daniel.

In early October '04, Betty Turverey Cornish of Ithaca gave a talk at Kendal about her 42 years as a stockbroker. It was well received. Martha Cross Durfee, MS '61, was honored posthumously at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca for the living legacy called the "Durfee Tutoring Project" she and husband Art '40 set up in 1996. This project has spread to other churches and organizations with up to 30 tutors a year working in various schools. --Dorothy Talbert Wiggans, 415 Savage Farm Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850; tel., (607) 266-7629; e-mail, flower@localnet.com.

Here's some more good '41 Men's news. Eddie Burgess Bartholomew, Chuck Lake, and Bob Brunet report that our class has raised $1.3 million as of the last fiscal year--a super amount from a class of 80-plus-year-old survivors. Also, the Frank J. "Doc" Kavanagh Head Athletics Trainer/Physical Therapist Endowment Fund showed a balance of $999,902. Class chairmen of this fund were the late Walt Matuszak and the very present Lou Conti.

This scribe belongs to a lunch group that meets once a month. A new member, John Gridley '44, BA '47, has moved to Richmond. John practiced law in Buffalo, NY, and had great respect for our classmate Judge John Elfvin.

Just as I was concerned about lack of news to fill our space, Lou Conti did what more of you must do--he sent news. Lou writes, "In October, I had a short weekend in Toledo for a reunion of my WWII photo squadron.We had a great time, but decided to call it quits. One of the fellows from Kansas insisted on coming, although he was in bad shape. His wife got him there and home, and he died happy the next week. So it goes.Magnificent Americans!"

Lou continues: "I then went to Antigua for the yearly get-together of our Sigma Pi brothers.My former roommate Pete Mathers had lost his wife. Then on to Ithaca for the Dartmouth game,Hall of Fame Weekend, and an update on the Schoellkopf renovation. Finally, I went to Dallas to visit our son's family.My grandson wanted me there for Veterans Day. The fourth and fifth grades did a great job.We should have no fear about their patriotism and high regard for our flag.Wish all schools had the same attitude." -- Ralph Antell, Beaufort Towers, 7015 Carnation St., Apt. 408, Richmond, VA 23225-5233.

42 | A news update from Pres. Liz Schlamm Eddy, who is still singing in her church choir and is a member of the SAC (Sutton Area Community) neighborhood civic association. She and George and Barbara Crohurst Howell (our class Cornell Fund reps, who also commented on what fun it was to meet longtime friends and the deans of the various colleges) attended the Cornell Board of Trustees annual meeting in Ithaca. They also met with the '42 Memorial Scholarship recipients Lynn Feeley '06 and Katie O'Regan '08. Lynn, a fine runner, recently won the Adirondack Marathon, and Katie is on the Cornell track team. She came to the reception dressed as an angel for Halloween. Liz is high on her praise for both students. She also tells us that two new buildings were dedicated on campus: the Alice Cook House, an upperclass dorm on West Campus just below Baker, and Duffield Hall at the end of East Ave. She loved being back on campus.

Dick Thomas (Meadville, PA; roseyT@zoominternet.net) is enjoying retirement from 37 years as a judge. He is proud that a 73-year-old non-reader has gone from 2nd grade level to 7th under his tutelage. He and Rosey enjoyed a Caribbean cruise, and he continues to play golf, though his handicap has gone from 6 to 15 in the last two years. "Something about the aging process," he says. Gen. Myron "Mike" Lewis, JD '47 (E. Rochester, NY) is still practicing law. He recently traveled to Washington, DC, Hilton Head, SC, and Savannah, GA, to attend a WWII reunion. He and Marcia welcomed a new granddaughter. Richard Hanson (Corvallis, OR; rhanson@ proaxis.com) likes tying flies for trout, salmon, and steelhead fishing and participates in fly-tying at the Expo of Fly Fishing Federation. He's a volunteer on the "salmon watch" and is an active streamside advocate for shading streams with salmon and trout. He and Aileen boast six children, 14 grands, and six great-grands.

Ken Hubbard complains about the number of unfamiliar names in the columns. If you know Ken, do write to me or to him (P.O. Box 213, Fort Myers, FL 33902) so he feels a nostalgic connection to Cornell. Herman Jones (Leesburg, FL; hjones3656@aol.com) has felt this connection, as he is happily ensconced in the Lake Port Square retirement community, close to his son in Windermere.Wife Jean (Copeland) passed away in 2002. "Along with many new friends and activities, I have become very friendly with a couple of fellow Cornellians, John Borst '41 and his wife Lucille (Heise). It's great to claim and extend our mutual Cornell spirit."He recently traveled to Holland and Germany. He does digital camera and computer photo work and still loves square- and ballroom dancing.

Geraldine Backus Berg (Eden, NY) and her husband celebrated their 60th anniversary with their three children, nine grands, and five great-granddaughters, who live scattered across the country. Edward, PhD '57, and Cynthia Sampson (Killingworth, CT; ESampson1@comcast.net) cruised to the Adriatic Sea. Ed plays chess and enjoys music, especially opera and ballet. Peter and Babe Corson (Wellington, FL) are also wedded 60 years. He writes to tell Will Templeton (Oceanside, CA) that he is "among the living and recovering from a broken hip."He retired from real estate in Palm Springs and successfully weathered the hurricanes.

Bob and Dorothy Laben (Davis, CA) visited their home farm in Darien Center, CT. Bob received the Award of Distinction from the College of Agriculture and Environment Science at UC Davis. He's taking computer training and doing woodworking. Bob is also teaching conservation and outdoor safety for the Dept. of Fish & Game and is active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.He and Dorothy are busy hauling food for the Volunteers Coalition Against Hunger. They boast four children and six grandchildren. Bob (Robert H.) Wright (Whitewater,WI) has won show ribbons for his watercolor paintings and plays lots of golf (shooting in the 80s) after recovering from a two-and-a-half-year bout with cancer. He has gained weight and has a new lease on life. He sends his regrets about the passing of fraternity brother Ed Holub. He writes that both his grands are having too good a time to get married!

Marie Call Wells (Lockport, NY) volunteers with hospice,Meals on Wheels, Royce Crisis, and 4-H committees and is coordinator of the Senior Center Program. She enjoys 15 grandchildren and seven great-grands.My neighbor Art Foster (Bellevue,WA; dogpaw@earthlink.net) has a new great-grandchild to go with the ten grands. The new baby lives in Hawaii, where one of his ten grandchildren has gotten a job in a hospital. Art and Fay have lived in Hawaii but like Washington better as it is nearer to more of their family.

Thanks for keeping in touch with me . . . and use all those e-mail addresses. Be sure to print your e-mail address carefully. And don't forget to visit our class website, http://classof42.alumni.cornell.edu. Pres. Liz updates it regularly.-- Carolyn Evans Finneran, 8815 46th St. NW, Gig Harbor,WA 98335; tel., (253) 265-6618; e-mail, ceefinn@juno.com.

43 | Some four years ago, you will remember, architect W. McNeill "Mac" and wife Marguerite Moore Baker '45 together received the Rhodes Award for exemplary service to Cornell. Once again they're guilty of loyalty beyond the call. This time for donating to Cornell perhaps the largest single gift yet by members of '43-45: a parcel of now highly valuable Madison Valley, MT (640 acres), bought 100 years ago--less costly then--by Mac's country doctor father. In addition to lifetime income, the Bakers can look forward to the University's eternal thanks.

In October Mary Louise (Snellenburg) '45 and I toured the Hotel school's stunning new Beck Center. A curtain of windows showcases an atrium balcony named by Brad Rosenstein '83.What's '83 doing in '43's notes? Turns out Brad is the son of our own Arnie Rosenstein, whom he followed as proprietor of Jack's Oyster House, longtime favorite of the Albany power elite.Which brings us full circle to the dramatic third-floor Beck space yclept--deep breath--Jack's Oyster House Atrium Balcony. The original Jack, the son of Russian immigrants, sold newspapers, and in 1913, having saved $400 by age 20, opened his famous eatery. And now, 91 years later, thanks to Brad, we have this handsome balcony. $400 savings will get what today? "Oysters for the house! Make them Kumomotos!" Or as Dan Quayle would have it…

Doris Fenton Klockner (Chester, CT, and Jensen Beach, FL) reports: "Our condominium in Florida survived hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, although our pools were full of sand, and our social room and office were under several feet of water! Last summer we had a great time together with June Gilbert Klitgord, Caroline Norfleet Church, and Betty Call Kingsley at my home in Connecticut.We usually do some sightseeing, but most of the time is filled with conversations to catch up. Great fun! This year we missed seeing Jean Hammersmith Wright, who has moved to Shelburne, VT."

"Reunion was great," writes RayWard (Waverly, NY). "One wag remarked that the cost of attending equaled the cost of a year's tuition in our day. By metamorphosis, I've evolved from author into publisher of histories, with magical effect on my own writing starting to surface. Recent exposure includes Google's newest program, ‘Google Print,' where book excerpts can be read. Other Cornell authors take note." Ray describes how he got a lump in his throat upon learning that the blind in veterans hospitals, with much appreciation, are being read his Air Force saga, Those Brave Crews. Retired co-founder Fuzzy Raffel (Miami, FL) was recently honored on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Arby's? [RBs? Roast Beef? Hmmm. Let's go with Raffel Brothers.]

Nancy Loving (U. of Colorado DVM), daughter of Bea Swick Ornitz (Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Aspen, CO), was chosen to select the horses that ran in the world championship performance races in the U.A.E. in January. Bea and Martin '42, alas, lost their daughter Barbara '67 to ovarian cancer in September 2002. She also writes that they went to the Galapagos Islands last September with their grandson Zachary. "It is a wondrous place everyone should see." Ed Clarke (Darien, CT), writes, "I'm legally blind, but I still volunteer at a community organization that provides--for those who strive for self-sufficiency--food, clothing, furniture, and such services as college scholarships, summer camp, and counseling. I'm also still on the board of the Darien Land Trust. I no longer golf, ski, or sail, but I can still make things happen!" Bob Clement (Lynchburg, VA) fires these bullets: "Sept. 30, 2004 marked my 84th orbit of the sun [he figures that's 584 million celestial miles give or take]. Jan (Sutherland) '46 and I enjoyed our 60th anniversary on Jan. 1, 2004 and agreed: we did it right the first time! With 22 grandchildren, four greats, and 44 years in Virginia's Blue Ridge, we have been truly blessed. Best to all!"

Aline Snyder Raisler (New York, NY) writes: "Granddaughter Jaime Winkelman '03 graduated cum laude in Arts and Sciences and is planning to attend law school." Her other granddaughters live in Hong Kong and New York City. "I love golf, do volunteer work in Palm Beach, and am a ‘Guardian ad Litem.' [Google tells us, as Aline didn't, that a Guardian ad Litem is a trained volunteer appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child.] Every February I attend the Cornell Investment Committee meeting in Jupiter. Hope to be in Ithaca for our 65th Reunion." [And Mars for the CIC?]

William N. Taylor sends the following: "I retired after working for 40 years for Esso and Mobil Oil, living in New Jersey for 30-plus years and overseas (Australia and New Zealand) for seven. Shortly thereafter, Adelaide (my second wife) and I moved to Williamsport, PA, where she grew up. It is a relatively small town, but has lots of activity. We still get around to see our eight children (four each), our 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.We are thankful for the fortunate and blessed outcome of our lives, and hope to enjoy this happy life for a few more years."

Constant e-mail buddy Edy Newman Weinberger asks, "Do you really need news from me, Miller?"Yep. I do. And two other guys.Minimum.-- S.Miller Harris, P.O. Box 164, Spinnerstown, PA 18968; e-mail, millerharris@netcarrier.com.

44 | Across the country, from California to New Jersey, classmates are settling into retirement communities (continuing care) and reporting with delight about the good life. Dick, BA '43, and Ruth Leonard Claassen, third-year residents in a Santa Rosa, CA, retirement community, mentioned the variety of activities including chairing a successful annual fundraiser. Their three months' work on a white elephant sale netted $3,000. They celebrated with a trip to Vancouver. New residents are friends Rodgers Broomhead '45 and wife Nancy. In Glendale, AZ, Barbara Van Slyke Anderson and Doug are happily ensconced in a life-care community near two of their children. In Tempe, AZ, Ruth Caplan Brunton and Bob describe life in Friendship Village as a perpetual cruise or a continuing Elderhostel with outside activities at nearby Arizona State U. and a community college.

Moving east we find Barbara Cross Naylor and husband in Shellpoint Retirement Community in Ft.Myers, FL, on the fourth floor overlooking Sanibel Island. They have boat slips, golf, tennis, and orchid-growing classes. Four hurricanes passed them by. In Penny Farms, FL, Marjory Underwood Marker and husband moved into assisted living at Penny Retirement Community. They report, "North Florida got by without too much damage from hurricanes." Sherman Burling and wife now reside in Stone Mountain, GA. Alex Cadman and Pat (Smith) '46 are in a retirement home in Allison Park, PA. Alex takes care of Pat, who has had several small strokes. Robert Ready recently moved into St. Francis Residential Community in Denville, NJ. He claims 11 grandchildren living in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Colorado.

Some of us worked hard and retired early. Others are still working. CharlesWeiss writes from Boca Raton, FL, summarizing a 40-year career.He developed three supermarkets, 14 appliance and television stores, and four large-sized furniture stores. It took about ten years to develop and finance all these. "After 40 years I retired and sold out." Mitchell Zavon says he's semi-retired in Sarasota, FL, but continues consulting work in occupational health after 55 years in that specialty. He plays tennis and "the civic betterment game with Common Cause." Carol Brach Hyman, MD '47, is still in medical practice/teaching in Beverly Hills, CA, but not quite full time. She has traveled to the Galapagos and Sicily/Italy with daughters and grandchildren. Ralph Clemments, MD '46, continues a psychiatric practice in Westwood, NJ. "Got to make a living!" Gilbert Smith, MD '47, writes, "Have a great wife of ten years--what a difference! Extended family of seven children, six grands all doing well. Still playing urologist at San Francisco General Hospital. Life is good!" Elaine Smith Feiden continues her rare book business in Mamaronek, NY, but no longer exhibits at Antiquarian Booksellers of America fairs. She has four grandchildren in college, but no Cornellians.

Retirement announcements: Russell Marron after 55 years in the legal profession. Louis Shor, DVM '53, writes, "After retiring from full-time vet activity I served as a veterinary consultant to industry, but am now fully retired." Sigmund Hoffman, MFS '48, says, "After 18 years representing Bell Aromatics, a division of Bell Flavors and Fragrances, I retired June 20, but will continue to represent West Grand, a manufacturer of caffeine."

Thomas Eschweiler, BArch '50, describes a centennial celebration in August at their country place on Cornell Lake 30 miles west of Milwaukee,WI, involving nearly 100 people. He claims two daughters and four grandchildren. "One daughter got her Christmas wish--a bobcat with huge tree-terminator jaws in front and two pairs of catcher arms for stacking or loading the trees. Father will find it very useful." Tom and Dabi are healthy and very active. Taylor Keller reports a very busy summer after enjoying our great 60th Reunion. They had a two-month parade of family and friends at their Eden on the shores of Canandaigua Lake. People came from halfway around the world. Marie Buenning Cramer missed Reunion because of a family reunion at a grandson's wedding at Leavenworth Army Base. Twenty-six of 32 children, grands, and great-grands were present. Gretchen Eichorn Facq and John, after three years of promises, finally spent three great and fattening weeks in France with family and friends in and near Paris and the Basque Country. Her sister-in-law lives in Bayonne. Gretchen plays cello in a no-audition community orchestra (which once had 12 flutes). She also paints, plays bridge, and is a member of Circle Francais, a group of international women.

Eleanor Johnson Morse says she's happy and doing as little as possible. She thinks whoever labeled these the "golden years"must have been no more than 12 years old. However, she feels lucky with a husband of 59 years, good health, three loving children nearby, and six grands. "How lucky can you get?" says she.

Bob Gallagher also feels lucky. He returned to his home in Winnetka, IL, from salmon fishing in Alaska with 87 and a half pounds of cleaned frozen goodies! --Nancy Torlinski Rundell, 20540 Falcons Landing Circle, #4404, Sterling, VA 20165.

45 | Last October, on the 24th, the date of my 1944 diploma, I sent a message to some of our classmates asking if they remembered where they were 60 years previous. I was surprised by the number who were not graduated on that day.My memory is going the way of other things! O. Thomas Buffalow (San Mateo, CA) and I were reminiscing about it, and Tom at first thought he was in Sookeratang, Assam Province, India, but later sent a correction: "Herb Doan and I enlisted in the Air Corps the same day, went down to Binghamton together to take our physicals, and were called to active duty within two weeks. That was April 30, 1943. On further reflection I was in Dergaon, Assam Province, India, 60 years ago; I was in Sookeratang 59 years ago."

We can continue that discussion at Reunion, which Tom will attend. Such stuff is good ammunition for bull sessions at Hurlburt House in June. Use it before you lose it! Our reunion co-bosses Stanley Johnson (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) and Gloria Urban (Maspeth, NY) have been laboring hard and have come up with a superb schedule of goodies, including a Thursday start and new events, so this will be the best reunion ever. Things cost more now than last time, but the class treasury will kick in a subsidy so that the charge to participate will not even cover all expenses. Take advantage of a bargain!

I will expend the extra effort (and it is one) to get to the Hill one more time, and you should do the same, as will Bernard Mayrsohn (Purchase, NY). Barney and wife Ethel (Handelman) '46 look forward to seeing President Jeffrey Lehman '77, Ag college dean Susan Henry, and the other distinguished Cornellians who attended the March 2003 groundbreaking of a new research center on the Arava Desert border of Israel and Jordan, as reported in the May/June 2004 Cornell Alumni Magazine. This "Bridging the Rift" program is a project of Cornell, Stanford, and the two governments. The Mayrsohns were pleased to be invited to attend and continue their travels. Last year Barney, a veteran of the 106th Infantry Division, hosted a dinner at a restaurant at One Red Square,Moscow, to thank the members of the Russian Army units that liberated him and his fellow Stalag IV-B POWs on April 30, 1945. It's an interesting story and Barney has a sheaf of photos and other information that you will enjoy looking over at Hurlburt House. He would like to organize a tennis tournament during reunion. Any takers?

At last report, Carolyn Worcester VanDecar (Royal Oak, MI) was undecided as to her attendance, but as she and hubby Phil travel regularly to Eglin AFB, FL, to see their son and his wife, both USAF doctors, and keep active in the Meals on Wheels program, we trust that they can muster up the energy for an Ithaca voyage. One who will not be attending is our grouchy but loyal classmate Dr. Richard Weishaar, MD '52 (Machipongo, VA), who almost ended all contacts when the medical school name was changed, but realized that by doing so he wouldn't receive the magazine and be reminded of how grateful he is for having attended in the "good old days," not now. Bud says that such thoughts are probably not correct these days.

From Delmar, NY (not a long drive to Ithaca), John '43 and Ann Buchholz Alden report having celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a wonderful party last July attended by their six children and spouses; first time all had been together in ten years. They also spent some time in Poland on an enjoyable and educational Elderhostel. James Carley, PhD '51 (Tucson, AZ) is active in the local Cornell Alumni Association, says he's having fun, and is willing to talk up reunion to his fellow Arizonans. Jim continues with his teaching at two colleges and keeps busy with their three daughters, two sons, and three grandsons. Alma Morton Blazic (Cincinnati, OH) is still doing her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society, having lost her daughter to cancer. She didn't send too much news, but plans to be at reunion, when we can all catch up.

James '44, BS '43, and Phyllis Avery Olin (Charlottesville, VA) are enjoying life in their retirement community and attend all kinds of grandchildren's graduations in lieu of vacations. Phyl is also enjoying playing with a two-piano partner. They aren't positive yet about attending reunion, but hope to. Jean Hall Dinsmore (Morristown, NJ) must have been happy with the election results, as she is Morris County Republican State Committeewoman. Jean took a Panama Canal trip and attended the Cornell graduation of grandson James Dinsmore '04; she should be ready for another visit to the Hill.We hope so.

Elizabeth Lind Everett (Pittsburgh, PA) is ready; she's active in the Cornell Club of Ponte Vedra, FL, and by the time of reunion may have moved there permanently. Unfortunately, Priscilla Okie Alexander, MA '48 (New Haven, CT) won't be able to attend; she's housebound with two canes. Happily, her daughter (Yale '79) is nearby. It's certainly a short run to Ithaca from Cortland, where Adelaide Kennedy Underwood is still holding forth, mixed up in all kinds of activities, particularly Cornell ones. She is working on her former roommates to have a grand get-together in June. -- Prentice Cushing Jr., 713 Fleet Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23454; tel., (757) 716-2400; e-mail, Cushcu45@wmconnet.com.

46 | It's 5:30 a.m. on December 8 and my husband Phil '47,MEE '48 is at the hospital for an operation. To soothe my nerves, I'm writing about my beloved Cornell.

The women of '46 are the greatest class. I got over a dozen notes recently. After almost 60 years, you still keep in touch--WOW! I love you.

I even got a copy of the Cornell Bulletin dated June 23, 1944 (slightly yellowed--I had difficulty opening the pages without shreds of brittle paper all over) from Hilda Spodheim Debacker (Charleston, SC). Here's a summary. There was a page of old photos: frosh waiting in line to register at Barton Hall (remember?); the BDMOH contest (Best Dressed Man on the Hill); the 1942 Waiter's Derby; Touchdown IV, last of the Canadian black bears, who was the mascot for the 1939 victorious football team; and water scenes of the Arts Quad (however, the snow covered Ezra and Andy's footsteps). Inside was the 1944 June graduating list--I even remember some people. Did you know: tickets to the Senior Prom cost only $1.50 and it ran from 10-2:30 (guess you had to sign out for a late night). There were ads for Lounsberry Flowers (Dick Lounsberry '37, JD '40), plus food ads--Cozy Corner, Cayuga Dog House, the Smorgasbord, Lakeview Dairies, the University Smoke Shop, and Triangle Book Shop (Cornell jewelry and songbooks)--perhaps you shopped at some of these. I learned that Cornell led the nation's colleges in the number of US Armed Forces personnel assigned to campus--3,399 trainees in fall 1943. I recognized some '46ers: Charles Hansen and Calvin Brown were chosen as editor-in-chief and business manager of the Cornell Engineer, and Seth Heartfield as secretary treasurer. A Chem E named Howard Samuely '45 was awarded the Luana L.Messenger Memorial Prize.Horror of horrors:Willard Straight Memorial Room was opened to women as a social center! What memories this paper brought of times on the Hill and our youth. Thanks, Hilda, for sharing. Anyone else for some memories for future columns?

The five daughters of Nancy Matthews Harvey (Middletown, CT) said that their mother has been suffering from dementia and can't participate in many things. They wrote, "She was very proud of her affiliation with Cornell. All of us went to one of her nursing reunions when we were in our teens."They also sent one last donation in her name to our scholarship fund. Thank you so much.

Iris Smith Morris (Floral Park, NY) and Elizabeth Stuart Wells (Cleveland Heights, OH) updated us on their e-mail addresses. -- Elinor Baier Kennedy, 9 Reading Dr., Apt. 302,Wernersville, PA 19565; tel., (610) 927-8777.

James and Joyce Mapes (Colorado Springs, CO; themapes@adelphia.net) have been living in Colorado Springs for 20 years. Jim entered Cornell with the Class of 1944 with intentions of pursuing fruit farming. His professors, however, urged him to consider going into research. Like so many of us, his schooling was war-interrupted. Jim served three years in the Army and celebrated VE Day in France. He finished in the Ag college in 1946, with the benefit of credits from ASTP at Princeton. Then he continued for a year at Cornell to earn the equivalent of a BA in Physics.His career, as his professors had suggested, included research in the laboratories of Texaco, IBM, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Picatinny Arsenal. After his first retirement, he worked in the physics dept. of the U. of Colorado, retiring in 1990. Joyce and Jim keep active with her breeding business, Ushuaia Golden Retrievers. Jim sings in the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs. It was the featured US choir at the 1999 International Church Music Festival in Bern, Switzerland. Joyce and Jim's two sons James and Donald, and one granddaughter, live in the Denver area.

R. Fitz Randolph (Vero Beach, FL; fitzrnd@aol.com) reports that he is coping well since wife Jackie died three years ago. He still spends summers on Orrs Island, ME. His winter quarters are in Vero Beach, where he successfully dodged the fall 2004 hurricanes. He and his lady friend frequently see fellow dodgers Paul and Kathy Russell, who live about ten miles south on North Hutchinson Island. Reunion-wise, Fitz plans to attend our 60th in '06.

Sheldon, MD '49, and Ruth Bayless Kravitz, BA '54 (Baltimore,MD) are again extolling the virtues of the golden years. It's been ten years since Shelly gave up his medical practice. They enjoy their winters in Key Biscayne, FL, where they are still very active in golf, duplicate bridge, and music-making. They enjoy even more their 14 grandchildren, two of whom are in college. One will shortly be married. They are particularly thrilled when some of those grandchildren trek from the Northeast to holiday with them in Key Biscayne. Shelly and Ruth see Sallye Josephs Esterson, Sewell, BS '45, and Ginny Garfink Shuger, BA '45, and Rod Stieff when they are in the Baltimore area. They are planning on taking in their 60th in '06. Your correspondent and Lois are planning on being part of their foursome at the reunion golf tourney.

TO PUBLISH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, e-mail it to me. Include your name and city and state of residence. Send news to: -- Paul Levine, 31 Chicory Lane, San Carlos, CA 94070; tel., (650) 592-5273; e-mail, PBL22@cornell.edu. Class website, http://classof46.alumni.cornell.edu.

47 | I'm writing this on the first day of the New Year for you to read at the beginning of spring. I hope your winter was easy, and that spring is blooming bright and beautiful.

Last October, many classmates gathered on campus during Council Weekend and joined Muriel "Mike" Welch Brown to see the Hotel school dedicate the Richard W. Brown classroom in honor of Mike's late husband Dick '49. Our class president Pete Schwarz and his wife Elaine (Drobner) reported they saw Martha Rausch Ohaus, Margie Schiavone Berens,William and Margaret Newell Mitchell, John and Helen Allmuth Ayer, Ray, PhD '56, and Vera Hakanson Fox, and Jerome '49, MBA '50, and Enid Levine Alpern. Mike writes that she has moved to a smaller home in Williamsburg, VA.

As you are reading this in spring, you are about to receive a mailing from the class soliciting class dues and asking for your news. Please send in your news! There's not much left in the mailbag, and most of what follows is somewhat dated, so I apologize for any errors.

Joan Dall Patton wrote to say that she and husband Edward had seen several classmates over the last year and a half. She saw Jack Fountain and his wife Maureen in New York City, and Joan's brother Jes Dall '43 and his wife Clare in Old Greenwich, CT. Joan also sees her former roommate June Johnson Reynolds and her husband Hugh, as well as Don '46, MArch '49, and Peggy Tallman Pierce '46. Joan and Ed's son Tom is chairman of the art dept. at California State U., Chico, and only two years ago gave Joan and Ed their first grandchild. Daughter Gail manages a tennis club in Medford, OR, and coaches the women's tennis team at Southern Oregon U.

Barlow Ware wrote to tell me of the death of Jim Bennett in November. Adrina Casparian Kayaian writes from Queens that she met Muriel "Mickey" Sheer Kaplan '46, who did a bust of Frank Rhodes. Adrina and her husband were given a cruise to Europe for their 50th wedding anniversary. (Hint to my children!) Allison Dewey Crittenden wrote to say that she had seen Richard Tousey last year in Florida and cruised the Caribbean for a week with Harland '49 and Jane Handforth Kester '48. Allison didn't report on her children, but did mention 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill Davies wrote that he is recovering slowly from the loss of his wife after 56 years of "blissful" marriage. He calls it a bitter change in life. You have our deepest sympathies, Bill. John Leahy, DVM '47, MS '49, writes that his wife, too, has died.He has lived in the Cooperstown/Oneonta/Otego area since 1949 and has six children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He feels fortunate that they all live not too far away. John is also quite interested in the early history of the area. In addition, he has a couple of unique hobbies: clock repair and antique chair repair. John says he occasionally sees Drs. Ken, DVM '48, and JaneWhallon Benson, DVM '47, and Dr.Matt Kemen, MS '68, and his wife Beth, and would be glad to hear from other classmates.

Sanford, MD '51, and Beatrice Strauss Reiss have been retired for several years and took a trip to Sicily a few years back. Betty Miller Francis wrote in her Christmas card that she is well, still volunteering, still walking her dog, and still taking European river cruises. Last year's was on the Danube and the Black Sea; this summer's cruise will be to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Because of the dearth of news, I am using this space to share some of my memories of our time on campus. Our time was unique, with so many men dressed in different government-issued apparel, some marching to class in column, going "Hut, hut" and living under strict rules. Remember the winter of '44, when we had to go to 8:00 classes in the dark because we were still in daylight savings time? Do you remember the soot on the Lehigh Valley train, going to class on Thanksgiving Day, and having only Christmas Day off? It was the time of the Battle of the Bulge, and its pall extended all the way to Ithaca. Surely you, too, have your memories. I'd like it if you would share those with the rest of us. It was a time different from any other, I would guess, and an important part of our history, and Cornell's as well.

That's the end of the news I have. If you don't send me some information, one of these columns will be the equivalent of one of those post-modern symphonies, with 15 minutes of silence! My thanks to my son Roger '78, who is serving as scribe for this column. I'd have been in real trouble without his help and the help of my daughter Beth '80.

From your class president, Pete Schwarz: Arlie won't tell you, but I will. She is one of this year's winners of the Frank H. T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award, given for extraordinary service to Cornell.We look forward to celebrating with Arlie at the Rhodes Award recognition dinner October 14, during Homecoming Weekend. Send news to -- Arlie Williamson Anderson, 238 Dorchester Rd., Rochester, NY 14610; or e-mail, arlie47@aol.com.

48 | Jane Handforth Kester,West Valley, NY: "Busy with offspring, church, and community service. Cruises with daughter, family, and Harold and Allison Dewey Crittenden, both '47. Just returned from church dinner and homemade pie auction. Husband Harland '49 is on oxygen and I'm on bad knees.We keep going, adjust, and make the best of it--had our 57th anniversary last year.Wish we could get to the bottom of the world's problem with ‘hate.' Solution is education and open minds. Kudos for the many-pronged educational approach to saving the Louisiana marshes." Mary Ann Grammer Byers, Orchard Park, NY: "I ride/drive horses, and ran the New York State Horse Council program. I plan to play bridge and travel to Poland. I'm busy with gardening, but wish I were sailing. I'm hoping my grandson becomes a Marine from the Naval Academy. The meaning of life is to love, to worship God, to be honest and true."

Martha Smith Sowell, Thousand Oaks, CA: "I keep busy with exercise classes, rummy-tile, reading, swimming.Moved to Thousand Oaks from Palos Verdes Estates in February 2004. Took children and grandchildren on a Hawaii cruise and revisited favorite memory spots. Also visited Norton Simon Museum, Autry Museum of the West, and Reagan Memorial. The biggest problems for me are inflammatory vasculitis and computer glitches.World's problem is lack of communication. Prayer helps. Recently discovered how helpful concerned people are when they know you're ill.We need to do the best we can to help others.We miss our ocean view dream home in Palos Verdes Estates, but are now near one of our daughters, who is wonderful getting us settled and taking us to MDs, labs, hospital, etc. I'm studying ‘Rules of the Road' in preparation to resume driving."

When Lynn Ellis, Clearwater, FL, wrote, she had been tracking hurricanes Bonnie, Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. "Too much! Ninth grandchild arrived in 2004. Wish we had a ‘mute' button for over-hype on the radio." Abe Relyea, Alamosa, CO: "Play golf, fish, read.Had a trip to Flathead Lake in Montana.We need population control. Education is the solution. Life is love and kindness." Frank Slovak, Los Angeles, CA: "The world's problem today is people who forgot Pearl Harbor and attempt to negotiate with the bad guys."

Richard Peelle, Corning, NY: "Still consulting for Corning Inc. and having a ball. Still building clocks. Three weddings in New Orleans, Nags Head, and Ithaca (Sage Chapel!). I visited my sister in Ames, IA, and am going to see my daughter in Tampa." Tom Baker, Clinton, TN: "Retired ten years now. Fifteen grandkids keep me busy (writing checks!). Eldest grandchild flies USAF cargo jets in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Lillian Soelle Austin, Chapel Hill, NC: "I'm still recovering from our 50th anniversary party in 2003. Recent trips were to Portugal, a Cornell Adult University (CAU) week last July with two grandsons, husband Ted's Miami U. reunion in June, and Savage River Lodge in Frostburg,MD, where son-in-law is executive chef. The world's problem is fear and aggression. Solution: faith and action." Fred Edmunds,Wilsonville, OR: "I was happy to note in the Sep/Oct Alumni Magazine that Cornell Plantations celebrated its 60th anniversary. After a stint in the Army I returned to Cornell and ran the maintenance crew at the Plantations from 1946 to 1949. Part of the job was mowing 250 acres with scythes where the terrain was too steep or intricate to be mowed by equipment. Each summer I trained eight apprentices how to swing a scythe in an eight-foot swath leaving a perfect window.Most had never seen one, but persevered--and that on a $9,000 budget."

Barbara Borden Floyd, Cherry Hill, NJ:"Husband Bill '49 is deceased. I tutor math and science for local high school. Other activities: bridge, travel, choir, theatre, sports fan for Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, Red Sox, and Lawrenceville High School champion wrestler Chris Floyd, son of Howard Floyd '81. Took Grand Circle, Prague to Black Sea. It was beautiful, except for bullet holes in Slovenia. I missed a Kappa Alpha alumni meeting and wound up president. It's like musical chairs. If you miss a meeting, you're it! We do a cookie swap, Christmas baskets, and lunch reservations.My most pressing problem is keeping the house up. Solution is to wear a blindfold.World's problem is anger. Life means being as kind as you can to as many people as you can, including yourself. Note: the Black Sea is not black."

Gerry Haviland, Brunswick, ME: "I am set up to do repairs on antique clocks--keeps me posted on the passage of time.My most pressing problem today is keeping the body moving per directions from the brain.Would rather be playing tennis." Art Behrer, New Bern, NC: "Golf, lawn care, duplicate bridge, paying bills.Would rather be sport fishing in Alaska or golfing at Pebble Beach. Had total knee replacement in left knee last year. Not good as new, but better than previous painful messed up joint. Can walk and play golf."

Gerald Starr, Old Westbury, NY: "Semi-retired but busier than ever, judging by the untouched papers and mail on my desk. Would rather be planting lettuce. I garden at Old Westbury and Westhampton Beach. A home we're building in Palm Beach Gardens will be ready in May.We celebrated Ronda's 60th at Mohonk in New Paltz--hiking, riding, golf. Still reflecting on our trip around the world (one month) on an accompanying jet from the Himalayas to Africa and every incredible stop enroute. A taste of the rest of the world. Unfortunately, we were never anywhere long enough to learn much about the inhabitants. Problem is finding time for everything available. Solution: get up earlier. Solution to world's problem: have Iraqis run their own country after HONEST election and the US troops leave. Fight terrorism on other soils. Have recently discovered that old friends are more important to me. Life means procreation, vocation, vacation, donation, and kindness to others." -- Bob Persons, 102 Reid Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050; tel. and fax, (516) 767-1776.

49 | We are still trying to sort out the old, old mail and decode your handwriting. Of course, some of the problem is ours. As I write in December, the weather has turned grim and it is snowing. The "locals" of our other town in Vermont are predicting a tough winter based on the wooly bears and moose feeding habits. Don't smirk. They are never wrong.We send you greetings for the New Year and we hope our Florida folks are back to normal/a calm life after their "blows."We read the Daily Sun on the Web every day and the Ithaca weather seems to be just as we remember it. It should not surprise you that in the top ten visitor song requests for the chimesmasters to play last year were "Hey Jude,""Piano Man," "Ode To Joy," "Canon," and "Here Comes The Sun."

Recently, on campus, there was a program entitled, "Face To Face--The USAAF Revisited." Five panelists, all WWII veterans, spoke of their wartime experiences. Our former class prexy Jack Krieger (Ithaca, NY) told about the specific plane he flew, the B-26. Among the various nicknames for the aircraft, "the widow-maker," "the flying coffin," and "a tisket, a tasket, a double-engine casket" were some that he said accurately described the morbid aura around it. No wonder he survived times in the DKE house!

Peggy Ann Jack Drake (Somerville, NJ) reports that her granddaughter Allison Hayford is now a member of the Class of '08 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the fourth generation of her family to attend Cornell and lives in Balch, where her mother and grandmother resided as well. OK. Here comes another KAPPA!

Peeking at the mail, we find most of the cards are newsless, which leaves us speechless. This you may prefer.However, our mind started to wander. Aided by a local "wag," we started thinking about the odd manner that we discuss our body parts, and how so many are linked to a certain term or verb. For example: one will gnash one's teeth but never anything else that comes to mind. And when is the last time you gritted anything but your teeth? You purse your lips, but nothing else. You lend an ear, but nothing else except a hand.We stand with arms akimbo but no one has been caught akimboing anything else. Flexing is for muscles. Do we shrug anything other than our shoulders? We do lots of things with a flick of the wrist but what else do we flick? We can nod our heads but little else. Try rolling something other than your eyes or twiddling anything but your thumbs. Pointing your finger is done, but it is not nice.We admit we have been known to belly up to the bar with a frog in our throat.

Take all of this with the wink of an eye . . . the only thing we own that winks. Clap hands, not your feet. I'm out of here. Someone greased my palm! Either play the game or send news. Stay well. Stay happy. Be proud to be a '49er. -- Dick Keegan, 179 N.Maple Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830; tel., (203) 661-8584; e-mail, rjk27@cornell.edu.

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