Inauguration 2007

Pat Moran (now deceased):

G'day mates,

Good on ya!  This edition of the '52 column is coming from halfway around the world, namely New Zealand.  This is a wonderful corner of the world.  The people are genuinely open, friendly, a little innocent.  Away from the cities, New Zealnd is caught in a time warp.  They dress in a 1960s‑'70s mode, listen to our '60s‑'70s music, and it is reported that in order to quell a riot on the North Island, a Barry Manilow tape was played.  Seriously, when DAZ and I were on the South Island, Glenn Campbell was touring.  Where did I put those plaid pants?  All in all, our five weeks in NZ were memorable, with wonderful people met, breath‑taking scenery seen, and world‑class golf courses played.

Christmas' 06 brought in many e‑mails and seasonal cards.  Thank you all.  Betsey and Mayo Snyder (deceased) sent their annual classy picture card and revealed that Mayo is "tripping the light fantastic" with two new knees.  Mary Jo Johnston, widow of Jim Johnston, sent along Christmas greetings and said she is getting along with her life with the help of family and friends.  Norm "Mr. Lehigh" Merksamer (deceased) said he's still working part‑time on Wall Street at age 76.

In early November (2006) I received a number of email photos of a group of happy and good‑looking "seasoned citizens."  The location was the lovely South Carolina home of Sarah and Harry Stowers (deceased) on Hilton Head Island.  In attendance were Scottie Malcolm (deceased) with wife Lura, Bob McCann (deceased) with wife Ann, and Ed Leidheiser (deceased)  with Mary Lou.  Sue Ann and Ralph  Fortney, who also have a place on Hilton Head, joined this group for dinner. The conversation got around to the classmates’ prowess many years ago in varsity baseball and basketball.  All agreed they were awesome jocks.  Today they are awesome bocce ball players, fortified with copious adult beverages.  Some things never change!  Editor's note:  Harry Stowers died August 12, 2007 right after this news article was published)

Letters from two of my favorite friends found me early in the new year‑Randy Zehner (deceased) and John Kerr (deceased).  Rand passed along information of our current Class of 1952 scholarship recipient, and John wished season's greetings and told me about a book called Big Games, College Football's Greatest Rivalries by Michael Bradley.  The Lehigh / Lafayette traditional rivalry is prominently mentioned in the book.

 Deceased

•   John M. Mertz Jr

•   Edwin S Moler, Jr

Pat Moran (now deceased)

Revised:  May 07, 2023