I believe that it is always interesting to read about our alumni and the long standing friendships that regularly develop as an essential part of the Webb experience. The class of 1955 is one of the more outstanding tightly-knit groups of the Webb family. Stimulated by their 50th reunion, the class decided to capture the pleasure of each other’s company again with a 52nd reunion, hosted by Rick and Pat Thorpe in Maine. The warmth among these fine “young men” is clearly evident in this compendium of reflections on their 52nd. Perhaps it will serve as an inspiration to other classes that are either approaching their ports of destination or that just simply enjoy each others’ company.

My “American Heritage” dictionary defines “Camelot” as “A place or time of idealized beauty, peacefulness, and enlightenment.” In both the play and the movie entitled Camelot, the theme song reminds everyone that “it only rains at night” in Camelot. And so it was with daytime temperatures of 80?-85? °F, for those of us who had the joy to experience the subject magical time at the THORPE’s Harborfields hideaway which so generously was made available to us by Patricia and Rick (at a $175.00 sub-bargain rate just to cover the cost of food and refreshments provided by Patricia and Rick as well as maid services at the end of the visit, and a modest $100.00 petty cash contribution per couple for some additional condiments and refreshments).

On Sunday evening Patricia and Rick hosted a “welcome onboard” reception in their quarters, serving cocktails and other refreshments with delicious lobster rolls which were enjoyed by:

• Mark and Shirley
• Ulrich
• Horton and Dolly
• Justin and Sally
• Ron and Lori
• Reuben and Emily
• Rick and Patricia
• Charlie and Roberta, and
• Bob

Those who could not attend were:

• Dick and Beatriz (traveling in China)
• Jim and Ruth (who did join the group on Wednesday evening after being continuously at the side of their daughter who had been injured in an accident)
• Halsey (in Europe)
• Ken and Betty (just back from an extended trip to Penn State to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary)
• Al (always with us in his heart)

Everyone enjoyed seeing each other again convinced that the idea Ulrich put forth at our 50th reunion, to not wait another five (5) years to get together was a good idea. We also shared stories about going “around and around” on Maine Route 27 trying to find Harborfields. Charlie and Roberta actually stopped a police car to ask for help, and after the policeman started to offer directions he just looked at Charlie and said: “Just follow me” – which Charlie did!

Horton did not admit to having any problem with Route 27. He simple said that he had no trouble finding Harborfields because Dolly is the “very best navigator” there is!

Not surprisingly, Ron had the simplest and best way to avoid getting lost on Route 27: “Just follow the double yellow lines on the road”! Ah that “Rohahder” – none other like him!

Monday Captain Rick treated us to tours of the harbor in his magnificent 44 foot yacht PATRICIAN, with Horton and Reub busy as Captain Rick’s crew, and with Patricia assisting to manage the sails from the cabin using an upscale “clamps and winch” multi-colored line control system. Captain Rick tasked Mark and Justin to take turns at the wheel.

Patricia arranged a wonderful “no host” supper at a local restaurant on Monday evening.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Captain Rick again was providing yachting tours of the harbor; and other tours by car were made by some to a nearby shipyard, botanical gardens, local shops, a light house, etc.

During Tuesday afternoon, Captain Rick and other helping hands went shopping for lobsters and under Patricia’s guidance two (2) large tables were arranged in “The Lodge” – complete with newspapers as the table covers to get everyone ready for a Lobsterfest! Meanwhile, Ron and Lori with some help from Roberta shucked some wonderful ears of corn which Patricia had carefully selected and purchased, to be consumed with the lobsters.

While awaiting for “Chef” Rick to prepare the lobsters many others assembled on the porch of “The Lodge” where Lori and Sally passed around some tasty hors d’oeuvres they had bought to go with “byob” cocktails, while easy and light hearted conversations were enjoyed by all – especially several trying to recall if they still were in touch with early school or neighborhood friends. In that regard, Reuben was the “hands-down” winner as Emily reported he continues to see his female classmate from their two (2) student kindergarten class in a one (1) room schoolhouse in Mexico. Huh???

All soon thereafter were comfortably seated and enjoyed the delicious Lobsterfest meal.

Then, courtesy of Roberta, Patricia and Rick were in for a happy surprise as Roberta entered the dining room with a carrot cake she had baked in New Jersey, iced in the kitchen of “The Lodge”, and adorned with ten (10) candles all lit to celebrate the tenth (10th) Wedding Anniversary (that very day) of Patricia and Rick. All sang “Happy Anniversary” to them and followed it with a “Happy Birthday” to Rick, who was celebrating his 74th birthday at the same time.

The cake was served to all with ice cream that Roberta had “secretly purchased” that afternoon along with the candles.

While finishing dessert, Roberta put her cell phone on “speaker mode” and called our Class President, Al. It was delightful to hear his voice as the phone was passed around the table so that he could speak individually to his classmates around the table. Again the “hands-down” winner was Reuben who “reverted(?)” to his Mexican accent to speak with Al – who was not fooled for a moment!

Roberta then called Ken and gave the phone to Charlie. Betty answered and told Charlie that Ken had gone to bed and was asleep, to which Charlie promptly replied: “So, wake him up!” Betty did that and all at the table shouted greetings to Ken – after which Charlie told Ken he could go back to sleep knowing that his classmates missed Betty and him and wished he had been able to be with them.

An attempt was made, without success to reach Dave, and it was decided that any attempts to call Beatriz and Dick in China, or Halsey wherever in Europe would be “a stretch”. But by their readings of these “recollections” they will know that they were not forgotten.

Then it was time for some sweet nostalgia as Bob initiated reading the “Class History” from our Graduation Binnacle. That closed the evening with everyone smiling and feeling mellowed by “the love of all to all” at the table.

Wednesday was unstructured and everyone did various things while looking ahead to a special supper that evening which would be hosted by Emily at a local restaurant (arranged by Patricia) as a “come in costume” event. It was originally planned by Emily to be a surprise to Reuben to celebrate his 75th birthday. Well, it did not seem to be such a surprise to Reuben because Emily and he read a humorous dialogue about the evening set in poetry. However, Reuben did appear to be surprised that his sister was present as was his son, Charlie who piloted his private plane to get there. Reuben remarked that either he or son Charlie should be back home – not both away at the same time!

It was Patricia’s turn to be a “hands-down” winner, this time for “best costume”, although Ulrich’s beard and huge walking stick as well as Roberta’s flashy jacket and several “this and thats” worn by others (not to mention Charlie’s unmentionable headband complete with a unicorn horn, about which Reuben had a suggestive comment) also were noteworthy.

Following visiting with refreshments on the porch of the restaurant all took seats at a long table and enjoyed a wonderful “a la carte” meal. During the meal, a mini-choir assembled by Mark and Shirley with Roberta, Dolly, and Bob got ready to serenade Reuben in Spanish with what must have been a “Mexican Standard” – because the young Mexican waiter happily joined in, adding his robust voice to the group. He later told Charlie that his mother used to sing that song to him when he was a child.

After dessert it was time to let everyone who had anything to say about Reuben get in on his “roasting”. Stories included his frantic search in a dinghy in a harbor to find people on some nearby boat who would invite him onboard and “talk with him” – after having an extended sail with the “silent” Captain Rick!

And there was the story about Reuben falling out of a car he was driving with Clarence in the back seat. Clarence awoke when he felt the car swerve, saw that no one was driving, and grabbed the wheel to steer the car to safety – all while Reuben was running a fast as he could to try to catch up with the car!

Acting as the M.C., Charlie called upon Emily and Reuben himself, to add the final comments for the evening.

Since all would be leaving at various times on Thursday, goodbyes were exchanged at the restaurant with warmth and the certainty that it had been a very, very special reunion – and with bravos and kudos to Patricia and Rick.