Thanks for taking a look at the story of "Our 50th Reunion" as told through the preceeding
collection of photographs taken by classmates. For a complete listing of all those who so generously provided these
photographs, go to the "50th Reunion Committee" screen found in the line-up at the very top of this page. If
you have any comments, suggestions, or reactions, you can send e-mail to us at crow@vt.edu ...and remember to send us your pictures of the 50th Reunion to H. Bruce Downey, 970 Magnolia Lane, Christiansburg, VA 24073
and we'll publish them right here at the "Our 50th Reunion" website.
The 'least changed' and still the 'biggest kid in the class' ...
back home from the reunion and relaxing with a friend (April)---see stories about 'least changed' and 'biggest
kid in the class' which can all be found at 'Eavesdropping.'
A few words of introduction are in order regarding the musical selection you are
now listening to. At our house we have a finished walk-out basement where a completely restored antique piano sets in
our sitting room. Built in 1905, this piano is the 95th piano ever made by Jacob Doll (nee Dahl) & Sons of New York
City. My wife, Nancy (Radcliffe, '56), is an accomplished pianist, having taken piano lessons from the time she was
but a little girl through her senior year at Arlington High School in Arlington, MA. Nancy never got to play "last"
at any of his or her teacher's recitals--but she consistently played "next-to-last." One of
the pieces Nancy still plays for me is the same piece your are now listening to---a special piano arrangement of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" --- performed for
us here by an unknown artist --- one of "the greatest hits of 1721 !" Whoever
is playing here must have always played "last" at his or her recitals. And by comparison,
Nancy's version may still be "next-to-last"---but then I've never been able to tell the difference
between 'the best there is' and 'the next-to-best' at anything--- can
you ?
And I leave you with just this one final thought. You know, for
me, sitting quietly and listening to music this good...well, you could describe it as 'poetry in motion' or
like looking at really good art, except that, as with all music, you have only a moment to enjoy it...and then, before you realize
it...it's gone. So enjoy the music you hear here and everywhere, as often as you can, and while
you still can. Music is a gift...from an artist...to you.
...H. Bruce Downey, York '52 --- November, 2002 --- working
on 'Raisins and Almonds---A Civil War Story' --- at the end of Magnolia Lane in Christiansburg, VA************
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