DUKE FIFTIES GROUP MEETS IN BALTIMORE
Once again, the Fifties Group (at least the 45, plus the Beta Sweethearts who attended) is recovering from another great meeting. This was the eighth reunion of men who were Betas at Duke during the 1950s, along with a few other Duke Betas who have joined the group since that time. Renaissance Harborplace in downtown Baltimore was the headquarters hotel; Mitzi and Jim Wilkerson ’56 were hosts for the weekend of September 1518, 2005. Highlights included a great dinner at Chiapparellis in Little Italy on Friday evening and Event host Jim Wilkerson, Duke ’56. a boat cruise on the waters of Baltimore Harbor on Sunday. The Harbor Cruise was ably narrated for those on the upper deck by Baltimore native Don Stegner ’55, who worked on many of the Harbor projects. The major event was the Loving Cup Dinner on Saturday night. Chuck Kuebler ’59 took a major step forward in the race for “Permanent Song Leader” of the Fifties Group by presenting it with a silver Loving Cup engraved with the locations and dates of all eight meetings, all of which he and his wife have attended. Bill Graham ’56 accepted the Cup on behalf of the Group, and Duke Betas George Whyte ’58, Warren of particularly the past hosts. Hagen ’57 and Chuck Kuebler ’59.
The lack of familiarity with a formal three-handled Loving Cup was obvious in Baltimore: each Beta present had a different interpretation as to how it was to be properly passed, a task made more even difficult given the necessity that one had to simultaneously try to read the lyrics following what comes after, “Oh start the Loving Cup around, nor pass a brother by, We all drink from the same canteen in Beta Theta Pi.” Thus, at the next reunion — along with larger print songbooks — the official directions as to how to pass the Loving Cup will be distributed. The Fifties Group has met previously in Winston-Salem (1976 & 1986), Durham (1989), Ft. Lauderdale (1994), Santa Fe (1998), Carmel (2001) and Paris (2003). With the exception of Judy Derrick, all the former hosts were able to attend this most recent event, and thereby know and appreciate the great effort that Mitzi and Jim Wilkerson put into making Dick Burton, Duke ’58 and his Baltimore ’05 a huge success. wife Nancy. Getting 45 Betas to show up at one time and place is no small achievement — especially since many were first time attendees. The Fifties Group will meet next (May 3-7, 2007) in Savannah with Dottie and Tom Lowe ’57 as hosts. They welcome your suggestions, thoughts, etc., as to how to make the ninth reunion the best and biggest ever. Contact them at 912-598-7862 or tlowe55019@aol.com. — Bill Graham, Duke ’56
Beta Alumni Widerness Retreat
A 5-day experience in the Colorado Rockies • August 23-27, 2006
During this intensive retreat with Beta men, you will be challenged to: • identify and clarify your deepest vision and purpose in life • get honest about your career and relationship struggles • utilize challenge and feedback to break through your façades and live more authentically • experience deeper connection and support in a community of trusted men • discover and share who you really are as a man
“Jayson’s trips have been our most popular, selling out year after year within days of becoming available. He is a skillful guide who creates and delivers memorable outdoor experiences for Beta brothers.” — Stephen Becker, Administrative Secretary
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The Beta Theta Pi
Register now: $695 After May 31: $895 Deadline: July 1, 2006 To reserve your spot, go to innernature.org (trip limited to first 16 men who register) $150 non-refundable deposit required Trip led by Jayson Gaddis, Reuvain Bacal, Ray Brejcha and Dan Riggan.