July 28, 2010: I'm not sure about this global warming business at all. In the '60's I recall many hot spells hitting 100 degrees. If fact, "Burg" Hackenburg ('62) was invited to meet some flight attendants at the Sheraton Hotel pool at LaGuardia back in '68. I went along; it was my job. That day it hit 104 degrees at the airport.

One summer I was on the BHS tractor mowing some side lawns on a recorded 100 degree day and removed my soaked shirt. Bryant (my Boss) stopped me: "Max, you have to put your shirt on; we are getting complaint calls." I like to think that women were fainting over my manly form. More then likely, it was my copious stature that was scaring the hell out of children. The crew would take our smoke brakes under the new sprinkler system, soaking our clothes for relief, then return to work. I found that cigarettes lasted longer that way.

The nights were insufferable too. In a story I previously told, I owned up about "skinny sprinkler jumping." There were other nocturnal sports as well. "Pool hopping" was also in vogue after a few beers. Having the next day off, I went skinny dipping with a gal friend of mine about 2:00 AM. After doing laps we were about to get dressed. The owner of the house appeared with a flashlight, which she avoided shining on my face the entire time. We left quickly, vowing to her never to return. The next morning I was in the kitchen having coffee at about 9:00 AM and Betty (Mom) came downstairs and stated, "Hey Johnny Weissmuller, how was your swim?" This is why Fred (Dad) called her the "local astonisher." One of her spies had already ratted.

"Hang Ten" Haumann ('58) admits his transgression: "Skinny dipping after midnight in the Field Club pool. Damn! Those shrubs were tough on naked skin." At least, Dick, you avoided the women with the peering flashlight.

Bill "Super" Renner ('58) was also involved and he was a member. He writes, "For those of us lucky enough to have parents who belonged to the Field Club, it allowed us to go for a swim, usually followed by a cheeseburger or two at the snack bar. Non-members would wait until after dark, climb the fence with our help, and get in some swim time before being bounced by Martin, the Irish caretaker."

Vinnie "The U" Uihlein ('61) was more adventurous and writes, "Jim 'Sarge Leary ('62) and I would go to Sprain Brook Reservoir. Once we almost where caught by the reservoir cop. Just picture the two of us running blindly through the woods carrying our clothes." No thanks "U," I have a weak stomach.

Let's hear it for Prue Fountain ('66), the only woman to confess to pool hopping. "We went pool hopping in Jack Parr's pool. It was exciting and so much fun. We did it repeatedly until one night the police came. Dennis (anonymous) was getting ready to dive in when the police lights started flashing on his red hair. (He was the only one who got caught.) We all bolted. There is more to the story, but I probably shouldn't go there." I have an inquiring mind, we need more!

Tom Carroll ('59) remembers fighting the heat. "I swam and fished in the Bronx River." Whaaa! Mom told me Great Whites lived in there or I'd die from lockjaw swimming in that lake.

There are those who stayed home. Peggy Mackey ('60) recalls, "I stayed in the only room that had a window air conditioner. Only came out for the necessities. I even played sick, so I wouldn't have to walk to school." Wow, I never used that one.

Mike "The Commish" Netter ('66) was more practical. "I went to great lengths to stay cool in the summer, sitting through two to three showings of the same movie at the air-conditioned movie theater." After much editing he also writes, "risking life and limb sneaking into the private pools of sleeping homeowners," and here is the kicker, "sticking my head out of moving cars like a dog." Mike was always a strange puppy.

I tried to get a quote from "Burg." The lines must be down to the mystery bunker. It's always hotter there then in Florida during the summer. These are just ideas for you guys to beat the heat. Try 'em; you might make the police blotter, just like us.