Memories That Last a Lifetime: Doug Barnes ’56

Over the holidays, the Alumni Office was delighted to receive a thoughtful note from Doug Barnes ’56, who shared vivid memories from his time at Far Hills Country Day School—memories that have stayed with him for nearly seven decades.

Doug recalls that his very first impression of Far Hills began with the daily ride from Mendham to campus alongside Mr. Whetstone's secretary. Riding with his two classmates, those early mornings marked the beginning of friendships and formative experiences that would shape his years at the school.

One of Doug’s most lasting academic memories is of Mrs. Noling, whose lessons in sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and reading left a profound impact. The strong foundation she built carried him well beyond Far Hills—to Choate School and later to Brown University. In fact, Doug shared that he easily passed Brown’s English proficiency exam, crediting the preparation he received at Far Hills.

Doug also fondly remembers what was likely the school’s only football team at the time. As quarterback, he played alongside teammates Louis Farrelly (center), Fred McCarthy (running back), Harry Peery (guard), and Gus Kalaqarry—son of the math teacher and athletic director—who played end. These memories of teamwork, camaraderie, and school spirit remain a meaningful part of his Far Hills story.

Doug’s reflections are a powerful reminder that the lessons learned and friendships formed at Far Hills continue to resonate long after graduation.