CLASS OF 1916
The vanguard is already on the move and headed for Hanover. "Ed" Riley sailed from England about the middle of March for a three months' vacation that will terminate shortly after June 26, at Lake Morey.
The recent unrest reported in the Far East should not be misinterpreted. "Eskie" and his Chinese Joss are giving the Socony properties in and around Harbin, Manchuria, the official three "o" before joining the southern contingent for the long trek back to "The States." "Rog" Evans, who, by the way, is the proud father of Ann Young Evans, born December 30, 1925, has passed the happy word to his kingdom of silkworms, and the latter are now spinning on overtime shifts to provide the wherewithal for the triumphant journey. No definite word has been heard from "pewee" Marble, who at last accounts was directing a flock of commercial trucks in and around Shanghai, but leave it to "Rog"; he'll bring 'em all back, even to Bill Hale. Our last word from Bill stated that his bank had just closed in Tientsin and he was going to drift south.
Earl Cranston is completing his graduate work in New York this winter, and will probably have to head back to his settlement at the head of the Yangtze river before June, but he hopes to delay a bit for the tribal ceremonies.
Another three-page bulletin printed on rice paper and entitled "News from the McClures" has just come through, bringing its true picture of life at a Chinese mission. Intensely interesting to read, it contains a rare combination of logic, philosophy, and religion that fairly bubbles with optimistic enthusiasm for the great work to which the McClure family are dedicating their services.
Our best wishes go out to you, "Mac," and to Mrs. "Mac," and to all the little "Macs" for the continued and increasing success of your wonderful work.
And then spanning the Pacific to the beach of Waikiki and Schofield Barracks, we have another sad lament from Capt. "Stew" Paul that Uncle Sam hasn't heard about Balmacaan's Biggest Barbecue, and there'll be no furlough before 1928.
A little farther east and we're in California, where "Shorty" Hitchcock stands on tip-toes and cranes his neck north and south to check up on the Pacific Coast 'Caaners. About six months ago "Shorty" joined up with the Aetna Casualty and Surety Company in the Los Angeles office, where Dan Coakley also holds forth. "Shorty" admits that the new work has agreed with him to the extent of 240 lbs. avoirdupois. "Lon" Howell was recently married and is living at Long Beach, Cal. Bruce Bundy is still on the Coast, according to all reports, but he is a "missing gink" as far as "Shorty" knows. Dan Coakley feels that it will be necessary for him to take an extended eastern trip in June. So here's another to join Jack English's "hummers."
Without reference to reunion prospects, "Les" Leavitt announces the arrival of Margaret Blatchford Leavitt on February 7, 1926, little sister to Howard and Dan. "Les" is principal of a boys' school at Beirut, Syria, and we'd allow as how it was about time for him to be contemplating a visit to the home folks.
In addition to the previous announcements the Balmacaan family was enlarged by three more arrivals of recent date: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knox Everett, Catherine Ann, January 31. Mr. and Mrs. Burton V. Phinney, Barbara, February 26. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse K. Fenno, a son, March 1. Congratulations and best wishes to the three households.
You can't keep the New Hampshire legislator out of the news. On Thursday, February 26, a clipping arrived hot off the southern press, announcing to the sporting world in glaring headlines: "Notables Attend Races at Hialeah." "Governor and Mrs. R. O. Brewster of Maine and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Meighan are entertained at Miami Jockey Club." In a nearby box sat Representative and Mrs. R. H. George of Concord, N. H., etc. Just two days later the "Big Automotive Man" arrived in Boston, tanned from a six weeks' sojourn on the Miami shores. Ralph was just in time for the Balmacaan dinner at the Dartmouth Club prior to the hockey clash with Harvard. Horse-racing is the latest sport to catch the fancy of the "Big Bam from the Bushes," and what he didn't do to the Hialeah bookmakers; well, they shut up shop until he left town. Handball and squash are on his training program until June in preparation for the Lake Morey tennis tourney.
It was an informal gathering of 'Caaners before the hockey game on February 28, just time for a bite and a bit of news, but twenty turned out to pay tribute to the "Big Green" puckchasers in the "crooshal" test of the season. The occasion was one of particular rejoicing in the return to the active line of duty of Don Fuller. Yes, he's the same rosy, blond billikin, and he's back in the harness just as if he had never been away vacationing these many long months.
We are indebted to the Northwestern AlumniNews for the following: "Alexander Dean, member of the faculty of the School of Speech, is resigning his duties here immediately after Easter, and will leave Northwestern University. Mr. Dean said that he planned to return, however, to his work here sometime next fall; he refused to state what his plans were, although he stated definitely that he would not be teaching from Easter to fall." Looks as if "Alec" is going to get a running start for the Barbecue, or then again, he may have gone into retirement to prepare a brief to hurl at Max Spelke in the scheduled oratorical duel of the lake.
"Your Trail Blazer at hand, and my word for it that Maine will go solid for Balmacaan, says Bill Banton of Bangor, who promises to follow through until measurements have come back from every attending 'Caaner in the Pine Tree state. Now that's "talking turkey," when it is borne in mind that "as Maine goes, so goes the country."
And here's another gust of the same smoke, but blowing from the "Windy City." Among other protestations of allegiance to the spirit of the mighty dispenser of magic, "Ken" Henderson goes on record in the following manner: "You can count on us to crash through promptly, and I'll personally see to it that the questionnaires get back pronto upon their receipt." We're looking for a delegation of a round dozen from along Michigan Boulevard and we have the promise of at least five of the wives, made at the time of the first Pow-Wow, that they definitely would be on hand. Just check up on this, will you, "Ken !"
Another pledge of support has just arrived from Harry Goldman, now located in Cedar Rapids, lowa. For many months Harry found it difficult to forget his beloved Broadway of Manhattan, but now he is all set and directing eight branch stores through lowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He bemoans the scarcity of Dartmouth men in his immediate vicinity, but is happy in the companionship of "Cap" Hedges, 1911. Harry's oldest boy of six has already established a new juvenile drop-kicking record. The best turn you can do the Barbecue, Harry, is to chase yourself East, to arrive in Hanover not later than the first quarter of the June moon.
One of the first snap-shots to be sent in for reproduction on the. screen at the home talent performance on Sunday, June 20, at "The Nugget" was a classic from "Hap" Ward. It is entitled "To the ash heap following 'finals,'" and shows two thoroughly disheveled and dejected victims sitting disconsolately on the end of a plank over the ash heap behind the "Phi Doodle" house, and the victims—"Hap" and "Cap" Williams.
Let's have some more of these old tintypes— local colors, or what you will. They will go over big on the screen at the rate of three good laughs every second. Dig out the scrapbooks and send them along. No, not the books; the snapshots.
"Hap" has written the latter end of June off the business calendar, an excellent idea, and intends to appear in the guise of "Sappo, the Deity of Reunioners" in a little sketch entitled "How to make merry on three-yen-hifty." Marty Linihan, Dave Shumway, and Ernie Frey are reported to be preparing for the assault on Morey.
Yes, Perc Burnham is still receiving teller at 1408 Ditmas Ave., Brooklyn.
Ernie Cutler has been in town for five weeks without a fishing trip or football game, and that is some strain on the wandering smudge enthusiast.
In spite of police investigations, the night clubs continue to scintillate in Boston, and "Hobie" Baker maintains his place among the dazzling constellations.
"Chuck" Durgin takes exception to the fact, and rightly too, that he was not included among the returning tribesmen. "Chuck" is assistant manager of the Hyde Park, Mass., branch of the First National Bank, and will be among those who are planning to bulge the walls of Topliff Hall.
For the benefit of many reuning 'Caaners who Will be unable to remain over for the four-day celebration at Lake Morey, the reunion committee has decided to hold the class picnic on Sunday on the old familiar shores of the lake. Previous plans called for the picnic at a private club house situated on a small lake about eight miles from Hanover. All is well now, however, for everyone will have the opportunity to revisit the historic grounds and commune with the spirits of the lake.
Only two moons away, and time is moving fast. Send in your questionnaire at once if this has not already been done, and just don't reckon time at all from June 18 until you have to come down to earth on the 26th. They'll all be there, and you, too!
Secretary, 85 Sargent St., Melrose Highlands, Mass.
