1924*
(Written for the Dec. issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE by Stan Lonsdale, the Mad Monk of Bridgeport and perennial Reunioner, official and otherwise.)
How I ever got roped into this terrific task is beyond my comprehension and before I really begin my epic, I want to pay my respects to Jeff Adams. Anyone who can dish it out or serve it up month after month is superhuman—why, I haven't even slept for the last three nights, worrying about the only one I'll ever have to write.
Most of this column will relate to fact —and fancy—about the boys who reside and toil in the Nutmeg State but first I must put in a plug for that National City Bank ball of fire, Red Newell. After jumping from Harbin to Shanghai to Kobe, he finally docked on the good old West Coast on Sept. 28th. Imagine his surprise at being greeted not only by Clara—but also by Red Jr., complete with red hair, tortoiseshelled glasses and a tennis racket in his hand, who had arrived on September sth. They'll all be East in Nov., and may be reached for verification of the above details through the National City Bank, Far Eastern Division, 55 Wall Street, New York.
The entire credit for the facts of the Connecticut News should go to Dave Solly, Assistant Treasurer of the Aetna (Fire) Insurance Company, located at their Home Office in Hartford. Complaints concerning the style and misuse of English should be directed tp the author. Incidently, Ros and Dave and 4 year old Sandra have just moved into their new home on Mohawk Drive, West Hartford. Dave found the time, however, to glean the following dope about the boys in Hartford and vicinity:
Bob Bragg—married—in Home Office of the Phoenix Fire Ins. Cos. That 10 to 3 life of an insurance executive is right down his alley, for it gives him time to pursue his hobby—raising prize gladioli.
Steve Cross—married—boy 7 and girl 3 when not toiling for the Stanley Works, spends his time as a member of the City Council and otherwise dabbling in politics.
Stu Eldredge—teaching in Hartford Art School and lives in West Granby. Further details unavailable at press time.
Pop Foster—Assistant Auditor for the Travelers Ins. Co.—married—boys 14 and 12. Has given up the 440 for tennis and work on the Wethersfield Boy Scout Council.
Eddie Jones—lives a life we all envyteaches tennis at Orienta Beach Club in Westchester in the summer and actually farms his acreage in West Hartford the rest of the year. Has girl 7 and boy practically brand new—born Oct. 18th. Specializes in apples, turkeys and maple syrup and was smart enough to stick Solly for his Thanksgiving bird.
Paul Kane—married. Just formed new surveying partnership in Bloomfield. Hobby is job as Chairman of local Railroad Enthusiasts Club, a national organization having something to do with speeds of trains at a given point. Details from Paul on request.
Ed Nason—married, new home-owner, Treasurer of Church, and supervisor of mortgage loan accounting for the Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Cos.
Cleve Poole—married, a boys at Loomis, officer of Phoenix State Bank & Trust Cos. His championship activities in pistol and revolver matches were interrupted by a serious dash of arthritis, but he is now coming along nicely.
Al Robinson—married—girls 6 and 2. Days at Aetna Life, nights studing law and, in between, raises all kinds of flowers and helps run the West Hartford Boy Scout Troops.
Roily Taylor—married, boys 9 and 11. His wife reports he isn't bald, owns home and they are both still young enough to climb Moosilauke last summer. Covers Mass. and Conn, for Price and Lee, directory publishers.
Roger Stephenson—married, girl 8 and boy 2. Another new homeowner in West Hartford, and employed by E. B. McGurk, Inc., local street and paving contractors.
Art Watson—married and mayhap the class father—with 2 boys and 4 girls ranging from 3 to 15. Secretary of Republican Town Committee in Wethersfield and member of Board of Education. Busy as a bee running general insurance partnership alone while his brother is in the Army.
In the Bridgeport sector, we find a new and welcome addition to our forces in the person of:
Stu Rider—married, 2 girls—15 and 5. Arrived here last Spring as accountant and chief of staff for the Munson Line, Inc. at their office here. Just bought a house and hopes and expects to be a permanent settler.
Stan Curtis—married, boy 6 and girl. New Homeowner with a slick idea for himself—a Dartmouth room for his personal doghouse—only one key and he keeps it. A rabid and star bowler despite a beach injury to his left eye which is healing slowly. Still runs the men's clothing end of Meigs & Co.,—and also still trying to stuff me into a double-breasted suit. No luck yet.
Pren Gallup—and Ev have their hands full for the nonce, what with John now at Kent, Bill and Dave not far from readyand in the midst of moving the store of Meigs & Co. to a new spot on Main Street.
Ed Spargo—married, daughter 12—runs the Bridgeport Storage Warehouse with his father and a real estate development on the side, plus home gardening (flowers and vegetables) and rooting rabidly for the Giants.
Larry Whit—married and father of a bouncing boy early last Spring. Lives in Westport and travels considerably in Public Relations work.
I guess that will have to suffice for this edition for the Connecticut News, and at the risk of having the entire letter tossed out for over-length, I'll shift to a very sketchy resume of the informal 1924 gathering in Hanover over the Colgate week-end. After furios and frantic correspondence and lengthy telephone calls, the following appeared at Moose Mountain LodgeMary and Kipp Higley, Beattie and Jeff Adams, Norma and Red Maloney, Ros and Dave Solly, Harriet and Cy Ashenbach, Stan Lyon, and Martha and your esteemed author. Considerable action took place between Friday afternoon and Monday morning but I can't and won't describe it here. Just ask any of the above if they had an enjoyable time. At the Hanover Inn were the Booths and the Coffins and seen before or after, at the game were the Pete Wheatleys, Ken Davis and his family, Paul Synnott, Boyce Butterfield, Smoke Smith, Cliff Kellogg, Art Watson, Hank Hartshorne, Bud Seavey and his son, and Betty and Tim Lyons.
Saturday night dinner at Moose Mt. Lodge was greatly enlivened by the presence of Lois and Brad Hersey, Mary and Charlie Wood—and collect telegrams from the Luitwielers, who couldn't make it at the last minute. The 1924 movies were exhibited for the entire gathering and "Bravos" rent the air, despite the fact that Brad had mixed up something, not unlike the old tricks of Spud Spaulding, who always forgot the right films. All in all, it was a real jovial affair from start to finish and plans are already underway to repeat next Fall—on a bigger and better scale, if the Lodge can stand it—and us.
Practically the same crowd gathered at the Yale Bowl, after the game for only a brief chat and the Boston contingent hied themselves to the Bond in Hartford for dinner, later to be joined by the Sollys, bushed after a hard day of house-moving. During the conversation, it developed that Jeff now nurses a tidy sum, earmarked for our class gift to the College on the occasion of our 25th Reunion. That was welcome news and indicates that the boys already realize that 1949 isn't so far away.
So long, fellows. See you at Jug End Barn next May.
(—and now Jeff will tell you all about what he saw at the Harvard game. Take it away, Jeff.)
Thanks very much for a grand literary effort, Stan, and Dave.
The following gathered at the University Club for a dinner the night before the Harvard-Dartmouth game: Gordie Richards, Red Maloney, Pete Wheatley, Brad Hersey, Butts Lamson, Jack Parker, Arnie Jenkins, Ted Learned, Dave Perry, Tup Tupper, Luit Luitwieler, and Jeff. Norma Maloney, Lois Hersey, Sally Luitwieler and Beattie Adams had dinner in the main dining room and later the two groups joined for a showing of class movies, where Bunny and Red Holbrook appeared. Following the game on Saturday the Red Maloneys gave a cocktail party which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Your Secretary and family extend to all, wishes for a joyous Holiday Season.
Secretary, 45 Chestnut St., Wellesley Hills, Mass. Treasurer, Chicago Safety Council 22a N. Bank Dr., Chicago, Ill. Assistant Secretary Guest Author
