1926*
"Oh the North Countree is a hard countree And it mothers a bloody brood And its icy arms hold hidden charms For the greedy, the sinful and lewd. And strong men rust for the gold and the lust That sears the Northland soul But the wickedest born from the Pole to the Horn Was the Hermit of Shark Tooth Shoal. Now Jacob Kane was the Hermit's name In the days of his pious youth Ere he cast a smirch on the Baptist Church By betraying a girl named Ruth."
Since this greeting comes from the North Countree, where I'm relaxing from the rigors of Wall Street by indulging in a little plain and fancy skiing (mostly plain), it seems fitting that the immortal words of my favorite poet be recalled. Haven't seen much of the "gold and the lust" but I can vouch for the hidden charms—as will anyone else who has seen the winter sun go down behind the Notch at Franconia, or has reached the top of Mansfield early in the morning after a night's fall of snow. Let those who only have enjoyed the summer months in New England come up during the winter and learn what they have missed.
But all of this falls under the heading of propaganda and the sacred column is no place for propaganda, even of a nature designed to stir the business man out of his winter lethargy and into the white snows of the North Countree. If anyone should insist on a winter visit to Hanover, however, I might say that for the last five years 1926 has been holding informal and highly enjoyable February reunions.
Just make a reservation at the Hanover Inn for the week-end of February 20th to 23rd and you'll be surprised how many other 26'ers and wives will be there to greet you. There's lot to do besides skiing, both in the line of sports and otherwise, plus top notch hockey and basketball games. If you haven't seen a basketball game since the days when George Tully, Chappie Jones, Ed Steel, Moon Douglas, Bib Hudgins and Ed Dooley were cavorting on the court, making little fellows out of big, you'll be thrilled by the excitement of a League game in the Gym.
You don't need to buy a lot of expensive equipment in order to enjoy the winter Daisy Chain Festival—anything you need can be rented in Hanover—and if there's any rubber left on the tires you need not fear the driving for the roads are always plowed and sanded.
But enough of this propaganda stuff, there's lots of news to report.
— Don Mackay has left his legal practice in Quincy and has joined the ever-increasing throng in Washington to be "a humble Captain in the Army attached to the office of the Judge Advocate General." He adds "If any of the tribe get into too much trouble in Washington, tell them to drop me a line." It's indeed comforting to realize that what with Mackay, McConnaughey at al. we have . enough legal talent in Washington to keep any errant brother out of the gaol, no matter what his crime.
Quoting Hub Harwood again on the subject of Washington—"As Bill Willard's bank is almost across the street from the office he was probably the first one I saw here. You probably know that Bill is the oldest living resident, being practically the only person in the vicinity who was born here." Bill's bank is the National Savings 8c Trust Company, one of the oldest institutions in the Capital, and Bill is Vice President.
From Jim Oberlander, busy as Assistant Medical Director of the National Life Insurance Cos. of Montpelier, Vermont 'When you come up this winter you will no longer find us living in Montpelier. We finally bought a house in Northfield (50 South Main Street) and have a swell ski tow almost in our back yard."
One of the most appealing children's stories written in years is entitled Rudolphthe Red-Nosed Reindeer. According to Susan, aged 414, my literary critic at home, it ranks with The Night Before Christmas. It was written by Bob May who has been in Chicago with Montgomery Ward for many years. Bob recently had some of his verse appear in the Chicago Daily News, in behalf of the Chicago Community Fund.
Frank Eiszner's portrait recently appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer Public Ledger with the announcement that he is the District Sales Manager for the Eastern seaboard of the Studebaker Sales Corporation. He was formerly vice president and general sales manager of the Advertising Service Cos. and of E. A. Wolf Sc Company of Chicago. Frank is living at 443 West Durham Street, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia.
On December 6th, Hank Blake and Miss Mary Dana announced their betrothal in Wellesley, Mass. For the last two years Hank has been chairman of the Adult Education Council of Wollaston. This in addition to his activities as member of the firm of Ross and Blake Lecture Management and of the Appalachian Mountain Club. His address pending further announcement 28 Wollaston Avenue, Wollaston, Mass.
Jim Grady keeps himself busy as assistant sales manager of Halsey Stuart & Cos., in charge of New York State and western Pennsylvania. Jim and Grace live in Bayside, Long Island, and have two children, James Henry, 3rd and John Robert, aged 10 and 9 respectively.
Word has come in from Hy Shaddock that he now is to be reached at 21114 West Acacia Avenue, Glendale, California.
Al Wilcox has a job that will be the envy of every skier. He is an advertising repres entative, with offices at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York City. One of his clients is the American Ski Annual. Of course it's necessary as a part of his business to spend considerable time each winter in Sun Valley ley, the Laurentians, and other spots that are heaven to any skier!
Max Whitman is doing interesting legal and tax work in Buffalo with Savory, Inc. In peace times Savory, Inc. makes cooking utensils, ash cans, garbage pails. (How would you like a "Savory" garbage pail?). Now they're turning out all kinds of military equipment and Max finds lots to do. He and Mildred are at home at 38 Commonwealth Avenue, Buffalo.
Joe Batchelder has kept on the top of his game and is still bringing in low gross in golf tournaments around New England. Last October Joe was elected vice president of the Massachusetts Amateur Golf Association.
Stan Paul is an important cog in the purchasing department of the Diesel Engine Division of the American Locomotive Company in Auburn, N. Y. a vital plant doing vital work.
Important albeit belated news from Chicago. Hank and Jane Parker welcomed on the 6th of last July the arrival of Henry Langdon Parker, IV. Yes, sir, he's the fourth in an illustrious lineage!
"He was only a boy and the parson's joy Ere he fell for the gold and the muck. But a Service tale of illicit kale And wine and women wild Drained the morals clean as a soup toureen From this poor but honest child. He longed for the bite of the Yukon night And the northern lights' weird flicker For a game of stud in the frozen mud And the taste of raw red likker."
DOOLEY, DARLING AND PUDGE NEIDLINGER AT THE BALL GAME
RED MERRILL, FRANK AND ELIZABETH EISZNER WORRY ABOUT PRIORITIES
Secretary, Holsapple & Cos. 30 Pine St., New York City
