1916
Tex Rogers wrote the libretto of a new opera The Stranger of Manzano, which had its opening in Dallas last May. The opera is based on New Mexican folklore. Tex already has a Belasco Cup winner to his credit, his play Judge Lynch. He is book editor of the Dallas Times-Herald Chan Green recently completed 30 years with the Connecticut General Life Insurance Co., as superintendent of re-insurance Seen recently in Washington: Jess Fenno, wearing a bow tie and going to the meeting of the PICAO (international aviation); Jack Little (at the Washington Dartmouth weekly lunch) Guests at Hanover Inn since Reunion were Dr. Chuck and Mrs. Parsons, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Osborn, Ken Henderson and Bill Biel. Pre-union guests: Lord, Ellis, Jardine, Magill, Stillman, Ward and Bean The secretary is getting some responses to letters; a fine one from Bob Sherer, who remembers all that happened during his Hanover stay; Mil Streeter, the old chicken farmer and man-about-Bethel, Conn., and a really swell letter from Louie Bell, who was much cheered up, as we knew he would be, by the round-robin letter the class sent him from Reunion, and which he shared with John Ames. Louie hopes to be back before October first, and will vacation before deciding whether to stay out West or come back to New England. His family and Carl Eskeline's got together out there. Louie pays a fine tribute to Stew Paul, as who has not?
Jack English rushed into Washington, at the Government's request, listened to their offer politely, and rushed back to New England and Kay. The offer was a great compliment and we tried to persuade Jack to stay, but he said, "I've been away four years, etc." Can't blame him for that, but we do for his giving us only a short interview over the phone and not spending a night at Wilson Grove.
An interesting aftermath of Reunion for the secretary is reading the reasons why some of the gang didn't get there. Ed Knight says he can't out-guess the Reunion situation; he had saved June for the event, and accepted a bid to judge a dog show in California in July, then they switched Reunion to July. Ed says the invitation was six months old, and sent a circular to back his alibi. It was at Vallejo and Ed not only judged cocker spaniels and springers, and was a scorer at the field trials, but was principal speaker at the banquet. I hope he told some of those stories he told at the first Balmacaan affair Joe Larimer, Asst. Secretary of the Chicago Bar Assn., just couldn't make it, at the last moment. Long time, J0e..... Ollie Barr had to go out to Denver to see his older son, the only opportunity for him and the Mrs. to make it Karl Shedd was having classes at the U. of Georgia Earl Cranston had conferences in California and said this year's reunions were bad for teachers Gene Chase was too busy Bill Biel had other plans John Ames wasn't coming back till October Eric Barbour, Francis Cowan, Bob Sherer, Freddy Frederiksen, Vic Porter, and "D. D." Linehan sent a hello to all
Sam Thieme couldn't get away The secretary would like to compile a complete and running history of 1916 children; send in items about the kids, please Gifford, of the New York Herald-Tribune, had his son at Reunion, as you know. The boy, David, spent three years in the Army before going to college, 15 months as a corporal with the 308th Field Artillery of the 78th Infantry Division, the first division over the Rhine at Remagen. He got out last January. Before going overseas he spent 9 months in a specialized Army training program at Boston U., and now he is at Dartmouth, class of '49, and enjoying it all. Giff's older boy Bob was four years in the Army in the 4th Armored Division and is now back at the Herald-Tribune Pete Cleaves is now assistant vice president of the Girard Trust Co. in Phillie, one of the country's big banks. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Pete can never develop that icy gleam a banker's eye should have John Gill writes that Bill Biel and Ken Henderson were at the Hanover Inn over an August weekend. Speaking of Ken (and they are in Chicago and Winnetka), he is now President of Ditto, Inc., and the same of Ditto of Canada, Ltd. Ken has spent his entire business career with Ditto, and has seen it grow from a pup to a big business. Ken led the Red Cross drive in Winnetka and established a couple of records, for which the grateful R. C. decorated him with a pin. He is a director of the Duncan YMCA in Chicago, the North Shore Country Day School, and the Winnetka Community House. The rest of his time is his own. Ken has an 18-year-old daughter at Sweetbriar College, and "Pete," who is 15, is headed for the class of '51 at Dartmouth.
Ralph Mendall sends an interesting letter, in which he admits he is a poor correspondent and then goes on,with all the news about Marjorie and their five children: Marguerite, 26, Ralph Jr. 24, Trafton, 22, Jeanne, 19, and Anita, 13. Marguerite graduated from Bates and is now with Liberty Mutual in Portland, Me. Ralph Jr. had three years at Mass. State and is now with the 3352nd Signal Service Battalion in France. Trafton had two years at Bates, went over with the Yankee Division, was wounded in France and is now about recovered and ready for discharge. Jeanne, whom Mendy describes as the "comedienne of the family," had one year at Bates, and is now studying music, radio and dramatics at Curry College, Boston. Anita rides horses. Says Mendy: "You can see why the exchequer is always broke." (Shake, brother!). Mrs. M. is a musician and dramatics coach and runs her household with one hand. Wouldn't it be something to get the Englishes and the Mendalls together for a musical revue, with Anita dashing across the back of stage on her horse, to give that Western touch. Mendy himself is travelling for the Walk Over shoes, and I note he comes to Mary- and. If he gets near Montgomery County he is invited to drop in at the Wilsons and compare confusions. How about a photo, Mendy, or two? .... Did you know Ed Graver had three boys in the service? One was an Army flier, one a Marine at Guadalcanal and the third in the Army in Europe. All came back safely. Two are at Dartmouth, the other at Vermont Junior College, where Larry Leavitt is headmaster Howdy Parker, a guy we missed very much at Reunion, has a son at Andover, 18 years old.
That about winds up the news handed on by the previous secretary Fletch Andrews and others, who are duly thanked. Now give me the latest dope on what you are doing, and your picture This month's photo is of Herb (himself) Lord, and I don't see why I always think of the Archbishop every time I look at Herb's picture. At Reunion I had a ride with Herb coming back from Lake Morey and was glad to straighten him out of the political situation, on which he had gone way wrong. (Don't throw that, Herb.)
The secretary inherited a group photo, apparently taken on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and showing the smiling pans of Heinie George, Hobey Baker (with a moustache), Frank Bobst, Herb Stiegler, Jack Little, Pete Cleaves, Sam Cutler, Herb Lord, Jawn McAuliffe, Joe Carlton, Gran Fuller, Bill McKenzie, Joe Newmark, Rod Soule and Charlie Cressey. One character we cannot identify. Does anyone know the origin of this photo? Could it be Ray Devoe's personally sponsored boat ride around Morey? Bobst is wearing the 20th Reunion coat, and Jawn, as usual, is interrupting somebody, probably heckling the camera man.
By the next issue I hope to have some snappy chatter from my leg-man in the Charles River District, Tog Upham, the well known impresario and tonsorial baritone. A last minute letter from Stan Lyman, who couldn't make the Reunion because his youngest, Mary, is being married, says Stan Jr. is returned from bombing runs over Germany and is back at his dude ranch near Jackson, Wyoming. Alice, the other daughter, has her own photo business in Wayzata, Minn., and Mrs. S. maintains her status of boss, established at Hanover in 1913. He hasn't taken a hurdle in 30 years, he says, but feels fit and happy.
Alec and Estelle Jardine made a flying trip to Arlington, Va., to visit their daughter, Mrs. G. H. McGregor, over Labor Day, and we had a chat by phone. Cap Carey invites '16-ers attending the Brown game 19 October, to have a cocktail at his house, pre-game. Cap lives in the shadow of the Brown stadium.
1916 GOES TO VASSAR. Attending the 1946 Vassar Commencement were, front row, left to right, George Smith, Rog Evans and Ros Magill, to see their daughters graduate, back row, left to right, Colette Smith, Ann Evans and Catherine Magill. Ros is wearing a Vassar Trustee's robe.
Secretary, 2721 Blaine Drive, Chevy Chase 15, Md. Treasurer, 11 Copeland Ave., Reading, Mass.
