1934
Hello again. This is old Big Shoes thanking you for the letters received so far and reminding you for the- letters received so far and reminding you that we know a little bit about a lot of things but we don't know enough about you. So keep on sendin', lads. Love that dope.
Got a couple of happy items here for the Littul Stranger department: Bill Gilmore proudly presents a third son, Keven Street Gilmore, who checked in at 8 lbs. 8 oz. 011 September twelfth. Bill reports that both Norma and Keven are doin' dandy. Adds that the little feller is claiming flying-time for the stork trip and has made entries in his log book accordingly. And from Monroe, N. Y„ comes this joyful note in the hand of Bob (W.) Smith: "Just a line to let you know that Elizabeth Thomas Smith was born Saturday afternoon September twenty-eighth. Edie and the baby are both grand, and the father is recovering slowly."
And so already we find a change in the figures presented by Bill Embry at Reunion in his excellent report on the class. What's that you say? But you missed Reunion and would like to hear more about Bill's report, it sounds right interesting? Why, great day in the mawnin's, son, it is interesting. We're sorry, and will quote it in full, instanter. Okay, Billy, you're on:
One of the advantages developing from kicking our secretaryship from Dwyer to Knibbs to Embry was eventually to confuse everyone enough so they were forced to write in for correct information and thus provide us with up to the minute news on at least a few individuals. With untrained help handling the records and our membership moving around the country faster than a pack of ants at a picnic, things were really in a mess for a while. Fortunately, a year or so ago, a large percent of you answered our questionnaire and we felt we were on top of the job at last. Then, with the war over, addresses, jobs, marital status, and all other pertinent facts as recorded became obsolete and as we stand today, we need to know all over again, where you live, what you're doing, what you decided to name the youngest one, how you like your boss, and all that sort a thing.
In looking back through old files, it seems though that we missed our guess on one important fact. The opinion was almost unanimous in 1942 that interest in class affairs would die down with conditions in a fox hole seeming much more important than what was happening among our group. But, 10 and behold, we were plenty wrong. Checks, money orders, and cash were received from all parts of the world; and for those who just couldn't handle their accounts regularly, the gals had been completely enough indoctrinated to be sure that obligation was taken care of even if it meant giving up smokes for a few weeks.
And speaking of the feminine part of our group, about 1/3 of all news received came from the ladies. I hope this practice will continue even though Joe is home and should take care of such things himself. Whoever your new secretary might be, he will be sure to get a kick out of receiving notes with that definitely feminine handwriting (Ed. note: Ah yes, love that slope!) and certainly no column written in recent years has compared with that one of Joy Dwyer's.
Statistically, there are about 600 who entered Parkhurst Hall one day in September 1930, who still write in from time to time and indicate they still are interested. Of this number, about 50% wore a uniform during the past few years; 164 for the Army, 117 for the Navy, 10 for the Coast Guard, and 6 for the Marines. Actually there were probably lots more, but no one told us about them.
As far as we know, these 600 have chosen to seek their fortunes in widely scattered areas, but with New England and Greater New York City predominating . ... 177 in New England to be exact, 141 in New York City, 131 in the Midwest, 84 in other Eastern states, 31 in the South—the South that is—-, 29 in the far West, and 7 in foreign countries. This in spite of the real opportunities alive in the South today; I must tell you more about it sometime.
Our family is growing by leaps and bounds. The way we have it, a little over 2/3 are now married, and the children total 467. 128 families have none, 132 have only one, 114 have 2, 33 have three, and two lads are out in front with four "chillun" each. Here again, there's every reason to believe we're way out of date.
The past few years have been unusually hard on our group—as upon any group of young men eligi- ble for war service. Nine of our group have died since our last Reunion, bringing to 24 the total since matriculation. These nine were: Marty Braun, Donald Buckbee, George Coppenrath, Lee Eggles- ton, Coleman Falk, Gerry Hall, Tom Leslie, Smith O'Brien, and Ben Twiss. Let's stand a minute in silent prayer for them.
As usual '34ers have been appearing in the public press since last time. For instance, the Stamford, Conn., papers tell of Nick Nanos announcing his candidacy for a Republican post on the City Board of Finance. Nick has returned to his law practice in Stamford after wartime service as Chief Attorney for the National War Labor Board. And in New York Variety headlines, "JerrY Danzig Pacted To Spark WINS Long-Haul Program Revamp Job." Translated that means that Jerry has been appointed program director of WINS an independent New York radio station which is branching out under new management and increased wattage.
And from just a little bit south of Hanover, Daytona Beach to be exact, Ray Ely sends us a palmy postcard explaining that he's catching a little relaxation after having whipped into shape his new. plastics plant, Bildey Products Company, in New York.
From Hanover we learn that recent visitors there were Mr. and Mrs. Gordy Watts from Jenkintown, Pa. Also from Hanover sources comes word that Ike Powers, on leave of absence from Boston University, has been appointed a part-time faculty member at their law school.
We have a heap of address changes too. And perhaps we can be of service to you in that connection. Suppose, for instance, we were asked how to reach Bob McCloskey, say. We'd answer, quick as a wing, 3869 Riverside, Dayton, Ohio. Or if Steve Woodbury, Box 10, Newfield, Maine, somehow got some mail that was meant for Perry Woodbury we could tell him to readdress it to Box 581, Chappaqua, N. Y. See how it works? Only it doesn't work so well if our records aren't up to date. Like we keep sayin', drop us a line. Love that dope! So long, lads.
Secretary and Treasurer
no Fulton St., New York 7, N. Y.
