1899
April birthday felicitations to Oakes, Rogers,Rounds and Tootell.
The Moles, an organization of tunnel builders and heavy construction men, present an annual award for outstanding achievement to a member and a non-member. At the annual dinner of the Society held at the WaldorfAstoria in New York last February 9, LuteOakes was honored with the award to the nonmember. This was presented with a plaque inscribed as follows:
THE MOLES' AWARD for Outstanding Achievement in Construction
Presented this ninth day of February, nineteen hundred and forty-nine, to
LUTHER S. OAKES Engineer and Contractor In Recognition of his Supreme Initiative and Skill both at home and abroad Notably in the Fields of
Tunnels, Dams and Railroad Construction
Beneath a photograph of the subject, in a beautifully printed program of the award dinner, was the following: " 'A Yankee from Vermont,' Luther Stevens Oakes was born in Jericho, and is a graduate of Dartmouth College. He is a giant mentally, physically and spiritually and has ever been a leader in his field. Because of his high ideals, he has always been a beneficent influence in the construction industry and has played an important part in raising contracting to a respected and dignified business. 'His word is as good as his bond.' Now President of Winston Bros. Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, he has been on their staff for 42 years and under his leadership the vast activities of this famous company have spread from coast to coast in both North and South America." More than 800 attended the dinner. Eighteen men and women of Lute's organization came from Minneapolis for the event. After the dinner Lute and Mrs. Oakes gave a party in the famous Waldorf-Astoria Wedgewood Room for about 60 of the dinner attendants. On February 11 the Oakes went to Woodstock for a visit and later went to Hanover and saw the ice sculpture displayed at the Dartmouth Winter Carnival.
The 49th Annual Roundup of ninety-nine, a hardy perennial now mellow in tradition, was held at the University Club in Boston on the never changed date, the first Saturday in March, which this year was the sth. Most of the old diehards were there and the usual program prevailed. One by one the '"hale fellows well met" ambled in during the afternoon. At 6:30 the green candle was lit at the head of the table and the feast was on, with potables for the thirsty on a side table.
After dessert and coffee the Secretary called the meeting to order and voted for KennethBeal to preside with no dissent even from K who was not aware that he would be elected. He called on every one around the table clockwise. The Secretary who was first read letters and telegrams from some of the absent. He then described a tentative program for the 50th reunion which met with unanimous approval and will be carried out. Perhaps you will receive the details 'ere you read this. If not, you will have them soon. The talks from all the members were informal and briefer than usual. A highlight of the occasion was the presence of Dr. Charles Bonney whom we hadn't seen for a long time and who came from Philadelphia to be with us. P. Winchester took pictures of the group but, alas, the film stuck and consequently that gift to posterity is lost.
Those present, 20 in all, were: Allen, Beal, Bonney, Chase, Clark, Dearborn, Donahue and his son Jack, a Boston lawyer, Gannon, Hoban, Huckins, Irving, M. Alan Moore Williams '17, a law partner of Hoban who has attended many of our roundups in the past, Parker, Rogers, Skinner, Storrs, Surrey, Watson and Winchester.
Warren and Helen Kendall spent a few weeks in February and March at Sarasota, Florida. Their visits with Dan and Mrs. Ford, permanent residents of Sarasota, were greatly enjoyed by both couples.
Ralph and Blanche Hawkes motored to California again in February and spent several weeks there.
Charlie and Mrs. Adams again spent a vacation in Florida this year.
Rodney Sanborn spent most of the winter months with Margaret at their Florida home in Miami.
Room reservations for the 50th are practically completed. If any have not sent reservations because of uncertainty about going and have now decided to attend, let the Secretary know pronto and a way will be found to take care of them.
HONORED BY MOLES: Luther S. Oakes '99, presi- dent of Winston Brothers Company, Minneapolis, who on Feb. 9 received the annual award of The Moles, organization of tunnel builders and heavy construction men, for outstanding achievement in the field of tunnel, dam and railroad construction.
Secretary, The New York Times 229 West 43rd St., New York 18, N. Y.
Treasurer, 34 Brighton Rd., Worcester 6, Mass.
Class Agent, 659 Allen St., Syracuse 10, N. Y.
