1948
As a weather prophet I certainly am a terrific mechanic. A month ago I wrote about "a strong wind moaning over the Hanover countryside, sure portent of things to come," and about the "approaching big snow." Guess all that bunk can be tossed out the window. Today was more of a spring day in Hanover than has been seen in any of the past few actual spring seasons—and in early January, at that. The temperature today on Main Street in Hanover was an unbelievable 65°F., and the students and townspeople were running around in sweaters and shirt sleeves. It's just about the most discouraging winter season ever seen around these parts. Perfect weather for tennis, baseball, sun bathing, etc., though. Poor guys who like to ice skate and ski can't do a thing except sit back and wonder what is happening to the world. Most people around here aren't complaining too much about the situation, but it just doesn't seem like the white winter Hanover of old. There's none of the old time hustle or activity formerly so characteristic of this time of year, none of the old winter enthusiasm, and the person retiring for the night doesn't know whether he'll wear a T-shirt or a heavy fur coat when he gets up in the morning. Many of the people around seem very confused, simply don't know how to cope with such an unusual situation. A not too relevant example of this confusion is a want ad I saw in a local paper today. "WANTED: Man to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to traveL"
Guess I'd better travel to more fertile fields after that one. Another such egg and someone is going to hatch. Class news is once again rather scarce this month, but guess there's enough here to cover at least a couple of columns. That statement probably sounds as if I think you guys aren't sending me as much news as you might. H-m-m. Could be. Wish I could get a one-cent post card to each one of you. Don't be so bashful, or at least write about some of your friends in the class if you would rather not write about yourself. Actually, I guess it's my fault that you fellows don't send in the information, so any suggestions or criticisms will be very much appreciated. This column is your column, so make it the way you want. We'd really like to get everybody's name in print in the column just as often as possible. Let me know.
The '48s still in and around Hanover had a small Christmas season cocktail party in the Hanover Inn Ski Hut on December 8. Martinis and Manhattans were served, and everyone seemed to enjoy himself, especially those who remained to the end. Not as many turned up as we would have liked, but exams kept quite a few away. Altogether, I guess about 35 of the gang attended. There were plenty of laughs and plenty of reminiscences about old times. Many a story about that summer of 1944 was rolled around the group and many a humorous forgotten incident was told to the accompaniment of rather nostalgic laughter. The third floor of Wheeler was gone over from one end to the other and good old Crosby Hall was once more in the limelight as a center of student activity. Most of the work in arranging the party was done by Dick Greene, Al McAllister and WarrenDaniell while I hung around and helped where I could. This list isn't complete, but among those attending the party were the following: Bob Douglas and his wife, Ginny (it was Bob's birthday), Lee Brown and spouse, the Al McKees, the Larry Pedersens,Bill Pendill, Shorty Johnson, John Hatheway,Hank Mueller, Pete Owen, "T.T." Metzel,Lloyd Krumm, Colin Stewart, Mai Hill, MarvAxelrod, Walt Cairns, Keith McLoud, TomMullin, Rog Tenney and Jack Hamilton. It seemed great to get a few of the gang in one place again. Hope we can all get together at reunion a couple of years hence.
Ed Leede has apparently hit his stride as a member of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. The Celts and Ed started off the season rather poorly, the team for a long time being at the bottom of the eastern division of the league, but Ed has recently snapped into his old time form and has been very instrumental in bringing his team up onto fourth place. He really broke into the clear in two games against the TriCity Black Hawks and the Philadelphia Warriors. In the former game he scored 21 points in the second half alone, and against Philadelphia he was the spark plug that brought the Celts to an overtime victory. Quoting an article in the Boston Herald: "Leede, who was benched earlier in the season and apparently heading for the waiver list due to inexperience, has been making an impressive comeback. Coach Doggie Julian admits the 6' 3" newcomer still 'is making mistakes, but feels that his speed and drive compensate for the errors." Keep up the good work, Ed.
Jim Eckman was recently appointed Assistant to the Secretary of the Stockbridge, Mass., Chamber of Commerce. Jim and his wife, Jean, are the parents of a young son, James B. Jr. Tom Davis writes from Chicago that Howie Hilton is living down at Clearwater, Fla., with his wife and H. H. Hilton III, who was born last August. Congratulations to both couples. John Van Raalte was in Hanover Cornell week-end, and is now working and studying in N.Y.C. John said he has as yet no intention of donning the ball and chain. Besides, he's too busy. And the same apparently goes for Al Epstein. He mentioned that he just got back from a long business trip through Central and South America after having spent several week-ends of the summer racing with Al Becker in their sailboat, "Vat 69," on Long Island Sound. Vat a story!
John Abrahamson is now an insurance trainee in N.Y.C. He stopped at Ted Finkelday's house out on Long Island for a couple of days while he was getting set up. Fink, by the way, decided he didn't really like chemistry and is now selling skis in Macy.'s. MortSmith is also in the life insurance business. He's giving his flair for mathematics full sway by studying to become an actuary with the Home Life Insurance Co. in N.Y.C. And Bob Foster is in exactly the same boat, but with the Travelers Insurance Co. of Hartford, Conn. A fellow we haven't heard anything about in a long time is Ed Sevringhaus. His address of Essex Fells, N. J., has just turned up, but we don't know anything more about his present activities. Rumor has it that he's studying medicine. What about it, Ed?
It's getting to be about time to determine who is the '4B Class Baby. It has been customary for a long time for each alumni class to have an official Class Baby, and we should, it seems to me, be no exception. (Note: by Baby is meant infant, not mature femalejust to avoid any possible misunderstanding or mistakes.) The traditional requirements for eligibility are as follows: 1) the candidate must be the child of a member of the Class of 1948, and 2) must have been born after the official graduation date of the class, June 13, 1948. This second point may seem wrong to some of you, and I think you may be right. You may feel that if your baby was born before that time, he or she should be eligible for consideration. If any of you have any feelings on this point, let me know, and we'll work it out. Otherwise, according to past tradition, the above date should stand. Send in the name of your child with all pertinent information such as sex and date of birth to me before this June. I'll turn over all the material to three impartial judges to be elected by the Class Executive Committee, and they will determine which baby was born soonest after the given date. Please get your entry in as soon as you can. Like the adding machine, we're counting on you to get the information to us, for, like the baker, we knead, your help. (Ugh!)
Well, the lights are growing low, so guess I'll roll up the cat and put the rug out for the night. Seriously, how about a card from you guys. Anything will do, anything, if only just to show that you're still alive. I write this column in an attempt to make it worthwhile and interesting for the gang, but I'm not sure of its value if no one wants to contribute to it. Hope to hear from you. See you next month in Zamboanga, where the monkeys tell no tales.
Secretary, Elm St., Norwich, Vt. Treasurer, Phi Kappa Psi House, Hanover, N. H. Class Agent, 421 North Main St., Mount Prospect, Ill.
