1935
Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts—as Stephen Foster once wrote in a sentimental mood—the news is brief this month but includes several old characters we haven't heard from or about in some time.
First—a few weeks ago—l was sitting in my office contemplating the beauty of the New York skyline between glances at the pile of un-done work on my desk when the receptionist called and announced a Mr. Walrath. A pause of uncertainty on my part. "A classmate of yours at Dartmouth," she filled in. "Well, for ," I said and dashed for the lobby. Sure enough. Bill Walrath in town from Chicago, selling for The AmericanHome magazine, and paying a visit to Compton Advertising. Haven't seen Bill since college days and I guess we both showed it. Otherwise he's fine, likes his new job, and had a previous date for lunch so we couldn't settle down for too much talk.
Received a very attractive Christmas card photograph of the Van Kirk family with the following message. "Susan Wilcox arrived August 13—61/2 pounds and has now more than doubled that paltry figure. We are fine and fitten and liking life in Los Angeles. Bill Mumler and I are having a wonderful time practising medicine (and good! I might add) together. Yours, Frank." Thanks, Frank. And best of luck in your work.
A recent clipping from the Daily NewsRecord forwarded by eagle eye Naramore: "Ralph Lazarus, vice-president of F. & R. Lazarus & Co., Columbus, 0., has been named to the national council of the Joint Defense Appeal, the fund-raising arm of the American Jewish Committee and the Anti- Defamation League of the B'nai B'rith. Announcement was made by Sidney M. Meyer, chairman of the council." The clipping includes a picture of Ralph and outside of the dark-rimmed glasses he looks about the same as in the Freshman Greenbook.
The Bill Russells in Redbank, N. J., have just added a girl to their family. She's Carol Ann—born December 14—and she weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Wow!
And here's an old announcement that BobHage found under his mattress left over from last spring. It may be moss-covered but it gives you some idea of how busy a guy can be: Excerpt from the Phillips Bulletin, Andover, Mass., "Rapidly becoming a pillar of Belmont community life is Gardner Cushman. He is the proud owner of four budding young nippers plus a house full of mechanical lares at penates (dishwasher, clothes dryer, etc.) which he claims eliminates the need for domestic help but requires the acquaintance of innumerable service men. He has just become a partner of Gaston, Snow, Rice & Boyd —obviously a law firm—and in his spare time is president of the Belmont Day School, past president of the Belmont Community Federation, chairman of the Greater Boston Community Fund, director of the Belmont Family Society, and incorporator of the Belmont Savings Bank. As though this weren't enough Cush ran for Town Meeting Member, which post he probably got because he was unopposed." I'm all tired out just writing about it. I'll bet the guy is never home for dinner.
On December 28, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Dartmouth Club of New York threw a Tea Dance for its members—an oldfashioned idea which they revived very successfully including omission of the tea. Babs and Reg Bankart and Pat and Carl Funke represented '35 and practiced a few old Charleston and Black Bottom numbers on the dance floor. We all had dinner together where we alternately settled and unsettled the world situation, over a few more rounds of "Tender Leaf." Clay Titus was around at the beginning of the evening, but by the time we persuaded him he should go home and get his wife she had left for a visit to New Jersey. Which shows what fast per- suaders Carl and I were.
Ernie Draper passed along word the other day at lunch that the Em McMullens had just had their third child, a boy at last, on December 27. Either I'm stupid and can't remember the kid's name or it hadn't been named yet.
AND IN CONCLUSION
Since I opened this column with a surprise visitor I'm closing with one. A couple of days before Christmas Ed Offutt landed in New York on business and managed to stop in for a quick hello. Ed, as previously reported, is now working with the U.S. Public Health Service with headquarters in Bethesda, Md. He and Ginny bought a large house about a mile from his office on 4515 Roxbury Drive, Bethesda. Typical of these times, it's more than they could afford and larger than they needed but the only thing they could find within commuting distance and they 11 probably grow to fit it and be glad they have it in a few years. Ed's work will require quite a bit of traveling visiting schools all over the country where government money is being used in research projects related to Public Health.
Well, gang, that rounds up the dope for another month. See you all in March.
Secretary, Compton Advertising, Inc. 630 gth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
Treasurer, 67 May St., Needham, Mass.
Memorial Fund Chairman, 598 Madison Ave., New York 22, N. Y.
