1908

May I preface my entrance into this melee of news gathering to state that to follow in the penprints of Bill Knight finds me in a spirit of humility and a sort of landborne mal demer. Most of the return post cards and we got quite a grist of them as result of the idea to which Art Lewis gave birth prefaced their theses with expressions of gratitude to Bill for the years of good work which he has given to the job, to which I certainly add my own thanks.

I suppose that every Class has to have a Class Matador. But listen, you freshmen, remember that the Matador doesn't supply the bull, he just throws it. Now, if you want the news to go out, it has to be sent in. I don't operate a magic carpet and can't be everywhere. Besides I have my own home work to do. So, nothing in, nothing out —not that I wish to be harsh with you, bless your 'OB souls.

And if, perchance, I do not report verbatim, due to lack of allowable space or some indelicacy of expression, don't worry about it, as we radio announcers say. With these few introductory remarks,,, we will proceed with the work at hand, beginning with the Class Officers.

President Mike Stearns: Up to the dead line, no news. But Mike is, ex-officio, the chief spy in the New York area and I suspect that he is busy making his rounds in preparation for the next issue. I hope so.

Secretary Larry Symmes: Larry reports a recent visit to Hanover, his fourth of the year, to attend the initiation of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. He and Gordon Blanchard and Mort Hull were accompanied by their brides, while Tat Badger, also in the group, went solo.

Treasurer Ted Barnes: Jack Everett, in a letter of appreciation to our Class Officers, singled out Ted as the best Treasurer since Alexander Hamilton. He couldn't remember much about Hamilton's predecessor.

Class Agent Art Lewis: This good news is verbatim. "One generous classmate sent in last December a sizable contribution to the Alumni Fund and dated his check Dec. 25, 1952. That's the nicest way,I know to finish the old year. Perhaps you would like to do it in 53 and save your Class Agent a lot of wear and tear."

Bequest Chairman for 'OB Chick Currier: The official report from the College should make Chick mighty proud and probably does. He and his Co-Chairmen, Rotch, Stickney and Symmes have done a wonderful job. Listen, here's the report.

"1908 —There are approximately 150 men in the class, including 35 non-graduates. The results of this letter have been interesting. In the first place, fifty men, or one-third of the class, responded, which is the highest initial response of any class to date. As of this time, fifteen men have made provision, two men are in the process of taking action, and an additional fifteen men are definite possibilities for some type of provision for the benefit of the College. 'OB is off to a flying start."

News from Three Arts: Art Soule, who is living the life of several Rileys, testifies that he is to let the snow take care of his lovely shore home at Cohasset while he suns from January 1 to April 1 at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., address being 3010 Sebastian St. where he will save the life of any '08er who is dying of thirst. And about Art Sides The headline in the Bridgeport Telegram of December 11 captions the story of his retirement as principal of the Central High School after 36 years of service. It took two columns including picture to properly laud him, which they certainly did. Now he's off for a month in Florida, to be followed by the Mardi Gras at New Orleans, then to Sarasota to watch the Red Sox in training. How can a man stand such loafing? Art Wyman; Ye Gods! more grandchildren. Number 12 at the last count probably more by now. In spite of all, Art attests to great interest in the ousting of the Little Haberdasher, VeroBeach and the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. Well, boys will be boys.

Parson Bill English is in trouble. Recently, Ethel and I were dining out at a nearby porlidge place and ran into Bill and his charming wife. It seems that Bill had recently become the victim of a gift of appreciation from his parish on the occasion of his 20th year of service. The gift was $1000.00 (a grand to layman). The papers were full of it. Now, Bill says, How can I spend it? Perhaps some classmate will make a suggestion." Honest, he said that.

Harold Clark, our iron man, writes that he can still swim, skate, climb mountains and is still active in business. But his hair is thin and he has seven grandchildren. Maybe a connection there. You should see the liquid Christmas Card from John and LucilleThompson. Of all the bbls., kegs and bottles. John reports a recent delightful visit with DonFrothingham in San Francisco who will speak later in the program. Howard Cowee admitted to no news but said it over his signature which looked good. Ed Smallman reports his retirement from the Bureau of Yards and Docks and is to live in Washington in winter and will summer in South Dennis on Cape Cod where he is a neighbor of Art Lewis. Larry Treadway writes from his palace at Vero Beach, Fla., that he and Helen arrived there December 13 and that he is working on the grounds to get 'em all prettied up for the Dartmouth boys and girls when they show up for sun and fun in March and April. Gee, what fun we had there last year, and what food. Remember the fish balls?

Park Stickney, our old standby for news, gifts and Dartmouth spirit, must have been caught underwear. He writes "Sun shining, wind N.W., looks like rain or snow or sumpin. Probably fair." Come, come, Park. What's the country coming to? Had a nice note from our erstwhile elongated Des Moines representative, Robbie Robinson. Robbie admits to four grandchildren, while his son Wendell '45, Captain in the Air Force, and wife have become owners of their first child. Well, that's a good start.

Mort Hull remained in Holyoke long enough to write a note about his recent trip to Hanover afore-mentioned. Mort's a hard man to catch. He travels most of the time to look up places to go to next. In March he and Marguerite will go again to Harbour Island, somewhere in the Atlantic, then to Naples, Fla. and hopes to stop at Vero Beach on the way home. We ain't mad, Mort, just envious. A welcome word was received from our wanderer Don Frothingham who has checked in at San Francisco for the first time that he has spent a year in one place for many years. He mentions visits with John and Lucille Thompson and Dick Danforth. Don's studies in sociology have revealed that there are more active bars in S.F. than any city outside of Reno.

The writer journeyed to Laconia, N. H., recently to attend the funeral of Art Lewis' mother, a grand old lady of 93 and of some 45 years of my acquaintance. While there we had a nice visit with Art and Pauline O'Shea whose hospitality is only equalled by their charm. It's always great to see them.

Our good Class Historian Syd Ruggles writes me a long letter from Labrador offering valuable suggestions for effective collaboration. The personal part of his letter of December 17 says, "The hottest news that I can give is that l am waiting for the next plane to take me to Montreal for a month's leave at my home in Danbury, Conn." Happy landings, Syd.

Allan Perkins doth thus depose from Bridgeport, Conn.

"After a grand time at the reunion in June, Kate and I continued to Quebec and around the Gaspe Peninsula enjoyed every minute of it and strongly advise all to do it. En route, visited Johnand Jennie Hinman at their camp where the fish ail but jump into your boat. That made the trip super complete. Give my best to the boys around Boston."

The sage of Milford, Art Rotch, can always be counted upon, and he contributed a grand idea which in similar circumstances may be repeated. Art says,

"One month, years ago when I was keeping the pumpkin papers, the deadline came and I had nothing on any comrade. So I made up a dozen items about guys too far away to shoot or hang me. I think it was the best 'OB news ever printed, and not a word of it was true. I see the system has now been adopted in Moscow."

Anyway, now it has been told.

Dick Danforth, our anchor man, testifies as follows, "Tried to get East in time for the reunion but was held here by a Navy job requiring my attention. Finally got East in July and kicked around the Maine coast in my sailing cruiser until the middle of September. Spent the night in the Hanover Inn on the way back. Otherwise no news." But Dick has made a lot of news since the 'OB days. MilesGardner of Rochester, N. Y., reports that same Dick Danforth dropped in on him on his way East from the Coast. Miles is concerned because he "is getting no younger fast." Does that sound familiar? And here's one from Paul Batchelder:

"I am still teaching mathematics at the University of Texas as I have been doing for the past 36 years. In the summer of '51 I visited New England for the first time in over 25 years, but failed to get to Hanover. Last summer I made a trip to California. Best wishes to the class of '08." I'll bet those Texas boys lead the country in Mathematics.

Now here's the epilogue. In another month this neophyte will have to come forth with more news. That comes mighty soon. Because I don't want to get caught I am deliberately holding back enough replies for a start. By that time there should be a fresh batch and those who were missing in this roundup should appear. There will be no postcards can't afford it. Remember, news about yourself may not be interesting to you, but it is interesting to the class. Let's have it.

Notes Editor, 119 Parker St. Newton Center 59, Mass. Secretary, 115 Broadway, New York 6, N. Y. Treasurer, Taftville, Conn.