1902

Regarding the suggestion for a reunion in '54, Perce wrote suggesting that we go to the Woodstock Inn for such an informal reunion. That sounds good to me, except that many of us would be broke for the balance of the summer after paying our bill at that place.

George Elderkin writes that he thinks it would be well for us to have an informal reunion in Hanover a week before commencement when there will be enough room in town. He writes, "The idea was and is that there should be no committee of any sort, that each man who cannot resist the urge to return should be his own committee. The only thing to arrange is the date. We could have a class table at the hotel where each one would squander his ducats in response to inner craving." George goes on to point out that we have seen enough commencements and that we are really approaching the end. (Not me. I plan to live to at least 107 years.) He closes with almost poetic fervor, "I do solemnly swear that I shall betake what is left of me to the Dartmouth campus there to bask in the sunshine of pleasant memory." Good for you, George! There is a young fellow member of Kiwanis in town who speaks in cordial memory of our George under whom he had work at Princeton.

The other day came a note from Ned Redman '06, class agent, enclosing a letter from Fred to someone in that class in which he tells that Roy Hatch "held a large audience for nearly an hour with a masterful address on Abraham Lincoln. Roy is a fine speaker. He also spoke before the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, Wash. Thank you, Ned, but it was nothing new to me that our Roy could hold an audience with a masterful speech.

The Alumni Office has sent me a clipping from the New Hampshire Sunday News regarding a recently completed history of the Town of Pittsfield, N. H. In the middle of the article is a really good picture of our Frank Drake. Yes, you have guessed it. Frank sponsored (financed?) this history of his native town. As ever, that fellow has done a kind and worthwhile thing. This, in spite of the fact that I am a bit sore at him. A Gulf Oil friend of mine told me that he met our classmate over in Orlando not long ago. He ought to know that I would drive 50 miles any time to talk with him or any classmate for a few minutes.

A while ago there came a letter from R. H.Harding telling me of the eight-class meeting in Boston. Boy! Wouldn't I like to be there. Here's hoping that a lot of you boys can go and that you do go. I wrote and asked Dairymple, who lives nearby in Wellesley, to take over the job of mailing out the notices to our classmates. Haven't heard from Dal but if he didn't take over the job I say condemn—shorter form —him.

A note from Arba Irvin assures me that he really is retired. He spent a month in Florida and never let me know he was near. Condemn him, too!

A letter came last month from our dear Burr Whitcher. Burr was full of regret that he had not written before but in January he fell and broke his left wrist (you may remember Burr is left handed). Burr goes on to tell how much he and Jessie enjoyed the reunion. Jessie says that it was like a second honeymoon.

A week ago Pete Fletcher '00 and Dick Plumer '10 drove into the yard with their wives. Pete has bought a winter home just out of Orlando and is retired from teaching in Wisconsin. Dick lives in Orlando and teaches at Rollins College in Winter Park. We sat and yarned on our porch for hours, our tongues wagging at top speed. Isn't it a remarkable thing how much three men of Dartmouth can find to talk about even when their classes cover a spread of ten years?

Fellows, don't fail to come through with your contributions to the Alumni Fund both for the sake of the College and Roy. I had a letter from the Fund authorities suggesting amounts which might be given for various income levels. My suggestion is that a man is only giving enough when the amount he gives necessitates some sacrifice on his part. Yes?

Secretary, Gurnet Bridge, Brunswick, Me.

Class Agent; 412 Garfield St., Pullman, Wash.