1924
The pleasant custom of sending birthdaycards to classmates on behalf of the class isbeing pursued with much pleasure by yourscribe. Here is a gem, carried over from PhilVan Huyck's mission, from Larry Whit:
"In going through an old photo album I came across a picture of Cip (Dr. Anthony Cipollaro) and myself in a 1914 Saxon which we had in school. As I recollect, we paid $50 for it. . . . Cip could not drive. When the clutch became so worn that it needed replacing - which we could not afford — we had it tightened so that we drove without a clutch. Cip got out and pushed the car to start, so I could slip the gears. . . . When one memorable weekend we took off for New York and drove down Fifth Avenue, every cop stopped us just to watch Cip, complete in white flannels, get out and push so I could slip the gears to get the car started.
"The steering wheel was operated like a bicycle, with just two prongs to do the steering. Awhile before, the car had turned over when the steering locked on a curve. However, there was no mishap and the car was perfectly safe. About graduation, we were driving home with everything going well until around 4 A.M. when there was a flash, an explosion and the rear wheels locked. Somewhere near Brattleboro a piston had jumped out of the crankcase and that was the end of the Saxon."
Thanks for the flash-back, Larry. In writing the cards since August, I have had to scratch my head over some names without immediate associations, but others bring back a flood of memories. This one reminds me of a wild trip with George Bissell, Trix Roberts,Sew Bowers, etc., in George's Hudson (?) without brakes. Larry's letter was prompted by his being reminded that he was now a member of the Half Century Club. Many of us, like myself, have joined that Club and also are members of the Blue Lodge of Grandfathers. (Sylvia was married last summer to Harry Nelson Jr. Tuck II, and this summer presented us with our first grandchild, Mark.) I hope others will remember to help me include such births in the record by writing to me. You'll be pleased how many others are interested in such personal matters.
A tip-of-the-hat to Butts Lamson for a clipping stating that Don Wilbur was the general chairman for the World Council of Churches conference, sponsored by the Massachusetts Congregational churches, in Framingham, Mass., on September 11. Last month's MAGAZINE carried the notice of an article on Society Economic Growth published recently by Roly Gibson, at the University of Illinois. How about bringing us up to date on your work, which is different than when you dropped in on me in Hanover a few years ago, Roly?
Pete Wheatley is reported as a candidate for the Republican nomination for District Attorney for Plymouth (Mass.) County this fall. This is a natural development, following his position as first assistant D.A. for Norfolk and Plymouth counties, and assistant D.A. for the Commonwealth. Locally, Pete has been Town Moderator in Abington since 1935. where his law firm is located; has been past-president of the Plymouth County Republican Club and active in many other political offices. He is also described as president of the Abington Mutual Fire Insurance Co., director and trustee of banks, a hospital, and a leader in local Church and service-club activities.
Bill McNiff was at the reunion, with his son also (unofficially) present. He had represented the College at the ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Western College for Women, in Oxford, Ohio. Bill has been at Miami University since 1929, with the rank of Professor of History since 1947. If you haven't read it yet, you'd like his Heaven on Earth, which is an account of Mormon idealism. In contrast to idealism, the story of Ted Lamb's fight against a smear campaign has been written up in an earlier issue and was much discussed at reunion. He has offered $10,000 to anyone who disproves his "non-communist affidavits." In addition to his reputation and pride Ted has business interests at stake, as the F.C.C. was withholding approval of broadcast-license renewals for two Lamb stations, including WICU, Erie, Pa., on the strength of the anonymous accusations.
New letterheads have been printed by KenFoley, changing only the names of your officers. This was designed for the class by Ken. He has returned from a month in Europe with Ina and their daughter, Katrina, who remained for a bit more vacation after Ken had come back to his business on Allen Street.
Alex Gibson writes pleasantly of reunion memories. He has been working at summer school (he teaches at Andover Academy), while May Bess visited her folks in Texas. Barbara graduates from Wellesley next June, and Sandy from Holderness. Alex has been elected a trustee of his beloved McIndoes Academy, where he grew up. Also he is the new chairman of the Andover Republican Town Committee, and president of the Boston chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French.
Doc Christophe's son, Phil, was married on July 31 to Carol Hunter. He returns for his second year of Tuck School, and she will teach in nearby Enfield for this year. They'll live in the Sachem duplex development.
I had a very pleasant surprise when I appeared at a favorite Maine vacation spot on Penobscott Bay early in August, to renew acquaintances with a classmate who transferred to the University of New Hampshire after his second year. Lew Foote is now Superintendent of Schools for Goffstown, N. H. This is near Manchester, where Ken Davis insures the needy against death and taxes. I was able to extend birthday greetings in person as the day fell while we were both there, with our wives. Nearby, on Deer Isle, Robin Robinson has a summer camp that has been in the family for many years. We enjoyed luncheon with Ellen and Robin.
It was there that first word reached me of the death of Ken Harvey, on August 10, after a brief illness. It is a satisfaction to many of us in the class that Ken was with us for the 30th reunion. He and his wife had gone to stay on Lake Morey after reunion, seeking relaxation in this area. Dolores writes me: "He was so very well this spring that we thought the trip to Hanover would be good for him . . . and I know it was. Our doctor told me the trip didn't bring this on at all; it was inevitable, and the doctor had marveled how long Ken had gone along with the serious kidney condition he has had now for four or five years."
This is a severe blow to us all, and the more so because it comes so close after the death of Otto Grauer, on July 9. We knew, at the reunion, of his desperate illness, but his going and that of Ken Harvey take two of our most loyal members from us. I have written their wives, on behalf of the class, and have asked Dick Morin's help in securing the memorial books to be placed in the library in their honor. (It was voted at the business meeting to make such a purchase instead of sending the perishable token of flowers, especially as we usually know of such events too late for flowers to be appropriate.) According to custom, obituaries are printed elsewhere in this issue. Copies will be forwarded, with details about the memorial books selected, to Mrs. Grauer and to Mrs. Harvey.
In addition to the reunion visit, the KenHarveys were registered at the Inn early in July. Other classmates who also stayed there were the Al Stopfords, the George Kenneys and family, the Bunny Slys, the Honigsbergs, the Crouters, and the Dregges. I was out of town most of the time covered by such visits, but from here in I'll be here - one of the facultas in urbe - and always glad to see any of you. The next best is a letter from you, for which I am eagerly waiting.
Secretary,2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N. H.
Treasurer, 29 Woodside Rd., Winchester, Mass.
Bequest Chairman,
