1937
Habits are persistent traits in humans, the connotation being a reference to our more unfortunate habits which give us temporary ease that must be paid back later. Since procrastination is not unknown to me, it is not surprising that I am composing my resumption thesis for the new editorial year on a perfectly gorgeous Labor Day afternoon when the whole of the out-of-doors beckons.
I can only hope that this past summer was pleasant and restful for all. It was not too hot around New York, and we had just enough rain to keep things green without more than the normal bad weather on weekends. I got in a month's vacation over a six-week period and stayed home for house painting, gardening, and golf.
I know that as the summer progressed it became more and more pleasant for Class Agent Rowley Bialla, for each interim result bulletin on the Alumni Fund brought '37 closer to its goal of just under $15,000. At length the "Final interim" statement early in August showed that we had hit our money objective from 457 contributors. This is an achievement of which we can all be proud. In our group of classes 1935-41. only 1938 and 1940 exceeded our effort by doing better than 100% in the area of money. Rowley can now relax his vigil on the Fund to take up another the Biallas are expecting permanent company in the family!
On May 4-5 Fran Fenn, chairman of our Memorial Fund, Art Ruggles ("Send your slug to Rug"), and I attended the meeting of Class Officers in Hanover. I took my 13-year-old son Carlos along and that coupled with the tact that it was only my second visit to Hanover in these now so many years made for a memo- rable trip. I will not go into program details, except to note that the perennial plaint of class secretaries when they are together behind closed doors is how to worm a continuing flow of significant news from a large number of classmates so that the Class Notes are meaningful and representative. Would you therefore, my fellow classmates, be indulgent toward me when the mailman leaves a note from me at your house?
On Saturday the fifth, Ruggles and I were free at noon and had lunch at the Hitchcock Clinic with Drs. John Milne, Corb Moister, and Dick Watson, as well as Justin Smith (business manager for the Hitchcock medical group) and Harry Schultz who. as you know, is teaching English in Hanover. (Rug, have I forgotten anyone?)
After lunch we dropped in on Rog Barney. About Rog, I want to skip at once from May to August 15 when Rog was, in his words, "sprung" from Mary Hitchcock just one week short of a year after his severe attack of polio. After two weeks at a cottage near Hanover, Rog and his family were returning to Concord to resume a life so harshly interrupted. We all know he will surmount the handicaps imposed because Rog was in good spirits even in the midst of recuperation.
In a June letter Rog told me of a pleasant visit from Bar Moseley, who was en route to Milford, N. H., where he would be chez the Bill Rotches (I gathered, for the summer). Rog also enclosed ail announcement card from Janet and Ed Dorenjus: Goline, born February 22, French Hospital,. New York.
Before I get too far away from the subject of Fran Fenn, I want to make note of the fact that in July he announced the formation of F. T. Fenn Jr. & Co. in Hartford. The new organization will allow Fran and his associates to offer expanded insurance services to their many personal and business clients.
In August I enlisted the services of Gus Farwell to arrange our annual Executive Committee meeting at the University Club in Bridgeport. The date is October 5. Gus had one item of news. While waiting at the Atlanta airport last July, he heard his name called across the waiting room. It was Johnny Lindsay having a milkshake before departure'. John has recently been transferred to Tyler, Texas, for National Homes Corp. The latter has set up a new factory there, and John is their regional sales manager.
Way back in May I had a letter from Harty Beardsley, contents of which were just too late for the June column. He reported that Bud Butterworth's book, "The Enormous Egg," had been published by Atlantic Little Brown. A children's book and enormously successful in Harty's estimation. The latter also said he saw Paul Olson, "the perennial bachelor," from time to time. Paul was leaving for a European vacation. Also circulating in Harty's area are John Latchis and Jack Lovely. Harty's mother traveled last winter and during the course of her trip had a nice visit with Bob Aylward and family in Hong Kong.
Late last spring Warren Crumbine dropped me a note which reflected a most pardonable pride. His son Peter was accepted for Dartmouth '60 and is to enter in September. I believe that Warren has been headed in this regard only by Al Ryder. If others of you are approaching this same event, please let me know. These achievements should not go unnoticed.
In splendid response to my urging from news from a diversity of parts, Don McKinlay came through in typical fashion, with a fat "Airmail Special" yet, on Labor Day — the day of my travail. The Denver report shows Bill Geraghty as sober all summer but fatter and sassier than ever. McKinlay was working on Bill to participate in a mid-September camping trip. Judy and 3-year-old Ritchie willing and eager, but Geraghty loath to face roughing it. Since Geraghty's normal modesty borders on reluctance (he's lazy, that is), Don tells me information is elicited by a procedure resembling cross-examination. Don has lots more in his letter, so for reasons of space I shall save his welcome material for next issue.
I have a lengthy clip about Hal Putnam, who announced in June he would be a candidate for Congress from the Massachusetts 13th Congressional District, embracing most of Norfolk County and the City of Brockton. Hal's distinguished political career has included eight years in the Massachusetts House the 59th member of his family to so serve, and 12th generation in Bay State public service.
A Washington note: Dr. Dick Rush married to Julia Ann Halloran in the Navy Chapel August 15. Dick is president and board chairman of North American Acceptance Corp. Last June Bill Timbers was guest speaker at Glen Ridge High (N. J.) commencement exercises, an alumnus returned to the scene of earlier conquests. Now, Bill, if you chose as your thesis: Commencement is not an ending of something but a beginning, etc., I'll.. ..
Bob Hahn has been named assistant U. S. Marine Manager for the North British Group, marine underwriting department in New York. Bill Dixon reported by the Verona, N. J. press as an active adult adviser for the Y.M.C.A. Junior High Canteen. The Dixons have three children. Bob Kenney flew in from The Hague last spring for a brief trip to Cleveland and a visit with his mother in Hudson Falls, N. Y. Bob is a representative of B. F. Goodrich in Western Europe. Tom O'Brien, principal of Bedford Park Academy in New York, was elected president of the Private Summer High School Association of New York City. Tom has been principal at Bedford Park since 1943. The August 5 Sunday Boston Her- ald carries a short item about Phil Robertson, who has something new in up-the-mountain rides: two n/2 ton Dodge "personnel carriers" bussing vacationists from the summit of Cranmore Mountain (N. H.) to the top of Black Cap, a new scenic vantage point more than a mile to the East. Sounds like a trip I'd like to make.
Keep the news coming and we'll have more next month.
Class Secretary Wayne Ballantyne '37 of Chappaqua, N. Y. (not lowa) greets classmates from the tall corn in his garden.
Secretary, 869 Hardscrabble Rd. Chappaqua, N. Y.
Treasurer, 17 High Street, Greenfield, Mass.
