1910
As this chapter is written, Christmas is just around the corner and we are having a shower of greetings from Tenners. An interesting feature of many of these cards is the number of times a written message is included telling of the intention to "see you in June." As we have noted before in this monthly review of Tenner news, this has been a reunion year for Tenners not confined to the "45th in '55" official event in Hanover. It is evident that the value of our informal reunions is being recognized by many more than the number who have attended the previous gatherings. The time of the '56 informal will be June 11-14. Be sure to mark these dates down somewhere and guide yourselves accordingly.
A line from Herb Woods states that he has made his reservation at the Inn. Says he believes in doing his "Christmas shopping early." Dick Boerker missed out last June but writes from Phoenix, Ariz., that the Boerkers are definitely planning to be in Hanover next June. Planning, with Dick, means covering a lot of territory before June, as he gathers material for the revision of his book on the subject of the nation's forests.
Tenners were paid a compliment by 1914 recently. Our "Greetings" of a year ago containing the old Commons menus, which somebody showed some of the '14 men, appealed to them as something they could pass along to the members of their class. They asked if we had any objections to their using the same idea, and, of course, we said "Go ahead." So this year they will be chuckling and marvelling over the prices of their time in College which began just as ours ended. You may be interested to know too that last spring 1908 made use of one of our menus in a printed piece they issued in behalf of the Alumni Fund.
Some of our retired members seem to be fully as active now as before. For instance, there is Bert Kent who has recently taken on the job of president of the Chamber of Commerce in Holyoke, Mass. Since retiring from the Hercules Powder Co. about a year ago, Bert has become special assistant to the president of the Hadley Falls Trust Co. in Holyoke, and he was elected last spring to membership on the Dartmouth Alumni Council. We believe Bert has the right idea when he keeps active though "retired."
Did you notice that special item in the November ALUMNI MACAZINE headed "Conference Star"? Underneath it were the initials G.R.C. '10 and that meant that our ex-newspaperman and free lance writer, Dick Carpenter was literally "at the bottom of it." Dick was publicity man for the Pacific Coast Dartmouth Conference in October and his nose for news accounted for this interesting bit about Louis P. Benezet '99 who came from Honolulu for the meetings. Carp tells us that the Dartmouth men on the Coast are planning to erect a memorial for our Win Wilkinson, who was such an outstanding worker for the establishment of the Dartmouth Outing Club of Northern California, and the building of its cabin high in the Sierras. Carp says, "As a perennial Sec. Treas. of the Northern California Dartmouth Outing Club, Wilk masterminded the continuing improvements at the club's mountain cabin at Donner Pass in the Sierras, a good 180 miles from Wilk's home. ... Wilk and Mabel found that by taking an early start they could get to the cabin on a Sunday, put in about two or three hours work there and get back to Berkeley before curfew rang. Wilk's son Albert, at high school age, did yeoman service on these trips." Win's death came just a few days before the conference began. Carp says the opportunity is open to any Tenners who wish to make nominal contributions to this means of honoring one of our number who was always on the job for Dartmouth on the Coast. If so inclined, get in touch with Carp.
From the Coast also comes word that that traveling Tenner Mai Bissell, who you may recall started traveling after his freshman year with us, landed at Yale and eventually took on the duties of a teacher in the West. Mai and Ella started late in the year on a three months' trip to South America. Mai was connected with the Office of Strategic Services and later with the State Department before retiring a couple of years or so ago. Although a Yale man he is still a Dartmouth Tenner and works at it.
One of our Christmas greetings was from Charlie Thomas over in Bridgeport, Conn. We wish we could tell you something about Charlie but so far, our effort to get a word from him other than the greeting card has not been a success. Come on, Charlie, fill out that information blank so we may know what, who and why you are doing. Another card tells us that Clarence Allen who retired from his school work a year ago, and took up the work of public relations for the Washington Cathedral in D. C. is now with the Audubon Society in Boston. His new address is 74 Beach St., Cohasset, Mass. and mentioning new addresses reminds us that many of those annual "changes" to Florida locations have taken place. Hap Hinman, Jess Wilson, Ed Dusham,Bill Taylor, Dick Hursh and Jack Bates are now in that part of the Country known as Florida, where they wish you a "warm Merry Christmas." But this year we have heard that that Canadian product which blanketed us in the North just before Christmas actually reached into that land of sunshine. As this is written Larry and Mim Bankart are en route and we expect many other Tenners will spend some time there this winter.
Another of our Christmas greeting cards was from Dorothy (Mrs. Don) Palmer with the message, "I enjoy every bit of Dartmouth news that comes my way. A cold, and bad weather kept me from the Princeton game. My son Donald and Donald III went and enjoyed it in spite of the weather and score." We do like to note this kind of continuing interest in Dartmouth and Tenner affairs on the part of those whose Tenner-partners have been taken from us. It means a great deal to all of us who remain, to know that our Tenner family circle continues to include the widows. This is not the first time Dorothy Palmer has given evidence of her lasting interest. We are pleased to state that more and more Tenner widows are showing this loyalty to all that is dear to us as it was to their husbands.
A holiday note from Herb Wolff says:
"In the December issue, our good friend and classmate Thayer Smith was quoted as saying, 'Can any alumnus challenge me on family representation at Dartmouth?' Five of my six boys have attended Dartmouth. Thayer's record is certainly terrific, but I do make a mild challenge to his statement. Since five of his six boys attended Dartmouth, his 'participation index' - to use the language of the Alumni Fund — is 83 1/3%. Since four out of my four boys attended Dartmouth, my 'participation index' is 100%. I will be glad to debate this point with the distinguished doctor when we next meet in Hanover at one of our reunions."
Well, Herb, we shall plan to give you two "debaters" a prominent spot on our Class Dinner program next June. Thayer always attends these informal reunions so it is up to you to make plans to be there, too.
Incidentally, Herb mentioned in his letter, "Every now and then, I hear from one of the classmates advising of future provision which he is making for the College in line with our Bequest Program." Herb did a fine piece of work when he prepared and sent to each Tenner that letter on the subject of ways to provide financial help for the College. He made it clear that his committee is not expecting some large legacies but rather a large "participation" of many small amounts such as small insurance policies. Herb's letter was sent by the Bequest office in Hanover, to the chairman of other classes as an example.
We have learned since telling you about hearing from Joss Josselyn that a newspaper clipping which we saw referred to the completion of a commission given to Joss for a portrait painting of a deceased member of the Commerce Faculty Club of the Commerce High School in Yonkers, N. Y. Joss is devoting his time and energy to painting. An item in the New York Times early in December, quoted our Eck Hiestand, Congressman from California's 21st district, as "assailing" Walter Reuther, president of the auto workers union, as "Public Enemy No. 1." Eck is said to have made the prediction that "Nobody will be nominated for President (by the Democrats) without the approval of Walter Reuther," whom he described as a "Socialist with a Communist-Russian background." Talk about calling a "spade a spade," Eck seems to qualify, and how much better impression would be made by members of Congress if more of them had both the nerve and good sense, as did the late Senator Taft, to speak out honestly regardless of any threatened consequences. More power to you, Eck. The news clipping came byway of Ray Seymour. A few days later a clipping from the San Francisco Chronicle, covering this same item of news about Eck, arrived from Dick Carpenter.
Andy Scarlett has sent us word which we are sorry to receive, that Nat Emerson's wife, Etta, passed away early in September. Our sympathy is extended to Nat in this great loss. Nat lives not far from Hanover, in Etna, but somehow this sad news did not reach any Tenner until just before Christmas.
Secretary, 501 Cannon PL, Troy, N. Y.
Treasurer, 305 So. Saturn Ave., Clearwater, Fla.
Bequest Chairman,
