1940
This column gets to the MAGAZINE editor later each month, but he is nice enough not to complain, at least not too directly. This time the delay has been occasioned by the usual family and business problems which seem to befall most of us in our attempts to meet the many deadlines which life holds for us. With one member of my family in the hospital for some surgery, and with a six-week trip to Europe and the Middle East coming up for your scribe beginning a week from tomorrow, I'm not just up to the demands of getting this column out in timely fashion. In short, if you were really looking for a more presentable effort, you are hereby notified that I'm hard put to give you any sort of a column at all.
While on the subject of European trips, wereceived a wonderful, long Christmas letterfrom . Bob Lake's wife Lee, recounting theenjoyable experiences they have had this pastyear in the course of Bob's assignment toFrance to set up a local purchasing officefor Procter & Gamble in Paris. It sounded sogood that I have taken the liberty of quotingit in full below:
"This year finds us still in France, but frankly neither here nor there. We are about to pull up stakes from our much enjoyed villa in Marseille and trek on up to Paris. However, Christmas Day for us will most probably be spent in the Alps where we would like to do a little skiing before wading into the job of unpacking in Paris. Certainly will be a different Christmas Day than we have been used to, but no reason why it can't be a very pleasant one.
"Our move to Paris promises to be an exciting one. Now that the factory is completed, Bob is moving the Procter & Gamble France Buying Department there, and we expect to stay on for at least six or eight months. After a quick trip to Paris apartment-hunting last week, we are happy to come up with our new address. We feel most fortunate, as hunting was a discouraging experience. In spite of it all, we ended up with a nice big apartment with which we are very pleased. It is in the Trocadero area, which is considered very smart, and is not far from the Eiffel Tower, or the Bois de Boulogne, which of course will be wonderful for the children.
"The boys are still in French schools, but each in a different one this year. They are doing very well and are now speaking French fluently. As a matter of fact their mother's French (father's too!) is most embarrassing to them and they often have to serve as interpreter. They have both grown a great deal and have just celebrated their 8th (Tommy) and 5th (Stevie) birthdays.
"Many Procter & Gamble men and some with their wives have been to Marseille, which always ends for us as fun and a touch of home away from home. A trip to Barcelona, Spain, and to the Island of Mallorca after the first of the year was enjoyed by us all. Then there was the film festival in Cannes this spring which was wonderful fun. A ten-day trip to Italy, taking in the Italian Riviera, Pisa, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Lake Como countryside and the French Riviera followed. The children do not often enjoy touring as such, so Lee spent two weeks in the French Alps with the boys in August to give them a nice holiday. This, however, turned into a nightmare with all in one bed one time or another for the two weeks. Menton, near Annecy, was the setting, and a perfectly lovely one at that. C'est la vie! However, when all was well, Bob joined us and we went off for a short visit to Switzerland, which we all enjoyed.
"Our spring and summer were delightful, with a lovely pool just below us on the Plage and the inviting waters of the blue Mediterranean called us often to nearby Cassy and La Ciotot. Basket picnic lunches were the order of the day and always included a bottle of wine, long loaf of bread, an assortment of cheese and a bunch of grapes. It might easily be considered one of our most favorite experiences while here.
"It's been a wonderful year for us and we hope for you too. We'd love to have a nice newsy letter from you to catch up on your past year. Letters from friends are a bright spot in our life, too."
Bob's postscript indicates that doing business with the French is quite an experience.He's still not accustomed to the two-hourlunches and five- or six-course meals. Forthose of you who would drop him a line, oranswer Lee's plaintive request for a "newsyletter," the new address is 50 Rue Cortambert,Paris (16), France.
Looking elsewhere on the globe, Comdr.Robin M. Hartmann, a member of the advance party of the United States Antarctic Expedition, announced in Wellington, New Zealand, recently that the expedition hopes to land men at the South Pole by plane or parachute this Antarctic summer. He said that those landed would check the snow for use as a possible landing field for transport planes and, if the men cannot be picked up again, they will be supplied from the air for their march to the Beardmore Glacier advance base. Sounds like Bob's public relations activities for the Navy are taking him far afield, but it must be a most interesting assignment.
Here at home we note from a postal card announcement that Thomas George has a one-man exhibition of paintings, prints and drawings being presented in the Carpenter Galleries, adjoining Baker Library, Hanover, during this whole month of January. If any of you have managed to see the show, I'd welcome a word from you as to what you saw and, if you see Tom, how he is enjoying his career as an artist. I hear indirectly that he is doing some excellent work.
Also in New Hampshire, Frank Whaland has recently become an account executive with the Nashua, N. H., insurance agency of Archie Slawsby Inc. Frank entered the insurance business as an adjuster with the Travelers after he was discharged from the Army following World War 11. He later was a special agent for the Central Mutual and more recently has been state agent for the Caledonian Insurance Group in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Frank and his family, including two children, will move soon to a new home in Chester, N. H.
News of newcomers suggests that the former long-time bachelor, Bill Halsey, has finally caught up with the '40 pace. A very clever birth announcement came to me the other day, signaling the arrival of Marc Crawford Halsey, on October 25 last. A note from the wife and proud mama, Tipi Halsey, announced the new score as "three children all under four!" They are now building a new house in Lincoln, Mass., which all Forties who happen to perambulate in that direction are extended a cordial welcome to visit after next March. The architectural firm of Bastille-Halsey Associates is very busy with considerable industrial architectural projects, schools, etc., in the works.
Finally, with news somewhat scarce, we report that recent visitors to Hanover and to the Inn have been Dwight Meader, from Tarry town, N. Y., Oscar Acer, of Medina, N. Y., and Fred Porter, your busy reunion chairman who was on a mission to firm up some more arrangements looking toward our Frolicking Fifteenth next June. This column in the next issue of the MAGAZINE will be written, in my absence, by J. Malcolm deSieyes. "Diz," with the help of Fred and his reunion committee, will give you the preliminary program for the class reunion as it is presently shaping up for next June. Don't miss seeing it; and don't forget to plan now to be in Hanover to enjoy it!
Secretary,: 322 Canterbury Road, Westfield, N. J.
Treasurer, 88 North Main St., Concord, N. H.
