1909
A contemporary who signed himself I. P. Freely (I'll bet it was that cut-up, Al Newton) sent in an account of '09ers who attended the annual banquet in Boston. Here we go:
"President Joe Worthen and twelve of the faithful members of the class showed up at the annual meeting of the Dartmouth Alumni Association. Two unfamiliar faces joined the ranks this year, namely, Abbott Thayer and Norma?! Catharin. ChetBrett was host, and after everyone was seated, offered a toast to our new class president, JoeWort hen. That brought all the boys up on their feet. Then they sat down again.
"Clark Saville entertained the group with his yachting experiences which are many and varied. Treasurer Bert French was busy checking the members for class dues, while Oliver Greenwood had to explain about the flocking business up in Lowell. Cad Cummings and Norm Catharin spent the evening reminiscing the good old days in Chelsea High School when they both played football for the Red and Black. Howard Spaulding (Quick Hitch to you fellows) kept one ear cocked for any fire alarms that might call him away to attend to one of his properties,
Plum Leighton and Inge Fearing were a little late, having lost their way somewhere along the line. Wally Ross, now retired and enjoying the peace of mind that comes to those who have spent a busy life, enjoyed the evening chatting to Joe Worthen. Between naps, Al Newton was kept busy answering questions - Why the high price of lobsters?
"Abbott Thayer drove up from Taunton for the first time in many years. He owns and operates a large farm where he raises Black Angus and Hereford cattle, plus sheep, and hens by the hundreds. Same old Abbott, still weighing around 230 lbs., and just as big and strong as he was in college. He reminded us of when he played football of the rock 'em and sock 'em kind that we all remember in the good old days. He is very proud of his daughter Lucretia and his son, Theodore '46, who is a successful surgeon. We also learned that he studied under our distinguished classmate, Dr.Standford Burton Hooker.
"Our table was a popular one, for we had visitors from other classes who stopped to say Hello. Edwin Cummings '39 paid his father a visit, and we noted Pete McCary and Howie Cowee '08; Win Nay, Charlie Fay, Rog Pierce, and Hazen Jones, all of '10."
Parson Morse Breaks Into Print.... In a talk to Harvard divinity students, our classmate Leon Morse, sage of Lyme, N. H. and North Thetford, Vt., told the budding ministers that "the home life of their own parsonages must be exemplary and free of any 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situations'.... The counseling minister must have, first of all, a home cleaner and finer than the legendary virtues of Caesar's wife."
"In addition to the general virtues," said the Parson, "which are part of the ministerial counsel, a gift of humor is almost indispensable, particularly the ability to laugh at yourself, For the others will laugh with you, not at you."
The Parson knows what he's talking about. He not only preaches a couple sermons on Sundays, but he writes a column, "Your Friend," which counsels on domestic relations. He and his little woman Elsie live happily together in a charming old home in Lyme. At 75 (the Reverend was born December 24, 1880) I know of no guy in our class who is enjoying more the twilight years, whose mind is any quicker, or who is getting more out of living.
Clippings from the Boston Herald were sent me by Joe Worthen and Sandy Hooker from his hide-away in Bradford, Vt. "The Parson," commented Sandy, ever the laconic Vermonter, "has gone to some length in delicately re-defining the New England Conscience: 'The part that hurts when everything else feels good.' " You said it, son.
Another '09 Divine, Hollis M. Bartlett, had his picture and a write-up in the WorcesterEvening Gazette, when he announced that at the end of this year he would retire as pastor of the Millbury Congregational Church, and as pastor of the Lake View Congregational Church. He has been at Lake View for thirty years, and he organized the East Millbury parish in 1937. You may remember that Hollis got a double spread in the Sunday magazine section of the paper some years ago. This was noted in one of the issues of the Diddings.
Thanks to Dr. Bill Holzer, who lives in Worcester, for eagle-eyeing this news. Bill reports that he's still on the job.
Bertie French, class secretary and treasurer, called attention to the death of Harold Brett, Chet's older brother, who was a noted painter of portraits. Our sympathies, Chet.
Gordon Weinz and Grace, his better half, Bertie reported, left February 6 on a trip to California and Honolulu, with the return trip to be made by freighter through the Panama Canal.
Bertie and his wife Hazel had been laid up for about three weeks at the time he wrote, having been attacked by one of the bugs that has been floating around. The doctor told 'em to get away for six weeks or two months, and that they were planning to do, although he hadn't decided just where.
"Class dues," informed the treasurer, "have come in quite well, but there are still some who ought to pay and don't." Why, you awful men!
Does the month of April mean anything to you guys? Aside from the first being Easter Sunday'and April Fool's day, this capricious segment of the year marks the opening of the 1956 Alumni Fund campaign - which should be an important event in the minds of all our classmates. We'll have a tough time, perhaps, in equaling the fine record of last year which was made possible through the memorial con- tributions honoring Sawny Reagan. Let's get our gifts in early, and make 'em as large as possible.
And don't forget, mates, that those who are so inclined will'meet in Hanover next June for our annual informal reunion. The executive committee, no doubt, will be getting the deal organized.
Happy days, youse guys. Keep looking UP, not down.
Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio
Class Agent, 18 Spirea Dr., Dayton 9, Ohio
