1919
Additional greetings, this time on your Sec.'s 59th birthday, are hereby gratefully acknowledged to Norm and Ruth Jeavons,Dick and Edna Werfelman, Dick and SpikeDudensing, Elmer Phelps, Nock Wallis, HalParsons, Larry Eastman and Elmer Pilsbury. Larry further states, "We are still being rather industrious, Emma in local art and music circles (Cape Elisabeth and Portland, Me.) to which I am a mere go-along. Our Peter is teaching general science and physics at Rivers Country Day School and living (single) in Weston, Mass. I'm still with National Life and working at it every day."
Russ Potter, of Woodbridge, Conn., notes in his letter dated December 10 that: "When the mail arrived this morning, believe it or not, your birthday greeting dated July 23 was received. Lord knows where it has been - probably stuck in a box somewhere. It is very much appreciated even though it is a constant reminder we are starting to push nearer the 70's." Your Sec. slips up once in a while on the birthday cards, but the above shows that it could be the mailman's fault or the post office.
Nick and Dot Sandoe managed to round up some local '19ers to greet Betty and JackClark of Concord, Mass., on a recent visit to Pelham, N. Y. Present at a very nice party were Bill and Edna McMahon, Horace andElinor Hitchcock of Bronxviile, whom most of us had not seen in too long a time, WinBatchelder (Harriet was in Florida), San andJane Treat, Marie Drane, Lou and HarrietMunro, Bri and Adele Greeley, Mose andFlorence Robinson, Paul and Catherine Halloran, Dick and Spike Dudensing, and Honand Fat Jackson. To be sure that the '19ers kept order, the eminent, sterling and perennial class secretary of 1918, one Ernest Earley, was on-hand with Mary Ellen. Sandy Treat, son of San and Jane, is at the University of Geneva, sent there by his firm, the Aluminium Company of Canada, to further prepare him for an executive job with the company.
A nice letter from D. T. (Bunny) Burnett on the stationery of Toll Road Interiors, Whitman, Mass., says in part: "January 10 is my personal New Year and I am fulfilling my first resolution to thank you for your remembrance. As I look over the list of names I am impressed with the terrific amount of energy that you must put into this undertaking. It's a little startling to note how many names don't even register. I never returned to Hanover after the war and right now I have regretfully foregone the various reunions because I can't walk very far very fast. The last time I went to Hanover I was dragging anchor and since much of the activity depends on footwork rather than the car, I figure that any group I might happen to be with would appreciate me more in absentia: However the card is a sort of inspiration to me inasmuch as it makes me feel like part of something. Maybe it's just like some refugee who steps off the boat into a new land. He may not know a soul but several with whom I have talked give me the impression that I am trying to express here. They seem to feel like part of something worth while. It's a very pleasant and comforting feeling and may help convince you that your efforts are not in vain. However, while I believe I now am not the most prolific father in the class, I think - and I don't know - that my son, Dartmouth '40, was the first born to 1919 and I am quite sure the first to attend and graduate. Then there were five girls, the youngest of whom has two children - giving me a total of seven grands. Having no Indian blood that I know about, I never did try to enter my girls at Hanover. Let's call that a moral victory. Meaning that Lebanon and the Junk were too close. Hanover! Never!"
Elmer Pilsbury of Newtonville, Mass., writes in: "I've had a temporary sojourn at the hospital with a chronic pancreas, otherwise I would have acknowledged your birthday card sooner. I'm O.K. now — just restricted to a strict diet. There isn't any news, but I did want to thank you for your card. It was a thrill to me to look over all the names and try to remember them as they used to be. Frankly, it was difficult to remember a great many of our classmates. Thanks for doing so much for the class, George, and Happy Holidays to you."
A card from Litchfield Park, Ariz., indicates that Lou and Jean Stone broke awayfrom New York's worst winter in years totake some sunshine.
A nice picture of Don Finlayson appearedin a recent issue of the Cornell FraternityBulletin together with a fine tribute to Donas a faculty adviser to various fraternities:
"Fraternities, as we all know, are founded on the principles of brotherhood. Inherent in these principles are ideas of cooperation, understanding and friendship. Often, though, each fraternity finds itself confronted with, what seems to be, an unsolvable problem. When such a situation arises, the fraternity realizes that their adviser will be on hand, to listen and give the guidance necessary. Such a person is Professor Donald Finlayson, who has done much to perpetuate these principles while advising Alpha Phi Delta. Professor Finlayson became a member of the Architecture School's faculty in 1928. During a brief interview with him, he spoke of his ideas of what a good advisor should do. He is of the opinion that one essential is that the advisor become familiar with the fraternity members. He also feels that besides chaperoning a party, the advisor should attend an open house meeting to see the fraternity in action. Overall, he feels that the advisor should be actively interested in the fraternity. It was this general opinion that Professor Finlayson put to use when the Advisors Board was started in 1952 and he became the first chairman. While devoting much of his time to his own fraternity, Alpha Phi Delta, Professor Finlayson has done much to help and aid all the fraternities at Cornell. To him, and to the other advisors we owe a vote of thanks for perpetuating the standards and ideals of fraternities."
A big Wah-Hoo-Wah for Robert Arnold (Fat to us) Jackson on his promotion to President and a Director of the Ward Baking Company. Your Sec. is sure that all the class joins his many friends in wishing him the best in his new job. Fat and Hon are already signed up for October 11-13 at Woodstock-Hanover.
A card from the Fiji Islands indicates that Trace Kohl, prominent hotel man of Oak Park, Ill., is really a traveler. "On another eight weeks' vacation and overseas trip. This time it is by air. Flew to Sydney, Australia (which has fond memories for your Sec. on his only leave from New Guinea in World War II) before Christmas with three Oak Park men - have enjoyed visits in Australia and New Zealand where I had some great trout fishing. New Zealand's North and South Islands are most interesting. From here to Samoa, and Tahiti. Then Honolulu and home."
Oscar Lewis, the Ethyl Corporation man from Toronto, Canada, notes: "Thank you for the 1919 card, together with your personal greeting, I had a little trouble finding my name, but did find the names of a lot of fellows that I had about forgotten with the passage of time, and thinking about them as individuals brought back some pleasant memories from the far distant past. It was very nice hearing from you and I hope that on one of my infrequent trips to New York, we may be able to get together, possibly at the Dartmouth Club."
Our champion traveler, Dr. H. Fielding (Wilk) Wilkinson, notes to Howie Cole, chairman of 1919's Bequest and Estate Planning Program (have you filled out their questionnaire yet?), that: "Mrs. Wilkinson and I are expecting to leave early next year for southeastern and southern Asia, later Africa, to collect material for a forthcoming book we are expecting to publish of worldwide oddities in folklore medicine. We are taking movies, tape recordings and stills, the latter for illustrations. We expect to be gone upwards of two years."
Your Sec. is well aware that there is a repetition of names appearing in both the MAGAZINE and the Smoke Signal and would most heartily welcome news from other members of the class, but what he doesn't know, he can't report.
Secretary, 1273 North Avenue New Rochelle, N. Y.
Treasnrer, 184 Summer St., Springfield, Vt.
Bequest Chairman,
