1923
Fred Marsh, son of our classmate, the late George Marsh, has written in to your secretary on the subject of the February family reunion. Here are quotes from this letter:
"In your letter you asked me to give you an impersonal reaction to the Class of 1923. I shall give you a reaction to the Class, but I'm afraid it won't be impersonal. I went to dinner and the cocktail party thinking that the evening would be enjoyable but perhaps a bit formal. After all, I didn't know anyone and felt that my invitation was sent as merely a matter of routine policy. I don't have to tell you that the small amount of trepidation I experienced at first was quickly dispelled. Seldom have I ever so quickly and thoroughly been made to feel at home and at ease.
As I think back on it, the primary reason for the casual atmosphere must be that first and foremost the Reunion was composed of Dartmouth's men, and such a unifying factor can never be deemphasized. Secondly, the Class of 1923 seems to have not only a devotion to the College that has distinguished Dartmouth men for a great many years, but there is a definite loyalty and devotion to the class itself that time has apparently done very little in altering. Perhaps it's due to an unusually strong feeling for the College, perhaps it's due to the memories of the undergraduate years as a class. I'm inclined to think it is a combination of the two, a combination of which the Class of 1923 can rightfully be proud.
"Even though my father's association with Dartmouth and the Class of '23 was ended rather abruptly when my grandfather noticed that Dad's crap shooting was being considerably improved in contrast to his grades, my father never forgot the College or the friendships he made among his classmates. I now think I know why he felt as he did about both."
Johnny Coonley, from his home in Honolulu, has opportunities to travel in the Orient that we all should envy. Last fall he spent a few weeks in the Orient, found Japan "completely fascinating." He writes that Hong Kong was fun and clothes, cheap. Bangkok was terribly hot, but fantastic." Johnny wishes New England were not so far away. He rarely gets further than the West Coast and then only to see his son's family.
The Mark Whitmans have become genuine Florida Crackers." Last year they built a new home at Lake Worth. Mark says he and his wife are moving along with the balmy breezes. They would like some 1923 callers.
George Musk moved to Bath, Me., in the spring of 1942 when the war clouds looked very ominous. An opportunity arose to take over a coal business which he has since turned rapidly into fuel oil. George writes he still supplies Bath Iron Works and the Hyde Windless Co., Bath's two major industries, with soft coal.
George and Julie's children have grown up. Carol was graduated from Smith in 1954, married in 1955, and has a son, born in December of last year. Son, Harry, was married in early 1956 and has a son, born just ahead of Carol's. Harry is now his father's right-hand assistant.
Robby Robinson, a manufacturer's representative in Cleveland, Ohio, again had to ask for a rain check on the February Family Reunion. A local trade show held in Cleveland that week, in which show Robby participated, prevented his coming to Hanover to visit his son, a sophomore, and attend the 1923 meetings.
In January, Gordon "Bud" Fisher was named Associate Chairman of the Physical Education Committee of the National Council of YMCA of the USA. Subsequently, in line with his new assignment, he attended his first meeting of the Development Committee at Springfield College. In his own words, Bud says, "I was delighted to find that the able hard-working chairman is our own Carl Grey. Under his leadership excellent progress is being made with Springfield's finance program."
Your secretary is indebted to Jim Broe for the following letter from Charlie Zimmerman:
"Jim Broe has asked that I send you a thumbnail sketch of a panel on which Frankie Smith and I appeared recently.
"For what it's worth, here it is. The U. S. Chamber of Commerce has been conducting a nation-wide tour composed of the President of the Chamber, the Vice-President and about a dozen of the paid staff of the Chamber. This tour is known as the 'Aircade.' They visited 12 cities in the United States. Hartford was the 11th of the 12. The cities included such places as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, etc.
"The 'Aircade' arrived in Hartford for its meeting for the New England area on Wednesday, February 20. It was the largest meeting which the 'Aircade' had had anywhere with somewhat over 1,000 businessmen from the New England area in attendance.
"It so happens that three members of the panel were on Wednesday morning and another three in the afternoon. The afternoon group comprised the above-referred-to Mr. Henderson, Frankie Smith and myself. Frankie very ably handled several questions, including federal housing and atomic energy development. I handled Social Security and electric power. I rather doubt whether two men from the same class and the same college appeared on a similar program at any of the 12 U. S. Chamber of Commerce Meetings."
Textile newspapers and periodicals all carry the picture of Ellis H. Wilner this first week in April together with the announcement of his election as president of the Textile Fabrics Association for the ensuing year. Ellis is associated with Henry Glass and Co.
Sherm Baldwin, skiing, autumn foliage, and the Orvis Inn, Manchester, Vt., are so closely associated with each other, we feel sure our class members should start planning a fall or winter vacation right now as guests of the Sherm Baldwins.
The New York Herald Tribune on March 28 carried the announcement of the election of Al (Dink) Landauest as Vice-President of Hubbard, Westevelt and Mottelay, realty and mortgage brokers. Accompanying this was an excellent picture of Dink.
Joe Millar finds that he is literally buried with activities connected with his Millar Animal Hospital. In February it was the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Also the annual convention of the State Association. In May, Joe expects to be in San Francisco as he is President-elect of the American Animal Hospital Association and he will be inducted at that time.
Wah-Hoo-Wah for Mrs. Lew Ross of Manchester, N. H. On April 3, she was elected President of the Girls' Clubs of America, at their 12th annual conference in New York City.
Newspaper announcements came in on the deadline day for the May issue of the death of George W. (Spike) Hamilton at his home at 350 E. 35th Street, New York City on Sunday, March 31. On the same day, Andrew (Andy) J. Howarth of 84 Mower Street, Worcester, Mass., passed away at the Memorial Hospital in that city. Both of these classmates were 56 years old. Spike is well known to Dartmouth men all over the country for his Barbary Coast Orchestra, the large hotel orchestras he conducted in New York, Chicago and San Francisco and the many songs he has written. Andy has always been active in Dartmouth affairs in Worcester.
Carl Gray '23 and Mrs. Gray shown at Sun Valley, where they vacationed in January and where Carl entered the senior men's ski races.
Secretary, 170 Washington St., Haverhill, Mass.
Class Agent, 79 Spring Glen Terrace, Hamden, Conn.
