1917

Every once in a while I find myself indebted to the distaff side and this time it is to Adele Thielscher whose card from Rome reads as follows, "A loud hello from over here. Having a great time and would love to stay on in each place so far - Naples, Sorrento, Capri & Rome but we have to make a deadline - reunion. If I behave on this trip Barney will take me too. Here's hoping I make it." Sounds like a wonderful trip the Thielschers are having!

According to my New Hampshire scout, the Squire of New London, one Sam MacKillop, recently journeyed down to Concord and while there visited with our favorite legislator from Hampton Falls, a young fellow by the name of Ralph Sanborn. Ralph, as you must know by now, is a member of the State Legislature. It is reported that he is the third ranking member of the House Education Committee.

Skinny Sturtevant is playing an important role in the newly formed McKnight District Association of Springfield, a group which hopes to "pull up the neighborhood by its bootstraps." Leave it to Skinny, if there is a political scrap in the making, he'll be in the middle of it.

Very belatedly, word has been received of the death on February 15, 1956, of Dean Sheridan Sibley. He was with our class only freshman year and then transferred to Harvard, graduating from its Engineering School in 1918 with a B.S. degree. After leaving us, Dean maintained practically no contact with Dartmouth.

For months everybody has been asking, "Where's Len Shea these days?" Well, after phone calls to Len's New York office and a letter to the West Coast, I have the answer in the form of a letter from Len. Here it is, in part:

"As you know, I came out to the Pacific Coast on a special assignment last August and remained here until January 15. On my return I had hoped I would be able to call you or others of the 1917 gang, but I found that time was just as much at a premium in New York as it is out here.

"I returned to the west coast in February and I will be here for an indefinite period, at least a year. During that time I will do some commuting (if you want to call it that) to New York, and during such visits I hope I will be able to say hello to at least a few of my friends in that area, including the 1917 gang.

"Without further ceremony let me tell you that Sally and I will be at Hanover for the Reunion. Our tentative plans are to leave Los Angeles on May 29, for Chicago, where I will spend a few days en route, and then probably go direct to Boston. Tommy Thompson and his wife would like very much to have us drive to Hanover with them on Sunday, June 9. I have had reservations at the Inn for some time for June 9 - on, and I believe Tommy also has reservations there.

"There may have to be some changes in the above routing, but at any rate I will see you in Hanover. After the Reunion, we will go on to New York and then return to the coast to continue with the job of completing the special assignment which they have asked me to take on out here. I might say that it is quite an assignment, and there just aren't enough hours in a day to get everything done. That means it leaves very little time for recreation, and even though I will not admit it too readily, I am no longer a teenager.

"While in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, I called George Currier. He assured me that he and Helen were going to the Reunion."

The first of the Florida vacationists to return and check in was Gene Towler who reports that Lucile and he had a wonderful trip of almost a month's duration. Their first port of call on the way down was Ellinor Village, Ormond Beach, where they stopped over for two nights and a day for a fine visit with Howard and Dorothy Stockwell and daughter Joan, who happened to be there at the time. The next stop was at Fort Lauderdale for an enjoyable weekend with Bob and Anita Scott at Bob Jr.'s apartment. The two couples then drove to Key West where they spent the night. On the return trip to Fort Lauderdale they stopped off at Islamorada to visit Norm and Mary McCulloch at their villa. Gene reports that Norm has about every kind of a tropical tree and flower that can be grown in that area. After returning to Fort Lauderdale the Towlers headed west across the Tamiami Trail, then up the west coast and finally, home.

Gil Swett checked in just before the deadline for this issue. You may remember that in April of 1956, I reported that Carl and Virginia Sweet had driven some 200 miles across the State to see Gil and Marie. This year Gil and Marie reversed the procedure and drove to Fort Lauderdale to see the Sweets. Gil reports that Carl looks as prosperous as all get-out. In Sarasota, Gil and Marie ran into Angus and Belle Black and at Delray, Gil tried to get in touch with Mudge Mudgett but at the time Mudge was out playing golf. Gil reports that theirs was a most restful and satisfying vacation.

By the time you settle back to read this column the Alumni Fund campaign will be nearing its end, the closing date being June 30. You still have time to get your contribution in but you must act promptly. Bill Eaton, Mose Hutchins and many others have been doing everything within their power to make it possible for 1917 to meet its quota and their tireless efforts certainly are deserving of your support. Have you done your part? The size of your contribution is of secondary importance in spite of the fact that substantial contributions are hoped for from those who can afford them. But individual participation in this effort is important beyond measure! Let's all get behind Bill and Mose and their coworkers and go way over the top in this, our 40th reunion year.

If this reaches you before reunion, I'll look forward to seeing, you there. If not, it was nice to have seen you.

Secretary, 9 Park Terrace Upper Montclair, N. J.

Class Agent, 6 Wyeth Rd„ Hanover, N. H.