1910

"Good until 1960". That's what the words on my new 1959 auto license mean in everyday English. And that means that that faraway goal - "Our Fiftieth in '60" - is no longer just gradually drawing nearer; it is picking up speed. Any of you Tenners who have been indifferent to the passing of time, and have not definitely figured on returning to Hanover at that time (a little over one year from now), grab hold of yourselves and begin to figure "from now on."

It is between Christmas and New Year's when this Tenner news is being compiled. It is a time for counting one's blessings and one which we rate very high comes to us at this period each year. It is the blessing of friends and is emphasized by the receipt from so many Tenners and their wives of Greetings and Good Wishes. We look forward to these with a great deal of pleasure of anticipation. We are truly grateful to all who help to make it easier to carry on the chores of this class officer job.

Just before the Holiday Season, an unexpected business trip took me again to Wyoming. That meant time for a few phone calls in Chicago. I was able to contact Paul Albert, Don Bryant and Lew Williams and pleased to find that all three seem to be on the ball, all right, and looking forward to Hanover "by jiminy, by '60." Mac Kendall had left for Florida, I was told when I called his home.

Not every Tenner has had or will have his 70th milestone publicly acknowledged and acclaimed as did Maurice Blake. As previously told, Maurice was elected president of the Dorchester (Mass.) Historical Society When the regular meeting of the group was held in November, the president was given a surprise birthday party. Said the news account, Mr. Blake, who is a direct descendant of the early Blakes who first settled in Dorchester about 1630, was pleasantly surprised and his enthusiasm belied his three score and ten years. He is today one of the tireless workers for the Historical Society and can point to a full life of activity in many fields." Maurice presented the Society with a water color painting of the 1648 Blake House.

Several of our Tenners send out Christmas letters which review the activities of themselves, their children and grandchildren. Then some use their letters to pass on to their friends, their comments on current events and trends. The letter from CharlieNoone is of this latter type. It contains some matter we feel should be passed along. After outlining the old, old story of the events of the "Silent Night," the author says:

Does it not seem strange that with the rich knowledge of successive generations we cannot accept the teachings of Jesus Christ? Christ's teachings, however, are not intended to make pacifists out of us. We must not forget that the same Good Book which teaches us to work for peace, and reminds us that the Prince of Peace said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God," is the same book which quotes from Christ: "When the strong man, fully armed, guards his courtyard, his property is not disturbed, but if the stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he will take away his whole armour upon which he has been depending and will divide his spoils." (Luke 11:21)

On November 4, this year, politicians with the aid of millions of dollars contributed by labor leaders, deprived citizens in five out of six states of their inalienable right to join or not to join a labor union. The freedom of choice has been taken away. Do you intend to permit labor to take over our country? Senators Kennedy and Ives, after many months of personal publicity, introduced an amendment to the Taft-Hartley Act, which proposed nothing for the employer.

Are we going to sit prostrate because we want national peace, and let Reuther, Hoffa, and many others of the same ilk, take over? Monopolistic unions are a far greater threat to American freedom than business monopolies. These unions should be made subject to the Sherman Antitrust and Monopoly laws of the United States.... Hoffa has proposed a giant union of all workers in all kinds of transportation... thus, Hoffa could paralyze the nation in an instant, which is more than Khrushchev could do.... The combination of unprincipled politicians and labor chiefs, through economic monopoly and political power, is laying groundwork for a communism more effectively than the communists themselves are doing. ...We want peace, but do we want it at this price? Should we not become militant and let our state and national politicians know how we feel? We should arouse our friends and acquaintances to the danger to which our quiescent attitude is contributing. If we present a unified front we probably' can bring about that peace which a strong country can maintain, and thus enjoy for ourselves and our posterity.

A letter from Jess Wilson and a newspaper clipping from Ralph VanZant brought the sad news about the deaths of two Tenners, Hal Benjamin and Fred Brooks. Fred passed away at his home in Denver. Hal suffered a heart attack while on the golf links, was rushed home and then to the hospital where he died shortly after arrival. Hal had been living for less than two months in his recently completed home in Largo, Florida. He had sold his home in Pipestone, Minn., intending to become a permanent resident of Florida. Our deep sympathy goes out to these bereaved families of two loyal Tenners.

The 1910 group in Clearwater at last report, was just about complete as a duplicate of last season. They had Christmas Eve dinner at "Old Denmark," a Madeira Beach restaurant and a really Yankee Christmas dinner cooperatively cooked and served in splendid style at the Bankart home. Present: the Bankarts, the Kendalls, the Scarletts and the Wilsons of 1910 plus the Burleighs '11 and the Englishes '12.

That retired Missionary to China, Rev. Harold Robinson of whom 1910 is so proud, is less than retired nowadays in and around San Mateo, Calif. In the Robinson Christmas letter-review of activities, Harold's wife. Mary, lists extracurricular activities for Harold of meetings of Northern California Council of Churches, the Peninsula Council, various meetings on Civil Rights issues, participation in a Mental Health Organization and a part in a forum in 'Frisco on "A New Foreign Policy for the U. S." These are in addition to his regular work as minister of pastoral services in the church. Well, Harold is carrying on as most Tenners do upon retirement - working harder and putting in a longer day than before retirement.

Secretary, 501 Cannon Pl, Troy, N. Y.

Treasurer, 1332 Woodbine St., Clearwater, Fla.

Bequest Chairman,