1911
These notes are being started in Florida where the glorious sunshine with 85 degree weather is trying to make up for all the cold, wind and rain in February and March. After all, nature is wonderful. The cardinals, mockingbirds, mourning doves and others are raising their young in the trees around the house. As you drive for miles through endless orange groves the air is heavy with the fragrance of orange blossoms. The kingfish are gathering by the hundreds just off shore. The northern Dartmouth crowd has scattered to their various homes but planning to return for more genial fellowship next winter. Such are the signs of spring — but to more mundane matters.
Before you read this column, if you do, you will have had a special invitation from Schuyler Dodge for the Mountain View informal reunion on June 22. We particularly hope many of our loyal widows will join us there. Last year there were three and we are confident they will be back this June. Marion Agry is coming for sure, along with Chub and Katherine Sterling. We can always count on Mildred Rollins, and Ruth Backus is hoping to make it. Because Schuyler was at The Breakers all winter the list of reservations is not made up yet but it is known to include the Griswolds, Sarge Eatons, Moseleys, Hedges, Pearsons, Russells, Sandersons and Rurleighs.
Two of the Boston classmates are rejoicing in the recent acquisition of their fifth grandchild born to their Dartmouth sons. Andrew McLain Hawkridge, born March 8, will take after his father, Ed '42. The other arrived on April 5, and was named Thomas Rust Clark, his father being Joshua Boynton Clark '43.
Windy Winship has the sympathy of all of us in the death of his wife, Asunta, on April 1, 1960. You will remember her at some of our reunions, a strikingly handsome girl with a beautiful voice which she was good enough to share with us.
It is pleasant to report only good news on the few 1911ners who have come into personal view since our last report. We enjoyed a fine trip across state to visit with the Don Cheneys in Orlando and Heine and Livie Chase at Daytona Beach. They are all substantial citizens and a delight to be with. Don and Fanny are enjoying the large house in the midst of a variety of fruit trees, pines, and flowers as long as they can, before they have to make way for the international highway that is due to pass through the middle of their property. Their attractive daughter, Barbara, lives with them and is employed at the Air Force base. They also operate a large orange grove a few miles out of the city. Don is very active in area alumni affairs. The Chases have a fine home overlooking the beach where the shrubbery and flowers show the results of their painstaking care. These include a large night-blooming cereus and a great many kinds of hibiscus that are recovering from the freeze of recent winters. Since his forced retirement from the Army for health reasons, Heine is leading a quiet but vigorous life and is the picture of health. He and other retired Army pals get in their fishing twice a week, except when the grapefruit baseball league interferes. Both these couples will be back for our First Fiftieth.
Another couple whom we see altogether too infrequently and who made us happy by dropping in for a too brief visit was Geneand Katherine Fuller from Chicago, who had come by way of New Orleans to visit friends and grandchildren. Gene has recently published his third volume of verse entitled, "Traveler's Return." Its 63 pages picture, in verse, many of the places in Europe, Africa and South America that he and Katherine have visited. They revive many vivid memories of Stonehenge, the Staircase of Chambord, and other spots that we have visited. His earlier volumes were "Never to Forget" and "Spindrift." They are aiming for Hanover in June 1961 also.
Pat and Helen Partridge made a return trip to Sarasota the last of March and it was fun having them and Betty Curtis from St. Petersburg at a combination tea and cocktail party along with a dozen or more Dartmouthites from the classes of 1904 to 1918, that is from Pen Mower to Paul and HelenMiner. In between were the Jim Englishes '12 Larry Bankharts, Leon Kendalls, Vera Benjamin and Gladys Wilson, all of 1910. Jesse Wilson's '10 sudden death was a sad blow to all of us and an especially grievous occasion to his classmates whose treasurer he had been for many years. If a man may be said to have a sweet disposition, that term would fit Jesse.
Miriam Morris does it again but this time she did not know she was doing it. When she visited Europe last summer and toured Ireland's historic houses she was entertained over the weekend in the 17th century Birr Castle by Countess Rosse. Later when the Countess was visiting in Washington, Miriam entertained her among other guests at her home, "The Lindens," at a remarkable 18th century menu-ed dinner. At Lord Rosse's, Miriam was his right-hand guest and he toasted her from a bottle of Royal Tokay that had come from the cellar of Archduke Rudolph, son of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, who made history at Mayerling. And who is Countess Rosse? She was Anne Messel, daughter of a famous Punch cartoonist and sister of Oliver Messel, the decorator favored by royalty. Ann Messel divorced Tony Armstrong-Jones' father when her eldest son was a small boy. Now that small boy is the Tony who has become the husband of Princess Margaret.
You read last time that John Card was at Dartmouth only one semester. This is from his widow, Elizabeth:
Dartmouth and, of course, 1911 especially, was very dear to John. His father was Dartmouth 1879. His son John is Dartmouth 1943, and we his grandson, John H. Card IV, may be Dartmouth 1969. It is good to know that John's name will continue to be among those keeping their interest as long as the class shall exist. I have always enjoyed the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and would like to continue to receive it. I am glad to send a check to Ernest Griswold to pay for John's class dues to 1961.
In a somewhat similar vein Betty Curtis writes: "Dartmouth people seem to have such a spirit of comradeship, that famous Dartmouth spirit which promotes good fellowship."
Letters from Troy Parker and Dutch Irwin arrived almost simultaneously and both spoke enthusiastically of the other. Troy spent two days in Asheville, saw much of Jim and Helen and said they are still the salt of the earth. They called on Mort Grover, found him in good spirits and reminisced on the old days in Richardson. Troy said that after nineteen straight days of snow in Chapel Hill it would seem good to be back in the Black Hills.
Bill Pearse has changed his shingle from School Principal to Lawyer, 475 Main St., Beacon, N. Y. He still resides in Wappingers Falls, N. Y.
An alluring picture of a swimming pool with the Rockies in the background at Palm Desert, Calif., announces the return to Denver of Rick and Marian Castle in good health and spirits after a delightful two months' stay there.
"Legion Honors Samuel Aronowitz" is the headline in an Albany paper. The Fort Orange American Legion Post paid tribute to his "consummate skill, wise counsel, and high moral scruples," as he was presented its Distinguished Citizens Award. In the presentation he was characterized as a "lawyer, philanthropist and outstanding citizen of the community." The citation read: "Above all, his services as a great leader in every philanthropic, educational and communal affair have earned him the love, respect and admiration of those in the community."
These notes are being finished at the old stand in Hanover, in the rain and forty degree temperature, but the grass is green, trees are budding, and the birds are building their nests, so that they too are hoping for spring. Come and see us.
Secretary, 1 Webster Terrace, Hanover, N. H.
Class Agent, 92 State St., Boston, Mass.
