1900
Word has been received that Ruth Hodgkins, daughter o£ Lem Hodgkins, and her husband returned to their home in Worcester, Mass., just after the February blizzard in these parts. They had been on tour in Hawaii and on the Pacific Coast. What a seasonal contrast between the blossoming hibiscus and bougainvillea of Waikiki and the ice, snow, and wintry blasts of Old Boreas which snarled up the New England area in early February.
We have learned that Bill Emerson, Nat Emerson's son, has severed his connections in California, and has become associated with a business firm in the Boston area. He and his family are currently living in Lexington, Mass. Brother John continues to live at Newport Beach, Calif., where he is recuperating from the long hospitalization experience of a year ago.
Olivia Alleway, daughter of Oliver Foster, writes in a delightful vein, and, I believe, just a little jocosely, of her enlarged family. She puts herself on record as saying: "The boys are delighted to have a baby sister and their parents are apprehensively joyous. Eve has a wonderful disposition which we hope we won't spoil. Incidentally her arrival made local headlines since the previous total progeny of the Dean of Students' staff (four families) has been eleven boys." After recounting the activities of a very energetic household, and her many reasons for gratitude, she speaks of the great satisfaction she and her family find in the strength and ideals derived from their Christian faith and, in view of the many other religious beliefs in today's world, the need for understanding and tolerance. There is much to be said for the argument that it is wiser to try and see how things look through the other fellow's eyes rather than being so rash as to hit him over the head for not believing precisely as we do. And this, it seems to me, applies in all areas of life, not only the religious.
News has just percolated through to your secretary that Paul (Jackie) Redington, younger son of Paul G. Redington, has, after many years of single blessedness, deserted bachelorhood. On Jan. 19 he was married to Miss Barbara Byrnes. Miss Byrnes is the daughter of Dr. Byrnes who is Superintendent of a veterans' hospital in lowa. Both Jackie and his wife have a mutual interest in music, and rumor has it that they met as members of the choir of the Presbyterian Church in Waukegan, Ill. Someone has said that church choirs are potentially dangerous to every eligible bachelor who sings in them. All this seems to prove that some marriages are made on the heavenly trail. Or does it?
Lena Fletcher, Pete Fletcher's widow, writes from Florida of her enjoyment of the fruit, flowers, and sunshine of Winter Park. She is acting as part-time companion to a woman neighbor who is 89 years of age and a retired M.D. Fortunately, says Lena, the good lady's mind is not retired. Some friends of Lena have assembled a group of children's stories and poems which, through the years, Pete wrote. Lena hopes this coming summer to bring a copy of these stories to Hanover.
It was indeed a pleasure to receive a note from Josiah Fowler, son of Minot Fowler, in which he expressed a continuing and deepening appreciation for his Dartmouth associations. He speaks of his enjoyment of the TV program "Great Issues of Conscience in Modern Medicine." Then, he adds: "The fact that my father's friends still live, too, make Dartmouth seem to have an immortality that gives support to the song 'Dartmouth Undying.' "
From deep in the Kennedy bailiwick on Cape Cod comes news of the family of Cuddy Balkham. In her letter Mrs. Balkham talks about the fine record our class has made over the years in contributions to the Alumni Fund. The word "our" which she uses vividly points up the loyalty and affection for 1900 shown by the wives and other relatives of classmates. Gertrude says her family of four children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson are well and very active in their community affairs. I assume very active applies not only to the elders but to great-grandson as well. Of herself Gertrude remarks: "I am very grateful for good health, and the pleasure of living on dear, old Cape Cod, where we have such good times with our many friends."
At long last a letter from Archie Isaac. This is, I believe, the first direct communication the class has had from him since he left the campus at the end of his freshman year in the spring of 1897. And that, in anyone's reckoning, is quite a span of years. Archie recounts the desirability of Seattle as a place in which to live, and then courteously suggests that Mr. Secretary and his wife leave the New England scene and take up the vociferous slogan "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country." He humorously remarks that we might buy a pair of Texas longhorns, pile our belongings into the old covered wagon, and hit the long trail to Seattle. He assures us that on arrival the valiant oxen will be garlanded with roses and the members of the caravan will be given the keys to the city. Thanks, Archie, for the promise of the red carpet treatment, but we believe we shall play along with New England.
Secretary, 3 Pleasant St., Hanover, N. H.
Class Agent, 20 Chapel St., Brookline 46, Mass.
