1914

Report of the SUNBIRD by Rubber Floyd

The 1914 annual SUNBIRD party was enjoyed by a small group at the Bath Club on Reddington Beach, Fla., on April 10. George and Helen Boggs from Nova Scotia were farthest from home. Dean and Helen Emerson from Connecticut were just passing through, but timed it perfectly to attend the luncheon. Fred and Louise Davidson were here from New Rochelle, N. Y.; Kenneth and Evelyn Grant came down from Andover, Mass.: Rubber and Blanche Floyd left the delightful atmosphere of north Georgia to be present.

1 Several year 'round or winter residents of Florida were present: Paul and Gladis Smith, Gus and Betty Fuller, Charlie and JeannetteBatchelder, Caleb and Grace Niles, Geoffrey and Elinor Beals, Rosie and Catherine Hinman, Brad Harrison and George Forbes.Gus Fuller took time out from his "Sittin'

- Starin' — and Rockin'" to act as M.C. and allowed everyone to make a speech. GeneralWilson, and Joe Barnett of 1913 were present with their wives. Both made brief and complimentary, if somewhat envious comments on the youth and vigor of the 1914 group.

A tribute to the memory of Dick Pritchard and a fine letter from Mrs. Pritchard was read. Brad Harrison and George Forbes each commented briefly on their present activities. Dean Emerson quite emphatically insisted that he was still working and denied any intention of retiring.

Fred Davidson announced plans for an interim reunion in Hanover in October of this year. Chick Grant reported 25 grandchildren, by actual and accurate count. Further questioning revealed the fact that some of the grandchildren were acquired by a recent marriage. Charlie Batchelder reported on the state of the Class treasury.

Rosie Hinman, although a winter resident of Florida for the past several years, has recently acquired a definite liking and respect for the capable junior Senator from Georgia. No one was able to convince George Boggs that there was anything in Florida that would pull him away from his Nova Scotia apples for more than a few days. Paul Smith, Geoffrey Beals and Caleb Niles were quiet. Everyone agreed that the party should be held next year and (hoped that more of the class would attend.

Gus Fuller and Charlie Batchelder both reported favorably, not too big a crowd, but a very nice party.

Ray Foss has quit retirement for a few months and is in N. J. settling some chemical plant problems. The Al Humphries certainly enjoyed that ride to the coast.

Seventeen members of the class are listed in the 1952 edition of "Who's Who in America." Let's you and I find out who they are.

Who knows the whereabouts of Paul E. Simanton? He is now listed at 29 Andover Street, Salem, Mass.

We still need 29 questionnaires after a year and a half of hard plugging. Quite a different story with the widows, though. They are responding nicely.

June birthdays for H. H. Smith, Morse, Giles, Fairfield, Ralph Woodman, Breslin,Gould, Wiechers, Fahey and Cook.

We found a new secretary at the N. Y. meeting. Elmer Robinson will take over this job. He is now retired and lives in New London.. N. H. This leaves me free to give full time to the Golden Book.

On April 26 another of Bill Hands' engineering adventures came to a very successful conclusion - the annual 1914 dinner at the Dartmouth Club in New York. In the order of their appearance at the bar: Hands, Buck, Robinson, LeCount, "Doc" Cook, Walt Humphrey, Davidson, Larmon, Hopkins, Weed, Haywood, Sleeper, Kingsley, Little.

Fred Weed's discussion of water resources was an interesting "brass tacks" approach to a most important national consideration - and we all enjoyed it.

Lay Little hasn't yet succeeded in disentangling himself from the Government activities that have been air-shuttling him all over the world - "It's got so that I automatically reach for the seat-belt when I sit down in any chair," he says - but 'hopes soon to be able to relax with his proliferating family. He has just returned from a Caribbean cruise on a boat chartered by and exclusively for the Littles.

Fred Davidson, the Sugar King, spoke interestingly of the 1914 reunion coming in Hanover in October. That'll be a good time to throw those papers in the bottom drawer of the desk, lock the drawer, wheel the family herdic into the driveway and head for foliage and fun! Your wife will also enjoy one or both!

And, in the interim, if you're not thoroughly versed in Bench Rest Shooting ask Kingsley. No wonder he was made V.P. and General Counsel of Grumman Aircraft! He dedicates himself to a project.

Secretary, Box 83, Candlewood Isle, Conn.

Class Agent, 21 Orlando Ave., Winthrop 52, Mass.