1944

The saga of Bill Cary and his wife is an interesting one, particularly so because they are now living the life you, at one time or another, vicariously planned. Last July Bill gave up his teaching job in Meriden, Conn., and sallied forth with his bride to see the world on a "work-camp travel" plan. They are now in Waikiki, enjoyably toiling for the first stake in their journeys. During the ten ensuing months the Carys have visited fifteen states in the U.S., eight provinces of Canada, ten states in Mexico and six Latin American countries. At the more pleasant stops they would unpack the gladstone, roll up their sleeves, and replenish the coffers. See? It's easy!

Boston Bob McLaughry has given up the oil business to become the Toots Shore of the Northland, is now the general manager of the Latana Corp., a growing restaurant chain with facilities in Hanover, Lebanon, etc. I had a pleasant chat on the phone with Bob's wife, Joan, last week and was interested to learn that in addition to his restaurant activities Bob has been coaching Hanover youngsters in the art of skiing, a position he must handle adeptly as I understand young Bruce, eleven, is jetting off jumps the size of the Dartmouth one. Bob has also become somewhat of a brass hat in the Marine reserve. The evening I called, he'd left for Boston to review some troops. Cuba?

Just in case you're feeling young and frisky tonight, remember the 25th reunion is only eight years away! It was this unwelcome thought that prompted a meeting with Phil Penberthy, Bill McElnea, Needle Allen, and Pinky Coroon last week to effect a plan for organizing the class gift to the College. Our 25th will, incidentally, coincide with the 200th birthday of the College, a circumstance which doubtlessly will make '44 conspicuous.

A number of plans were reviewed including a good one by insurance man Al Barratt, as you may suspect there were some somber and macabre undertones to Al's plan. MartyShea, with a legal-financial-business background, was unanimously chosen to head up the 25th Gift Program.

Somebody broke out a bottle of bourbon, and soon the business discussion dissolved into such topics as a) Swampy Marsh's big do-it-yourself swimming pool which sent him and his strained back to the hospital; b) the recent weekend the McElnea and ChuckGlines families spent in Washington; c) Pinky Coroon's forthcoming vacation week at Nags Head; d) Needle Allen's lengthy explanation of mechanical difficulties with the press which precludes the frequent publication of the Newsletter; e) Phil Penberthy's array of dialect stories and occasional grumbling about the Alumni Fund; f) Bill McElnea's trip to Japan and his luncheon meeting that day with Chuck Rendigs at the Lawyers Club; g) Needle's affiliation with a new brokerage firm specializing in foreign bond issues; h) Fritz Hier's tax contest with the Swiss government which wants to take a bite after Uncle Sam has had his; i) etc., etc.

Fritz Witzel has received another promotion at Chicago Rawhide Mfg. and BobKaatz has recently joined the organization heading up production control and working along with Fritz. Karl Musser, actuarial consultant and director of R. P. Burroughs Co. in Boston, is making his home in Framingham Centre. Jim Rudnick is now up in Portland, Ore., and Dr. Francis Murphy in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Art Scharf, with Mobil International Oil, is currently working out of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Normally when I'm on the road it's fast in-and-out visits which leave little time for phoning. Today, here at the Salt Lake City Airport (where I'm writing this) I've got all the time in the world but Utah and Alaska are the only states that are devoid of '44s.

Dr. Ed Mortimer was one of the thirty in the U.S. and Canada to receive a Markle Scholarship, a $6000 a year grant for a period of five years to support the scientist and his research. Ed, as assistant professor of pediatrics at the Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is doing research in the field of infectious diseases of childbirth. And Dr. Walt Price, Richmond, Va., pediatrician, has recently taken to the local speaking platforms.

John Weeks has joined the staff of Engineering Information Associates as technical writer and consulting engineer. John was with CBS laboratories in Stamford (where EIA is now located) and has worked as a technical writer for Technical Information Corp., NYC., and Teleregister Corp. of Stamford. As you may know, in addition to Dartmouth, John studied at MIT and Harvard. Don't tell J.F.K., though.

Ez Hale was kind enough to send me an article that appeared in a January issue of Salesweek, which, if you're in sales work, will make the name Ray Zrike revered. Ray is, as the ladies who attended the reunion auction will recall, with Royal Worcester Porcelain Co., an English institution since 1751. When Ray was appointed V.P. with full responsibility for U.S. sales and advertising in 1957 Royal Worcester was in a low spot among the top ten fine china manufacturers. His record in three years: U.S. distribution and sales of Royal Worcester bone china have more than doubled, pushing the company to a position among the three leading sellers in America! Demand for Royal Worcester has been so great in the last six months that production is unable to keep pace.

Ray's formula, basically, was establishing a total marketing plan, all new, all more costly. He hired more and better salesmen, effected better sales training techniques, established quotas, instituted new market research measures, stepped up advertising, developed a combining program of retailer merchandising, pursued all of this vigorously, and that's all there is to it! Simple? Ray deserves applause for his accomplishments but even more for his present dissatish-faction with the state of affairs. "We haven't really hit our stride yet," he states, "this is only the beginning." (I hope none of your competitors have this vicious attitude.)

'44 is still in number two spot in the Green Derby, but there's still a long way to go. If you haven't sent in your Alumni Fund gift yet please do it now.

I'm trying to conclude this on a vagabond airship reportedly headed for Chicago and have just received the terribly disappointing news that they don't serve dinner. They treat Eichmann better than this. I'm too weak to proceed.

Secretary, 1105 Center St., Milford, O.

Class Agent, 67 Highland Ave., Rowayton, Conn.