1911

This is Christmas Day with the temperature in the forties but since our arrival Dec. 6 until yesterday it has ranged from 70 to 85 degrees each day. This morning's paper says: "Twenty-six inches of snow in New England." So it is a green Christmas here but made bright by the many handsome and cheery greeting cards from our wonderful classmates. That leads me to saying a very sincere and grateful "Thank You" to each of you for remembering us.

The year 1961 was a pleasant and memorable one for most of us, including the big reunion last June if letters and personal sentiments on Christmas cards mean what they say. But there were sad occasions also. Death took thirteen classmates from us during that time. The last of these was WaltReilly, early in December. Walt was a man of many parts, an intense and loyal family man, a devoted member of his church, a stalwart alumnus and a leader in the communtity and the business world. An acquaintance expressed it well: "A great citizen, extraordinary business man, and most of all a quiet unsung individual who had helped numerous persons to achieve a better life."

From Dorothy Odlin come words of gratitude for the usual contribution from the class to the Memorial Fund as follows: "By all means I would like to have my name kept on the active list as Larry's representative and my heartfelt thanks for the honor done Larry by transferring the 'tithe' to the class memorial fund. However, I would like to contribute to the alumni fund from time to time as I can. I shall never cease to regret that illness kept us from going to the Fiftieth Reunion. I shall indeed cherish Larry's - and my - Dartmouth association.... Larry's services at Arlington National Cemetery were with full military honors, a most impressive ceremony and a beautiful memory. He is buried in what to me is the most beautiful spot in Arlington, below and to the left of the Lee Mansion."

Marguerite Eaton writing of Fred's illness said "My heart is full of gratitude that he is at peace now with no more suffering. He was brave through all the hot summer and I was given the strength to care for him almost to the end. Jack and Dorothy Steeves have been so kind to me and nineteen eleven was represented at both funerals. I do so appreciate the tribute to Fred by the gift to his beloved Dartmouth. Please express to his classmates the gratitude the boys feel with me."

Florida is the spot to which many frozen classmates in the north are coming to thaw out; with Clearwater drawing the most. The Sarge Eatons, George and Margaret French,Jack Russells and Jack and Dorothy Steeves talk of hitting the trail soon. The GeneFullers, now on the east coast, are about to start across the peninsula. Brad Patten is to give a paper at the meetings of the Teratology Society in Gainesville in March and he and Barbara are going to stay around for a bit of fishing. Madge and Clyde Locke are settled for the winter at their house in Altamonte Springs. True Dudley has sold his home in Wyoming, N. Y. He and Mary are at 104 Ist St., Port Orange, Fla.

It is back to New Hampshire for Chuckand Emma Emerson. From Birch Hill, P.O. Box 198, North Conway, Chuck writes: "We have bought a new home here. At the moment we are camping here while we are trying to sell our place at Cheshire, Conn. We hope you will look us up when you are in the Eastern Slope Region."

Arthur and Marjorie Witte are back in Boynton Beach, Fla., with address 107 S. W. 2nd Ave. Marjorie reports: "We had nine wonderful months in Europe (four in Spain, three in Italy and two in Switzerland) then four months in Connecticut with my mother in New Haven, and now we are comfortably settled in an apartment here."

Swede Needham regretting his failure to make reunion as he was held back by arthritis says he is afraid his traveling days are over.

Bill Gooding has just learned that his grandson George Detlefson has been selected for early admission to Dartmouth in the class of 1966. So far as our records show this grandson is number two to be admitted to the College.

Ben Ayers' son Kim '39 with wife Jean and three children have returned from a two-year stint in Iran. It was a great experience but Jean admits that they are glad to be back in their home in Wilton, Conn. She was a fine secretary to your secretary while Kim was attending Thayer School. If she were still his secretary you would have better class notes.

From the Baltimore Society News comes word that Miriam Morris was being entertained at a reception at the Mount Vernon Club where she was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Maryland Historical Society.

Walter Morgan had to return to the Deaconess Hospital in March and in April he and Cora moved into a nursing home at 184 Mansfield Ave., Norton, Mass. Cora writes: "We were fortunate to find this new home, recently opened. We are a half hour's drive from Walpole and the Jonas family. Our windows overlook well landscaped grounds and archery and golf-driving ranges and a lake in the distance.... We are great-grandparents again.... We are off the beaten path for many of our friends, on Route 140. Some of you have been here from California, Illinois, Florida, Washington, D. C., and here in New England. We appreciated your coming and do come again."

Ruth Backus will be off for New Orleans in March and we hope she will carry out her threat of going home via Florida.

We are sorry to report that Carl Bowker was so seriously injured in his recent accident that he is confined in a nursing home in Worcester and is partially paralyzed from his head injury.

Betty Curtis is now settled in her new home in Gulfport, Fla., where "I have a dear little half house with a lovely yard, front and rear. It's really like a private home and I enjoy the quiet country atmosphere."

It is a lively crowd of Dartmouth alumni around Clearwater. During the holidays there were about a dozen couples that got together at least four times during the week, and smaller groups more frequently. These cover an eight-year span from 1910 to 1918. Not to be outdone Wee Kimball is already planning for the fall gathering of eleveners at his home in Contoocook to include even more than last fall.

Frederick A. A. McLaughlin has landed again. This time it is at 2929 19th St., Apt. 3-D, Birmingham, Ala.

For those anxious but kind inquirers among the classmates (thanks to Pat Partridge's "Leven Up"), it may be announced that Bee's knees are fine. We'll see you in Whitefield on June 23.

The Knapp home on Lake Seminole, Fla.,was a reunion location for three 1911couples recently. Present (l to r) wereMargaret Pearson, the Burleighs, JohnPearson, and Dorothy and Ken Knapp.

Secretary, 1133 Drew St., Clearwater, Fla.

Treasurer, Seaside Ave., Saco, Me.

Bequest Chairman,