1924

This is written a week before the fall reunion over the Brown game weekend, and so a report will be delayed. We are torn, locally, between a very great need for rain and lots of rain after the driest summer on record for the past 119 years when records have been kept - and on the other hand memories of last year when we were drenched most of the fall reunion weekend. The fall has been beautiful, and I ate corn from my garden even after frosts up to October 3 - another record. Foliage is well past the peak, although still beautiful even with the red leaves blown off; I raked the leaves from my lawn after hearing the Penn game and World Series broadcasts on the sth.

Another record is in the birthday card department: five born on one day (October 9). Thanks to several who reply and express appreciation for these cards; for the most part it is a pleasure and not a chore to send them - except when routine piles up and priorities have to be set. Only a very few have received their cards a day or two late - for which my apologies. One classmate replied and asked a question suggested by the latest obituary (will have another when space permits - for Curt Bird, who had a heart attack Sept. 1 while abroad). He asked whether 1924 has had a larger number of deaths of classmates than other classes in our group. I have the data, which may interest other classes who also read this column as I know some do. (I do not distinguish between graduates and non-graduates, although I do have these data too.) For the five classes, 1922-1926, we rank second to 1923 in living classmates (508 to their 520); we are also second in deceased classmates (123 to their 178) - as of Sept. 16, 1963.

Since writing the above I've been home and read my mail, so the data is once more out of date: word that Harry Fairfield died in December of 1961 is just received (from a member of another class). No details, so obituary will appear in the December issue.

Turning to more pleasant topics: such as visiting classmates: I hope Margaret and I may see more of you and your wives here as you travel near or through Hanover. I was out of town when two of you dropped by: Dorothy Gowrie Marshman, widow of vYhit Gowrie (who died Feb. 1959) and who has since re-married; also Bob and FloraBragg found my office door closed and no one home, to our mutual regret. Bob andTed Goddard, and Ralph Stuart are three who have been "officially listed" as of the Class of 1925. They are strong in considering themselves '24 members, and of course we very much want to claim them as our own. I shall pursue this farther and try to have all of us understand the reasons for this paradox, and will write each. But for the moment, to answer this specific question: you are not only welcome to be with us for the 40th reunion next June but expected to join with us then or any other time and as much '24-men as anyone else, of course. This may be the appropriate time to add one more remark: the balance between graduates and non-graduates for '24 is poorly understood. We had 508 officially listed members of '24 as of September 16; 317 graduates and 191 non-graduates (for a great variety of reasons). Of the 123 deceased members as of that date, 63 were graduates and 60 nongraduates. (Adding the two named above, this figure becomes 64 and 61; Curt graduated but Harry withdrew for sickness reasons in 1922.) The point to stress: we make no difference, here in the larger college or within our ranks as a class, between graduates and non-graduates - and class loyalty follows no such artificial lines.

Brad and Lois Hersey were here the weekend of the Penn game (away), for their star athlete-daughter, Alison, brought a group of field hockey players here for a match and a clinic for high school girls in this area. Alison plays for the Boston-area, Northeastern section, and Olympic teams and the proud parents have followed her playing wherever possible, including overseas. .. . Seen at the Bucknell game: WallyLord, who cannot be at the Brown game reunion; his son, Wally, is in one of my classes this term. I've listed classmate-sons in an earlier column; more to come. . . . Abeand Estelle Kalodin were here earlier in the summer; they planned to come for the Brown game, health permitting.

Anyone know the present address of Gerrit TenBroek? Birthday cards are returned with a "Moved, not forwardable" notation. Thankfully, I have very few such puzzles. Our files give no clues - which gives me the chance to once more plug for sending in your Class Book data and picture to Spud Spaulding... or ask for another form if you've mislaid the others.

Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N. H.

Treasurer, 29 Woodside Rd., Winchester, Mass.