1935
It is always rather dangerous to have a guest editor, but imagine my consternation on return to these shores to find that self-styled strabismical Bob Naramore had perpetrated an entente cordiale with Uncle Reg. Scooped again, after all my efforts!
Before this spirit of sweetness and light wears off, I want to relay to you the remarkable tribute made to Reg Bankart by our new Chairman, Bobb Chaney.
Everybody knows that Reg Bankart has operated efficiently and wisely in behalf of the Class of 1935 for most of the 28 years since we left Hanover. He's performed as Class Secretary, Class Chairman, Tearbag Editor and most recently, as Chairman pro-tem.
Moving in to relieve him of the latter responsibility, I am impressed all over again with the great and continuing contribution Uncle Reg has made to our Class. Without his almost unbelievable knowledge of personal (and family) facts about each of us; combined with a determination to meet deadlines, to exercise sound judgment and generally keep the house in order, the Class long since might have come unglued at a number of seams. I take this opportunity to salute him and put into words our fond esteem for him and our grateful appreciation for his unselfish service.
In all seriousness, I can only echo these words. In the difficult months following Mac McCarty's death, Reg performed yeoman service on behalf of the Class.
A nice way of showing appreciation for Reg's work would be to send in your contribution now to the Milburn McCarty Memorial Scholarship Fund (checks should be sent to George Colton in Hanover). Putting this fund over the top will serve to perpetuate the memory of a wonderful guy who died under tragic circumstances and to serve the fine purpose of sending deserving boys through Dartmouth who might otherwise be unable to go.
Just to show you how Dartmouth gets entangled in families, here is a little fellow who wears that Dartmouth "D" quite properly. His grandfather is Dave Smith, his other grandfather is Arthur Jensen (Dean of the Dartmouth Faculty). In addition, he has two Dartmouth great-grandfathers, Selden Smith '98 and Robert Leavens 'O1, not to mention numerous cousins, uncles, great uncles, and even great-great uncles among his Dartmouth forebears. "Eleanor Smith admits to her surprise he wasn't born dark green.
Out Dave's way, also, lives Bill Mumler, the don of Mumler's Mecca - not Mesa - it's 200 feet below sea level. According to the Twin State News-Times of Woodsville, N. H., Dr. Bill, who began his education in the little brick primary school building on South Main Street in Bradford, and graduated from Bradford Academy in the Class of 1931, had everyone in New Hampshire glued to his television set when "Art" Link-letter recently featured Bill in a TV interview on the prevention and treatment for heart disorders. I can only assume Bill keeps in shape chasing side winders on that Mecca.
Perhaps it's time to catch up with HaroldKennedy, about whom I get more clippings than anyone, except Bunky Knudsen, RalphLazarus, and Herb Shuttle worth. To get a running start you should know that Harold opened a new play a year or so ago in Miami, Fla., called "The Inkwell" and starring Gloria Swanson with author and actor Kennedy aboard. It was described as "gay, nostalgic, satisfying—penned with wit and whimsey." According to the reviews, Harold "romps through the play with impish facility uttering timely and puckish profundities. Blessed with a cherubic countenance he portrays the role of Sylvester ... with style and a nice sense of timing. His raspy voice delivers the best lines in the play and the audience even applauded his martini making. . . . Mr. Kennedy and Miss Swanson go together like ham and eggs."
The Miami success was repeated in Chicago and Phoenix, and, with the name changed to "Just for Tonight," it was recently put on the summer circuit at Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and the Storrowtown Music Fair near Springfield, Mass. This is Harold's home territory where he appeared some years ago in a featured role with Ginger Rogers. "Just for Tonight," I understand, is to be produced in England with the same stars, Harold and Gloria. Harold gets around. As a humorous and entertaining lecturer he has appeared before business and civic groups from Denison, Tex.; Cody, Wyo.; Butte, Mont, and three times at the Town Hall in New York City.
Since returning from Europe, of course I have found all kinds of people I didn't know were there, including Johnny Howe, who now lives in Paris (Hameau Boileau, 38 rue Boileau). Johnny writes as follows:
Early in September I boarded the Queen Mary with wife, and daughters Kathy (19) and Sally (15) to come over and set up housekeeping in Paris for two years. I am on secondment from the UN for a two-year assignment with UNESCO, helping with the recruitment and selection of personnel for technical assistance projects around the world. This represents, in one of its aspects, the culmination of studies of French which I have kept going, off and on, since undergraduate days, and my daughters also are pretty well along with it. Wife Lee is dutifully going to classes at the Alliance Francais every afternoon. We have been lucky in finding a spacious studio apartment in a quiet enclosure in the Auteuil area, though for appreciably more money than we were spending for housing in Roslyn, L. I.
If you are in Paris give John a ring at the UNESCO offices in Paris.
At long last I have some news from BenHarriman, who moved some time ago to St. Paul, Minn., where he is manager of chemical research in the duplicating products division of the 3M Company, i.e., Thermofax.
Mary-Stuart and I for the first time in 20 years are alone at home. Ed is starting his junior year at Amherst where he is majoring in political science and soccer and Alice just entered Chatham College in Pittsburgh where she will major in mathematics or physics. She chose Chatham in spite of rather than because her mother is a Trustee there. Two weeks ago today was Freshman Parents' Day at Chatham and a very good job indeed was done by the college in a program designed to painlessly separate parents from daughters and money.
Originally we had hoped to include the Class Reunion on this Eastern trip, but it came one week too late. However, we did have a day in Hanover on September 20. High points were a visit with Prof. Roy Chamberlain, a nostalgic peek into my freshman room at 106 North Fayer and a romantic hike up Bartlett Tower with Mary-Stuart. Without the kids along this vacation we felt like honeymooners.
Incidentally, Rocky Rockwell will be glad to learn that I am still living with this same "Mary-Stuart." Many years ago when our respective wives were introduced all around at a University of Cincinnati function there was some speculation over the whereabouts of Mrs. Benjamin Harriman while I was parading around with "Mary Stuart." After that we always emphasized the hyphen.
Merry Christmas, one and all.
Secretary, Room 703 521 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017
Treasurer, 305 Grosse Pointe Blvd. Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
