1931

"Smokey Joe" Adams' write-up in the 25th year book makes up a very interesting five-column report. If you haven't tried it recently, or at all, you'll find you can spend some very fascinating hours during these cold winter nights (and this goes for you fellows down South, and practically all over the country these last few weeks) reading the 25th year book and reminiscing about those with whom you were closely associated during our four Hanover years. The Riverdale, N.Y., Press states "Personality of Guam Like Dazzling Jezebel" and then goes on to report, "the author of the following article is George Matthew Adams Jr., son of George Matthew Adams, columnist for the Riverdale Press and a long-time Riverdale resident. Mr. Adams Jr. recently retired as a Naval Commander, and served for five years in Guam. The following article appeared originally in the Guam Daily News."

George's article says, "Guam's charm escapes analysis - we are bound to her, sometimes we are provoked with her, but take her for all in all, she is a magic island, and like the phrase from the song, she 'casts a spell.' "

Some months ago I reported that George had retired, had left New England and so far as was known then, was heading for Japan. This is the first news received about him since he left and now it looks like Guam's "spell" got him.

Some months ago someone whose name slips me now mentioned the fact that there were very few classmates down South in his area and mentioned the fact that he thought Bill Marsh was there, but wasn't sure. Hope whoever it was reads this column since here's a confirmation of Bill's address - 3974 Powers Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta 5 Ga.

Also, a new address (to us at least) for William David Gomes Casseres - Apartarda 1903, San Jose, Costa Rica. This new address prompted me to look up his write-up in the 25th year book and lo and behold just read what's there? "If you bemoan moving day, consider this record of Mary and Bill. New York (five years), Costa Rica (six), Washington (two), Jugoslavia (one and onehalf), Washington (three and one-half), Rome (one and one-half), Rio de Janeiro (four), and now Santiago for the past year and a half. Hobbies are hi-fi and, naturally, languages.

"Hailing originally from Costa Rica, Bill made his mark at Dartmouth, by being named a Senior Fellow. After graduation he studied chemistry at night at C.C.N.Y. Later taught it at the University of Costa Rica." Now it looks like Bill is home again, and I'm sure we all hope he's landed and hap- pily so.

On the theory of "better late than never" here's an Armstrong Information Service announcement, "F. M. Gavan who was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1931 with a B.A. degree in Physics and Mathematics has been named General Manager of the Physical Test Department of the Armstrong Cork Company's Research and Development Center. Gavan joined Armstrong following graduation from the college, and has served almost continuously in research and managerial capacities in physical testing since that time."

In the 25th year book Dick Holbrook reports, "Frank finds time to instruct math at night courses at Franklin and Marshall College." Seems like math pays off for Frank and congratulations to him!

There's just no stoppin' Gale Freeman - a recent news announcement says our busy vice chairman of the First National Bank of Chicago has been elected a director of Caterpillar Tractor Company.

Craig Thorn got the Christmas spirit and on December 27 wrote me a very nice letter so full of information that trying to condense it would spoil it, so here it is in full -

Christmas card note from Johnny Johnson in Albany reads: "I finally got to Hanover in August — first August I'd ever been there - very lovely. Missed Ralph Hunter but had a nice chat with his mother. Spent several weekends with the Charltons last summer. Dave Kelly dropped fry Abington, Mass.,- when I was there last summer." So far as I know Johnny is still a big wheel with the Social Welfare Department of New York State.

His card reminded me it's high time I dropped you a line about seeing Smokey Joe Adams in Tokyo and Jim Laughton in Hawaii. Eleanor and I were in Japan for seventeen days and in Hawaii for a week and had a fabulous time, two of the highlights of which were talking to Smokey Joe and Jim.

We caught up with George on the end of our Japanese trip which was fortunate as we could then compare our impressions of wonderful Japan with his accurate knowledge. He took us out to his favorite Tempuri restaurant where we gorged ourselves on Japanese delicacies with hot saki with by then fairly adept use of chopsticks. George has just acquired a new home in Kamacura, an hour's train ride from Tokyo, a home partly Western and partly Japanese. We didn't have time to see it. George is studying Japanese still at a three-night-a-week clio hoping to pick up good knowledge of the script. He of course speaks the language already. He hopes to do some writing soon. With his background of early newspaper work, Navy experience in intelligence, previous living in Japan, knowing the language and some leisure to go at it, he should be most valuable to someone. He loves Japan, and I don't blame him a bit.

Eleanor and I talk about the Japanese people at the drop of a hat, and it is practically impossible tn Stop us when started- We sot way off the heater) track, lived in the lovely Japanese inns, lived off the floor of our rooms, mastered chopsticks wore our kimonos and yukatas around the streets in the evenings sometimes and just fell in love with everybody and everything. Went for four days in and out of cities and trains without seeing another foreigner or anyone who speaks English.

Over in Hawaii we dug out Jim Laughton and his good wife, and spent a most pleasant evening with them. Jim has a civilian job with the Navy at Kaluia on the other side of the Island from Honolulu and seems most happy. Hawaii of course is just delightful, once you get away from the tourists of Waikiki, which we did pronto.

I apologize that I did not make notes of the conversations with Smokey Joe and with the Lauahtons — there was much to talk about but my memory slips. All three haven't changed a bit. All love their adopted parte of the world.

And for a small sum Beany will be glad to describe the wonders of the hot steam bath (and fair attendant) in Tokyo. After all, when Eleanor eets her hair done, I can't do the same (having none) and so must look around for the next best bet - ho hum -

""Last Sunday some of my friends got me out on skis again after a lapse of a year. All went well until I got into some breakable crust. Presently the same friends and other stinkers just love to watch me crawling in and out of cars, sidestepping up stairs, walking with a clamlike motion and in other ways resembling a very old man Nothing broke, but I have water on both knees can barely get dressed and won't be skiing for a'while. First time, tho, in 35 years of skiing that I have got hurt, so I won't complain.

Secretary, 36 Shaw Drive, Wayland, Mass.

Treasurer, 96 Fair Oaks Park, Needham 92, Mass.