1900
Dr. Arthur Wallace might be fairly charged with giving aid and comfort to population explosion with all the dire consequences pertaining thereto. I would not be so bold as to suggest that he anticipates the return of the antidiluvian era and the reappearance of other Methuselahs. He, however, is concerned with the upper end of the life cycle; the possible increase of longevity. Through proper dietary practices the average duration of life can be considerably increased. Thus the hope for future generations lies in the area of nutrition.
All this and more appears in an interview Arthur had with an energetic reporter which was published in the Jan. 6, 1963 issue of the Milford, N.H., weekly newspaper. This account shows the very real service Arthur, and his father before him, have rendered the Nashua-Milford community. At the end of the interview the question of retirement was brought up. Here Arthur, at age 85, well nigh exploded: "Retire? What is that? I don't know the meaning of the word, and I don't care to. I'm enjoying my business and I intend to continue." To all intents and purposes he is still spry, intellectually alert, and in practice positively denies the contagion of common consent in age limitations and man's dotage. A long Dartmouth cheer and a "Reinhardt Sprang" for this active classmate, and the success of his nutritional program.
A splendid letter from Maude Wentworth, widow of Joe Wentworth, tells of her great appreciation of the tribute to Joe which appeared in the January issue of the MAGAZINE. She says: "That account has been one of the bright spots in a very lonely winter as a more or less shut-in." Her nephew, Robert A. Smith, a Yale graduate, who has made his home with her since he was ten years old, and who last year lectured at Sheffield University in England, is now a professor at the University of Delaware. Maude is hopeful he may be able to spend a part or the whole of his vacation at her summer home in Laconia, N.H.
Lena Fletcher, widow of Pete Fletcher, reports that her part of Florida has had a tough winter; the worst perhaps in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The big freeze ruined the fruit crop in her area and destroyed the flowers. The one bright spot in a drab weather picture was "no snow," hence "no complaints." But why, pray, should one complain about snow? It has, to those who can see, a loveliness of its own as well as an exhilarating usefulness to the out-door enthusiast. And then it gives a possible guarantee against a water famine in August, and, by contrast, lends enchantment to the pastel colorings of a long-late spring.
Betty Redington, widow of Paul Redington, way out in lower California, writes about a delightful visit from her sister whom she had not seen in some years. They celebrated Thanksgiving and Betty's birthday, which falls on Nov. 29, together. These two estimable ladies, the one 81 and the other 78, had a gala time, and Betty, an ardent walker, remarked that her sister gave every evidence of being a good sport in regard to the pedestrian feats they accomplished in and about La Jolla. Perhaps the two ladies might be candidates for the 50-mile hike much publicized in the newspapers and pictorialized on TV.
Don Turtle's widow, Helen, has written me about the disaster which befell the family last summer. Her grandson, a high school student, was struck by lightning when only a few steps from his home. He was rushed to a hospital where for over a week he was in a coma. At this writing he has completely recovered from this frightening experience and is again his normal, active self. Those weeks last summer while Donald was in the hospital were tough and anxious weeks for the family.
Hilda Salinger, widow of Vic Salinger, reports herself well, active, and thoroughly optimistic. Just now she and her family are rejoicing over the news that her granddaughter and family is to be located nearby for a period of at least two years. Lt. Walling, who has been stationed in Hawaii, is being transferred as of May to Long Beach, Calif. It will be fun, says Hilda, to have this fine family which includes three boys, Hilda's great-grandsons, so near us. I can just see Hilda, glowing with pride, romping with the youngsters, or perchance baby sitting with the youngest who was born on Jan. 10, 1963.
Secretary and Class Agent Box 714, Hanover, N.H.
