1910
From the College Records Office, there came recently a clipping from a newspaper, "The item," Clinton, Mass. The main reason for the marked news was told in the headline: "Rev. Brown Up For Re-election to Lancaster Board." But the "story" mentioned Dartmouth and so, the clipping service, which the College employs to try to keep tabs on us, sent it to Hanover. There are some interesting facts about our classmate Fred K. Brown in this story of his candidacy. And these facts caused us to do some digging into the records where we found much to consider about a Tenner who has modestly kept his light under a bushel.
To start with, Fred has been a member of the Library Board since '32. And "he has shown an interest in town sporting activities and was one of the founders of the former Lancaster Outing Club." In fact, Fred has had a hand in recreation activities in most of the places where he has served as pastor. He organized recreation in Brookfield, Worcester, Westfield and Northampton, in Massachusetts and Fort Dix, N.J. He was Executive Secretary of the Recreation Commission in Bridgeport, and was active in community services during the First World War.
He has written many short stories under the nom de plume of "Al Priddy." He has written a number of books: "Through the Mill" (Outlook), "Man or Machine — Which?" (Pilgrim Press). In earlier days, Fred was a lecturer on the Chatauqua Circuit. He has written and conducted several civic pageants, one of which was staged at Smith College. He wrote an article on snowshoeing and skiing in the United States and Canada, for the Encyclopedia Brittanica, and one on "Skiing" for The Saturday Evening Post. As they say on the TV show, "Naked City," "there are a thousand more such stories" in the big city. With some slight editing that statement could be applied to the Tenner Family — IF — we could only get some one who knows, to tell the facts. We are pleased that this story of Fred Brown found its way to the light.
"Soon as I affix a stamp to this I shall head for the P.O. —• haven't had my walk today." These words from Billy Williams were sweet music for they indicate that he has rallied from a severe setback and is getting more active. When he talked with me on the phone last summer, he said that getting to the phone was the farthest he had been from his bed in some weeks. An interesting chore which Billy has carried out for many years has been the writing of a kind of family letter. This was mimeographed and sent to about forty persons. He included me on his list and the letters were greatly enjoyed. All of this is to get ready to state that Billy has just come up with a revival of his time-honored custom. His opening line: 'Williams speaking ... the initials "L M" now stand for "LONG MISSING." A Wah-Hoo-Wah for Billy!
A note from Charlie Fay brought a clipping he had extracted from the Gardner, Mass., paper about George Underwood. Along with the clipping came this welcome message from Charlie: "I am doing even better than my doctor expected. I get out and around and next month will be fishing again. Hope to see you in June (in Hanover)." Charlie, like Billy Williams has been giving the doctor much to ponder during recent months.
Now, about that clipping referring to George: We recall that a little over a year ago, George was the subject of a newspaper story when the Elks of Gardner helped him celebrate his 75th birthday anniversary. The present story topped off with a two-column photo carries the caption, "Retires From Agency." George joined the C.F. Richardson & Co. Insurance Agency, 43 years ago. He was elected Treasurer of the company in '26. As one of the most widely-known agents in the area, he served for three years as vice-president of the Federation of Insurance Agents of Massachusetts, was a past secretary of the Worcester North Board of Insurance Agents, and a member of both the Massachusetts and the National Agents. For 30 years George occupied the position of secretary of the Chair City Club and is presently Commander of World War I Barracks #2016, a Past Commander of Post 129, American Legion, Past Exalted Ruler and Past District Deputy of 8.P.0.E. Although retiring from active duties, George plans to continue as vice-president of the company. So, again, we are indebted to the local newspaper for the "facts of life" of another Tenner - one who believes in "service."
A brief note from Ted Smith from way down in New Orleans brings the jolting news that he spent two weeks in the hospital with double pneumonia. We do not have any particulars but know that Ted was well on the mend when he wrote.
On the reverse side of his bill from MacKendall for his class dues, Howard Smith wrote last fall, "Yes, Gibbie Jr. (Our CharlieGibson's son) should become our Attorney General (Vermont) if the Democrats behave themselves, i.e., retain their minority privileges." Having read this and the newspapers after election, which showed that the Democrats had not "behaved" themselves as pictured by Howard - at least as far as the Governorship was concerned, we wondered about it. Of course, if Gibbie Sr. had realized that we like to learn the truth in such family matters, Gibbie Sr. would have tipped us off. Well, we had a trip to Burlington recently so we asked questions. Then, we learned that Gibbie Jr. is Vermont's Attorney General. So we are pleased to report the fact and pass our congratulations to both the Gibbies. (If Gibbie Sr. had returned, properly filled out, that questionnaire which Hap Hinman sent to all of us back about 1950, we could tell you where Gibbie Jr. obtained his law education. Oh well....)
We have all received Andy Scarlett's Class Letter telling of the start of the 1963 Alumni Fund drive. What do you say you Tenners who keep secret, until Andy writes several reminders, what you intend to do? Will you adopt a different plan this year and tell him NOW? It will take a bia load off his back.
The mail brought sad news recently: Dr.Frank Meleney passed away early in March while on the golf course in Coral Gables, Fla. The "In Memoriam" in this or a subsequent issue of ALUMNI MAGAZINE, will tell about the marked ability Frank displayed over the years in a broad field of service. Our sympathy has been extended to the family.
Secretary, 501 Cannon PL, Troy, N.Y.
Class Agent, 8 N. Balch St., Hanover, N.H.
