1900

It is apparent that even Grand Opera has its humorous episodes. Sometimes these show up quite unexpectedly and are not to be discovered in the libretto. Such was the case at a gorgeous performance of Wilhelm Tell which Arthur and Jeannette Virgin attended the past winter. The lovely music was at its peak of inspiration and enchantment and the apple was expertly shot off the head of Tell's son. At that supreme moment the portion of the set on which Herr Tell was standing gave way and the posterior part of heroic Tell's anatomy hit the floor with a resounding thump. All this to the vast amusement of the audience but the utter consternation and frustration of Tell, the supporting cast, and the worthy musicians.

Loring and Ruth Dodd regularly spend the time from February to May at their winter home in Daytona Beach, Fla. Judging from the picture Loring sent me the house looks most alluring. It is built of coquina - soft, whitish limestone mixed with broken sea shells and coral - covered with fig vine and set in ample grounds amid shade trees. In his note Loring comments on the very good fortune he and his wife have experienced in growing out of delicate health in childhood and surviving, as octogenarians, in such good physical condition.

"What is so rare as a day in June," sang an immortal bard, "then, if ever, come perfect days." In view of this sentiment, I am not at all sure that this is the proper time to report even minor casualties. Some of these, however, seem almost inevitable with people of our age group. In February BillEdwards had a stroke and was hospitalized for some weeks, also in February Harry Sampson was taken to a Cambridge, Mass., hospital for observation and some weeks later had an operation for hernia. In April Arthur Roberts reported that his wife, Ruth, still suffering from the after-eifects of her serious accident of last year, was under treatment by a neurologist. We much hope that by this time all three have recovered and are able to resume normal activities.

Quite in contrast to the above is the case of Bob Jackson who in February and March was on a long business trip to Texas and Washington. He is in excellent health, and finds no more difficulty in making these long trips than he did twenty or more years ago. By all the accounts coming out of his New York residence, Bob is still "raring" to go and continues to take keen interest and joy in business activity. To all appearances there are no mental doldrums in his world.

A fine letter from Ruth Bean, our class baby, gives most encouraging and interesting news of her family. "Cap" Jenkins, Ruth's father, is a member of the "Retired Men's Club" of Newton, Mass. The retired personnel in that area is large for there are over 300 listed members of this club. "Cap" gets quite a kick out of the meetings which are held in Newton Highlands. He thoroughly enjoys discussing with members all the vital and significant news of the day. These not so venerable gentlemen still thrive on good talk. Ruth herself is not that venerable, but without a shadow of doubt she now is called "Grandma." Just think of our class baby having arrived at the grandmother stage! A first child, Richard Lancaster, was recently born in Los Angeles, Calif., to Ruth's son, Richard, and his wife. The event has caused great rejoicing in the associated families. This memorable event goes to show that the survivors of our class look still "honorable," albeit somewhat ancient.

Harold Holland, who is keenly interested in bird migrations, writes me that he has seen no new species during the year. However, one day last fall on his farm pond he counted 70 wild geese refreshing themselves a bit on their long journey to winter feeding grounds: "A remarkable sight close at hand." Your secretary can go Harold one better. On a day in mid-winter he spied an unusual visitor feeding among other birds at a feeding station beneath the window of his apartment. This rare migrant was a member of the finch family - a grey-crowned rosy finch - whose native habitat is high mountain areas of the West, but in winter comes down to the Great Plains. This finch, very unusual in the East, has been reported only once from New York state, and once from Massachusetts. Your secretary believes he is among the first to have observed this wandering bird gentleman in New Hampshire. So with no little pride and satisfaction he pens this note.

Secretary and Class Agent Box 714, Hanover, N. H.