1921

As these notes go to press, word has been received from Jack Hurd that his European journey has been curtailed, and that by mid- October we will be found back in his accustomed orbit. So, for this one month only, his proxy will have the opportunity of attempting to walk in the footprints of this secretarial paragon.

There is a spate of retirements - changes in business affiliations toward more relaxed, less tensioning commitments - transcontinental movements of lares and penates to escape cold weather, hot weather, high taxes, and importunate neighbors and insurance salesmen. Also, there is some boggling around seeking hobbies which might blossom into avocations - long peregrinations which could not be considered previously, but must now be taken before the rheumatiz strikes. In other words, many of the classmates have arrived at an important fork in the road, and decisions have to be made.

There must be a lodestone buried in the center of the Hanover Plain, which exerts its force over great distances, pulling alumni, young and old, slowly but inexorably back to the campus. Old Mother Lode! Sometimes these classmates sneak in furtively under cover of darkness, leaving in the river fog on the morrow. Others bask for a while in the summer sun of the Inn porch, or unearth virginal divots on Hilton Field or the uncouth "natural nine."

Joe Lane and wife Tave came all the way from Chattanooga to refresh memory, mind and soul at the first Alumni College. Space does not permit the use of all of Joe's superlatives, but we will quote a few. ... "It was more fun, more satisfying and more stimulating than we would have dared hope. ... What made it cohesive was that everyone had come because they wanted to. ... From the standpoint of mechanical planning it was all handled superbly. ... The purpose of the course: to provide approaches to the problem from the points of view of Economics, Philosophy, Literature, and Science as tools for the individual's thinking. Two hundred intent people sat through each hour's lecture completely absorbed. I wondered how much more of an education I would have had if I could have sat in this same seat forty-odd years ago. All four teachers were 'inspired' — which is an exacting word, and not to be used lightly. To be exposed repeatedly to this quartet was a unique experience." Joe believes that all other '21-ers similarly exposed would echo these same sentiments. That includes Cory and Abbey Litchard, Lucy Briggs and Vera Martin, Bill Alley, Bob Burroughs and Dana Lamb. Ellis Briggs is excluded, of course, because he was executive director, and much of the glory for the success of the enterprise must go to him. Joe Lane's only complaint was that the summer finery of Lookout Mountain is apparently not appropriate — at times — to the white mountainous air that sweeps the Top of the Hop at coffee-break time. Joe's first chill, which necessitated an AT&T SOS to his "compassionate" daughter for woolen sports clothes was made from Waterbury, Conn., which, it must be pointed out, is 200 miles southwest of Hanover, and relatively tropical.

Dud Robinson, who could have helped Joe Lane in his dilemma from Litchfield, 20 miles removed from Waterbury, has taken his leave from the Torrington Mfg. Company as of the end of August, but has contracted to do work of a merchandising and research nature for a company in Scranton. He has contacts in mind with several other firms who have need for his extensive experience in those fields. Dud had to pass up the opportunity of attending the wedding of one of Nels Smith's sons on August 22, the details of which event are lacking at the moment.

Carl Hammond, who was only with the class during freshman year, and received his A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1921, writes a bon-voyage letter to JackHurd, expressing regrets that he never knew him or Rog Wilde or Bill Alley in Hanover, but was now enjoying a "pen-pal" relationship in these later years. There are many more like Carl who changed their educational orbit in flight, but still feel the gravitational pull of the Planet Hanover.

Carleton "Mac" McMackin spent the spring and summer striving feverishly to make their Mt. Cube home - outside of Orfordville, N. H. - livable during the midhalf of the year. They plan to hibernate in nearby Plymouth, with possible winter siestas in Florida.

An undated postcard from Montevideo shows a tempting blonde at Playa Pocitos risking the beach surf, while Harry Chamberlaine tries to keep his mind on Good Housekeeping or Popular Mechanics. He expresses his disappointment that he hasn't run into a single classmate. They're all in Europe, Harry, and you missed Bill andTeeter Alley by six months.

Fred Benton writes from Philadelphia that he has survived a few skirmishes with various physical ailments, but is looking forward to fishing in Florida after the November elections. Son John has been enjoying the benefits of a Guggenheim grant, and he and his wife have been spending three months in France while on leave from the University of Pennsylvania.

El Fisher's Marion arranged a big celebration on August 3 for him on Cape Cod, in honor of his "coming of age" — with two daughters, two sons-in-law, bachelor son Woody and seven grandchildren in attendance.

Gordon Merriam has relieved the tension of diplomatic life by raising blueberries in Damariscotta, Me., which is likewise the nation's lobster capital. Since blueberries are a biennial crop, 1964 has been the off year, allowing Gordon to perfect his accordion playing, and to rewrite the Dartmouth Songbook for the squeeze-box. The Merriam clan will be widely scattered this winter, with daughter Eleanor and husband entering their third year at Roberts College. Son John and wife, having finished the academic work for their Ph.D.'s, will both teach Political Science at the American University of Cairo.

George Harris writes a travelogue of his West Coast excursions that could easily make the pages of Holiday or the National Geographic. To quote a few vignettes. "Northern California is so different it should be a separate state." "Everything is so different when there is leisure to really see things. We have spotted hundreds of new birds. Even the jays are of a different color, but they still make the same hideous noises. The redwoods are so close together that in some places they have had to shave the sides to open up a two-car lane. Truly, it is a Wagnerian setting with everything there except the rich contralto voice lamenting her dead warrior. The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B. C., are the most beautiful I have ever seen." "My son is an enthusiastic sailor, and I have been pressed into service on the Committee Boat to set the course, the signals, and to help judge the finishes." "Madeline and I spent two weeks in a cabin on Lake Tahoe, and were delighted to find Rowena Kerlin and her friend Gen Gates right next door. Rowena and Red had been coming to this beauty spot for thirty years. ... Rowena is distressed that son John is more interested in skin-diving than in books. But he thinks it is a practical profession. He says 'Look at Lloyd Bridges!'"

After writing memos to half the class detailing how to ran things in his absence, Reg and Sylvia Miner took off from New York in early. September on the France. Their itinerary and length of stay is not common knowledge, but- it would not be surprising if they caught up with Don andAlice Sawyer somewhere along the way. Before leaving, Reg had to see that all of his responsibilities were properly committed to his successors, and leave to others the problems of finishing construction on a new wing of his Wellesley church, and solving the financial problems therein involved. And of course there were all the retirement and farewell parties to attend — religious and secular - demanding two different types of after-dinner stories.

And so, your second string quarter-back goes back to his work-bench on New Boston Road, Norwich - and returns the quill to its multiloquent flourisher, the Dean of East Wheelock Street.

Secretary, 33 East Wheelock St. Hanover, N. H.

Treasurer, 12 W. Mystic Ave., Mystic, Conn. 06355