1912
Class Chairman Basil O'Connor delivered the address at the March of Dimes PreCampaign Meetings in New York City and Washington, D. C. His remarks pointed out the great value the National Foundation has contributed to science in its research program. Not only did it make possible the creation of both the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines, but it has been a leader in the present revolutionary development in nucleic acid, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and chemical genetics. Doc emphasized the importance in our democracy of the volunteered dollar as an indispensable marching companion to the tax-collected dollar.
February may seem off beat as a time to recount the blessings of Christmas delivered to Fran and Stan on so many beautiful and/or novel cards. If you have never been an editor you will not realize what a deadline a month before publication does to news. But out of those cards came considerable recountings of doings by '12ers. Beginning at Pine Cone Farm in snow-deep Maine, Edith and Ray Tobey let us in on the fact that Edith is performing in the Colby Community Orchestra for the tenth year while Ray is recording on color slides the construction of the new Interstate 95 bridge across the Kennebec. These loyal New Engenders are enjoying the many historical celebrations occurring from York to Fairfield. Also from Maine, Bill Shapleigh reports that with only a small part of the net proceeds from their rail trip last October they have bought a 60-year-old combination coach and baggage car from the Maine Central R.R. Now all they lack is a track to run it on. Hal Belcher reports "back to normal schedule. Boston two days a week and desk work at home."
Moving across the continent, we learn that Ella and Mark Allen in Seattle read this column with pleasure, that Dorothy and RoyFrothingham in Los Angeles remember our little get-together a year ago, and that Marian and Sam Hobbs in sunny Arcadia appreciate the results of my efforts in digging and delving. From San Mateo came a welcome note signed Bob (Belknap). Bob has recently celebrated his 74th milestone, reluctantly passing up both golf and swimming while pretty much "house bound." He and Rosalind live near enough to one daughter and family to join hands on Christmas. Up at Green Bay, Dutch Waterbury when last heard from was looking for the white rabbit to be pulled out of the hat by the Packers. Not this time, old boy, but it wasn't my doings that let in the Bears! Edith and Dutch are off this month for the South Sea Islands, New Zealand, and Australia via the family in Texas and friends in Phoenix. Bon voyage! Ralph Tackaberry in Chicago is still talking about his first Dartmouth 1912 reunion last June and hoping for a repeat in '64. At present he and Mabel are on a cruise in the Mediterranean. And from Geneva, N. Y., came a running account of the doings of the Bruner family beginning with the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Jane and Warren last July. It was some celebration with 27 adults and older grandchildren involved as well as a party for the rest of the 11 grandchildren. Warren has been on the road as usual, to Arizona, California, Hanover, Washington, D. C., and Princeton. New York State brought greetings from Boss Geller in Owego who was set for the Furniture Show in Chicago on January 4, followed by a visit to Sedona, Ariz., on the 9th. Hippo Marden writes that he is only semi-retired and, from one Doc to another, says "Don't put off retiring until you can not enjoy it." He seems to keep busy seeing a few old patients, doing a little clinic work, some school physical exams, baby sitting for grandchildren ages 1 to 6, canoeing and fishing with his younger son and doing plenty of chores about the house for wife Ruth. Hippo had one of those same experiences a bit over a year ago that your Secretary enjoyed once, namely, having a disc removed from one's spine. Both of us are alive and active, not just sitting like some of those VA patients do after that operation.
Randy Burns took second prize this Christmas with his Harry Lauder card which included nearly all the holidays of 1964 as well as this Christmas. We should all take a tip from Randy who finds his chief pleasure in visiting friends, taking in parties, attending football games, and being nice to and the recipient of the same from the widows in the neighborhood. No wonder he "hasn't been bored a minute." Florida for some fishing down on the Keys is in the cards for him this winter. Alma and LeeWhite left shortly before Christmas for Pinehurst, N. C. (address until March 21, P.O. Box 694). Lee has had a rough time of it with three sessions in the hospital in 1963 and now is south to get back his strength and some of the lost weight. He is planning on Hanover next June; in the meantime stop and see him on Everett Road, four blocks from the Holly Inn, you travelers southbound.
From Venice, Fla., that unique greeting from Floppie's Kitchen and a long note from Floppie and Roy Lewis. They took in the Princeton game, visited Chesty Brown and Sheila and Elwin Taber in St. Augustine where they ran into Jo and Ben Adams on their way back to New Hampshire to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Roy says Harrie Chase should be in Florida by now and Scotty Rogers in Sarasota. Appended was a bit of news telling us that their grandson, Jack Taber, played offensive fullback for Tabor Academy this last fall, was on the lacrosse team last spring, is now out for indoor track, and hopes to make the honor roll. Best of all, he wants to go to Dartmouth. Can you help? Along with Eleanor and Al Smith's card from St. Pete came the news that the Smiths were entertaining at a traditionally New England dinner 16 guests including Hazel (Cobb) and Al Townsend and Dick Udall '23 and wife. Barbara and Bud Hoban write that Florida is the most comfortable place in the nation, even though Bud admits just having had a virus. There were many other cards with first prize going to Charlie Widmayer with his Santa Claus dressed in green and wearing a big white D. Finally, I am indebted to DocO'Connor for a fine 8½ "x 11" autographed photograph of himself.
Ruth Gale, Windy's widow, contributed the closing touch. Her husband's poetry has been compiled by daughter Judith, verses "he wrote whenever the spirit moved him. These were always written in a happy and humorous vein, which were my husband's strength and charm."
Secretary, 136 Steele Rd. West Hartford, Conn. 06119
Treasurer, 4 Bank Building, Middleboro, Mass.
