1924
It may seem a little bit like cold potatoes, perhaps, to harken back to Christmas greet- ings as it will be February when you read this column. But I'm writing it as college opens on January 6, and so the holiday is still fresh in my mind. I was surprised, and of course pleasantly, to have so many greetings at Christmas-time; more cards, but very few family letters which I have always enjoyed. Anyway, many thanks to each one of you who included Margaret and me this year; especially those family shots.
One sad note during the holidays was the death of Al Liebling; many of you will have read the lengthy obituary in the N. Y. Times I'm sure; more of you have enjoyed both the style and the pith of his regular contributions to the New Yorker. We saw less of him than did those in. Paris, for he loved France. I think I never met him after graduation except in his writings; we'll miss him. I have an obituary elsewhere and we shall select the Class Memorial Book with special care with respect to his interests. That reminds me that one classmate, when paying his dues and asking what they went to pay for, expressed satisfaction that Memorial Books were an integral part of our Class program. This expense, unhappily, can only increase - but the idea is one most classmates approve with warmth. We can tell you, when you're here for the Fortieth Reunion.
Which reminds me to applaud StanChittick's first bulletin giving general outline of the excellent program now cooking by Ted Nilsen and committee. Please send your present plans to Ford Bowman (just address at Francestown,N. H.). I'll bet this.is going to he a record-breaker for attendance, and even better for personal satisfaction and enjoyment. One more request: it's not too late to send Spud Spaulding - and too many have delayed - your completed questionnaire for the Class Book, and the picture. There's an awful lot of editorial work to be done after Spud receives your copy; and much too much if someone has to do for you what only you can really do appropriately. (Address - as one asked the other day - C. Jerry Spaulding, 201 Commercial Street, Worcester 8, Mass.) If you've mislaid it, ask Spud or me for another. Many know that Spud's life work has been in advertising. In December he received the sth Annual Worcester Advertising Club's Silver Medal Award. He is president and treasurer of his own agency. This recognition has a broader base than his home town, being co-sponsored by "Printers' Ink" and the Advertising Federation of America. The award was made on January 8. The criteria for an award are sometimes more important than the award itself: contributions to one's company, creative ability, contributions to general advancement of advertising, integrity, help especially to younger people just starting - and activity in social and religious groups. Spud started with Batten as a copy writer right after graduation, came to Worcester in 1929 as an advertising manager for the Whittall carpet mills; then an account executive in 1935; finally he organized his own agency in 1939. Aside from his professional memberships his work in civic groups is most impressive: the local Community Services, YMCA, Family Service, Worcester Academy and Junior College, library, music, and church groups: the Dartmouth and University Clubs of Worcester, Worcester Club and Tatnuck Country Club - to name some of a longer list.
From time to time we've had clippings telling of the outstanding job Harland Stockwell has been doing in Chicago as executive secretary of the Civic Federation - described as the taxpayer watchdog group. The most recent such deals with criticisms of Chicago's 1964 city budget and his public hearing "strong stand" — in particular for hiring people at laborer pay rates to do clerical work which city schedules peg at much lower rates. He recommended creation of the post of personnel director with substantial powers to lessen pressure for patronage jobs and to increase a "merit law" base. The clipping cited "facts and figures" to support his group's claims.
And again we hear of the changes - with - retirement of Jimmy Reid as he starts a new career after 38 years in publishing (Harcourt Brace). Last May he retired as editor - in - chief of the textbook department just as his first book was being published: "Poetry - a closer look," using the programming of learning-machine techniques to learn more about poetry. Now he has two more manu- scripts, as he has time to fulfill a long-term ambition to be a writer. Looking backward, here are some high spots: successful selling and then editor of the high school department in 1928; managed both high school and college departments, 1932-1954; in 1929 pioneered using cartoons in high school language books - a daring innovation in often-dull textbooks; he himself rates his greatest success the , development of the famous "Adventures in Literature" series . . . born of imagination and feeling for "class" or distinction where it is so often lacking. The background for the new approach to poetry goes back to 1958 when his firm, believing in built-in sales features, developed an idea for a teaching machine that never appeared. Jimmy believed it was the program and not the machine that mattered ... and so a book, "English 2600," so-called because it involved 2600 steps, did appear. ... Going back, I have recalled how Jim excelled at handball here at Dartmouth; he played tennis and squash in New York until his hip operation in 1955 .. . now it's golf; even bridge.
We need to be kept current on the "vital statistics" department, and many comment with appreciation when I include such as come this way. Ted and Harriet Nil sen now have their first granddaughter after five grandsons. Daughter Suzie, in Rochester, N. Y., is the mother; Katherine Ann Evans was born on Oct. 25, 1963. On the other hand, the fifth grandson, Thomas Theodore Nilsen, was born April 9, 1963.
Final gleanings: Stuart Eldredge, artist who designed our birthday card, gave an illustrated lecture on "The Nativity Scene in Art," at the College of St. Joseph the Provider, in Rutland, Vt., early in December a story of the development of religious Painting down through some 17 centuries. On another level, and this also in New England. Cedric Foster talked to the Portland (Me.) Executive Club (in November) on his favorite subject - news analysis. The caper recalled Cedric as "one of America's most decorated news analysts and observers, and drafted by Mutual Broadcasting Co. in 1940 to become its leading daytime news commentator, now carried to about 450 stations."
Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N. H.
Treasurer, 29 Woodside Rd., Winchester, Mass.
