1917
It is with real regret that I tell you of the sudden death on February 3 of Hank Allison. After a long teaching career, largely at Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, N.Y., he retired in 1959 and moved to Auburn, N.Y. It was there that he died of a heart attack as he was leaving a church meeting. Sympathy has been extended to his widow, Ella, on behalf of all 17'ers.
When reporting on Gil Swett's doings, it is well to do so, when you can, in his own words, so here is a paragraph from one of his most recent letters, "Tabloid news of myself and things around Sarasota: My inherent inability to say 'no' has loaded me with lots of activities, none gainful, and most of them centered around Dartmouth in one way or another. Latest addition to my load is chairmanning a Dartmouth Glee Club concert on Monday, March 30. Municipal Auditorium seats 1800. Hope to make some money for the Ivy League Scholarship Fund. There aren't enough Dartmouths around here to dare undertaking it, particularly in housing and meals for 60 men in the height of Sarasota's season when guest facilities are at a premium in private homes. So we sold the idea to the Ivy League Club, and are getting eager support from the other seven groups."
Back in December I told you that Normand Mary McCulloch were building a smaller retirement home on their nine acres on Narragansett Bay. Well, they have moved in and here is what Norm has to say about the place, "We have moved in and our five and a half room retirement home is delightful. Nice to catch up on all the new methods and facilities. Mary didn't spare the whip — to the detriment of our son's inheritance!! We have gate lamps that go on and off with the sun - garage doors that open up and light automatically (button in cars) - a counter mixer that juices - blends - grinds meat — sharpens knives — and then plays the Star Spangled Banner. All thermopane windows — with snap-in grills for squared panes., No more window weights - wall to wall carpeting all bedrooms and family room." Looks as though Mary really had thought of everything!
And speaking of Norm and Mary, on February 25 they left for their lovely winter home at Islamorada on the Florida Keys. On March 10 they are to take off on a short cruise to Nassau with Bob and Anita Scott who, as usual, are wintering at Fort Lauderdale.
Barney Thielscher wrote to say that at the memorial service for Doc Spears, 1917 was represented by Hank and Polly Loudon and Barney and Adele.
For the distaff side, let me report that Sally Shea took off from Los Angeles some-where around March 1 and headed for Lake Worth, Fla. Her address there is P.O. Box 186. Sally hopes to get North next summer.
Bill and Sally Sewall, together with Hudson friends, plan to go South during March for a stay at Hilton Head, S.C. By doing this Bill hopes to get a jump on some of his golfing friends.
Ralph and Evelyn Britton have been spending a couple of months at Redondo Beach, Calif. Two events of importance called them there. First was the birth of their son's second daughter on January 18, and second, was the opening by their son of a foreign car service and repair shop at the Beach.
Jack and Dodo Saladine are to be at Vero Beach, Fla., from March 3 to 24. Undoubtedly, Jack is looking for the big one that got away last year!
News from Florida predominates this month. Bill Birtwell writes from Englewood that, "We are enjoying the winter a great deal although neither the weather nor the fishing is as good as other years. We are having a Southwester today - it's just like a good old fashioned New England Northeaster! Yesterday was beautiful and we were in wading for shells on Sanibel."
In a recent letter Len Reade said that he and his brother have disposed of the main part of their business - the chemical division. According to Len, they worked hard for 50 years and created a new industry. They had seven plants and served most of the railroads throughout the country with their chemical weed and brush killers. They have a plant at Lake wood, N.J., where they produce metal powders, and as soon as they can get a larger office building there, they will leave Jersey City and make their headquarters in Lakehurst. Their work there should, according to Len, be very pleasant and give him and his brother a lot more leisure time than they have had in the past. Len stated most emphatically that he has no desire to retire.
Bill Sewall and Vin Smith both attended the Cleveland Alumni Fund meeting on Wednesday, February 26.
On his birthday, January 24, Mose Hutchins received a total of 170 cards and letters "from the great Dartmouth 1917 Family," eleven of which came from class widows. I have a sneaky feeling that Mose was quite overwhelmed!
A Golden Anniversary is an occasion for big doings, in anybody's book. So this year, on the occasion of the Alumni Fund's Golden Anniversary, let's do big things! First, let every 17'er resolve to contribute something, large or small according to his means and other commitments. Second, don't hesitate just because you cannot contribute a large amount. Even the smallest contribution helps! Third, and finally, let's all get behind our Head Agent, Jack Saladine, and his team of co-workers so that when June 30 comes, 1917 can boast of a new high, both in dollars contributed and in participation.
Secretary, South Pomfret Rd. Woodstock, Vt.
Class Agent, 337 N. Steele Rd., West Hartford, Conn.
