1924

My golden words this month are being written just hours before the invasion: Dartmouth Night tonight; Bevo and QuechaBeers arrived in town, via Spud and KaySpaulding's, all the way from Colombia, South America on their annual trek which includes our party at Bonnie Oaks. I'll have a report on that in the Class Letter; hopefully, Butts Lamson will write it. Before we can even foregather, we have had several cancellations; first, Frank (and Lonise) Harrington; he being involved in too many things with Trustees' meeting in town and business at home; then Doug and DorisCraig, for reasons as yet unknown, but probably business priorities; Jimmy Reid had an auto mishap and "simply won't be recovered enough for the trip.... Give my best to the boys ... I'll be right on the job next time"; Lee Ramsdell is also a casualty — of his business, again; he and Louise have a special reason for wanting to join us this weekend — son John with wife is now at Tuck School (as previously reported). I'm a bit vague about the status of Larry Stone and Pop Foster (with Aletha and Miriam); plans seem changed so they'll be here for the game-cocktails-dinner, but not more. More of this weekend anon.

Next item is local: Pennington Haile has made a major gift to the College. I quote from the local paper: "Tracts of 1,179.6 acres on Mount Moosilauke ... were acquired ... from the Franconia Paper Corp. of Lincoln on Wednesday, Sept. 22, through funds provided by Pennington Haile, Class of 1924, of Norwich, Vt." It goes on to tell of formal presentation ceremonies, where (among others) both Penn and Bob Monahan (college forester and brother of our DeLongMonahan) were speakers. Many of you will know the area from hiking or skiing trips: East Peak, Jobildunc Ravine, and the south face of South Peak. This handsome gift brings the College's holdings there to 2,200 acres from its start when we were freshmen (1920) as a site for the Summit Camp (burned, 1942). I am sure this will be written up in fuller detail in this or a later issue of the MAGAZINE. Meanwhile, cheers for this gift; the class has a tiny bit of reflected glory, too.

I don't recall that I put into the record the fact that Doug Craig celebrated his 40th year with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., as of August. He started as an actuary clerk in 1925; he is now vice-president. So we have two more ties: we've both served 40 years with one employer . . . and whereas he is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, I give their screening tests for this same society each year. (For me, easy work and money; those who recall my undistinguished battles with math in college will know how deep-rooted these thoughts are.) Doug was assistant secretary in 1940, third vice-president in 1944, second in 1948, and vice-president since 1958 as chief underwriting officer responsible for some $7 billion of personal life insurance each year. He comes by this very honestly: grandfather James M. Craig was actuary with Metropolitan (1879-1922); father James D. Craig was an eminent ac- tuary and also vice-president in the '30s. We all recall Doug's expert management of our 35th reunion; many know of his church and community activities; and Doris and Doug are blessed with three children and four grandchildren. (One more common tie: his son James and my son Jonathan were '56 here at Dartmouth.)

Jerry Wheeler, alias Dr. Girard Wheeler, Democratic candidate for first selectman in the Nov. 2 election in Westport, Conn., speaks out in the Bridgeport paper against sin ... Republican sin, that is. The issue: public recreation facilities in his area. . . . From the west coast, Tubby Rothschild, now Leon, will be coming East soon and I hope we may have" a pleasant visit together this time; have missed him (and Bessie, too) other times.

For some blessed reason, and to my pleasure, there have been some very nice letters recently ... all mentioning, at least, the annual birthday cards; some from classmates from whom I've heard nothing for many years. In today's mail, one from Bill, now Bob (named J. Roberts) Doe. I had asked about his son, Bill '50, whom I had enjoyed having in class; now, 15 years later, he is married and has two children ... lives near them . .. and is in the insurance business. Our Bob retired in June 1963 as executive vice-president of the Springfield Bank for Cooperatives (part of the Farm Credits Banks there). His letter head lists his as an attorney; much of his time, since retirement, being given as a volunteer advisor on policies, programs, personnel of a service organization. Friends may not know that his wife, Doris, has been stricken with the same illness (Parkinson's disease) that has hurt others in our class. This, for the past eight years, has kept Bob from participating in our class functions. I'm sure many of you will want me to extend our warm greetings to them both.

Another: this time wedding bells again for a classmate's son—Bill D. Gorton's son Bill R. was married on September 12 to Sydney Anne Croteau, of Keene, N. H. The Gortons live in Lakewood, outside Cleveland. (Thanks to Bill Steck '31, for the clipping - which I had not seen otherwise.) The kicker is that bride and groom now live in Hanover and are working (believe me) at the Tuck School; they live in Sachem Village. Bill was '65, as I know I have indicated earlier. Many of you also know that Mrs. Gorton (Eunice) is the sister of our PaulGordon . . . all four were at the wedding, of course, in Keene. The Gortons have another child, Mrs. George Hart Jr. living in nearby Laconia, N. H., with her husband and two boys. Cheers for another happy occasion.

Turning to the freshman class, Al Robinson has a nephew: Peter D. Robinson, son of Al's brother Ray Robinson '3l. Also, Al and Eleanor are also new members in the Grandparents' Club for the first time; daughter Marcia presented them with Steven Robinson Rehmus on July 12.

Thanks to all for the friendly letters; keep them coming, and to Butts Lamson, too. BUT PLEASE ... fill out one more form - blue this time - for the Alumni Records Office which is preparing a new edition of the Directory. This class, like all others, has too many sons who fail to complete this chore. I have mentioned more than once that lack of complete or even accurate information on YOU has caused embarrassment that could have been so easily prevented. ... Now bring on the Penn game; just saw the Harry Holmlunds, in passing, and the Bevo Beers have left their bags at our home.

Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N. H.

Treasurer, 29 Woodside Rd., Winchester, Mass.

Bequest Co-Chairmen,