1930

Contrary to the custom of not starting a report with one's own affairs, it is a matter of gratification, tongue-in-cheek though it may be, to have attained the status symbol or whatever it might be called, of direct quotation of some of my rich, beautiful prose, in such an august publication as the Atlantic, no less. I gather that the author of an article entitled "Mr. America" in its December issue concludes that all Ivy League class secretaries write pure corn, but none the less I am happy to have been quoted verbatim, and that the class received a bit of jocular publicity, even though some fourteen months after the original was printed. Anyhow, if you have a chance, read the article, it's cute.

This past week Ave Gould rounded up a group of Thirties to see the 1964 football movies presented by Coach Blackman at the Dartmouth Club, followed by dinner together. One of our number who is a keen football observer commented he had never seen such ball possession — that Dartmouth either had the ball for every play or was just about to intercept an enemy pass for a runback. But, why not have it that way? I may have missed one or two who showed for the movie and a drink: at dinner we were 19, Barker, Jim Mitchell. Ho Morris, Fisk, Schuster, Hobbs, Ted Wolf, Gould, Mclnnes, Browning, Sigler, Bob Blanchard, Shultz, Reinhart, Behal, Page, Bud French, Wooster, and myself. No messages, no speeches, but good roast beef.

A note from Dick Barnard reports that Les Godwin suffered a heart attack on December 15 and was getting along well in Winchester Hospital where he would have to spend three weeks or so. Let us hope his recovery is progressing even better than predicted.

Dick Bowlen tells me that Ben Benson has left his connection in Lebanon to become controller of Arthur Whitcomb Company, Keene, N. H., a rather far-flung chain of cement, sand, and gravel companies through New Hampshire. I think it should here be recorded that Ben and Louise have been tremendously helpful at the last two Woodstock gatherings in handling the thankless job of collecting the head taxes, badging us all, collecting tickets at the picnics and dinners, selling drink tickets, and keeping track of all these things.

From Len Schmitz, chairman of the board, a copy of the annual report of Acme Visible Records, Inc. for its year ended September 30 and a copy of the speech he gave before the New York Society of Security Analysts on December 11. His company is enjoying steady growth in the office equipment field, and although not building computers, can do much to serve their requirements in the line of data preparation, storage, and retrieval. I am sure he would be glad to send you a copy of either booklet - write to him at Crozet, Va.

One of the year's biggest mergers in the advertising field has brought together the Chicago firm of Needham, Louis & Brorby, Inc. and Doherty, Clifford, Steers and Shenfield. Inc. of New York. Buck Steers is chairman of the new agency, having an estimated combined billing of $85 million. Factors tending to promote the amalgamation were said to have been the need for expanded bases of operations to better serve expansion-minded clients and the stronger possibility of overseas expansion through establishment of international offices.

From a classmate whom I would not have expected to be a builder of his own house, Al Smith, comes word of his construction of an A-Frame on the shore of Long Pond, off Route 590, near Lakeville in Wayne County, Pa. He and Anne expect to have the plumbing and electrical work completed soon, are looking forward to the fishing and relaxation the house will afford, and will welcome a visit from any traveling Thirties who are in that section of the Poconos. Al has left RCA, continuing however to live in Doylestown, and is representing a group of manufacturers of printed circuits, cables, switches, connectors, electronic power supplies, ball and roller bearings, and he would be glad indeed to hear from any purchasing agents in the Class!

Gordon Granger has been elected vice president of the Great Barrington Savings Bank, retaining also the position of treasurer he has held for several years. GillyGilbert has come back from Virgin Islands retirement to his former occupations in Houston, attributing his action to the lack of classical music on the island. He is again singing with the choir of Christ Church Cathedral and again working behind the scenes constructing sets for plays and operas. Before heading for Hanover in June he plans to return to his boat in St. Thomas for a month or so. Harry Casler has written "All fine with the Caslers in troubled Malaysia. Chris at Hotchkiss, the other children here in British Army School. Rosemary doing her share of good works in Malaysian community while yours truly manages to stay well occupied running USIS in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, and Kuching. Regards." Si and Margo Chandler celebrated their 25th anniversary with a visit to Barbados. Gene Zagat is active in New York City real estate and in "too many organizations for the time there is available," including the Broadway Association, the 34th Street Association, and he is a director of the American Council for Nationalities Service. Gene and Cornelia's son, Gene Jr., a Harvard graduate, spent a year with the Peace Corps in charge of assembly and dispatch of books for approximately 3,000 libraries, sometimes referred to as book lockers, and is now in his second year at Yale Law School. Their daughter Caddie graduated from Smith and is with the travel bureau of U. S. National Students Association.

Two matters for your planning within the next four months. You will be hearing from Art Browning and any early action you can take for the 1965 Alumni Fund will be most appreciated by him. It will ease the load he undertakes each spring for the fund — to the point where it might seem that actually he is on a sabbatical from his regular occupation. It is doubful that many of us realize the scope of the effort Art faces each year as class agent.

Secondly, plans for reunion, June 14 to 16 1965 are progressing. Ed Butterworth, and Liz too, are hard at work putting toaether a lively program which you shouldn't miss if you can possibly attend. For attention to the specific functions of reunion, Ed is getting help from Al Dickerson, reunion dinner; Ben Benson, treasurer; Charlie Widmayer, publicity; and Bob Keene, Hanover major domo in charge of many things. Paraphrasing Northeast Airlines' TV blurber, "Come on up to Hanover next June.

To beat the hinterlands for attendance of classmates at the 35th, Chairman Ed has a Committee of 64 who by now should have contacted their assigned groups. The members are: Hugh Alcorn, Dick Barnard, Glen Bartram, Bill Blais, Nels Blake, Burns, John Cheney, Lee Chilcote Ted Childs, Bob Chittim, Bill Chnste Kelso Clow, Col. Ed Conklin, Otis Crandall, Burt Crandell, Stan Davis, Paul Duback, Jim Dunlap, Harry Dunning, Milton Emnch, Joe Epstein, Chuck Faye, Bill Fento?' George Frederickson, G. Warren French, Ave Gould, Ed Grant, Frank Gulden, Carl Haffenreffer, Oscar Harris, Jack Herrick, Otis Humphrey, Bill Jessup Hugh Johnson, Milt Just, Jack Keating, Joe Kirkpatrick, Warren Knapp, Dan Loeser, George Lord, Ev Low, Herb Mandeville, Burrows Morley, Rusty Morrill, Bob Noeltner Ed Overholser. Herb Parry, Warren Phinney, Chuck Pooler, Bob Ryan, Herm Schneebeli, Milt Schultz, Ed Schuster, Bill Smith, John Smith, Ham South, Fred Tangeman, Phil Troy, Scott Van Derbeck, Ed Varley, Wally Wasmer, John Whipple, Ted Wolfe, Collie Young.

Secretary, 30 Boxwood Dr. Stamford, Conn.

Treasurer, 6 Emerson Rd., Wellesley Hills, Mass.