1899

Your secretary began this year with a strike-out. Weary Wardle's son Harry planned to call at Bradford on his way to Henniker to see son Allen on Parents' Day, in November. But K. was a month gone westward. He'll get his home run later.

Says Louis Benezet's Hawaiian son, Roger: "You're following our example by running away from the snow, but we're trying to work out a trip East." Bill Atwood's Martha Sherman greeted me at Christmas as "sopping up new sights and adventures." Her score in grandchildren? "Four boys, one girl." Hear old Bill cheering? Austin, FredWalker's son, preached in Gleasondale, Mass., before Christmas, later gave a holiday sermon to young people. Sam Smith's sisters in Wayland, Mass., Florence and Stella, sent a welcome holiday greeting. And when I was just giving up on Rodney Sanborn in late January, in he walked. Promised a day together later. Next a telephone from Hawley Chase from Miami's Alcazar Hotel. That 3-cornered '99 Round-Up may yet come off. From "Gale's Ferry, Conn., Horace Sears' Alfred sent two questions: Did your Malcolm practice fencing at Dartmouth? And did he keep a skull on his desk? "Yes," to both. While teaching in Beirut, he bicycled to Jerusalem. There was an ancient monastery there. I know no more!

Jim Barney's son, Roger, reports from Parishfield, Mich., "My broken leg knit promptly." Good! Certainly he'll need all his wits and his limbs when he and Jane move soon into Detroit. They'll leave the Episcopalian compound with its quiet research and conferences to follow the Master's injunction, "Go ye into all the world." Parishfield is moving where the world is moving - into the cities where need is greatest. All four children home at Christmas from Boston, St. Paul's, and Princeton. New Year's Day Louise Pickering, Frank Musgrove and Lillia's daughter, lost her husband; he had been sick eight years; and May Nye's son Richard lost his wife, Florence, last September. Hard to see younger '99 folks go.

Another travelogue from Lena Joy's daughter Barbara Douglas. Lena is a traveler herself; 1939 took same train trip West that K. did last fall. Barbara and "Slim" drove this year to Pennsylvania to see son Walter. Three-mile traffic jam at Kittatinny Tunnel; saw State Capitol, Lincoln, Neb., rated by Board of American Architects fourth among "world's 25 most beautiful buildings"; up Platte River to stand in wagon ruts of pioneers at Mitchell Pass; visited Salt Lake City Temple Choir and International Peace Gardens; another traffic jam in Ohio where at Zion Memorial Park and Cemetery an ironic wayside warning stared at them: "Drive Safely! We Can Wait!"

Martha Fuller .wrote of Christmas visits with all four children: Mark, Marcia, Melville, and Miriam. Herself visited sister, "fine sightseeing." "No eye trouble, can read, hook, and braid, but less fortunate with my ears." Elisabeth Whittier again wintering at daughter Lois Batten's in Michigan. Lois and Art's three boys well on their way through college or graduating, appear in annual Christmas picture with insignia. An older daughter, Peg Roache summarizes: Ben, college senior, will teach in fall; Peter in Army in Vietnam; Mike in Air Force in Philippines; Jim, senior at New York Military Academy.

Finally, Doc Norton's wife Kate in Texas writes: "We appreciate your keeping up with us these many years. It would have meant much to Arthur to attend a Hanover reunion. We almost did in 1934!" Well, Kate, you and Arthur brought up a wonderful family. No "almost" about that! How well I remember chats with Doc by his hearth fire, freshman year in old Quimby House!

Please notice my new address at top of column.

Secretary, c/o William M. Beal 83 Wildwood Street Winchester, Mass. 01890

Class Agent, Box 87, West Cornwall, Conn.