1940
What a rare pleasure it is to open the old shoe box when the time comes to write this monthly column and find at least three or four interesting items and letters to share with you.
For example, the notice about the exhibit by Tom George (remember the exciting oneman show of his which was on display at Hopkins Center last June the same time as our reunion?) at his alma mater of Deerfield. Tommy, who is represented in museums and collections round the girdled earth, is one of the important artists in the avant-garde group today and had assembled paintings and drawings showing how his images derive from the world of nature. Another of the exhibitors at last June's Class Art Show, Bill Joseph, wrote that he was having a showing of some of his cast bronzes and tapestries at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Such talent overwhelms me!
Speaking of Scandinavian things (we were, weren't we?) Ike Weed spoke at the Hanover meeting of the New Hampshire League of Arts and Crafts recently and showed slides of Scandinavian crafts personally researched by him when he was there a few years ago. Ike's furniture, which he designs and crafts in a superb fashion, has definite feelings of his year's study in that part of the world, although he does adapt traditional and Shaker furniture as well. He is another classmate whose artistic efforts are appreciated everywhere, for his works have been sold in Mexico and have been exhibited at the New Delhi Fair and in a European display organized by the State Department. Ike is director of student workshops at Hopkins Center and his vision and patience have helped scores of would-be student craftsmen turn out scores of projects from kayaks to engagement rings!
Since last month's column three more classmates have signed up for Alumni College next August, and, hopefully, are now well into their homework reading. The alumni-turned-scholars will be Stet Whitcher,Harry and Lenore Howard, and Doug and my Hunter. It's not too late for others of you learn what it is like to be a student in 1966.
After being a northerner for all these years, Bob Jordan has moved to 1405 West Ficklin Avenue, Corsicana, Tex. 75110, which puts him smack in the middle of the cradle of the Great Society. What prompted the move Robert? Freshman Fathers who returned to college to cavort with their sons for a recent weekend included Joe Burnett, guest of Jeff; Powell Holbein, here because of Bruce; and Howie Tallmadge, looked after by John. At last reports they were snowed by all the planned activities and attention paid them - and running hard to keep up.
One of the bigger promotions to come to the newspapers must have been seen by all those served by the New York Times, but for the benefit of those outlanders who aren't so blessed be it known that Mac Cross is now vice president for public and industrial relations for Dan River Mills. Mac has been with the company since 1949 and served as director of these services since 1956. He finds time to serve on numerous industry institutes, is chairman of the Labor Relations Committee of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, member of the Public Relations Society of America, and either top dog or director of an arm's-length of civic activities in his hometown of Danville, Va. (where he has picked up a real southern drawl), such as the Chamber of Commerce, cancer fund, Rotary Club, United Fund, etc. You name it, Mac does it! Good going, m'friend.
The banner news from the West Coast concerns our big news writer, Tom Braden, who is campaigning hard for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of California. Joan and their attractive family of eight children will be huge assets in Tom's latest endeavor. He plans on keeping his position as president of the State Board of Education, as well as being the publisher of the Oceanside Blade Tribune. Good luck, Tom, and I hope the aforementioned eastern daily will carry the results of this primary race.
As you read in last month's ALUMNI MAGAZINE, Eddie and Pat Miller's second lovely daughter, Anne, achieved the glory thousands of coeds dream about by being selected the Winter Carnival Queen. She wore her crown with grace and beauty and proved to be a lovely Queen during what must go down as the sloppiest Carnival in man's memory. Such a royal touch sits familiarly in the Miller household for you will remember Eddie's date, Dorothy Gardiner, was Carnival Queen back in 1939.
PARAPREX: The word from Scotty this month is that two 1940 wives (and there are surely many more who are too hidden to dig out) have just won some top-drawer prizes: Jean Raclin culminated her climb to the top in competitive shooting by taking a U.S. National title and she's still competing and has brought youngest child, Grier, to a State of Illinois title. This markspeting manship should get Rac back against the wall where he belongs. The other prizewinner is Janet Funkhouser, who took all the honors recently for the cutest hat, the cutest swing, the cutest outfit on the cutest you-know-what at the Ocean Reef Golf course on North Key Largo recently during an impromptu tournament. Keith Benson took all the money (he still hits the ball a mile and was mighty accurate) while DickFunkhouser showed me a first nine score that would put him on the Tour. Talked to Pres Joyes while in Louisville last week, and his two gals have been near Hanover for summer camp and are getting closer to college choosing time. Missed Les Nichols at his office.
If there is any RUM left on the island of St. Croix, it is surely not the fault of the raiding parties of 1940 during January and February 1966. Brownie's and Dizzy's house (so ideally situated on the first green of the golf course near Frederiksted) was - understandably — the focal point of 1940 life in the Virgin Islands.
Beezie and Ruth Smallwood began the drain on the rum supply right after the first of the year; although the Smallwoods supposedly covered the islands from one end to the other, the only remnants I could uncover a month later were a bunch of cruellyskinned golf balls. In early February, Brownie and Joyce (from Brussels) and Ginaand Diz (from Darien) came down to "inspect the property" and to continue their program to improve the property each year. Just as the Brownes and de Sieyes left the island in mid-February, a wild 60-second overlap was achieved at the St. Croix airport when Karl and Ginny Bruch and Loomie and I flew in from San Juan just as the north-bound plane was loading. What a mad, scrambled reunion.
Then, Lew and Janet Chipman flew in from Wilmington (via San Juan) to add a golf touch to the group. Lew and Janet played nearly every day - and darn well, to my regret. Loomie and I undertook an island-wide project to determine the best rum punch; but, we never found a bad one. (Lew Chipman reported that our classmate, Henry Chase, is living in Wilmington and is making steady progress up through the Hercules Powder Company, and that Henry and Lulu Mae had a delightful family of children who will - hopefully - make the NEXT reunion.
All the while 1940's come and go to St. Croix tackling the ambrosia of the island, Bob and Jane Austin LIVE there and Bob works there - and how!! The ever-zealous Mr. Austin has become an enterprising entrepreneur and is developing a carefully conceived combination of ventures on St. Croix, interrelated and dependent upon customs, freight, parcel delivery, and the like. Bob is plainly and simply all over that island every day. June and their three lovely girls all seem at home in St. Croix, and their son is at school in New England.
Painter Thomas George '40 holds one oftwo of his paintings which will hang inthe U.S. Mission to the UN. Another ofhis paintings was selected by Mrs. Lyndon Johnson to hang in the White House.
Secretary, 5 North Balch St. Hanover, N. H. 03755
Class Agent, 200 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. 10010
