1912
It's a bit difficult to get into the groove again after those relaxing sunny days on St. Croix. Most of the Class seem to have taken it for granted that I wished to be let alone, hence a scarcity of news from my new abode. Hope none of you noticed the typographical error in the March issue of the MAGAZINE where it said our 54th "is chalked up for June 13, 1967 in Hanover." Don't let that keep you away this year for those are the correct June days for 1966 and I'm sure Roy Lewis is now back on the job buttoning up all the details.
Our faithful reporter of "News'n Notes of the 1912 girls," Ruth Worton, came through recently with a tine collection after her return from Florida. Honey Brooks' widow, Mae, was shivering in Illinois and praying for spring when she could come East for her annual visit. Lillian and I can sympathize with Emma Pettingell who misses her yard with all her early blooming crocuses and spring bushes but another year we'll be one up on Emma when our new blooms show up. Eleanor Richards has left Harvard, Mass., where she had been librarian for 10 years, and moved to Midland Park, N. J., to be near her married daughter. Eleanor and Joe lived in Hanover for 13 years and she is the proud member of a real Dartmouth family: father, William F. Furman 'BO, brother 'OB, husband '12, and son Joseph D. '39. Joe Doyle's widow, Gertrude, recently survived a successful seance with her surgeon in Phoenix, Ariz. From Florida was news of Martha Baxter entertaining again and enjoying the facilities of Fort Lauderdale's Recreation Department; of Hazel Townsend's encouraging re- port that Al is improving following his heart attack in February; and of Gertrude McCarthy's round of prospective visits to friends while on her winter vacation. Ruth is already getting ready for her summer at the beach but we'll be seeing her in Hanover first.
Choate School's Fund for the Future Progress Report lets us in on the generosity of Dick Remsen whose boys all went to Choate. Part of the Fund is to be used for an enclosed hockey arena for which Gladys and Dick offered to give one half of the needed funds in memory of their son William '39 who died in 1953. The total cost of the arena is figured at $250,000. Dick has been an active supporter of Choate School over the years.
A surprise "Greetings from California Missions" arrived recently from Lou Ekstrom at 503 Scenic Drive, Santa Barbara. I'm waiting to find out if he has gone West for good or just for the past winter. The greetings consisted of a folding set of 12 colored views of the old Spanish missions, a reminder of when the swallows return to Capistrano. Mark Reed was in the Caribbean also in February but I missed him because he was in Grenada watching Cecil Beaton taking pictures of the glittering pageant and at Admiral's Inn, Antigua, owned by Morrill of B&M of Portland fame, where he feasted on clam chowder and baked Indian pudding. Guess he skipped St. Croix. SamHobbs never forgets us here in the East. This time it's a postcard from Philadelphia where Sam had come to attend the ACI convention (C for cement) and look up Chip Farrington on the side. Al Eiseman is at it again writing another song for our reunion. He reports a "tea" party tendered by his wife on his recent 75th birthday at which 1912 was represented by Carola and JimSteen.
Another casualty. Jim English died suddenly on March 9, 1966 at his home in Clearwater, Fla. In response to a note from his wife Sarah, informing her of the Memorial Book gift for Baker Library, came a most appreciative letter attesting to how much friends have meant to her at this time and thanking the Class for providing the book. Jim was an active member of the enthusiastic Dartmouth group in Lauderdale. From Roscoe Leach's widow also came a letter of sincere appreciation for the gift of a Memorial Book. Mrs. Leach is treasurer of the Township of Southfield in Michigan, a position which keeps her working many days into the evenings.
Basil O'Connor's daughter, Dr. Sheelagh O'Connor, a psychiatrist in Seattle, Wash., died at the age of 39 on March 12, 1966. Dr. O'Connor was a member of the local, State, and national medical societies and was vice president of the Washington State Obedience Training Club, Inc. The sympathy of all the Class is extended to our president.
Some of the '12ers may remember Lin-Yi Ho '11. I knew him as a real friend in college days and had heard from him off and on after he returned to Shanghai until the late 1940'5. Now he has turned up again in this country at 1 Daniels Drive, Bedford, Mass. His is a heart-rending tale of how he "became separated from the outside world to live in the dark under a totalitarian regime" until he was able after 12 years to get to Hong Kong and eventually to the United States again. During those 12 years he lived in a reign of terror, beset with misfortunes and losses, trials and tribulations, stress and strain. Thanks to the U.S. Immigration Service he has been allowed to join his daughter and family in this country.
Four generations: Ev Lamson '15 with hisdaughter, granddaughter, and her child.
Secretary, 15 Gloucester Lane West Hartford, Conn. 06107
Class Agent, 184 Commercial St., Maiden 48, Mass.
