1924
Written on January 7, Class Agents' Day, and Doris and Doug Craig here to represent us; a pleasant "happy hour" worked into their busy schedule. (For those who have never participated, the Dartmouth programs (including the famous Horizons series) is always fast-moving, exciting, and rewarding to all concerned. Don't ever turn down an invitation for any such.) It is hovering around zero, but there are a good many boys and dates off skiing with stops at the cabins for some. Remember? Speaking of which, I hope the excellent article (November issue) which described PennHale's generous gift of land to add the East Peak and Jobildunc Ravine plus the south face of the South Peak of Moosilauke - fabulous country - was read with care and appreciation;' if not, dig it out and recall past pleasures there. ... Butts will have the details of a change of status; we're really in the "old timers" group now. See next Class letter.
Going back to the holidays: we had a larger-than-usual shower of cards and letters from you-all, and for every one of them a very warm thank you from Margaret and myself. We regard these as genuinely friendly greetings and not dull ritual; we send many in the same spirit. If we omitted anyone, please forgive. I was in the midst of a rather hectic time with a Peace Corps project here (as psychologist screening the trainees for assignment to Togo later" on); and there is a likelihood I may follow this ten weeks up with one or more renewals ... as I hinted in the note with my retirement picture last June. I like it all - except the bureaucracy-dictated details; I can think of a few of you who will get a smile out of that, from your own experiences. But the times were hectic just before and after the holidays, and by now we are in a state of relative calm. Reading the cards and family letters, plus an occasional picture especially including the annual Karslake family picture, and what a wonderful picture it always is!
I've written a lot about retirement plans, about this one and that one (and myself) working harder than ever after retirement ... now I have the pleasure of adding another name to the "Who, me?" department: Pat Donnelly (whose write-up in the 40-yearbook is interesting reading) plans to keep right on selling fire insurance, health permitting. Pompano Beach is a good place to swim, obviously, but he also excels at bowling and likes to garden; visiting back here in Philadelphia and Boston with their two sons and grandchildren add to the zest of living, of course.
Grand prize for fore-sightedness goes to Bob (and Margery) Fenderson from down Maine; not only reservation (of which we already have others) but first to send his deposit and right after New Years'. Stout fella ... even though no deposits are necessary until late summer or early fall. You get your wish, Bob-Margery; the rule is still first-come, first-served. He is "largely retired" from his men's store shop but has "projects galore" to keep him busy. One more quip re. retirement (promise the last for this issue at least) and it shall be anonymous but too good not to share: "Thanks for your good wishes upon my graduation to the rank of Senior Citizen! It was really very painless. In fact if the Social Security Administration hadn't called up and ordered me to apply for 'Medicare,' and if the office hadn't presented me with a gift (for the first time) ... and if my group insurance benefits and premiums had not been reduced ... I wouldn't even know anything special had happened. Now I feel I probably should see my doctor ... and probably I should go to bed earlier and take it easier on the stairs; and maybe I should even retire! ... if all these people would keep quiet and tend to their own business we would feel 25 years younger." Amen.
Some day I'll tabulate the class professors, from Allen (alphabetically arranged) through Bartlett and Cowley, on to the two Gibsons (Alex and Rolie), Lippincott, Maclean, McNiff, and Maguire; our registrar teacher Robin Robinson, Frank Rolfe, and Hairy Wolfe. Whom did I miss? Oh, JoeBurleigh, and then the doctors who also teach or have taught: Cipollaro, Christophe,Coyle, Sycamore. I know I could dig more out among the retired such as Frank Jetter, and passed on such as Lew Erckert. I'll call it a day with this to tease your minds; no prize, other than my thanks for any with time and inclination to make the list complete. (I'll want to know come our 50th reunion.)
Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N. H.
Treasurer, 29 Woodside Rd., Winchester, Mass.
Bequest Co-Chairmen, AND
