1927
1927'S PINE TREE FORTIETHJUNE 12th, 13th and 14th
Herewith the third and final installment in my effort as interim editor of these notes. Roger has returned, and will be at the helm again next month.
My last report from Rog was a letter dated March 13, and written aboard the MS Milora enroute home. They had picked up a new Mercedes in Stuttgart, and after driving it for some time through Europe, were in Paris, just some 48 hours from loading it on a boat for home, when a very small car stopped very suddenly in front of them. It resulted in considerable damage to the new car, since they were unable to match the stopping power of the car ahead. Eventually all problems were worked out, and I imagine that by now the car is as good as new. The ship that they came home on belonged to Yngvar Hvistendahl '54, Curt Bury's '53 roommate, which is why the Burys occupied the owner's suite on the voyage.
The two topics of major interest to all members of the Class of 1927 right now are the Pine Tree Fortieth, and the Alumni Fund. The dormitory assignments for reunion are now official, and, as you all know, we will be in Fayerweather Row, and in Richardson. We have the assurance, of the College authorities that the Fayerweather dormitories have been completely modernized, which means more adequate plumbing facilities, at least. I'm not sure about what has happened to Richardson since I last saw it some years ago. I think that it would be reasonable to assume that the more desirable accommodations will be assigned to those who get their room reservations in early, so don't delay. I'm advised that the deadline for reservations for rooms in the dormitories is May 22, so prompt action is required. Reservations continue to pour in to Ken Murray, and all indications point to this being a tremendous reunion, probably the biggest since our Twenty-fifth.
Sam Wormser and his team of Class Agents are doing their best to assure our winning the Green Derby for our Fortieth, but the success of their efforts depends on every member of the Class. If you have not already sent your check, do it now.
On their recent trip to Japan, Sam and Allice were entertained by our adopted classmate, Masuo Iwanami. Sam wrote: "Masuo was a most gracious host. He and his wife entertained Mr. and Mrs. Bill Breer 52 (second secretary at the American Embassy) and us at a fabulous dinner in a Japanese restaurant last Thursday evening. Our stay in Japan was great, and we are now on our way to Hong Kong."
George Friede took another of his interesting and extensive trips last August and September. He visited all of the independent countries of South America, and found them all interesting, but unstable, both politically and economically. He notes that he both entered and left the continent with a bang. Two hours before he arrived at Bogota, Colombia, there was a bombing at the Colombian-North American Cultural Center, which killed four people: three Colombians and one American. On his last day, in Caracas, Venezuela, terrorists threw a bomb at the car of the National Chief of Police, wounding him, his wife and chauffeur, and killing a fourth Venezuelan who was a passenger. Otherwise, says George, he had a nice quiet and restful trip.
At the annual town meeting at Orleans, Mass., Joe Kelly was honored "for noteworthy service of good citizenship rendered this community." Joe was introduced by Charlie Moore '25, well known to all of us as a recent and great Alumni Fund chairman, who read the following citation:
"A devoted, loyal and active member - and one-time president — of the Orleans Rotary Club, he was born in Providence on Jan. 16, 1904, and is thus — at 63 - just entering that period of life which many of us sexagenarians choose to designate as "Maturing middle age." He was graduated from the Medford, Mass. high school where he brought distinction to himself and to his school as a track man and football player. A member of the Class of 1927 at a more or less remote college in mid-New Hampshire (which "shall be nameless), he again met academic requirements and, at the same time ran many good races as a member of the Dartmouth track team. He later earned his medical degree at Boston University, served his internship and residency at Boston hospitals, and came to Orleans, as a doctor, in 1934, 33 years ago. In that 33 years his lumbering walk and twinkling eyes and wry humor, his almost ever-present smile, his careful hands and careful diagnosis, his patience and good counsel - all of these have brought solace and courage, health and life to the members of at least three generations of people in this community."
Dr. Lyman Milliken has been elected as vice president of the Maryland Dental Association. Doc has practiced dentistry in Annapolis since his graduation from the University of Maryland in 1932, is a past president of the Western Shore Dental Society, and recently retired from the Army Dental Corps Reserve as a Colonel.
Your temporary secretary had two shots fired at him in the course of an armed robbery at the Broer-Freeman Company a few days ago. Thanks to a police cruiser happening to arrive on the scene at the crucial moment and the alertness of its occupants, the robbers were apprehended and most of the approximately sixty rings which had been stolen were recovered within a few minutes. Thanks to the poor marksmanship of the gunman, I am still healthy, and it wasn't necessary for Roger to assume the burdens of his office a month earlier than planned. The barrel of a thirty-eight looks awfully big when it is pointed at you from a distance of about fifteen feet, and it makes an awfully loud boom when it goes off.
It's been fun doing this column for the past three months, and thanks for putting up with me. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in Hanover next month.
P.S. From your returned secretary. Coggy, your robbery makes one shudder. Thank Providence for poor marksmanship. Why not trade that diamond store for a blacksmith shop — much safer. My public, very deep appreciation for your fine pinchhitting job. A quickie or two — at N. Y. Alumni Fund Dinner, our Sam Wormser received the "James B. Reynolds" trophy as outstanding head agent classes 26-40 years out. Ralph Lazarus '35 told us that all of those personal notes of Sam's are 5-7 a.m. labors of love and that '27 under Sam has made a substantial increase each year - closing with "Sam, it will be your neck if '27 doesn't go up again this year." Let's all save Sam's nice neck - we need him.
A Reunion Committee meeting was the first order of business for Ken Murray after an eleven-country European trip he and Ruth just completed. You should have by now Bill North's outstanding research and writing job re Old Pine. Hope this prompts you to get that dorm reservation card in as well as your part of the Pine Tree fund to Bob Funkhouser. See you at "The Pine Tree 40th."
1927 Class ReunionHanover, June 12-14, 1961
'27's President Bob Stevens looks on asReunion Chairman Ken Murray (left)reviews Bill North's brochure, "The OldPine Tree and the New," with Sid Voice.
Secretary, Orchard Hill Rd. Westport, Conn. 06880
Class Agent, 129 Combs Ave., Woodmere, N. Y. 11598
