1926

If your contribution to the '67 Alumni Fund is to raise '26 in the '67 Green Derby Contest it has to be in Hanover this month. We want to improve our percentage of contributors. So everybody act now. No contribution is too small, or too large for that matter, but at least we can all give to our means. If you have not already contributed act now. June 30 is too late.

The 1926 Collection Committee presided over by Phil Benjamin and Dick Mandel, ably assisted by Chuck Webster and Howard Rice, met April 6 at the Dartmouth Club of New York. In this collection of Early American Illustrated Books published in New England 1767-1869 we are building something whose future is great and in which we should all take active interest and pride. Class Notes will report periodically on this important subject.

Received a great letter from Henry Bixby reporting on his and Margaret's four weeks' covering of the East Coast of South America. A week in Venezuela thence to Belem at the mouth of the Amazon (where even breathing is a trick) then 1000 miles up-the river to its juncture with the Negro at Manaus, the old rubber capital, Brazilia, the new capitol, Salvador - Bahia, the Colonial capital, Rio at Carnival time, Sao Paulo and beautiful Iguassu Falls. Next the Welfare States of Paraguay and Uruguay and on to Bueno Aires from which the letter came just prior to their taking off for heavenly Bariloche from whence they will cross the Andes to Chile by boat preparatory to working their way up the West Coast.

Also a great letter from Laurie Fitzgibbon, professional relations vice-president of Block Drug, deep in a heavy program of professional promotion of the dental profession and thrice over grandfather of three granddaughters, but with a weather eye toward retirement to be faced in a few years. "As I read the news of our class activities I can't help but note the trend of most of our classmates as they come to retirement to take refuge in smaller and quieter localities. It would be interesting to learn from them whether they feel their lives have lost some zest and stimulation as a result." Indeed it would. Retired Muskie fishermen's friend Duckie Heacox writes from Palm Beach, Fla., he "will try to reform in retirement and send you something when I get back to home base." Ardent Golfer, Bob Cleary, reports from St. Croix, "a great trip so far, wonderful weather, good company, good rest! Playing golf this P.M. on new Fountain Valley Course."

Now some California replies re: the Escoffier Contest, minus the recipes, GordonLink: "Years ago my father promised to reveal the family secret of making dandelion wine. It was a bad year for dandelion wine but a good one for getting rid of dandelions. You're suspect Henry, even a little bit crafty. But I do enjoy Marjie's kitchen magic and one of the best is 'The Bean Dish,' a family requirement even to the third generation" and he gives it "with regards to all Marjie and I saw in June." Ritchie Smith complains he "can't even find the word escoffier in my dictionary. For some thirty years I have studiously avoided interfering with matters pertaining to the kitchen and, at this point, I'm not about to interject myself into this area. However, as you know I'm not averse to providing the wherewithal to challenge the culinary art on the part of Betty ... and, being the smart one she is, she has acquired through the years an ability to handle game of all kinds. I am enclosing herewith recipes she uses on pheasant and ducks." He then kicks in with some handy suggestions when "the female touch is not available."

On the same subject, from Arizona, Ed McClintock says, "We won't argue about it. I'm just a screwball when it comes to all these things. I do some charcoal cooking, for example, but I've never had the ambition to be an expert, or even any better than necessary to have my family say 'That was a pretty good steak (or roast, or what have you).'" From New York CourtneyBrown: "Alas! since boiling eggs has been preempted, I can only scramble them - country style" and goes on to prove it. From Worcester, George Tully (via Gladys): "George has never been a cook but does enjoy eating good food and since his illness I have a terrible time filling him up which was always an easy job previously as he had a small appetite in spite of his size. So, I'm sorry to report, even if he were able to speak or write, that he has no Tully recipe to give you for the 1926 Escoffier Contest." From that great Florida hotelman Don Church comes this classic comment: "The only recipes I have belong to my chef, and he would kill me... or worse quit... if I divulged same."

With respect to the Escoffier Questionnaires (1) favorite indoor sport (2) favorite outdoor sport (3) outstanding memories of each Skipper Smith writes: "(1) tuning my XKE Jaguar. Have installed photo cell ignition with most gratifying results. Also working on my 1913 Stoddard Dayton is a fascinating occupation. (2) Racing or cruising in my 43-foot auxiliary cutter 'Blue Cloud' along our beautiful New England coast. (3) I am always pleased when driving the XKE. In sailing two of my happiest were first when I managed to outsail the whole 'Off Soundings' fleet in fog and rather rough going to win first place. Second when I sailed from the Isle of Shoals for Portland, Me., and the fog clamped down. I could not see my wife on the bow but navigated safely into harbor. That was a thrill I'll never forget. As to cooking the only thing I think I cook better than anyone I've come across is chicken" and he goes on to give his method.

For George Snodgrass: "1) Music, sensorial communications, radio ham. 2) Woodworking, sky and bird watching." Delightful hobbies I'd say and particularly fitting for a multi-missioned ex-bombadier of the Bth Air Force permanently retired by the government without privilege of taking on any remunerative work. He describes himself as "wired for everything, you name it, I've had it." This I know from a particularly delightful visit George paid me last fall during which we batted the breeze well into the night. George might also have added: "Inventor, tinker, and country gentleman of Maryland's Eastern shore. Re 4 of the questionnaire (about 1, 2, and 3 of other classmates) George writes: "Nate Parker's touchdown run at the post season University of Chicago football game in Chicago and Swede Oberlander's making fifteen out of fifteen pass completions in this game. Win Robinson tossed three that did not connect. Paul Kyburg's boxes of unwrapped chewing gum that were intended for test purposes at the Package Machinery Company!" His recipe is for corn muffins and his P.S. "Will test my trick boat soon, haven't licked the kick-up rudder problem."

There is more news, fellows, but no more space. Keep sending those questionnaire replies in with or without recipes. See you in the fall.

Meeting last winter on a South Sea cruise were three couples with Dartmouth connections; left to right: Ingham and Martha Baker '21, Mrs. and Dr. D. R. Thomas(parents of Dr. William Thomas '52), Evelyn and Fred Dold '25.

Secretary, 8 Old Farm Rd. Darien, Conn. 06820

Class Agent, 12 Roger Williams Ave. Highland Park, Ill. 60035