1905

TO any of you who may feel that advancing years must of necessity stand in the way of serious study, consider the remarkable life of Esther, Howard Billman's widow. You will recall that she lost one of their three sons by tragic death in 1957 and was left a widow in 1959. After long years of teaching, with her two remaining sons successfully through college and established, Esther is now doing graduate work in the museum of the University of Alaska. I quote from her recent Christmas letter.

"'I'm dreaming of a White Christmas,' and I've been having it to dream about since the early part of October. Now early in Decernber, everything is white with the famous ice fog that starts at about -25 degrees F. - for this greeting comes from the farthest north university.

"To those of you who haven't heard from me recently, I have a year's leave of absence from Sheldon Jackson in order to work on my master's degree in anthropology. I feel very fortunate to have some very old credits accepted, so that I can be here, working with Dr. Gunther, who has done so much for Sheldon Jackson Museum, and who got me excited about anthropology and museum work. I'm working hard and enjoying every bit of it, even the weather. I'm taking a full graduate course, and find that the more I learn the more I find I don't know. I'm doing a research project in the museum of the University of Alaska, which is giving me lots of practice that I can use back in Sitka. Right now I just put up an exhibit of Eskimo games and toys, and am busy writing a paper on the subject. I live in the newest dorm, but the farthest away, on a hill overlooking the campus, so I get my exercise climbing up the hill, which I usually do only once a day."

A very beautiful print in color of a Lucky Lady rose reminds me that Charles Hodgman is still carrying on with his successful hobby of rose culture. His summer was enlivened by visits from his two children and their families. "Rufus and Emily Day's grandson, Robert Fairfield Day, was married December 23. Son Emerson and Ruth were in Sweden but were to arrive back for the wedding. Clayton and Marion Grover have decided against trying to get to Florida this winter. They were planning visits in Hanover and Springfield. They sent us a snapshot in color of their pleasant summer home on Swan Lake in Maine. "Elsie," Mildred, and I are shown in summer clothing on one of the rare sunny days.

Roger and Jane Brown left for Florida about December 23. He hopes to arrange a small reunion of '05 men and women as usual in February or March. I trust you have all read with interest Roger's letter explaining projects I and II. Let him hear from you. His address: Anna Maria, P.O. Box 101. Fla. 33501.

Alva Hatch was to leave December 28 for Florida and Alabama. Note change of address for Bea MacMillan: Mrs. Andrew L. MacMillan Jr., c/o R. L. Wood, 4 Norport Drive, West Port, Conn. 06880. Also C.C. Hills, Box 561, Mount Dora, Fla. 32757.

Secretary, 358 North Fuller Ave. Upper Montclair, N. J. 07043

Treasurer, Box 101, Anna Maria, Fla. 33501

Bequest Chairman,